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Category: Cow-Calf Management Checklist

Management Considerations for June 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

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

COW HERD MANAGEMENT

  • For spring-calving cow herds:
    • Evaluate BCS in conjunction with feed/forage availability.
    • Think through your plan if you anticipate early-weaning or needing to feed/supplement on pasture through the summer.
    • Schedule early pregnancy checking activities if not already done.
  • For late-summer and early-fall calving cow herds:
    • Evaluate cows for BCS and adjust your plan to ensure mature cows are ≥ 5.0 and 2-4 year old females are ≥ 6.0 at calving.
    • Review your calving health protocols as needed.
  • Closely manage free-choice salt and mineral programs.
    • Record date and amount of salt and mineral offered and calculate herd consumption on a pasture or group basis.
    • Adjust how you are offering product to cattle if needed to achieve intake early in the summer.
    • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
    • Properly store bags and pallets to avoid damage and product loss.
  • Closely evaluate 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

  • Continue to evaluate early-summer grass growth and adjust your grazing plan as needed.
  • Continue efforts to control invasive species in pastures.
  • Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cow herd for the rest of the year.
  • 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:
    • Calving distribution (% 1st cycle, % 2nd cycle, % 3rd cycle)
    • Calving interval
    • % calf crop (# calves weaned/# cows exposed for breeding) for calves born in fall 2022.

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR MAY 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

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

Cow Herd Management

  • If cows are 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 an estrus 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.
  • The estrus synchronization planner on KSUBeef.org is a helpful tool for scheduling synchronization protocols.
    • Order your A.I. 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.
  • Employ multiple strategies and chemistries for controlling flies and insects.
  • With high feeder calf prices this spring, consider price risk management tools.
  • 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 2022.

Management Considerations for April 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

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

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.
    • Females in a BCS ≥ 6.0 should not be losing condition.
    • Record cow BCS and use it as a guide for future management.
    • Start lactation rations after 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.
    • Measure your cows’ intake and adjust it as needed.
    • If using fly control products, start them at recommended times for your area.
    • Properly store bagged mineral and avoid damaging bags and pallets.
  • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating 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 from KSUBeef.org to help plan synchronization protocols.
  • Schedule breeding soundness examinations on bulls well prior to turnout.
    • Allow yourself plenty of time to 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.
  • Evaluate forage production potential, particularly on pastures that were drought stressed in 2022, and adjust turn-out dates as needed.
  • 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.

Management Considerations for March 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

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

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.
    • 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.

We need your input! If you have any suggestions or comments on News from KSU Animal Sciences, please let us know by e‐mail to katiesmith@ksu.edu

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR FEBRUARY 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

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).
  • 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.

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR JANUARY 2023

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

Cow herd management

Body condition score both spring‐ and fall‐calving cows.

  • Target BCS for spring calvers: 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 new‐born 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

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS FOR DECEMBER 2022

Posted on by Jessica Jensen

 

Cow herd management

  • With continued volatility, consider opportunities to lock prices in, if at all 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.
  • If not already done, take inventory of 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 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.
  • 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)
  • 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).
  • Check spring‐calving herds for pregnancy status and cull the following:
    • Open or late‐bred females
    • Females with poor disposition
    • Low milk producing females that wean light calves
    • Females with undesirable teat/udder conformation
    • Unsound females (eyes, feet/legs)
  • 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 retaining calves post‐weaning:
    • Review your nutrition plan.
    • Ensure you have sufficient forages available to match cowherd 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.

Forage/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.

WHAT PRODUCERS SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IN SEPTEMBER

Posted on by Angie Denton

Calf Management
Wean calves:

  • Reduce stress. Provide a clean, dust‐free, comfortable environment.
  • Provide balanced nutritional program to promote weight gain and health.
  • Observe feed and water intake. Healthy, problem free calves have large appetites.
  • Observe calves frequently. Early detection of sickness reduces medical costs and lost performance.
  • Vaccinate calves and control internal/external parasites through veterinary consultation (ideally done prior to weaning).
  • Vaccinate all replacement heifer candidates for brucellosis if within four to 10 months of age.
  • Use implants and feed additives to improve efficient animal performance.

Weigh all calves individually. Allows for correct sorting, herd culling, growing programs, replacement heifer selection, and marketing plans.

Participate in Whole Herd Rewards, Performance Plus, and(or) other ranch record/performance systems.

Finalize plans to merchandise calves or to background through yearling or finishing programs.

  • Consider feedstuff availability.
  • Limit feeding high concentrate diets may be a profitable feeding program.

Select replacement heifers which are:

  • Born early in the calving season. This should increase the number of yearling heifers bred during the early days of the subsequent breeding season.
  • Daughters of above average producing cows. Performance traits are moderately heritable traits.
  • Of the proper frame size to compliment desired mature size and weight.
    Structurally correct. Avoid breeding udder, feet, and leg problems into the herd.

Vaccinate replacement heifers with first round of viral vaccines.
Plan replacement heifer nutrition program so that heifers will be at their “target weight” (65% of their mature weight)
by the start of the breeding season.


Forage/Pasture Management
Observe pasture weed problems to aid in planning control methods needed next spring.
Monitor grazing conditions and rotate pastures if possible and(or) practical.
Plan winter nutritional program through pasture and forage management.
For stocker cattle and replacement heifers, supplement maturing grasses with an acceptable degradable intake protein/ionophore (feed additive) type supplement.

General Management
Avoid unnecessary stress. Handle cows and calves to reduce shrink, sustain good health, and minimize sickness.
Analyze forage for nitrate and nutrient content. Use these to develop winter feeding programs.
Repair, replace, and improve facilities.
Plan your marketing program, including private treaty, consignment sales, test stations, production sales, etc.