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Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative

Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative



  

 


Cow Calf Management Tips for January

January is the first month of the new year. The month of January was not originally included in the original Roman calendar that had ten months. January and February were the last two months added to the calendar. January is referred to “Janus’s month”. Janus was the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces, looking in opposite directions.  January is a critical month for cow-calf producers, both an opportunity for cattle producers to look forward and set goals and objectives for their operations and also to “look back” and evaluate their operations and the impact of decisions made or those not made the past 12 months. A month to “look forward” and plan actions based on evaluation of the past.

January requires an improved level of management due to the stage of production of the cattle, feed needs and supply and weather conditions. Generally, cold weather, rain, snow and mud creates added labor demand for producers and extra stress on the cattle. Not much can be done about the weather. However, producers should learn and plan how to manage under these circumstances of January and carry out those proven, successful management practices.

Following are suggested management practices that cow-calf producers should evaluate and consider applying to their operations.

Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds

Most of the commercial cow herds start calving this month. This is a critical time for these herds in that their production and management needs change drastically from a dry to lactating situation. Their feed needs increase dramatically (50 percent), and calves are dropped during adverse weather conditions. On most Tennessee farms, extra labor is available to observe these cows during the calving season and carry out the needed management practices.

  • Make a strong effort to save every calf.  With the current cost of production, cow-calf producers cannot afford to lose calves. Frequent observation of expectant cows is the best method to ensure that calves survive the birth process. This time of year, most labor would be available to frequently check cows during calving. Returns to labor in cow-calf operations are greater during calving than any other time in the annual production cycle.
  • Cows approaching calving should be isolated and placed on a clean pasture where they can be easily observed 2 to 3 times daily. First calf heifers should be observed more frequently. More calving problems occur with first calf heifers than any other group in the herd. Approximately 3 percent of all calves born in the U.S. will be lost to calving problems. Heavy birth weights are at the top of the list in causing problems.
  • Following calving and lactating starts, the beef cow’s nutritional requirements increase about 50%. This is especially critical in the first-calf heifer, as well as the 2-year and 3-year olds. Grain may be needed if low quality hay is being fed. Feed mature cows 3-4 lbs. of grain and 6-8 lbs. for first calf heifers. If possible, these young cows should be separated from the mature cow herd to reduce the negative effect of “boss cows” keeping the young females “bullied” from the feed supply.
  • Mature cows should be in a body condition score of “5” at calving and first calf-heifers and 2-year olds should be in a condition of “6”. A BCS of 5 is the breaking point for mature cows. Cows that are thinner (BCS of 4 or less) at calving will experience reduced future reproduction performance.
  • Feed better quality hay to the younger females and to cows that have calved.
  • Producers might like to limit feeding pregnant cows to once daily. If fed late in the day, this might stimulate increased calving during the day (Konefal method).   It will not occur with every pregnant cow, but there is a definite trend for cows to calve during the day.
  • Keep out an appropriate mineral supplement that contains an adequate level of magnesium. Cows that have recently calved are susceptible to “grass tetany.” With the change in weather conditions that create stress on the cattle, grass-tetany is more likely to occur. Magnesium supplementation should be available at least 30 days prior to start of calving. It is generally recommended to provide magnesium supplementation from November through April due to year-round calving.
  • Prepare the bull for the breeding season. What is the body condition of the bull? He should be in a body condition of at least 5 and preferably 6 prior to the start of the breeding. Body condition score the bull now. If he needs to improve in condition, it can be improved one score with about 100 lbs. of gain. For example, if the bull is now in a BCS of 4, he will need to gain 200 lbs. between now and the start of the breeding season, a period of 90 days. This means he would need to gain 2.25 lbs. per day to have a desirable BCS at the start of the breeding season.

Late Fall-Early Winter Calving Herds

These cows should be in the middle to later lactation and into the breeding season by approximately ten days assuming calving began near the first of October. Calving at this time should aid in reducing the effect of the fescue endophyte on the reproductive performance of the cows, as well as milk production.

  • The cows should be in a body condition of “5” to ensure rebreeding. Especially pay attention to first calf heifers. They will need extra care and higher quality feed to rebreed on schedule. Mature cows nursing calves will need to be fed 25-30 lbs. of good quality hay throughout the breeding season. Fall-calving cows have the greatest feed requirements during the winter months when their rations will primarily be hay.
  • Consider limiting creep feeding calves. This should stimulate calf growth as well as reducing stress on the dams.  Creep grazing of small grain pastures, if available, it is an excellent feed source. Discontinue creep feeding in the spring when adequate, high quality forage is available to maintain calf performance. A 10 year research project at Oklahoma State showed this to be a profitable practice.
  • Observe the bull’s condition. Bulls should be in a body condition score of at least “5” and preferably “6”. Bulls will lose weight during the breeding season. The cold weather increases the nutrient needs of the bull. “Thin” bulls will experience reduced reproductive performance. Pay particular attention to young bulls. These bulls should be individually fed.
  • Observe both the bull(s) and the cows during the breeding season. Is mating occurring? Record the dates that mating is observed. Seek out those same cows about 21 days later. Did they return to heat? If the number of cows returning to heat is great, determine the problem as a change may be needed with the bulls. Was a breeding soundness examination (BSE) performed on the bull(s) prior to breeding season?

Suggestions for Both Calving Groups

  • Provide some type of protection from the weather for the herd. A woods lot would help reduce the effect of wind. One with a southern exposure would be ideal. During severe weather, some type of windbreak would help reduce feed requirements. 
  • Increase feed as temperature drops. Rain and wind also lower the temperature. Cattle need extra feed to maintain performance. Watch weather forecasts and make adjustments a day or two before weather fronts.
  • With winter approaching, some water sources could become a problem of availability. Be sure cattle have access to water. Even during cold weather, cattle need to consume water daily.
  • Test hay for nutritional value and supplement accordingly. This practice can serve as a cost reduction as well as improve production. Use the information from forage testing to divide hay into quality lots and also to allot hay to different groups of cattle.
  • Feed hay in areas where mud is not a problem.
  • Check for lice and if needed, treat. If previously treated during the fall, do it again during Super Bowl week. With limited feed, controlling lice will aid in stretching the feed supply and maintaining condition of the cows.
  • When feeding large bales that were stored outside, we encourage producers to take notice of the amount that was wasted. Wasted hay drives up the winter feed bill, resulting in a “teachable moment” on reducing feed cost. 
  • Soil test pastures and apply fertilizer at the recommended rates.
  • Complete castrating, dehorning, and implanting of calves.
  • Make plans to renovate pastures next month. This needs to be done between February 15 and March 15.
  • Purchase new herd sires. Consider only those bulls that will improve the economically important traits.
  • We encourage producers to purchase bulls early since good herd bulls are scarce.
  • Make plans to attend the Senior Bull Sale of the Central Bull Test Station. Video sale sites will be available in Knoxville and Greeneville. Order catalogs and DVDs.
  • What is the marketing plan for the current and future calf crops? Plans need to be in place before a new herd sire is purchased. Most producers do not realize that breeding and management decisions made today can impact marketing 18 months to 2 years later.
  • Plan to attend and participate in educational meetings.
  • Make plans to attend the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention, in at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro January 19, 20 and 21.