Beef Cattle Production Series - Part 8 by TSCRA - The Cattleman Magazine

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8

Cow Nutrition in Cold, Wet Weather, Intensive Cow Production, 5 Stages of Bull’s Production Life

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CATTLE HEALTH

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8

Cow Nutrition in Cold, Wet Weather, Intensive Cow Production, 5 Stages of Bull’s Production Life Table of Contents 4 Cow Nutrition in Cold, Wet Weather 8 Intensive Cow Production 11 5 Stages of a Bull’s Production Life

The Cattleman, the monthly journal of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, is pleased to partner with Merck Animal Health on a series of seasonal beef cattle health management manuals. Thanks to the generous support of the Merck Animal Health technical services veterinarians, we are able to provide easy-to-read articles that educate and inform ranchers about various aspects of beef cattle health management. thecattlemanmagazine.com

Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8

Cow Nutrition in Cold, Wet Weather By Gary DiGiuseppe

As the cows in your spring calving herd enter their final trimesters, it’s important to keep one eye on your feed supply and the other on the weather report. “The cow has it pretty tough during this period of time,” notes Dr. David Hutchinson, animal nutritionist and consultant with Animal Agricultural Consulting in Scroggins. The harsher weather, he says, “will mainly affect the cow’s dry matter intake. Make sure the cow is consuming enough feed. Give her enough nutrients so she has a normal calf.” Chart 1 demonstrates the cow’s feed needs at different ambient temperatures along with her actual dry matter intake. Her net energy maintenance (NEM) needs rise sharply as temperatures drop below freezing. Temperatures between 32 and 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit (F) are “thermal neutral,” but the wind chill also should be taken into account. That figure is derived through a complicated formula and is usually reported by TV and radio meteorologists as the chill factor. For instance, the wind chill is 19 degrees when the ambient temperature is 30 degrees and the wind is 15 miles per hour. Hutcheson says that when the chill factor drops into the teens, dry matter intake starts to decline. “The chill factor has to be below 32 before you start seeing this stress,” he says,

“and around 20 to 22 degrees F, you’ll really start seeing some cold stress. The biggest necessity in cow-calf operations east of I-35 is protection during the icy cold weather, with barns and things like that. They handle it very well in the last quarter; they just need to have some feed to keep going.” Cold, wet and windy make wicked weather During these wintry conditions, the cow will need a supplement in addition to the local hay. Hutcheson says a typical feeding rate would be 2 to 4 pounds a day of a supplement that is approximately 20 percent protein along with a grain component, so it contains both high energy and protein. He says, “You want to keep the intake up and the cow as comfortable as possible because she’s going to lose heat. Wet weather is more dangerous than just cold weather — windy, wet and cold weather is really the bad part.” During these conditions, the animal’s hair coat is important. If it’s inadequate, “you just have to feed them more energy. Feed them more supplement. Just increase the supplement by half a pound to 1 pound per cow per day on average.” The rancher’s time is sometimes limited, so feeding supplements every other day will work if the average meets the cows’ needs. On the other hand, Hutcheson says, “When it’s really cold and the

4 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

chill factor is 10 or below, you will probably need to feed every day during that period of time.” Frostbite is a rarity in this region. Hutcheson says you usually don’t see the tissue-damaging condition unless snow or ice is present. When it does occur, it can affect the tips of the tail and ears, and sometimes the teats. He says lack of a good hair coat may be a factor. Hutcheson notes, “When it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s uncomfortable for them. If you’re putting up feed and they’re not coming to eat, that would be a sign that they’re really cold.” Test stored forage Chart 2 shows the availability of forages in different types of pasture systems throughout the year relative to the needs of an 1,100-pound cow. Hutcheson recommends testing stored forage for protein and energy content. He notes, “Most likely, from December through January and into February, there’s just no grass, even if they’re using a cropping system that has summer and winter forage. So depending on the weather, we’re probably going to be using hay from the middle of November and I want to know what [the protein content of] that is. For instance, if it’s 4 percent protein, that’s not enough. We need to have higher protein than that.” If cold stress is present, the protein needs are boosted by 10

to 15 percent. Hutcheson gives an example of a cow consuming 20 pounds of 4-percent protein hay per day. The 0.8 pounds of protein from that hay is insufficient and has to be boosted by another 1 pound, which can be accomplished by feeding the cow 5 pounds of a 20 percent protein supplement. Distillers grain works for some operations as a supplement. It is 20 percent or higher protein, 10 percent fat (although some ethanol processors have been removing the corn oil, reducing fat by 6 to 8 percent) and high in digestible energy. A lot of operations can’t handle it, however, because they don’t have the necessary feed troughs. “If you feed a loose feed you’re really going to have to have a trough. You can feed it on the grass, but you’re going to lose quite a bit of it,” Hutcheson says. For those producers, range cake or cubes can be a good alternative; the cubes are 3/4-inch and can be spread on the ground like pellets for the cows to pick up. Cottonseed meal is another favorite supplement at 41 percent protein in a pellet or in a limit-fed block. He says, “If you can increase the protein, you’ll increase hay consumption if it is available, and that will increase the energy” on top of the energy that is already in the supplement. The nutritional value of forage crops can be enhanced with annuals and legumes. Hutcheson says that across East Texas and into Missouri most ranchers have either ryegrass or fescue. Some

