Page 30 - MWC 2-3-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P30
preparation is key to successful calving season

K-State veterinarian reviews steps for cattle producers before and after calving

By Shelby Varner, K-State Research and Extension

Kansas State Universi- “We’re approaching the For those wanting to add having a location to move
ty veterinarian Gregg Han- end of the second trimester scour vaccines to their pre- the pairs off the calving area
zlicek said being prepared and moving into the third vention program, “it’s time to to keep the calving facility
ahead of calving season is trimester which means the decide what vaccine they are less contaminated with the
the best way for producers to metabolic demands of that going to use,” Hanzlicek said. scour organisms.
assure they will bring home cow or heifer are going to in- “Look at the label and sched- Getting the calf here safely
the newborn calves success- crease tremendously,” Han- ule on the calendar when is another factor to consider,
fully. zlicek said. they need to start vaccinat- “Most operations are going
A key to having a success- ing the cows and heifers.” to have to help at least one
ful calving and production Hanzlicek said heifers animal during the calving
season is for cows and heifers will require two doses of the season,” Hanzlicek said. The
to be in the appropriate body scours vaccine, while cows last national survey indicat-
condition, which according to need one. The timing of those ed that 1 of every 100 heif-
Hanzlicek is a score of 5-7. vaccines is “very, very im- ers and 2 of every 100 adult
He said he has seen many portant,” he said. cows will need assistance.
cattle in the 3-4 range in the Also, Hanzlicek recom- Being prepared to pull a
past few months. mends establishing a clean calf is important. Hanzlicek
“We’re far enough away calving area to help reduce said producers should have
from calving that we can add the risk of scours. “There’s the following items on hand:
condition to these cows and two major risk factors for •Clean straps or chains.
heifers without (creating) an scours,” he said. “One is the •OB sleeves.
economic burden,” he said. “It lack of colostrum consump- •Lube.
really comes down to having tion. The other is a contam- •Working calf pullers.
a formulated ration that is inated environment that the •Veterinarian’s phone
balanced for protein and en- babies are born into.” number.
ergy.” Hanzlicek recommends
continued on page 38

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