Updated: September 8, 2021

August 2021  |  Edition 2

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Editor's Note:

My best Angus cow was due to calve at the end of May with a calf out of an AI sire. Eager and anxious to see the result of the previous year’s breeding work, I checked this cow at least three times a day for over two weeks leading up to her due date. As the date got nearer, I began looking up whether I should induce parturition, fearful that she was growing a large calf and would have trouble delivering. At 285 days, I stood out in the field and told her she needed to hurry up and calve. The next night, she had twins. Talk about a good lesson on having patience.

Cattle are animals that require a lot of patience. When working with cattle, if they do something that we don’t want them to, it’s probably because they don’t know what we’re asking of them, or we’re not communicating clearly. Cattle don’t speak our language, but instead, read our body language and placement and act in accordance (minus those select few cows who do whatever they want). Whether it’s working with the cattle, waiting for an antibiotic to treat a sick calf, or waiting to see herd improvements from selective management, raising cattle requires patience.

Happy Trails,

Charlie Sasscer III

Stockpiling Pasture for Fall and Winter Grazing

Dr. Amanda Grev, Extension Specialist, Pasture and Forage

With August upon us, we may still be feeling the heat of the summer at the moment but whether or not we’re ready, cooler temperatures are just around the corner and it's time to be...Read more

Weaning Tips and Vaccination Programs for Beef Calves

Racheal Slattery, Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland

Weaning is one of the most stressful times for calves, and it doesn’t help that it’s also the most common time to give vaccinations. No one wants to work their cattle more than...Read more

Managing Bloat in Pastured Cattle

Dr. Sarah Potts, Extension Specialist, Dairy & Beef

What is bloat and why does it occur?

The rumen is the largest compartment of the ruminant stomach and is home to a host of microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, which...Read more

Limit Feeding Growing Cattle

Charlie Sasscer, UME Prince George’s County

Limit feeding is the practice of feeding cattle less dry matter (DM) than they would naturally consume on their own if given ad libitum (unlimited) access to a forage diet...Read more

Maryland Beef Webinar Series

Join us on the first Thursday of each month from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

DATE WEBINAR TOPIC REGISTRATION/RECORDINGS OF PAST EVENTS
July 1, 2021 Managing Heat Stress in Your Cattle
Video Length: 37:08
Description: In this webinar, University of Maryland Extension Specialist Dr. Sarah Potts discusses the impacts of heat stress on cattle, how to recognize it, and ways to reduce its effect on cattle.
Recording
August 5, 2021 Pasture Management for the Fall Season
Video Length: 34:32
Description: In this webinar, Extension Forage Specialist, Dr. Amanda Grev, discusses some pasture management practices that can be employed year-round, with particular emphasis on strategies pertinent to the fall season.
Recording
September 2, 2021 Weaning Beef Calves: Reducing Stress and Building Immunity
Video Length: 
31:34
Description: In this presentation, University of Maryland Extension Educator, Jeff Semler, discusses the importance of minimizing stress at weaning and tips for success.
Recording
October 7, 2021 Cattle Nutrition 101 Register
November 4, 2021 Limit-Feeding Cattle Register
December 2, 2021 Winter Herd Management Strategies Register

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Cattle Tales Livestock is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that focuses on bringing timely, relevant information to Maryland's livestock producers.  To view, previous editions click here...

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