| Economics |
| | • Record operating income and expenses.
• Prepare inventory and record all cattle deaths, purchases, sales and movements among pastures.
• Monitor monthly and year-to-date cash flow, and compare actual income and expenses to the budget.
• Develop marketing plan for winter stockers |
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| Fall Calving Cow-Calf |
| | • Have your veterinarian perform a Breeding Soundness Exam on bulls. Cull and replace bulls that are unsatisfactory breeders.
• Make final selection of yearling heifers (should weigh 65-70% of mature weight by this time).
• Late in the month: Begin breeding of yearling heifers (30 days prior to mature cow herd). Use bulls selected for calving ease.
• Consider supplementing cows that have young calves.
• Follow Noble Foundation recommendations. |
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| Forage |
| | • Finish planting cool-season forage grasses and legumes.
• Watch for armyworm damage to new growth.
• Graze crop residues (beware of grazing restrictions on certain crop herbicides).
• Beware of prussic acid (cyanide) poisoning from grazing summer annual grasses following frost.
• Compare inventory of hay supplies to expected livestock needs.
• Plan (evaluate) winter feeding and grazing strategies. |
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| Horticulture |
| | • Apply Roundup-type products to control bermundagrass.
• Begin picking up sticks and limbs from orchard and grove floors to begin preparing for pecan harvest.
• Mow or graze sodded areas to improve harvesting.
• Control bluejays, crows and squirrels with chemicals, exploiters and other firearms. |
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| Livestock-Cattle |
| | • Provide free-choice mineral supplement; monitor consumption.
• Send hay samples to the Noble Foundation for analysis; sample potential hay sources before purchasing if possible.
• Evaluate bull needs, set EPD parameters and purchase high-quality, performance-tested bulls that meet your criteria. |
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| Soils |
| | • Apply lime, if recommended by soil test.
• Complete small grain fertilization.
• Collect soil samples. |
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| Spring Calving Cow-Calf |
| | • Wean calves. Vaccinate according to your written herd health protocol. Observe Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Make initial selection of replacement heifers at weaning. Keep at least 50% more heifers than you will need to allow for open heifers, additional culling, etc.
• Pregnancy-check cows when calves are weaned. Cull open, non-productive cows.
• Implement marketing or retained ownership program.
• If pre-conditioning, provide weaned calves with free-choice, high quality grass hay and supplement.
• Monitor weaned calves for sickness; treat according to your written herd health program. |
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| Wildlife |
| | • Stock fish, if necessary.
• Begin collecting wildlife harvest data.
• Get out and enjoy nature during this especially wonderful time. |
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| Winter Stockers |
| | • Purchase and/or take delivery of calves for winter grazing period.
• Follow processing protocol outlined by your veterinarian. Observe Beef Quality Assurance guidelines.
• Monitor stockers for sickness. Use Noble Foundation health cards to record treatment information.
• Have adequate water, clean holding pens or traps and good quality grass hay with supplement available for newly arrived calves. |
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