Follow these tips from Jason Warner, KSU cow-calf specialist, on some management considerations.
If cows are marginal (BCS 4.0 – 5.0) going into breeding, possibly consider:
• Supplementing 2-3 weeks prior to and through first cycle.
• Using monensin (200 mg/hd/day) in feed supplements.
• Temporary calf removal or a CIDR to initiate estrus in females.
• Early weaning if BCS doesn’t improve during the season.
• Pregnancy check and cull fall calving cows, if not already done.
With higher costs, it’s important to closely manage salt and mineral programs.
• Record date and amount of salt and mineral offered and calculate herd consumption.
If consumption is two times the target intake, then the cost will be too!
Properly store bags and pallets to avoid damage and product loss.
• Continue to provide high magnesium mineral formulas to cows grazing high risk forages: wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass, and other cool-season forages.
• The estrus synchronization planner on KSUBeef.org is a helpful tool for scheduling synchronization protocols.
Order your A.I. supplies well prior to starting your protocols.
• Closely monitor bulls at the start of the breeding season for injury and to make sure they are aggressively covering cows.
