Health-Nutrition

Colostrum for Newborn Calves

Quality and timing of first nutrition is crucial to a calf’s success.

No matter what time of year you calve, it is always important to make sure the calf gets an adequate amount of good-quality colostrum very soon after birth.

Summer and fall calves are often born more easily than winter calves and may get up more quickly to suckle. They also have the advantage of not getting chilled before they can accomplish their first nursing. In cold weather it’s imperative to get colostrum into a calf before it chills. If it’s born during warmer weather, there is a slightly longer window of time to get the job done.

Trace minerals set up dams and calves for immune and performance success.

Many factors influence the success and health of a cow and calf, but none so much as nutrition. Something as simple as the type of trace minerals fed can affect immune status, weaning weights and pregnancy rates.

If reproductive efficiencies seem to be slipping in your herd, the underlying cause may be the result of leptospirosis.

From early embryonic deaths to lower pregnancy rates, stillbirths, abortions and even weakened calves, Lepto hardjo-bovis affects all stages of beef cattle reproduction. With minimal clinical signs along with these reproductive inefficiencies, the presence of leptospirosis can quickly affect herd profitability.

Tips offered to break the fluke life cycle in cattle.

If you’re grazing cattle in coastal areas or river bottom pastures, then your cattle may be at risk for picking up liver flukes. It’s important to consider control measures because conditions in these areas support the fluke life cycle.

Protecting calves from respiratory disease can be a positive for animal well-being and the bottom line.

Calving season is approaching in fall-calving areas, and getting those calves off to a healthy start is top of mind for cattle producers. Preventing respiratory disease is best for overall animal health and productivity, and recent studies demonstrate there can be an economic benefit for the cow-calf operation.

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) recently published a study based on a survey of cow-calf producers in multiple states. The study evaluated and compared the costs of vaccines and vaccine administration to calves for disease protection with the medication and labor costs of treating a calf with respiratory disease.

Options offered to consider when it comes to weaning time.

Weaning time in the cattle business is ultimately the most stressful time in the calf’s life. However, with proper preparation and a good management plan, you can decrease the stress incurred on your calves, their mamas and yourself at weaning time, all while keeping both the cows and their offspring in peak performance.

Delayed planting effects have a long arm.

The effects of delayed planting are still being felt, and silage quality may be another potential victim. The good news is producers can make adjustments during harvest and ensiling to maximize the quality and quantity of silage available to feed.

ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA