August beef management calendar

Spring Calving Herds

• End breeding season early in month (if not already stopped); remove bulls
• Manage 1st calf heifers separately- provide access to highest quality forages and supplement if needed
• Plan marketing program for calf crop
• Line up pre-weaning vaccinations for calves to be sold in value-added programs such as VQA
• Continue fly control program
• Continue feeding high Selenium trace mineral salt
• Continue creep grazing and grazing warm season grasses
• Fertilize pastures that will be stockpiled for fall-winter grazing
• Move cattle to some hay fields to give pastures a rest
• Evaluate winter feed supply and options

Fall Calving Herds

• Body condition score cows
• Separate thin cows from rest of the herd- provide access to highest quality forages and supplement if needed
• Prepare for calving season; make sure you have all equipment and supplies
• Continue fly control program
• Continue high Selenium trace mineral salt
• Move cattle to some hay fields to give pastures a rest
• Fertilize pastures that will be stockpiled for fall-winter grazing
• Market calves early in month if not already done or continue backgrounding program
• Evaluate winter feed supply and options

Source: Dr. Scott P. Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, VA Tech.