It’s not too early to be getting ready for winter. In latest weeks, I’ve coated a few of the “finest administration practices” to cope with the drought and extreme warmth that continues to plague Oklahoma cattle and cattlemen in the summertime of 2022. This week we glance forward at a guidelines to contemplate to be prepared for winter. Many of those are typical of getting ready for the winter months, some are of extra significance this 12 months. Right here goes……
- Water is an important of the lessons of vitamins. A clear and plentiful provide of water is essential for the well being, replica and manufacturing of beef cattle. In a 12 months when ponds are low now could be the time to be planning in your winter water provide. Consider your ponds or water sources now. Whether or not it’s pond cleanout, putting in automated waterers, checking wells, windmills, and so on. Now’s the time to take motion earlier than freezing temperatures are upon us. Most ponds are at low ranges. Shallower ponds are extra topic to freezing. Plan accordingly.
- Safe your feed and hay provide. Even when we obtain ample moisture earlier than the primary frost, we’re working wanting rising days for heat season grasses. The nice and cozy season forage base you will have now could be all you should have. As we transfer into the standard hay feeding season demand (and worth) for hay (already scarce) will improve. In a 12 months like this, getting a feed evaluation in your hay is extra essential than ever. If you’re shopping for hay, ask for the feed evaluation earlier than you conform to buy. In case your grass is brief and hay stock is low…….
- Eliminating Cow Stock/Culling could also be crucial. Culling standards for cows and alternative heifers has been coated not too long ago in Cow-Calf Nook Newsletters. In a 12 months of report excessive hay and feed costs, holding open cows and heifers round via the winter significantly diminishes the revenue potential of your cow-calf operation. Consider it or not, there are components of the nation not in drought. If you happen to do some checking, it could be potential to customized graze your cows in different areas. If that is what you resolve to do, don’t overlook the price of trucking your cowherd to areas the place there may be grass. The trucking invoice may exceed the grazing invoice.
- Restore or Set up Shelter and Windbreaks
- Monitor the Physique Situation of your cow herd. The dry interval is essentially the most environment friendly time to place flesh and weight on cows that will have gotten too skinny whereas elevating a calf this previous summer season. Managing now for optimum BCS at calving subsequent spring can pay dividends in future reproductive effectivity and breed again.
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