Fall Cow-Calf Management Reminders:
October
• Beginning in late October or November, provide supplemental feed for bulls on dry grass according to age and condition.
• Evaluate cows’ body condition score (BCS) at weaning. Develop winter nutrition program to have cows at a BCS of six at calving to enhance rebreeding performance.
November
• Check with your Extension office for information on educational meetings about livestock and forage production
practices.
• If fall calving, lactating cows need to be in good condition for breeding, a BCS of at least 5.5.
• Treat cattle for lice if needed.
• During spring calving, check the weaned steer and heifer calves regularly to produce desired gains.
• If culling is not completed in September and october, it should be completed this month.
December
• Check your financial management plan and make appropriate adjustments before the end of the year.
• Monitor the herd continuously for health problems.
• Treat cows for internal parasites if needed.
• If spring calving, identify the purebred herds and test stations at which you want to look for herd sires. Check sale dates and review performance criteria to use.
By David Lalman Kent Barnes – Beef Cattle Specialist, Bruce Peverley – Area Livestock Specialist, Greg Highfill – Area Livestock Specialist, Jack Wallace – Area Livestock Specialist, Terry Bidwell – Range Management Specialist, Larry Redmon Steve Smith – Forage Management Specialist, Steve Smith – Area Livestock Specialisy, Chuck Strasia – Area Livestock Specialist, John Kirkpatrick – Veterinary Medicine, Glenn Selk – Reproductive Specialist,
Published by Oklahoma State University Extension
(all other months available at:) http://www.thecattlesite.com/articles/998/beef-cow-herd-calendar