No matter when you calve your spring-calving herd, it is a good reminder to change the feeding schedule for part, if not all, of the spring-calving cow herd.

It is generally accepted that adequate supervision at calving has a significant effect on reducing calf mortality. Saving every calf is always important to the bottom line, but takes on additional urgency when profit margins are narrow. On most ranching operations, supervision of the first-calf heifers will be best accomplished in daylight hours and the poorest observation takes place in the middle of the night.

The easiest and most practical method of inhibiting nighttime calving at present is by feeding cows at night. The physiological mechanism is unknown, but some hormonal effect may be involved. Rumen motility studies indicate the frequency of rumen contractions falls a few hours before parturition. Intraruminal pressure begins to fall in the last two weeks of gestation, with a more rapid decline during calving. It has been suggested that night feeding causes intraruminal pressures to rise at night and decline in the daytime.

The concept is called the Konefal method. A Canadian rancher, Gus Konefal, reported his observations in the 1970s.

Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension release