Tips given for beef cattle producers

By GARY TILGHMAN

Dr. Roy Burris, University of Kentucky Beef Specialist, has provided a good listing of timely management information that our beef cattle producers should review and include in the upcoming days. This “Tip List” can serve as a good reminder as we enter the fall production season.

Tips for Fall-calving herds:

— The calving season is in full swing for fall calvers. Check cows frequently, even though weather-related stress isn’t as much of a problem as spring-calving can be. Identify calves and commercial males should be castrated and implanted.

— Obtain yearling measurements (weight, hip height, scrotal circumference, etc.) on replacement animals — especially for registered ones. The largest measurements for weight, height and pelvic areas aren’t what you are looking for. In most cases, you are more concerned with minimums, like eliminating heifers with very small pelvic areas so that you minimize their likelihood of calving difficulty. Or, you might even want to eliminate some animals when it appears that their size and frame is too large to fit your program and goals.

— It is time to get everything ready for the fall-breeding season, too. Line-up semen, supplies, etc., now and get your bulls ready to go (don’t forget their breeding soundness evaluation).

— Put fall-calving cows on accumulated pasture before the breeding season if it is available.

Tips for spring-calving herds

— Pregnancy examination of cows is an important activity which should not be overlooked. Winter feeding costs can be minimized by eliminating open cows prior to winterfeeding.

— Obtain weaning weights of your calves and enter this in a record keeping program. Keep good records and treat your cow-calf operation like a business.

— If you have already done a pre-weaning working, revaccinate (booster) calves as needed. Treat calves for internal and external parasites. If you vaccinate calves yourself, be sure to handle and administer vaccines properly.

— Evaluate the body condition of your cows. It is easier to improve their condition prior to winter.

— Now is the time to do your first round of culling and selecting breeding stock. You can eliminate obviously inferior calves, especially those with wild or nervous dispositions. Consider the number of heifers that you will need to save for your cow herd. Bulls which are old, unsound, roguish, etc. can be culled now. It is not too early to begin thinking about replacements now.

Tips for stocker cattle producers

— If you are purchasing weaned/stressed calves, have your receiving/feeding program in place. Feed a stress ration which contains at least 13 percent protein and is fairly energy dense.

— Manage to keep newly weaned and/or purchased calves healthy. Calves should be penned in a small lot with adequate feed, water and shade to reduce stress. Careful handling and comfortable, non-crowded conditions can decrease stress.

— When newly-weaned calves are purchased in the fall, sickness and death loss can be a big problem. Work with your veterinarian on a health and receiving program. Consider purchasing CPH-45 feeder calves which are pre-weaned, vaccinated, bunk-adjusted and treated for parasites.

— Watch calves closely for a few weeks after their arrival. Have a treatment program ready for any health problems. Early recognition of sick cattle improves their chance of recovery. Watch for drooped ears, hollow appearance, reluctance to rise, stiff gait, coughing and dull or sunken eyes. A good “receiving” program is essential to profitability.

General beef cattle reminders

— Test hay quality and make inventory of hay supplies and needs. Make adjustments (buy feed or sell cattle) before you run out in the winter.

— Take soil samples for soil analysis to determine pasture fertility needs. Apply phosphate, potash and lime accordingly.

— Avoid prussic acid poisoning which can happen when frosts rupture the plant cells in sorghums, sorghum-sudan hybrids, sudangrass and johnsongrass releasing prussic (hydrocyanic) acid. Fields should not be grazed until after the plants have completely dried up (weeks not days) after a frost. New growth that occurs in stalk fields is potentially dangerous whether frosted or not. However, most stalk fields will be grazed this year before frost.

— Remove fly-control eartags from all animals, dispose of according to instructions on package. Treat for grubs/lice.

— Do not harvest or graze alfalfa now in order for it to replenish root reserves.