Page 13 - MWC 08-19-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 19, 2021 · P13
PRE-WEANING STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE STRESS

AND MAXIMIZE PROFIT

With proper planning, beef producers can make the weaning process easier for calves

By Lisa Moser, K-State Research and Extension
Just as college students better immune response
may feel anxious when they to vaccination than young
leave their homes and re- calves,” Larson said. “But if
turn to campus, fall is also we are trying to avoid hav-
a time when spring-born ing summer pneumonia run
calves are separated from though the calves, we may
their mothers and stress en- need to give those preven-
sues. tative vaccinations around
To minimize the stress two months of age and then
felt by calves, the experts at follow it with a booster shot
Kansas State University’s closer to weaning.”
Beef Cattle Institute offered He added: “For cattle that
several management strate- are not going to be co-min-
gies for producers to imple- gled with cattle from other
ment. Discussed on a recent herds at weaning, it is fine
Cattle Chat podcast the ex- to give those vaccinations at
perts defined the term low- the time of weaning when
stress weaning. you are already working
“Low stress weaning re- with the calves.”
fers to all the things we do The bottom line, White
to make it an easier tran- Lancaster said it is im- The timing of vaccina- said, is to work with a vet-
sition from the cow-calf op- portant to make sure the tions often will depend on erinarian to develop a
eration to the next step in calves are consuming feed the management and mar- pre-weaning plan that fits
the production system,” said with an adequate protein keting for the operation, best with the goals for the
Brian Lubbers, K-State vet- content along with energy, Larson said. herd.
erinarian. vitamins and minerals. “We know that calves clos-
Veterinarian Bob Lar- Adding grain mix to the er to weaning age often have
son added that many pro- diet can come at a cost,
ducers follow the fence line White said, but it also re-
weaning practice where the duces weight loss that most Genetically Yours
calves can still see their calves experience at wean-
mothers through the fence ing.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021aturday, Oct. 2, 2021
but are unable to nurse. “Research has shown S
“We want to promote fa- calves that are weaned 30
11 a.m. • Springfield, Mo.1 a.m. • Springfield, Mo.
1
miliarity and eliminate the days prior to sale can earn Sale Location: William H Darr
Sale Location: William H Darr
20 Service age bulls
20 Service age bulls
novelty of the weaning pro- a premium ranging between Agriculture Center, Springfield, MO 11 Spring herd bull Prospects
Agriculture Center, Springfield, MO
11 Spring herd bull Prospects
cess, and we do that by of- $3-$5 per hundredweight,” 29 Spring Heifer calf pairs
29 Spring Heifer calf pairs
20 Fall calving cows
fering them feed in a pen said Dustin Pendell, agricul- 20 Fall calving cows
19 bred heifers
19 bred heifers
while they are still with tural economist. 12 Commercial bred heifers
12 Commercial bred heifers
their mothers or have them He added premiums are
drink from a water source also paid through certified
like the type they will en- health programs that docu-
counter after weaning,” said ment vaccinations.
Brad White, veterinarian “Certified health pro- LJR MSU BW 1.2 M&G 47
LJR MSU
and BCI director. grams have shown to offer VALERIE 16D YW 76 REA 0.054
VALERIE 16D WW
FAT
47
A stout, easy doing

0.17
Introducing Feed producers a premium of daughter of CMF CS U408 MM 23 MARB 0.22
PROGRESSION Y449. An
$1-$5 per hundredweight on
outcross pedigree for

Regarding feed, BCI nu- the calves,” Pendell said. most operations. LJR MSU BW 0.3 M&G 54
LJR MSU
tritionist Phillip Lancaster LADY IDEAL WW 55 FAT 0.074
LADY IDEAL
84
said the type of feed that Building Immunity 134D YW 26 REA 0.37
134D
MARB 0.14
MM
works best in the diets of The experts agree that A super productive daughter of GV CMR IDEAL 424
calves transitioning from keeping the cattle healthy X2096. Her dam is a Dam of Distinction.
their mother’s milk is one through this time of transi- See this catalog online at www.reedent.com
Sale Managed by:
they are familiar with. tion is key and one way to
“While they are still with do that is by helping the an- Jim and Linda Reed • P.O. Box 126
the cow, we want to intro- imals build their immunity. BW 1.9 M&G 53 660-527-3507 • Fax 660-527-3379
Green Ridge, MO 65332
L
LJR MSUJR MSU
duce palatable feeds and “There are two ways 973E HERTZOG WW 54 FAT 0.034 reedent@iland.net • www.reedent.com
973E HERTZOG
begin that transition to a calves acquire immunity: 80H YW 83 REA 0.40 BID ONLINE @
80H
MM
26
MARB 0.10
mixed ration and free choice Either from the mother di-
hay,” Lancaster said. “Good, rectly to the calf through
palatable feed choices for the colostrum, or the calves
calves are distiller’s grains get it through a natural in- Midwest’s Top Maternal Auctioneer: Eddie Burks
Program 40 Years
and cottonseed hulls that fection or vaccination,” Lub- Continuously Breeding A G R I C U L T U R E
Quality Performance
stimulate intake.” bers said. Polled Herefords