February Cattle & Forage Management Reminders

by | Feb 10, 2017 | Beef Cattle, forage, Forage & Pasture, Livestock, pasture

UF/IFAS Beef Cattle & Forage Specialists, and County Extension Agents serving the Florida Panhandle developed a basic management calendar for cattle producers in the region.  The purpose of this calendar is to provide reminders for management techniques with similar timing to those used at the North Florida Research and Education Center’s Beef Unit, near Marianna, Florida.  Links to useful publications with more information are also provided.

Feed high magnesium mineral to cattle grazing winter annuals to prevent grass tetany. Photo Doug Mayo

FEBRUARY

Cattle Herd Management

  • Check calving cows 2-3 times daily
  • Move cows and newborn calves out of calving pasture
    • Record calf birth date, weight, tag calves, (optional: castrate bull calves)
  • Evaluate body condition of nursing cows and increase energy supplement as needed
  • Feed best hay available to nursing cows & heifers

Pasture Management

  • Continue grazing winter annual pastures down to 4 inch stubble (fertilize after grazing)
  • Begin grazing overseeded ryegrass once it reaches 8-10 canopy height and remove cattle when grazed down to 3-4 inches
  • Plant bermudagrass from dug sprigs while grass is still dormant
  • Prepare land to establish new bahiagrass pastures for a March planting

Pest Management

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Pan Ag logo finalUse the following link to download the entire Cattle & Forage Management Annual Calendar:

Panhandle Ag Extension Team Cattle & Forage Management Calendar

 

Developed by the Panhandle Agriculture Extension Livestock and Forage Team:

Doug Mayo, Cliff Lamb, Mark Mauldin, Ann Blount, Cheryl Mackowiak, Jose Dubeux, Jay Ferrell, Jennifer Bearden, Nicolas DiLorenzo, Shep Eubanks, Jed Dillard, Mike Goodchild, Roy Carter, Henry Grant, John Atkins, and Kalyn Waters.
Doug Mayo
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