Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail - By Dr. Mac Littlejohn

When it comes to farms, or any business for that matter, the most successful ones have a common thread holding everything together.

Organization

In my experience as a veterinarian thus far, there is a huge correlation between how successful or profitable an operation is and its degree of organization.  Some producers come by it naturally, others work hard at it, and unfortunately too many don’t pay enough attention to it.    Just as you get the planter ready to plant corn or go over the haybine before you take it out to the field, beef farmers need to plan when they are going to implement the specific aspects of their preventative medicine/vaccination protocols. 

This means that first you need to take the time to sit down with your veterinarian and develop specific protocols for your herd.  There are recommendations that could be standard for all herds, but a herd calving in January and February has different challenges than a herd calving in late spring and vice versa.  Before attending this planned meeting of the minds, jot down any questions or concerns you may have over the past year and any ideas you have for the year to come.  By organizing your thoughts in advance, the meeting will be much more beneficial for both parties.   Pick a time of year that allows you to come to the table focused on the task and set aside a block of time where there will be no outside distractions.  At the end of the visit you should, in some shape or form, have a readable plan to refer to.  This will be useful if you have implemented any new aspect(s) you are not as familiar with and it will serve as an invaluable tool to bolster your success. 

Continuing on the topic of preparedness, the fall is the logical time of year to prepare for the winter.  Get your winter feeds analysed and with your nutritionist choose the right mineral and or grain supplement required to ensure adequate dry matter intake for your herd.  Take into account the housing environment, expected milk production, feeding system/expected feed loss and cow size.  The following is a list of dry matter needs for a cow past her first trimester in 5 degree weather with no mud and that produces 8kg of milk at her peak.

·         1,100-pound cow needs 28.2 pounds of dry matter

·         1,200-pound cow needs 29.9 pounds of dry matter

·         1,300-pound cow needs 31.5 pounds of dry matter

·         1,400-pound cow needs 33.1 pounds of dry matter

·         1,500-pound cow needs 34.7 pounds of dry matter

·         1,600-pound cow needs 36.2 pounds of dry matter

·         1,700-pound cow needs 37.8 pounds of dry matter

·         1,800-pound cow needs 39.3 pounds of dry matter

·         1,900-pound cow needs 40.7 pounds of dry matter

·         2,000-pound cow needs 42.2 pounds of dry matter

Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University

Once you have determined the type and amount of feedstuffs required that will get your cows in prime body condition for the upcoming calving season (or lactation for fall calvers), you need to ensure that the quality of the feed (mainly hay) deteriorates as little as possible.  The following table is the estimated loss of hay depending on how it was stored.   
 

 Dr. Clyde Lane, University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science. 

Obviously, it would be ideal to store the hay inside, but the capital cost of the structure may not pencil out at this particular time for your operation.  The next best option is to get the hay off the ground and tarp it.

As beef farmers, you know when things go right and when they go wrong.  Preparing ahead for things that could go wrong in the next “season” will make that season more successful and therefore more enjoyable.  And with enjoyment brings more success, a great cycle to be caught in.