Ensuring a smooth transition from spring to summer is essential for maintaining productive land and healthy cattle. Use this checklist to optimize your management strategies.
Land and Forage Management
- Assess Soil Health
- Collect and submit soil samples from pastures and hayfields.
- Use test results to adjust fertility plans based on soil nutrient levels and forage species.
- Evaluate Pasture Conditions
- Conduct a pasture walk to assess forage availability and species composition.
- Identify weed, pest, and fertility issues.
- Consider stand improvements such as overseeding or renovation.
- Prepare for Hay Harvest
- Inspect and service haying equipment to prevent breakdowns.
- Plan to harvest at optimal maturity for maximum nutritional value.
- Store hay properly to maintain quality.
- Plan Warm-Season Grass Establishment
- Prepare land for warm-season perennials and annual forages.
- Source seeds or sprigs and schedule planting accordingly.
- Consider summer annuals like pearl millet or sorghum as supplemental forage.
- Adjust Mineral Supplementation
- Transition from high-magnesium minerals (>12% Mg) used for grass tetany prevention to a lower magnesium blend (1-4%) as temperatures rise above 60°F.
Cattle Management by Calving Season
Spring-Calving System (March-May Calving)
- Provide high-quality pasture during breeding season.
- Work calves (dehorn, castrate, implant, deworm) if not done already.
- Deworm herd bulls and cows.
- Identify calves (ear tags, tattoos), and record birth dates and sex.
- Score body condition of cows before breeding.
- Conduct breeding soundness exams on bulls 60 days before breeding begins.
Fall-Calving System (September-November Calving)
- Consider creep-grazing calves on high-quality pasture.
- Wean, vaccinate, and deworm calves.
- Deworm herd bulls and cows.
- Record cow and calf weights at weaning.
- Assess cow body condition at weaning.
- Cull based on pregnancy status and performance.
- Conduct a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) assessment (eyes, teeth, feet, udder, body condition, disposition).
- Implement pre-conditioning strategies for feeder calves post-weaning.
- Select and develop replacement heifers to gain 1.5 lbs/day until breeding.
By following this checklist, beef cattle producers can optimize land productivity, maintain herd health, and enhance overall operational efficiency throughout the transition from spring to summer.
