Regional Roundup

As livestock owners prepare to care for livestock in frigid temperatures, it is important to know where efforts are best spent. Cattle handle cold weather quite well as long as they have a dry, heavy winter hair coat.

Winter “feeding season” is upon us, and with that comes a list of questions related to the appropriate type of feed to select, amount to provide and frequency of feeding.

As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to evaluate how things went for your operation and start making plans for next year. Good records (both financial and production) are critical to make informed decisions and develop strategic plans for the future.

As the year comes to an end and we gear up for another calving season, I believe we are all thinking, “What can I do best this year for my cows?” This past year has taught us the importance of having a plan; droughts, fires and water shortages have forced many producers to make difficult management decisions to ensure the viability of their herds.

I believe every extension agent in history has emphasized the importance of body condition score (BCS) in cow herd management, so it may not be surprising to see this title in my column.

Cow energy requirements change throughout the year. As we enter into the winter months, it is important to remember the nutritional needs of the cow herd are a dynamic situation which operate as a yearly production cycle.