Cattle Care April 1, 2009 David Baber Southern States Livestock Rep Mike Peacock Manager of Beef Feed Sales
Topics to Cover: Spring tetany issues Re-breeding Fly control
Grass Tetany What is it? Freshening at calving causes mobilization of magnesium for milk production, resulting in a deficiency and/or imbalance of Ca:Mg in the lactating cow. Causes ~ Potassium and Magnesium. ~ Forages grown under swine effluent irrigation or fertilized with poultry litter may contain very high levels of potassium which interfere with the absorption of magnesium. ~ Bio-solids (or sludge) may have low levels of magnesium which can contribute to grass tetany. ~ Rapidly growing lush forages do not take up magnesium rapidly enough in the early growth period to always meet animal needs.
Symptoms Staggering Lack of coordination Fall down can t get up Stand and tremble Caution: Can be mistaken for milk fever
Grass Tetany Prevention ~ Soil testing ~ Starting at least 30 days prior to growth resumption of forages, begin supplementing cattle with a source of added magnesium. This is most easily done with a free choice product such as: Cattleman s Select Weathershed Mag-O-Min loose mineral. 12% Hi-Mag Tub a 200# weatherproof Hi-Mag tub supplement. High magnesium pressed blocks.
Grass Tetany - Treatment Cows which have succumbed to tetany can be saved, if found early enough. One should consult a licensed veterinarian IMMEDIATELY for treatment as milk fever and tetany are easily confused.
Rebreeding Why, from a production standpoint, it s important to rebreed within 90 days ~ Only cows re-bred in 90 days maximum can produce a calf every 365 days. ~ Early breeding cows will be the most productive and produce more total calves in a lifetime. ~ Older calves at weaning are heavier, thus more income. ~ A 90-day breeding season allows one to easily determine open cows for culling, thus reducing expenses, and having a more desirable calf crop to sell.
Requirements Rebreeding ~ A BCS (Body Condition Score: 1-9 with 9 = very obese) is an effective guide. ~ The optimum BCS is 5+. ~ Cows with a 4 or lower are difficult to get bred, if at all. ~ Cows gaining some body condition going into the breeding period, respond with higher fertility than cows holding even, or loosing body condition.
Brood Cows BCS Too skinny
Brood Cows BCS Too fat
And the Ideal BCS Brood Cows BCS
Requirements Rebreeding ~ Importance of proper nutrition It is very difficult for a cow to ovulate, thus conceive, if she is not increasing BCS, which requires nutrients. 30 days prior to calving and 60 days post-calving, supplementing with moderate amounts of 16% Cattle Grower/Breeder to improve BCS and minerals stimulate ovulation as noted in Tenn. research over a 3 yr. period. OR, free-choice feeding of 20% Breeder Tub can supply key major nutrients in addition to chelated minerals and organic selenium to stimulate ovulation aiding in rebreeding.
Rebreeding Requirements ~ Importance of reproductive vaccine program Creates a barrier of protection around your herd to prevent problems. Commonly results in more cows bred and calves born. Aids in getting cows bred earlier in the season for heavier calves at weaning. Allows fetal protection and high quality colostrum which determines the calf immune capability for life.
Vaccinations IBR BVD I and II PI3 BRSV Lepto
Rebreeding Results ~ Cows in good condition have significantly more calves, 90%+ vs. thin at 60%+ ~ Cows in proper condition breed earlier in the season 90%+ vs. 50%+ in thin cows. ~ Due to earlier birth and more calves at selling time, average pounds sold per cow in the herd can increase 50-80#/cow.
Fly Control Why is fly control important? ~ Flies carry contagious infections: pink-eye, mastitis etc., thus treatment expense, loss of performance. ~ Horn flies bite and take blood meals causing significant irritation and blood loss, resulting in lost milk production and weaning weight an average of 20# per calf. ~ Constant irritation results in stress, again reducing production. ~ Seeking relief in brush reduces grazing time thus less nutrients for milk production and growth.
Feed Thru Topical Methods of Fly Control Baits and Premise sprays ~ Recommend doing two of the above practices for maximum efficiency. ~ Rotate practices from year to year. If you use fly tags one year, use a pour-on the next year.
Feed-thru products (continued) ~ Altosid IGR Stops Fly Control Adult horn flies live 2 to 4 weeks, taking 20 to 30 blood meals per day. Altosid is ingested with cattle s mineral or feed. As they graze, cattle disperse IGR via their manure. Altosid breaks the life cycle here, preventing pupae from molting into adults. In 1 to 2 days, eggs hatch into larvae. After 3 to 5 days, the larvae molt into pupae. Female flies leave the animal for a few seconds to lay eggs in fresh manure less than five minutes old.
Fly Control Feed-thru methods are easy and effective ~ Non-confined cattle dairy and beef can be supplied with free-choice products on pasture for control of horn flies and others that lay eggs in fresh manure, such as: Fly Stop Hi-Mag mineral, Fly Stop w/ctc mineral, Fly Stop pressed block or Fly Stop Mineral Tub. ~ Confined cattle dairy and beef can have Clarifly mixed into the ration fed daily. It is used where manure pats are disturbed by increased hoof action such as in pens and loafing lots. ~ The Clarifly is not approved for pasture cattle as it will kill dung beetles.
Fly Control Feed-thru products
Topical Fly Control
Fly Control Premise sprays and granular baits
Good management practices Fly Control ~ Clean up hay ring feeding areas use a drag to scatter old hay feeding sites as it is the prime breeding ground for flies. ~ Clean out bottoms of, and under, feeders decaying organic matter is ideal for egg laying. ~ Around the house lawn clippings piled up provide excellent breeding and egg laying sites.
Fly Control Good management practices (continued) ~ Use a residual premise spray under roofs to control house flies a favorite night roosting location. ~ Locate fly bait bags at critical locations for added control of house flies. ~ The use of only one method will result in less than satisfactory success. An integrated program is highly effective.
Take Aways You can prevent the effects and losses of grass tetany on lush, fast growing forages. Improving your re-breeding program will result in heavier calves at weaning time and will add positively to the bottom line. Fly control can reduce disease, cattle weight loss, add to the bottom line and improve the quality of life for livestock and producers both.
Southern States Can Help! Visit your local Southern States or Agway dealer for assistance in maximizing your beef operation income.
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