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Consider marketing old, open or poor performing cows early. Because
of the scattered nature of this year's drought, the price impact of forced
liquidations has been minimal at this point. Always keep a good relationship
with your market manager to prevent selling on a "bad day".
Early sale of cull cows could really impact your long- term feed supply.
Water is normally the least expensive nutrient. It is a critical part
of the animal's diet, being responsible for everything from the body's
chemical reactions to providing a built-in cooling system. Cows will drink
twenty gallons or more of water per day, depending on their size and the
air temperature, so fresh water must be available at all times. Muddy
water sources or dripping springs may not be providing enough daily consumption.
If offered, would your cows drink additional water from a clean, fresh
supplemental source at 7 p.m. each evening? If so, providing additional
water by hauling from a stream or pond, or piping from a public water
source may be a good investment.
Early weaning of beef calves could be the most efficient use of remaining
resources. Weaned and started (pre-conditioned) calves normally weigh
more and typically sell value added. Feeding concentrate to calves in
dry lot is easier than feeding cow-calf pairs on pasture. What's wrong
with early weaning? Most ranchers have developed seasonal work routines
to reflect best use of their time. It is not normal to have 'January'
feeding chores in 'July.' Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate with no or
minimum second/third cut hay, no pasture to mow - is there time to do
feeding of early weaned calves?
It's always a good idea to palpate your cows to avoid boarding any freeloaders
for the winter. However, this year, boarding open cows even for the balance
of summer may be intolerable.
In addition to the obvious reason for chuting all cows, palpating for
pregnancy and culling the opens, there also are other advantages. While
they're in the chute, check for condition of teeth, eyes, udders, feet
and legs. Without teeth, even when pastures are productive, it's difficult
for a cow to forage enough to maintain condition. If cancer eye is detected
early, the value of the cow as a cull will not be affected. Soundness
of udders can affect getting the calf off to a good start on it's birthday
as well as milk production until weaning. Obviously, sound feet and legs
will not only allow cows to graze more, but also adequately support the
bull during breeding. Anytime you have easy access to a cow, it's a good
time to booster vaccinations against IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Lepto and Vibrio.
It's also an excellent time to take a look at fly control and, as fall
approaches, grub or lice control may be considered. Young cows (3 years
and under) might be candidates for a deworming, also.
Can some 'brush', firewood tree tops, etc., be used by maintenance animals?
A chain saw can bring some forage within reach quickly. Beware of poisonous
plants!
When roughages are in short supply and grain prices low, supplementing
grain for stored forage is always an option. Shelled corn can be fed on
the ground during dry periods with very little loss. Range cube feeding,
common in many western states, has been demonstrated in Ohio in year-round
grazing operations with great success. Two to four pounds per cow, per
day of a 20% protein high-energy cube has kept cows in good body condition
while keeping them hungry enough to harvest low quality forage to meet
their remaining daily nutritional needs.
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