BEEF NEWS. Improving The Calf Crop. extension.tennessee.edu. Sincerely, Andy Mills. Meade County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

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1 BEEF NEWS Meade County Extension Service 1041 Old Ekron Road, Brandenburg, KY Fax Improving The Calf Crop I m like most beef producers when the weekly market report comes out I study it with a watering mouth. On the other hand, I nearly cry when a cow loses a calf or a cow comes up open because of the poten al money the calf would have made at market me. Naturally, when this happens, I always try to assess the situa on and try to iden fy any problems that I may fix or improve to be er assure a higher number of cows weaning calves I want 100%. Not every problem is so obvious or can even be proven as the problem. However, there is one hindrance to all beef producers that hurts our reproduc on more than we realize. This hindrance is fescue or endophyte infected fescue to be precise. Endophyte infected fescue is nothing new. It has been studied now for more than 40 years. By now we all should know ca le ea ng fescue grass/hay will have reduced feed intake. The endophyte in the grass causes an abnormal func on of the thermoregulatory center in most animals. Basically, this means in the summer the animals body temperature is higher than normal and in the winter it is lower than normal. Therefore, animals ea ng endophyte infected fescue are, in a sense, slightly sick all summer and all winter. This will nega vely impact all forms of produc on and make a 100% calf crop impossible. extension.tennessee.edu Recently, I stumbled across a publica on that published a research study in Alabama where heifers were developed on fescue infected at three different levels with endophyte. low, medium, and high. The heifers were studied from weaning through their second breeding a er their first calf. The results showed that medium to high levels of endophyte dras cally reduced pregnancy rates and milk produc on. A er calving, heifers consuming low level endophyte fescue had a 93% pregnancy rate during the second breeding season where as those ea ng fescue infected at high levels had a pregnancy rate of only 33% during the second breeding season. The study also revealed that a lot of the poor pregnancy rate was due to, not so much poor concep on rate, but high early embryonic death. This means that heifers may have go en pregnant but miscarried shortly a er concep on. In conclusion, with feeder calves selling for $1,200 $1,400 at the stockyards and beef producers wan ng to market as many calves as possible, management is almost always the key to increasing the number of calves weaned. One difficult but important obstacle in achieving a higher calving rate is endophyte infected fescue. Most, if not all our fescue is infected to some degree with endophyte. Outside of killing it all and star ng over with a different variety or kind of forage, producers can dilute fescue with other forages with renova on or rota ng to other forages in the summer months. Also, producers should try to establish new hayfields with forages other than fescue to reduce endophyte in the winter feedings. Therefore, in order to increase our chances to achieve a 100% calf crop and improve the females ability to get and stay pregnant, calve, and raise a calf, beef producers should consider improving management of their fescue pastures and hayfields. Sincerely, Andy Mills Meade County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources

