Beef Management Tips
John B. Hall, Extension Animal Scientist, Beef, Virginia Tech
May Beef Management Calendar
Spring Calving Herds
* Calving should be coming to an end
* Give pre-breeding vaccinations to cows – IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV and Lepto. Use modified live vaccines on open cows with calves; killed vaccines on pregnant cows.
* Begin estrous synchronization programs for AI (begin AI this month some herds)
* Breed heifers 2 to 4 weeks before cows
* Get breeding soundness exams done on bulls
* Supplement 1st calf heifers with energy through breeding
* Implant commercial calves at turnout if not implanted at birth
* Keep high quality, high magnesium, high selenium minerals available
* Make 1st cutting of hay
* Start creep grazing and/or managed intensive grazing
Fall Calving Herds
* Creep graze calves while on cows
* Give pre-weaning vaccinations (IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, Pastuerella) to calves
* Wean commercial calves based on marketing plan for calves – must be weaned 45 days for most value-added programs such as VQA
* Wean and weigh calves
* Body condition score cows at weaning
* Implant commercial calves at turnout
* Deworm calves if needed
* Make 1st cutting of hay
* Continue feeding high magnesium minerals to prevent grass tetany
* Continue managed intensive grazing; hay pastures with excess forage
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