While the pace of cowherd management may slow after the busy seasons of calving, breeding, and weaning, fall presents critical opportunities to prepare for long-term success. With calves weaned and marketed, cowherd nutritional needs decrease, making this an ideal time to assess body condition and align feeding strategies with available resources.
Producers should inventory feed supplies, evaluate pasture conditions, and explore cost-effective solutions like utilizing crop residues or stockpiled grass. Proper grazing strategies, including temporary fencing and portable water systems, can optimize feed utilization while minimizing waste. Matching high-quality forages to cattle with greater nutritional demands, such as bred heifers or young stock, ensures targeted resource allocation.
Testing forage quality is essential to create balanced rations, particularly for cows nearing calving or for younger animals with higher growth requirements. A year-round mineral supplementation program further supports overall herd health, reproductive success, and calf development.
Fall is also a critical time for management practices like pregnancy checks, which can identify non-productive cows for culling, improving herd efficiency. Health protocols, including deworming and strategic vaccination, help protect herd health and prepare cows for the next calving season.
Bulls should not be overlooked; young bulls may require supplemental feeding to recover from the breeding season, while all bulls should be evaluated for soundness and future genetic value. Unfit or underperforming bulls should be marketed to conserve resources.
By aligning forage resources, implementing health protocols, and planning strategically, producers can optimize herd performance and profitability while enjoying the season’s quieter pace.
