Most ranchers want calves to be small at birth (for easier calving), especially for first-calf heifer—to they won’t have to pull calves or have their vet deliver a big calf by C-section surgery.

“Facilities play a big role in that,” he says. “Some people have calving barns to get them in out of the weather.” Humphrey says some spring calvers are looking to calve a little later in ...