For many of us, calving season has begun or is right around the corner. The following is based on a publication from Stephen Boyles, OSU Beef Specialist.

Most reproductive failures in beef cattle can be attributed to improper nutrition and thin body condition. Monitor the effectiveness of the nutrition program in the long‐term by herd performance records but in the short‐term, by keeping an eye on the flesh or body condition score (BCS) of the cows. The cow’s priorities for nutrition are maintenance, lactation, growth (young females) and reproduction. Consequently, reproduction is the first to go and the last to return in cases of inadequate nutrition. The nutrition level pre‐and post‐calving affects the conception rate of the subsequent breeding seasons. Cows that are thin prior to calving will have a delayed onset of estrus. Thin cows after calving will have reduced conception rates. Obesity is a problem in heifers that become fat during the growing phase. Fat heifers normally have lower than average reproductive rates. It is less serious in mature cows. However, obesity is uneconomical since fat cows are more expensive to maintain.

Body condition at calving is the most critical factor in determining reproductive performance. High pregnancy rates will not occur in first‐calf heifers unless they are able to gain some fat cover during the breeding period. This can be difficult to do for young stock with calves at side. Thin cows need to increase body condition and moderate condition cows need to maintain body condition. Correcting deficiencies prior to calving is easier and cheaper.

BCS 4: If a cow is BCS 4 or thinner, she will be slow to return to heat and may not rebreed on time. Feeding a high level of nutrition after calving can sometimes shorten the postpartum interval from calving to first heat in thin cows (BCS 3‐4), but the postpartum interval will usually be longer than if the cows had calved in good condition (BCS 6‐7). Therefore, early weaning the calf at 50 days of age or at the start of the breeding season may have to be considered. Manage these cows with those in the BCS 6 group. The calves can be raised on self‐feeders using an early weaning ration. The cows, even if quite thin, should return to estrus within three weeks after weaning and will thus rebreed to have a calf next year. It is far easier and cheaper to make cows gain weight before calving than after calving when the added requirement of lactation is present. A parasite evaluation is certainly merited.

BCS 5: If a cow is a BCS 5, continue to feed hay or grain and protein supplement to insure she does not lose condition before the breeding season. Many cows calve at condition scores less than 5 and still have excellent rebreeding rate when weather and nutrition conditions do not cause extraordinary stress during this critical period (two months before calving through the breeding season). A borderline 4‐5 BCS cow that is exposed to severe environmental stress may require the calf to be removed for 48 hours, 10 days before the breeding season. This should help a stressed BCS 5 cow to return to heat and rebreed on schedule. This program will probably not work with very thin cows. The calves should be offered palatable feed and plenty of water while they are separated from their dams.

BCS 6: If she is a BCS 6 (or even fatter), continue with normal management and feeding. While good body condition at calving time is an indication that rebreeding should proceed without difficulty, good condition at calving does not guarantee acceptable rebreeding performance. Cows losing condition after calving have lower conception rates than do cows maintaining condition.

Body Conditioning Scoring System for Beef Cattle Descriptions for #3-6:

3. THIN: Poor milk production and reproduction. Ribs are still individually identifiable but not quite as sharp to the touch. Obvious palpable fat along the spine and over the tail‐head with some tissue over top portion of the ribs.

4. BORDERLINE: Reproduction bordering on inadequate. Individual ribs no longer visually obvious. Individual spines can be identified on palpation but feel rounded rather than sharp. Some fat cover over ribs and hip bones.

5. MODERATE: Minimum necessary for efficient rebreeding and good milk, production. Cow has generally good overall appearance. Upon palpation, fat cover over ribs feels spongy and area on either side of tail‐head now has palpable fat cover.

6. OPTIMUM: Milk production and rebreeding very acceptable. Firm pressure now has to be applied to feel spinous processes. A high degree of fat is palpable over ribs and around tail‐head.

Upcoming Programs:

• March 19- Backyard Composting for Beginners Workshop from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Call the office at (937) 544-2339 to register for this free workshop or email me at stoneking.24@osu.edu

• March 29- Agriculture Fertilizer Certification Training- This meeting will fulfill the three-hour requirement for applicators who need the agricultural fertilizer applicator certification. By taking this training, you will not need to take the ODA test. The cost of this program is $30 and is located at the Brown County Extension Office from 9 a.m. – noon. For any additional information, please contact Trevor at (937) 378-6716. This program is cohosted by Adams, Highland, and Clermont Counties.

• April 2- Prepping the Garden Site & Maintaining Healthy Plants Workshop from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Call the office at (937) 544-2339 to register for this free workshop or email me at stoneking.24@osu.edu

• April 4- Southern Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference- Join us at the Bell Manor in Chillicothe from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to learn and network with women working in agriculture. A catered lunch and Ohio wine tasting is included in the cost to register. Thanks to sponsors, registration is only $50. Register using the link http://go.osu.edu/womeninagconf

Session topics include:

• Cultivating Connections- Courageous Farm Family Communication

• How to Transfer the Farm Fairly

• Round Table Discussion with Agriculture Professionals

• Farm Service Agency Programs for Women

•Selling Farm-Based and Home-Produced Foods: Laws to Know

• PPE for Women & Children: Finding Your Best Options