Cow-Calf Checklist

Cow-Calf Checklist: Monitoring Breeding Performance and Drought Mitigation

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:50:44 GMT

Each month, cow-calf producers are faced with management tasks related to seasonal and production goals. Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist Jason Warner summarizes the top 10 management practices producers should check off their to-do lists in June:

1. For all spring-calving cow herds:

Record average herd BCS at the start of the summer grazing/breeding season.
Closely watch for females that return to estrus following first service.

2. For spring-calving cow herds in drought-stressed areas:

Formulate your plan if you anticipate early-weaning this season or supplementing on grass to stretch dry pastures.
Schedule early pregnancy checking activities with your vet if not already done.

3. If you have a late-summer- or early-fall calving cow herd:

Ensure mature cows are 5.0 or higher and 2- to 4-year-old females are 6.0 or higher in BCS at calving.
Review your calving health protocols and adjust them as needed prior to calving.

4. Manage free-choice salt and mineral programs:

Record date and amount of product offered, calculate herd or pasture consumption.
Adjust how you are offering product to cattle if they over- or under-consume.

5. Observe bulls closely at the beginning of the breeding season:

Watch for injury so you can intervene and treat/replace bulls promptly if needed.
Ensure they are aggressively covering cows, note it if you find they are not.

6. If pulling bulls from cows to manage the length of the breeding season:

Schedule those dates and have them on your calendar in advance so you don’t forget.
Monitor BCS and muscle stores, particularly on yearling and 2- to 3-year-old bulls.

7. Review your calf health protocols before spring turnout:

Consider implanting nursing calves and grass cattle.
Schedule dates for administering pre-weaning vaccinations.

8. Consider supplementing yearling replacement heifers around the time of breeding under the following conditions:

They have little post-weaning grazing experience.
Forage supply is limited at grazing turnout.

9. Make and evaluate important production calculations (never a bad time to do this!):

Calving distribution (% firstcycle, second cycle, third cycle).
Calving intervals.

10. If creep feeding is part of your program, consider the following:

Calculate the cost of creep feeding versus the value of calf gain.
Can an intake limiter help prevent over-conditioned calves at weaning?

Cow-Calf Checklist: Are Your Cows Ready For Breeding Season?

Fri, 01 May 2026 13:40:41 GMT

1. For cows that are borderline BCS (4.0 to 5.0) going into breeding, consider:

Supplementing two to three weeks prior to and through first cycle.
Early weaning if BCS doesn’t pick up during the season.

2. For those synchronizing females for breeding, schedule your protocols well in advance and mark key dates on your calendar.

The estrus synchronization planner is a great tool!
Inventory your Artificial Insemination (AI) supplies and order products in advance.

3. If you have a fall herd, schedule pregnancy checks and make culling decisions.

How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
Do we need to re-think our fall and winter nutrition program for fall calvers?

4. Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming spring and summer.

Make an effort to measure intake regularly and adjust it as needed.
If using fly control products , start them at recommended times for your area.

5. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements, particularly for cows grazing lush, rapidly growing forages.

Wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass and other cool-season forages.
Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows and older cows.

6. Schedule bull breeding soundness exams well in advance of breeding.

Ensure younger and older bulls are introduced and their hierarchy is established prior to the start of breeding.
Closely monitor bulls the first few weeks of breeding for signs of injury.

7. Review your calf health protocols before spring turnout.

Consider implanting nursing calves and grass cattle.
Calculate the cost of gain versus value of gain for creep feeding .

8. Consider supplementing yearling replacement heifers around the time of breeding under the following conditions:

They have little post-weaning grazing experience.
Forage supply is limited at grazing turnout.

9. If pastures are drought-stressed to start the grazing season:

Consider delaying turnout or adjusting stocking rates.
Make plans now so you are prepared to early wea n if necessary.

10. Make and evaluate important production calculations:

Calving distribution (% firstcycle, second cycle, third cycle).
Calving intervals.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Is Your Cow Herd Ready for Pasture Turnout and Breeding?

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:40:19 GMT

1. Evaluate cow BCS for spring-calving females going into breeding.

• Ensure thin (BCS ≤ 4) females are on an increasing plane of nutrition.
• BCS 5 or higher females should be maintaining weight and condition.

2. If you will synchronize females for breeding this spring, schedule your protocols well in advance and mark key dates on your calendar.

• Inventory your artificial insemination (AI) supplies and order products in advance.
• Check your tanks for current semen inventory and nitrogen levels.

