The Beef Herd Health Management Calendar

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1 The Beef Herd Health Management Calendar, a cmputerized publicatin authred by Flrn C. Faries, Jr., DVM and Wayne H. Thmpsn, is available fr purchase n cmpact disk (CD-ROM) by cattlemen thrugh the AgriLife Bkstre. The instrument is interactive and designed t facilitate self-guided study t learn and grup meetings t teach scheduling f annual herd health management plans. This interactive calendar allws the beef prducer t generate a schedule f management tasks that fits the length and first mnth f their calving seasn. The CD als cntains vides that demnstrate hw t cnduct each activity, as well as a cmplete library f technical publicatins. The CD is cnfigured t autmatically launch the Main Index Page f the Beef Herd Health Management Calendar. Minimum hardware requirements are: cmputer equipped with CD-ROM reader, sundcard and speakers, and a cmputer mnitr with 800 x 00 reslutin r higher. Required sftware items are: Micrsft Excel ; Adbe Acrbat Reader ; and Adbe Macrmedia Flash, versin 8.0 r later. Much f the technical infrmatin needed t design and implement prgrams n scheduling annual health management plans fr cw-calf herds is prvided n the CD. The interface f the applicatin is exceptinally user-friendly and accessible t even the nvice cmputer user, designed t ensure that beef prducers with minimal cmputer literacy are able t access and learn frm the infrmatin prvided by the Beef Herd Health Management Calendar n CD. Prducers must generate an annual 1-mnth beef herd health management calendar with planned and scheduled health practices related t when cws calve and nt t the seasn f the year. The calendar f specific dates f tasks will ensure ding the right thing at the right time fr increased effectiveness f the practices. The gal is t increase the prductin efficiency f the whle herd, all the cws, calves, heifers and bulls. Intrductin t the Beef Berd Health Management Calendar Page 1 f 5

2 Intrductin Scheduling Management Practices: Prducers ften wnder what times f year they shuld carry ut management tasks such as castrating, vaccinating, dehrning, dewrming and thers. The prper times fr these activities depend n when the calving seasn ccurs, because health practices are related t the perids f: 1. Pre-calving. Calving. Pst-calving 4. Pre-breeding 5. Breeding Once the calving seasn is planned, herd health management tasks can be scheduled fr specific dates. The interactive calendar allws the prducer t generate a schedule f management tasks by entering the mnth in which calving begins and the length f the calving seasn. The mst effective and efficient management ccurs when there is a restricted calving seasn f 1 t mnths. With this restricted calving seasn, the herd is penned fur times a year. The cws are wrked at least tw times (at pre-calving and at 4 t mnths pst-calving) and the calves are wrked at least tw times (at t 4 mnths pst-calving and at 4 t mnths pst-calving). The "less than mnths" pst-calving practices are carried ut at birth. The " t 8 mnths pst-calving" practices are carried ut at weaning. The cws are wrked thrugh the chute at pre-calving, the calves at t 4 mnths pst-calving, and bth cws and calves at 4 t mnths pst-calving. Pre-calving - pregnant cws and heifers Pregnant cws and heifers are wrked thrugh the chute 1 t mnths befre calving fr physical exams t evaluate bdy cnditin, udder, teeth and eyes. These exams may reveal the need t imprve the nutritin f the herd by increasing the intake f prtein and minerals. Examining the fecal pads and having hay and frage analyzed in a labratry can help determine whether the herd needs prtein and mineral supplements. Pastures may need t be fertilized t prduce better quality frage. That can be determined by having the sil tested. Animals that are nt expected t perfrm well during the calving and nursing perids may be culled. Annual, rutine vaccines are administered t prtect cws and heifers frm disease and increase the immunity prvided by clstrum during the upcming pst-calving perid. If there are significant numbers f wrms and flies in and n the cattle, animals are treated with dewrming and deflying medicines. The cws and heifers are individually identified s health recrds and prductin management data can be kept fr each animal and each animal s perfrmance during calving, nursing and breeding can be evaluated. Calving and Pst-calving (less than mnths f age) Springer cws and heifers must be bserved twice a day in case they need assistance fr dystcia r difficult calving. Animals need assistance if, after hurs f labr straining, n fetal parts (feet and head) have presented r nly the fetal membrane (water bag) has presented. Animals als need assistance when fetal parts are presented but n prgress is made after 1 hur. Newbrn calves are weighed, identified, and their navels disinfected. They are bserved t ensure that they begin nursing clstrum within hurs f birth and that they are in a sanitary envirnment. Calves are castrated and dehrned at birth r befre mnths f age. Calved cws may need an energy supplement during lactatin, based n their hay and frage intake and their bdy cnditin scring. Pre-breeding (pen heifers) Open heifers are wrked thrugh the chute 1 t mnths befre breeding fr physical exams t evaluate bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth and eyes. A veterinarian can use Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (BSE) prcedures t determine reprductive tract scres and pelvic measurements. Animals that are in pr cnditin r nt suitable fr reprductin are culled. Retained animals are given annual, rutine vaccines and treated fr wrms and flies if necessary. Their nutritin is adjusted if their cnditin warrants. Pre-breeding (bulls) are wrked thrugh the chute 1 t mnths befre breeding fr physical exams t evaluate bdy cnditin, prepuce, feet, teeth, eyes and nse. A veterinarian can use Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (BSE) prcedures t examine accessry sex glands, penis and testicles, and t d micrscpic examinatins f the semen frm electrejaculatin. Intrductin t the Beef Berd Health Management Calendar Page f 5

