– Kevin Laurent, Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky
A method to control the calving season is to use CIDR inserts.
The current state of the cattle market is providing unique opportunities for producers to capitalize in a variety of ways by employing a variety of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to maximize returns.
What does “Play the Short Game” mean?
Producers play the short game by maximizing pounds prior to marketing whether you market off the cow or after weaning, extra weight is extra dollars. So, how do we get extra weight?
Implant, deworm, and fly control for nursing calves: Research has shown that implanting nursing calves can result in an additional 10-30 lbs. at weaning, deworming an added 10-40 lbs. and fly control an additional 10-15 lbs. We cannot logically expect all three practices to be completely additive in response, but what if we employed all three strategies and gained a conservative estimate of an additional 30 lbs. In today’s market that extra 30 lbs. could be worth and additional $80-100/head depending on the weight class of the calf. All three of these strategies can be done for under $7.50/head. Not a bad return on the time and labor to work the calves in the midsummer.
What does “Play the Medium Game” mean?
Producers play the medium game by employing strategies this breeding season to have a tighter calving distribution and older, heavier, and more uniform calves for the 2025 marketing season.
Easily the best method to control the calving season and play the medium game is to use CIDR inserts on late calving cows. CIDRs are T-shaped plastic devices that are coated in the hormone progesterone. CIDRs are inserted in the vagina for 7 days. Removal of the insert results in a rapid fall of plasma progesterone levels, which results in the occurrence of estrus. CIDRs can be used to advance postpartum estrus in cows nursing calves. An effective strategy is to use CIDRs in late calving cows that are at least 14 days post calving. During the UK IRM Farm program, CIDRs were inserted in 276 mature cows that were 14-21 days after calving on 19 different farms. Approximately 80% of these late calving cows calved 36 days earlier in the subsequent calving season. At 2 lbs. per day this could be an additional 60 lbs. of weaning weight or an additional $150-180 per calf for an investment of $15-20. The added value of more uniform marketing groups and less singles are also a benefit of tighter calving. Dr. Les Anderson has an excellent video on proper CIDR insertion that can be found at the following link: HOW TO PLACE A CIDR DEVICE IN A COW – YouTube
What does “Play the Long Game” mean?
Producers play the long game by investing 2023 and 2024 profits into infrastructure improvements.
Easily the low hanging fruit in the long game is improving grazing management through stock water development. Improving forage and grazing management are long game type strategies that take several years to fully develop. One of the first steps to implementing controlled grazing strategies is providing water access for grazing cattle. Missouri research has shown that providing water within 800 feet of the grazing animal will result in more even grazing and more uniform nutrient distribution. Water development allows the farm to be properly divided for rotational grazing strategies during the growing season and strip grazing strategies during the winter months.
Water development can be a significant investment but the long-term benefits to the grazing enterprise can position operations to extend the grazing season, better withstand droughts and survive the downturns in the markets. Several cost share type programs are available to producers to aid in stock water development. Producers should check with their local NRCS office for assistance with proper system designs and available programs. Another resource for forage and grazing management information is the UK Forage website Home | Forage Extension Program (uky.edu). As always contact your local County Extension ANR Agent for more resources and educational programs.
So, what kind of game do you like to play? Are you simply concerned with “the now” or do you like to build a program that will succeed both now and into the future?