Cold Stress

Chart 1: Feed Needs at Different Temperatures

Upper Lower Critical Critical Temperature Temperature Dry Matter Intake NEM Cold Stress

Heat Stress

Thermal Cool Warm Cattle 320F 74.30F Low High EFFECTIVE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE Between 320 F and 74.30 F is the TNZ Thermal Neutral Zone NEM is Net Energy of Maintenance thecattlemanmagazine.com

Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8

The chart below shows different pasture systems East of I-35 Chart 2: Forage Availability in Pasture Systems

will have clovers and some of those he’s worked with this year in East Texas interseeded wheat and rye over bermudagrass. “Ordinarily we use rye, but seeds have not been readily available,” he says. “That gives us more grass, and the only time you have to feed hay is in the winter. We normally start calving in January and February, so in very late January and into February and March we should be moving them into some good pastures, and then feeding them a supplement at calving time.” Chart 2 shows that in January the pasture will only provide about 8 pounds of forage per animal per day, even if stocked properly. By February 5, it’s up to 20 pounds. At some point in November, availability drops back below 20 pounds in a monoculture, although the second grass will provide more. “You want them to have at least 20 pounds, and they still may need supplementation,” Hutcheson says. “Ryegrass and cereal grains are high in protein but they’re a little bit low in energy, so you’re looking at an energy supplement at that time that might be lower in protein.”

Vitamins and trace minerals The cows also need vitamins and trace minerals. The supplement should contain vitamins A and E, as well as calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals. Distillers grain is high in phosphorus, so if using that, phosphorus can be reduced. Producers can also use large blocks and tubs for nutrient supplementation. Although they can be somewhat expensive, they’re easy to store, highly palatable, require little labor and equipment, and consumption is self-limiting so the animals only get the nutrition that they need from them. To get the cow to breed back properly, the body condition has to be maintained between 5 and 6 through the final trimester. Hutcheson says cows with a body condition score of less than 5 need to be separated from the herd and fed 20 to 30 percent more. “Most management systems don’t do this; it’s too late,” he notes. “If you haven’t got it by the last 60 to 90 days you’re not likely to increase it. But they do need more energy and protein.” ❚

6 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

1 2 3 4 5 6

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Intensive Cow Production A management alternative to traditional rangeland grazing By Gary DiGiuseppe

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Jan. 1 Cattle Inventory Report showed an increase in the U.S. beef cow herd for the first time since 2006 and an uptick of 270,000 head in the Texas herd alone. Dr. David Hutcheson of Animal Agricultural Consulting International in Scroggins says that cow expansion has been expensive, and strategic systems can be implemented for sustainability of an expanding herd. Intensive cow production can best be defined as a system that requires nutrition management for the cow and crop production management, including grass and silage management. The intensive cow system promotes sustainable cow-calf systems. Hutcheson says that there are many situations where intensive cow production can be worth considering. For instance, a system can be devised during times of drought to minimize the liquidation of the herd. “When you are in a drought situation, this would be the time to bring the cows into smaller pastures or traps and feed

them hay with a concentrate, cube or some other method, so you would actually observe the cows maintaining or increasing in body condition,” he says. “It would work very well in an intensive cow production system.” Land values have increased and the rancher may want to produce more pounds per acre through weaned calves or increase yearling grazing through strategic supplementation in order to maintain gains. He says, “One of the things that intensive cow production can do is increase the use of your annual forages. You can do this through grazing and supplementing the cows. You can do cell grazing, which is confining the entire herd into a small area each day so they will eat everything that is available, including forage they may find less palatable. The rancher can also use intensive cow production to improve pasture production and practice better management of the herd. “In some cases, you can increase the stocking rate, because you are bringing in some of the energy and protein,”

