As cattle prices and weather conditions continue to warrant earlier weaning and longer days on feed, the beef industry must adapt management practices to account for added health risks.
“The risk of respiratory disease increases whenever we’re pushing calves harder earlier in life,” says Shawn Blood, DVM, a senior veterinarian with Zoetis beef strategic technical services. “That’s why we need to do everything we can upfront to ensure that high-risk calves are set up for success when they enter the feedyard and find ways that continue to prioritize animal health and performance during the finishing phase.”
As calves come into the feedlot this fall, here are a few basic on-arrival practices to keep in mind:
- Start with a solid on-arrival vaccination program. The choice of arrival vaccination programs for stressed cattle could have a significant impact on re-treatment and mortality rates in newly received cattle in feedlots. Inforce 3 and One Shot BVD vaccines on arrival can help calf immune systems respond both locally and systemically to protect against respiratory challenges.
- Provide a palatable, quality high-roughage ration to allow the rumen acclimation time. Selecting a starter ration is one of the most important decisions feedlot managers make in their on-arrival program. The right mix of ingredients and nutrients can help boost feed intake and animals’ immune systems, allowing them to help fight disease and direct all their energy toward converting feed to gain. Pushing overly aggressive diets can add risks such as acidosis, liver abscesses and founder later in the feeding period.
- Take a fresh look at your parasite control protocols. A combination dewormer like Valcor (doramectin and levamisole injection) administered on arrival can offer improved labor efficiency and reduced processing time compared with the use of two different products. There are animal health and performance benefits that come with parasite control solutions like Valcor, too. By reducing the internal and external parasite burden, cattle experience less stress and improved overall well-being.
- Provide a comfortable place for the calves to lie down and rest after what can be a long ride in a semitrailer. Think of any new pen or setup as a hotel room for new calves. We want to stage that hotel room appropriately for the new animals coming in. That means a variety of things — ensuring clean, dry pens with plenty of shade; providing ample clean water and proper nutrition; and employing low-stress handling techniques.
- Frequently observe newly arrived calves to ensure they are getting to feed and water. Ensure bunk space is available and accessible for lighter-weight calves and provide access to water in ways that calves will recognize to help with the transition.
“Management is just as important as anything we can put in a syringe or within the feed, and we want to continue to keep cattle comfortable, healthy and productive for as long as they’re in the feedyard,” Blood summarizes.
Visit BRD-Solutions.com for more guidance and tips for optimizing your on-arrival program.
