Beef Cattle: Summer Management
Cow/calf production in West Virginia allows for additional
income to the farm enterprise. Price of cattle has been good during the
last two years. Cattle numbers are down; therefore, the price should be
above normal for the next couple of years.
A good summer management program includes the following:
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A good supply of quality forage to be grazed all summer.
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Rotational grazing enhances high quality forage and gives
grass an opportunity to re-grow.
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Insect and parasite controls are essential for animal
growth and health.
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Provide plenty of clean water.
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Supplement pastures with salt and minerals.
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Supplement feeds may be necessary when pastures run low or
dry weather cuts back forage growth. Hay, silage, or grain is a good
choice to make up the deficit.
Animal Identification System:
All farms that currently or may at a future date have livestock
should make application for a premise ID number. Every state will have
this system in place by late 2005.
Why do we need animal identification? A rational,
cost-effective animal identification program will:
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enhance foreign animal disease surveillance, control, and
eradication
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facilitate epidemiologic investigations
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improve biosecurity protection of the national livestock
population
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distinguish animals vaccinated or tested under official US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) disease-control or -eradication programs
from unvaccinated and untested herd mates
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furnish official identification for animals in interstate or
international commerce
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accurately identify blood and tissue specimens used for
laboratory diagnostics
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track the health certification status of herds, States, and
regions
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enable effective regionalization and risk assessment in
support of international trade.
The premise number will be required before one can sell or buy
livestock. Premise applications can be secured at most WVU Extension
Offices, WVU Department of Agriculture and the last page of the market
bulletin.
FOR
MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT WAYNE BENNETT, WVU EXTENSION AGENT at
304-586-0217, or at Wayne.Bennett@mail.wvu.edu.
