Animal Science Update March 2013 University of Tennessee Extension

Transcription

1 Animal Science Update March 2013 University of Tennessee Extension This Animal Science Update contains timely information on beef cattle, horses, sheep and related 4-H programs. Use this material as you determine it would complement your Extension educational program. This material can be used for local news articles, radio programs, newsletters and formulating recommendations. Be sure and circulate a copy to appropriate members of the county Extension staff. Cow-Calf Management Tips for March 2 Beef Cows Down 1% - But Replacements Up 2% 5 Cattle Fax Anticipates Cattle Prices To Be Good During Managing Moldy Hay 6 Cold Weather Could Have Reduced Reproductive Potential of Herd Bull 6 Observe During Feeding The Amount of Hay That Was Wasted During Storage 7 BEEF Survey Showed That Producers With Large Cow Herds Paid More For Herd Bulls 9 Control Lice On Cows 9 Colostrum Is Essential For Calf Health and Performance 9 Management of Two Bulls During The Breeding Season 10 Be Careful When Working Cattle This Spring 11 It s Grass Tetany Time 13 It Is Not Too Early To Plan Weaning Of Calf Crop 13 Calendar of Events 15

2 Cow-Calf Management Tips for March I saw a robin yesterday. Was that the first robin of spring? On Feb 2, the groundhog in Pennsylvania did not see his shadow, which meant that spring is a few weeks ahead. March is a month when the weather is not settled. It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. If the historical weather in February is similar to that of the upcoming March, diversity can be anticipated. It can be nice with the sun shining and temperatures in the 60s and the jonquils blooming and some are looking forward to grass coming through so many cattle producers attitudes become more positive. Lots of times, the enthusiasm can easily exceed reality. March can be a tough month for cattle and producer alike. Hay supply is low as well as the quality of hay, body condition of the brood cows is poor, in the 3 s or lower, lice population is at a high and grass tetany season is here. With rain and cool temperature, the cattle s critical temperature is increased more than 80 percent, which means that more feed is required to keep them functioning. We need to remember that 70 percent of March is in winter and about nine days of the month are officially spring. The month of March can be very tough on cattle, especially those that are thin, aged and young. Late Winter-Early Spring Calving Herds These herds should be finishing up with calving this month. The breeding season will be getting under way by the first of April. Replacement heifers should be bred starting around the first of March. With the cold temperature and mud, beef cows have decreased in body condition, which has a negative effect on reproduction. Body condition of the females is critical. If feed is available, use the next days to improve the body condition of the cows. Mature cows should be in a body condition of 5 going into the breeding season. Thin cows (BCS of 3 or 4 and below) will have difficulty cycling and getting bred on time, resulting in reduced pounds of calf weaned next year. These cows should be fed to gain weight between now and the start of the breeding season and continuing into the breeding season. 2

3 Feed these recently calved females the higher quality hay. Nutritional demands of the females are the greatest following calving than any other time in their production cycle. Remember, they need to gain weight. Start breeding replacement heifers now, March 1. Expose to a bull for no more than 60 days, although 45 days would be better. As a result, these heifers will calve a month earlier than the mature cow herd and have an extra 30 days to recover from calving before the start of the subsequent breeding season. This also will help to develop a short calving season. Replacement heifers should be bred to a bull with a low-birth weight EPD. Do a breeding soundness examination (BSE) on the herd bull. This should be done each year before start of the breeding season. This is cheap insurance. It is getting late for a BSE on bulls that will start the breeding season April 1, which is more important this year. Bulls also should be in a good nutritional condition prior to the start of the breeding season. Bulls should be in a BCS of 6 at the beginning of the breeding season. They will lose weight and condition as the breeding season progresses. What about the physical condition of bull? Bulls may need to have their feet trimmed and checked for corns. Does he move and walk OK? The bull s ability to mate with cows is dependent on sound feet and legs. Cows in early lactation are more susceptible to grass tetany. Provide magnesium oxide with the mineral supplement. The change in weather puts stress on the cattle. With the rain and cold weather the past few weeks conditions for grass tetany are prevalent. Add magnesium oxide to the mineral supplement. With fast-growing, lush forages, they are likely to be magnesium deficient. Offer the cows a mineral supplement composed of 30 percent salt, 30 percent dicalcium phosphate, 30 percent magnesium oxide and 10 percent 3

