Page 38 - MWC 2-3-2022s
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PREPARATION perience — should be called. The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P38
continued from page 30 Following calving, the calf TIMELY
should be up and nursing continued from page 33 falfa is toxic to new plants. If
Intervening at an appro- within two hours, Hanzlicek an alfalfa field is starting to
priate time is important. “If said. If not, a colostrum re- the field without causing en- thin out, an option to extend
the life of the stand would be
we intervene too early and placer can be given to help vironmental issues, break up
the cow or heifer is not dilat- get the calf started. the sod and expose the soil. to frost seed red clover.
Another reason to plant
ed, we can injure the tissues “Colostrum-based powders Once that is done, go ahead
and hurt the calf,” Hanzlicek are the best way to go, and I and frost seed. We will rapid- clover, especially red clover
is the high seedling vigor. It
said. “If we intervene too late, would recommend that every ly run out of time for a likely
a lot of times that’s when we producer have one or two successful seeding, so start is tolerant of a wide range of
soil pH and fertility condi-
end up with stillborn calves.” bags of powder replacer on as soon as possible. Typical-
According to Hanzlicek, hand during the calving sea- ly, you can start at the be- tions and is more drought tol-
once a cow has reached the son,” Hanzlicek said. ginning of February through erant than white clover. The
second stage of labor, they mid-March. My opinion is advantage of frost seeding a
legume like red clover is that
should give birth within 30 that once we get into March,
minutes. A heifer should the chance of success starts legumes “fix” nitrogen typ-
ically in excess of their own
calve within an hour. Second to drop depending on the
stage labor is when weather. needs, providing added fertil-
ity to other plants, improving
the heifer or cow The age-old question is
can be observed ex- what to plant. The seed that an improved stand. Once le-
gumes become established in
periencing uterine has the best chance to germi-
contractions, or the nate and become established a stand of grass and compose
25-30 % of the stand, there is
water-bag or calf’s is red clover. For years I rec-
feet are visible. ommended medium red clo- no need to provide addition-
al nitrogen, reducing fertility
If assistance ver, but I am now convinced
from the producer that that no matter what we costs.
Some other tips to help
is needed, and they plant, use improved varieties. succeed include mixing with
are unable to ex- Advancement in genetics is granular fertilizer when you
tract the calf with- amazing. Numerous studies spread the seed. The coarse
in 15 minutes, then confirm that those varieties fertilizer, when mixed with
help – either a vet- will last several years longer clover seed will “scour” the
erinarian or some- in most conditions. Forage seed coat and help in germi-
one with more ex- trials at OSU show there
are several red clover vari- nation. Keep in mind that
eties that have high yields when you use a broadcast
and stand percentages 60% spreader, the fertilizer will
or greater after four years. travel twice as far as seed, so
These are more expensive va- plan accordingly unless you
rieties than some of the com- want a striped field of clover.
mon, shorter-lived varieties, Over the years, I have heard
but I think it is worth it. people applying anywhere
Red clover is a heavy from 2-10 pounds of seed per
round seed that has a better acre with the lower amount
chance of making soil con- applied more frequently.
tact then a light flatter seed. Finally, grasses tend to
Dr. Garry Lacefield, retired grow earlier in the spring
Extension Forage Specialist than legumes so where avail-
from University of Kentucky able, you could consider a
• Featuring ‘ Program’ says that clovers, seeded in light, early grazing of the
grass as the clovers try to
Cattle Weekly the right conditions will ger-
minate most years. Grasses get established. You may lose
• DVAuction Service for convenient are more “hit or miss” ger- some clover from the cattle
online viewing & bidding minating about half of the trampling some new seed-
time. With alfalfa, the odds ings, but if done right, you
Vienna, Mo 65582
Selling All Classes of Cattle Wednesday @ 10:00 a.m. are even less. Frost seeding will set back the grass and
For more information: Ross Patton 573-308-6657 • Bill Patton 573-308-6658 alfalfa into an alfalfa stand allow the remaining clovers
• David Patton – 573-308-6655 • rarely works as existing al- to establish while the grasses
Visit our website at www.scrsvienna.com • or E-mail us at: SCRSVienna@gmail.com recover from
the grazing. If
you have fields
with exposed
soils and get
“ ” the seed on
early enough, I
like your odds
of a successful
frost seeding.
@
