Shelter & Care Basics for Cattle

Sometimes, it's good to return to basics. In this post, we're going to talk about an oft-overlooked facet of good pasture management -- providing proper shelter and facilities for your herd.

Fortunately, cattle need only minimal shelter:

• During calving it's good to have a place where the cow and newborn calf can get out of the elements for a day or two.
• Ideally, cattle should be able to easily find a bit of shade during hot weather and a break from the wind during cold weather.
• A corral or dry lot must be available to keep the animals in when irrigating and when the pasture needs a rest from grazing.

Beyond that, good fences are important to ensure safety and good relationships with neighbors. Electric fences are useful for managing your pasture and should be sufficiently strong, high and tight to contain the herd. Generally speaking, a 4-1/2' wire fence is adequate.

Of course, troughs and feeders will also be necessary, as grazing should not be the only form of diet. It's a good idea to have a round bale feeder -- one for every 10 cows -- and a feed bunk. When cows are in early lactation, it may be desirable to feed them some supplement to help maintain their body condition so they are ready to breed back later in the year.

Importance of A Good Vet Program

Cattle are susceptible to a variety of diseases. With good planning and adequate management, you can avoid most disease problems with common vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Do your research and consult a veterinarian who specializes in cattle. These experts provide a variety of services that benefit beef cow operations.

A herd health program based on your type of operation is imperative. This should include:

• A vaccination program for your cattle.
• Worming cattle twice annually, in the spring and in the fall.
• A fly-control program that starts before you see flies, usually in the spring. Your vet can recommend a cattle oiler, ear tags, or a good feed product that includes medication to kill larva in the manure.

Again, we realize these are basics, but the basics are important because healthy herds generally have lower medication costs and less death loss. They're also more productive and profitable.

If you need any help getting set up for fencing, feed troughs, or other basic pasture management needs, our team is standing by to help. We'll be glad to take care of you!

NOTE: This post is adapted (with permission) from content proudly brought to you by our partners at Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition. The original article appears here.