Birthing in Sync with Your Forage Supply By Jim Gerrish

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In this episode of Regenerative Wisdom, grazing expert Jim Gerrish continues his exploration of strategies for year-round grazing. Building on last month’s focus on aligning breeding stock with winter grazing capacity, Jim now turns to the timing of calving and lambing—and why syncing birth cycles with your forage supply is often more effective than following the mantra of "calving in sync with nature."

Jim discusses:

• The biological and economic demands of peak lactation

• Why winter calving can be a costly mistake in most operations

• How modified forage systems (like endophyte-infected tall fescue or cool-season annuals) change the logic of calving season

• Real-world examples where fall or winter birthing makes sense—and where it doesn’t

This is a must-listen for anyone looking to lower feed costs, improve livestock performance, and extend their grazing season through smarter timing and forage management.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

• Calving vs. “calving in sync with nature”

• Nutritional demands of lactation and forage quality

• Tall fescue as a tool for winter grazing

• Financial risks of out-of-sync birthing

• Climate, forage type, and grazing skill as limiting factors

• When fall and winter calving can make economic sense

🌱 Actionable Insights:

1. Match birthing seasons to periods of optimal forage growth—not just tradition.

2. Use stockpiled forage strategically, especially in fescue-dominant systems.

3. Avoid chasing higher weaning weights at the cost of higher winter feed bills.

4. Evaluate your climate and management capacity before shifting calving seasons.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Jim Gerrish’s Website – American GrazingLands

• SGF Bookshelf: Find Jim’s books at stockmangrassfarmer.digital

📌 For more insights and resources, check out https://www.stockmangrassfarmer.digital/profile