August is when forages are maturing, weaning time is approaching, and weather dictates several key management decisions.
Breeding Season
♦Given high feed price inputs, ruthlessly cull all unsound cows from the herd. Cull cows that do not conceive after three services by a fertile bull.
♦Limit the breeding season. Remove bulls after 60 days with cows, 45 days with heifers.
These methods contribute to a more uniform calf crop, makes winter feed management easier, and increases the success rate of next year’s breeding season.
Cowherd Nutrition
♦Provide ample amounts of clean, fresh drinking water.
♦Conduct an inventory of forage needs for the winter feeding period
♦Plan ahead and price availability of byproducts, such as wheat-middlings, dried distillers grains, etc. prior to typical seasonal price increases.
Herd Health
♦If pinkeye is likely to be a problem, consider the following preventive and therapeutic measures.
Preventive:
♦Make sure the herd is receiving adequate vitamins and trace mineral in their diet.
♦Consider using a medicated trace mineral package.
♦Consider vaccination for pinkeye and IBR (consult your local veterinarian).
♦Control face flies.
♦Clip pastures with tall, coarse grasses that may irritate eyes.
♦Provide ample shade.
Therapy:
♦Administer an intramuscular injection of long-acting oxytetracycline when symptoms are first noticed.
♦Shut out irritating sunlight by patching eyes, shade, etc.
♦Control flies.
♦Consult your veterinarian.
-Consider revaccinating for the respiratory diseases any animals that
will be taken to livestock shows.
-Vaccinate suckling calves for IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, and possibly
pasteurella at least 3 weeks prior to weaning.
-Revaccinate all calves for blackleg.
-Vaccinate replacement heifers for brucellosis (4 to 10 months of age).
-Monitor and treat footrot.
Forage/Pasture Management
♦Enhance grazing distribution with mineral mixture placement away from water sources.
♦Observe pasture weed problems to aid in planning control methods needed next spring.
♦Monitor grazing conditions and rotate pastures if possible and(or) practical.
♦If pastures will run out in late summer, get ready to provide emergency feeds. Start supplemental feeding before pastures are gone to extend grazing.
♦Harvest and store forages properly. Minimize waste by reducing spoilage.
♦Sample harvested forages and have them analyzed for nitrate and nutrient composition.
♦Plan for sufficient standing pasture for winter grazing needs.
♦For stocker cattle and replacement heifers, supplement maturing grasses with an acceptable degradable intake protein/ionophore(feed additive) type supplement.
General Management
♦Avoid unnecessary heat stress - Don’t handle and/or truck cattle during the heat of the day.
♦Repair, replace and improve facilities needed for fall processing.
♦Order supplies, vaccines, tags, and other products needed at weaning time.
♦Consider earlier than normal weaning, but have a marketing plan in place.
Source: Dale Blasi, Kansas State University Extension