With nearly 70 years in the business, Graham Angus Farm in Georgia is known for its quality Angus genetics. The farm runs a commercial cattle operation and uses every edge to improve production and wean more pounds. Kip McMillan, cattle manager, implemented an implant program several years ago and continues to see value and return on his investment.
"The extra gain from using implants translates to extra dollars," McMillan said. "With an average $2 investment per implant, we can see an added 25 pounds in weight on cattle, which easily brings an extra $50 per head. I feel comfortable that implants are a very solid investment."
Calving at Graham Angus Farm runs from January through early March. At 45 days old, calves are tagged, tattooed and banded and receive their first round of vaccinations. At this time, calves are implanted with SYNOVEX® C. At weaning when calves are 8 months old, steers are implanted with SYNOVEX S to boost gain.
"Our steers are just as heavy as the bull calves, and I think the implants are making up for that," McMillan said.
Implants change the rate at which animals deposit muscle, and it makes them more efficient in dietary protein utilization, transferring protein to muscle, explains Daniel Scruggs, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis.
"When calves are on the cow and nursing, gaining 1.5 to 2 pounds a day, you can anticipate you'll have between 15 and 22 pounds additional weaning weights on the calves, if they've been implanted," Dr. Scruggs said. "Calves receive a lower dose implant because of their size, but like any implant, the magnitude of increased gain is improved with better nutrition."
Click here to see more...