Beef Management Tips
Dr. John B. Hall, Extension Beef Specialist, VA Tech, Livestock Update, March 2008.
7 March 2008
2 minute read
|
Beef Management Tips |
March Beef Management Calendar
Spring Calving Herds- Move pregnant heifers and early calving cows to calving area about 2 weeks before due date
- Continue calving
- Check cows 3 to 4 times per day, heifers more often assist early if needed
- Keep calving area clean and well drained, move healthy pairs out to large pastures 3 days after calving
- Ear tag and dehorn all calves at birth; castrate male calves in commercial herds
- Give selenium and vitamin A & D injections to newborn calves
- Feed cows extra energy after calving; some protein may be needed also
- Keep high quality, high magnesium high selenium minerals available
- Purchase estrous synchronization supplies; line up AI technician or AI supplies
- Order fertilizer; start getting equipment ready
- Last chance to frost seed clovers this spring (Early in month)
- Pull bulls to maintain a 60-75 day calving season
- Remove bulls to bull pasture and check condition
- Begin creep feeding or creep grazing calves if desired
- Plan marketing strategy for calves
- Begin feeding high magnesium minerals to prevent grass tetany
- Make first selection of replacement heifers
- Order fertilizer; start getting equipment ready
- Last chance to frost seed clovers this spring (Early in month)
Prevention key to reducing scours
The typically wet springs of the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions create ideal conditions for calf scours.- Reducing exposure to scour pathogens is the key to preventing and reducing scours.
- Cows should calve in clean pastures and cow-calf pairs should be moved to new well drained pastures 3 days after calving.
- Move round bale feeders frequently to prevent concentration of pathogens.
- Avoid ponds and streams as water sources if possible.
- Isolate scouring calves and their dams from the rest of the herd.
