Riding Point With Animal Science

Transcription

1 Riding Point With Animal Science April, 2010 Volume 2, No. 4

2 Proper Scour Prevention Means Healthy Calf Crop Clifford Mitchell Cattle Today Points of Interest By Scott Lake A cattleman s calendar often takes on dates and time periods that are known to impact the bottom line. Each red checkmark usually has some significance, working through a general protocol to come up with specific results. Calving season is often the beginning of a laundry list of events that will take place until calves are weaned and passed on to the next stage in the production system. See full article at: Grass Alfalfa Mixtures Instead of Pure Alfalfa Dr. Bruce Anderson, Professor of Agronomy, Agronomy & Horticulture, University of Nebraska Hay growers in our area often plant new fields to alfalfa without even thinking about other alternatives. For lots of folks, pure alfalfa is the best choice, but for many of you it might be better to mix in some grass, like orchardgrass, smooth brome, or festulolium, with your alfalfa. See full article at: Calving 911 when to call the vet Kenny Barrett Jr., DVM, MS Tri State Livestock News Veterinary clinics servicing cow-calf clients are busy all over with calving season in full swing. Many conversations with producers occur after bankers hours over an untimely fetal extraction. Topics of conversation wander and vary while the veterinarian prepares a suitable patch of hide through which a calf will soon emerge. See full article at:

3 The Changing Face of the Animal Health Industry Troy Smith Angus Beef Business What is it with the animal health industry? Just about the time livestock producers think they have a handle on product names and their suppliers, things change. A manufacturer combines with another to expand its product line, or one company buys out a competitor. Mergers and acquisitions seem to occur at an increasing rate. It gets confusing. See full article at:

4 Some Guidelines for Transporting Equine Amy K. McLean Did you know when you transport an equine it should have a Coggins test, possibly a health paper and be inspected by the brand inspector? When a horse is transported to a rodeo, show, sale or trail ride all states require that an equine has a Coggins test. This test must accompany the equine when being moved off the property in which the animal resides. Some states require a one year current Coggins for transport to rodeos, shows, recreational purposes (i.e. trail riding) and sales but some states require a 6 month Coggins for transport regardless if the animal is traveling to a show or sale. If you are buying or selling a horse, mule, donkey, or pony at a public auction you may need a 6 month negative Coggins test depending on the state where the auction is being held. For example, the state of Tennessee requires all horses being sold at an auction to have a 6 month negative Coggins. The Coggins test is a test used to detect equine that are infected with the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus. There are two methods of testing for this infectious disease either by the Coggins test which takes 24 hours for the results or by an ELISA test which normally takes close to an hour. This form of testing is some times available at auctions for equine without documentation showing the horse is negative. It is important to keep in mind that when testing for EIAv false positives have occasionally been associated with ELISA testing. For more information on health regulations when transporting horses, mules, donkeys, or ponies, be sure and contact the state(s) you are traveling to and or the event you are attending for specific health rules and regulations. Some states may have specific health requirements or permits, or require brand papers (such as Wyoming, Colorado, etc.) especially when traveling in this part of the U.S. Most states will have inspection stations for you to stop at when entering the state to check your documents and states such as Wyoming will brand inspectors. Equine crossing county lines in Wyoming should have appropriate paperwork from the brand inspector. When equine are being shipped across state lines a 30 day health certificate is required to ensure that the animal is healthy. For more information about state to state health requirements when transporting equine you can check out the following website and also makes sure and contact the state s department of agricultural directly, For equine traveling internationally such as to Canada a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) health certificate must accompany the equine, which can only be obtained from a USDA certified veterinarian. International shipping regulations can also vary and make sure you are aware of all quarantine and health rules and regulations for the country you are purchasing your new equine or sending your equine too. If you are considering purchasing a new equine, one consideration would be to have new blood drawn for a more recent Coggins test, as well as considering a pre-purchase exam that can be done by a veterinarian. For more information about testing for Equine Infections Anemia virus go to

5 Adding value to this year s calf crop Dr. Steve Paisley With Easter weekend in our rearview mirror, many ranching operations are finishing calving and planning spring brandings. Mid-April may seem too early to think about marketing this year s calves, but especially if you are considering one of the source and age verified programs, it s never too early to focus on marketing. Concerning this year s calf crop, it may be an important year to consider all of your marketing options before this fall rolls around. Out of pocket expenses for the cow-calf producer remain high, and many marketing forecasts suggest that fall prices may be similar to last year s. I hope to adequately discuss marketing options over the course of the summer, but for now, there are a few reasons to consider future markets in April: 1) Pre-branding is an important time to consider participating in 3 rd party source and age verification QSA or PVP programs. Especially if you routinely market calves through internet or video auctions, considering source and age verified programs may be an important way of creating additional value. The Wyoming Verified PVP program has routinely shown a $3 to $5/cwt premium for weaned calves enrolled in the program. If retaining ownership through the feedlot, these premiums have increased if the cattle are eligible for the Japan market. 2) Marketing flexibility is becoming increasingly important. Because of increased price variability, it will become increasingly important to have the ability to market calves as weaned calves in the fall, backgrounded calves in February, ready for grass yearlings in the spring, or 9 cwt yearlings the following fall. Some of these decisions may need to be considered prior to summer turn-out. Calves from first calf heifers may be weaned and marketed early, prior to the seasonal October price decline. Heavier calves that were born early in the calving season may either be marketed early, or considered for direct placement into the feedlot this fall. Considering marketing options now, prior to going to pasture, may help reduce the amount of work this fall. 3) Understanding markets and reducing price risk is becoming increasingly important. As grain prices become more volatile, we have witnessed dramatic swings in calf prices. Watching futures markets and forecasting fall prices will be worth the effort. Reducing price risk may mean working with a broker to evaluate futures and options, diversifying your calf marketing options, backgrounding calves for 90 days or retaining ownership to capture the maximum value for your calves. All of these options require planning and homework. 4) If you are considering retaining ownership through the feedlot, do your homework first. Not all cattle perform well in the feedlot or on the rail. Herd health programs also become increasingly important as feed costs continue to rise. It may be a good idea to evaluate the performance of your calves before diving into retained ownership. Most western states have feedlot evaluation programs where a representative sample of the calves can be sent to get a sneak peak at your herd health program, calf performance and carcass merit. 5) Evaluate feedlot options, and work with the manager to determine your feeding and marketing options. Many feedlot managers are happy to discuss ownership options, break-even prices, and feedlot cost of gains. Working with your feedlot and determining your fall calf breakeven price is great information to have before deciding to sell, background, or retain ownership through the feedlot. Focusing on marketing, having alternative marketing options, and reducing price risk are all key components to realizing more value in your own calves. If you have evaluated the markets and are considering owning your calves through the feedlot this year, minimize your performance risks by investing in a sound herd health program. Working with extension personnel and feedlot managers to determine your best marketing options should start early, while there are still opportunities to manage the cattle. In the meantime, safe branding to everyone.