IN THIS ISSUE
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen Vol. 43 • No. 12 • December 2017
COLUMNS
6 PUBLISHER STATEMENT FOR SPRING CALVING 8 PREPARING
Now is the time to make sure your spring calving herd is in good body condition, you have the right equipment on hand, and calving areas are prepared.
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ADEQUATE NUTRITION HELPS MAINTAIN COW CONDITION DURING WINTER.
The importance of the right nutrition and supplements for your cattle in cold weather environments.
14 CATTLE LICE
A look at monitoring and preventing lice on your cattle, and what insecticide treatments will get rid of it.
SPONSORED FEATURES
10 TMR CORNER
When facing a forage shortage, … changing feeding strategies, and a TMR mixer, can help.
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18 ARROWQUIP
Dealers and ranchers alike can’t get enough of Arrowquip.
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PUBLISHER STATEMENT
Youth of Today, Will be the Tomorrow of the Ag Industry Livestock Media Group attended the Sunbelt Ag Expo as an exhibitor for the first time this year. At tradeshows we see new technology and products introduced during the show. But one thing that I think stands out far above the new products is the attendance of our youth. As I sat in our booth watching leagues of kids sporting their chapter gear wandering thru the exhibits collecting as many fun trinkets as they could, they also stood listening; absorbing information and knowledge about the agricultural industry. Only to think one day they may be there introducing new technology themselves! I had several conversations with advisors and teachers working to bring Agriculture into urban settings. I grew up in the “City” and was able to be a part of FFA during high school,
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
Vol. 43 • No. 12 • December 2017 Publisher Dustin J. Hector Associate Publisher Lissa Baker Editor Patrick G. McKinney Art Director Brandon Peterson Advertising Account Executives Kathy Davidson Mary Gatliff Lori Seibert Irene Smith Joyce Kenney Ed Junker Circulation Coordinator Shawna Nelson
from my participation with FFA, the seed was planted for my love and dedication in the Agricultural industry. I also attended the World Dairy Expo, I met with an 11- year old gal who was there showing for the first time. The smile and confidence beamed as I asked questions. As she walked away I reminded her of what “Rockstar” she was and to be proud of herself for a great accomplishment at such a young age- as I didn’t think her smile could grow anymore, it then stretched further across her face. Which to me was the highlight of
Livestock Media Group 4685 Merle Hay Rd • Suite 200 Des Moines, IA 50322 877-424-4594 www.americancattlemen.com
the show- UNFORGETTABLE!! These are the experience so many of our urban youth are missing out on. With this said, I want to remind all of us how important it is to focus on getting and keeping youth involved in the industry. For many generations our families have called farming and ranching their livelihood. For that lineage to continue and for the betterment of the industry as a whole the children of today must be involved at a young age. Instill in your children and others who have not been raised in around agricultural the knowledge you have, what farming and ranching means to the world. Protect the future by promoting our industry to the youth!
Best Regards, Lissa Baker Associate Publisher
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©Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2017. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2017. The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2017 (“Publisher”) however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice and for any reason. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication and Publisher is not responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Advertisements appearing in this publication are not necessarily the views or opinions expressed by Publisher.
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SPRING CALVING
PREPARING FOR
SPRING CALVING B
enjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.” When it comes to calving the time to prepare isn’t when the first cow starts calving, but rather weeks or months before the first calf is born. The more preparation put in prior to calving, the easier your calving season should be. Now is the time to make sure your spring calving herd is in good body condition, you have the right equipment on hand, and calving areas are prepared. Importance of Body Condition
The ideal body condition score (BCS) for a spring calving brood cow is 5 (on a 10 point scale). “A BCS of 5 allows the cow to deliver the nutrition needed by the fetus to develop without “robbing” the cow herself of key nutrients,” explains Mike Peacock, Southern States Livestock Feed Sales Manager. “As a result, calves are born with more strength, including brown fat to sustain body heat, and stronger lifetime immune systems, including the ability to fight off causes of early calf mortality,” adds Peacock. Cows in higher body condition typically have more immunoglobulins in their colostrum then thinner cows, which gives the calves a greater level of disease protection. If you have a cow with a BCS less than 5 it’s not too late to improve her score. As the cows are in their last trimester of pregnancy, it’s even more important to offer them high quality feeds at this point. If they have a score lower than 5, consider increasing their daily feed intake in addition to offering them a higher quality feed. The time to try to improve your brood cow’s BCS is prior to calving. 8
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Once she calves, it will be difficult to improve her score as nutrient needs during lactation are very high. Remember a good BCS not only makes calving easier, but it also helps your cow return to estrus sooner and breed back within an acceptable time period of less than 90 days post-calving.
