TO/DO MARCH/APRIL (This was for New York, but most would be the same for all)
A. Calving season is here or fast approaching. Do you have the following items:
1. Frozen colostrum
2. Calf pulling equipment.
3. Stomach tube, thermometer, dry towels.
4. Ear tags, navel dip (7% iodine).
5. Selenium, Vitamin A&D injections.
6. Castration and dehorning equipment.
7. Therapy for scours and respiratory problems.
8. VETERINARIAN’s PHONE NUMBER.
B. Practice good calving management:
1. Provide clean dry area for calving. Clean, frozen or snow covered pasture protected from the wind works well.
2. If calving in a barn, keep area well cleaned and bedded. Barns, while comfortable for the manager, are a great place to harbor disease organisms that increase throughout the calving season.
3. Make sure calf consumes 1.5-2.0% of its body weight (1-2 quarts) of colostrum within 4-6 hours.
4. Be prepared to provide fluids to scouring calves that become dehydrated. Consult veterinarian for advice.
C. Plan spring fertilizer needs. Mid to late April is an excellent time to apply nitrogen to grass. Consult Field Crop agent at your local Extension office.
D. Prepare for pasture season. How will you control flies this year: tags, pour-ons, rubbers? It is not recommended to use insecticides furnished in feed or minerals.
E. Get ready for breeding season;
1 If you use A.I. order semen and check your equipment. Be sure breeding corral is in working order
2 If breeding naturally, make sure you have enough bulls: 10-15 cows per yearling bull; 20-25 cows per 2-year old bull; 30-35 cows per mature bull.
3 Have phosphorous source in form of free-choice mineral mix; phosphorous is important for maximum fertility.
4 Yearling British heifers should weigh a minimum of 700 lbs. and continental heifers a minimum of 750 lbs. before being bred.
5 If lactating cows are thin and not cycling, feed more energy.
6 Vaccinate open cows for IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Leptospirosis, and Haemophilus using modified live vaccines. Consult your veterinarian for additional health information.
A. Calving season is here or fast approaching. Do you have the following items:
1. Frozen colostrum
2. Calf pulling equipment.
3. Stomach tube, thermometer, dry towels.
4. Ear tags, navel dip (7% iodine).
5. Selenium, Vitamin A&D injections.
6. Castration and dehorning equipment.
7. Therapy for scours and respiratory problems.
8. VETERINARIAN’s PHONE NUMBER.
B. Practice good calving management:
1. Provide clean dry area for calving. Clean, frozen or snow covered pasture protected from the wind works well.
2. If calving in a barn, keep area well cleaned and bedded. Barns, while comfortable for the manager, are a great place to harbor disease organisms that increase throughout the calving season.
3. Make sure calf consumes 1.5-2.0% of its body weight (1-2 quarts) of colostrum within 4-6 hours.
4. Be prepared to provide fluids to scouring calves that become dehydrated. Consult veterinarian for advice.
C. Plan spring fertilizer needs. Mid to late April is an excellent time to apply nitrogen to grass. Consult Field Crop agent at your local Extension office.
D. Prepare for pasture season. How will you control flies this year: tags, pour-ons, rubbers? It is not recommended to use insecticides furnished in feed or minerals.
E. Get ready for breeding season;
1 If you use A.I. order semen and check your equipment. Be sure breeding corral is in working order
2 If breeding naturally, make sure you have enough bulls: 10-15 cows per yearling bull; 20-25 cows per 2-year old bull; 30-35 cows per mature bull.
3 Have phosphorous source in form of free-choice mineral mix; phosphorous is important for maximum fertility.
4 Yearling British heifers should weigh a minimum of 700 lbs. and continental heifers a minimum of 750 lbs. before being bred.
5 If lactating cows are thin and not cycling, feed more energy.
6 Vaccinate open cows for IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Leptospirosis, and Haemophilus using modified live vaccines. Consult your veterinarian for additional health information.
