Page 15 - MWC 8-10-2023s

erage cow size from 1,200 them monthly but then not The Midwest Cattleman · August 10, 2023 · P15
to 1,400 pounds. If you can- expecting them to show up Manure scoring is
not increase the forage pro- to work for the next year.
duction accordingly, you will Ornery cows damage equip- a great way to mon-
itor if a cow is get-
have to decrease the stocking ment, injure people and re-
rate by 11% fewer cows to still duce efficiency when they are ting enough nutri-
tion in almost real
have enough forage for the difficult to work in the pen or
number of cows in the pas- if they take part of the herd time. A cow grazing
ture. The heavier cow should to the trees when you come pastures that sup-
ply enough nutrition
wean a heavier calf, but this into the pasture. to meet her require-
increase will not be enough to 6. Develop a short and ments will have a
offset the reduced cow num- defined breeding season. manure score of 3
bers nor the associated costs Increasing the number of (range 1-5; 1 exces-
of the heavier cows. Modera- earlier-calving cows within sive nutrition, 5 in-
tion in size can help the bot- your defined calving season adequate nutrition). Manure quirements during peak lac-
tom line. Know the average will increase the average scores give the producer an tation (two to three months
weight of your cows when weaning weight at market- estimate of the digestibili- post calving).
they are in a body condition ing time. Consider this: if a ty of the pasture forage the
score of 5. Purchase replace- calf is born 30 days earlier in cow has been eating for the 8. Utilize heterosis.
ments that will be moderate the calving season and gains past 36 to 72 hours. This Heterosis, or hybrid vigor,
in frame and weight or buy 2 pounds per day while on method allows you to iden- is an often-overlooked tool
bulls that will help to achieve the cow, the calf will weigh 60 tify nutritional deficiencies to increase the commercial
more moderate frame scores pounds more than its later before they manifest into cattleman’s overall efficien-
in female offspring. The ex- peers at the same weaning lower body condition scores. cy. Heterosis is an easy tool
pected progeny difference date in the fall. That is rough- If you must feed hay, provide to implement for most cattle-
(EPD) traits of mature size ly a 10% to 12% increase in high-enough quality hay that men and can increase wean-
and weight are examples of weaning weight achieved additional feed supplemen- ing weights, cow fertility and
selection tools that can help simply by making sure more tation is not necessary. It longevity, improve growth
your decision-making. calves are born in the first takes a free-choice diet (28.4 performance, and produce a
4. Treat your cows as an third of the calving season. pounds dry matter/day) of ei- more desirable feeder calf.
employee. Also, make sure that timing ther pasture or hay that is at 9. If feeding hay, don’t
Your cows should be ex- of the breeding season is in least 9.9% crude protein and waste it.
pected to work daily for you. synchronization with the 57.6% total digestible nutri- Hay feeding is probably
A successfully productive cow best forage availability and ents to meet a 1,200-pound
will efficiently deliver a calf quality on the ranch. Time cow’s highest nutritional re- continued on page 22
to the weaning pen each year, the breeding season and sub-
with little cost and few prob- sequent calving season so
lems along the way. In order that when cows are in peak
to do this, you must select lactation with their highest
the right female, then devel- nutritional demand for the
op her so she will be success- year (two to three months
ful in the environment where post calving), your pastures
you expect her to work. have the highest forage qual-
ity and quantity available.

7. Control
feed
expenses.
As stated
above in No.
6, it is best to
schedule the
calving season
to match the
average cow’s
highest nutri-
tional demand,
about 2-3
5. Cull cows. months post calving, to avail-
When reducing herd num- ability of the best quality and
bers, first cull what I call the quantity of pasture. For most
three O’s: old, open, and or- ranches, this means calving
nery cows. Then, consider ad- in early spring if its pastures
ditional culls as the situation are dominated by warm-sea-
warrants. Older cows have son grasses. Unless there are
a difficult time maintaining adequate cool-season forages
weight while usually wean- available to support the cow’s
ing an even smaller calf. Car- peak nutritional require-
rying an open cow through ments during peak lactation,
the winter is analogous to cows should not be calving in
hiring an employee, paying the winter months.