Timely beef cattle tips for July

July 28, 2010

Brandon Sears Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources The Richmond Register Wed Jul 28, 2010, 11:01 AM EDT

RICHMOND — Spring-calving cow herd

• Remove bulls from the cow herd by the end of the month and keep them away from the cows. A short calving season can concentrate labor during the calving season; group calves by age so that it is easier to find a convenient time to vaccinate, castrate, dehorn, etc.; and provide a more uniform group of calves at market time.

• Continue to watch for pinkeye and treat if necessary. Minimize problems by clipping pastures, controlling face flies and providing shade.

• Fescue pastures tend to go dormant in July and August, so look for alternatives like warm season grasses during this period of time. Try to keep the young calves gaining weight.

• Mid-July (when the bulls are being removed) is a good time to de-worm cattle, use a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia. Re-implant calves which were implanted at birth if the type of implant and amount of time indicate. Calves which haven't been vaccinated for blackleg should be. Spraying or using a pour-on for flies while cattle are gathered can supplement other fly control methods. Remember to work cattle early in the morning when it is cool and handle them gently to minimize stress.

Fall-calving cow herd

• Fall-calving cows should be dry and pregnant now. Their nutrient needs are minimal and they can be maintained on poor pasture to avoid over fattening. Keep a good free-choice mineral mix available at all times. You can use a lower phosphorus mineral supplement now, if you want to save a little money.

• Replacement heifers should be gaining at an adequate rate to reach their "target" breeding weight.

• De-worm cows in mid-July with a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia.

• Get ready for fall calving and plan to have good pasture available at calving and through the breeding season.

Stockers

• Sell heavier grazing cattle before rate of gain decreases or they get into a heavyweight category. This also will relieve grazing pressure as pasture growth diminishes. They can be replaced with lightweight calves after pastures recover.

• Lighter cattle which are kept on pasture need to be rotated to grass-legume or warm-season grass pastures to maintain a desirable level of performance. Re-implant these calves and de-worm with a product that is effective against inhibited ostertagia.

General

• Plan to attend “Beef Bash 2010” on Sept. 23 (more details later).

• Be sure that clean water is always available, especially in hot weather. Make routine checks of the water supply. Cattle need 13 to 20 gallons of clean water in hot weather.

• Maintain a weed control program in permanent pastures and continue to “spot-spray” thistle.

• Check pastures for downed wild cherry trees after storms. Wilted wild cherry leaves are toxic to cattle.

• Have forage analyses conducted on spring-cut hay and have large, round bales covered. Begin planning the winter feeding program now.

• Start soil testing pastures to determine fertilization needs for this fall.

Phase I Board meeting

The Madison County Phase I Board will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Office. This meeting is open to the public.

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