8 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

The rancher may want to produce more pounds per acre through weaned calves. Hutcheson says. “You can look at harvested feed and co-products to lessen the reliance on traditional pasture systems. In parts of Texas, including northeast Texas, we are still in a moderate drought.” The system can also be used to produce good quality replacement heifers at a lower cost. If you are weaning the calves and retaining them for a while, intensive cow production allows you to get better growth from feeder cattle, something feedlots are looking for. Semi-confinement management Hutcheson says there is a misconception that intensive cow production requires keeping the animals in confinement. “It can be what you call ‘semi-confinement,’” he says. “It can just be in a paddock. I am working with several producers from Arizona to Texas and beyond who are doing that, and every system is different. “Right now, I have 1,000 cows on a couple hundred acres that are getting ready to wean their calves, and we are feeding silage and other ingredients.” The relatively inexpensive feed, with little need for new equipment, maximizes returns that are already averaging a net profit of $200 or more on each weaned calf for cow producers. Both forage and supplemental feed fit into the system, at whatever is of best cost to the producer. Hutcheson recommends analyzing the nutritional value of stored hay. If it will be fed to cows prior to late gestation, the nutrient levels are probably high enough so the only needed supplementation would be minerals. For a cow in late gestation, however, more energy and protein may be necessary. That can come in the form of a co-product like distillers grains or wheat midds. This will slightly increase the protein of the ration, but the biggest need will be for an increase in energy. “This can even be done with corn,” he says. “What does this particular animal need at this period of time? If she is getting it from your pasture, then you do not need to do anything else. If she is losing weight on the pasture, then you need to supplement.” Intensive cow feeding does require strategic feeding at late gestation, but it can make you money either by increasing stocking rates or by increasing the weight of the calves. Once the calf is born, Hutcheson says, “If you have a good

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pasture that will provide the nutrients for her to milk at her maximum production, I may only supplement with minerals. It may only require a couple of pounds of corn per head per day. “A cube that has high energy and a little bit of protein in it could work, fed every third day,” he says. While confinement is not needed, the practice could work in the absence of grass during a drought. One Kansas feedyard holds 8,000 cows. “They are in their third year now, and it has been working great for them,” he says. “It is producing calves at less cost coming into their feeding system than anything else they could pursue with these high-priced feeders.” A number of intensive cow production systems have used feedyards, which have excess capacity due to the decline in the cattle herd numbers. Other sites include receiving yards, sacrifice pastures (where no effort is made to preserve the grass) or, in the Midwest, hoop houses commonly used for swine. Oklahoma State University Animal Scientist Dr. David Lalman says they started paying more attention to the phenomenon during the height of the southwestern drought in 2011 and 2012. “You have to have very intensive management, particularly in terms of the diet,” he says. “If you turn a cow out to graze, she gets to consume all the forage she wants but it’s a very safe diet, so there’s not much risk of digestive upset. “When you put a cow in a confined situation where you are delivering primarily concentrate feed with some level of roughage, you just have to have better management. Feed has to be delivered in the correct amount at about the same time every day, if not twice a day, so it takes a lot more labor and attention to detail.” Another complication is manure management, which Lalman says is worth advance planning. “If he has an introduced forage system where he can use the manure generated to fertilize that pasture, he can reduce the cost of the forage production side of his business and recycle those nutrients,” he says. “The better job they can do, designing whatever kind of indoor or outdoor facility they have, to handle those nutrients will have a major impact on their success in terms of health or disease challenge.” Lalman has been looking at the system of confining cows to a dry lot and feeding hay during the winter. Two or 3 days a week, the cows are allowed out for 3 to 4 hours to graze wheat as a supplement to the hay. After that time, the cows are filled up and already at the gate, ready to drink water. “It does not fit everybody,” Dr. Hutcheson adds. “If you want to do it the way you have always done it, that’s fine. Nevertheless, it is all about the return on your investment. If you can produce a better quality calf, one that will bring more money as well as more weight at weaning at $2 per pound if you can put that weight on them for 75 cents, that works.” ❚

Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8

5 Stages of a Bull’s Production Life By Gary DiGiuseppe

The bull will have a lot to do when he’s turned out on pasture. From a nutritional viewpoint, it’s best to ease him into it. Dr. Ben Holland, technical services nutritionist with Merck Animal Health, says that adaptation of the bulls to the environment where they will be turned out to breed is crucial. “Bulls should have adequate body condition prior to the start of the breeding season,” Holland says. “Whether they’re purchased or home-raised, many bulls are developed with relatively high-concentrate dry-lot rations. “To ensure that bulls are best prepared for the breeding season and the pastures they will be working in, we have to adapt them fairly gradually from those concentrate rations to a forage-based system, and we have to do that relatively slowly over a period of time. “If we have a big adjustment for adaptation — for example, if they are on the high energy, high concentrate diet you might see in some bull tests or bull development programs, and then we suddenly send those bulls out into a pasture where they don’t have as much energy available and they must travel greater distances to eat and breed — they can suffer stress and quickly lose condition as they adapt to their new

