The cheat sheet
Reference
The numbers you'd otherwise re-Google, and the people you'd otherwise re-find.
Quick-calc constants
- Animal Unit (AU)
- 1,000 lb cow w/ calf
- Cow / day forage
- ≈ 26 lb dry matter
- Cow / day hay
- ≈ 30 lb (winter)
- Round bale
- ≈ 1,000–1,200 lb
- Stocking rate (target)
- 1 AU / 10–25 ac (varies)
- Bull : cow ratio
- 1 : 15–25
- Gestation
- 283 days
- Breeding season
- 60–90 days typical
- Calf wean age
- 6–8 months
- Acres of pasture / lb gain
- Highly variable — log yours
Body Condition Score (BCS)
A 1–9 visual scale. Most cow-calf operations target 5–6 at calving.
1
Emaciated
Bones obvious, no fat cover. Emergency.
3
Thin
Ribs visible. Needs nutrition.
5
Moderate
Smooth appearance. Target for many ops.
6
Good
Ideal at calving for fall-born herds.
7
Fleshy
Fat cover prominent. Watch breeding.
9
Obese
Extreme. Health risk.