2 Face Flies & Pink Eye ENTFACT 510 by Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Tis fly season. The best defense is preven on. The following publica on describe a major problem in ca le, pink eye and face flies, and Face flies are one of the most difficult pasture pests to control. They are on ca le only for short periods of me during the day and stay mostly on the head, which is difficult to treat with insec cides. Face flies use an abrasive sponging mouthpart to s mulate tear flow from the eyes. These flies lap up the protein rich secre ons from the eye as well as nasal discharges, saliva, or blood oozing from wounds. Most of the me they are off of the animals, res ng on plants, fence posts, or other objects. In addi on to being very annoying to ca le, face flies play a role in the transmission of Moraxella bovis, the principal causal agent of bovine pinkeye or infec ous bovine keratoconjunc vi s. This disease is a highly contagious inflama on of the cornea and conjunc va of ca le. Coupled with the infec ous bovine rhinotrachei s (IBR) virus, M. bovis can cause a much more severe inflammatory condi on. The incidence of pinkeye in a herd can vary greatly from year to year and usually is greatest during fly season. However, pinkeye also can occur during the winter or where flies are not par cularly abundant. English breeds with less pigment around the eyes (Hereford, Holstein Shorthorn) are more suscep ble than are those with completely pigmented eyes (Angus). Infec ons are much worse in young animals than old animals. Pinkeye is associated with shipping stress, increased sunlight, eye irritants such as tall, rough pasture grass, and other bacteria and viruses. The eye and nose discharges of infected animals can carry the pathogens, so direct animal to animal contact, contaminated equipment, and animal handlers can transmit the disease. Fly control is only part of the comprehensive program needed to reduce pinkeye incidence. Your veterinarian can help you to plan and implement a total program. Examples of Pinkeye FACE FLY BIOLOGY www2.ca.uky.ed Face fly maggots develop in freshly deposited ca le manure. Female face flies are most readily a racted to grass type manure and lay their eggs within 15 minutes a er it is deposited. The four stage life cycle takes about 15 to 25 days. Face flies overwinter as adults in sheltered areas such as barns or a cs and become ac ve again in the spring. SELF APPLICATOR FACE FLY CONTROL OPTIONS Devices that allow animals to treat themselves frequently and which target the head and face area are most effec ve against face flies. Even if a good pasture fly control program is in place, these insects are strong fliers so they may move in from other herds and allowing fly numbers on animals to remain high. Backrubbers with wicks or fly flips will allow ca le to treat themselves while loafing and scratching. The insec cide should be diluted with a good grade of mineral oil (diesel oil evaporates more quickly and is harder on the ca le's skin) according to label instruc ons. Do not use motor oil. See ENT 4, Making and Using A Ca le Backrubber, for more informa on. Dust bags are most effec ve when used where ca le have to pass under them daily to get to water or mineral feeders. Best coverage occurs when the animal must li the bag with its head to pass through. Inspect the bag regularly and recharge it as needed. Keep it dry to reduce clumping of the insec cide and premature loss of effec veness. Feed addi ves or an insec cide bolus targets face fly maggots breeding in fresh animal manure. All animals must eat a minimal dose of a feed addi ve regularly. Supplementary control measures must be taken to deal with flies moving in from nearby herds. Insec cide impregnated ca le ear tags release small amounts of an insec cide which are distributed over the animal during grooming or rubbing. Some pyrethroid tags can provide significant face fly reduc on for several weeks. See En act 505, Insec cide Impregnated Ear Tags, (www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ ef505.asp )for more informa on. Self applicator Face Flies www2.ca.uky.ed sprayers can be set up at mineral feeders or gates between fields. A switch, tripped by the animal, releases a small amount of spray. Posi on the nozzle so that the face is treated.

3 Adding Value To Your Heifers As I have stated many mes before, there are ways to add value to the beef herd, net returns, than just selling feeder calves. One such way is developing and selling bred heifers. Good quality bred heifers developed under strict health and reproduc ve guidelines are in high demand now and should be in coming years. Our first sale a few weeks ago was a success, results are published below, but can even be be er. I highly recommend if you have good quality young heifers, developing them by our recommenda on and consigning them in one of our sales. Results KY Heartland Bred Heifer Sale May 16, 2015 United Producers Stockyards, Irvington Total for 80 head = $204,975 Average = $2,562.19/head High: $2,900 Low: $2, lots averaged $6, = 2.5 head/lot 26 BWF = $68,825 = $2, AngX = $133,250 = $2,514 1 Registered Angus = $2,900 Average/buyer = 5 head Range: buyers/5 consignors

