March 28, 2024

8 tips for cattle farmers this February

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As calving season begins, February is a good time to evaluate everything from feed rations to pasture plans.

Purdue Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources program shared eight seasonal tips for cattleman.

1. Feed late in the day to promote daytime calving.

2. Feed cows in good condition (condition score 5-7) a dry cow ration. Thin cows (condition score 3-4) should be fed a higher energy ration.

3. Give weak calves colostrum with esophageal feeder within four hours of calving. Research has shown that after four hours the calf has lost most of its ability to absorb colostrum antibodies.

4. Identify calves with ear tags. Be aware of cows with aggressive behavior. Commercial operations should castrate and implant bull calves.

5. Record birth date, calf weight, dam and calf ID, and calving score in record book.

6. Overseed pastures with desired legume, if needed, before mid-March.

7. Frost seed clovers.

8. Purebred and commercial producers should:

• Put heavy springers into calving pasture and observe them several times a day.

• Provide extra attention to first-calf heifers.

• Provide assistance to heifers after one hour and cows after two hours, if not making progress in calving.

• Move cows and calves to a clean pasture away from calving pasture after calves are 2 to 3 days old.

• If moving heavy springers into a calving paddock or pasture and sorting cows and calves to a clean pasture is not feasible, then a large, well-drained calving pasture is needed. This area should be large enough to remain relatively clean for the calving period. The rule of thumb is 0.5 to 0.75 acres per cow.

Erica Quinlan

Erica Quinlan

Field Editor