Remember: The average cost to maintain a cow in Texas is approximately $350-$450 per year whether she has a calf or not!

HERD HEALTH CALENDAR

JANUARY

Breeding program - Give Prostaglandin (Lutalyse or Bovilene) to synchronize heifer breeding. Fertility Testing exam - breeding bulls.

Vaccination Program - Bulls: Vibrio-L5, IBR, BVD, PI3,BRSV, Haemopilous Somnus - 1 shot.

Cows & Heifers Prior to Sring Breeding: Vibrio-Lepto 5, IBR, BVD, P13, BRSV, Haemophilous Somnus, Pinkeye (ESP, Hereford, Simmental Influenced), E-Coli (Fall bred cattle), Rota, Corona

Calves: IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial (booster in 3 weeks), Haemophilus Somnus, Blackleg-7 Way (initially between 2-4 months & repeat after 6 months).

Parasite Contorl - Deworm entire herd: Dectomax, Ivomec, Synanthic, Panacur, Valbazen (deworm calves at 2 months of age and up).

Calf Management - Observe heifers 3 times per day for calving. Assist 1-2 hours after water breaks. Observe cows 2 times per day for calving. Assist 30 minutes after water breaks. Observe colostrum intake within 6 hours of birth. Colustrum dose: 2 quarts every 6-8 hours in 1st 24 hours. Medicine to have on hand: Colostrix, Resorb, Fluid feeder, Oral E-Coli vaccine (if scours outbreak), individual identification-ear tags to maintain production records. Record birth weight. Recommend autopsy for any unexplained death losses.

Replacement Heifer Management - Heifers supplement to gain 1-1 1/2#/day feed to reach critical minimum weight (CMW) by 14 months of age. (breeding critical minimum weight is 75% of mature weight).

Business Management - Develop Master Plan. Establish yearly goals (i.e. 95% calf crop with 92% weaning averaging 590# and up). Prepare budget, plan improvements for herd, pasture, working pens, fences, etc.

FEBRUARY

Parasite Control - Treat for lice as needed. Start fly control. Use fly tags, treat with dust, spray, pour-ons, rubs, etc.

Pasture Forage - Contract herbicide

MARCH

Breeding Program - Expose heifers to bulls (1 bull to 20-25 head).

Replacement Heifer Management - Prostoglandin prior to breeding. Breed heifers 30 days prior to cow herd. Breed heifers 60 days. Use calving ease bulls. Note: Retainment of early breeding heifers will increase overall reproduction performance for your herd in years to come.

Pasture Forage - Soil Test, Fertilize pastures & hay meadows, spray to control weeds, drag manure and fire ants.

APRIL

Breeding Program - Expose cow herd to bulls (1 bull to 20-25 head).

MAY

Breeding Program - Remove bulls from heifers.

Parasite Control - Deworm calves 2 months of age and up.

Pasture Forage - Prepare and arrange hay inventory to allow 750-1000# per head per month of forage. Analize hay and forage.

Business Management - Integrated Resource Management (IRM)
(1) Consult with vets for herd health recommendations as needed.
(2) Consult with nutritionist for supplementation advice as needed.
(3) Consult with exam service for pasture improvement as needed.

JUNE

Parasite Control - Retreat as needed for fly control. 500 fly count per head is cost-effective for treatment.

Calf Management - Dehorn, castrate bulls, Covexin 8 (Tetanus), deworm & vaccinate, implant steers & heifers - 45 days old using Synovec-C or Calf-OID.

JULY

Breeding Program - Palpate heifers/cull open (Open & late breeding heifers will remain slow breeders). Remove bulls from cow herd.

Parasite Control - Deworm entire herd: Dectomax, Synantric, Ivomec-F, Ivomec Pour-on, Ivomec, Panacur, Valbazen.

Replacement Heifer Management - Palpate; Sell open heifers

Pasture Forage - Drag manure & fire ants.

SEPTEMBER

Breeding Program - Palpate cows/cull open. Evaluate nutrition, pasture, etc.

Calf Management - Individual weights of calves at weaning, record on dams production record.

Business Management - Marketing: direct sales, auction, contract, retained ownership, etc.

OCTOBER

Breeding Program - Submit aborted fetus; placenta; serum for testing.

Vaccination Program - Cows & heifers prior to Fall breeding: Vibrio-Lepto 5, IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Haemophilous Somnus, E-Coli (Spring bred cattle).

Parasite Control - Ivomec-F, Ivomec Pour-On, Ivomec, Synanthic, Valbazen; Treat for lice as needed.

Replacement Heifer Management - Wean heifers - 6 months; Brucellosis vaccinate IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial, One Shote-Past., Deworm/defluke, Blackleg-7 way with Haemophilous. Weigh, dehorn as needed, remove extra teats, brand, tattoo, ear tag for individual identification.

Pasture Forage - Plant Winter pasture oats, ryegrass, Etc., Over seed (15-20# per acre), control brush, drag manure & fire ants.

NOVEMBER

Parasite Control - Remove fly tags. Treat to prevent over Wintering of flies (dust, spray, pour-on, etc).

DECEMBER

Vaccination Program - Weaned Calves: Brucellosis Vaccinate, IBR, BVD, PI3, Syncytial, Presponse/one shot, Haemophilous Somnus, Blackleg-7way.

Replacement Heifer Management - Retain 10-20% more heifers than needed - cull later on early pregnancy and/or open status.

Vaccinating Cows

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