Beef Cattle Institute Hosts Antimicrobial Meeting

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1 The nformer Spring/Summer 2009 Beef Cattle Institute Hosts Antimicrobial Meeting More than 200 people gathered for the International Conference on the Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle Production, held May th on the Kansas State University campus. The conference highlighted the use of antimicrobials, including antibotics in cattle. Speakers traveled from around the globe to discuss this important issue that is put before producers and consumers on a daily basis. Presentations ranged from What Differences Antimicrobials Make? to It has been proven - what does the data support related to links between antibiotic use in animals and therapeutic success in humans? What has happened when antimicrobials have been removed from food animals? and many more topics relating to the issues of use of antimicrobials in cattle production. More information about the conference can be found on the International Conference on the Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle Production web site, In this issue... Calf Scours Producer Spotlight Student Spotlight Sponsor Spotlight

2 Scott Foote: Producer in the Spotlight Brothers, Scott and Brad Foote, managers and owners of Hoxie Feedyard and Imperial Beef have a deep history in the cattle industry. Their father, Bob Foote began the family venture in the cattle business in 1985 with order buying cattle, running grass and feeder cattle, and feeding cattle at custom feedyards in Kansas and Nebraska. Today, Bob and sons Scott, Brad, and Greg work together in the family business. In 1997, the family venture in the cattle industry grew with the purchase of Hoxie Feedyard. When the Footes purchased the yard it was an 8,000 head facility. Today the yard holds 40,000. Scott is the manager of Hoxie Feedyard. Scott graduated from Kansas State University in 1997 with a B.S. in Agricultural Economics and in 1999 with a Masters degree in Agricultural Business. The Foote Family In 2007, the Footes purchased Imperial Beef and expanded it to a 40,000 head capacity. When purchased, it was at 32,000 head capacity. Brad is the manager at Imperial Beef. He graduated with a degree in Animal Science in 1999 from Kansas State University. We work very closely together and manage the feedyards each in our own way but focusing on the same goals, stated Scott. Hoxie Feedyard and Imperial Beef are really not any different from other yards out there; however having the entire family involved in every aspect of the business helps the Foote s do a good job of running the business. When asked about today s issues that the beef industry faces Scott stated, I believe that our industry is made up of nearly 100 percent good people. We are an industry built on trust and honesty. I think that we should be open and honest as when communicating within our industry, as well as to those outside of the cattle business. The cattle industry can prove to others that we care for our animals and for the people that consume beef. Scott and Brad both realize that the well-being of the cattle in their feedyards determines their profi t or loss. It is important to them both to practice good animal handling techniques and avoid any practices that would harm the cattle they raise in any way. Every part of our operation, from transportation of livestock to feeding to vaccinating, uses techniques and common sense that would be considered good animal welfare practices, stated Scott. The BCI is dedicated to providing you with the latest information in the beef cattle industry and wants to ensure the most current and relevant news possible. But we can t do it alone We need your help! Is there something we are missing? Something you would like to see in a future issue of The Informer? Let us know! Send your ideas to wpacheco@vet.k-state.edu. As an organization that is dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare, the Beef Cattle Institute is proud to recognize producers that are working toward the betterment of the treatment of animals. Because of this, in every issue of The Informer we would like to spotlight a producer that is committed to this cause. If you know such a producer, or have a personal story, please let us know!

