K-State Research and Extension

COW HERD MANAGEMENT 

• For spring-calving cow herds:
  • Monitor BCS relative to feed/forage availability.
  • Formulate your plan if you anticipate early-weaning or supplementing on grass.
  • Schedule early pregnancy checking activities with your vet if not already done.
• For late-summer and early-fall calving cow herds:
  • Ensure mature cows are ≥ 5.0 and 2-4 year old females are ≥ 6.0 at calving.
  • Review your calving health protocols as needed.
• For free-choice salt and mineral programs:
  • Record date and amount of product offered, calculate herd or pasture consumption.
  • Adjust how you are offering product to cattle if they over- or under-consume.
  • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
  • Properly store bags and pallets to avoid damage and product loss.
• For bulls at the start of the breeding season:
  • Watch for injury so you can intervene and treat bulls promptly if needed.
  • Ensure they are aggressively covering cows.
  • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls.
  • If pulling bulls from cows to manage the length of the breeding season, schedule those dates and have them on the calendar in advance.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• If considering creep feeding calves, make sure you understand what your objective is by doing so and calculate the value of gain relative to cost of gain.
• Monitor calves for summer respiratory illness.
• Schedule any pre-weaning vaccination or processing activities.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Visit KSUBeef.org for info and events!
• Evaluate early-summer grass growth and adjust your grazing plan as needed.
• Make concerted efforts to control invasive species in pastures.
• Take inventory of remaining forages and feedstuffs carried over to this fall.
• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year https://cowweb.exnet.iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/Index.jsp.
• Employ multiple strategies and chemistries for controlling flies and insects.
  With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.
• Make and evaluate important production calculations (always a good time for this):

1. 1. Calving distribution (% 1st cycle, % 2nd cycle, % 3rd cycle)
   2. Calving interval
   3. % calf crop (# calves weaned/# cows exposed for breeding).

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• If cows are in marginal BCS (4.0 – 5.0) going into breeding, possibly consider:
  • Supplementing 2-3 weeks prior to and through 1st cycle.
  • Using monensin (200 mg/hd/day) in feed supplements.
  • Temporary calf removal or a CIDR to initiate estrus in anestrus females.
  • Early weaning if BCS doesn’t improve during the season.
• Pregnancy check and cull fall calving cows, if not already done.
• With higher costs, it’s important to closely manage salt and mineral programs.
  • Record date and amount of salt and mineral offered and calculate herd consumption.
  • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
  • Properly store bags and pallets to avoid damage and product loss.
• Continue to provide high magnesium mineral formulas to cows grazing high risk forages: wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass, and other cool-season forages.
• Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows and older cows.
• The estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) is a helpful tool for scheduling synchronization protocols.
  • Order your AI supplies well prior to starting your protocols.
• Closely monitor bulls at the start of the breeding season for injury and to make sure they are aggressively covering cows.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Calculate the value of gain relative to cost of gain for:
  • Implanting nursing calves and grass cattle.
  • Creep feeding nursing calves
• Finalize health protocols for spring-born calves and cattle going to summer grass.
• Consider supplementing or feeding replacement heifers for a period when initially turning to grass if they don’t have post-weaning grazing experience and/or forage supply is limited.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Reconsider stocking rates and turn-out dates for drought stressed pastures.
• Begin implementing early-season weed/invasive species control.
• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
  • https://cowweb.exnet.iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/Index.jsp
• Employ multiple strategies and chemistries for controlling flies and insects.
• With high feeder calf prices this spring, consider price risk management tools.
  • See recent article in March 2024 Beef Tips by Dr. Jennifer Ifft (Managing Feeder Cattle Price Risk – Beef Tips ) – https://enewsletters.k-state.edu/beeftips/
• Make and evaluate important production calculations:
• Calving distribution (% 1st cycle, % 2nd cycle, % 3rd cycle)
• Calving interval
• % calf crop (# calves weaned/# cows exposed for breeding) for calves born in fall 2023.

