4 tips for late spring, early summer livestock pasture management. Purina beef cattle specialist says late spring livestock pasture management is essential for getting the proper nutrients to the cow and calf herd
can help the cow perform consistently and help prevent imbalances before forage quality declines. Adding a proactive management program during this timeframe will promote consistent cow performance through summer."
tures begin to increase," Hawkins says. "In the summer the cooler the water, the better."
Providing access to fresh, clean and cool water in early spring and summer will help cows meet their increasing nutrient reHere are four pasture management tips to quirements. Research from the University of Nebraska estimates that water conkeep in mind this spring. sumption should equal approximately 1 1. Design a plan for fly and pest control gallon per 100 pounds of body weight dur"Flies and parasites can tie up nutrients; ing cold weather and will double to nearly meaning the cow may consume nutrients 2 gallons of water per 100 pounds of body Late spring and early summer pastures but still fall behind in BCS and perforweight during the hottest weather. mance," Hawkins says. "The goal should provide essential nutrients to the cow herd, as the cow cares for herself, the calf always be to eliminate the problem before Regardless of season, lactating cows also require nearly twice as much water comat her side and her developing fetus. Dur- it begins." pared to dry cows. Most successful fly control programs in ing this period, pasture management is the upper U.S. include preespecially important as pasture forages vention beginning at least can provide highly variable nutrient levels. 30 days prior to fly emerDoug Hawkins, beef cattle consultant for gence in early spring. The process should then continPurina Animal Nutrition, says pasture ue through 30 days after the management beginning in early spring can area's first kill frost. Typicaldirectly impact the body condition score ly prevention is needed of the cow, the growth of the calf at her March through October, side and conception rates post-calving. depending on the area's climate. Warmer areas "Beef producers are most often familiar should consider a yearwith supplementing pasture during late round fly control program. summer, as supplementation consump2. Provide continuous action rates are often highest then," Hawcess to fresh, clean water kins explains. "Water consumption is very "However, taking steps to offer supplecritical through all seasons, ments in late spring and early summer, but especially as tempera-