February PRODUCTION POINTS

General

• Pull soil samples on bermuda and bahia pastures and hay fields to plan spring fertilization and liming.

• Check with your county agent about pasture weed control. This is the best time to spray for musk thistle control.

• Check mineral feeders and continue to feed high-magnesium mineral supplement to cows on winter grazing or tall fescue.

• Fertilize tall fescue pasture and overseeded grazing. Apply 60 lbs N per acre in addition to soil test recommendations.

• Do not graze winter annuals closer than 4”. Overgrazing can reduce total winter production.

Spring Calving

(January, February, March)

• Check cows frequently during calving season.

• Tag calves at birth. Record birth dates, tag numbers and cow ID.

• Castrate, dehorn and implant calves at birth.

• Make sure bulls are in good condition for breeding heifers next month. Trim feet, conduct breeding soundness exams, and provide additional feed if needed.

• A cow’s nutrient needs increase by at least 50% after calving. If possible, separate dry cows, first-calf heifers and cow-calf pairs to feed more efficiently.

Fall Calving

(October, November, December)

• Vaccinate calves over 3 months old with clostridial vaccines (black-leg). Check with your local veterinarian about other problems in your area.

• Castrate and dehorn any calves missed at birth.

• Implant calves. Steers that were implanted at birth can be reimplanted. (Synovex-C and Ralgro are approved for use in replacement heifers. Follow label instructions.)

• Check on the condition of bulls during breeding season. Provide supplemental feed as needed.

• Remove bulls from heifers after a 45-60 day breeding season.

Forage Facts

A few warm days in early Spring can trigger thoughts of winter weed control, but before you bring out the “big guns,” consider this: You may not need to spray at all. Most of the winter annual weeds we usually encounter are nutritious and palatable. Henbit, Chickweed, Carolina geranium, Dandelion, Shepard’s purse, and Virginia pepperweed among others, with grazing pressure, can become part of the daily intake. Cattle like them in the vegetative state, so timing is critical. If these are your only weed issues, keep your sprayer in the barn and politely suggest to your pasture puppies that they expand their palate. (This will require stocking density.) Certain weeds you might find are not palatable with pressure, so first consider spot-spraying from your atv or with your backpack sprayer. If the problem is severe enough to warrant broadcast application, don’t wait. As soon as weeds begin actively growing and are still small, target them with the least-harmful appropriate solution. This will save dollars and do minimal damage to your legumes. If you delay and have to use a big gun, plan a funeral for your nitrogen fixing friends.

Consider the time, expense, and equipment requirements you will save if you can convince your cattle to do the weed control for you. A little effort will go a long way. After achieving this milestone, then ask if you have a weed issue. If so, select spot-spraying option first, early spraying with “milder” chemical products next, and broadcast spraying with one of the “big-guns” as a last resort. Your clover, your cattle, and your pocketbook will all thank you.