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Farm Facts: Cattle management calendar for July

July 10, 2008|DAN GRIGSON

Here are some cow and calf management tips for your herd. Mid-July is a good time to deworm cattle. Re-implant calves which were implanted at birth if the type of implant and amount of time indicate. Calves which haven't been vaccinated for blackleg should be. Spraying for flies while cattle are gathered can supplement other fly control methods. Work cattle early in the morning when it is cool and handle them gently to avoid stress.

Remove bulls from the cow herd, no later than the end of the month and keep them away from the cows until next year. This will eliminate summer-born calves and help prevent the oldest heifer calves from becoming pregnant. A short calving season is so beneficial because it helps concentrate labor during the calving season, helps you group calves by age so that it is easier to find a convenient time to vaccinate, castrate, dehorn, etc..., and it provides a more uniform group of calves at market time. Continue to watch for pinkeye and treat if necessary. Minimize problems by clipping pastures, controlling face flies, and providing shade.

Fescue pasture may be at their very worst in July and August. Continue pasture rotation for best performance. Grass-legume mixture or warm season grasses will be more productive at this time than cool season grasses like fescue. Extended overgrazing can be detrimental to the stand.

Plan for dry, hot weather. Subdivide pastures with electric fencing. Limited access by cattle can result in improved utilization and stretching of the pasture. Cull less productive cows to stretch feed supply. Brood cows are the greatest consumers of forage in cow-calf operations. Cows that have lost a calf, are open, or have physical problems can be culled. Consider a free-choice mineral mix containing an ionophore (Rumensin or Bovatec) to improve forage utilization by the cows.

Fall calving cows should be dry and pregnant. Their nutrient needs are minimal and they can be maintained on poor pasture. Get ready for fall calving and plan to have good pasture available for fall calving.

All beef producers should consider these summer management recommendations:

â?¢have forage analyses conducted on spring-cut hay

â?¢be sure that clean water is always available, especially in hot weather. Make routine checks of the water supply. Cattle need 13 to 20 gallons in hot weather.

â?¢check pastures for downed wild cherry trees after storms. Wilted wild cherry leaves are toxic to cattle.

â?¢maintain a weed control program in permanent pastures

â?¢start soil testing pastures to determine fertilization needs to get them ready for fall growth. Now is the best time of year to add lime to your hay and pasture fields. Soil test now, then follow our recommendation on liming. It's a good time to spread lime as the lime haulers are less busy and the soil conditions are right to get the lime easily spread.

For more information on cattle and pasture management, contact Dan Grigson at 365-2447.

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