4 dried molasses to improve palatability. Cottonseed meal could replace molasses, as either of these will encourage consumption. Continue to provide magnesium oxide supplementation up to the first of April and for additional insurance, to April 15. Complete surgical castrating and dehorning should be done while calves are young. Both of these practices add value to feeder cattle. Feeder cattle with horns are discounted greater in recent years than ever before. Castrate the bull calves before they reach sexual maturity. Implant all castrated male calves and heifers that will not be retained for breeding stock. On the farm demonstrations conducted in Tennessee showed that implanted calves were slightly more than 20 pounds heavier at marketing. Identify calves with ear tags and possibly tattoo while they are young and easy to handle. While cows and heifers are open and before breeding, an annual vaccination program should be carried out. The biggest problem to overcome in vaccinating cows is the lack of a calving season. A healthy cow herd is a profitable performing one and will also contribute to producing a healthy calf crop. Late Fall Early Winter Calving Herds These cows will be in the last part of the breeding season, and it should be drawing to a close. The season should be terminated by March 24 to have the subsequent calving season completed by the end of next December. Remove the bull(s) and place in a pasture lot that will provide ample exercise. The bull will need 2 to 2.5 acres of well-drained, sodded lot with a shed. Feed to improve condition as appropriate. The bull should be fed and managed to gain back to a body condition of 6. If the bull is also to be used during the spring breeding season, it is imperative that he be in good condition. 4

5 Pregnancy check all the cows exposed to the bull. Consider selling open cows and heifers as well as those that are poor performers or they might be held over and exposed to the bull during the spring breeding season. Consider creep feeding the calves either by providing them access to small grain pastures or limited supplemental feed. Free choice creep feed may result in the calves gaining too much condition and not perform well when pasture becomes available and/or discounted when marketed. A decade of research on the topic, conducted by Oklahoma State University, revealed that creep feeding fall-dropped calves until grass was available was effective and economical. Continuing when grass was available was not economical. Has the marketing plan been made for these calves? The easiest and/or the most convenient marketing option generally does not result in securing top value for the feeder calves. Make an economic comparison of all available marketing options. Select the one that adds the greatest value. Think about weaning at the start of the Summer Slump, see the enclosed article on weaning. Suggestions for Both Calving Groups There is only a short time left to renovate grass pastures and add legumes. These tasks should be done by March 15 to allow the young plants to be established and produce adequate growth. Break up the turf by disking to allow seed the opportunity to come in contact with the soil. Maintaining legumes in pasture improves the protein and energy of the cattle s ration. The results include added milk production, improved reproduction and added gain of calves. Legumes also add nitrogen to the soil and help to reduce fertilizer expense. Submitted by Jim Neel Beef Cows Down 1%--But, Replacements Up 2% According to the January 1 Cattle Report, the national beef cow herd is 1% smaller than 5

6 last year. The number of beef replacement heifers was up 2% more than last year. The National Agricultural Statistical Service reported the number of all the national cattle and calves to be at 87.7 million head, down 2% since last year. This is the smallest number since All cows and heifers that calved were reported to be 38.5 million which is less than last year and the least since Source: BEEF, Submitted by Jim Neel Cattle Fax Anticipates Cattle Prices To Be Good During 2014 Kevin Good, a marketing analyst with Cattle-Fax, reported during the recent NCBA Convention forecasted that fed cattle prices during 2014 to range from the mid $120 per hundred weight. Calves are anticipated to average in the $190s per hundredweight and feeder cattle in the $170s per hundredweight. Management practices that add value o he calf crop will pay greater than ever before. Managing Moldy Hay When mold is noticeable, cattle producers have some decisions to make. Mold on hay reduces its acceptance, or palatability, and in some instances, the hay may be refused and not consumed at all. Hay that was harvested back last spring and fall and with a little added moisture would be likely to have some mold. All hay will have some mold but when it can be seen during feeding, it can cause some problems. Horses are more susceptible to moldy hay than are cattle which are less affected. As one of UT former forage specialist said, The solution to pollution is dilution. Mixing mold free hay with the moldy hay can sometimes reduce the problem. Cold Weather Could Have Reduced Reproductive Potential of Herd Bull Did the bull receive any concern during the cold winter we have experienced? Probably 6

