BY DALE BLASI
Extension Beef Specialist
Cow Herd Management
Given unforeseen weather and market price volatility, price by products, grains and other feedstuffs on a per nutrient basis. Do you have sufficient harvested forage to encounter a potentially severe winter feeding season? Conduct an inventory of harvested forages and determine if you have an adequate supply on hand.
Pregnancy check.
Cull cows because of:
- Open
- Late vs. Early calving
- Soundness - udder, feet/legs, eyes, teeth, disposition
- Productivity - Most Probable Producing Ability
(from herd performance records)
- Disposition
Body Condition Score
Provide thin cows (body condition score 3s and 4s) extra feed now. Take advantage of weather, stage of pregnancy, lower nutrient requirements, and quality feedstuffs. If body condition scores warrant it, you may want to start feeding supplements in late October to mature cows using these guidelines:
Dry grass
- 1½2 - 2 1b. supplement/day of a 40% CP supplement
Dry grass
- 3 - 4 1b. supplement/day of a 20% supplement
Dry grass
- 10 lb. good nonlegume hay, no supplement needed
(heifers may need more supplement than older cows)
- Supplement nutrients that are most deficient.
- Compare supplements on a cost per pound of nutrient basis.
Utilize crop residues
- Grazing crop aftermath can reduce daily cow costs by 50¢ or more.
- Strip graze or rotate fields to improve grazing efficiency.
Average body condition cows can be grazed at 1 to 2 acres/cow for 30 days assuming normal weather.
Consider feeding cull cows to increase value, body weight and utilize cheap feedstuffs. Seasonal price trends have allowed producers to take advantage of maximum profit opportunities with cull cow feeding programs. Healthy cows can gain extremely well on well balanced diets.
Check individual identification of cows. Replace lost tags or redo brands.
For more agricultural tips check out the K-State Research and Extension website HERE.