The Angus Journal is a monthly magazine known for in-depth coverage of American Angus Association programs and services; the Angus business; herd management techniques; and advertising reflecting genetics herd philosophies.
Issue link: http://angusjournal.epubxp.com/i/435083
Western Region by Randy Perry, California State University, Fresno, randyp@csufresno.edu Fall-calving herds The main focus is getting cows bred. Heat detection and AI breeding. Accuracy with heat detection and taking the time to be precise with the small details of AI are both very important in determining the level of success of an AI program. Semen. Semen handling is one of the small details that is often overlooked and also can be very important in terms of influencing the success of an AI program. Natural-service bulls. Bulls are probably already turned out or will be shortly. If females are in pastures where they are easily observed, record natural- service dates. Nutritional management Mineral supplementation. Mineral supplementation is important in achieving optimal reproductive performance. Although females should be supplemented on a year- round basis, the breeding season is the most critical period. Mineral supplements should be formulated to meet deficiencies specific to your region or area. Consider mineral supplements that include chelated products, especially during the breeding season. Protein and energy supplementation. It is critical that both protein and energy requirements of females are being met during the breeding season. Females should be in a state of positive energy balance, or gaining weight, during the breeding season, as energy balance has a significant influence on fertility or conception rate. Health management Vaccinations. If not already done, calves should receive their first round of vaccinations. Producers should consult with their veterinarian in developing their vaccination protocol. Treatment protocol. Treatment protocols should be on hand for both scours and pneumonia in suckling calves, and both should include first and second treatment options. Spring-calving herds The main focus is the calving season. Reproductive management Calving management. Supplies should be on hand and the proper equipment should be available to assist females with problems at calving. Be sure that your personnel are properly trained in the most current procedures recommended for assisting females experiencing calving difficulties. In order for maximal absorption of maternal antibodies, calves should nurse within the first 6 hours after birth. A supply of frozen colostrum should be on hand and should be replaced at the start of each calving season. Extra milk from a mature cow taken shortly after calving is the best source of frozen colostrum. Nutritional management Mineral supplementation. Be sure that cows are receiving adequate levels of calcium, phosphorus and trace minerals that are deficient in your area. Body condition. The target level of body condition at calving is a BCS of 5 (scale = 1 to 9) for mature cows and 6 for 2-year-old heifers. For more information visit www.cowbcs.com. Protein and energy supplementation. Both protein and energy requirements need to be met in order to achieve the desired level of body condition as described in the previous paragraph. Heifer and bull development. Hopefully, both bulls and heifers are performing at levels that will allow achievement of desired average yearling weights. Health management Treatment protocol. Have treatment protocols and products on hand for both scours and pneumonia in suckling calves. Midwest Region by Justin Sexten, University of Missouri, sextenj@missouri.edu Understanding feed ingredients When purchasing feed, each producer selects a supplement differently; yet, when surveying producers the most common reason given for selecting a feed will nearly always be "price." While price is the most common response, the reality is feed choices are often based on a number of different factors. Dealer location and availability is a common feed selection factor because some producers prefer to support a local feed supplier regardless of cost. The ability to store and deliver a supplemental feed will also influence feed choice. However, in many cases, storage and delivery are linked to delivery volume. Energy-deficient cows may require 5 lb. of supplement, while protein deficiencies can be addressed with 1 lb. to 3 102 n ANGUSJournal n January 2015 Angus Advisor @ JANUARY herd management tips MANAGEMENT Guide to abbreviations and acronyms To make the "Angus Advisor" more concise and consistent, we have used the following abbreviations or expressions: $Values dollar value indexes ADG average daily gain AI artificial insemination AIMS Angus Information Management Software BCS body condition score BLV bovine leukemia virus BMP best management practices BQA beef quality assurance BRD bovine respiratory disease BRSV bovine respiratory synctial virus brucellosis Bang's disease BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy BVD bovine viral diarrhea Ca calcium CHAPS Cow Herd Analysis and Performance System CP crude protein cwt. hundredweight DM dry matter EPD expected progeny difference ET embryo transfer FMD foot-and-mouth disease GnRH gonadotropin-releasing hormone IBR infectious bovine rhinotracheitis ID identification IM intramuscular in. inch lb. pound LCT lower critical temperature lepto leptospirosis Mg magnesium MiG management-intensive grazing MLV modified-live virus N nitrogen P phosphorus PI persistent infection PI 3 parainfluenza-3 virus preg-check pregnancy-check Se selenium sq. ft. square feet SPA Standardized Performance Analysis TB bovine tuberculosis TDN total digestible nutrients THI temperature-humidity index trich trichomoniasis Zn zinc