Iowa beef producers are getting ready for the early spring calving season.
According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist Chris Clark, the month of January is a prime time to finish up all preparations for the very busy calving season that?s to come.
“This time of year, I always remind people just to think ahead and start getting facilities and equipment ready for calving,” said Clark. “Think about your feeding strategy and housing environment. Weather can be challenging during calving season, depending on when you start, so just be thinking about shelter and bedding and what your strategy is to check and assist cows is a really good idea.”
An ISU Extension report says mud can be deadly for spring calving operations. Even though the temperature may be warm, calves can still get chilled easily if they can?t dry off. The ground may be thawing and warming up in the day, but nighttime temperatures will still drop below freezing, so calves will need a dry place to lie down.
Clark recommends producers look at their feeding strategy for their herds. He says the ongoing widespread drought in the western portion of the state will have a negative impact on pastures this spring.
“Pastures are likely short and will probably need some rest and recovery time this spring,” said Clark. “We may need to feed a little bit deeper into the spring compared to a normal year. Just do an inventory of available feeds, maybe testing hays and silages to see what the nutritional value really is can be helpful just to make sure we’re balancing good diets that meet their needs, but that we’re not wasting any energy or any other nutrients.”
Beef producers are also encouraged to properly manage bedding. Unmanaged bedding can be worse than no bedding as pathogen loads will increase and persist in bedded areas.
