Cattle Production in Pasture

1 IFAA INTERNATIONAL FARMERS AID ASSOCIATION 2009 – 2010 INTERN’S PROJECT REPORT

CATTLE PRODUCTION IN PASTURE

Host Farmer’s Name: Dwight Keller

Euclides Dotta Neto

ORGANIZATION: IFAA Brasil – March Arrival

C/O BROKEN HEART RANCH – 1573 – 55TH STREET MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA – ZIP CODE: 58554

Mandan – North Dakota - USA December, 2009

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1. INTRODUCTION The Broken Heart Ranch works with simmental cattle, these animals are created in pastures. The animals have in it diet (chopped hay, alfalfa, grass and corn silage). This farm has about four hundred heads of cattle and the principal cultures planted are: Corn, alfalfa and oats, are two hundred acres of alfalfa, three hundred acres of corn and 1 hundred and fifty acres of oats.

On June, these animals were transferred to another farm in the city of Wing, ND, near of Steerling Corner, ND. Before it has gone, were applied vaccines and insecticides pour-on in all animals, in bulls did semen tests and in cows did artificial insemination.

All animals have been vaccinated twice with Vision 7, Virashield 6, Express 5 + Haemophilus somnus, Pulmoguard – PMH, Covexin 8, and Clostridium type A. They were treated for internal and external parasites with an ivermectin and safeguard. The goal is to have the bulls gain an average of 3.5 to 4.5 lbs per day in order to maintain structural soundness. The steers and heifers that they’ve received carcass data on have quality graded a high percentage choice with yield grades of 1 & 2s.

Monthly period since May: On May and June were done application of vaccines, artificial insemination, semen test bulls, iron branding calves and began to plant corn, oats, grass and alfalfa and spraying fields with herbicide (glyphosate) on June.

On July, first harvest of alfalfa and though production of hays.

On August, production of oats hay and second cut of alfalfa to produce hays.

On September, began to harvest corn to make silage and on November harvested corn to use as whole grain and also were done castration in new bulls and steers.

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2. REVISION

2.1. Treatment of Calves On February occurred births calves. On May were done iron brand in calves (steers and heifers). Also were done accompaniment and were given milk to these animals until to transfer to other farm.

On June these animals were transferred to another farm together with their mothers, where the mothers could take care of them. Although they came back to the first farm strongest on October.

When these calves arrived, were separate of their mothers, and after separated heifers to one corral and steers to another corral. The cows were to the pasture.

On November all calves were vaccinated and began to castrate steers and new bulls.

Picture 1: Calf on the chute to apply vaccines

2.2. Treatment of Cattle

2.2.1 Cows On May, were done applications of vaccines and insecticides pour-on (Ivermectin), On June did artificial insemination and after, the cows with calves

4 were transferred to another farm, to come back on October. On July checked up all cows. On November were checked up to know if there were pregnancies in the cows or not.

2.2.2. Bulls On May all bulls were vaccinated and did semen test to collect semen to introduce in cows. Only good semen of strongest bulls or with the best corporal score are introduced in cows to guarantee a good genetic of breed simmental.

All bulls also were transferred to another farm on June. On August was done treatment in a bad bull, he was with it hurt leg.

On November we brought bulls, putting in separated pasture of cows.

Picture 2: Cattle in the pasture

2.3. Beef Cattle Health

2.3.1. Vaccines in Cows Pre-calving preparation (approximately 30 days prior to calving): Blood test for Brucellosis and Vitamin A, D, E injection (if not provided for in mineral mix).

Pre-weaning: Pregnancy diagnosis; Leptospirosis booster vaccine; Check eyes, teeth, feet and legs, udders; External parasite control (lice and grub control in fall, fly control in summer); Check identification; Scours vaccines needed.

Vaccinate all cows against: IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV; 5-way Leptospirosis; Trichomonas fetus; Vibriosis; 7- or 8-way Clostridium (Blackleg); Hemophilus somnus; Anaplasmosis; Deworm; External Parasite Control.

5 Pre-breeding Preparation: Vaccinate all cows against: IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV; 5-way Leptospirosis; Trichomonias; Vibriosis; 7- or 8-way Clostridium (Blackleg).

2.3.2. Vaccines in Bulls Pre-breeding Preparation (30 – 60 days prior to breeding season): Breeding Soundness Exam (all Bulls); Semen quality, structural soundness, eyes, internal/external exam of reproductive tract.

Vaccinate all bulls against: IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV; 5-way Leptospirosis; Vibriosis;7- or 8-way Clostridium (Blackleg); Anaplasmosis; Vitamin A, D, E injection (if not provided for in mineral mix); Deworm; External Parasite Control.

2.3.3. Vaccines in Heifers/Steers Pre-breeding Preparation (8 weeks prior to breeding): Vaccinate against: 5-way Leptospirosis; Trichomonias; Vibriosis.

Pre-breeding Preparation (4 weeks prior to breeding): Vaccinate against: IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV; 5-way Leptospirosis; Trichomonas fetus; Vibriosis; 7- or 8way Clostridium (Blackleg); Hemophilus somnus; Vitamin A, D, E injection (if not provided for in mineral mix); Deworm; External Parasite Control.

