The Cattle Guide
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INTRODUCTION
This outline, although not exhaustive, gives you an idea of the areas of greatest concern for giving cattle proper care. Any area that is inadequately covered for your particular situation, please contact me in order that I may assist you.

FEEDING

A. Spring and Summer

1. Adequate pasture and minerals.

2. Adequate fresh water.

3. Creep feed for calves.

B. Late Fall and Winter

1. Have cattle go into winter in the best condition as possible.

2. Free choice 10-12% hay.

3. Feed 4-6 pounds per head per day of a grain mix before and when lactating. If hay is lower in protein, such as 6-7%, feed 6-8 pounds per head per day whether lactating or not.

4. Free choice of minerals.

5. Try for winter pasture as much as possible.

C. Alternate Approach

1. Free choice hay with a molasses lick with urea is satisfactory in some breeds as a maintenance ration only, but not in Brahman and Brahman crosses, they require the addition of grain or good winter pasture.

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PARASITE CONTROL

A. Routine worming every 3-4 months is recommended.

B. Wormers should be alternated each time to get the best result.

1. Wormers available are of the following families.

a. TBZ, Thiabendazole, Omnizole (same products).

b. Ripercol, Tramisole, Levamisole (all same)

c. Panacur

d. Ivomec, both injectable and pour-on

C. Fluke treatment as required using albenazole (Valbazen).

D. Coccidia treatment as required.

E. External mites, lice and flies as required.

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BREEDING PROGRAM

A. Bulls

1. Insure adequate numbers.

a. Older bulls 1 to 40 cows.

b. Young bulls 1 to 20 cows.

2. Insure fertility of bulls.

a. Nov-Dec Semen test bulls.

b. Note all bulls agressiveness both for breeding and social interaction.

3. Use 60-90 day breeding if possible, but no more than 120 days breeding season.

a. February 15 is target starting of the breeding season.

4. Have bulls in good condition going into season, but not fat.

B. Cows

1. Insure cows are in good condition for breeding season.

2. Maintain adequate level of nutrition during breeding season.

C. Heifers

1. Heifers should be introduced to the bulls 2 weeks prior to the cows and should weigh 700 pounds.

D. Pregnancy exams

1. This should be done 60-90 days after the last breeding date.

2. Cows not pregnant should be sent to slaughter.

3. Only cows that are extremely valuable that are not pregnant should be considered to be retained in the herd.

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VACCINATIONS

A. Young Stock - under 8 months of age

1. This vaccination may be done at weaning.

2. Name of the vaccination

a. BLACKLEG - malignant edema

b. LEPTOSPIROSIS-VIBRIOSIS

c. IBR-PI3-PASTURELLA-BVD-BRSV

d. REDWATER

e. BRUCELLOSIS - FEMALES ONLY

3. Other vaccinations that may be indicated by the situation will be included.

4. Do NOT use "shotgun" vaccinations, that is, several combined vaccines that contain agents that you do not need.

B. Adult cows and heifers

1. This can be done at weaning of calves.

2. Name of vaccinations

a. IBR-PI3-PASTURELLA-BVD-BRSV - Annually

b. REDWATER - Annually

c. LEPTOSPIROSIS - Annually

d. VIBRIO - aids in prevention of infertility

1. If practical, vaccinate cows 2-3 weeksprior to breeding season.

2. Heifers should be vaccinated or boostered just prior to being put with the bulls.

C. Bulls

1. Vaccinate bulls 2-3 weeks before breeding season.

2. Use same vaccinations for bulls as on cows.

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CALVING SEASON

A. Establish a regular inspection routine to detect calving difficulties.

1. Any cow beginning to calve that has not delivered by next inspection should be inspected and assisted.

2. Any calf not able to be delivered by 2 men pulling by hand, needs professional help.

B. Cows with a retained placenta of more than a day should be noted on the record. Being that this may decrease fertility next breeding, she may be a canidate for cull.

1. Retained placentas of more than 2 days should be treated.

C. Observe newborn calves for evidence of nursing.

1. Observe udder of cows for excessively large teats that could prevent the calf from nursing.

2. The udder should be reduced in size after 4-6 hours after calving, indicating the calf has been nursing.

D. Observe newborn calves for scouring.

1. Heavy producing cows can promote diarrhea in calves.

2. Treat early to prevent dehydration.

a. The new calfspan bolus by Norden is an excellent medication and requires usually only one treatment.

b. Dehydration, indicated by profuse scours, weakness, and loss of appetite, requires immediate treatment.

c. If the scouring calf, that feels good, does not respond to boluses, oral electrolyte therapy must be started.

E. If practical, all newborn calves should have the navels dipped in 7% (strong) iodine as soon as found.

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COMMENTS

A. Preconditioning, which consists of weaning, vaccinating, dehorning, castrating, implanting, etc., should be cosidered to enhance salability of calves and increased profits from investments.

B. This program is designed to cover as many of the aspects of cattle production as possible.

C. Any areas of specific interest or areas that require more detailed information should be brought to my attention for assistance.

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