animal sciences beef
AS-414
BEEF HERD MANAGEMENT CALENDAR-SPRING CALVING PROGRAM
L.A. Nelson, W.L. Singleton and K.S. Hendrix, Animal Sciences; R.L. Morter,
Large Animal Clinics; K.D. Johnson, Agronomy; and R.E. Williams, Entomology
This integrated beef herd management calendar is a monthly schedule of recommended management activities for a Corn Belt cow-calf enterprise on a spring-calving program. It was developed assuming that most of your calves would be born beginning in late February through March (about 45-60 days before forage supplies are adequate for grazing) and that you have already established the following two important practices:
1.	A herd health program in consultation with your veterinarian. Such a program includes only those measures providing protection against diseases that have been diagnosed in your herd or are known to be a problem in your area. Plan to “work” cattle during months recommended for specific health management activities to get the most benefit from your herd health program.
2.	A herd identification and record-keeping system. Each cow should be identified with a hot or cold brand or with an eartattoo plus flexible plastic eartag, and each calf identified within 24 hours after birth with a plastic eartag. Performance data should be kept on all animals in the herd. Purdue Extension publications AS-412 and AS-416 are available at your county Cooperative Extension Service office for this purpose (see page 4).
For more information on the specific management tips that follow, obtain related publications or run appropriate FACTS computer programs (indicated in parentheses) at your Extension office.
JANUARY
•	Attend educational beef cattle meetings and workshops.
•	If adequate supplies of corn stalks exist, supplement with good quality forage.
•	Once cows are removed from corn stalk fields, feed a ration recommended for dry, pregnant cows (AS-412 or FX-110).
•	In very cold weather, provide windbreak or shelter and feed extra energy, such as 2-5 pounds of corn or 15-20 pounds corn silage in addition to other forages.
•	Vaccinate cows (first time) at least 6 weeks before calving and bred heifers (second time) at least 2 weeks before calving to control calf scours (VY-47).
•	Obtain colostrum from a dairyman and freeze in 1 -quart quantities.
•	Begin preparing calving areas; they should be clean, dry and well-lighted.
•	Begin readying calving equipment, such as halter, chains, calf puller and respirator.
•	Familiarize yourself with the procedures for assisting cows at calving (AS-405).
•	Observe cows for signs of abortion, such as stringy or cloudy discharge from vulva and cows coming into heat.
•	Plan a crossbreeding program in commercial herds to capitalize on hybrid vigor in cows and calves; keep crossbred heifers for replacements.
•	If considering artificial insemination (Al), obtain information on estrus synchronization and begin planning your breeding program (ID-100).
FEBRUARY
•	If cows weren’t removed from stalk fields earlier, remove them now to avoid soil compaction.
•	Maintain the dry, pregnant cow ration up to calving; however, add extra energy or provide higher-quality feeds for bred heifers and thin cows (AS-412 or FX-110).
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYFTTE INDIANA 47907