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Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative

Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative



  

 


Cow Calf Management Tips for August 2010

All regions of Tennessee have experienced temperatures in the upper 90’s and often approaching 100 “feel like” degrees during the day.  Cattle have a big problem with temperatures in these ranges.

Cattle sweat very little or cattle do not have a mechanism for sweating similar to humans.  The elevated temperatures and high humidity are the culprits that result in heat stress for cattle.  In addition, the digestion of forage creates heat and fescue contributes even more to the cattle suffering from the heat and humidity.

Some folks might think August is a “slow time” but this is a critical month in cow-calf management.  This is a time when there begins the change from the hot, humid “dog days” to cooler fall weather.  Management can make a difference.  Following are some suggested practices that producers should consider for application to their herds.  These are basic and should be applied under all conditions.

Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds

  • Cow-calf producers should consider weaning the calf crop at this time.  There are several reasons.  One is the lack of availability of quality forage to maintain performance.  We are now in the “summer slump” and Fescue availability is low as well as the quality being poor.  Performance of calves will be severely reduced to no gain at all.  The second reason is that the calves can be weaned, put on a higher quality feed and make excellent gains and do it economically compared to staying on the Fescue with their dams.  These cows are in the stage of lactation in which milk production is declining or almost nonexistent.  Weaning and feeding the calves is a big step in the “pre-weaning” process and along with a health program, will “add value” to them if marketed in an alliance.  The third is that the dry dams of the weaned calves can get along well on the lower quality forage and gain both weight and condition and will experience greater future reproductive performance.
  • Research results with dams of calves weaned  at 170 days of age (5 months) showed that the dams picked up 100-125 lb. over 82 days compared to those still suckling calves.  This amount of weight gain could improve body condition (BCS) scores 1.2 to 1.5.  It takes about 82-85 lb. of gain to improve BCS 1 score in beef cows.
  • First calf heifers will be negatively affected by the limited forage supply and may need to be fed an energy supplement in order to pick up the condition lost.  The selection for increased milk production in replacement breeding stock will create greater stress on the young females than the older mature cows.
  • “Open” cows are a “big expense” and are “profit takers.”  They are expensive to maintain and produce no return unless culled and marketed.  Pregnancy checking and culling open cows will pay more than ever this year.
  • Producers should “know enough” about the performance of the cows in their herd to make plans to cull and market cows that are less productive and have problems.  August and the first of September would be a good time to “let-em ride.”  The price for cull cows is usually stronger now than later in the fall when the market is flooded with cattle and a large number of both beef and dairy cows.  Definitely cull those cows that are likely to develop physical problems and could become “downers.”  As an industry, we have to eliminate those problems that result in a “black eye” for the industry.  This can be done through “good management” and common sense.
  • “There should be no bulls with herd.”  The breeding season for this group ended July 1.  Bulls should be isolated, fed and managed to reach a BCS of 6.  Be sure they have ample room for exercise.  A well-drained lot of two acres and access to an open shed will be adequate.
  • If the bull is not going to be used in future breeding programs, market him.
  • Start making replacement heifer selection now.  Evaluate those that were born the first half of the calving season.  These will be the ones that will be older, bigger and will start cycling earlier than those born toward the end of calving.  The first calving of the heifers dictates the length of future calving seasons and their productive potential.
  • If not already done, make plans to market calves.  Producers should evaluate the  alternatives available to market calves.  The evaluation should include a comparison of the requirements to market the calf crop as well as the anticipated market price advantage.

Late Fall-Early Winter Calving Herds

  • These cows should be dry and pregnant and have the lowest feed requirement than during any other time in their production cycle.  Their nutrient needs are minimal and they can get along well and gain both weight and body condition.  They can do well on the dry pasture.
  • Wean calves in pens that have good fences.  Lack of fencing in most cow-calf operations limit weaning.
  • Calves from these herds should be marketed within the next 30 days before the fall rush occurs.
  • Are the pregnant cows in the appropriate body condition for their next calving?  Mature cows should be in at least a BCS of 5 and first-calf heifers in a BCS of 6.  Cows currently with a BCS of 4 or less should be separated and fed to be in a BCS of 5 for the mature animal and 6 for the young replacement heifer at calving.

Suggestions for Both Calving Groups

  • High temperatures and humidity, that occur in Tennessee and other Southeast states, should be a concern for producers regarding heat stress on cattle.  Management can play a large part in reducing the effect of these factors.
  • Evaluate the potential for “stockpiling” Fescue for fall and early winter grazing.  Stockpiling should be done between August 15 and September 15.  The big factor in the success of stockpiling is adequate moisture and fertilizer.  Keep up with the weather forecasts and apply fertilizer, especially nitrogen, ahead of the rain.  Fertilizer is expensive and producers must make judicious use of it.  A soil test prior to fertilization is essential.
  • Cattle need a source of clean drinking water.  Cool water aids in keeping the animal's internal temperature in a range to ensure optimum production.  As temperature increases, the water need also goes up.  Water requirements go up about 2.5 times as the temperature goes from 50º to 90º.  Keep a close watch on the water supply.  Lactating cows may need up to 20-25 gallons of water per day during hot weather.  Cows approaching end of lactation will require less water.  This is another advantage of early weaning.
  • Manage cattle in order they can graze during the night hours to reduce the effect of heat of fermentation from taking place during the hotter day hours.  Cattle that graze during the day will experience the “heat of digestion” during the hottest part of the 24 hours.
  • Cattle should be provided adequate shade.
  • Provide an adequate mineral supplement during the hot summer days.  As the cattle consume more water, the result will be increased urination which will increase the loss of minerals.
  • If available, an alternate source of grazing might be harvested hay fields.  There will be lots of forage remaining around the edge of the fields as well as from the growth.  The regrowth is a high quality feed on which both calves and cows can do well.  This forage would also be excellent feed for calves that are being backgrounded.
  • Inventory the winter feed supply.  This needs to be done now in time to make adjustments in cattle numbers and feed resources.
  • It may be too late for most producers, but hay wastage can be minimized by getting hay off the ground or storing it in a shed or barn.  Wasted hay drives up feed cost and reduces profit.  With the cost of producing and harvesting hay, as well as the current market price, don't waste hay.
  • Depending on the availability of rain and the expense of fertilizer and fuel, establishing small grain pastures as a creep for fall dropped calves as well as those calves that would be backgrounded.  These forages are also excellent feeds for lactating cows and cows in the latter stages of gestation.
  • Be sure that the working pens or lots where cattle will be confined for working are free of perilla mint.  Cattle will consume it out of boredom, not hunger.  Also, make sure the working facilities are in a good state of repair for the fall workings.  Now would be a good time to get this done.