News Update

K-State Cattle Specialist Gives July Management Tips
June 11, 2007

Summer’s hot, dry weather can take a toll on cattle in the High Plains, but producers can take steps to keep health and productivity problems at bay, said Kansas State University (K-State) beef cattle specialist Twig Marston.

Marston provided the following tips for producers to keep in mind as they manage their cow herd operations to maximize nutrition and health during the upcoming month of July:

• Provide plenty of clean, fresh water.

• Provide free-choice mineral to correct any mineral deficiencies or imbalances.

• Monitor grazing conditions and rotate pastures, if possible and/or practical.

• Ammoniation can increase the digestibility of wheat straw and other grass hays and crop residues.

• Consider early weaning if drought conditions develop and persist.

• Consider creep feeding only if cost-effective.

• Monitor and treat pinkeye cases.

• Control flies. Price and efficiency will dictate the best option(s) to use.

• Monitor and treat foot rot cases.

• Avoid handling and transporting cattle during the hottest part of the day to reduce heat stress.

• Vaccinate replacement heifers for brucellosis if within the proper age range (4-10 months).

• Continue anaplasmosis control program (consulting local veterinarian).

Marston also provided these tips for forage and pasture management during July:

• Check and maintain summer water supplies.

• Place mineral feeders strategically to enhance grazing distribution.

• Check water gaps after possible washouts.

• Harvest hays in a timely manner; think quality and quantity. Harvest Sudan and Sudan hybrids for hay in the boot stage [normally 3 to 4 feet (ft.) in height]. If possible, run a routine nitrate test on a field before harvesting hay.

• Plan hay storage placement wisely. Putting hay conveniently near feeding sites reduces labor, time demands, and equipment repair cost.

Good general management practices, Marston said, also include heeding the old saying, “Good fences and good brands make good neighbors.”

And, he recommended that producers check equipment such as sprayers, dust bags, oilers and haying equipment and then repair or replace them, as needed.

“Have spare parts on hand,” Marston added. “Down time can make a big difference in hay quality.”

Ammoniation

If planning ammoniated wheat straw for winter needs, keep the following in mind:

• The best time to ammoniate is immediately after wheat harvest, prior to weather deterioration.

• The ammoniation process is temperature-sensitive, fastest during hot days.

• Apply 60 pounds (lb.) of anhydrous ammonia per ton of straw.

• Do not ammoniate wheat hay or any other intermediate or high-quality forage, as production of imidazole — an organic compound — can cause hyperactivity and death.

• The process will double crude protein (CP) content, enhance intake and be cost effective.

More information about ammoniation treatment of low-quality forages is available at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu.

— Adapted from a K-State Research and Extension release.