KSU Cow-Calf Checklist - March 2026

By madiemarshall

Friday, April 10, 2026

Management Considerations for May 2026
By Jason M. Warner, Ph.D., Extension Cow-Calf Specialist

Cow Herd Management

  • If cows are in marginal BCS (4.0 – 5.0) going into breeding, possibly consider:
    • Supplementing 2-3 weeks prior to and through 1st cycle.
    • Using monensin (200 mg/hd/day) in feed supplements.
    • Temporary calf removal or a CIDR to initiate estrus in anestrus females.
    • Early weaning if BCS doesn’t improve during the season.
  • Pregnancy check and cull fall calving cows, if not already done.
  • With higher costs, it’s important to closely manage salt and mineral programs.
    • Record date and amount of salt and mineral offered and calculate herd consumption.
    • If consumption is 2X the target intake, then cost will be too!
    • Properly store bags and pallets to avoid damage and product loss.
  • Continue to provide high magnesium mineral formulas to cows grazing high risk forages: wheat, rye, triticale, oats, bromegrass, and other cool-season forages.
  • Risk of grass tetany is greatest for lactating cows and older cows.
  • The estrus synchronization planner (https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/estrussynch.html) is a helpful tool for scheduling synchronization protocols.
    • Order your A.I. supplies well prior to starting your protocols.
  • Closely monitor bulls at the start of the breeding season for injury and to make sure they are aggressively covering cows.

Calf Management

  • Calculate the value of gain relative to cost of gain for:
    • implanting nursing calves and grass cattle.
    • creep feeding nursing calves
  • Finalize health protocols for spring-born calves and cattle going to summer grass.
  • Consider supplementing or feeding replacement heifers for a period when initially turning to grass if they don’t have post-weaning grazing experience and/or forage supply is limited.

General Management

  • Reconsider stocking rates and turn-out dates for drought stressed pastures.
  • Begin implementing early-season weed/invasive species control.
  • Use the Management Minder tool on KSUBeef.org to plan key management activities for your cowherd for the rest of the year.
    • https://cowweb.exnet.iastate.edu/CowWeb/faces/Index.jsp
  • Employ multiple strategies and chemistries for controlling flies and insects.
  • Make and evaluate important production calculations:
    • Calving distribution (% 1 cycle, % 2 cycle, % 3 cycle)st nd rd
    • Calving interval
    • % calf crop (# calves weaned/# cows exposed for breeding) for calves born in fall 2025.