7 most of the concerns were directed toward the cow herd and calves. However, the long cold spell experienced across Tennessee could have resulted in frostbite on the bull s scrotum and severely reduced the reproductive potential of the herd bull. Under normal Tennessee winters, the effects of cold weather would not be a problem. However, with the extremely cold weather the past two or three months, having a Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) conducted on the bull(s) is highly recommended. Bulls that have been exposed to the extreme cold weather can experience frostbite and can cause subfertility or in extreme cases, infertility. Cold weather, and the colder it gets, sperm quality is reduced. Bulls with larger, hanging scrotums would be more susceptible to being sub fertile or possibly, even sterile. These bulls would have a problem drawing their testicles up close to their body to keep them warm. Both cold and hot weather can interfere with the spermatogenesis process and reduce reproductive potential. Check the bulls scrotum for scabs; this would probably be found on the lower part of the scrotum. The presence of no scab is not an assurance that the reproductive potential is not negatively affected. If frostbite is a concern, the bull should have a breeding soundness examination 45 days after the injury. Check with a local bovine veterinarian and discuss the possibility of frost bite and arrange to have a BSE done on the bulls. A BSE prior to the breeding season has always been a good practice and may be even more important this year. Observe During Feeding The Amount of Hay That Was Wasted During Storage Hay is expensive. Therefore, cow-calf producers should do all they can to keep waste at a minimum. Hay is wasted during storage and feeding. An Extension Specialist from Kansas State provides some tips on reducing storage losses. 1. Maintain good bale density. Tightening the bales is one of the most important ways to 7

8 reduce losses. If the bale is not tight enough, microbes are going to use oxygen to break down the bale using moisture and nutrients. Bales that squat are surely candidates for losses. Push on the bale and if the surface can be depressed more than one-half inch, losses can be expected. 2. Use Covers on the bales or store under sheds. Round bales stored outside and covered with either plastic or canvas generally have fewer losses than bales unprotected. Bales exposed to the weather can experience reduced forage quality, particularly digestibility. 3. Select a good storage site. The storage site should not be shaded or under trees. It should also be well-drained to reduce moisture absorption into the bales. Rocks, railroad ties, pallets tires or a layer of crushed stone about 4 to 6 inches deep should aid in reducing the moisture absorption. Contact with the ground can result in up to 50% of the dry matter loss. 4. Place the rows of bales to promote good drying. It is recommended to stack the rows end-to-end with three feet between them. Orient the rows north and south which will permit the area to dry faster following a rain. Another suggestion is to feed the hay stored outside and not covered first to reduce the exposure to the weather and loss. During winter feeding would be a good time to evaluate losses and storage management. Try to get an estimate of losses and plan what can be done during the next hay harvest to store hay to reduce loss. One of the best ways for Tennessee producers to reduce loss is by constructing a shed to reduce spoilage. The TAEP aids in the expense of hay storage shed construction. Hay is the winter feed for 92% of the Tennessee cow-calf producers. Hay is expensive. It is too expensive to waste. Cut hay losses and improve profit. 8

9 BEEF Survey Showed That Producers With Large Cow Herds Paid More For Herd Bulls Results of a survey of cow-calf producers by BEEF Magazine showed that as size of operation increased so did the price paid for herd bulls. The average price paid for bulls with less than 50 cows was $3, 445. (This value is similar to the average price paid for bulls sold through the Tennessee Central Bull Test Station.) While those with large herds, more than 500 head, paid an average of $4130 per bull. Source: BEEF. Control Lice On Cows It has been a long, hard winter and the cows are losing weight and condition. One of the major contributors to the reduction in weight and body condition is lice infestation. Lice population will be at its highest during the month of March. The environment has been the major stimulant to lice population growth. They reproduce more rapidly during cold weather and the thick winter coats of the cattle also cause the population to increase. Secure an insecticide that is labeled specifically for lice control and treat the herd. This will be beneficial during the remaining winter and aid in stimulating weight gain and improving reproductive performance. Controlling lice is a basic management/health practice that has been demonstrated to be one that should have been carried out annually and done back in the fall. It is not new or spectacular as some new stuff, it is just a proven practice that should be part of the management system. Controlling internal parasites is also important. Colostrum Is Essential For Calf Health and Performance Calves must have colostrum early in life to develop immunity and as a source of energy shortly after birth. It is suggested that the calves receive colostrum within two hours of birth. Colostrum is both an important source of energy and antibodies needed by the young calf to 9

