Attention Big Sandy Producers: In an effort to provide greater outreach to Big Sandy producers, Barbie Martin at the Big Sandy Conservation District is now certified to do nitrate testing on hay. Thanks to Barbie and the Big Sandy Conservation District for taking this project on. Nitrate testing is still available at the Extension office in Fort Benton. We are located in the green building next to the courthouse.

Items to Consider for

Cow Herd Winter Readiness.

Information for this article was taken from the Cow Sense Chronicle written by Rachel Endecott, Former MSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. Below are a few helpful management recommendations for cattle producers.

• Testing your hay for nutrient analysis is a critical component of a nutrition plan. From your forage test results, you can build a more accurate and economical winter feeding plan. Do you need to purchase supplement? Does your high protein second cutting need to be diluted with a lower quality hay to more optimally match cow requirements? Do you have enough hay? Does your grain hay have a cautionary level of nitrates? If so, do you have a feeding plan to avoid nitrate toxicity problems?

• Are you happy with your mineral supplementation program? Adding a mineral panel to those hay tests will help you to know more about mineral intake. In addition, don’t forget the minerals in water.

• How do the cows look this fall? Post‐weaning is a great time to critically evaluate cow body condition, along with the start of the third trimester and at calving. Are there thin cows who might benefit from being sorted off and run for a time with the young cows? The post‐weaning time period during the cow’s second trimester is when her nutrient requirements are lowest. Adding weight to thin cows is least expensive and most efficient at this time.

• Fall is a great time for parasite control. Contact your veterinarian if you have questions about what products to use or changing up your protocols to reduce resistance.

• How are your herd bulls after the breeding season? Mature bulls might be able to get by on an all‐forage diet. Young bulls should be around 75% of their mature body weight by the time they are two years old. Bulls should be in body condition score 6 at turnout, as they will lose 100‐300 pounds while doing their job. Do you have a plan to ensure bulls will be ready when you need them next year? While it is important for thin bulls to achieve optimal body condition, it is also important not to overfeed bulls. Fat layers around the scrotum can interfere with temperature regulation, negatively impacting semen quality and production. Overfeeding can also lead to foot problems and soundness issues, and out‐of‐shape bulls are less likely to hustle to breed cows when turnout time rolls around. I recommend that bulls receive a year‐round mineral supplementation program just like the cows. Trace minerals like copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium, along with vitamins A and E are important antioxidants that can prevent sperm damage from stress.

Montana State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.