Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Peel, Mark Johnson, and Paul Beck. Today, Johnson talks about best management practices for your herd during a drought.
Drought conditions continue to persist and expand in Oklahoma, following the La Niña forecast that meteorologists have predicted. Drought will likely advance in the central and southern plains regions for the remainder of the year. Warm season forage production is done for this growing season. The potential for winter wheat pasture looks bleak. On the upside, Oklahoma hay inventories are apparently more than adequate going into winter. On the other hand, water, the most significant nutrient, is a primary concern with ponds low or dry across Oklahoma. Water will remain a concern through the fall and winter.
Best management practices and opportunities during times of drought:
- Monitoring access to water as well as the quality and quantity of water.
- Pond cleanout. Many ponds are low or dry. If your budget permits, now is a good time to clean out ponds to improve capacity and water quality in the future. Review OSU Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet NREM-9221 covering the planning process of pond clean out and pond building.
- Pregnancy check cows to eliminate open cows (as well as old and unproductive cows) in order reduce inventory
- Weaning calves to reduce nutritional needs of cows and maintain body condition of cows.
- Rotating pastures/Dry lotting cows/Grazing crop residues if available.
- Supplemental feeding, mineral, vitamin and/or protein supplementation to stretch feed resources, maintain health and growth.