environment. All of these can result in poor semen quality and reproductive performance.” He says that dietary adjustments pre-breeding should be phased in over at least 30, and possibly as many as 45 days. According to Holland, there are 5 phases in a bull’s life from a nutritional standpoint. • Pre-weaning • Post-weaning/pre-pubertal • Conditioning for the breeding season • Breeding season • Post-breeding Pre-weaning During the pre-weaning phase, bulls, heifers destined for breeding, and market steers and heifers can all be managed together on the cows. However, once calves are weaned at up to 9 months of age, and perhaps preconditioned, each of these different classes of cattle requires separate management. That is when bulls need to go onto their own pasture, although Holland says retained heifers can remain with market calves until spring or summer. ➤

10 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

Knock out BRD and take down the fever that usually comes with it when you use Resflor Gold® (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine). The only major antibiotic to combine the BRD-treating action of florfenicol with the symptom-fighting action of flunixin. With one shot, Resflor Gold makes your animals feel better within six hours.1,2 So they aren’t just back on their feet eating and drinking, they’re back on the gaining track. Talk to your Merck Animal Health rep or visit resflorgold.com to learn more.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment. This product is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin. Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes. The effects of florfenicol and flunixin on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. When administered according to the label directions, RESFLOR GOLD may induce a transient local reaction in the subcutaneous and underlying muscle tissue. Brief summary available on adjacent page. Exhibits bactericidal activity against some strains of Mannheimia haemolytica and Histophilus somni. 2 The correlation between in vitro susceptibility data and clinical effectiveness is unknown. merck-animal-health-usa.com • 800-521-5767 . Copyright ©2017 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. 9/17 BV-RG-56197-S 1

Chart 1. Nutrient requirements of growing bulls Body Average Dry TDN, % Crude Weight, Daily Matter of dry Protein, lb Gain, Intake, matter % of dry lb/d lb/d matter 1.0 8.3 58 11.4 300 2.0 8.6 65 16.3 3.0 8.6 72 21.3 1.0 12.2 58 9.8 500 2.0 12.6 65 12.9 3.0 12.6 72 16.3 1.0 15.6 58 9.1 700 2.0 16.3 65 11.4 3.0 16.3 72 13.9 1.0 18.9 58 8.3 900 2.0 19.6 65 9.9 3.0 19.6 72 11.9 1500 2.0 34.5 63 6.1 2000 0.0 37.2 46 5.6 Adapted from Mississippi State Extension publication 2564

Post-weaning Holland says that bulls should be fed sufficient nutrients to gain 2 to 3 pounds per day during the post-weaning/pre-pubertal phase, which lasts from weaning until about 30 to 60 days before the first breeding season. (Refer to Chart 1 for details.) “Bulls should be neither too thin nor too fat going into the breeding season; therefore, moderate growth should be targeted. Two-year-old bulls should be about 75 percent of mature weight, and purchased bulls may need more development back at the ranch before breeding. “Poor body condition can result in poor semen quality, and with the improved breeding selection made possible by expected progeny differences (EPDs), high-energy bull-test rations are less common than they used to be. However, the breeds that are typically slower to reach puberty, such as Brahman or Hereford, can be fed more energy to accelerate the onset of puberty. “In some cases, bulls are going to have sufficient gains on forage, especially some cool-season forages or annuals, without a lot of supplementation,” says Holland. “But if forage quality or quantity isn’t there late in the summer or with warm-season grasses over the winter, bulls may have to be supplemented with free-choice hay plus some kind of concentrate. They can also be fed a mixed ration, which might be in the range of a 40 to 60 percent concentrate.” Test the forage to be sure it meets the growing bulls’ nu-

