Each month, cow-calf producers are faced with management tasks related to seasonal and production goals. Jason Warner, Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist, summarizes the top 10 management practices producers should check off their to-do lists in January.
1. Condition score cows to guide your nutrition program.
- Targeted body condition score (BCS) at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young cows.
- Adjust feed amounts as needed before calving for spring-calvers.
2. Continue grazing crop residues as they are available.
- Quality and quantity of residue declines with time.
- Be prepared to move cattle or supplement as needed.
3. Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects.
- Cow energy needs increase during periods of cold stress.
- Thin (BCS less than or equal to 4) cows and cows without wind protection are at greatest risk.
4. Take time to sample harvested forages prior to winter feeding.
- Use forage tests to fine tune your supplementation program.
- Forage tests are cheap relative to the value of the information.
5. Herd bulls are easy to forget; don’t let them be forgotten.
- If bulls are at BCS less than or equal to 5, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.
- Testicular frostbite can happen; provide plenty of bedding.
6. Calculate forage needs off of herd numbers, weight and days.
- Make sure adequate forages are available if grazing is limited.
- Make inventory of all hay and silages.
7. For those getting ready to start calving ...
- Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
- Consider teat and udder scoring females at calving, even if they’re commercial.
8. Review your genetic selection goals for your herd.
- When picking bulls, do your homework well prior to the sale.
- Focus on the traits that are economically relevant for you.
9. Replacement heifers are worth a lot this year.
- Know your target weight at breeding, adjust accordingly.
- Schedule reproductive tract exams prior to breeding.
10. As you think about this female market this year …
- Consider the time needed to pay off replacement females at a given calf price.
- Consider all the ways in which you can add females back in to the herd.
