Calving season can often be compared to the arrival of a new baby in a household. As the time draws near, the family will begin purchasing all the items the baby will need upon arrival. Diapers, bottles, wipes and swaddlers are included in the shopping list for these expectant parents. The nursery may get a fresh coat of paint, the crib will be set up and the baby monitor adjusted to just the right volume, all in preparation for the new bundle of joy.
Cattle producers should also consider the preparations they make in their operations for the arrival of their newborns. Good management practices are critical for raising profitable calves. According to the University of Nebraska Veterinary Extension web site, preparation for this time is crucial to the success of calving season.
Before calving begins, producers should collect the supplies that will be needed, such as: plastic sleeves, obstetrical lube, fetal extractor, ear tags and applicator, frozen colostrum, calf feeding bottle/esophageal feeder, iodine to treat navels and birthweight scales. The operation should also consider having a warm water supply, halters, a tattoo set and ink, and obstetrical chains available as well.
Besides accumulating the essential equipment, the place of birth should also be primed. Cattle owners should make sure their facilities have clean bedding, comfortable maternity pens and sufficient lighting. A protected area for pulling calves and a place for warming chilled calves are also recommended.
Unfortunately, even with preventative measures and well-managed herds, calf scours can still show up in the operation. In addition to working with a veterinarian to develop a plan for breakouts, producers should also consider
their nutrition programs.
Mick Varilek of Geddes, SD is no stranger to preparation for calving season. The Varilek family has been raising registered Angus cattle for more than 60 years in South Dakota and has produced more than 200 pathfinder cows.
“Our main goal is to produce healthy and high-producing calves year-in and year-out,” Varilek said.
Five years ago, Varilek decided to re-examine his nutrition program in his fight against scours. After his feed representative brought a new technology to his attention, he decided to incorporate a select strain of yeast into his mineral with Aureomycin.
“We have been able to tie Bio-Mos [the yeast product] right into our Crystalyx and mineral program,” Varilek said. “The cost is well worth not having to treat calves during the season.”
Bio-Mos from Alltech, promotes good bacteria and builds natural defenses. It has a defined mode of action and benefits beef cattle by fundamentally maintaining gut health and stability. The product supports cow-calf health and livability, optimal growth and development, reduced use of therapeutic treatments, cow-calf management and nutrient transfer from cow to calf.
“Over the last five years on [this product], I virtually have not treated scours in my calves. We always carried scour medication in our saddle bags and haven’t done that since, simply because we don’t need to,” Varilek said. “Calving in January and February, we also fought some pneumonia problems. We noticed these problems stopped when we started on Bio-Mos. Our calves are very healthy and in turn, perform very well for us.”
As Varilek points out, the cattle industry is asking more from cows than ever before. It may be time to also consider getting more from nutrition programs.
“There is nothing worse than having to continually chase down sick calves,” Varilek said.
Editor’s Note: This commentary is sponsored by Alltech. Through 29 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries. For more information, please visit the Web sites at www.alltech.com.
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