Cow Calf Management Tips for July 2010
Summer is here and with it comes elevated temperature and humidity, I think “dog days” are here. The hot weather and increased humidity has a negative effect on reproductive performance of cow herds. It is difficult for cows to get settled in this kind of weather. Also, forage growth is slowed and matures, the nutritional availability has been reduced. This is one of the reasons why the UT Extension recommendation, for several decades, is not to extend the breeding season into the month of July. In fact, research has demonstrated that a 60-day breeding season of April and May produces improved reproduction in cow-calf herds. In addition, the hot weather and elevated humidity makes it difficult for embryos to survive. The calf crop should be weaned and prepared for marketing through one of the local feeder calf alliances. Weaned calves can make efficient gains and add value and the cows can improve in weight and condition before calving. July is a critical month that most folks overlook and believe the cattle require little management and they will make it on their own. There are still practices and jobs that need to be carried out and some are suggested for cow-calf operations.
Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds
- The breeding season should be terminated July 1. Not much success will be realized during those hot months. Remove the bull(s) from the herd July 1 and evaluate body condition. And if needed, manage to improve condition.
- Pregnancy check the cows as soon as possible after the bull is removed. If open, decide how they are to be managed. Anticipate greater number of open cows due to the combined effects of poor body condition and hot weather late in the breeding season.
- For producers not on a short definite breeding and calving season, there are many advantages for getting on one. Getting the bull out of the herd is the first step.
- Monitor first calf heifers’ body condition. Heifers that have high milk production potential and mature size are ones that are likely to be in a poor condition. Provide extra energy or provide access to better quality pasture. With the dry weather, they could lose condition.
- If available, allow cattle access to harvested hay fields to give pastures a rest. Be aware of potential poisoning that could occur from consuming toxic plants in fence rows and especially in pens where cattle will be penned for a period of time. As a result of boredom, cattle will eat plants they would normally ignore.
- When removing bull(s) from the cow herd, it would be an excellent time to reimplant feeder calves. Implanting is still a “paying practice.”
- Consider early weaning of calves. This will improve body condition of brood cows and reduce pressure on pastures as well as prepare calves for marketing.
- Evaluate marketing alternatives for the calf crop.
Late Fall-Early Winter Calving Herds
- These cows should be dry and pregnant and as a consequence, their nutrient and management needs are lowest than any time in their production cycle.
- Calves should be weaned and marketing plans finalized. Consider cooperative marketing. Healthy, uniform feeders that are “bunk broke,” marketed in 48,000 to 50,000 lb lots are more valuable. Data from local sales and those in other states continue to demonstrate the added value from “preconditioning.”
- If not already completed, pregnancy check all females that were exposed to a bull during the breeding season. Those that are open, market them.
Both Groups
- Producers should be aware of forage growth, or maturity and its relationship to hay quality. Comments from producers, in late May indicated that they thought the yield was excellent and quality was good. But now, forage growth has stopped and the quality is low.
- Don’t ease up on fly control. The recent warm temperatures contribute to increased fly reproduction and incidence of pinkeye. Treat cattle for pinkeye.
- Avoid unnecessary heat stress. Do not work cattle or transport during the heat of the day. It is best to do this early in the day before the rumen is filled with forage.
- During slack time, repair, replace and improve handling facilities.
- Learn to utilize the tool of “observation” in managing the cow herd. Look for unsound cows, pinkeye problems, forage availability, etc. Manage by wandering around (MBWA). Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot by watching.”
- Check pastures for possible poisonous plants.
- If it looks like pastures may run out, what is available in the neighborhood? Can pasture be leased from neighbors that do not have cattle?
- What about winter feed? Plan for feed needs. Also, manage what has been harvested to keep spoilage at a minimum.