Brood Cow Preparation
Of course the best way to prepare your brood cow for the upcoming calving season is through a comprehensive nutrition plan.; Organic trace minerals are an important component to any feed program. Peacock comments, “They are the key components to aid digestion of coarse forages, the building blocks required for immunity, production of milk and required for ovulation, resulting in breed back.” Vaccinations are another critical aspect of any breeding operation. The goal of your vaccination program should be to utilize the cow’s immune system, via colostrum, to protect the calf. As the calf is born without antibodies to protect against infections, colostrum is the source of antibodies for the calf. Consult with your vet and follow label recom-
mendations to ensure your cows are on an appropriate vaccination schedule.
Farm Preparation
Now is the time to do a pre-calving walk-through of your pens, chutes and calving stalls if you use them. All equipment and calving areas should be clean and ready to use. It’s always better to prepare these items in the light of day rather than scrambling to make them right at night when the first calf in on its way out. Every cattle farmer needs the following supplies on hand during calving season: disposable obstetrical sleeves, obstetrical chains and handles, mechanical calf pullers, injectable antibiotics, lubricant, and disinfectant (Novalsan® or Betadine®). Other helpful items to have around are flashlights, old towels and even a bucket of non detergent soap and warm water. If possible, make up a portable kit so you can quickly move your supplies to wherever your cow is calving.
Preparation is Key!
Spending a little time preparing for calving now can pay dividends later. By ensuring your brood cows are at the appropriate BCS and have been vaccinated will help reduce calf mortality, calving difficulties and outbreak of diseases in calves. Have questions about preparing your brood cows or need new equipment for the upcoming season? Visit your local Southern States for answers to your questions and to check out our equipment supply. www.americancattlemen.com
TMR CORNER
WHEN FACING A FORAGE SHORTAGE, … CHANGING FEEDING STRATEGIES, AND A TMR MIXER, CAN HELP. By Dr. Alan S. Vaage Ph.D.
The combination of unusually warm and dry conditions this summer has left areas of the Northern Plains in the US and Canadian Prairie with reduced and more costly forage supplies. In some cases, this will make feeding the beef herd more challenging and expensive this winter. In such situations, the challenge is often exacerbated by a reduction of forage resources available for grazing, and the need to start feeding earlier, and for a longer period, than when forage availability is more normal. During times of decreased forage availability, changing feeding strategies, including using a TMR mixer, can help decrease feeding cost and maintain profitability.
It’s hard, and expensive, to buy forage during a shortage: When forage supplies are tight, the usual response is to try to purchase additional supplies elsewhere. But, the resulting increase in demand can alter the amount of forage available for purchase and quickly raises prices. This is exactly what happened this year as demand from the drought in the Northern Prairies caused an increase in the price of hay and a flow of supplies from the Canadian Plains into the Northern Prairies, largely due to the favorable exchange rate for the U.S. dollar.
Focus on nutritional requirements, not pounds of hay or straw: When on-farm forage supplies are inadequate, the traditional tendency is
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to buy the cheapest forage available by weight, or per bale, as opposed to basing purchases on the cost per unit of energy, or other required nutrient(s). This, at times, can be a costly approach. As the attached table shows, prices for hay in North Dakota this fall were considerably higher than normal, with a considerable premium being paid for better quality forage. However, due to abundant supplies, low prices for corn meant that cost of both grains and grain co-products (by-products) were substantially less based on cost per pound of TDN. This means that there may be considerable opportunity for lowering winter feeding costs by supplementing on-farm forage supplies with purchased off-farm ingredients.
