Beef Management Tips

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Beef Management Tips

Livestock Update, March 2003

John B. Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech

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)

Fall Calving Herds

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)

Mineral Supplements Need to be Adjusted When Feeding By-Products
Many producers are feeding substantial amounts of by-products such as corn gluten feed, soyhulls and wheat mids to offset short hay supplies. These grain by-products are high in phosphorus. In general, hay-based diets are low in phosphorus, so normally phosphorus is included in the mineral supplement. However, when grain by-products are fed, cattle will receive enough phosphorus from these products. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in cattle diets should be 1:1 to 2:1. Since the grain by-products provide the phosphorus, calcium and magnesium are the major minerals that need to be supplemented.

Mineral supplements fed along with grain by-products should contain 10-12 % calcium, 12-14% magnesium, and trace mineral salt. An easy home mineral mix is 1/3 ground limestone, 1/3 magnesium oxide, and 1/3 high selenium trace mineral salt. Many commercial mineral mixes that are low in phosphorus will also meet the animal's mineral needs.

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