Beef cattle essentials: things to know when starting a cow-calf operation

Starting a cow-calf operation is a process that, as any other type of livestock farm, requires a solid understanding of livestock management, resource allocation, and economic planning. We will try in this article to outline the essentials to establish and sustain a successful cow-calf operation.

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What is beef cow-calf production?

The main goal of a cow-calf operation is to produce one healthy calf per cow per year. The beef cow-calf production systems typically have a permanent herd of cows to produce calves for later sale, and are most often linked to pasture-based production systems.

As the first stage of the beef production chain, a cow-calf operation focuses on breeding cows and raising calves that can be sold at weaning or at a later stage. Cow-calf farms have mainly adult cows and their calves. The farm may choose to produce its own replacement females, and in that case heifers will also be a part of the herd. These will replace the adult cows when their productive life ends, ensuring an adequate replacement rate and maintenance of an efficiently productive herd. Farms can sell their calves at weaning or until a later age (may vary according to different markets and farm objectives).

Depending on the part of the world, type and/or availability of grazing areas, selecting the adequate breed for your farm is an important aspect. In some cases, local breeds present the best option due to their adaptability and resilience to local and sometimes harsh conditions (such as in the case of mountain systems, for example). The type of pasture or grazing area will influence the choice of the breed, and other productive parameters such as herd management, reproductive timing, etc.

The essential areas

The chosen production system should be based on the region where the farm is to be implemented, taking into account the local climate, and available resources: grazing/forage production area, productive potential of the land, need to invest in infrastructure, etc.

Once defined the place, the breed and the production system, a management plan is required. This should describe the breeding and calving seasons. Deciding how cattle will be marketed is also an important point. Farmers may choose to sell their calves at weaning, while others may decide to sell finished animals.

Adequate facilities and land management are factors to take into account. Adequate fenced pastures, water sources, and equipment for feeding and calving are some of the basics that should be ensured. Proper equipment and infrastructure aid in decreasing stress and improving daily management during critical phases like weaning and breeding.

1. Reproductive Management

Reproductive efficiency is the main pillar of a cow-calf operation. Without proper and efficient reproductive management, the whole farm is at stake. The aim is to produce one healthy calf per cow per year. So ensuring our cows become pregnant at the desired timing is a must-have in a successful farm. Optimizing reproductive efficiency will be better achieved with controlled breeding schedules. Effective reproduction protocols clearly defining reproductive and calving seasons will be essential to ensure consistent calf births and maintain herd profitability.

Farms may choose to have bulls to ensure reproduction, or to use artificial insemination (AI). Decision on what to do should be linked to the overall farm management plan and closely linked to the available resources and productive decisions.

Proper calving management is also an essential piece of the reproductive puzzle. Monitoring pregnancy and ensuring adequate calving assistance if needed will reduce mortality rates and ensure the health of both the cow and calf.

2. Nutrition and Feeding Practices

Nutrition directly impacts reproductive performance, calf growth, and overall herd health, and thus plays an essential role in the productivity of the herd. A balanced diet is needed to meet the energy, protein, and mineral requirements of cows, particularly during breeding and lactation. Calves also require attention to nutrition, particularly in the weaning period, transitioning from milk to solid feed. Strategies like creep feeding or offering supplemental nutrients will help to ensure weaning weights and post-weaning performance.

Land management is a critical aspect. Taking the most out of grazing areas should be a priority. Rotational grazing, as detailed, ensures sustainable pasture use and reduces impact while promoting healthy cattle weight gain.

3. Health and Welfare

Health programs are important and initiate with preventive measures. This can be particularly important in young animals in order to properly develop a good immune system. Preventive measures should include routine vaccinations against common diseases, including respiratory and clostridial diseases. The health program should also include regular deworming, and regular health screenings.

Biosecurity measures should be implemented, such as quarantine protocols for new animals and maintaining clean facilities, as these are simple but critical for disease prevention. Addressing common issues like Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) highly benefits from proactive health management.

Welfare needs to be a priority. For cows, breeding and calving season is always a stressful time and proper practices should be implemented. Concerning calves, weaning is the most critical period and thus needs to be properly handled according to the available resources and facilities. Managing stress during handling and transportation also contributes to animal welfare and performance.

Take Home Messages

When thinking of starting a cow-calf operation, future farmers need to keep in mind that it is a challenging activity and should be faced as any other business. Planning and implementation of adapted to each reality best practices across all production stages will get future farmers on the right track. Some bullet points to remember:

• Focus on reproductive efficiency
• Ensure optimal nutrition
• Invest in preventive health care
• Prioritize calf management
• Provide adequate facilities for calving, feeding, and sheltering livestock.

References

Danyer, I.A., Vicuna, E.D, Manfrè, C., Contiero, B., Forte, F. & Brscic, M., 2024. State of the art of the cow-calf systems in beef and dairy cattle (Bos taurus) operations in EU, USA, and Brazil from 1998 to 2023. Research in Veterinary Science, Vol.179, 105398 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105398

Nickell, J.S., White, B.J., & Larson, R.L. (2011) - Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in Cow-Calf Herds. The Bovine Practitioner. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol45no1p14-22