If forage comes up short of that amount, the rancher will have to consider supplementing energy, protein, or both, to meet the requirements. tritional needs. Holland says a 700- to 900-pound bull is going to need rations with total digestible nutrients (TDN) around 75 percent and between 9 to 12 percent crude protein. Depending on their weight, bulls are going to consume between 15 to 20 pounds of dry matter per day. A 900-pound bull will gain 3 pounds per day by eating 22 pounds of dry matter at 75 percent TDN and 12 percent crude protein. If forage comes up short of that amount, the rancher will have to consider supplementing energy, protein, or both, to meet the requirements. While they are growing, bulls will continue to consume around 2.25 percent of their body weight (dry matter basis). This means a 1,500-pound bull would eat 34.5 pounds. Requirements for individual nutrients change. Limit-feeding may be used in some cases to meet requirements while managing costs. Refer to Table 2, where NEm is net energy for maintenance, NEg is net energy for gain, and CP is crude protein. Conditioning for the breeding season The body condition score of a bull should be monitored throughout the year. At pre-breeding, Holland looks for a score of between 5.5 and 6.5, meaning fat should be palpable over the ribs and tailhead, and pressure should be required to feel the spinous processes (backbone). While not ideal, he says that bulls can lose up to 200 pounds of body weight through the breeding season and summer; therefore, they need to be in good condition when turned out because realistically, once the bulls and cows are in the pasture, they cannot be managed separately. “If bulls lose weight during breeding, we’re going to have to put that weight back on before the next breeding season,” Holland says, “which in 2-year-old bulls is going to require them to gain 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day, so they’re going to have a different requirement than the more mature bulls whose frames are not still growing.” Ranchers may have to manage the entire bull battery for the ranch in separate pens. He notes, “You have growing, developing bulls that have never been through a breeding season, bulls that have been through 1 breeding season that are still growing and are regaining the weight they may have lost during

12 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

Estrumate®

US 3686/1 F-30510615

(cloprostenol sodium) USA067796IN v Prostaglandin Analogue for Cattle Equivalent to 250 mcg cloprostenol/mL Estrumate® (cloprostenol sodium) is a synthetic prostaglandin analogue structurally related to prostaglandin F2 α (pGF2 α). each mL of the colorless aqueous solution contains 263 mcg of cloprostenol sodium (equivalent to 250 mcg of cloprostenol) in a sodium citrate, anhydrous citric acid and sodium chloride buffer containing 0.1% w/v chlorocresol bp as a bactericide. pH is adjusted, as necessary, with sodium hydroxide or citric acid.

PRODUCT INFORMATION NADA 141-299, Approved by FDA.

OH COOH

ACTION:

O OH

OH Cl

Estrumate causes functional and morphological regression of the corpus luteum (luteolysis) in cattle. In normal, nonpregnant cycling animals, this effect on the life span of the corpus luteum usually results in estrus 2 to 5 days after treatment. In animals with prolonged luteal function (pyometra, mummified fetus, and luteal cysts), the induced luteolysis usually results in resolution of the condition and return to cyclicity. Pregnant animals may abort depending on the stage of gestation.

INDICATIONS:

For intramuscular use to induce luteolysis in beef and dairy cattle.The luteolytic action of Estrumate can be utilized to manipulate the estrous cycle to better fit certain management practices, to terminate pregnancies resulting from mismatings, and to treat certain conditions associated with prolonged luteal function.

RECOMMENDED USES:

Unobserved or nondetected estrus Cows which are not detected in estrus, although ovarian cyclicity continues, can be treated with Estrumate if a mature corpus luteum is present. Estrus is expected to occur 2 to 5 days following injection, at which time animals may be inseminated. Treated cattle should be inseminated at the usual time following detection of estrus. If estrous detection is not desirable or possible, treated animals may be inseminated twice at about 72 and 96 hours postinjection.

Pyometra or Chronic Endometritis

Damage to the reproductive tract at calving or postpartum retention of the placenta often leads to infection and inflammation of the uterus (endometritis). Under certain circumstances, this may progress into chronic endometritis with the uterus becoming distended with purulent matter.This condition, commonly referred to as pyometra, is characterized by a lack of cyclical estrous behavior and the presence of a persistent corpus luteum. Induction of luteolysis with Estrumate usually results in evacuation of the uterus and a return to normal cyclical activity within 14 days after treatment. After 14 days posttreatment, recovery rate of treated animals will not be different than that of untreated cattle.

Mummified Fetus

Death of the conceptus during gestation may be followed by its degeneration and dehydration. Induction of luteolysis with Estrumate usually results in expulsion of the mummified fetus from the uterus. (Manual assistance may be necessary to remove the fetus from the vagina). Normal cyclical activity usually follows.

Luteal Cysts

A cow may be noncyclic due to the presence of a luteal cyst (a single, anovulatory follicle with a thickened wall which is accompanied by no external signs and by no changes in palpable consistency of the uterus).Treatment with Estrumate can restore normal ovarian activity by causing regression of the luteal cyst.

Pregnancies from Mismating

Unwanted pregnancies can be safely and efficiently terminated from 1 week after mating until about 5 months of gestation. The induced abortion is normally uncomplicated and the fetus and placenta are usually expelled about 4 to 5 days after the injection with the reproductive tract returning to normal soon after the abortion.The ability of Estrumate to induce abortion decreases beyond the fifth month of gestation while the risk of dystocia and its consequences increases. Estrumate has not been sufficiently tested under feedlot conditions; therefore, recommendations cannot be made for its use in heifers placed in feedlots.

