FENDING FOR THEMSELVES. NOT AN OPTION.

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1 FENDING FOR THEMSELVES. NOT AN OPTION. Plastic Gloves Disinfectants Colostrum Vaccines Maternity Pen Cold Hands & Warm Heart 2017 SPRING CALVING GUIDE UFA.com/SpringCalving

2 The first six hours The most important thing in a newborn calf s life is colostrum. They need this superfood full of antibodies and immunoglobulin to get them up and going in life whether it comes from mom or from a bottle you provide. But, important as it is, colostrum is just one thing of many that calves need at this time of year. A few others are outlined in this booklet a quick reference to help you make sure you re ready for the calving season, and a reminder that UFA is here to help where we can. Keeping them healthy, safe and warm this spring. Visit UFA.com/Contact to locate the UFA Livestock Expert closest to you. ii UFA Spring Calving Guide 2017

3 HEALTH Scours: prevention first, treatment second Scours is among the leading causes of calf death in the early days after birth. Treatment is possible, but prevention is better. Prevention 1. PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE: Ensure calving areas are sanitized between births and that all your equipment is also sanitized properly. Keeping these areas dry and warm also helps to create an unfriendly environment for disease pathogens. 2. VACCINATION: A good vaccination program for dams can boost the level of antibodies in the mother s colostrum, giving their calves added protection. 3. ENSURE COLOSTRUM TRANSFER: Time is critical. By six hours after birth, the gut only absorbs 50 per cent of the antibodies. By 24 hours the gut is totally closed off to accepting any antibodies into the bloodstream. It s important to have colostrum on hand whether natural or powder, in case the mother doesn t produce enough or if the calf is having trouble nursing. 4. PAY ATTENTION: Newborn calves should be monitored closely at least three times per day for symptoms. Treatment At the first sign of scours: Begin replacing fluids and electrolytes immediately. Work with your vet to choose the best rehydration product and determine the proper volume to be fed. Get the calf rehydrated while it can still stand. After that, the only option is intravenous treatment. CALVING OFFERS $1 OFF PER POUCH HEADSTART COLOSTRUM Sale Price $19.99 Regular Price $ IGG 225G Valid March 1 31, UFA Spring Calving Guide 1

4 NUTRITION Chelated minerals and calf health The bottom line with chelates is they can, in very specific circumstances, improve cow and/or calf health and productivity. What are those circumstances? Breeding, calving, weaning and calf health are among the things that tend to improve when cows are given chelated minerals. Calves are less likely to experience scours and pneumonia in the first 30 days of life if their mothers were fed chelated minerals as part of their pre-calving diet. Weaning is also improved, as well as a calf s overall immune response and productivity. According to a recent article by David Wieland, a nutrition consultant in Shepherd, MT, chelates should account for 30 per cent of a cow s total mineral package - one to two months before calving - in order to see this benefit. Too expensive? Think about the fact that calves with scours and/or pneumonia tend to have shorter lives, more health problems throughout their life, and lower productivity. These are real costs too. Chelates don t need to be fed all year, but they do have a place and a strategic time in the toolbox when it comes to overall calf health. CALVING OFFERS $2 OFF PER BAG PROSTOCK COW CALVING MINERAL Special $33.00 per bag Reg $35.00 per bag KG BLU Valid February 1 28, UFA Spring Calving Guide 2017

5 FORAGE Now s the time to think about a grazing plan A good grazing plan is as much about keeping your pasture resources well managed as it is about providing good nutrition for your cows. For example, if you want to swath graze in the fall, you need to plan for it now so you can improve efficiency while keeping costs in line. Here are some tips. 1. ESTIMATE CARRYING CAPACITY: How many animals can each pasture feed per month? Check grazing records or use soil surveys plus average weather and rainfall data to make reasonable estimations about each pasture s productivity over the next 12 months. 2. LOOK AT STOCKING RATES: Figure out how many mouths you have to feed each month, plus average consumption per animal; line this up with carrying capacity, then estimate the monthly stock rates each pasture can sustain. Alberta Forestry and Agriculture has a great reference article called Grazing Tame Pastures Effectively on their website at agric.gov.ab.ca. 3. BE FLEXIBLE: Use these numbers as a guide if pastures are more productive than expected or if drought occurs, check your monthly estimates and adjust your stock rates accordingly. 4. DON T FORGET THE HARDWARE: Before turning any cattle out, walk your fences, including temporary ones, to ensure they re intact. Spring is the perfect time to replace posts (soft ground!), replace wire and to ensure any electric fencing is functioning properly. UFA s team of Livestock Customer Account Managers (CAMs) can help incorporate a customized grazing plan into your operation. CALVING OFFERS 10% OFF REGULAR PRICED GALLAGHER ELECTRIC FENCE ENERGIZERS Various articles Valid February 1 28, UFA Spring Calving Guide 3

6 EQUIPMENT Calving requirements checklist Calving is a hectic time, so make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment already on-hand before things kick-off it just makes sense. Here s a short list of essentials that Dr. Roy Lewis talks about in our Calving Preparedness videos: MATERNITY PEN: If you don t have one, why not? You, your family, your cows and calves, and your vet will all be safer by using one. MEDS: Make sure nothing is out of date and that you have everything you may possibly need ready and close to hand. DISINFECTANT: The calving area needs to be thoroughly disinfected as each animal moves through, so make sure you have plenty. GLOVES: A few sets of good quality, shoulder-length obstetrical gloves that won t tear easily are a must. PULLING EQUIPMENT: Make sure your calf pullers and chains are in good working order and that the chains are a longer length to allow you two loops around the foot. Be sure to have an extra set in case you lose them in the straw during the birth. LIGHT: Often overlooked, but make sure you have spare light bulbs on hand for the building and good portable light sources flashlights, headlamps, trouble lights available as well. You need to see what you re doing! CALVING OFFERS $500 OFF REGULAR PRICE TUFF MATERNITY PEN Valid March 1 31, UFA Spring Calving Guide 2017

7 Give your new tank the CREDIT IT DESERVES Buy a new tank and fill it with UFA Petroleum. WE LL CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT! January 16 - March 14, 2017 *Visit UFA.com for details * JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 15, 2017 WINTER SALES EVENT Visit UFA.com for more product information

8 LEARN AND WIN ON UFA.com UFA presents three different topics in our Spring Calving video series this winter. See release dates below as well as details on how you can win some valuable prizes. At the same time, you ll gain timely and relevant information for the calving season. Watch the short, chaptered videos under each topic and answer the associated question at the end of each video to WIN BIG! KEY COLOSTRUM FACTS - Deserae Hook, SCCL (January 23) Prize: Headstart Colostrum and Wet Nurse Milk Replacer; $400 value CALVING PREPAREDNESS - Dr. Roy Lewis (February 6) Prize: Calving Supply Kit, including Dr. Franks Calf Puller, OB Chains, Disposable Gloves; $500 value IMPORTANCE OF MATERNITY PENS - Shane Menzak, UFA (February 20) Prize: Tuff Maternity Pen; $3,299 value YOU COULD WIN THIS PEN! Join our industry experts as they share some key learnings from many years of experience in the industry. UFA.com 2017 UFA Co-operative Ltd. All rights reserved