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<b>Filley</b>
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I hope you are enjoying the baby calves frolicking about the countryside.
Most of the 20,000 beef cows in Douglas County give birth from January through March, so beef producers are in the middle of making sure they provide the best of care for the new arrivals. Most cows calve completely unassisted, but some, particularly first-timers, may need help. Easy calving can be planned for, starting with proper heifer development and sire selection, continuing with good health care, and following through with balanced nutrition throughout pregnancy.
The current season is referred to as spring calving, even though it is technically winter. Some producers have a fall calving season (October through December), while others choose to calve year-round.
Various calving seasons are possible because cows can conceive any time during the year. It is best to have a well-defined calving season selected on such factors as the availability of good pasture in relation to animal nutrient requirements and on various marketing options available. Relaxed breeding and calving seasons lead to lower weaning weights, lower market values, undetected reproductive diseases or disorders, and ultimately cows not breeding in a timely manner, the number one cause of inefficiency in the beef industry.
Most of the 20,000 beef cows in Douglas County give birth from January through March, so beef producers are in the middle of making sure they provide the best of care for the new arrivals. Most cows calve completely unassisted, but some, particularly first-timers, may need help. Easy calving can be planned for, starting with proper heifer development and sire selection, continuing with good health care, and following through with balanced nutrition throughout pregnancy.
The current season is referred to as spring calving, even though it is technically winter. Some producers have a fall calving season (October through December), while others choose to calve year-round.
Various calving seasons are possible because cows can conceive any time during the year. It is best to have a well-defined calving season selected on such factors as the availability of good pasture in relation to animal nutrient requirements and on various marketing options available. Relaxed breeding and calving seasons lead to lower weaning weights, lower market values, undetected reproductive diseases or disorders, and ultimately cows not breeding in a timely manner, the number one cause of inefficiency in the beef industry.
Marketing like sets of calves (similar ages, sizes, or even colors) is another reason to have a tight calving season, as buyers prefer similar lots of cattle. Consider making partnerships with other producers so that you can accomplish this and attract buyers, an increasingly important point since we recently lost our livestock auction.
The weaned calves, plus yearling cattle from the previous calf crop, cows and bulls totaled 53,600 head last year, with a value of production just over $15.9 million. This does not include the multiplying factor of dollars spent on supporting the herds and ranching families that care for them.
Whether you produce cattle for commercial purposes or for pleasure only, efficiency is important. We all hear about the cost of fuel and fertilizer and understand the potential waste of energy and environmental damage that can come from inefficiency. Those should be reason enough to make sure you can do all you can to improve efficiency on your ranch or farm.
My part in beef production includes work I do through my Livestock and Forage program, an area of the Douglas County OSU Extension Service. I have newsletters, educational programs, special events, publications, consultation services and a Web site to assist in production management. For details, contact my office or visit my Web site at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas and click on Livestock & Forage.
Don’t miss publications on animal nutrition, breeding, birthing, weaning and marketing livestock and more. Upcoming classes through OSU Extension Service or our cooperators include Animal Nutrition (Feb. 25), Sheep Shearing School (March 3-7, UCC), and Low Stress Cattle Handling (March 10, Douglas County Livestock Association, Spring Livestock Conference).
Classes on pasture management and weed control are planned for this summer, and Beef and Sheep Basic courses for the fall.
<i>Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or phone at 541-672-4461.</i>
The weaned calves, plus yearling cattle from the previous calf crop, cows and bulls totaled 53,600 head last year, with a value of production just over $15.9 million. This does not include the multiplying factor of dollars spent on supporting the herds and ranching families that care for them.
Whether you produce cattle for commercial purposes or for pleasure only, efficiency is important. We all hear about the cost of fuel and fertilizer and understand the potential waste of energy and environmental damage that can come from inefficiency. Those should be reason enough to make sure you can do all you can to improve efficiency on your ranch or farm.
My part in beef production includes work I do through my Livestock and Forage program, an area of the Douglas County OSU Extension Service. I have newsletters, educational programs, special events, publications, consultation services and a Web site to assist in production management. For details, contact my office or visit my Web site at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas and click on Livestock & Forage.
Don’t miss publications on animal nutrition, breeding, birthing, weaning and marketing livestock and more. Upcoming classes through OSU Extension Service or our cooperators include Animal Nutrition (Feb. 25), Sheep Shearing School (March 3-7, UCC), and Low Stress Cattle Handling (March 10, Douglas County Livestock Association, Spring Livestock Conference).
Classes on pasture management and weed control are planned for this summer, and Beef and Sheep Basic courses for the fall.
<i>Shelby Filley is the Regional Livestock and Forages Specialist for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at shelby.filley@oregonstate.edu or phone at 541-672-4461.</i>