2.3.4. Vaccines in Calves Newborn calf: (24 hours of age) needs Identify; Disinfect navel; Vitamin A & D injection; Vitamin E/ Selenium injection; 7 way clostridial vaccine (Calves should receive an initial dose and a booster. Ideally these are given at 3 months of age and again 2-4 weeks later. These recommendations recognize that this procedure does not fit well into management schemes. A vaccination soon after birth may not lead to sufficient immunity because of interference by the dam's antibodies passed in the colostrum. If, however, calves will not receive another dose until weaning, vaccination of the newborn is preferable to no vaccination.); Implant growth promotant (implant heifer calves only if they will not be used as replacements); Castrate bull calves; Dehorn if needed.

Spring period (2 - 6 months of age): Vaccination 7-way clostridial vaccine Respiratory vaccinations (especially if killed products are used; booster dose given at preweaning) are MLV (Modified live vaccine) or killed Vaccines for Vira

6 Shield 5 (VS5) - IBR, PI3, BRSV; one shot of Pasteurella multocida and Pasteurella hemolytica; Implant growth promotant Replacement heifers less than 400 lbs. can be given a single implant; Deworm: Timing is important.

Should be given in early to mid-July for spring-born calves, at beginning of grazing for fall-born calves; Dehorn if needed; 2 with pinkeye vaccines; to apply Mycoplasma bovis (Producer Information).

Pre-weaning or Fall period, (6 – 8 months of age): Vaccinate calves against: IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV; 5-way Leptospirosis; Pasturella hemolytica; Vibriosis; 7- or 8-way Clostridium (Blackleg); Hemophilus somnus; Brucellosis; Vitamin A, D, E injection (if not provided for in mineral mix); Deworm; External Parasite Control (Weaning Shots); Mycoplasma; VS5 or other booster for respiratory viruses; one shot an once pmH again (Producer Information).

2.4. Insecticides In all animals are applied Ivermectin Pour on to control flies and others parasites internal and external. (Producer Information).

2.5. Fluxogram

2.5.1. From Field to Animals

The Oat and alfalfa arrives until the animals as hays (Square Hays or Bales), in the case of corn arrives as silage or corn grains.

7 2.5.2. From Market to Consumer

In First: Calves and Cows are selected; after calves are fed for 3 – 4 months; Second: They are hauled to market, from market go to feedlot in Nebraska or Kansas; from feedlot to Slaughter or Processing Plant; Fourth: to Glocery Store or Restaurant, and finally reaching consumers.

2.6. Feeding Basically, in winter and spring (December until May), all cattle stay in the pasture, where they have grass and are added 10 lbs of chopped hay and 25 lbs of corn silage on the ground all day, twice per day (8:00am / 6:00pm).

During the summer and fall (June until November), all cattle feed of grass, salt and mineral.

Sometimes in the summer need to feed bad cattle with special ration.

Picture 3: Salt, granular mineral and special food

2.7. Planting

8 2.7.1 Corn First in some fields plowed with 12 row crop cultivator, and after used 6 row planter with fertilizer NPK. The corn seeds were planted until on May 22nd, used the sprayer once on June to control weeds. On September 17th began harvesting corn to silage, and November 10th began harvesting corn to use as whole grain and all grains were put in silos.

Picture 4: Proceeding of corn

2.7.2. Oat In case of oat was done direct seeding, Started to seeding oats on May 20th and on August 20th. The first harvest occurred on August 6th and the second harvest on October 12th.

Has done one spraying on June 1st to control weeds.

Picture 5: Proceeding of oat

2.7.3. Alfalfa Was plowed once and after started to plant on May 15th, we applied twice spraying, first on June and other on July to control weeds. The first harvest occurred on July 2nd and the second harvest occurred on August 19th.

Picture 6: Proceeding of alfalfa

9 2.8. Producing of corn, oat and alfalfa

2.8.1. Corn In this farm used to plant corn 6 row planter, after to make silage used one silage cutter or corn chopper to throw direct in the dump wagon. Used one combine to harvest corn to be used as whole grain, and the grains were put inside of the silos by auger corn. Was done hays with straw of corn to serving as lodging.

Picture 7: Silage Cutter and Dump Wagon

Picture 8: Corn Auger ready to put corn inside of the silo

2.8.2. Oat Was used a drill to plant oats, and after to cut was used a swingtung, when the swingtung pass, it makes a pile of straw, and after of this process, to introduce baler to do square hays and hays.

Picture 9: Two Balers (left: make square hays)

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Picture 10: Swingtung

2.8.3. Alfalfa Was used a swather or windromer to cut, after waited to dry, after dried was used a rake to make a pile and after to pass baler.

Picture 11: Rake

2.9. Machines, places and utilities

This farm has many places being: Shop is where to fix all things that there were problems; here has 4 barns closed, two are used to put square hays and others are to animals; has three more barns opened to put cattle, in one of them has the chute; here has one clinic, where animals are treated; harvester is the place where distribute feeds to the barns; and 4 silos.

