Health Tips

• Start watching for horn and face flies, and consider type of y chemicals used last year. Rotate chemical classes.
• Consider options for anaplasmosis control as biting insects become abundant.

Forage & Nutrition Notes

• Monitor body condition scores and adjust nutritional program as needed.
• Plant and fertilize warm-season pastures according to soil tests.
• Contact custom bermudagrass spriggers to get on their planting schedules early. Locate seed for establishment of other warm-season grass pastures as needed.

Winter Calving Herd

• Consider marketing late-calving females that do not t the chosen calving season.
• Tag, castrate, dehorn, and implant calves by 4 months of age. Do not implant replacement heifers.

Spring Calving Herd

• Watch calves for scours, and restock calving supplies.
• Begin breeding replacement heifers to calve about 1 month before cows. Heifers bred by early May should calve by mid-February.
• Tag, castrate, dehorn, and implant calves as soon as practically possible. Do not implant replacement heifers.
• For artificial insemination programs, have ample semen and supplies on hand. Schedule for estrus synchronization programs, and reserve an artificial insemination technician.
• Make sure your bull is ready for breeding season by having a breeding soundness exam done 60 days before the breeding season.

Fall Calving Herd

• Observe cows and heifers for return to heat.
• Schedule pregnancy checks 45 to 60 days after the end of breeding season.
• Market bulls that will not be used again for breeding.