Fall 2025 Ranch Update
Jacki Musgrave and John Nollette
March calving went smoothly this year at GSL. In 2025, 83.6% of mature March-calving cows calved within the first 21 days, slightly above the 2023–2024 average of 81%. Three-year-old cows showed similar early calving rates, with 83.8% calving in the first 21 days—nearly identical to the 2023–2024 average of 83.3%. March-calving heifers performed better, with 89.3% calving early in 2025, compared to an average of 84.1% in the previous two years.
Slightly fewer mature May-calving cows calved in the first 21 days (84.3%) than the 23-24 average (86%). Fewer May-calving three-year-old cows calved in the first 21 days in 2025 (88%) than the 23-24 average (93.6%). In 2025, more May-calving heifers calved in the first 21 days (93.8%) than the 23-24 average (90.9%).
After a dry winter, we finally received much-needed moisture beginning in late April and continuing through early July. While the delayed precipitation slightly slowed initial grass growth in the hills, it ultimately led to a strong forage supply. Upland range diets collected from esophageally fistulated cows in early June averaged 9.4% crude protein—higher than 2024’s value of 7.8% but below our long-term average of 12.2%. In July, upland range diets averaged 9.2% CP, just under the long-term average of 9.9%. Meadow diets in June and July measured 13.7% and 12.2% CP, respectively—slightly below the long-term averages of 14.0% for June and 13.0% for July.
Pregnancy rate for our March-born replacement heifers following a 30-day breeding season was 86.8%—the highest we've achieved since transitioning to a 30-day season in 2021. Since that shift, the average pregnancy rate for this group has been 82.2%. Heifers that remain open after the March breeding season are given a second opportunity by being combined with our May-born heifers for breeding.
May-born yearling steers grazed on sub-irrigated meadow from May through early August this year, averaging 3.1 pounds of gain per day during that period. This rate of gain was higher than what we observed over the same timeframe in previous years—2.5 lb/day in 2021, 1.8 lb/day in 2022, and 2.8 lb/day in 2023. One likely factor contributing to the improved performance this year was the higher crude protein content of the meadow forage in June, which averaged 13.7%, compared to 9.2–11.0% in the years 2021 through 2023.
We’ve been fortunate to have Sam Feine, a range intern working with Mitch Stephenson, assisting us at GSL this summer. You can learn more about Sam in the intern highlight section. It’s been a pleasure having her on board, and we truly appreciate all her contributions. Best of luck to you, Sam, as you head back to class this fall and prepare to graduate in December!