3. If you have a fall herd, schedule pregnancy checks and make culling decisions.

• How were pregnancy rates relative to last year?
• Do we need to rethink our fall/winter nutrition program for fall calvers?

4. Plan your mineral supplementation for this coming spring and summer.

• Make an effort to measure intake regularly and adjust it as needed.
• If using fly control products , start them at recommended times for your area.

5. Consider magnesium levels in mineral supplements, particularly for cows grazing lush, rapidly growing forages.

• Wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass and other cool-season forages.
• Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows and older cows.

6. Evaluate herd bulls for BCS, adjust as needed prior to breeding.

• Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use.
• Schedule breeding soundness examinations with your veterinarian well in advance of breeding.

7. Review your calf health protocols before spring turnout.

• Schedule calf working activities, mark dates on calendars.
• Reflect if changes from last year are needed.

8. Take inventory of any feed/forage that will be left over from winter.

• Cover piles or close bags if silage is left over and won’t be fed until fall.
• Clean up any soiled bedding or unused/wasted feed in pens and calving lots to reduce the breeding and development of stable flies as the weather warms up.

9. Take a balanced, multifaceted approach to fly and insect control.

• Use more than one method of fly control at the same time.
• Follow label directions and use proper dosage levels.

10. Wrap up any last-minute pasture management projects before spring turnout.

• Conduct burns , work to control trees and brush.
• Ensure sufficient water is available when cattle are turned out.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Start Preparing for Breeding Season

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:45:34 GMT

1. Start post-calving nutrition programs for spring-calving females.

Begin lactation rations/supplement levels or feed higher quality hay once first calving cycle is complete.
Ensure thin (BCS ≤ 4.0) females are maintaining or on an increasing plane of nutrition going into breeding.

2. As you make your bull selection decisions:

Review your past herd performance relative to your marketing and genetic goals.
Study EPDs and indexes that impact your operation profit centers and do your homework well before sale day.

3. If you will synchronize females this spring, schedule your protocols now well in advance of the breeding season and mark key dates on your calendars.

Inventory your artificial insemination (AI) supplies and order products in advance.
Check your tanks for current semen inventory and nitrogen levels.

4. If you have a fall-calving cow herd:

Schedule pregnancy checks if not already done.
Evaluate cost of gain vs. the value of gain when considering how to market fall-born calves this spring.

5. Evaluate your mineral program for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

Work with your supplier to outline your needs.
Consider magnesium supplementation levels, particularly for lactating cows grazing wheat, rye, or triticale in the spring.

6. Evaluate herd bulls for body condition score, adjust as needed prior to breeding.

Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use.
Schedule breeding soundness examinations with your veterinarian well in advance of breeding.

7. Monitor replacement heifer growth and development.

Check weights help ensure growth rates are on track.
Consider tract scoring and pelvic measuring .

8. Review your calf health protocols before spring turn out.

Schedule calf working activities , mark dates on calendars.
Reflect if changes from last year are needed.

9. Take inventory of any feed/forage that will be left over from winter.

Cover piles or close bags if silage is left over and won’t be fed until fall.
Clean up any soiled bedding or unused/wasted feed in pens and calving lots to reduce the breeding and development of stable flies as the weather warms up.

10. Price risk management will be key again this year given record high calf prices.

Consider if specific price risk management strategies (forward contracting, insurance) need to be part of your operation.
Evaluate strategies for both cattle and pastures/forages.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Are You Ready For Calving?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:47:01 GMT

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 decline 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 of 4 or less) cows and cows without wind protection are at greatest risk.

4. Don’t forget about herd bulls:

If bulls have a BCS of 5 or less, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.
Testicular frostbite can happen; provide plenty of bedding.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Replacement heifers are worth a lot this year:

Know your target weight at breeding , and adjust accordingly.
Schedule reproductive tract exams prior to breeding.

8. 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 into the herd.

9. For those with fall-calving cow herds:

Make plans for weaning and marketing fall-born calves.
Manage females to avoid significant BCS losses as calves nurse through winter.

10. It’s always a good time to think about herd data and record keeping:

Review what information you’ve been recording and consider what you should be recording this year.
Do you need to make changes in how you record your data ?

Cow-Calf Checklist: Be Ready For Severe Weather

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 19:26:32 GMT

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 female s at a given calf price.
Consider all the ways in which you can add females back in to the herd.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Now is the Time to Prepare for Winter

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:53:38 GMT

Use forage tests to fine tune your supplementation program.
Forage tests are cheap relative to the value of the information.