Alternative ingredients:
On-farm production of forages is generally cost-effective due to its low cost of production, relative to purchasing feed elsewhere. When on-farm yields are adversely affected, the first option may be to harvest failed crops or crop residues in the surrounding area. However, this is not always possible, or the asking price may be excessive due to the aggregate demand from others similarly affected. One of the challenges with harvesting salvaged crops or crop residue is generally low nutritional and poor physical quality. This often leads to high levels of wastage from animal selection and spoilage. As a rule of thumb, if the cost of purchasing grain is less than 1.7 times higher
than the cost of salvaging forage (e.g. per DM ton, net of wastage), it may be more economical, as well aseasier, to supplement with grain and/or a co-product. Alternative feeding methods: Supplemental feeding can be used to extend grazing capacity, as well as the on-farm forage supplies. • Grazing supplementation: Adverse weather conditions can not only decrease winter feed supplies, but also forage available for grazing, leading either to over-grazing, or the need to start winter feeding earlier. An alternative is to supply a portion of the nutritional requirements through supplemental feeding on pasture, enabling one to continue grazing for the normal amount of time without negatively impacting animal performance or future pasture productivity. Supplemental feeding can also be used to successfully grazing alternative forage sources such as crop residues. • Consider limit feeding: The traditional method of feeding beef cattle is to let the animals eat a given quality of forage more-or-less to appetite. An alternative, it to formulate a more concentrated ration based on a reduced amount forage plus concentrates, and then feed a limited amount per head on a daily basis, ensuring that all animals can eat at the same time to get their respective share. This is often a more cost-effective way of feeding when the nutritional cost of concentrates is less than that of forages. The value of a TMR mixer: The ability to take advantage of alternative www.americancattlemen.com
TMR CORNER feeding opportunities when forage availability is decreased is often limited by the feeding method(s) used. When forages and concentrates are fed separately, waste increases dramatically as forage quality declines and unfamiliar sources are introduced, whereas manual grain feeding may be laborious and uniform intake is hard to achieve. It is at times like this that owning a vertical TMR mixer is particularly appreciated and cost-effective. An appropriately sized TMR mixer permits one to blend forages of differing quality and palatability, along with the desired types and amounts of concentrates, to make rations that are appropriate for feeding any type of situation, from supplementation on pasture to limit feeding during winter, while minimizing waste. In the past, the size and cost of vertical TMR mixers tended to be beyond the needs of cow-calf producers with smaller herds. Recently, one company, Jaylor, has introduced two “mid-size” models that should be ideal for smaller cow-calf producers: the Jaylor 5150 .and the Jaylor 5275 (see Figure).
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The Jaylor 5150 is a single auger, mixer for the first time. Most are amazed at vertical mixer, with 150 cubic foot (cu. the cost savings and improvements in perft.) capacity (200 cu. ft. with extension) formance that are realized; I do not know that is capable of processing 4x4 round of any that returned to their previous ways bales (up to about 500 lbs.) and mixing …“Because Nutrition Matters™”. up to 5,000 lbs. of feed, with only a 35 Dr. Alan Vaage is a Ruminant Nutritionist with horsepower tractor. The Jaylor 5275 is a single auger, vertical mixer, with 300 cu- over 30 years of experience in the beef industry, bic foot (cu. ft.) capacity (350 cu. ft. with and currently provides technical support for Jaylor extension) that is capable of processing Fabricating Inc., Orton, Ontario. Dr.Vaage can be up to 4x5 round bales (up to about 1000 contacted by email: nutrition@jaylor.com. lbs.) and mixing up to Selected North Dakota feed prices during 20171 8,500 lbs. of feed, with only a 45 horsepower tractor. If producers have larger bales than the mixers can handle whole, a portion of the bale can be added to the mixer. This can be done using a bale shear, or facilitated by partialBased on October hay prices published by USDA for the Northern Plains States by USDA, ly precutting the forage prices for co-products produced in North Dakota as published by NDSU in June, 2017, by NDSU and grain prices quoted by North Dakota elevators and suppliers towards the end of October. during baling. CP = Crude protein, DM basis. The range in hay protein content reflects the proportion It is during times of grass versus alfalfa in the forage. Co-products, as well as grain, can vary widely in protein content, especially from different sources. It is advisable to have the feed analyzed to verify its of drought and forage nutrient content. TDN =Total Digestible Nutrients, DM basis, a measure of energy content at a maintenance shortages that many beef level of production. producers try a TMR 1
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LICE PREVENTION
CATTLE LICE Article provided by Cornell University Entomolgy
Biology
In contrast to the fly pests, lice are relatively small and inconspicuous. Four species of lice attack dairy cattle in the Northeast. By far the most common is the cattle chewing louse, Bovicola bovis. This species is about 1/8 inch long when fully grown, has a yellow-brown appearance, and is most commonly found on the animal’s neck, back, hips, and tailhead. B. bovis are not blood feeders, but they use their mouthparts to rasp away at animal skin and hair. In addition to chewing lice, three species of sucking lice feed on the blood of dairy cattle: the long-nosed cattle louse (Linognathus vituli), the shortnosed cattle louse (Haematopinus eurysternus), and the little blue louse (Solenopotes capillatus). Sucking lice have mouthparts specialized for penetrating animal skin. They spend most of their time with their heads firmly attached to the skin. Sucking lice of-
ten take on a darker appearance than chewing lice as they become engorged with blood. Female lice lay their eggs by attaching them to hairs with a strong glue to prevent them from falling off. The eggs, known as nits, hatch in 10 to 14 days, and the young lice (nymphs) complete their development within several weeks. Lice, in contrast to some other livestock pests, are permanent parasites that spend their entire lives on the host animal. All four types of lice cause extreme annoyance to the host animals. Milk production declines in heavily infested cattle, and the animals’ preoccupation with rubbing leads to hair loss, reduced feed conversion efficiency, and general unthriftiness. Infested animals become irritable and difficult to work with, especially during milking. People working around lousy
animals are exposed to greater risk of injury and are also annoyed by stray lice they pick up from infested animals during handling. Although louse problems are generally perceived as being most severe during the fall and winter months, animals of different age groups show distinct differences in the seasonality of infestation. Lice are most common on mature cows in December through March, with peak populations found in March. In contrast, calves housed inside barns show high levels of infestation throughout the year, with peak populations in June. This difference may be due to the fact that cows are placed on pastures in the spring, where exposure to direct sunlight heats the skin to levels lethal This is an adult cattle-biting red louse, Bovicola bovis. (Photo courtesy University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Department of Entomology) * Continued on page 16
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LICE PREVENTION
for most lice. Calves kept in the cool environment of the barn are not able to take advantage of sunlight’s natural curative properties. Other animal housing conditions also affect louse populations. Cows in stanchion barns are twice as likely to be infested as cows in free stalls, owing to the greater opportunities of unrestrained animals to groom themselves. Calves housed in communal pens inside barns are 10 times as likely to be infested as calves in individual hutches. The effectiveness of hutches results from a combination of the animals’ isolation from one another and the opportunity for calves in hutches to spend time in direct sunshine.
