Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson talks about management factors in the spring.
The commercial cow-calf business does not require intensive day-to-day management to the same extent of the other industry segments. That being said, timely management input is critical to maximizing forage production, shortening the calving season and creating profit potential. The key to capitalizing on the future value of cattle is to run your operation as a business. Managing your operation like a business means making sound financial decisions and concentrating management and labor into some of the critical control points through the annual production cycle.
As of May 2024, consider the following checklist.
– Have I made a plan for weed control, fertilizer, rotational grazing and proper pasture management? Weed control, especially on improved grasses, insures that the grass we intend to grow is making use of the moisture and soil nutrients. Applying an adequate amount of nitrogen fertilizer to Bermudagrass pastures is essential to produce the amount of forage needed to sustain your cowherd.
– Have my bulls undergone a Breeding Soundness Exam and do I have an adequate number of bulls on hand to get cows bred promptly?
– Have I given pre-breeding vaccinations and dewormed my cow herd?
– Are my replacement heifers of adequate age and target weight to breed up quick and early ahead of my mature cow herd?
– Are my cows and bulls in adequate Body Condition for the onset of breeding season?
– Based on that answer, do I need to continue with supplemental feed?
– What is my hay and feed plan for next winter?
– Have I castrated, dehorned, dewormed and given the first round of vaccinations to my spring born calves? Best management practices are to have this done by the time calves are two to four months of age.