3 Ask the Vet: Calf Scours by Dr. Robert Larson The greatest risk for sickness and death of cattle in a cow-calf operation occurs during the fi rst two to three weeks of life. In one study, farms and ranches averaged a little over 10% of calves being treated for scours with farm-to-farm variation ranging from no affected calves to over 50% of calves treated for scours. Scours in beef calves is due to inadequate protection from colostrum and/or overwhelming challenge with scour-causing germs due to muddy conditions, weather stress, and crowding. For a calf to consume adequate amounts of colostrum, it must be able to stand, walk, fi nd the dam s teats, and suckle. In addition, the dam must stand, have a good maternal bond with the calf, and have teats that can be grasped by the calf. Problems in any of these areas can lead to late or decreased colostrum intake and low amounts of antibody protection for the calf. The germs that cause scours are common and present in the cows and calves on essentially all farms and ranches in the U.S. Calves exposed to low concentrations of these germs are likely to stay healthy or show only mild signs of illness; however the scour-causing germs in the guts of these calves will be multiplying and the calf will shed higher concentrations of germs into the environment than it was exposed to a few days earlier. Early in the calving season when there aren t many calves in a pasture, there aren t many scour-causing germs around either. As the calving season progresses, the number of germs in the pasture increases, especially if the weather is cool and wet which allows the germs to survive longer in the environment. Eventually, the amount of scour-causing germs that calves are exposed to is high enough to cause severe disease. Wet, muddy, and damp conditions are ideal for the germs that cause scours. Anything you can do to keep calves away from wet areas will help prevent the disease. The calving area should be free of mud and should be protected from the wind. A large pasture with good drainage and a natural windbreak is probably all that is necessary. Only those heifers and, less frequently, cows that require assistance during calving or to establish a bond with their calf should be confi ned to a calving barn or small pen. Use large pastures and work to keep cattle from gathering in one area such as around bale feeders and water sources. A few years ago a group of veterinarians at the University of Nebraska described a simple and highly effective strategy (The Sandhills Calving System) to prevent calf scours by preventing young calves from coming into contact with older calves, thereby ensuring that calves are not exposed to overwhelming concentrations of scour-causing germs during the fi rst few weeks of life. Pregnant cows are moved from the winter feeding pasture to the calving pasture about the time the fi rst calf is born and stay in that pasture for two weeks. At the end of the fi rst two weeks of the calving season cows that are still pregnant are moved to a new calving pasture and the cow-calf pairs are left in the original pasture. At the end of each subsequent week of the calving season, the pregnant cows are moved to a new calving pasture and the cows that calved the previous week and their calves remain in the pasture where they calved. Once all the calves are greater than three to four weeks of age, the herd can be reassembled. With this system fully implemented, the age spread from the oldest to the youngest calf in a nursery pasture will never exceed seven days (except in the fi rst pasture where the spread can be 14 days) and the exposure of young, susceptible calves to scour-causing germs is minimal. The details of how best to implement the system will vary between herds and must meet the limitations and needs of each producer. If it is not possible to have enough pastures to move pregnant cows every week, then move cows every 10 days or two weeks (may see slightly less successful prevention). The keys to the Sandhills system are: 1) the plan to keep older calves separated from younger calves and 2) the movement of late pregnant cows to new pastures rather than cow-calf pairs.

4 Meet the Faculty: Dr. Chris Reinhardt Dr. Chris Reinhardt is an Assistant Professor and Extension Feedlot Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State. He stays involved in many aspects of feedlot management in Kansas which may be of benefi t to the Kansas feedlot industry and/or K-State. Dr. Reinhardt grew up in Wisconsin where he attended the University of Wisconsin. He declined an invitation to vet school there, instead choosing to go to graduate school at Texas A&M University to study beef cattle nutrition and growth. Dr. Reinhardt subsequently came to K-State to complete his PhD in feedlot nutrition, which he received in When asked what the biggest issue facing cattle producers today, Dr. Reinhardt states The current global economic crisis has to loom large on everyone s radar. But other issues would include getting out the positive messages of beef producers excellent environmental record and animal welfare practices. Dr. Reinhardt s favorite part of his job with K-State is being involved with a group of people who are focused on taking care of their animals, and each other. He feels the hardest part of his job is working within the state system during very diffi cult economic times. He states We are funded by taxpayers, and taxpayers are hurting all across the state and nation, so cutbacks are inevitable. We must be very strategic in how we use our resources. Quick Facts: Dr. Reinhardt enjoys beef whenever he eats it, but particularly enjoys prime rib. Family: wife Nikki; one daughter and 3 sons. Hobbies: family activities, music, motorcycles LIsa Taylor Student Spotlight Birthplace: Oakley, KS School Daze:Senior at Kansas State in Mathematics and Economics omic Best Part of my Job: The people ple I work with Who do you idolize? My mom and dad because they are successful, yet humble and also kind to everyone. What is your dream job? Econometrician ian TV Show: House, One Tree Hill, Friday Night Lights Hobbies: Playing the piano Favorite Restaurant: ant: Little tle Appleple Favorite Quote: It is not the critic who counts - Theodore Roosevelt Favorite Food Product at the Grocery Store: Chips and salsa What do you do on your free time? Watch TV

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