Spring is a very busy time of year for beef producers around the state. Cow/Calf producers are getting excited and anxious to see the results of last years’ breeding season, the offspring of that special bull or those first calf heifers. The last thing that a producer wants is to see the calf with the best pedigree and promise come down with scours or pneumonia. Producers have many options to help with the survival of their calves. Before the calving season starts, producers need to make sure they are prepared for the year. Some of the things they should do are: o Look at calving due dates to determine when cows should be calving. o Have clean, dry pens ready for the calving cows. o Have a form of restraint planned for dealing with calving problems. o Make sure some essential calving supplies are on hand like OB chains, a mechanical calf puller, and an adequate supply of good colostrum. o The phone number for the local veterinarian. Most calf diseases and losses occur within the first two weeks of birth. Once a calf gets past this stage, very few calves become ill. Scours and pneumonia are the two most common diseases in baby calves. A clean, dry environment along with good colostrum goes a long ways in the prevention of these diseases. If you do not have an adequate supply of good frozen colostrum, colostrum replacements are available today that have roughly the same amount of antibodies (disease fighters) in them as fresh cow colostrum. Once the calves have had their colostrum, try to watch their manure for the first few weeks for changes in consistency. If you do encounter a problem consult your veterinarian for a recommended treatment. Vaccination should begin after the cow calves. Your local veterinarian can assist you in developing a comprehensive vaccination program to maximize profits. This is when you should also look forward to the next breeding season. Bulls are an important part of the breeding equation and should be checked for breeding soundness and body condition before starting the breeding season. Every beef producer’s goal is to have one weaned calf per cow per year, and above are just a few of the suggestions to help improve your odds at reaching that goal. Please call Eric Sonnek at (800) 450-6171 with any questions.
