Cattle Calender Cuts Costs

AUSTRALIA - Cattle producers should be making every effort to adhere to an annual planning calendar to focus on the "big picture" herd management objectives to lower production costs.

30 July 2008

3 minute read

Oceania

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior beef extension officer Ken Murphy recently addressed Central Queensland beef producer meetings in the Dingo, Morinish and Bajool districts to reinforce the need to allocate time and resources for the major seasonal tasks.

"There is no doubt that a myriad of day-to-day repair and maintenance jobs from fencing to checking the stock water can divert attention away from the management imperatives such as weaning, pregnancy testing, branding or seasonal pasture assessment," Mr Murphy said.

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"For producers who do not adhere to a planned management calendar to address these major tasks, there can be a significant financial cost."

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries senior beef extension officer Ken Murphy

"For producers who do not adhere to a planned management calendar to address these major tasks, there can be a significant financial cost.

"By making sure all the weaning is completed by April-May represents substantial saving by not having to supplement breeders for up to four months during the winter dry season.

"As the pasture protein value declines through winter into early Spring, breeder condition can be maintained from June-July using cost-effective roller drum licks or using a stock water medication system."

Mr Murphy said that the flow-on effect was that cows were in strong condition at calving.

When the bulls are reintroduced in November-December following the seasonal break and the onset of storm rains, cows are ready to cycle and conceive in December-March. This in turn lifts pregnancy rates and subsequent calving percentages to boost income potential.

Working to the planning calendar, bulls should be taken out in April-May to avoid the issue of out-of-season calving which presents a time and labour impost.

"Pregnancy testing in April-May is essential to identify and cull the non-pregnant females which can help reduce grazing pressure.

"It ensures that producers are not wasting time and money feeding expensive supplements to non-productive breeders bearing in mind that urea now costs $1,100 a tonne," Mr Murphy said.

"As calving progresses through October to December, time must be set aside for periodic branding.

"Calves that are weaned below 150 kg liveweight need to be supplemented with a weaner mix that should include the rumen modifier Monensin to prevent coccidiosis scours."

Mr Murphy said weaners need to be supplemented with up to 1 kg/head/day of a high protein weaner meal coupled with quality grassy hay. Calves less than 100 kg liveweight should be fed a 20% protein-weaner mix whereas those weighing 100 - 150 kg require a minimum 15% protein in the mix.

If the pasture quality is low, growing weaners may need access to some paddock protein supplementation to ensure they do not suffer any setback. Central Queenslandrecords 80% of its annual rainfall in the Spring and summer months so it is important to conduct a pasture assessment in April-May to set safe stocking rates for the dry season. Mr Murphy said that maintaining an annual breeder herd management regime and sticking to a calendar-driven time table was a practical means of prioritising the major tasks that influence the earning capacity of the business.