Controlled Breeding

The luteolytic action of Estrumate can be utilized to schedule estrus and ovulation for an individual cycling animal or a group of animals.This allows control of the time at which cycling cows or heifers can be bred. Estrumate can be incorporated into a controlled breeding program by the following methods: 1. Single Estrumate injection: only animals with a mature corpus luteum should be treated to obtain maximum response to the single injection. However, not all cycling cattle should be treated since a mature corpus luteum is present for only 11 to 12 days of the 21-day cycle. Prior to treatment, cattle should be examined rectally and found to be anatomically normal, be nonpregnant, and have a mature corpus luteum. If these criteria are met, estrus is expected to occur 2 to 5 days following injection, at which time animals may be inseminated.Treated cattle should be inseminated at the usual time following detection of estrus. If estrous detection is not desirable or possible, treated animals may be inseminated either once at about 72 hours or twice at about 72 and 96 hours post injection.With a single injection program, it may be desirable to assess the cyclicity status of the herd before Estrumate treatment.This can be accomplished by heat detecting and breeding at the usual time following detection of estrus for a 6-day period, all prior to injection. If by the sixth day the cyclicity status appears normal (approximately 25%-30% detected in estrus), all cattle not already inseminated should be palpated for normality, nonpregnancy, and cyclicity, then injected with Estrumate. Breeding should then be continued at the usual time following signs of estrus on the seventh and eighth days. On the ninth and tenth days, breeding may continue at the usual time following detection of estrus, or all cattle not already inseminated may be bred either once on the ninth day (at about 72 hours postinjection) or on both the ninth and tenth days (at about 72 and 96 hours post injection). 2. Double Estrumate injections: prior to treatment, cattle should be examined rectally and found to be anatomically normal, nonpregnant, and cycling (the presence of a mature corpus luteum is not necessary when the first injection of a double injection regimen is given). A second injection should be given 11 days after the first injection. In normal, cycling cattle, estrus is expected 2 to 5 days following the second injection. treated cattle should be inseminated at the usual time following detection of estrus. If estrous detection is not desirable or possible, treated animals may be inseminated either once at about 72 hours or twice at about 72 and 96 hours following the second Estrumate injection. Many animals will come into estrus following the first injection; these animals can be inseminated at the usual time following detected estrus. Animals not inseminated should receive a second injection 11 days after the first injection. Animals receiving both injections may be inseminated at the usual time following detection of estrus or may be inseminated either once at about 72 hours or twice at about 72 and 96 hours post second injection. Any controlled breeding program recommended should be completed by either: • observing animals (especially during the third week after injection) and inseminating or hand mating any animals returning to estrus, or • turning in clean-up bull(s) 5 to 7 days after the last injection of Estrumate to cover any animals returning to estrus.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTROLLED BREEDING PROGRAMS:

A variety of programs can be designed to best meet the needs of individual management systems. A controlled breeding program should be selected which is appropriate for the existing circumstances and management practices. Before a controlled breeding program is planned, the producer’s objectives must be examined and he must be made aware of the projected results and limitations.The producer and his consulting veterinarian should review the operation’s breeding history, herd health, and nutritional status and agree that a controlled breeding program is practical in the producer’s specific situation. For any successful controlled breeding program: • cows and heifers must be normal, nonpregnant, and cycling (rectal palpation should be performed); • cattle must be in a fit and thrifty breeding condition and on an adequate or increasing plane of nutrition; • proper program planning and record keeping are essential; • if artificial insemination is used, it must be performed by competent inseminators using high-quality semen. It is important to understand that Estrumate is effective only in animals with a mature corpus luteum (ovulation must have occurred at least 5 days prior to treatment).This must be considered when breeding is intended following a single Estrumate injection.

SAFETY AND TOXICITY:

At 50 and 100 times the recommended dose, mild side effects may be detected in some cattle.These include increased uneasiness, slight frothing, and milk let-down.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Estrumate should not be administered to a pregnant animal whose calf is not to be aborted.

PRECAUTIONS:

There is no effect on fertility following the single or double dosage regimen when breeding occurs at induced estrus or at 72 and 96 hours posttreatment. Conception rates may be lower than expected in those fixed time breeding programs which omit the second insemination (ie, the insemination at or near 96 hours).This is especially true if a fixed time insemination is used following a single Estrumate injection. As with all parenteral products, careful aseptic techniques should be employed to decrease the possibility of postinjection bacterial infection. Antibiotic therapy should be employed at the first sign of infection.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

Two mL of Estrumate (500 mcg of cloprostenol) should be administered by INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION for all indications in both beef and dairy cattle. Do not puncture stopper more than 10 times.

