Page 24 - MWC 3-31-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · March 31, 2022 · P24
Factors That Contribute to Pregnancy

Losses in Beef Cattle

By Elizabeth Cronin
With calving season well loss can be a complex and
underway, cattle producers frustrating process.”
are working to minimize calf “Within a herd, a sin-
deaths. gle abortion or stillborn calf
The three categories of may not be regarded as sig-
pregnancy losses in beef cat- nificant,” says Janna Block,
tle include early embryonic Extension livestock systems
death, abortion, and still- specialist at NDSU’s Het-
birth, according to North tinger Research Extension
Dakota State University Center. “If several of these
(NDSU) Extension livestock instances occur, it is a good
specialists. idea to investigate further.”
Early embryonic deaths Potential Causes of Losses
occur within the first 42 Common causes of loss-
days of gestation. After that es include calving difficulty
point, losses are considered (dystocia), nutritional defi-
abortions. Abortion involves ciencies and infectious dis-
the expulsion of a dead fetus eases. sues. The fluid-filled uterus by bacteria, protozoa, virus-
prior to approximately day Dystocia can occur if calves provides good protection for es, and fungi often result in
270 of gestation, while still- are too big or are not situ- the fetus, but pain or inflam- abortions and/or stillbirths
born calves include full-term ated normally in the birth mation following maternal in cattle. Vaccines are avail-
calves that are born dead canal. Stress and lack of ox- injury can cause stress and able to reduce the risk of
or die in the first 24 to 48 ygen during calving can re- trigger release of hormones losses from bacterial diseas-
hours after birth. Abortions sult in stillborn calves; how- in the body that may initiate es including brucellosis, lep-
are also assumed when fe- ever, these losses are often premature labor, Stokka ex- tospirosis and vibriosis. Dis-
males diagnosed as pregnant attributed to other causes, plains. eases such as trichomoniasis,
begin showing signs of estrus Stokka notes. Dystocia and Infectious diseases caused
(heat) or fail to deliver a calf. stillbirths are more likely continued on page 26
Identifying a cause in these to occur in first-calf heifers
Missouri’s Largest Hereford
cases is more difficult as the because of a smaller pelvic Missouri’s Largest Hereford Breeder Breeder 6 1 0 1 0 2 , 0 3 r e b m e t p e S n a m e l t t a C t s e w d i M e h T
only specimen remaining to area, and in cows that are ei-
BSE Clinic Time
help determine the cause is a ther overly conditioned or too Genetics Selected for:
Genetics Selected for:
blood sample from the female thin.
that suffered the presumed Proper vitamin and min- • • Fescue Tolerance Fescue Tolerance
By Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension
abortion. We’ve scheduled four clinics of cows keep coming back in progeny differences (EPDs) and
• • Balanced TraitsBalanced Traits
Has your bull had a breeding eral intake is also essential
“Although pregnancy loss-
• • Calving EaseCalving Easewhatever
soundness exam (BSE) since where you can get your bulls heat. There are no other out- breeding programs or
for placental and fetal devel-
es in beef cattle are a fact of opment. In particular, defi-
you pulled him from the breed-
completely examined, given ward signs of trich in the bull is on your mind. Ed Trotter with
• • FertilityFertility
life, late-term losses are like- ciencies of selenium, iodine, Pfizer will be at some of the clin-
ing pasture this summer? Fer-
parasite control treatment and or cow for that matter.
• • Performance Performance
ly the most discouraging,” manganese, and vitamins A ics with information on their
tility and breeding ability can vaccinated and be ready to turn
says Gerald Stokka, NDSU and E may result in abortion. Here are the dates and loca- DNA evaluation program.
• • CarcassCarcass
fluctuate in bulls from year-to-
out if everything checks out
Extension veterinarian and Some abortions in late Call the above veterinary of-
year and season-to-season. If okay. In addition, if you’d like, tions of our fall clinics.
livestock stewardship spe- pregnancy may be due to in- fices for your appointment time.
you’ve preg checked your cows they can check your bull for the
Midwest’s Top Maternal Programwest’s Top Maternal Program
cialist. “There are often more jury or extreme stress in the October 11 - Barry
and found several open, it just sexually transmitted disease,
MidCounty Vet Of course, there’s a limit to the
might be cause to check him trichomoniasis. Trich is on the Services, Cassville
questions than answers and cow due to immune challeng- number of bulls the clinics can
out.
rise in this part of the world. It’s
trying to find a reason for the es and weather-related is- Contact: Dr. Voyd Brown, 847- accept so you may need to pick a
Over 40 Years ears
suspected when a large number 2677 Over 40 Y different time and/or a different
of Continuously
of Continuously veterinarian. It’s just important
October 12 - Kent Veterinary to have your bulls checked out.
Buffalo Livestock Market Clinic, Billings A survey of cow-calf farms in
Br
Breeding eeding
Contact Dr. Harvey Kent, 744- 24 states in 2008 showed that
Quality Perform
Quality Performance ance
2222 about 25% do a semen evalua-
Polled Her
Special Cattle Sale Special Sheep Polled Herefordsefords
tion on their bulls before turn-
Vaccinated Every Stock Cow & October 13 - Dake Veterinary out. I doubt if we’re that high
31st
Watch our Goat Sale 31st
Cattle Saturday sale live on the & Bull Sale Clinic, Miller in southwest Missouri.
Annual SaleThe
Annual Sale
Internet at
Oct. 1
Oct. 1
Sale 12:00 Noon www.CattleUSA.com Contact: Dr. Chuck Dake, 452- October BSE clinics in the past
Y
few years have found more
11:00 a.m.
3rd Tuesday 4th Tuesday 3301 Your Brand of Herefordour Brand of Hereford 11:00 a.m.prob-
2nd Sat. of Selling all classes Darr A
Darr Ag Centerg Center
Each Month of cattle October 14 - Countryside Ani- lems with bulls than the clinics
Springfield,
Springfield,
in March. Hot weather could
JR
JR
MO
MO
JOURNAGAN RANCHGAN RANCH
JOURNA
mal Clinic, Aurora be more of a problem than cold
Contact: Dr. Mike Bloss, 678-
Lyle Caselman - Owner-Manager: 417-345-7876 • Mobile: 417-533-2944 L L when it comes to bull fertility. It
Leon Caselman - Owner: 417-345-4514 • Mobile: 417-588-6185 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.
M
Marty Lueck, manager • 417-948-2669 or 417-838-1482arty Lueck, manager • 417-948-2669 or 417-838-1482
the clinics to answer questions,
M
Mountain Grove, MO 65711 • mvlueck@centurytel.net • JournaganRanch.comountain Grove, MO 65711 • mvlueck@centurytel.net • JournaganRanch.com
Barn 417-345-8122 discuss bull sales, expected
Green Springs
Performance & Efficiency Tested
BULL SALE 90 BULLS
200 on test
Sunday, Nov. 21st, 1:00 P.m. Selected from over
at Mo-Kan Livestock, Butler, MO 8 Breeds
Large Genetic Pool
“Only the best
pass the test”
• ANGUS • GELBVIEH • LIMOUSIN •
• LIMFLEX • SIMMENTAL •
• BRAUNVIEH • HEREFORD •
Call 448-7416 for information
& sale Catalog
www.greenspringsbulltest.com • gsbulltest@gmail.com