By Scout Nelson
As winter unfolds, beef cattle producers face the dual challenge of cold temperatures and muddy conditions, significantly impacting cattle well-being and performance. Justin Waggoner, a beef extension specialist from Kansas State University, emphasizes the critical nature of these conditions on cattle, particularly gestating cows and replacement heifers.
During cold stress, closely monitoring the body condition of cows becomes essential to ensure their health and readiness for calving and rebreeding. Waggoner advises producers to be careful about body condition scores as calving season approaches, warning that cows in thinner condition may take longer to return to the breeding cycle.
The weight of replacement heifers under cold stress is another concern. Waggoner suggests conducting weight checks 45 to 60 days before breeding to ensure they meet target weights despite the challenging conditions.
Bull management should not be overlooked, with Waggoner recommending bedding provision and pre-turnout semen testing to ensure reproductive health.
Feeding site management is also crucial. Waggoner advises against concentrating feeding in one location to minimize damage and suggests cleaning long-term feeding sites once conditions improve.
For the growing and finishing sectors, muddy conditions can severely affect cattle gain, potentially reducing performance by up to 15%. This requires adjustments in marketing plans for backgrounding and growing operations, considering the possible impact on animal weight and performance.
Addressing these winter challenges through attentive management and strategic adjustments can help producers minimize the impact on cattle health and operational profitability.
Photo Credit - istock-123ducu
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Beef Cattle