3 This helps in classifying bulls breeding ptential. Animals that are in pr cnditin r are nt suitable fr reprductin are culled. Retained animals are given annual, rutine vaccines and treated fr wrms and flies if necessary. Their nutritin is adjusted if their cnditin warrants. Breeding (bulls) are turned in t the herd at an ptimal bull-t-cw rati fr the stcking rate. need t be bserved t be sure they are adequately wrking the cws and heifers and prperly serving and mating thse in estrus. shuld be bserved peridically t check fr injury t the sheath, penis, testicles, feet r legs that culd hinder their ability t breed. Pst-calving (calves t 4, 4 t, and t 8 mnths f age) Calves are wrked thrugh the chute at three different times fr physical exams, initial and bster vaccinatins, pssible treatment f wrms and flies, grwth implants, branding and weighing. The third wrking is fr weaning and quality grading. At the first and third wrking, cws and heifers in the lt are given physical examinatins s that crrectins can be made if necessary. At the secnd calf wrking, cws and heifers are wrked thrugh the chute fr pregnancy detectin and pssible treatment fr wrms and flies. Cws and heifers are culled based n the physical exam, pregnancy detectin, and weaned calf grading. Implementing the Calendar Fr a 1- t -mnth calving seasn: Select the year, the first mnth and number f mnths f calving. Fr example, fr a herd calving March thrugh May, select March as the first mnth f calving and mnths as the length f the calving seasn. The prgram will generate a single calendar fr the cw-calf herd that cvers all management practices fr the year. Print the page. Fr a 4- t 1-mnth calving seasn: A herd with a calving seasn f 4 t mnths is managed as tw herds tgether n the same pasture, with cws and calves f the tw herds identified by tw different clr ear tags. Fr a 4-mnth calving seasn, divide the seasn int tw -mnth intervals and generate a calendar fr each. Fr example, if the calving seasn is March thrugh June, enter March as the starting mnth and mnths as the calving interval. Print the page. Then enter May as the starting mnth and mnths as the calving interval. Print the page. Tgether, these calendars will cver the whle calving seasn. Fr a calving seasn f t 1 mnths, divide the seasn int -mnth intervals and generate a calendar fr each. Fr example, a -mnth calving seasn frm January thrugh June wuld require calendars fr tw -mnth intervals. Vide Demnstratins and Publicatins: Ordering the Calendar T rder n-line: T learn mre abut the management activities that are carried ut during each perid, refer t the eight management perids, frm A. Pre-Calving thrugh H. Pst-Calving, fr links t related vide demnstratins and publicatins. View vides (Adbe Flash files, flv) and read Extensin publicatins (Adbe Acrbat Reader files, pdf). Yu may rder n-line with a VISA r MasterCard, using the AgriLife Marketing and Cmmunicatins Bkstre secure shpping cart technlgy at T rder by telephne: Retail price: $98.00 Yu may call the AgriLife Bkstre tll-free (888) and rder with a VISA r MasterCard. Intrductin t the Beef Berd Health Management Calendar Page f 5