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• Evaluate BCS and adjust nutrition for spring-calving females going into breeding.
  • Ensure thin (BCS ≤ 4.0) females are on an increasing plane of nutrition.
  • BCS 5.0+ females should be maintaining weight and condition.
  • Record cow BCS and use it as a guide for future management.
  • Start lactation rations/supplementation by end of first calving cycle.
• Pregnancy check fall calving cows and make culling decisions.
  • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
  • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
• Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming spring and summer.
  • Make effort to measure intake regularly and adjust it as needed.
  • If using fly control products, start them at recommended area times.
  • Properly store bagged mineral and avoid damaging bags and pallets.
• Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows and older cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements, particularly for cows grazing the following:
  • wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass, and other cool-season forages
• Use the estrus synchronization planner to help plan synchronization protocols.
  • https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html
• Schedule breeding soundness examinations on bulls well prior to turnout.
  • Allow plenty of time to re-test or find a replacement bull if needed.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Review health protocols for spring-born calves and schedule processing activities.
• If not already completed, wean and market fall-born calves.
• Consider the economic return by implanting nursing calves and grass cattle.
• If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
  • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cowherd for the rest of the year.
  • https://cowweb.exnet.iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/Index.jsp
• Adjust turn-out dates as needed for drought stressed pastures.
• Consider your storage method for any leftover hay and feed and look for opportunities to minimize shrink during extended storage.
• Good sanitation around winter feeding and bedding areas helps reduce stable fly populations.
• Take a balanced, multi-tool approach to fly/insect control.
• Wrap up any last minute pasture management projects before spring turn-out:
  • Finish repairing fences.
  • Conduct burns, work to control trees and brush.
  • Ensure sufficient water is available when cattle are turned out.

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• Start post-calving nutrition programs for spring-calving females.
  • Begin lactation rations once first calving cycle is complete.
  • Make sure thin (BCS ≤ 4.0) females are on an increasing plane of nutrition going into breeding.
• Pregnancy check and wean fall-calving cows if not already done.
• Evaluate your mineral program for the coming spring and summer seasons.
  • What was your average consumption last year?
  • Do you need to make changes this year to achieve targeted consumption?
• Consider magnesium supplementation levels, particularly for lactating cows grazing wheat, rye, or triticale in the spring.
• If synchronizing females for breeding, schedule your protocols now well in advance of the breeding season and mark your calendars.
  • Use the estrus synchronization planner available to you.
    • https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html
  • Inventory your A.I. supplies and check your semen tanks.
• Evaluate herd bulls for BCS and adjust as needed prior to breeding.
  • Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use.
  • Schedule breeding soundness examinations with your veterinarian.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Market your fall-born calves if not already done.
• Schedule your spring calf working activities and visit with your veterinarian to discuss your calf health protocols.
• Monitor growth and pubertal development of replacement heifers.
  • Heifers should be having active estrous cycles prior to breeding.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Make sure you complete your spring calving records!
  • Don’t forget late-calving females as you focus on other spring projects.
• Rethink your turn-out dates if pastures were stressed from drought last year.
  • Plan/adjust your feeding dates accordingly.
• Take inventory of any feed/forage that will be left over from winter.
• Cover piles or close bags if silage is left over and won’t be fed until fall.
• Clean up any soiled bedding or unused/wasted feed to reduce the breeding and development of stable flies as the weather warms up.
• Finish pasture management projects started last year:
  • Repair or replace fences as needed.
  • Burn if conditions allow, cut and pile trees, particularly Cedar trees!
  • Clean and repair tanks and equipment as needed so watering sources are working properly when cattle are turned out to pasture.
• If making bull selection decisions:
  • Review your herd performance relative to your marketing and genetic goals.
  • Study EPDs impacting your marketing and genetic goals and do your homework well before sale day.

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• Target BCS at calving for spring-calving cows:
  • 5 for mature cows
  • 6 for young females
• Be ready to start your post-calving nutrition program for spring-calving cows.
• Evaluate fall-calving cows for BCS:
  • Adjust nutrition program as needed relative to weaning date
• If conditions allow, keep grazing crop residues and dormant pastures but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed.
• Increase energy content 1% for every degree F below the lower critical temperature (LCT) when dry, 2% if they have a wet hair coat.
• Put down bedding, remove snow, ensure cattle have access to wind protection.
• Supply adequate water volume and space in freezing conditions.
• Don’t forget about your herd bulls!
  • Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use
  • Keep young and mature bulls separate if possible and provide plenty of space to prevent injury
  • Spread sufficient fresh bedding to help avoid testicular frostbite

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Do you have a plan for weaning and marketing fall-born calves?
  • Evaluate your feed resources and cost of gain relative to the value of gain
  • Talk to prospective buyers in advance of selling
• Evaluate calf health protocols, both spring- and fall-born calves.
• Monitor growth and pubertal development of replacement heifers.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• For spring-calving herds this calving season:
  • How are you going to record your calving data?
  • What information are you going to record?
• Take inventory of supplies and clean equipment prior to spring calving.
• If making bull selection decisions:
  • Review your herd performance relative to your marketing and genetic goals.
  • Study EPDs impacting your marketing and genetic goals and do your homework well before sale day.

