5. Reproduction is the Most Economically Important Trait in Beef Cattle! The sorriest calf you ever sell is worth more than your best stillbirth! Reproduction is estimated to be worth 10 times more than growth traits and 20 times more than carcass traits
6. Reproductive Goals for the Beef Herd 90 to 95% in heat the first 21 days of the breeding season 70 to 80 percent conceive on first breeding Less than 5% difficult calvings 90% of cows bred wean a calf
7. Breed Heifers to Calve Earlier than the Cow Herd Allows better calving supervision Allows more time for them to start cycling and get bred back
8. Breed Heifers to Calve at 24 Months of Age Have heifers at 2/3 of mature body weight before breeding at 15 months of age This requires that she gain about 1 and ½ pounds per day up to breeding Weight gain should continue so that they calve in moderate body condition Have heifers pregnancy checked and cull the extras
9. Replacement Heifer Selection Older, larger, structurally correct and from above average parents Reproductive tract scores Scrotal circumference in sires Calving problems Pelvic area Breed of bull
10. Measuring Pelvic Area to Prevent Difficult Births Measuring the width and height of the birth canal May help to find the extremely small ones, but is not as helpful as using calving ease bulls
11. Calving Difficulties Lighter calves are born easier than heavier ones and bigger heifers calve more easily than smaller ones Generally, using genetically low birth weight sires is the easiest way to prevent calving difficulties Research has not shown shape of calf to predict calving problems
12. Breed of Bull There is more variation between bulls than between breeds However, low birth weight English breeds may have an advantage over Continental breeds for use on heifers
22. 22 Steps in calving assistance 3. Examine size of the calf relative to the birth canal. If too big can paralyze cow If determined early, a successful C-section can be done 4. Attach obstetrical chains to the front legs Loop of each chain around each leg Slide chain up on the cannon bone 2-3 inches above the ankle joints and dew claws Ensure chain pulls from bottom of the leg (dew claw side)
34. 34 Starting the calf Clear the airways and clean mucus from mouth area Stimulate the calf by rubbing vigorously If necessary give artificial respiration
62. Colostrum Management Colostrum – first milk Contains antibodies (which fight disease) that are absorbed through the small intestine of the calf.
63. Early consumption = BETTER 6 hours of life = 50% absorption 12 hours of life = 33% absorption 24 hours of life = 0% absorption
64. Goal for Colostrum 2 quarts consumed in the first two hours of life 4 quarts before 12 hours High quality
65. Colostrum Quality Influenced by Nutrition Poor hay Minerals Internal and external parasites Heat stress BCS Vaccinations Age of Cow
66. Cow Colostrum = Better than Heifers More disease exposure More antibodies
67. Colostrum has long term impacts on production. Less sickness Less deaths Higher ADG
68. Nursing Calves A number of procedures will help assure the newborn calf gets off to a healthy start. Examine for problems Dip navel, weigh Castrate, implant Identify with tag, tattoo, etc. Record
71. Calf Diarrhea Losses Deaths ( 50% in severe outbreaks) Weight (35 lbs. Less at weaning) Treatment costs
72. CLINICAL SIGNS Mild Cases: loose stool or diarrhea Severe cases: profuse diarrhea (watery) depression sunken eyes weakness coma death
73. Calf Diarrhea Prevention Sanitation Clean pastures are best Well drained and dry Protection from wind and elements Reduce stress on cows and calves Assist with calving as needed Keep animals clean and dry Cows BCS 6-7 Make sure calves nurse ASAP 4-6 quarts of colostrum in 1st 24 hours Vaccinate the cow prior to calving Disease protection thru colostrum Oral vaccines to newborns
82. Decision to Treat Deviations from normal behavior Not eating, staying in one place too long Cough, nasal discharge
83. Vaccinations for Nursing Calves There are vaccines available for new-born calves, that may be useful in some situations. Discuss vaccinating very young calves with a veterinarian.
84. Preweaning Approximately one month prior to weaning, calves should have a preweaning treatment. This includes: Vaccinations Parasite control Castration, dehorning Growth implant Bunk training
85. Weaning Weaning calves is stressful. Attempt to minimize the event by: Moving cows out, leaving calves in a familiar environment. Having adequate water and hay available. Placing feed and water along fences – as calves pace the fence, they will discover them more easily
86. Weaning Booster vacc. calves that received pre-weaning treatment. Calves not treated preweaning should be treated as per preweaning treatments.
87. Preweaned, Weaning, and Weaned Calves Too many TN calves are weaned and sold “fresh-off-the-cow”, resulting in: Highly-stressed calves Calves more likely to become diseased This results in TN producers receiving less money for their calves.
