Spring Herd Management Checklist

 

 

Spring Calving Herds Finish up calving season.Document calf birth dates, calf ID and dam ID. This can be used to build a calving distribution graph. Various studies have documented that a calf born in the first 21 days of the calving season (first breeding exposure) can weigh at weaning an average of 45 lbs more than a calf born in the second estrus cycle, and nearly 95 lbs more than a calf born during the third 21 days of the calving season (third breeding exposure/estrus cycle). Keeping records of this will help improve breeding and culling decisions, and hopefully weaning weights. As calving season winds down, prepare to give cows pre-breeding vaccines.  If using a modified live respiratory virus vaccine make sure to wait until every cow has calved to avoid any fetal loss from the modified live vaccine. Fall Calving Herds If retaining fall calves through the summer, ensure calves are adequately protected against respiratory disease and blackleg. Preg check fall calving herds. If you have not done so already, now is an excellent time to preg check fall calving herds. Pregnancy checks can be done to predict calf birth dates.These can be used to help plan labor needs for the calving season, as well as make culling decisions for the herd. Open cows may need to be culled. Both Spring and Fall Calving Herds Have a pink eye mitigation and control plan. This may, or may not include an autogenous vaccine, or a manufactured multi-strain vaccine. It also may include having an adequate supply of anti-microbials and antibiotics on hand to treat cattle that are impacted.It also should include a fly control program. Fly control Program.Horn flies take as many as 30 blood meals a day from cattle that reside on, slowing or stopping cattle gains on summer pasture. Face flies spread pinkeye.Treating both of these will go a long way to hold value on calves and keep the cow herd productive.  Be sure to obtain fly treatment products early in the season (Late March – April). Follow label directions on all products.  Have a discussion with your veterinarian on what may work best for you. Make plans to deworm growing calves. Again, check with your veterinarian on deworming calves. Oral drenches may be an option if you have recently been using pour on de-wormers. Cattle going out to grass that will not be reworked in a recent timeline might be candidates for a long acting injectable dewormer. Credit: John Benner, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Augusta County