Monitoring
Because lice often are inconspicuous, many producers do not detect them until their cattle begin to show hair loss from the animals’ grooming activities. But by the time the infestation has progressed to this stage, populations of lice are already well above economic injury levels, and treatment becomes very difficult owing to the large numbers of lice involved. Effective management of cattle lice below economic injury levels requires sampling of apparently healthy as well as noticeably lousy animals for the presence and relative numbers of lice. Such surveillance should be conducted every 2 to 3 weeks throughout the fall, winter, and spring months. Lice can be monitored easily with a flashlight and a little practice. Sampling involves carefully inspecting sections of skin on a representative sample of animals in the herd, either 16
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10 percent or 15 animals in each group: mature cows, heifers, and calves. The best regions to inspect are the head, neck, shoulders, back, hips, and tail. If sampling indicates that B. bovis is the dominant species present, assessment of the neck and tailhead alone is sufficient to detect most infestations. Treatment is recommended when counts average over 10 lice per square inch.
Management
Cultural Control Producers can save on the cost of insecticide treatments for lice by adopting cultural control practices. First, replacement animals brought into the herd should be isolated and carefully inspected for lice before they are allowed to mingle with the rest of the herd. Second, careful and regular monitoring for lice can detect problems before an infestation gets out of control. Third, housing calves in hutches will reduce infestations on these valuable replacement animals by 90 percent without any insecticide applications.
Chemical Control Many insecticides and application procedures are effective for managing lice. Insecticides registered for control of lice are listed in Table 4. As with any insecticide application, it is essential to consult the label to ensure the insecticide is registered for use on dairy cattle, and if so, whether it may be used on lactating animals. Before selecting an insecticide, consider how it can be applied to meet individual needs and production practices. There are several categories of application methods: self-application devices, whole-animal
sprays, pour-ons, and dusts. Self-application devices such as dust bags must be placed in areas where animals will contact them frequently and treat themselves with repeated, small doses. Whole-animal sprays have the advantage of ensuring good coverage over the entire animal’s body. But severe louse problems on mature animals are most common in winter, and it generally is wise to avoid soaking animals in periods of cold weather. Applications with foggers and mist blowers can overcome these problems. With these types of applications, a small quantity of concentrated pesticide is propelled as an aerosol made up of very small spray particles. The concentrated aerosol can then be applied evenly over the animal’s body, greatly reducing the amount of liquid used. Another method of application is the use of pouron insecticides, in which a small quantity of pesticide is poured down the backline of the animal. The most popular application method for lice is dusting by hand. Dusts are easy to apply, require no mixing, and can be used year-round. Insecticides must be used properly to achieve satisfactory control of lice. Many louse-control products require two treatments, 10 to 14 days apart. The second treatment is essential to kill newly hatched lice that were present as eggs at the time of the first treatment and were therefore not killed. Failure to make the second treatment in a timely manner will create problems requiring many more subsequent treatments.
