Complimentary Content
This beef producers’ excuse resonates across the corn belt this time of year when approached by livestock veterinarians wanting to schedule herd work, “. . . but I have corn to harvest!” W. Mark Hilton, DVM, PAS, DABVP, shares his experiences with delayed cattle work and the economics of working cattle ahead of harvest.
The best day of the year to own a beef cow is the day she goes to the cornstalk field.” – W. Mark Hilton, DVM, PAS, DABVP
Source: BEEF, September 2020. Link. The conversion of feed to gain on these <fall> newly weaned calves can be in the 4-5:1 range. The weather is also generally superior in early fall versus late fall and early winter, which decreases the stress of weaning.
INSIGHTS: Start NOW setting the stage for 2021. Especially use those rainy, muddy days when the combines are silent, and you are asked to work cattle at the last minute. 😉