The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
case, an energy and protein supplement can eliminate the need for a more expensive phosphorus-based mineral. Vitamins A, D and E are the vitamins of greatest need during the winter feeding period. During winter, forages are dormant, and sunlight is minimal, so providing trace mineral salt with vitamins A, D and E is essential to meeting requirements. During the summer, vitamins A and E are found in green growing forage, and vitamin D is in excess due to long day length and vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Salt is a common mineral deficiency in cattle as salt or sodium is minimal in forages and feedstuffs. Cows need about 1-1.2 oz. of salt daily. If cows are deficient in salt or mineral, begin by feeding salt only so cows get caught up before feeding more expensive mineral supplements. Combine these nutrients together to design a supplement to support desired cow and/or calf growth. When developing a supplemental program, start with a forage test to determine forage quality limitations. With a strong cattle market and declining feed prices, taking the time to develop a diet designed to address deficiencies should be worthwhile. Mid-South Atlantic Region by Scott Greiner, sgreiner@vt.edu; and Mark McCann, mark.mccann@vt.edu, both of Virginia Tech January typically means that winter feeding has become part of the daily farm chores. Pick one of the month's milder days and think ahead to the warmer and greener days of spring. Winter soil sampling allows plans to be formulated for addressing identified nutrient needs in pastures and hay fields. Likewise, it is time to make plans for frost- seeding clover in February. The addition of clover to pastures is an economical management practice that easily pays its way. Clover addition to tall-fescue pastures results in improved diet quality and dilution of the toxins associated with endophyte- infested fescue. Clover is also valued for its nitrogen-fixing abilities. During the past decade of high fertilizer costs, the financial benefit of this low-cost method of adding nitrogen to pastures has increased at the same pace as nitrogen. Be sure to check with your local extension office for variety and planting tips. Spring-calving herds (January-March) General @ Prepare for calving season by checking inventory and securing necessary supplies (ob equipment, tube feeder, colostrum supplement, ear tags, animal health products, calving book, etc.). Review calving assistance procedures. @ Move pregnant heifers and early-calving cows to calving area about two weeks before due date. @ Check cows frequently during calving season. The optimal interval to check calving females is every 4 hours. @ Utilize calving area that is clean and well- drained. Reduce exposure to scours by moving 2- to 3-day-old pairs out of calving area to separate paddock (reduce commingling of newborn calves with older calves). @ Identify calves promptly at birth. Record birth weight, calving ease score, teat/udder score, and mothering ability of cow. Nutrition and forages @ Evaluate the body condition of cows that you identified as thin and gauge if nutrition management changes are having an impact. @ As fetus size and fetal growth rate increase, cow nutrition requirements increase proportionately. If low- to average-quality hay is being fed, supplementation may be warranted. @ Continue strip-grazing accumulated fescue growth as needed. 104 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 z ANGUS ADVISOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 103 WEST VIRGINIA The Brand of Quality ROCKING P FARM 6581 US Hwy. 33 E 4 miles east of I-79 Horner, WV 26372-9734 Don & Mida Peterson (304) 269-3877 E-mail: rockingp@shentel.net Annual Production Sale 1st Friday night in November At Jackson's Mill, Weston, WV Sires in use: 16772185 16286088 17301923 16233833 2388 Creston Road • Evans, WV 25241 Martin Holley wvlandservices50@aol.com • www.sagafarms Saga Farms LLC Saga Farms LLC Be a part of the West Virginia Breeders Section, call Chris Jeffcoat 717-476-1496 * cjeffcoat@angus.org or Karri Mildenberger 816-383-5289 * kmildenberger@angusjournal.com