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NUTRITION
ADEQUATE NUTRITION HELPS MAINTAIN COW CONDITION DURING WINTER. By Lisa Pederson, Dickinson Research Extension Center
Feed Intake
Voluntary feed intake of beef cattle increases with decreasing temperatures. Table 1 describes the proportion of increase in intake for decreasing temperature ranges. Cattle consume 105 to 110 percent of predicted intake when temperatures drop below 22 F and up to 125 percent of predicted intake below 5 F (NRC, 1981). During severe cold (wind chills of minus 20 F or lower) intake actually may be reduced because cattle are reluctant to leave sheltered areas. Feeds with higher digestibility, that is, better-quality forage, should be fed during severe cold so cattle can
compensate somewhat for increased energy needs. A rule of thumb is to increase total digestible nutrients (TDN) 1 pound for every 5 degrees below zero F. Another version is to increase TDN 1 percent for every degree below the lower critical temperature, which in some cases with a dry winter coat may be as low as minus 6 F (NRC, 1981) for gestating beef cows adapted to winter conditions. While many factors influence voluntary forage intake, for planning purpose, cows may consume as little as 2.5 percent of their body weight as hay under mild conditions but may need to
Table 1. Voluntary feed intake of beef cattle in different thermal environments. (Adapted from NRC, 1981)
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Temperature Range
Intake relative to published values (NRC, 1974)
78 to 60 F
Published values in Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle
60 to 40 F
Intake stimulated 2 to 5%
40 to 22 F
Intake stimulated 3 to 8%
22 to 5 F
Intake stimulated 5 to 10%
<5F
Intake stimulated 8 to 25% - intake during extreme cold or blizzards may vary greatly. Intake of high-roughage feeds may be limited by bulk.
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be provided up to 3.5 percent during severe cold. Waste could increase the amount considerably. Less than adequate feed intake and nutrient content of rations for pregnant beef cows could have short- and longterm consequences. Thin cows may be weak and have a difficult time calving, and they may not produce high-quality colostrum, affecting calf health. Calf vigor and rebreeding may be compromised as well. Fetal programming research suggests that cows fed less than adequate protein during gestation produce calves that may not be as healthy or productive throughout their lives.
Supplementation
Various forages are used as the primary feed source for wintering cows. Better-quality forage should be offered during the winter to keep cows in condition. Supplementation often is necessary to meet nutrient requirements of the animals when low-quality forage is fed. Extended periods of severe cold can reduce cow condition, especially if cows are in marginal condition and the
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ration is not formulated for the severe conditions. Cows can starve to death on a full stomach if forage quality is low and no supplements are offered. Impaction can occur, resulting in loss of rumen function and, potentially, death. If low-quality forage is the primary feed, supplemental protein and energy likely are needed. Take samples of each forage (see â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sampling Feed for Analysis,â&#x20AC;? NDSU Extension publication AS-1064, Schroeder and Sedivec, 2010) and send the samples to a reputable laboratory for analysis so you know what nutrients are in your feed and you can add specific ingredients to balance the ration. Assistance with ration formulation is available through your county Extension office or from feed companies. Frozen feed requires significantly more energy to warm than wet feed, such as silage or distillers grain. Frozen feed must be thawed and warmed to body temperature. The effects of ingesting frozen (or cold wet) feed on rumen microbes and digestive function are not well defined.
Interval Feeding
Nutrient-dense feeds, such as silage, coproducts, grains and minerals, may be fed once every two days because preliminary research suggests cattle performance and rumen function are not affected negatively. Preliminary studies also suggest that lower-volume supplements (1 to 2 pounds per head per day) may be fed every third day
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without affecting rumen function. As an example, if cows are fed 2 pounds of a supplemental feed daily, feeding every third day means providing 6 pounds per head. More research is under way to evaluate interval feeding for gestating beef cows. Nutrient requirements in the third trimester of pregnancy increase, so intervals longer than two days may not be advisable without further research. Another labor-saving technique is to pre-position forage in separate pens to reduce the frequency of starting tractors or loaders. Separate adjoining pens will be required for this practice. Feeding chores may be reduced to opening a gate every day or two. Pre-positioning bales once per week may be possible, depending on pen space, feeding arrangements and number of cows. Grazing a multiday supply of bales in a field feeding setting (either set out periodically or allocated by temporary fencing) is gaining popularity to minimize feeding costs. To ensure the opportunity for cows to eat to their fill, meet nutritional requirements and control waste, a sufficient number of bales of known or estimated weight must be provided. Feeding waste can be controlled by the amount of feed provided and by using a mix of bales of higherand lower-quality forage. Higher-value and higher-quality hay will be consumed with little waste, whereas some of the lower-quality forage of minimal value may be left as residue and used as bedding.
Sorting Cows
Cows should be sorted by nutrient requirements and fed according to need. This practice will optimize feed use and minimize overconditioned animals while permitting thin cows to recover without significant competition. Where limited lots or feeding areas will not accommodate grouping the herd by age and condition, at a minimum, a separate pen should be set aside for high-need animals lacking condition, thriftiness or soundness where competition is minimized and better feed can be provided. First-calf heifers and older, thin cows may be fed together with well-conditioned mature cows fed lower-energy diets appropriate to their production stage. Heifer calves kept for replacements will not compete well with mature cows and should be fed separately.