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Picture 12: Barns (top barns to put hays and bottom barn with chute)

Picture 13: Harvester and shop on the top, bottom: Barn and silo

Picture 14: Clinic

12 In this farm have two sprayers; two manure spreader; one grass cutter; a combine; a planter; a drill; two ensilages; a swather; two row planters; one silage cutter with dump wagon; two corn augers; swingtung; two balers; a rake; seven tractors; four trailers; nine vehicles and a truck.

Picture 15: left – 6 row planter / right – drill

Picture 16: Sprayers

Picture 17: left – two ensilages / right – two manure spreaders

Picture 18: left – combine / right – swather

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Picture 19: four trailers

Picture 20: Tractors

Picture 21: Vehicles

2.10. Special Treatment in the Farm The special treatment has in view good aspect to the visitor, environment clear and certainly better to work with machines. The maintenance has in view minimize to lose money in excess, to win time in relation to plant, in this case planting earlier.

The treatments that have in view to seem better are: to cut grass; to put water in the garden and to take out weeds; to cut branches; to paint the house; to clean places

14 Others treatments are: Fixing fences; taking out twine and strings of the field, because can damage machines; fixing tractors and to put grease are of extremely importance; taking out stones of the field are important too, because some stones can cause damages in tractors or implements.

Picture 22: Special treatments

3. DESCRIPTION OF TRAINING

3.1 Place and Period The training was realized in the Broken Heart Ranch, in the city of Mandan, in the state of North Dakota, USA. The activities were coordinate by Dwight Keller, Susan Keller and Eugene Keller. The training was realized on the period of May, 2009 until December, 2009.

3.2 Activities Realized During the training in the spring was done: Application of vaccines, insecticides in calves, cows and bulls; to change cattle to others pastures; births, feed and accompaniment of these animals; iron branding calves; semen test bulls; artificial insemination.

Others treatments done in the fall: Cut grasses; to paint the house; to fix wire fences; to take out stones of the barns and of the fields; to clean up places (shop, garages, clinic, barns, etc); to clean, to change and to fix tractors and implements; to plant and to harvester in the garden; to spread manure on the field; applications of vaccines in heifers and steers; to check if the cows are pregnant; and to castrate steers and new bulls.

15 Euclides Dotta Neto - C/O Broken Heart Ranch - Mandan - ND / Host Farmer: Dwight Keller

Quantity

Cost

Cattle Unit

Herd (400 heads)

2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 1 injection 1 injection 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 2 injections 26 injections all cattles 10

$ 0,32 $ 1,61 $ 0,32 $ 1,07 $ 2,31 $ 1, 38 $ 1,95 $ 2,86 $ 0,83 $ 1,70 $ 2,64 $ 1,67 $ 0,44 $ 0,33 $ 19,43 $ 35,00 $ 314,99

$ 0,64 $ 3,22 $ 0,64 $ 2,14 $ 4,62 $1,38 $ 1,95 $ 5,72 $ 1,66 $ 3,40 $ 5,28 $ 3,34 $ 0,88 $ 0,66 $ 35,53 $ 0,08 $ 7,87

$ 256,00 $ 1.288,00 $ 256,00 $ 856,00 $ 1.848,00 $ 552,00 $ 780,00 $ 2.288,00 $ 664,00 $ 1.360,00 $ 2.112,00 $ 1.336,00 $ 352,00 $ 264,00 $ 14.212,00 $ 35,00 $ 3.149,90

Salt and Minerals Feed (Chopped Hay and Corn Silage) Additives and Proteins

30 400

$ 5,00 $ 2,20

$ 5,00 $2,20

$ 150,00 $ 880,00

400

$ 0,60

$ 0,60

$ 240,00

Seeds and Fertilizers Fences and Others Maintenance and power * * Includes utilities, machinery, equipment and building repairs, machine hire and fuel

300 acres 75 300 acres

$ 77,48 $ 7,50 $ 7,99

$ 77,48 $ 7,50 $ 7,99

$ 23.244,00 $ 562,50 $ 2.397,00

Payment ( IFAA and Employees) Insurance, Taxes and Overhead

12 months 1

$ 8.050,00 $ 848,00

$ 20,12 $ 2,12

$ 8.050,00 $ 848,00

Depreciation ** ** Includes machinery, equipment and building depreciation

1

$ 1.180,00

$ 2.95

$ 1.180,00

$ 149,54

$ 54,948,40

Cash Operating Cost Vaccines Blackleg Tetanus Pulpy Kidney Leptospirosis 3 Day Sickness (Ephemeral Fever) Botulism Tick Fever Vibriosis Vision 7 Virashield 6 Express 5 PulmoGuard - PMH Covexin 8 Clostridium type A Total Cost Vaccines Products VET (needles, gloves, etc) 1000 Insectides

Total Cost:

Price of market

400

$ 1.100,00 (+/-)

$ 440.000,00

Gain (Cattle)

400

$ 950,46

$ 385.051,60