We’ve been blessed in lots of elements of the state with current moisture but most of Oklahoma stays in varied levels of drought. Happily, the winter has been delicate thus far and as we transfer nearer to spring, this week my article addresses a winter guidelines of administration practices in preparation for the long run.
1. Goal weights on alternative heifers. In a typical 12 months with good wheat pasture, getting our alternative heifers to focus on weights by the start of spring breeding season could be easy. This 12 months is an exception. With this in thoughts, keep in mind the next rule of thumb, alternative heifers needs to be at two-thirds of their mature weight by 14 – 15 months of age at the start of your meant breeding season.
Over 90% of heifers undertaking this goal weight, at this age will probably be sexually mature and able to conceiving in time to calve by two years of age. In case your heifers are not on time, there’s nonetheless time to adapt your feeding plan in order that heifers attain goal weight by breeding season. Figuring out the anticipated mature weight could be achieved by weighing the 4 to seven 12 months outdated cows that produced your alternative heifers.
2. Supplemental feeding, mineral and protein supplementation is probably going extra essential than ever as we feed non-traditional hays. Suggestions from producers point out large variation in sort and high quality of hays fed this 12 months. With this in thoughts, mineral, power and protein needs to be offered at satisfactory ranges to have cows (and heifers) at optimum Physique Situation Rating (BCS) by starting of calving season to insure well timed breed again. It’s extra environment friendly to place situation on dry cows than lactating cows. Optimum BCS for mature cows is 5 – 5.5. Heifers needs to be at 5.5 – 6 by the beginning of calving season. It’s nicely documented that copy will undergo if cows are too skinny at calving.
3. Stopping wheat pasture bloat. Many producers could also be turning out on wheat pasture for the primary time within the close to future. Managing stocking charges in addition to the use monensin and poloxalene needs to be thought-about.
4. Deworming can typically be the least costly feed. If feed is scarce and cows are skinny, overview the final time your cowherd was dewormed. Deworming now may result in extra environment friendly use of feedstuffs.
5. Be ready for chilly climate calving. The delicate dry winter has been optimum for calving thus far. That being the case, now we have a number of extra weeks of potential for chilly climate and winter storms.
References:
Growth of Alternative Beef Heifers. Chapter 29. OSU Beef Cattle Guide, eight version.
Watch Out for Wheat Pasture Bloat. Dr. Paul Beck. Cow-Calf Nook Publication. February 6, 2023.
