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Don’t Quit Now! The Midwest Cattleman · February 4, 2021 · P28
By Les Anderson and Jeff Lehmkuhler,
Beef Extension Specialists, University of Kentucky

Many things in life make energy and protein requirements calf vitality after birth. In fact, the impact of type of feed on calving
sense on the surface. Mark Twain increase. Much of this increase is latest research has proven there and reproductive performance.
once said “It ain’t what you don’t due to supporting the pregnancy is no safe time during gestation They fed cows either a normal
know that gets you in trouble. and supporting the growth and to “short” a cow of her nutrient forage-based ration or a ground
It’s what you know for sure that development of the calf. Howev- needs (including trace minerals) corn-based diet with both diets
just ain’t so”. A great example is er, we forget that during the last that will not impact the health of balanced to meet the cow’s nu-
using water to put out a fire. On few weeks prior to calving the her unborn calf. A nutritionally trient needs. Cows fed strictly
the surface this makes sense, but mammary tissues are growing deprived cow will produce poor corn-based diet had larger calves
if it’s a grease fire using water is and colostrum is being formed quality and quantity of colos- by 5-6 pounds, but the dystocia
a huge mistake. Beef cattle pro- requiring energy and protein. trum, have less energy to deliver rate was not impacted. Pregnan-
duction has several examples “Uddering up” is one of those her calf quickly, and she can lose cy rate and calf weaning weight
of this but reducing feed to late signs we watch for as cows near a substantial amount of weight tended to be higher in the cows
gestation cows is one of the most fed the corn-based diets. These
On the surface, reducing feed “There is no safe time during gestation extreme diets, dystocia rate and
common. data illustrate that even feeding
to late gestation cows makes to “short” a cow of her nutrient needs calving problems are not impact-
some sense, less feed, potentially ed by late-gestation feeding.
smaller calf, fewer calving prob- (including trace minerals) that will not Even if you are not intention-
Fewer calving problems means impact the health of her unborn calf.” ally restricting nutrient intake,
lems, and a smaller feed bill.
you may be unintentionally. We
more calves, more potential rev- know that a higher plane of nu-
enue, and, on the surface, this parturition, but we pay no atten- during her lactation so she will trition can slightly increase birth
strategy is logical. But, like many tion that it took some groceries to be slow to rebreed. Calves born to weight, but we also know that
things in life, the logical “just support that udder development. energy deficient dams will have feed intake drops prior to calving
ain’t so”. Dr. Michelle Arnold discussed less of the brown fat needed for in cows. Combine this reduced
Fortunately, a great deal of some of the health-related issues energy to stand and nurse and intake prior to calving with feed-
research is available to help us of under-feeding late gestation more will die.” ing a hay that just meets main-
understand the issues with nu- cows recently. Here is an excerpt. Researchers have compared tenance needs of a dry, mid-ges-
trient intake of cows during the “New research has identified the under-feeding and over-feeding tational cow all the way through
last trimester of pregnancy. As role of “fetal programming of the with on-target feeding and ob- to calving, and you have uninten-
a pregnant cow moves from the immune system” during preg- served the following in under-fed tionally got her nutrient balance
second to the third trimester, her nancy as a major factor affecting cows: out of whack. Nutrient balance
• Have smaller calves issues lead to losing body weight,
• Have less energy stored in more dead calves, and lower re- T h e d i M w e l t t a C t s e m e S n a e t p m b 3 r e , 0 2 0 1 0 1 6
productive rates.
BSE Clinic Time Forty+ years of data very
their bodies
• Have lower antibody concen-
trations in their colostrum and clearly indicate that the logic
less nutrient dense milk of reducing feed to cows before
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
• Higher rates of dystocia calving is not a sound manage-
Has your bull had a breeding We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
(calving problems) ment plan. Calving performance,
soundness exam (BSE)since where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out- breeding programs or whatever
calf death rates, calf health, calf
• Higher calf death loss
you pulled him from the breed- completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
• Take longer to resume es- weaning weights are all nega-
ing pasture this summer? Fer- tively impacted by underfeeding Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter.
trous cycles
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn
ics with information on their
• Have lower pregnancy rates cows before they calve. Saving
WEE COMPRESSION fluctuate in bulls from year-to- that feed on late gestation cows is Here are the dates and loca- DNA evaluation program.
out if everything checks out
in the following breeding season
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics.
Call the above veterinary of-
To clinch the nail on feeding like throwing water on a grease
EARLY ANALGESIA you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the fices for your appointment time.
late gestation cows, Dr. Steve fire . . . it just doesn’t work.
CASTRATION and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease, October 11 - Barry County Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
Loerch and coworkers at The
Tensioned Loop might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville number of bulls the clinics can
Ohio State University went to
for Newborns out. rise in this part of the world. It’s Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847- accept so you may need to pick a
SMART suspected when a large number 2677 different time and/or a different
the extreme and examined the
veterinarian. It’s just important
DELAYED October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
CASTRATION Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
Since 1991
Contact Dr. Harvey Kent, 744-
PRO Special Cattle Sale Special Sheep 2222 24 states in 2008 showed that
about 25% do a semen evalua-
tion on their bulls before turn-
DELAYED Vaccinated Every Stock Cow & October 13 - Dake Veterinary out. I doubt if we’re that high
Watch our
CASTRATION Cattle Saturday sale live on the & Bull Sale Goat Sale Clinic, Miller in southwest Missouri. The
Built-in Cutter Sale Internet at Contact: Dr. Chuck Dake, 452- October BSE clinics in the past
Self-locking Loop 12:00 Noon www.CattleUSA.com 4th Tuesday 3301 few years have found more prob-
2nd Sat. of Selling all classes 3rd Tuesday
Each Month of cattle lems with bulls than the clinics
October 14 - Countryside Ani- in March. Hot weather could
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678- when it comes to bull fertility. It
Howard Miller - Owner -Manager: 417-345-8612
Made In USA 4011 could even be from fescue toxins
Call Lyle or Leon to find out what we can do for you: consumed or a combination of
Danny Cross 417-576-5461 • John Sanwald 417-588-9113 • Bobby Cole 573-674-3131 Besides the BSE, I will be at factors.
800-858-5974 CallicrateBanders.com Barn 417-345-8122 the clinics to answer questions,
discuss bull sales, expected
Green Springs

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