2. Calculate forage needs off of herd numbers, weight and days.

Make sure adequate forages are available if grazing is limited.
Take inventory of all hay and silages.

3. Condition score cows to guide your nutrition program.

Targeted BCS at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young cows.
Maintain BCS on fall calving females going through breeding.

4. If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep in mind:

The bottom 1/3 of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.

5. If you are a late-fall or early-winter calver ...

Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
Consider teat and udder scoring females at calving, even if they’re commercial.

6. Plan your mineral needs for this coming fall and winter.

Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
If consumption is 2X or 3X the target, then your cost is too!

7. Heifers will be worth a lot this year, let’s manage as such!

For replacements, know your target weight at breeding.
For bred heifers, target to be at a BCS 6.0 at calving.

8. Herd bulls are easy to forget…don’t let them be forgotten!

Conduct a BSE on bulls used for upcoming fall service.
If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.

9. 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.

10. Winter is approaching soon, so take time now to prepare!

Clean lots and calving grounds as needed.
Have bedding and windbreaks ready to be used.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Now Is a Good Time to Evaluate Your Cows

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:30:35 GMT

Figure your cost of gain versus the value of gain.
If retaining and growing , test forages and have feedstuffs on hand prior to weaning.

2. Now is the time to get a good look at your cows .

Sort and feed cows by BCS if you can.
Maintain BCS on fall calving females going into breeding.

3. Have you scheduled preg checks for your spring calving cows? There’s still time.

Annual preg checks allow for other problems to be discussed.
Record data annually and use it to build your long-term herd average.

4. If you are a late-fall calver:

Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
Consider teat and udder scoring females at calving, even if they’re commercial.

5. Plan your mineral needs for this coming fall and winter.

Record date and amount offered and calculate herd consumption.
If consumption is 2X or 3X the target, then your cost is too.

6. Heifers will be worth a lot this year , let’s manage as such.

For replacements, know your target weight at breeding.
For bred heifers, target to be at a BCS 6.0 at calving.

7. Herd bulls are easy to forget — don’t let them be forgotten .

Conduct a BSE on bulls used for upcoming fall service.
If bulls are BCS ≤ 5.0, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.

8. As you think about the 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.

9. If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep in mind:

The bottom third of the stalk is where nitrates accumulate.
Be aware of prussic acid in new regrowth of sorghum plants, and the time around frost is the greatest risk.

10. Old man winter is headed our way; it’s never too early to prepare.

Clean lots and calving grounds as needed.
Have bedding and windbreaks ready to go.

Cow-Calf Checklist: It's Time to Wean Spring Calves

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:16:12 GMT

If you’re going to retain them, know your cost of gain versus the value of gain.
Prepare pens, check waterers and have your health protocols in place.

2. Don’t misread your cows. Evaluate body condition scores (BCS) closely at weaning.

Make a record of BCS at weaning.
Use BCS to be strategic with your feed dollars this fall.

3. Take time to schedule pregnancy checks on cows and heifers.

This allows for other herd health problems to be identified.
Track conception rates yearly to gauge herd performance.

4. Work through your cull pen.

Feed prices are relatively low. Can you add value if cows are thin ?
If the cows don’t fit your herd, can they fit someone else’s?

5. Remember the fall calvers.

Review your calving health protocols as needed.
Locate and clean your calving equipment.

6. Plan your mineral needs for fall and winter.

Record the date and the amount offered, then calculate herd consumption.
If consumption is two to three times the target, then your cost is too.

7. Keep an eye on your herd bulls .

Conduct a breeding soundness exam (BSE) on bulls to be used for upcoming fall service.
Supplement thin bulls coming out of cows to regain condition.

8. Heifers are worth a lot, so let’s manage them as such.

Know your target weight at breeding and grow them appropriately.
Target 2-year-old heifers to be at a minimum BCS of 6 at calving.

9. Take inventory of and begin sampling harvested forages.

Test for nitrates and prussic acid when appropriate.
Be aware of the possible presence of molds and other anti-nutritional compounds in hay that has been harvested at higher-than-typical moisture levels.

10. If grazing crop residues following harvest, keep the following in mind:

Nitrates accumulate in the bottom one-third of the stalk.
High amounts of down grain (≥ 20 bu./acre) will require a change in management.

Your Next Read: Cow Herd Score Card: Evaluating Performance at Weaning