Efficient Cow-Calf Herd Management Guide

1. Feeding and Management of the Cow-Calf Herd Chapter 15

2. Objectives • Plan a feeding program for a cow-calf herd • List and describe approved practices for managing a cow-calf herd

3. Integrated Resource Management • Management tool • A team approach to improve • Competitiveness • Efficiency • Profitability of beef business • Includes setting production and financial goals, accurate record keeping

4. Feeds • Roughages used depends on the location • Roughages: pasture, hay, silage, straw, corncobs, and other crop residues • Provide the cheapest source of energy • High-quality roughages should be used

5. Managing Feed Sources • Forages • Should be handled in an effort to keep labor requirements low • Grazing should be used as much as possible • Harvesting and storing increases the amount of feed available for the beef herd

6. Managing Feed Sources (cont.) • Pasture and Hay Land • Proper management increases the yield of forage • Soil should be tested • Rotation grazing is used in maintaining carrying capacity of pasture • Cow hear allowed on only part of the field at a time

7. Managing Feed Sources (cont.) • Crop Residues • Grazing crop residues reduces feed cost • Carrying capacity • Number of animals that can be grazed • Residues can be harvested in different ways using various pieces of equipment • NH3 treatment increases protein content

8. Managing Feed Sources (cont.) • Use of Round Bales • Cuts labor requirements by 60% • Loss of energy, protein, and dry matter by 20% • Store large bales inside or under cover • NH3 can be used to increase protein content

9. Managing Feed Sources (cont.) • Use of Round Bales (cont.)

10. Feeding Dry, Pregnant Cows and Heifers • Dry, pregnant cows are fed enough to keep good flesh • No more than 10% of body weight should be lost over winter • Overfeeding should be avoided • Certain nutrient requirements should be met for the cow herd

11. Lactation Rations • Ration needed depends on how much milk the cow produces • Pastures of high quality can usually meet the needs of lactating cows • When pasture is not available, lactating cow is fed in drylot

12. Creep Feeding of Calves • A way of providing calves with extra feed of grain, commercial mix, or roughage • Creep feeding may or may not be profitable • There are many advantages and disadvantages to creep feeding

13. Creep Feeding of Calves (cont.) • When and How to Creep Feed • Calves start eating grain at 3 weeks of age • Small amounts are eaten until 6 to 8 weeks • Roughly 280-480 pounds of feed are required for 40-60 pounds of weight gain • Creep feeders deliver pelleted mixes

14. Growing Replacement Heifers • Only heifers in top half of weaning weight should be kept • Heifer conception rates lower than cows • Heifer typically reach puberty at 12-to-14 months of age • Feed should be palatable and not wasted

15. Growing, Feeding, and Care of Bulls • Wean bulls at 6 to 8 months of age • Best-gaining bulls are used or kept for sale • Well-grown bulls may breed at 15 to18 months of age • Feed bulls plenty of roughage so they will not become too fat or go off feed

16. Growing, Feeding,and Care of Bulls (cont.) • Bulls are divided into categories • Yearling bulls • Two- tofour-year-old bulls • Mature bulls • Special attention to feeding should be taken during the breeding season

17. Management of the Herd During Breeding Season • The goal is a 100% calf crop • Careful management is required • Cow heard should be watched closely for performance • Many factors can affect performance and breeding

18. Artificial Insemination • Placement of sperm in female reproductive tract by other than natural means • Artificial vagina is most common method used in collection of semen • Semen is placed in the reproductive tract by the rectovaginal method • Many factors should be considered

19. Sex-Selected Semen • Produced by sorting of sperm cells based on the X or Y chromosome • Selects the gender desired • 90% accuracy • Expensive; may only be economical based on goals of producer and value of the offspring

20. Synchronization of Estrus • Process of causing all females to come into heat at one time and thus calve at about the same time • There are many advantages and disadvantages • Requires a high level of management, and healthy cows

21. When to Breed Heifers • Size is the most important consideration • Age is important; goal is 2 years of age • Production cost is lower • Higher percent of cows in production • Fewer replacement heifers are needed • Differences between heifers and older cows need to be considered

22. Calving • A short calving season is desired for easier herd management • Most calve in the spring • Less feed, housing, and labor required • Watch closely for signs of calving • Younger cows will have more difficulty • Calf care may be required after birth

23. Castration • Removal of the testicles on bull calves • Castrated beef animal is called a steer • Castrate at birth (3 to 4 months for bull calves in feedlots) • Late castration can cause a staggy appearance

24. Castration (cont.) • Several methods of castration • Knife • Most common method • Some danger with bleeding and infection can occur • Burdizzo • Bloodless, crushes cords above the testicles • If done incorrectly, steer may appear staggy later

25. Castration (cont.) • Several methods of castration (cont.) • Elastrator bands • Bloodless castration • A tight rubber band placed around the testicles • Blood supply is cut off, scrotum waste away

26. Dehorning • Several reasons for dehorning • Horned calves sell for less money • Less space needed in feedlots and trucks • Less chance of cattle bruising each other • Dehorn at a young age • Do not dehorn during fly season

27. Dehorning (cont.) • Several methods of dehorning • Chemicals/paste • Spoons, gouges, or tubes • Hot irons • Clippers or saws

28. Branding and Marking • Branding • Common in big herds, required in some states • Hot iron method oldest, most common • Cold iron with branding fluid not in wide use • Freeze branding becoming more widely used • Care should be taken to restrain calves during branding

29. Branding and Marking (cont.) • Marking • Ear cuts: almost as common as branding • Ear tattooing: more permanent than cutting • Ear tagging: widely used on purebred herds • Neck chains: used when herd owner does not want to make permanent marks

30. Managing Weaned Calves • Several management options • Selling feeder calves • Selling yearling feeders • Growing and finishing beef animals

31. Preconditioning Calves • Process of preparing calves for stress of being moved into the feedlot • Done before calves leave producer’s farm • Adds cost to production of feeder calves • Some studies show practice to be unprofitable for producer or cattle feeder

32. Backgrounding Calves • Growing, feeding of calves from weaning to feedlot entry • Primarily done with roughage rations • Fed for 120 to150 days • Calves must not become too fat, as they lose value going into the feedlot