WARNINGS

For veterinary use only. Women of childbearing age, asthmatics, and persons with bronchial and other respiratory problems should exercise extreme caution when handling this product. In the early stages, women may be unaware of their pregnancies. Estrumate is readily absorbed through the skin and may cause abortion and/or bronchiospasms; direct contact with the skin should therefore be avoided. Accidental spillage on the skin should be washed off immediately with soap and water.

STORAGE CONDITIONS:

1. Protect from light. 2. Store in container. 3. Store at controlled room temperature 59°-86° F. (15°-30° c).

HOW SUPPLIED:

20mL and 100mL multidose vials

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Made in Germany. Copyright © 1999, 2006, Schering-Plough Animal Health corp., Summit, NJ 07901. All rights reserved. 30510615 rev. 3/07 Schering-Plough Animal Health

US 3686/1 B-30510615 USA067796IN v

(Florfenicol and Flunixin Meglumine) Antimicrobial/Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug For subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older or in calves to be processed for veal. BRIEF SUMMARY: For full prescribing information, see package insert. INDICATION: RESFLOR GOLD® is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis, and control of BRD-associated pyrexia in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin. WARNINGS: NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult a physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult a physician immediately. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains more detailed occupational safety information. For customer service or to obtain a copy of the MSDS, call 1-800-211-3573. For technical assistance or to report suspected adverse reactions, call 1-800-219-9286. Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes. The effects of florfenicol on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Toxicity studies in dogs, rats, and mice have associated the use of florfenicol with testicular degeneration and atrophy. NSAIDs are known to have potential effects on both parturition and the estrous cycle. There may be a delay in the onset of estrus if flunixin is administered during the prostaglandin phase of the estrous cycle. The effects of flunixin on imminent parturition have not been evaluated in a controlled study. NSAIDs are known to have the potential to delay parturition through a tocolytic effect. RESFLOR GOLD®, when administered as directed, may induce a transient reaction at the site of injection and underlying tissues that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Use of florfenicol in this class of cattle may cause milk residues. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Transient inappetence, diarrhea, decreased water consumption, and injection site swelling have been associated with the use of florfenicol in cattle. In addition, anaphylaxis and collapse have been reported post-approval with the use of another formulation of florfenicol in cattle. In cattle, rare instances of anaphylactic-like reactions, some of which have been fatal, have been reported, primarily following intravenous use of flunixin meglumine.

Chart 2: Daily nutrient requirements for growing beef bull calves post-weaning (mature size = 2,000 pounds) Body Weight, pounds 600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

Nem, Mcal/d

5.93

6.66

7.36

8.04

8.71

9.35

CP, lb/d

0.84

0.94

1.04

1.13

1.23

1.32

Ca, g/d

8.40

9.80

11.20

12.60

14.00

15.40

P, g/d

6.40

7.50

8.50

9.60

10.70

11.70

2.00 lb/d ADG

3.03

3.40

3.76

4.11

4.44

4.77

2.50 lb/d ADG

3.87

4.34

4.80

5.24

5.68

6.10

2.75 lb/d ADG

4.30

4.82

5.33

5.82

6.30

6.77

3.00 lb/d ADG

4.73

5.30

5.86

6.40

6.93

7.45

3.25 lb/d ADG

5.16

5.79

6.40

6.99

7.57

8.13

3.50 lb/d ADG

5.60

6.28

6.94

7.58

8.21

8.82

2.00 lb/d ADG

0.90

0.81

0.89

0.82

0.75

0.69

2.50 lb/d ADG

1.11

1.12

1.09

1.00

0.92

0.84

2.75 lb/d ADG

1.22

1.23

1.19

1.09

1.00

0.90

3.00 lb/d ADG

1.32

1.33

1.29

1.18

1.08

0.98

3.25 lb/d ADG

1.43

1.38

1.27

1.15

1.05

3.50 lb/d ADG 1.53 Average daily gain (ADG)

1.54

1.48

1.35

1.23

1.11

Maintenance Requirements

Neg, Mcal/d

CP, lb for gain

the previous breeding season, and more mature bulls, all of which have different requirements. For example, mature bulls that have maintained adequate condition throughout breeding may be maintained on grass or hay (2 percent of body weight with 10 to 11 percent CP), but younger bulls and those who lost significant body condition might need more supplementation. Because of the potential development of a hierarchy among the bulls, it’s important to monitor body condition scores, feeding behavior and injuries throughout the winter months, and in the spring before turning the bulls out. If a group of bulls is not going to work together, or a bull becomes so dominant that the others can’t get any feed from the supplement, they might have to be separated further. Breeding season During the breeding season, there is less opportunity to maintain a bull’s body condition with the ration. While some-

