September Beef Management Calendar

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September Beef Management Calendar

Livestock Update, September 2008

Dr. Scott P. Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, VA Tech

Spring Calving Herds

Inventory feed supplies, test hay for nutrient content and plan winter feeding strategies
Give pre-weaning vaccinations to calves
Make final preparations for calf crop marketing program
Pregnancy check cows
Body condition score cows at weaning and separate thin cows
Put open, old and very thin cows on cull list
Make arrangements for backgrounding calves
Continue feeding high Se trace mineral salt
Continue to stockpile forages, if possible

Fall Calving Herds

Body condition score cows; plan nutrition and grazing program on BCS
Inventory feed supplies, test hay for nutrient content and plan winter feeding strategies
Make sure all calving supplies are on-hand
Move pregnant heifers and early calving cows to calving area about 2 weeks before due date
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 to large pastures 3 days after calving
Ear tag 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 especially to two-year-olds; cows calving at BCS < 5 should receive special nutritional attention
Keep high quality, high Selenium, high magnesium minerals available
Plan estrous synchronization program; line-up AI technician and supplies

Virginia Tech Beef Extension Drought Resources
While rainfall has been more plentiful in many areas of Virginia, significant portions of our region are very dry. The Virginia Tech Beef Extension web page, http://www.vtbeef.apsc.vt.edu/, has a compilation of resource information related to drought strategies for beef producers. Following is a list of a portion of the topics addressed:

Feeding Strategies During Drought
Minimizing Feed Inputs and Still Maintain Cow Numbers
Feeding Spring Calving Cows in Late Gestation This Winter
Early Weaning
Limiting Hay Intake By Cows
Water-Amount and Quality Critical to Cattle
Nutrition During Pregnancy May Have Long Term Impacts
Grazing Management Crucial During and After Drought
Feeding Cows When Feed Supply is Limited
Drought Strategies - Herd Inventory Decisions
Nitrate and Prussic Acid Toxicity Risk to Cattle Health

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