Time of Feeding
Feeding cows late in the day during severe cold will increase heat production during the night by the activity of eating and ruminating. Feeding cows at night also may alter the time cows calve, with as many as 85 percent of calves born between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. when cows were fed between 5 and 10 p.m. (Anderson, 1982).
High-concentrate Diets for Emergencies
If the availability of forage is limited during severe storms, cows can be fed diets that are primarily grains or coprod-
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NUTRITION
ucts, but producers should manage carefully and understand the effects on the rumen. Feed must be distributed so all cows have equal access to avoid boss cows consuming more than their share and potentially experiencing acidosis. This practice runs some risk of nutritional problems. Grains should be fed whole to reduce the rate of fermentation and acidosis potential. High-fiber feeds, such as wheat midds, soy hulls, barley malt or beet pulp, are preferred to grains due to low starch content and reduced acidosis potential. Distillers grain contains high levels of fat and sulfur and should not be fed as the sole feed ingredient. Careful planning and an extended adaptation period are recommended if high-concentrate diets are to be fed to beef cows in the winter.
Water
Cattle should have adequate amounts of clean, fresh water available at all times. Most automatic water fountains operating on a pressurized water system require energy to keep them from freezing. Energy-free fountains may be useful if more cows drink consistently and water from deeper wells enters the fountain at a higher temperature. Clean water fountain basins often and check water temperature to ensure thermostats are working and not drifting to higher temperatures. To reduce the energy use of commercial water fountains, consider adding more insulation inside the housing, and cover the concrete slab inside the fountain as well. Rigid-board insulation cut to fit is recommended because it does not absorb water. The water line rising to the fountain from the buried lateral line should be centered inside a 10-inch or larger diameter insulated casing that extends 10 feet into the ground and acts as a heat well. Insulating the outside of the casing during construction where it
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passes through the concrete slab will reduce frost penetration. Steamfitters insulation may be useful for the riser pipe inside the casing, or a small light bulb may provide enough heat to keep pipes from freezing. Consider covering the exposed water surface with an insulated float, but secure it with a chain or cows may toss it out. The “Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook” (1987) states that 16 head of cows can drink per foot of water fountain or tank perimeter when cows are in a pen and have continual access to water throughout the day. Practical experience suggests this is a conservative number if water flow is adequate. Snow may be considered a water source in an emergency if it is soft and fluffy and not crusted or icy. However, some animals may not adapt to eating snow and suffer from dehydration. Also, thawing and heating melted snow to body temperature reduces cows’ energy resources. Little research or information is available on snow as a water source.
Health Considerations
Extreme winter weather can result in hypothermia and ultimately cause death. Cattle that suffer hypothermia or frostbite are more prone to other disease conditions and certainly do not perform as well as cattle that are warm, dry and out of the wind. Treating sick animals in the cold poses a challenge for personnel and products. When transporting or using any veterinary product, vaccines and medications should be kept in a “warm box” with a temperature from 35 to 45 F (2 to 7 C) when used. Frozen vaccines can become denatured, and frozen antibiotics can precipitate in the bottle. A portable heat source or more permanent chute-side heated and well-lit compartment on top of a work bench or cabinet works well to safely handle
syringes and sharp objects such as needles, prepare correct dosages, and keep ear tags warm and pliable.
Calving
Sort cows close to calving into a more accessible facility for easier observation and addressing problems. A simple headgate-and-panels setup inside a lighted shed area is useful for solving dystocias. A calf warmer may be useful if cows are calved during severe weather (see photo). Small pens for short-term housing to ensure cows mother and calves nurse are very helpful in the shed with the headgate. If possible, move cows that have calved to a new pen or yard to alleviate any issues with claiming newborn calves. This also will help maintain a healthy environment for newborn calves. Crowding of baby calves in bedded shelters may increase the spread of scours or respiratory disease. Frequent checks, moving shelters and providing fresh bedding help reduce these challenges. Calving cows in the winter may result in frozen ears or tails, which is more of a cosmetic issue that does not have an effect on performance. Frozen teats can be a challenge until calves are a few days old and capable of consuming more milk. Winter calving is hard work for producers, family members and hired hands. Frequent checks of the close-up cows, especially during winter storms, as well as the care of newborns and the all too frequent problems require continual effort. Stress from little sleep, long days and frustrations of calving can be detrimental to personal health. Train all involved to recognize normal calving and when intervention is needed, as well as other calving management practices. Rotating night checks and chores helps all hands own the calving process and learn more about what needs to be done. www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
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MARKETPLACE
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MARKETPLACE 30
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MARKETPLACE
The SKIDRIL G20D Ultra-Driver easy, fast post driver Weighing less than 40 pounds and requiring no hoses, cables or external power source the G20 is the tool if you’ve got fence to mend or build. The gas powered G20 can drive T-Post, ground rods and round steel post up to 3”. Its even fun!
