September beef management calendar

Spring Calving Herds
• Inventory feed supplies, test hay for nutrient content and plan winter feeding strategies
• Give pre-weaning vaccinations to calves
• Make final preparations for calf crop marketing program
• Pregnancy check cows
• Body condition score cows at weaning and separate thin cows
• Put open, old and very thin cows on cull list
• Make arrangements for backgrounding calves
• Continue feeding high Se trace mineral salt
• Continue to stockpile forages, if possible

Fall Calving Herds
• Body condition score cows; plan nutrition and grazing program on BCS
• Inventory feed supplies, test hay for nutrient content and plan winter feeding strategies
• Make sure all calving supplies are on-hand
• Move pregnant heifers and early calving cows to calving area about 2 weeks before due date
• Check cows 3 to 4 times per day; heifers more often – assist early if needed
• Keep calving area clean and well drained; move healthy pairs to large pastures 3 days after calving
• Ear tag all calves at birth; castrate male calves in commercial herds
• Give selenium and vitamin A & D injections to newborn calves
• Feed cows extra energy after calving especially to two-year-olds; cows calving at BCS < 5 should receive special nutritional attention
• Keep high quality, high Selenium, high magnesium minerals available
• Plan estrous synchronization program; line-up AI technician and supplies

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

1. YSA members gain insight into agribusiness, retail industries
2. Meat industry associations quick to attack the new MCOOL rule
3. Team up against bovine respiratory disease
4. Oil prices pare losses on U.S. equities turnaround
5. Future of food discussion with Agriculture Secretary
6. Ag markets diverged prove rather volatile on Thursday

1. Former Eastern Livestock CEO, CFO sentenced for federal crimes
2. Post-tornado composting a solution for disposal of dead livestock
3. Michigan hay buyers should plan purchases early
4. More beef cows in worst drought regions than a year ago
5. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
6. New animal identification rules aid disease traceability

1. Commentary: GMOs: How do I hate thee?
2. Commentary: In praise of animal foods
3. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
4. What’s on America’s grill this weekend?
5. New animal identification rules aid disease traceability
6. 4 rules for growing a business or industry