From the Barns: Muddy conditions

Heifer calving is well underway. My wishful thinking in last month’s article that we would have gotten past the bad weather when calves started hitting the ground was just wishful thinking, I guess. No snow, ice or cold temps, but rain. Got over 3 inches total. Thankfully, we have had a relatively dry winter.

I know a lot of people were thinking, and maybe rightfully so, that our region could use moisture. I beg to differ, because the results of that are muddy conditions which we are seeing now that the calves are being born. Fortunately, no complications from that yet — just have to watch out for calves dropping in the mud and then of course cleanliness and health are tied to clean conditions, plus the difficulty of navigating through that mess.

During the day the heifers are in a medium-sized lot, then at night are put up in the barn, the most heavy springers placed in individual stalls. Do have quite a few calves on the ground already. I think we have around 110 head of heifers to calve this spring. A similar number of cows, as well, and they will begin anytime.

We delayed weaning the fall-born calves like we had considered. With the rain coming and this first wave of heifer calving hitting at the same time, we thought it best maybe to push that back a little. Hoping that we can accomplish that this coming week. That will cut back a lot on the total mixed ration cow feeding and get the calves started. Once they are bawled out, hoping to get them out on the wheat for grazing.

Speaking of grazing the wheat, we do have 105 replacement heifers that were born last spring out there, although we pulled them back off during this heavy rain for fear of the pugging up of the wet ground. Also have 50 heifers that we bred this winter out there. We have the fencing set up for rotational grazing and can keep them all separated. Back to feeding the younger heifers with the TMR. They might go back out this week, but there is a chance of rain midweek, so may have to be careful about that. The wheat does look good and we are anxious to take advantage of that.

A big focus right now is our first annual production sale, which will be held Saturday, April 11. Selling 35 bulls and 25 females. Getting preparations made, including semen testing most of the bulls last week. The younger ones we are testing later this coming week. There will be much more to do over the next month. You can check for more information about it on our Facebook page, Beasley Angus Farm & Feedlot.

Looking forward to spring finally arriving. Even though the winter could have been worse, it seems like drudgery working in it and around it. Time for sunshine and warm weather and that should make for green grass growing — bring it on!