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• Body condition score both spring- and fall-calving cows.
  • Target BCS for spring calvers at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females.
  • Adjust nutrition program prior to calving as needed for spring-calvers
  • Ensure fall-calvers maintain BCS through winter if still nursing calves
• Continue grazing crop residues and dormant pastures as they are available but be prepared to move cattle or provide supplemental feed as conditions dictate.
• Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects on cow nutrient requirements by providing additional feed which may be more challenging this year with a tighter supply of forages.
• Review your nutrition program and test harvested forages for the following:
  • Moisture/dry matter
  • Crude protein
  • Energy (NEm, NEg, and/or TDN)
  • Fiber components (ADF, NDF)
  • Macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, salt)
  • Nitrates when appropriate
  • Starch for silage crops
• Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls are BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use and have adequate winter protection.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Consider your plans for weaning and marketing fall-born calves.
  • Watch the feeder calf market
  • Evaluate your feed resources and cost of gain
  • Talk to prospective buyers in advance of selling
• Review/update your health protocols as needed for newborn calves.
• Consider either supplementing fall-calving pairs or creep feeding fall-born calves to maintain calf performance on low-quality winter forages.

Monitor replacement heifers to ensure they are adequately growing and developing, take check weights and adjust your plane of nutrition accordingly.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Update herd records and use them to assess performance.
• Review your genetic selection strategy to ensure your goals are met.
• Develop and/or revise your risk management plans for the coming year.
• Discuss herd health protocol with your veterinarian.
• Take inventory of supplies and clean equipment prior to spring calving.
• Ensure plans are in place to provide bedding, wind protection, and snow removal.
• Make arrangements to ensure sufficient water is available in freezing conditions.
• Evaluate your short and long-term herd inventory goals with current conditions.
• Renew lease arrangements as necessary.
• Schedule an annual meeting with your lender, insurance agent and extension professional

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

Cow Herd Management

• If not already done, take inventory of and test harvested forages for the following:
  • Moisture/dry matter
  • Crude protein
  • Energy (o(NEm, NEg, and/or TDN)
  • Fiber components (ADF, NDF)
  • Macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, salt)
  • Nitrates and/or prussic acid when appropriate
  • Starch for silage crops
• Calculate forage needs based on herd inventory, cattle weight, and days, and develop a plan to ensure that adequate harvested forage is available if grazing is limited (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator.)
• Body condition score cows to develop informed supplementation strategies (both spring and fall-calving herds.)
  • Targeted BCS at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young females (2,3, & 4 year olds)
  • Record scores with the BCS Record Book (https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Item.aspx?catId=562&pubId=19320) from KSRE!
• Consider utilizing crop residues for late-fall and winter grazing needs.Assess down grain in the field and be aware of nitrates and prussic acid (around the time of frost for sorghums.)
• For spring-calving cow herds:
  • Schedule pregnancy checking if not already done.
    • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
    • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
• For fall-calving cow herds:
  • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
  • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan synchronization protocols.
• Review your marketing strategy for cull cows.
  • Cows with a BCS ≥ 6.0 will likely sell well with current market prices.
  • Look for opportunities to increase value by adding weight prior to market.
• Ensure bulls undergo breeding soundness exams prior to fall/winter service.
• Manage young and mature bulls during the offseason to ensure bulls are BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use.

Calf Management

• If not already done, make arrangements to wean spring-born calves.
  • Finalize plans to either market calves or retain and add weight post-weaning.
  • If marketing calves, communicate your strategy to prospective buyers in advance.
• If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
  • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.
• If retaining calves post-weaning:
  • Review your nutrition plan.
  • Ensure you have sufficient forages available to match cow herd needs.
  • Closely observe feed and water intake the first few weeks.
  • Make sure all cattle have sufficient access to feed and water.
• Review/update your health protocols as needed for either weaned or new-born calves.
• Consider either supplementing fall-calving pairs or creep feeding fall-born calves to maintain calf performance on low-quality winter forages.
• For replacement heifers, manage your program to properly develop them prior to your given breeding time.

Forest/Pasture Management

• Make plans for controlling invasive species for the next growing season.
• Winterize water sources if applicable.
• Work on fencing/facility projects as time/weather allows.

General Management

• Develop and/or review your risk management plans for the coming year.
• Evaluate your short and long-term herd inventory goals with current conditions.
• Update lease arrangements as necessary.
• Schedule an annual meeting with your lender, insurance agent, and extension professional.
• Consider opportunities to lock prices in, if possible, for co-products and commodity feeds.
• Understand what nutrients you are targeting to purchase and price feeds on a cost per unit of nutrient basis.