4 SP Flrn C. Faries, Jr. - Extensin Veterinarian, Cllege Statin Wayne H. Thmpsn - Cunty Extensin Agent - ANR, Harris Cunty Year = 008 Select 1st Mnth f Calving 1-m Calving Interval INSTRUCTIONS: Select year, first mnth, and number f mnths f yur calving seasn. Print page. Repeat fr each calving interval (up t mnths per interval). Pre-Calving Pst-Calving Pregnant cws and heifers (1 t mnths prir t calving) Nursing calves ( t 4 mnths f age) 1 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 1 Physical exams (behavir, grwth) Culling evaluatins (based n physical) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk, grass, feed intake) Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Vaccinate (1 st 5-way Lept, 1 st 7-way Clstridia, Intranasal Live IBR)* 4 Identificatins (ear tag r tatt, brand) 4 Grwth implant 5 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, minerals, fecal pad, hay, frage, sil test results) 5 Identificatin (brand) Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Cws Calving Pregnant cws and heifers Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 1 Observatins (early assistance with dystcia) 11 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins New brn calves 1 Estrus synchrnizatin, artificial inseminatin 4 Observatins (nursing, clstrum intake) Birth weights Physical exams (behavir, navel) Breeding 5 Sanitatin evaluatin 1 Turn in bulls (bull t cw rati) Observatins (serving, physical) Pst-Calving Nursing calves (less than mnths f age) Pst-Calving 1 Physical exams (behavir, navel) Nursing calves (4 t mnths f age) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk intake) 1 Physical exams (behavir, grwth) Identificatin (ear tag, ntch r tatt) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk, grass, feed intake) 4 Castrate (knife r band) Vaccinate ( nd 5-way Lept, nd 7-way Clstridia, Heifer Brucellsis)* 5 Dehrn (ht irn r tube) 4 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Cws 5 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Pregnant cws and heifers 7 Nutritinal evaluatins (energy, minerals, sil test results) 7 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Pre-Breeding Open heifers (1 t mnths prir t breeding) 8 9 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 1 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 10 Pregnancy detectin (palpatin, ultrasund) Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (reprductive tract scres, 11 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, pregnancy, calves) pelvic measurements, breeding weights) 4 Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Pst-Calving Weaned, separated calves ( t 8 mnths f age) 5 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, breeding sundness evaluatin) 1 Physical exams (behavir, quality) Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Nutritinal evaluatins (grass, feed intake) 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 8 Estrus synchrnizatin, artificial inseminatin 4 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins (1 t mnths prir t turning in bulls) 5 Vaccinate (Live 4-way IBR, BVD, BRSV, PI)* 9 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, prepuce, feet, teeth, eyes, nse) Wean (market, retain) 10 Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (semen, penis, testicles) 7 Wean weights 11 Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Pregnant cws and heifers 1 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) 8 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 1 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, breeding sundness evaluatin) 9 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) 14 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 10 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, calves) 15 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 11 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins * minimum vaccines 1 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Educatinal prgrams f the Texas AgriLife Extensin Service are pen t all peple withut regard t race, clr, sex, disability, religin, age, r natinal rigin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department f Agriculture, and the Cunty Cmmissiners Curts f Texas Cperating. Intrductin t the Beef Berd Health Management Calendar Page 4 f 5

