Processing Guidelines for Weaning

1. General Philosophies
1. Cattle should be handled in a quiet, humane manner with a minimal amount of noise and hot-shot use.
2. Preventing disease costs less than treatment
3. Sick calves cost more; healthy calves pay more
4. The quality of the processing takes priority over the speed.
5. Immunizations take time to work. Initial vaccinations take up to 2 weeks to become effective; boosters take an additional 2 – days.
6. Immunizations may take 2 -3 doses to be fully effective.
7. No vaccines are 100% effective
8. Heat and light can destroy or kill vaccines
9. Modified live vaccines generally produce better immunity

 

(INSERT CATTLE HANDLING)
Information and diagrams on Cattle Handling are provided by The Beef Checkoff

1. Specific Considerations
1. Vaccination programs are always customized for your operations.
2. Always follow manufacturer directions for dose, frequency, method of administration and proper storage.
3. Cattle should be processed within 24 – 36 hours of weaning or prior to weaning (preconditioned). NOTE: Delayed processing is contra-indicated. Most of the diseases we deal with have a 5 – 10 day incubation period. Most of the products we use need 10 – 14 days to maximize effectiveness.
4. Cattle need access to fresh, clean water, hay and possibly small amounts of feed at weaning.
5. All injections are given in the neck.
6. Change the needle every 15 head.
7. Keep records including product name, lot #, dose, route, date given, location and group ID.
8. Syringes, hoses, vent spikes and implant guns should be kept in good working order at all times. Spare syringes and parts should be kept in inventory After processing, the contents of the hose and syringes should be discarded. Never pump the contents back into the original bottle, which will contaminate the contents of the bottle thus contaminating the system.
9. After use, wash the equipment removing all manure and debris.
10. Clean the vaccination system by pumping sterile water pumped through the system and then air-dry. Never use tap water or any disinfectant (Nolvasan, Virosan, alcohol, etc.) in the vaccination equipment.
11. Examine and repair all equipment.
12. Store equipment in a clean, dust-free environment.

 

1. Product considerations
1. Reconstitute with a transfer needle.
2. Pull from the original container with a vent spike and automatic filling syringe. Never remove the sealed top from the vaccine bottle.
3. Never mix with any diluent other than that packaged with the product.
4. Never use product that has been reconstituted for more than 3 – 4 hours.
5. Avoid exposure to sunlight and/or heat.
6. Never clean equipment with chemical disinfectant
7. Only rinse out syringes with sterile water for injection
8. Discard unused contents at the end of the day
9. Avoid freezing
10. Never allow anything to penetrate the bottle except the vent spike

Never pump contents or the syringe and hose back into the bottle.

Winter Feeding

Cow Costs Continue to Increase

Recent information indicates that cash costs per cow have increased 20% over the past 3 years. Midwest US Feed and Pasture cost per cow was $227. Feed and pasture costs represent 60 – 65 % of total cash cost on an annual basis. Winter feeding strategy can significantly help in reducing feed cost. Grazing crop residue is a luxury that we Nebraskans have to help control overall feeding expense.

Grazing Crop Residue Highlights

• Weather can be the most important factor in successfully grazing crop residue.
• One Animal Unit Month (AUM) is the amount of forage required to sustain a 1,000 lb cow one equivalent for one month. Once acre of corn stalks or grain sorghum stubble will provide approximately 1.5 to 2 AUM of grazing.
• Cattle will select and eat the grain first, followed by the husk and leaf and finally the cob and stalk.
• Salt, phosphorous, calcium and vitamin A supplements are recommended for all cattle grazing formant winter range and crop residues.
  As long as cattle have grain to select in a cornstalk field, they will consume a diet that is probably about 7 percent crude protein and as high as 70 percent TDN. This will exceed the protein and energy needs of a 1100 lb cow in mid gestation.
• Producers need to monitor periodically what is available in the residue field. For gestating cows grazing corn residue, if corn is visible in the manure, supplementation with other than vitamins and minerals is probably unnecessary. However, when most of the grain has been consumed, protein supplementation is needed. A mature 1100 lb cow in mid to late gestation consuming husks and leaves will need about 5lbs per day of average quality alfalfa hay to help her meet her protein requirement.
• Heifers in late gestation should not be allowed to graze cornstalk fields long after the grain has been consumed. Heifers have a high protein and energy requirement and the remaining residue does not have a high enough nutrient content to meet their requirements.
• The producer who grazes livestock on crop residue must have an emergency feed supply such as hay or silage for use during severe weather.

Spring Vaccination Protocols

The staff at the clinic strives to provide the best quality of services & products to our customers. Our recommendations are based on scientific information. We recommend products that offer the best protection & value to your operational needs.

Replacement Heifer Program

1. Test for BVD PI prior to pre-breeding period
2. Pelvic measure
3. Observe sound bio-security measures
4. Optional: Spirovac vaccination per label, please consult

Vaccination Recommendations

For heifers that received MLV Viral at weaning:

• Preg Guard Gold 10 FP 30-50 days pre-breeding
• 7-way Clostridial
• Dectomax at time of grass turnout
  

  For heifers with unknown vaccine history or no MLV given at weaning:

• 2 doses Preg Guard Gold 10 FP vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart with final vaccination 30-60 days pre-breeding
• 7-way Clostridial
• Dectomax at time of grass turnout

Mature Cow & Nursing Calf Programs

Mature Cow Vaccinations

• If cows have had Bovishield Gold or Preg Guard Gold previously:
  
        Preg Guard FP10 30-60 days prior to breeding
  
• Cows with unknown history and not yet calved or killed product was given previously
  
• Cattlemaster Gold VL5 30-60 days prior to breeding
  
• Open Cows
  
        Preg Guard FP10 30-60 days prior to breeding
        ** Dectomax injectable at grass turnout for all cow

  
  Nursing Calf Vaccinations

• If Dams have had Bovishield or Preg Guard MLV Viral vaccine preiouisly:
• Calves received at grass turnout time
• Bovishield Gold 5, One Shot Ultra 7 or Ultrabac 7 and Dectomax injectable
• • If Dams have unknown history or received killed viral vaccine previously:
• Calves receive at grass turnout time
• Cattlemaster Gold 5, One Shot Ultra 7 or Ultrabac 7 and Dectomax injectable

  Other Management Practices

  Castrate, Implant, I.D., Optional: Fly tag & Pinkeye vaccine

 

Animal I.D.

National I.D. begins with premise registration.

Register online @ www.animalid.us
or
Stop by the
Animal Clinic for a registration form.