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• For spring-calving cow herds:
  • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
    • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
    • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
  • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
    • Record scores with the BCS Record Book (https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/Item.aspx?catId=562&pubId=19320) from KSRE!
    • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
    • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
  • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
    • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
    • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
  • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
• For fall-calving cow herds:
  • If not already done, review your calving health protocols as needed.
  • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
  • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
  • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
• Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
  • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
  • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
  • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
• Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall and winter service.
  • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls.
  • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
• If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
  • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
  • Be aware of possible presence of molds and other anti-nutritional compounds in hay harvested at higher than typical moisture levels.
  • Test for nitrates and prussic acid when appropriate.
• Use the forage inventory calculator (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator) to balance forage inventories with fall/winter grazing acres.
• If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep the following in mind:
  • The bottom 1/3 of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
  • Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.
  • High amounts of down grain will require a change in management.
• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org (https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/beef/tools.html) to plan key management activities for your cowherd for the rest of the year.
• With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.
• Begin preparing for cold weather (i.e. tank heaters, windbreaks, bedding.)

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

• For spring-calving cow herds:
  • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
    • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
    • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
  • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
    • Record scores with the BCS Record Book from KSRE!
    • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
    • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
  • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
    • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
    • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
  • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
• For fall-calving cow herds:
  • If not already done, review your calving health protocols as needed.
  • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
  • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
  • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
• Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
  • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
  • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
  • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
• Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall service.
  • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls
  • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0 after summer breeding, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into fall.

CALF MANAGEMENT 

• Schedule any pre-weaning vaccination or processing activities if not already done.
• Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
• If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
  • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
  • Be aware of possible presence of molds and other anti-nutritional compounds in hay harvested at higher than typical moisture levels.
  • Test for nitrates and prussic acid when appropriate.
  • Use the forage inventory calculator (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator).
  • Balance forage inventories with fall/winter grazing acres.
• If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep the following in mind:
  • The bottom 1/3 of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
  • Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.
  • High amounts of down grain will require a change in management.
• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
• With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.

By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

COWHERD MANAGEMENT

• For spring-calving cow herds:
  • If not already done, make plans for weaning calves.
    • Test your forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.
    • Check and clean waterers and prepare weaning/receiving pens.
  • Evaluate cow BCS at weaning.
    • Record scores with the BCS Record Book from KSRE!
    • Use BCS to strategically supplement cows during fall, if needed.
    • Female requirements are lowest at weaning so weight and BCS can be added more easily in early fall rather than waiting until closer to calving.
  • Schedule pregnancy checking and fall health work if not already done.
    • How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
    • Do we need to re-think our fall/winter nutrition program?
  • Evaluate the cost of gain relative to the value of gain when making feeding and marketing decisions for cull cows.
• For fall-calving cow herds:
  • The final 60 days prior to calving represents the last opportunity to add BCS economically.
  • Ensure mature cows are ≥ 5.0 and 2–4-year-old females are ≥ 6.0 at calving.
  • Review your calving health protocols as needed.
  • Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
  • Plan to adjust your nutrition program to match needs of lactating cows.
  • Use the estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) to help plan fall synchronization protocols.
• Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming fall and winter.
  • Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
  • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
  • If using fly control products, continue to use them until recommended times (based on date of first frost) for your area.
  • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements for cows grazing cool-season forages and winter annuals this fall.
• Schedule breeding soundness exams for bulls used for fall service.
  • Monitor BCS, particularly on young bulls.
  • If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0 after summer breeding, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into fall.

CALF MANAGEMENT

• If you are creep feeding spring-born calves, continue to closely monitor intake and calf condition/fleshiness going into the fall until weaning.
• Schedule any pre-weaning vaccination or processing activities if not already done.
• Consider the economic value by implanting nursing fall-born calves and weaned spring-born calves.
• If not already done, schedule your breeding protocols for fall replacement heifers in advance of the breeding season.
  • If synchronizing with MGA, make sure intake is consistent at 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate per hd per day for 14 days, and remove for 19 days prior to administering prostaglandin.

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

• Employ multiple strategies, chemistries for late-season fly/insect control.
• Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages for fall feed needs.
  • Use the forage inventory calculator (https://www.agmanager.info/hay-inventory-calculator).
  • Balance forage inventories with fall/winter grazing acres.
• If planning to harvest corn or sorghum silage:
  • Prepare your pile/bunker site and equipment.
  • If using a custom harvester, communicate with them well in advance.
  • Closely monitor whole plant moisture levels.
  • Have silage tarps in place and ready to cover once harvest is complete.
• Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
• With high feeder calf prices, consider price risk management tools.
• Visit with your local FSA and extension office if you plan to utilize CRP acres for emergency forage use or for information on other assistance programs.