10 reduce the incidence of diseases such as respiratory problems and calf scours. Now would be a great time of the year to emphasize to cow-calf producers to observe the body condition of the calving cows. Note that cows in poor body condition, a BCS of 3 or less will be more likely to produce less colostrum and have calves that develop scours and respiratory diseases. In addition, some recent research has demonstrated that even if the calves that receive inadequate colostrum survive, their vitality is reduced and it affects their eventual performance as brood cows and experience reduced performance and carcass quality. If you are looking for a sure bet, the brood cows that calve in a poor BCS will be the ones that will produce reduced, if any colostrum, give birth to weak calves that will have a high incidence of health problems. Management of Two Bulls During The Breeding Season A small number of cow-calf producers run two bulls with their cow herd during the breeding season. Based on data from the Master Beef Producer Program, producers had an average of 49 cows, 10 open replacement heifers and 2.8 bulls. In this situation, this would average 21 beef females per bull. One could conclude that this would not create a demand that the bulls could not meet. However, the bulls would not divvy up the females for breeding. One of the bulls will be the dominant one and will mate with the greatest number of cows. Generally, age of the bull is the main item in determining dominance. Generally, it is recommended that both bulls be turned out together. One of the bulls will assume the dominant role. If the bull is mature and experienced, more than likely he will be the dominant bull and will mate with the greatest number of cows. After about a month into the breeding season, remove the dominant bull and give him a break. Leave the other bull in with the cows for at least two weeks. He should have developed experience. If the second bull is in good shape, leave him in the rest of the 10

11 breeding season. When it is determined that the second bull is performing well, turn the dominant bull back with the herd and run both bulls with the herd. By the end of the first two months, if the cows were cycling, the females should be settled. As during any breeding season management, observe the bulls and cows during the breeding season. Record the dates the bulls mated with the cows Check these cows 18 to 22 days later to determine if they are settled. If one of the bulls is sub-fertile, it should be removed from the herd. Dominant bulls could be either sub-fertile or sterile and it never be known until later on during the breeding season or during pregnancy checking. Submitted by Jim Neel Be Careful When Working Cattle This Spring Lots of cow-calf producers never consider their personal safety when working cattle. Producers are generally careful when working cattle but, it just takes one error or misjudgment to result in injuries. Cattle s actions and response can be unpredictable.as conditions change. Or, there are times when working cattle producers can be preoccupied with some other thoughts and not pay attention to the cattle s reactions to stimuli. Following are some guidelines published by the Ohio Agribility Program that if followed should contribute to a safer cattle working experience or interaction. Observe and be knowledgeable of the typical behavior of the cattle during working. Spend time with the cattle when they are out on pasture to allow both parties to become familiar with each other. When cattle are separated from the remaining herd they become agitated, stressed and have the need to rejoin the group. Cows with young calves can become very protective and aggressive in an effort to protect their young. 11

12 Bulls can especially become aggressive in an attempt to show dominance. Bulls will especially become protective of females during the breeding season. Understand aggressive warning signs such as head up, ears laid back or pawing or stamping of feet. Do not startle cattle. Make the animal aware of your presence before getting too close to the individual. Move easy and patient around the cattle. Avoid quick movements or loud noises that may startle the animals. Excessively changing of the animal s environment or daily routine can take the cattle out of their comfort zone and cause problems. Avoid being between the cattle and their approach to feed. Always be aware of your surrounding and lays have in mind an escape route when working cattle. Cattle that have been shown or been raised as a pet can cause injury being playful. Even though they may be with the herd, they may still approach the handler in a playful manner when least expected. Be patient and avoid frustration and anger when working cattle. Regardless of what the handler may think, the cattle weigh more and are stronger than you and can become easily stressed and cause injury to the handler. Secure experienced people to help in working the cattle. Dogs should not be in the vicinity of the cattle working. Working cattle is not a timed event. Focus on the cattle and how they might react and efficiently carrying out the practices. Source: McGuire Injury Prevention Working With Livestock Safety. Ohio 12

