Timely Tips by Dr. Les Anderson, Beef Extension Professor, University of Kentucky

Spring Calving Cow Herd
• Watch cows and calves closely. Work hard to save every calf. Calves can be identified with an ear tag while they are young and easy to handle. Commercial male calves should be castrated and implanted. Registered calves should be weighed at birth.
• Cows that have calved need to be on an adequate nutritional level to rebreed. Increase their feed after calving. Do not let them lose body condition. Keep feeding them until pastures are adequate.
• Do not “rush to grass” although it can be really tempting. Be sure that grass has accumulated enough growth to support the cow’s nutritional needs before depending solely upon it. Cows may walk the pastures looking for green grass instead of eating dry feed. This lush, watery grass is not adequate to support them. Keep them consuming dry feed until sufficient grass is available to sustain body condition. We’ve spent too much money keeping them in good condition to lose it now!
• Prevent grass tetany! Provide magnesium in the mineral mix until daytime temperatures are consistently above 60o F. Mineral supplement should always be available and contain a minimum of about 14% magnesium. Make sure that your mineral mix also contains adequate selenium, copper, and zinc. You can ask your feed dealer about the UK Beef IRM High Magnesium Mineral.
• Make final selection of heifer replacements. Strongly consider vaccinating with a modified-live BVD vaccine.
• Purchase replacement bulls at least 30 days before the breeding season starts. Have herd bulls evaluated for breeding soundness (10-20% of bulls are questionable or unsatisfactory breeders). Get all bulls in proper condition (BCS 6) for breeding.
• If you are going to use artificial insemination and/or estrous synchronization, make plans now and order needed supplies, semen, and schedule a technician.
• Prebreeding or "turnout" working is usually scheduled for late April or May between the end of calving season and before the start of the breeding season (while cows are open). Consult your veterinarian about vaccines and health products your herd needs. Decide now on the products needed and have handling facilities in good working order. Dehorn commercial calves before going to pasture.
Fall Calving Cow Herd
• Pregnancy check cows now and cull open ones at weaning especially if the open cows are older than 6 years of age.
• Re-implant feeders.
• Consult with your veterinarian about preweaning working of the herd.
• You may let calves creep-graze wheat or rye if it is available. Calves will benefit from extra feed until spring grass appears.
• Plan marketing strategy for feeder calves.
Stockers
• Do not go to pastures too soon, give plants some growing time. Then stock at two to three times the July rate and rotate rapidly.
• "Condition" purchased calves prior to grazing. They should be processed and fed a conditioning diet prior to being placed on pasture. You can also use this time to introduce them to electric fences used in rotational grazing.
• Provide a good mineral supplement which contains a rumen modifier (Rumensin, Bovatec, etc.) along with adequate levels of copper and selenium.
General
• We have made a muddy mess this winter, so be prepared to reseed bare spots. Our forage group has some excellent information on restoring heavy-traffic areas.
• Make plans to improve hay feeding areas to avoid muddy conditions like we have faced this winter. Consider geotextile fabric with gravel or concrete feeding pads.
• Prepare for the grazing season. Check fences and make necessary repairs. Check your corral, too.
• Get everything ready to make high quality hay in May! Have equipment serviced and spare parts on hand. Order baler twine now. Be prepared to harvest an adequate supply of hay when you have the opportunity. Re-supply the extra hay that you fed out of the barn. This past winter caused most producers to exhaust their hay supply, so it is time to re-stock.
• Plan now for fly control ... decide what fly control program that you will use but do not put insecticide eartags on cattle until fly population appears.