4 2015 FALL SALE 2015 KY HEARTLAND BRED HEIFER SALE HEALTH REQUIREMENT SCHEDULE SALE DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4TH, P.M. EASTERN TIME OR NOON CT UNITED PRODUCERS STOCKYARD, IRVINGTON SPRING to 8 weeks prior to breeding Heifers are weighed English breeds must weigh 600 lbs and Con nental breeds must weigh 700 lbs. Heifers reproduc ve tracts are evaluated and pelvic measurements must be 150 sq. cm. or greater for yearling heifers or 180 sq. cm. or greater for 18 month old heifers. Heifers are vaccinated for protec on against IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis must be a modified live vaccine. Ex.(Bovi Shield FP 5 VL5) Heifers are dewormed and treated for external parasites. FALL 2015: Heifers must be pregnancy examined by licensed veterinarian to determine breeding dates (Confirma on of AI pregnancy or natural service). Heifers are treated to control external and internal parasites within 90 days of the sale. Heifers are given a booster vaccina on for Leptospirosis within 90 days of the sale. Heifers are inspected by Kentucky Department of Agriculture Graders to eliminate shorts, scarred eyes, rat tails, warts, ringworms, light muscled heifers and disorderly disposi ons. Heifers have tested nega ve for BVD PI by ear notch sampling (normally in the fall of 2014 or spring of 2015) SPRING SALE 2016 KY HEARTLAND BRED HEIFER SALE HEALTH REQUIREMENT SCHEDULE SALE DATE TO BE DETERMINED(LATE MAY EARLY JUNE) SPRING 2015 Weaning It is recommended but not required for heifers to be calf hood vaccinated for Brucellosis. This should be done between 4 and 10 months of age. (modified live vaccine) and Clostridial (7 way recommended). Heifers must be dewormed using a product to control all stages of the internal parasite life cycle. External parasites must be controlled. FALL to 8 weeks prior to breeding Heifers are weighed English breeds must weigh 600 lbs and Con nental breeds must weigh 700 lbs. Heifers reproduc ve tracts are evaluated and pelvic measurements must be 150 sq. cm. or greater for yearling heifers or 180 sq. cm. or greater for 18 month old heifers. Heifers are vaccinated for protec on against IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis must be a modified live vaccine. Ex.(Bovi Shield FP 5 VL5) Heifers are dewormed and treated for external parasites. Anyone wan ng to develop heifers for any of these sales please contact the Meade County Extension Office at so that we can get a be er es mate of a head count for the sales.

5 KY Heartland Bred Heifer Sale Heifer Requirements 1. Traceable to farm of birth original heifer owner s signature and farm location must be recorded on Place Of Origin Producer Affidavit form. 2. It is recommended but not required for heifers to be calf-hood vaccinated for Brucellosis. This should be done between 4 and 10 months of age. 3. Yearling pelvic measurements must be 150 sq. cm. or greater or 18 month pelvic measurement of 180 sq. c m. or greater. 4. Vaccinated and boostered for protection against IBR, PI 3, BVD, BRSV, Vibriosis & Leptospirosis; ex.(bovi Shield FP 5 VL5). Modified live vaccine should be used for the viral vaccine. 5. Boostered for Leptospirosis within 90 days of sale. 6. Heifers must be on a complete mineral program. (List mineral requirements) 7. Dewormed and treated for external parasites within 90 days of sale. External parasites must be controlled. 8. Inspected by Kentucky Department of Agriculture Graders to eliminate shorts, scarred eyes that obscure vision, rat tails, warts, ringworms, light muscled heifers, bad dispositions, etc. 9. Bred to calving-ease bulls with known calving ease direct and/or birthweight EPDs. 10. Tested for PI BVD and found to be negative. 11. Breeding season should be limited to 60 days. 12. Heat may not be suppressed for extended periods of time, MGA is used for heat synchronization only. 13. Remove bulls by July 15 (for spring calving heifers) or February 1 (for fall calving heifers). 14. Pregnancy check heifers as close to 35 days after bull removal to ensure the most accurate estimate of expected calving date of AI bred heifers. Heifers must be pregnancy examined to determine breeding dates by licensed veterinarian (Confirmation of AI pregnancy or natural service) 15. Heifers must be Body Condition Score 5 or better at sale time. (BCS 6-7 is recommended) 16. Heifers must be sorted into sale lots on paper by the consignor prior to arrival at sale barn taking into consideration expected calving date and type. (No Exceptions) 17. Guaranteed pregnant for 30 days after the sale. Any problems should be handled between consignors and buyer. Bull Requirements Breed Calving Ease Angus 10 Hereford 3.0 Limousin 15 Red Angus 8 Simmental 13.2 Sim-Angus 13.2 Gelbvieh 13.2 Balancer 13.2

6 Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky Meade County 1041 Old Ekron Rd. Brandenburg, KY NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID BRANDENBURG, KY PERMIT 49 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED