HEALTH & NUTRITION...
Genetic Variation in Feed Utilization
As cattle producers' feed costs have increased, so has their interest in breeding cattle capable of utilizing feed more efficiently. Opportunities to select for improved feed utilization were discussed during the 2012 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium and Annual Meeting in Houston. Merlyn Nielsen, a professor of animal breeding at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, spoke before a joint session of the Cow Herd Efficiency and Selection Decisions committees about opportunities to reduce total feed energy requirements of a beef production system, by reducing the amount of feed required for maintenance. Read more.
National Cattle Evaluation for
Feed Intake and Efficiency
Also discussed during the 2012 BIF Research Symposium and Annual Meeting in Houston was a prototype for national cattle evaluation of postweaning feed intake. The goal, said geneticist Michael MacNeil, is to develop a selection index for feed efficiency. MacNeil, formerly a USDA Agricultural Research Service researcher, now operates a private systems analysis company dubbed Delta G.
MacNeil discussed research conducted in cooperation with the American Angus Association to estimate genetic parameters for components of feed efficiency and develop a prototype system for conducting a breed-wide genetic evaluation for feed intake. Results indicate weaning weight and postweaning gain are genetically correlated with feed intake, and have value as indicator traits in predicting expected progeny difference values for feed intake. Read more.
Consider Feed Intake Within
Multi-trait Selection Process
One thing cow-calf operators and animal science researchers know is that feed represents a major expense to every cattle operation — representing two-thirds or more of non-fixed production costs. In comments made during the 2012 BIF Symposium, Colorado State University Geneticist Denny Crews said feed intake is clearly a cost-side economically relevant trait (ERT) that justifies national cattle evaluation for feed efficiency.
Crews said there are complex interactions with other ERTs, such as growth rate, average daily gain and body composition. As such, feed intake must be considered within a multi-trait selection process. He allowed that national cattle evaluation for feed utilization has progressed slowly, for much data is required and the cost of collection is high. Read more.
Rick Rasby
Ridin’ Herd
Take time to look at calving records
Take time now to evaluate your nutrition program for spring-calving cows. A way to do that is to evaluate the reproductive performance of the cow herd, because reproduction is so closely linked to cow body condition, and body condition is linked to the nutrition program. Read more.
BRD Control Starts With Mama's Health Management
Bovine respiratory disease, or BRD, is common among newly arrived feedlot cattle. In this "Practical Applications" segment of The Angus Report, Dee Griffin of the University of Nebraska explains how ranchers can influence animal health to improve average daily gain and carcass quality. To view the segment, click on the photo above or go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFK3dVfP4MI. For more information, refer to materials related to Griffin's presentation at the Range Beef Cow Symposium by visiting the newsroom at http://www.rangebeefcow.com.
The Angus Report delivers weekly Association and industry news on RFD-TV, every Monday at 8:30 a.m. EST; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EST; and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. EST. The program offers busy cattlemen and women the opportunity to catch up on important industry issues. Videos will be updated regularly at www.angus.org and through the Association's Facebook and Twitter pages.
Snakebite
Venom and infection pose two-prong issue.
The rattlesnake is the most common poisonous snake in the United States. Bites on the legs of a cow or horse are not as dangerous as on the face.
There are two things to worry about in a snake-bitten animal, according to Salmon, Idaho, Veterinarian Robert Cope: swelling and infection. Swelling on the face can shut off the airways, and dying tissue around a bite can send infection through the body, causing high fever and blood poisoning. Read more.
Timing is Important When Deworming Cattle
The "best" time to deworm may vary from region to region, depending on climate, says Thomas Craig, professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M. When cattle are at pasture, Craig recommends deworming about one month after the grazing season starts if you are trying to minimize worm burden in cattle for the rest of the year."The worms deposited on the pasture the preceding year (the ones that survived from last year) will be picked up right away — or die during summer heat. If you can deworm and destroy those that are picked up before they have a chance to lay eggs and build up in numbers for the rest of the summer, you can minimize the worm load in your cattle," he says. Read more.
Cattle Diseases: Common Conditions/Terms
Click here for a list of common conditions and terms related to beef cattle diseases, such as anaplasmosis, brucellosis, BVD, E. coli, IBR and others.
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