times necessary, selectively hand-supplementing some of the bulls is a pretty labor-intensive proposition. However, Holland says you can manage the bulls’ nutrition during the season by managing their workloads. “It’s important not to have too many cows per bull,” he explains, “or too few bulls per female. A general rule of thumb would be to have no more females per bull than the bulls are old, so there should not be more than one female per month of age of the bull until that bull gets to be 30 months old. An 18-month-old bull could probably handle 15 to 18 cows, while a 3-year-old bull could probably handle 25 to 30 females. If we have the bull trying to work too hard and breed too many cows, they’re going to lose too much condition too quickly; furthermore, you run the risk of lower conception rates.” Post-breeding When bulls will be used for 2 breeding seasons yearly, as often happens in the southern plains, there is less room for error. “While using bulls for both spring- and fall-calving herds can reduce overall costs, there will be less time for bulls to regain weight between breeding seasons. With a common BCS goal of 6, even older bulls may have to be aggressively supplemented to gain 2 to 2.5 pounds per day before the next breeding season.” There are several causes for a bull to be off feed and not eating. The animal could be suffering from a respiratory disease or his rations could have produced a metabolic imbalance. Holland says he sees more metabolic upsets in developing bulls that have been receiving higher concentrate rations, especially from self-feeders. Bulls sourcing feed from those types of devices can easily overeat and develop ruminal acidosis from consuming too many rapidly fermentable carbohydrates and not enough fiber. Holland says if that’s the problem, it may be best to try to deliver feedstuffs in a more managed way to prevent a cyclical intake pattern, where an animal that has been off feed due to acidosis overeats once again when feed is reintroduced, which then exacerbates the condition. Bulls that are fed high-concentrate rations must be adapted to these rations over a period of 2 to 3 weeks, and rations should contain 15 to 20 percent effective fiber. Bulls, like the rest of the herd, also need to have a mineral package available to them at all times, and special consideration should be given to known deficiencies or toxicities in specific areas. The bull battery is a significant investment for cow-calf operations but is sometimes an overlooked population. Properly developing and managing the nutritional needs of bulls can help ensure optimum reproductive performance and return on investment. ❚

14 Merck Animal Health BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES – PART 8 thecattlemanmagazine.com

IS YOUR DEWORMER PASSING THE TEST? AVERAGE PERCENT EFFICACY2 90% Required to Pass 4

P 99.6%

PASS FAIL

F 83.5%

80%

F 70%

Consult your local veterinarian for assistance in the diagnosis, treatment and control of parasitism. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Safe-Guard EN-PRO-AL Molasses Block RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 11 days following last treatment. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Safe-Guard Protein Block RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 16 days following last treatment. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Safe-Guard Mineral, feed through products and liquid feed RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 13 days following last treatment. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is zero hours. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

60%

Safe-Guard®/Panacur®

LongRange® Injectable

Dectomax® Injectable

Cydectin® Injectable

Ivomec® Injectable

Safe-Guard®/Panacur® Plus an Avermectin

72.3%

The FDA has identified growing levels of internal parasites resistant to the Macrocyclic lactones (Avermectin) class of dewormers.1

98.7% 90%

78.4%

49%

100%

50%

40%

Results from the Merck Animal Health Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test National database2 shows several cases of internal parasite resistance and supports concurrent treatment protocol to manage resistant parasites. The majority opinion among parasitologists attending the FDA public forum on managing resistant parasites was that concurrent treatment of two different classes of anthelmintics is the best way to manage these resistant parasites. Merck’s database supports 2008 USDA National Animal Health Monitoring Study (NAHMS) showing confirmed or suspected resistance in several U.S. states to Macrocyclic lactone (Avermectin) class of dewormers.3

ADD SAFE-GUARD ADD POUNDS

Safe-Guard Drench and Paste RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 8 days following last treatment. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is zero hours. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Safe-Guard is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health. Panacur is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health. Ivomec is a registered trademark of Merial, Ltd. Cydectin is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Dectomax is a registered trademark of Zoetis. LongRange is a registered trademark of Merial, Ltd. 1 FDA Public Resistance Forum-March 2012 2 Tests from 1/1/2008 - 4/12/2016 3 NAHMS 2008 4 Dobson R., Jackson F., Levecke B., Besier B., et al. Guidelines for fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT). World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) (2011) Proceedings: 23rd International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology 2 Giralda Farms – Madison, NJ 07940 – merck-animal-health-usa.com – 800.521.5767 Copyright © 2016 Intervet, Inc. d/b/a Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. 5/16 BV-SG-55108

BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION SERIES â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PART 8

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