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Beef Management Tips
Livestock Update, February 1999
John Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia 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 tetnay
- Make first selection of replacement heifers
- Order fertilizer; start getting equipment ready
- Last chance to frost seed clovers this spring (Early in month)
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