Everglades Station Mimeo Rpt. 63-5 October 22, 1962
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR PRODUCING FEEDER CALVES
IN THE EVERGLADES
Herbert L. Chapman, Jr., R. W. Kidder and C. E. Haines
Everglades Experiment Station
Summary of recommended management practices for commercial cow-and-calf cattle-
men in the Everglades (dates can vary 30 days either way);
1. Breeding season Jan. 15 to April 15
2. Number of cows per bull Multiple sire herds 25
Single sire herds --35
3. Semen-test -bulls Immediately prior to going into cow herd.
4. Pregnancy test cows 80-90 days after bulls are removed.
5. Calving season October 15 to January 15 (9 mos. after
bulls are put in).
6. Castration At birth, with knife.
7. Dehorn When calf is 4-8 weeks of age or at time
of first blackleg shot.
8. Vaccination
a. Blackleg and malignant edema
b. Bangs (females)
9. Weaning period
10. Identification (optional)
11. Pasture stocking rate
12. Feeding program for cows (variable
13. Water
14. Creep feeding (optional)
2-4 mos. of age and also at weaning.
4-8mos. of age.
When calves are 7-9 months old.
At birth use ear tags, ear notches, etc.
At weaning fire brand.
1-1- cows per acre.
)(a) 3-5 lbs./day/cow of a readily avail-
able source of energy from November 15-
April 15 on muck soil or on sandy
soil where legumes are used.
(b) 2-3 Ibs. of energy, 1 lb. of protein/
cow/day on sandy soils where legumes
are not used.
(c) Properly balanced mineral free choice.
Have well water available to both cows
and calves.
See page 2.
Presented at meeting of Glades Livestock Market Association October 11, 1962.
Pros and cons of creep feeding calves:
Pros
1. Will help offset pasture shortages.
2. Will help offset poor-producing cows.
3. Will produce fat slaughter calf or calf ready for a short-term feeding period.
4. Will produce a heavier, more uniform appearing higher grading calf at weaning.
5. May increase reproduction efficiency of cows. (Has not been conclusively
proven).
6. Will help combat internal parasite and disease problems.
Cons
1. Do not creep feed if calves are to be carried as stockers or are to be carried
through the winter.
2. Benefit of creep feeding calves is lost if a long feedlot period is used.
3. Increased expense may not be returned at selling time.
4. Makes the job of choosing herd replacements more difficult.
Have a "multi-purpose" cattle operation:
Cow and calf
program
Weaned calves
Heifers
50% kept for
breeding herd
replacements
50%
1.
2.
3.
4.
used for:
Stockers -
Feeders -----
Slaughter calves --
Breeding stock
Steers
Used for:
1. Stockers
2. Feeders
3. Slaughter calves
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