Beef Management Tips

Livestock Update, April 2005

John B. Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech

April Beef Management Calendar

Spring Calving Herds

• Finish 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 and implant 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
• Implant calves at turnout if not implanted at birth
• Keep high quality, high magnesium high selenium minerals available
• Get breeding soundness exams done on bulls
• Fertilize pastures and hay fields according to test
• Begin managed intensive grazing
• Attend VA Beef Expo in Harrisonburg

Fall Calving Herds

• Creep graze calves while on cows
• Give vaccinations for Virginia Quality Assured program (VQA)
• Wean calves based on marketing plan for calves - must be weaned 45 days for VQA
• Implant calves at turnout
• Pregnancy check cows 60 days after bulls were removed
• Continue feeding high magnesium minerals to prevent grass tetany
• Fertilize pastures and hay fields according to test
• Begin managed intensive grazing
• Attend VA Beef Expo in Harrisonburg

Additional energy will help pregnancy rates in thin cows
Many cows have come through the winter in less than optimum body condition. While calving cows in less than BCS 5 is not ideal, there are some thin cows around. In addition, the poor hay quality will cause cows to lose weight after calving unless they are supplemented.

In multiple research studies, thin cows that gained weight from calving through breeding have higher pregnancy rates than thin cows that fail to gain weight. Thin cows may need 7 to 12 lbs of energy supplement. Corn gluten feed, distillers grains, soy hulls, rolled barley or whole shelled corn are good choices for supplements. Although feed prices are reasonable this year and open cows are costly so supplement thin cows and first calf heifers.

For help with designing a supplementation program, contact you local Animal Science Extension Agent.

Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension