Herd ManageMent

By TONY HAWKINS, DVM, Valley Vet Supply

Veterinarian Perspectives from the Birthing Barn — Part 1

There are few moments more special on the farm than welcoming a newborn to your herd. Whether you’re foaling, calving, kidding, or lambing, some may be surprised by how similar the process is. Let’s review readiness prep and signs of labor – while there could be some species-specific differences, much of this information is actually pretty similar for all species.

Readiness prep - When it comes to what you’ll need to have on hand, very importantly, you need to first have a relationship with a veterinarian. I would strongly encourage you to develop that relationship and speak with your veterinarian before your calving, foaling, kidding, or lambing season. Rather than, say, just calling that veterinarian at 2:00 in the morning when the need is great. As a veterinarian, it’s nice to know people before you get that call. Be sure to have their contact information handy should you need his or her help.

Have some key items at the ready, like gloves and lubrication, in case you need to help with minor pulling, and iodine for disinfecting the umbilical stump. If you and your veterinarian decide that you need to give any vaccinations or medications at birth, have those medications on hand, as well as some syringes and needles. If you apply ear tags and band at birth, have those tags and bands available, as well as a tetanus toxoid to administer at that time.

It’s also important to have colostrum or colostrum replacers on hand because you never know if colostrum is needed until you need it now. Colostrum is very important for all species, and the majority of the antibody absorption takes place in the first six to eight hours of life. Ideally, they should be up and nursing within the first four hours to receive these important antibodies from colostrum. If they’re not, then we need to start thinking about getting supplemental colostrum or milking manually, if possible, to get them the colostrum they need. Now they can absorb the antibodies all the way up until 18-24 hours, but they just are not as efficient and will not absorb as many antibodies as they would have early on in life.

It is important to choose a species specific colostrum replacer or serum replacement. This is because colostrum products come from hyper immunized animals, and they don’t immunize goats, cattle, and horses against the same disease risks.

The rest of the items you may need to have on hand all depend on your comfort level.

Some of the equipment you need to help an animal through a dystocia process include chains and handles and, if you’re calving, a calf jack. A calf jack is great if you’re comfortable using them, but remember that when used incorrectly, they can harm both the mama and the baby. When using OB chains, to ensure the safety of the newborn, put the first loop above the fetlock and then put a second loop (a half hitch) between the fetlock and hoof. Remember, if you’re just not comfortable using these items and something’s wrong, give your veterinarian a call to have them help in this delivery process.

Signs of labor - In general, there are similar signs of labor for most every species of livestock. About three to four days prior, their pelvic muscles begin to relax on the backside, making their tail head become more prominent. You may notice a dilation of the cervix with an accompanying thick, clear mucus. Their bag also gets distended. About one day prior, cattle, goats, and sheep tend to go off feed and go off by themselves. About two to five hours before delivery, the water bag will appear through the vulva.

If you have horses, they have a few more signs. Udder distension occurs about two to four weeks prior to foaling, and their teats become engorged four to six days prior. About one day before foaling, waxing of the teats occurs. During the earliest stage of foaling, contractions begin, and the mare may start acting a bit colicky. It’s common for mares to be restless in their stall, sweating, pawing, swishing their tail, and getting up and down.

There is nothing better than a safe delivery and healthy calf, foal, goat, or lamb. As we continue into the spring season, when many make their way into the world, I hope this information can be helpful to you. Stay tuned for Part 2 as we look at five common signs of trouble to watch for.

Continue learning at ValleyVet.com

Doug Parke voted in as Chairman of the Board. Doug Parke of Paris, Ken., has been elected Chairman of the American Simmental Association Board of Trustees, succeeding Barry Wesner of Chalmers, Indiana. Doug has been involved in the Simmental breed for most of his life. Early in his career, he served as a Board member and President of the Tennessee Simmental Association. He now lives in Kentucky and is very involved in the Kentucky Simmental Association. He is married to Debbie, and together with their daughter, Holli, and son-in-law, Drew Hatmaker, they manage DP Sales and Management. They also sell Sim-genetics through DP Online Sales. He has served as a board member of the

By JENNIE RUCKER Executive Secretary N.C. Simmental Association

Simmental Breeders Sweepstakes. He has been very supportive both physically and financially over the years for numerous AJSA National and Regional Classics.

The Parke family has raised many excellent Simmental cattle over the years and has owned percentages in great sires such as Dream On, In Dew Time, and Duracell. Doug was awarded the Golden Book Award of the World Simmental Federation in 2020. He was formally seated as Chairman of the ASA Board of Trustees at their 55th Annual Meeting held in January of 2023. Doug Parke has been the sale manager of the N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale for decades and is already looking forward to this year’s sale and even planning ahead for our 50th sale in 2024.

Doug Parke is chairman of the ASA Board of Trustees.

Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. It’s not too early to be thinking about applying for the Jim Graham Junior Simmental Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship that goes to the most deserving student planning to major in agriculture or an agricultural related field. We have a committee that looks over the scholarships and decides which applicant will receive the scholarship funds.

Qualifications are based on academic merit, financial need, leadership, and character. Preference is given, but is not required, to those students who have been involved in the Simmental breed. We like for the recipient to be available to be presented with the award at our Annual Meeting in September. This year the Annual Meeting will be held on September 1. These applications can be obtained by emailing the NCSA office at ncsa@ yadtel.net or calling 336-468-1679. The applications are not due until July 15, 2023. Simmental Sales. For those discerning producers interested in purchasing either a bull or females from N.C. Simmental Association members, but cannot wait until our Fall Harvest Sale on September 2, please give the NCSA office a call. I have a listing of producers that have told me what they have for sale, and I can connect you to the right person for your Simmental genetic needs. Please call the office at 336468-1679 or email ncsa@yadtel.net. Don’t miss out on the chance to put Simmental genetics to work in your herd!

Interactive workshop on how to partner around the plate slated for 2023 Stakeholders Summit. Food Bullying podcast hosts Michele Payn, CSP, and Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, will discuss how partners around the plate can collaborate to reach shared goals at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 Stakeholders Summit. The 2023 event, themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag,” is set for May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia. An initial agenda has been posted on the event website, and early registration discounts are available through March 10.

Today’s society often oversimplifies complex topics (including agriculture) and vilifies certain food groups, but is there a way to co-exist? In a Summit session sponsored by Bayer Crop Science, Payn and Rodriguez will lead attendees through an interactive discussion that provides them with practical ideas to engage consumers in conversations about food and farming that are both meaningful and productive. The session will help attendees discover how meeting people where they are can drive conversations and engage consumers in a more impactful way, gain insight from consumer reactions to farming issues from the streets of New York City, and understand ways to capitalize on farmers and dietitians as trusted sources of information when it comes to food and farming.

“The Alliance knows first hand the benefits of connecting various stakeholders and partners across the food supply chain to achieve shared goals,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “We see how easy it is for partners around the plate to be siloed and segmented based on respective areas of food production, but we also know that the most progress is made when we all come to the table for good. Michele and Nicole’s insightful session will give attendees the tools to do just that.”

Payn is an expert on farm and food, known for bringing clarity and common sense to eating choices. Payn, armed with a lifetime on the farm, science, and compelling personal stories, is passionate about helping people find the truth in food and overcome misinformation. She is the founder of Cause Matters Corp., a company designed to create connections around the food plate, and has been featured in USA Today, NPR, and CNN. She is also the author of Food Truths from Farm to Table and No More Food Fights! and writes from a farm in Indiana.

Rodriguez is an award winning dietitian nutritionist based in the New York City area. In addition to serving a diverse clientele via her tele-health based practice, she is also the co-founder of Step Bite Step, a weight loss and physical activity program. A self described “agvocate,” Rodriguez is passionate about empowering individuals to feel good about the abundance of food choices at their fingertips. While Rodriguez loves working one on one with clients toward their health goals, she also helps spread the good word about food via her brand partnerships, which have included American Dairy Northeast, the New York Beef Council, Bush Brothers and Company, General Mills, Wish Farms, California Leafy Greens, and Bayer Crop Science. She has been featured in numerous outlets and publications, including Good Housekeeping and Livestrong.

Understand the “NextGen” consumer at 2023 Stakeholders Summit. Refer a friend and photo contests open for the chance to win Propelled by five macro forces, the next generations of consumers are completely transforming the way we relate to brands, products, and the environment. Combined, these five macro focuses are leading to a rise in “Food Consciousness,” not only across continents but across all generations. During her Summit session, Cummins will discuss how, in a time of rapid transformation, the entire food system will need to determine how to maintain relevance. Cummins will also share how restaurants, retailers, distributors, food processors, farmers, and all businesses involved in the agri-food value chain can be vigilant, adaptable, innovative, and proactive when it comes to building relationships and meeting consumer demands, including creating visibility from field to shelf.

“Consumer purchasing habits continue to change year over year and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Emily Solis, manager of communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Historically, younger generations are the ones that drive change, and Generation Z is no exception. Based on a study from Aimpoint Research, Summit attendees will learn about the forces driving this change and be enlightened on the current trends we’re seeing manifest in the marketplace – and most importantly, how they can take action to secure their place on consumers’ plates.”

Cummins brings an immense amount of experience in the agri-food community to her role at Aimpoint Research, a global strategic intelligence firm. Cummins uses both her personal and career experience in agri-food to help clients on a wide variety of projects. Her expertise in dairy, fruit, and crop production serves clients in those areas of business, in addition to her valuable insight on crop insurance, policy, and regulation. Prior to joining the Aimpoint team, Cummins has worked for two members of Congress, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The National Association of Conservation Districts, and Farm Credit East. She grew up in New York, learning about the dairy community and specialty crops.

Summit attendees can secure a discounted hotel rate at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View by booking before April 11. All Summit events will be held at this hotel. Reserve your hotel room now. Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up to date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA23 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about Summit, please contact summit@ animalagalliance.org or call 703-5625160.

Photo Contest - Are you a farmer, rancher, dietitian, or ally of the animal agriculture community who would like a free registration to the 2023 Stakeholders Summit? Enter our photo contest! Share your favorite food or farming photo that you’ve taken for the chance to win. A professional print of your photo may even be sold to the highest bidder at our annual Silent Auction to benefit the College Aggies Online program! Full details are available at https://animalagalliance.org/ resource/stakeholders-summit-photocontest/

Refer-A-Friend - Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2023 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry, and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit - one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 1 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.

Sponsorship - Show your support for the Alliance’s premier event by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2023 sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://animalagalliance. org/initiatives/stakeholders-summit/ For more information, contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@ animalagalliance.org

Thank you to our 2023 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal, MEAT + POULTRY, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Smithfield, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association,

Bayer Crop Science, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Kemin, National Chicken Council, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Trans Ova Genetics, and Eggland’s Best.

The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, C.O.nxt, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Merck Animal Health, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., Seaboard Foods, and Tyson.

About the Animal Agriculture Alliance. The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.