AS-414 • 1974
Beet Herd Management calendar-spring calving Program
L.A. Nelson, W.L. Singleton and W.H. Smith, Animal Sciences Department; and K.M. Weinland, Large Animal Clinics Department
This beef herd management calendar is a suggested schedule of the management practices required in a Corn Belt cow-calf enterprise on a spring-calving program. It was developed assuming that most of the calves would be born in March, about 45-60 days before the peak in forage supply.
Before you begin following this suggested calendar, it is recommended that each cow be permanently identified with a hot or cold brand or with a flexible plastic ear tag. Also, plan to identify each calf about 2 or 3 days after birth, and keep records. Check with your local county Extension office to obtain a cow-calf record book, and use it!
For more information on specific management tips outlined below, consult the related publications listed at the end of this bulletin.
JANUARY
•	In extremely cold weather, provide some form of shelter.
•	Feed a ration recommended for dry, pregnant cows.
•	Have available clean, dry, well-lighted calving areas.
•	Get calving equipment ready, such as halter, chains, calf puller, respirator, heat lamp, etc.
•	Check for signs of abortion, such as cows in heat, or strings or discharge from vulva.
FEBRUARY
•	Maintain the winter ration up to calving.
•	Observe first-calf heifers closely, since they will begin calving the first week; cows will begin calving the last week of the month.
•	Check with your veterinarian for advice on when to assist the cow yourself and when to call him.
•	Be sure the position of the calf is normal before using calf puller.
•	Expect calving difficulty if: (a) the calf's head and two feet are not visible, (b) the cow has been in labor for 2 hours, or (c) only the calf's tail is visible.
•	Soon after delivery, dip calf's navel in iodine or merthiolate.
•	Identify the calf with ear tag or tattoo.
•	Record birth weight and calving ease score.
•	Watch for scours in newborn calves; check with your veterinarian for diagnosis, cause and treatment.
MARCH
•	Separate lactating cows from pregnant cows, and feed a ration recommended for lactating cows until pasture season.
•	Treat calves with scours promptly.
•	Watch lactating cows for signs of grass tetany; treat immediately and be sure that mineral mix contains magnesium oxide.
•	Test newly-purchased breeding animals for brucellosis and leptospirosis; also test out-of-state purchases for tuberculosis.
APRIL
•	Evaluate semen and reproductive soundness of bulls by April 1 5.
•	Check with your veterinarian for advice on immunization of cows and replacement heifers against vibriosis, leptospirosis, IBR and BVD.
•	Check for ringworm and warts, and treat if necessary.
•	Before putting cows and calves on grass, dehorn all calves and castrate the bull calves.
•	Check identification on all cows and calves.
•	Turn cows and calves to grass when available.
animal sciences beef
COOPERATlVE EXTENSION SERVICE PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE INDIANA 47907