It may still seem like summer in August, but that is precisely the time when you should begin considering winter cattle management.When cows become thin because of poor nutrition or fatigue from the heat of summer, the winter season will only serve to worsen the situation. Since both cold weather and a late pregnancy raise nutrient requirements, the quality of the forage will result in greater feeding costs. A cow which is only slightly thin at the end of summer can turn into a serious problem by the time of calving.
That is the reason why late summer and autumn are so important in a cow-calf operation.
It’s now time to examine the body condition of the animals, the available forage, the need for supplements, pasture usage, and the overall health of the herd. You shouldn’t feel the need for anything complicated—just attend to the basics before winter comes and puts your herd to the test.
For many herds that calve in the spring, autumn is an excellent season to get the cows in good condition again. The calves are generally either about to be weaned or have already been weaned, while the cows are usually in their early or mid-pregnancy. As the cold weather hasn’t yet arrived, you have a good opportunity to improve the body condition of the cows before the winter becomes severe.
The objective is simple in that we should get the cows ready for winter rather than let winter take the initiative itself.
If you take that action, then you’ll have a better chance of having healthier cows, stronger calves, smoother calvings, better results when it comes to breed-back, and fewer costly surprises when feed prices go up.
