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December Beef Management Calendar
Livestock Update, December 1999
John Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech
Spring Calving Herds
- Begin bull selection, plan breeding program
Obtain sale catalogs and attend bull sales
Review current AI catalogs
Visit bull test stations
- Deliver calves to retained ownership program or feedlot
- Purchase bred replacement heifers OR
- Keep replacement heifers gaining 1.5 lbs per day
- Market cull cows as market improves
- Check feed supplies and availability of alternative feeds
- Attend Genetic Management Conference -- December 6, Staunton
Fall
- Begin breeding heifers 20-30 days before cows
Use AI and estrous synchronization OR
Use estrous synchronization and natural service
- Continue to feed 1st calf heifers extra energy
- Maintain cows on high energy forage (or diet) through breeding
- Continue to use stockpiled fescue if available
- Monitor health on calves -- give 7-way
- Castrate any bull calves not processed at birth unless retained for breeding
- Check feed supplies and availability alternative feeds
- Attend Genetic Management Conference -- December 6, Staunton
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