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Simple 4-cycle OHV engine or powerful 2-cycle. Only $995 – 2-stroke and $1195.00 – 4-stroke Honda. (3 engine makes available.)
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Drive T-post, round post and more with up to 1800 impacts per minute. 40 ft.-lbs. of impact energy. ●
Air cushion dampening for virtually no recoil means no need for springs or extra parts.
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High efficiency, 1 qt./hr. Drive hundreds of post on one gallon of gas!
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Light weight and portable
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12-month parts and labor warranty
P.O. Box 8041 Greensboro, NC 27419
Call today and order yours! Tel: 800-843-3745 • Fax: 336-674-6690
www.americancattlemen.com
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Models for tractors from 45 to 620 HP
MARKETPLACE
Save Trips and Save Fuel with
• Hitches for hundreds of tractor models • Lift capacity up to 14,000 lbs. • Highest PTO rating on the market • 540 or 1,000 rpm available
1-855-408-3332 • lars@ fronthitch.com • www.fronthitch.com
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SPECIALIZING IN INDEPENDENT POWER FOR RANCHERS AND HOMESTEADS FOR 40 YEARS! We have been working closely with the farming community for years on remote water pumping and complete power systems for grid back-up or off-grid use. We offer FREE system design and after sale support by phone, e-mail, or in person at our showroom. Our team is here to walk you through the installation and help with any questions that may arise. Our 208-page full-color Planning Guide and Catalog teaches the basics of installing solar, wind and hydro electric systems. It is FREE if you mention this ad!
1589 Rapid Lightning Road Sandpoint, ID 83864 phone: 208.263.4290 email: info@backwoodssolar.com
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Backwoods Solar backwoodssolar.com
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December 2017
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PEEGEE Ranch ARVADA, WY
Wyomingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier Source of Sussex Cattle If you are looking for outcross genetics to improve docility and feed efficiency, using Sussex bulls might work for you!
SELLING BULLS ANNUALLY BY PRIVATE TREATY For more information, contact: (307) 736-2327 or (307) 736-2461
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EAR TAGS DIRECT
Online store offers Perma-Flex ID tags and accessories at 30%-40% below retail. Featuring quality livestock identification tags â&#x20AC;&#x201C; blank, numbered or printed. Home of the popular ear tag earrings.
FREE SHIPPING Check us out at
www.eartagsdirect.com
on orders over $75
877-719-0877
www.americancattlemen.com
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MARKETPLACE Dry-Cast Feed Bunks Large Commercial and Individual Feedlots
TRAILER MFG. INC.
a
HIGHER
Flatbed Trailers
standard of QUALITY. Titan Trailer offers a full line of Horse Trailers, Flatbed Trailers, Utility Trailers, Dump Trailers, Stock Trailers and Custom Trailers.
Stock Trailers
Standard Features Include: ◆ Steam-cured, acid-resistant concrete, reinforced with wire mesh for added strength. ◆ Round bottom provides easy access to livestock with less waste and no sore tongues from scraping a flat surface. ◆ Waste stays at bottom of the bunk, making it easy to clean. ◆ No leakage between sections with tight, overlapping joints. ◆ 30" inner diameter allows for plenty of capacity. ◆ Economical – initial low cost is the only cost. ◆ Delivery includes set-up.
Thanks to All Our Customers!
866-294-4514 TRAILER MFG. INC.
www.titantrailer.com www.americancattlemen.com
2306 S. Hwy 77, Waterville,KS 66548 Phone: 866-294-4514 Fax: 785-363-2472 Email: info@titantrailer.com
800-999-8151 620-241-4362
www.mcphersonconcrete.com
P.O. Box 369 McPherson KS 67460 December 2017
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BRUTE CATTLE EQUIPMENT
“Cattle Friendly – Performance Driven” Brute Double Wedge Alley Facility. Safe, Efficient, Strong, The Brute Way! TM
Iff the Chute Fits, Swear Byy It!
Improved chute design to improve your cattle performance.
Process your cattle in the 21st Century
www.dodgemfg.com www.dodgemfg.com
Toll Free: 866-441-2555 42
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Contact us today for more information!
