Techniques Used by Least Cost Producers

Least cost successful cattle producers all have the same techniques, according to Tom Brooks of Vaughn, Montana. “They never short themselves on the money-making aspects of their operation. They never short cattle on animal health. They never short cattle on feed and nutrition. And they never short their operations on genetics,” says Tom. “Because that’s where the money is.”

“Least cost producers may not rebuild a mile of fence this year,” says Tom. “They may wait to rebuild the fence or, maybe, they hold off a year to buy a pickup. Least cost producers are willing to make sacrifices, but not on those things that make them money.” moist soil for long periods at mild temperatures, according to Shelie Laflin, a Kansas State University DVM.

Tom Brooks is a herd health expert, financial planner, and author. His book, Paid in Full: A Guide to Financial Freedom, is based on the true-life experiences of his Montana family. A recession created challenges that sank their hard-earned cattle ranch under a crippling load of debt. The story tells about their call on faith in God, life changes, hard work and struggles to pay off over $400,000 in debt. The book can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and is available in e-book format.

Dr. Laflin says the pathogen resides in the kidneys of persistently infected animals. “It can be shed in urine and picked up by other animals through mucous membranes. If cow A urinates in a pond and cow B gets her face in the pond, she can potentially pick it up,” she explains. Bacteria can enter a susceptible animal via the nose, mouth, eyes or breaks in watersoaked skin as an animal walks through contaminated water. Fencing off stagnant ponds and swampy areas to reduce cattle exposure to infected urine will significantly reduce transmission of the organism.

“The key is to make sure you are using the right Lepto vaccine at the right time,” says Dr. Brett. He recommends that you vaccinate cows with long duration action vaccines that can carry cows all the way to pre-breeding as Leptospira Serovar Hardjo can cause failure of conception.

“Cows don’t abort because they don’t conceive”, says Dr. Brett. He suggests that you may need to visit with your veterinarian if you are dissatisfied with the reproductive rates in the cowherd or have difficulty getting heifers pregnant

The Leptospirosis fraction of the vaccine is often denoted as “L 5” in the vaccine name, representing Hardjo, Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Canicola and Icterohaemorrhagiae. In addition, several vaccine manufacturers have added extra protection against L. Hardjo type-bovis and this is denoted with “HB” in the vaccine name.

The important thing with any vaccine program for the breeding herd is to establish good immunity in replacement heifers in order to build the foundation for future immunity, says Daniel Grooms, a DVM in Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Lepto vaccines require two initial doses (a booster 4-6 weeks after the first vaccination). “Make sure heifers get both doses prior to breeding to establish that foundation,” Grooms says.

Inflation has hit the cattle businesses hard. Pressures to reduce costs are present. There are legitimate approaches to cutting costs but cutting the wrong costs can be unforgiving. You may get away with it for a while, but it is likely to undermine your success in the long term.

Comments: Herd prevalence studies in North America found that 40%-45% of beef herds are infected with L. Hardjo. “We suspect 50% of herds are infected or have at least one animal carrying L. Hardjo. One study found higher rates of infection in southern vs. northern states. The most obvious difference is climate,” Grooms says.