5 SP Flrn C. Faries, Jr. - Extensin Veterinarian, Cllege Statin Wayne H. Thmpsn - Cunty Extensin Agent - ANR, Harris Cunty Year = 009 February - April -m Calving Interval INSTRUCTIONS: Select year, first mnth, and number f mnths f yur calving seasn. Print page. Repeat fr each calving interval (up t mnths per interval). Pre-Calving Jan '09 Pst-Calving Jun '09 Pregnant cws and heifers (1 t mnths prir t calving) Nursing calves ( t 4 mnths f age) 1 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 1 Physical exams (behavir, grwth) Culling evaluatins (based n physical) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk, grass, feed intake) Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Vaccinate (1 st 5-way Lept, 1 st 7-way Clstridia, Intranasal Live IBR)* 4 Identificatins (ear tag r tatt, brand) 4 Grwth implant 5 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, minerals, fecal pad, hay, frage, sil test results) 5 Identificatin (brand) Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Cws 8 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Calving Feb '09 - Apr '09 9 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Pregnant cws and heifers 10 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 1 Observatins (early assistance with dystcia) 11 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins New brn calves 1 Estrus synchrnizatin, artificial inseminatin Observatins (nursing, clstrum intake) Birth weights Breeding May '09 - Jul '09 4 Physical exams (behavir, navel) 5 Sanitatin evaluatin 1 Turn in bulls (bull t cw rati) Observatins (serving, physical) Pst-Calving Feb '09 - Apr '09 Nursing calves (less than mnths f age) Pst-Calving Aug '09 1 Physical exams (behavir, navel) Nursing calves (4 t mnths f age) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk intake) 1 Physical exams (behavir, grwth) Identificatin (ear tag, ntch r tatt) Nutritinal evaluatins (milk, grass, feed intake) 4 Castrate (knife r band) Vaccinate ( nd 5-way Lept, nd 7-way Clstridia, Heifer Brucellsis)* 5 Dehrn (ht irn r tube) 4 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Cws 5 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Pregnant cws and heifers 7 Nutritinal evaluatins (energy, minerals, sil test results) 7 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Pre-Breeding Feb '09 - Mar '09 8 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Open heifers (1 t mnths prir t breeding) 9 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 1 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 10 Pregnancy detectin (palpatin, ultrasund) Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (reprductive tract scres, 11 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, pregnancy, calves) pelvic measurements, breeding weights) Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Pst-Calving Oct '09 4 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) Weaned, separated calves ( t 8 mnths f age) 5 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, breeding sundness evaluatin) 1 Physical exams (behavir, quality) Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins Nutritinal evaluatins (grass, feed intake) 7 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 8 Estrus synchrnizatin, artificial inseminatin 4 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins (1 t mnths prir t turning in bulls) 5 Vaccinate (Live 4-way IBR, BVD, BRSV, PI)* 9 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, prepuce, feet, teeth, eyes, nse) Wean (market, retain) 10 Breeding Sundness Evaluatin (semen, penis, testicles) 7 Wean weights 11 Vaccinate (5-way Lept, 7-way Clstridia)* Pregnant cws and heifers 1 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) 8 Physical exams (bdy cnditin, udder, feet, teeth, eyes) 1 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, breeding sundness evaluatin) 9 Nutritinal evaluatins (prtein, energy, minerals, sil test results) 14 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins 10 Culling evaluatins (based n physical, calves) 15 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins 11 Strategic wrm cntrl evaluatins * minimum vaccines 1 Strategic fly cntrl evaluatins Educatinal prgrams f the Texas AgriLife Extensin Service are pen t all peple withut regard t race, clr, sex, disability, religin, age, r natinal rigin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department f Agriculture, and the Cunty Cmmissiners Curts f Texas Cperating. Intrductin t the Beef Berd Health Management Calendar Page 5 f 5

Extension Animal Husbandry

Extension Animal Husbandry sc Extensin Animal Husbandry FACTS PUBLICATION NUMBER ANS OO-6O6MG Department f Animal Science BASIC MEAT GOAT FACTS Jean-Marie Luginbuhl Extensin Meat Gat Specialist Reprductive Aspects Female Age f puberty