CORRAL DESIGNS ~ CUSTOM DESIGN SERVICE CORRAL DESIGN BOOK $55 - 2nd edition 40 different layouts plus details of loading ramp, gates, chutes and crowd pen. 22 photos. CATTLE HANDLING VIDEO VHS $59. DVD $68 with additional Spanish video and picture cd.
Send check or money order to: Grandin Livestock Systems Inc., 3504 North Shields, Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-229-0703 • www.grandin.com
The AUTO EASY FEEDER is a PROGRAMMABLE FEEDER, which dispenses different types and sizes of bulk feed, textured-type feed and all size cubes.
MARKETPLACE
The AUTO EASY FEEDER comes in 4', 8', and 16'
Email: infoandsales@autoeasyfeeder.com
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Why Pay More? BEST QUALITY. BEST SERVICE. BEST PRICE.
this ain’t no bull! • Concrete Cattle Feeders Fence Line • Super-Tanker Freeze-Proof Stock Tank
FENCE LINE FEEDER
FIELD BUNK FEEDER
• Freeze-Proof Pond Tank • Delivery in the Cont. U.S. Over 250,000 Sold!
SERVING THE MIDWEST FOR OVER 20 YEARS!
BEST SELLER! SUPER TANKER
THE CONCRETE WORKS LLC 87 7-464-7575
W W W.THECONCRETE WORKS.COM
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NEWTICIDE EC S S IN STRIP
S F TR CO REE FESS NTR LY OL
Livestock Mineral Feeders
WEATHERPROOF • BULL PROOF PORTABLE • DURABLE ECONOMICAL • DEPENDABLE
US PATENT # 9,380.761 & OTHER US AND INTERNATIONAL PATENST PENDING
AmeriAg
www.ameriag.com 877-551-4916
Charlies’ Cowdogs NEW RELEASE
How to Train & Handle the Cowdog TWO DISC SET
Registered Hangin Tree Cowdogs and Puppies for sale. Over 20 years of breeding, training and using Hangin Tree Cowdogs. ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
www.steerfeeder.com
Founding Member of the WRCA
Authorized Garmin Dealer
Charlie Trayer • trayer@windstream.net
www.CharliesCowdogs.com 940-453-6708
Common Sense Mfg. • HEAVY DUTY hydraulic wire winder • Mounts to 3-point hitch or loader bucket • AVAILABLE IN GREEN
605-598-4157
www.CommonSenseMfg.com
2T
PORTABLE CATTLE GUARD
Cattle Guard
Super low cost! 80-85% heifer calves!
No Pits to Clean Easy Installation Horse Friendly Maintenance Free
Paris, Texas 903-495-5624 (cell) or 903-732-3846 (home)
www.2tcattleguard.com greghodnett@yahoo.com
HEIFERPLUS® Semen Sexing Agent
Sex any bull semen!
Boosts semen fertility!
http://youtu.be/N56ZsQy7xuk
Just mix & inseminate!
EMLAB GENETICS, LLC
(708) 442-3964
Check out our online specials!
www.emlabgenetics.com
MANUFACTURER OF QUALITY, AFFORDABLE ALL-STEEL SHELTERS for Livestock and Other Uses
800-882-4884 Tel: 712-732-2546 Fax: 712-732-6263 info@port-a-hut.com
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LIKE
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS NEW HOLL AND BALE WAGONS: I sell a n d bu y S elf- P r opelle d & Pull-type two/three wide models — H/9880, H/9870, BW38, BW28, 1095, 1089, 1085, 1079, 1078, 1075, 1069, 1068, 1049, 1048, 1037, 1036, 1033, 1032, & other models, parts, and tires. Can finance/trade/deliver. Call Jim Wilhite 208-880-2889 anytime. www.balewagon.com
US ON FACEBOOK!
MISCELLANEOUS WANTED: Old barns or barn lumber or old city buildings/warehouses in WI, IN, IL and IA. Cell 309-2531317 www.barns-n-boards.com or email at Dndfox@aol.com.
PREGNANCY TESTING AI HERD CALF DELIVERY & CALF CARE. A n d m a ny o t h e r s e r v i c e s y o u and your help will be able to do. UPCOMING SCHOOLS: Dec. 11-15, Jan. 15-19 and Feb. 5-9. S AV E T I M E , M O N E Y & C AT T L E . C a ll 785-448-3119 or write for a free catalog/Class schedule. Graham School Inc., 641 W Hwy 31, Dept. F l , G a r n e t t , K S 6 6 0 3 2 w w w. grahamschoolforcattlemen.com REAL ESTATE 38 wooded acres with an immaculate 3 bdrm., 2 bath ranch. Many amenities. Near Pine River and a shor t drive to a casino. Montcalm Co. Michigan. Don’t miss this for only $299,000. Call Diana at Faust Real Estate, LLC 517-2703646.
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