13 Agribility Program. It s Grass Tetany Time All are looking forward to grass growth. Some cattle producers are short on stored hay and are anxiously awaiting the spring grass growth. The big problem with the rapid growth of spring grass is grass tetany. Grass Tetany is more likely to occur during the months of February, March and April. Grass tetany is associated with a magnesium deficiency. Generally, high producing brood cows that have recently calved are the ones that come down with the condition. Grass tetany is generally brought on in Tennessee by the grazing of new growth grass like fescue, orchard grass and small grain pastures. Young, fast growing plants have a higher than normal potassium level and lower than normal magnesium level. This is generally observed in the early spring and that is when grass tetany is most frequently occurring. Changes in weather can contribute to the onset of grass tetany. Pastures that have been fertilized with nitrogen fertilizer and have high potassium levels plus low magnesium creates a risky situation for grass tetany. The plant will more easily absorb the potassium compared to magnesium. The same is true with the absorption by cattle. If producers that have had problems with grass tetany, they should provide a mineral supplement that should include 8 to 12 percent magnesium. Mixing this mineral supplement with other supplemental feed will improve the consumption. Most feed suppliers will have a commercial mineral mix available to aid in reducing the incidence of grass tetany. It Is Not Too Early to Plan Weaning Of Calf Crop The greatest percentage of Tennessee s calf crop, fall-born or spring dropped are both weaned and marketed on the same day. In most instances, both occur the same day during late summer or fall. Kansas State beef cattle researchers wondered if there was a better weaning time? 13

14 They developed a research project that helped to answer if it might be better to wean the calves earlier and give the cows more time to recover and gain weight and improve their body condition going into winter and approaching calving. They conducted a project in 2007 and They reported that the calves that were weaned at days of age at an average of 360 pounds gained as much weight and were just as healthy and experienced no difference in death loss than those weaning at 6 to 7 months of age. Previous research showed that weaning the calves reduced grazing pressure on the pastures and that 450 pounds calves at about 6 months of age would consume about 6 to 8 pounds of forage or pasture per day. Weaning earlier than normal also reduced the brood cow s nutritional requirements. The studies showed that for every 30 days that a calf was weaned added another three days of additional grazing for the cow. As result, cows would enter the fall and winter in better condition, which reduces the volume of winter feed needed and reduce winter feed costs. In addition, the brood cows would be in better body condition and should experience better reproductive performance. Weaning the calf crop earlier than normal is a practice that should be considered. It is suggested to take place at the beginning of the summer slump, condition the calf crop by carrying out the recommended health practices and training them to eat. The calves will economically put on gain and will be of greater value than calves weaned by the Peter-Bilt process. These calves would need to be marketed in a feeder calf alliance with similar managed calves to harvest the greatest value. Start now by making plans for weaning. Submitted by Jim Neel 14

15 Animal Science Calendar of Events March 1 UT Block and Bridle Round-Up UT Brehm Animal Science Knoxville, Tenn. March 6 Junior Bull Sale, Central Bull Test Station Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center Spring Hill, Tenn. March 7-8 Tennessee Beef Agribition Ward Agricultural Center Lebanon, Tenn. March 8 March 9 March March Youth Livestock Judging Contest, Tennessee Beef Agribition Youth Beef Cattle Show, Tennessee Beef Agribition Value-Added Beef Conference East Tennessee Angus Association and UT Student Show and Sale Ward Agricultural Center Lebanon, Tenn. Ward Agricultural Center Lebanon, Tenn. Manchester Coffee County Convention Center, Manchester UT Brehm Animal Science Knoxville, Tenn. Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment 15