Timely Cattle Tips for January

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

Start cows on the high magnesium mineral supplement soon.  Consider protein supplementation if hay is less than 10% crude protein.  If cows are thin, begin energy (grain) supplementation now.

Consider vaccinating the cows to help prevent calf scours.

Get ready for calving season.  See that all equipment and materials are ready, including obstetrical equipment, record forms or booklets, ear tags, scales for obtaining birthweights, etc.

Prepare a calving area where assistance can be provided easily if needed.  Purchase ear tags for calves and number them ahead of time if possible.  Plan for enough labor to watch/assist during the calving period.



Move early-calving heifers and cows to pastures that are relatively small and easily accessible to facilities in case calving assistance is needed.  Keep them in good condition but do not overfeed them at this time.  Increase their nutrient intake after they calve.

Keep replacement heifer calves gaining enough to reach their "target" breeding weight (65% mature weight) by spring.

Study the performance of last year's calf crop and plan for improvement.  Plan your breeding program and consider a better herd sire(s).  Select herd sires which will allow you to meet your goals and be willing to pay for superior animals.

Fall-Calving Cow Herd

Breeding season continues.  Keep fall calving cows on accumulated pasture as long as possible, then start feeding hay/grain.  Do not let these cows get too thin.

Provide clean windbreaks and shelter for young calves.

Remove bulls by Valentine's Day.  That means that your 2014 fall calving season will end in November.

Catch up on castrating, dehorning, and implanting.

General

Feed hay in areas where mud is less of a problem.  Consider preparing a feeding area with gravel over geotextile fabric.  Materials for construction of these high-traffic pads can be cost-share eligible items.

Increase feed as the temperature drops, especially when the weather is extremely cold and damp.  When temperature drops to 15 degrees F, cattle need access to windbreaks.

Provide water at all times.  Cattle need 5 to 11 gallons per head daily even in the coldest weather.

Be aware of frozen pond hazards.  Keep ice "broken" so that cattle will not walk out on the pond trying to get water.

Consider renovating and improving pastures with legumes, especially if they have poor stands of grass or if they contain high levels of the fescue endophyte.  Purchase seed and get equipment ready this month.

Source:  Dr. Roy Burris, Beef Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky