Ranchers across Kansas are keeping a close eye on their cattle herds and gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year, the early calving period.

February and March are traditionally a time for cows to give
birth, and that requires cattle ranchers to watch carefully and
sometimes battle extreme weather to make sure new calves survive.

Chuck Oleen, co-owner of Oleen Cattle Co. in Falun, says the
work is important because if too many of the calves die, there’s no
chance of having a profitable year.

And Carl Garten, district Extension director based in Salina,
told The Salina Journal that more ranchers are moving calving
season to later months, so the calves are born when green grass is
available and the weather is better.