Bohaty Farm Bulletin June 2015 Bohaty s British Whites Quality You Can Count On Since 1983! 2015 Open House & Sale Highlights! Bohaty s Herd Reduction Sale We are getting old enough to slow down some so we are offering pairs first come first pick! Started Friday off by Diane washing and blow drying the 2 open heifers we used for the clipping demo. B&B Panzee (pictured above) wasn t so calm during this process so I decided to use B&B Desi for the clipping. These two heifers are broke to lead but not nearly ready for showing! (See more highlights and pictures on page 3) Bohaty s British Whites Walter & Nancy Bohaty 1371 42nd Road Bellwood, NE 68624 402-367-4741 Email: nbohaty@gmail.com www.britishcattle.com B&B Pocahaunus 49Y & 2015 May calf This pair and others like her for sale Contact us for details Thanks for Coming to Our 2015 Open House & Sale We enjoyed visiting with Friends and Customers! Everyone had a great time! Come Again Visitors Always Welcome!
June 2015 Page 2 How did your herd bull make it through the winter? Jim Neel, University of Tennessee Extension Did your herd bull receive any concern during the long cold winter we have experienced? Probably most of the concerns were directed toward the cow herd and calves. However, the long cold winter we experienced may have led to several negative effects on the bull that could severely reduce his reproductive potential. These range from frostbite on the bull s scrotum, excess loss of body condition, and perhaps injuries to the feet and legs depending on the condition of the frozen surfaces they were walking on. Under normal winters, with sufficient care, the effects of cold weather would be less of a problem. However, with the extremely cold weather this year, bulls have been exposed to conditions with greater risk of frostbite and cold injury to the scrotum and testicles that can cause subfertility or in some cases, infertility. In cold weather sperm quality is reduced, and the colder it gets the more quality reduction occurs. Bulls with larger, hanging scrotums are more susceptible to being sub fertile or possibly, even sterile in cold conditions. These bulls would have a problem drawing their testicles up close to their body to keep them warm. Both cold and hot weather can interfere with the spermatogenesis process and reduce reproductive potential. Check the bulls scrotum for scabs; these would probably be found on the lower part of the scrotum. The presence of no scab is not an assurance that the reproductive potential is not negatively affected. If frostbite and or cold injury is a concern, the bull should have a Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) 45 days or so after the injury. Check with a local bovine veterinarian and discuss the possibility of frost bite and arrange to have a BSE done on the bulls. A BSE prior to the breeding season has always been a good practice and may be even more important this year. An exam should include an evaluation of the bull s reproductive tract, semen volume and quality, as well as the bull s structural soundness and overall physical condition. Observe the bulls for lameness, as frozen, slippery and sometimes sharp edged ground conditions can lead to lameness that will affect their ability to breed cows. Did they come through the winter in decent physical condition? Or, did they end up thinner than you would like due to the cold weather energy requirements causing them to burn more calories to stay warm? Ideally bulls should have a similar Body Condition Score (BCS) to that of replacement heifers: from a 5 to 6.5. Top performing bulls will be busy and lose weight during the breeding season so they need to be in adequate condition before breeding begins. Also remember young bulls are still growing and may need extra feed during the breeding season. During the pre-breeding period bulls should physically and nutritionally prepared for the work they have ahead of them. (Continued on Pg 4)
June 2015 Page 3 Highlights of our 2015 Open House & Sale (Continued from page 1) Pizza was served to all who stayed for supper followed by a birthday cake for Rick Stockhill. This part was planned by all his Face Book friends. He was really surprised. Saturday morning everyone returned to our farm to check out the sale animals and decide which ones they might want to buy. Breakfast of rolls and hot beverages was available for all. Dinner at 11:30 and the sale started at 1PM. Door prize ($20) winner was Paul Sims of MO. Sale Time with our Sale Referee Kent Clymer (See picture at right) A picture of those who attended our 2015 Sale! Thanks everyone. Visitors from many states began arriving Friday afternoon to check out the sale animals and visit with friends old and new. All who were interested in seeing me clip the heifer gathered around the grooming chute at 2 PM and the demo began. I explained what I was doing and why and tried to answer any questions that people asked. I hope the demo was helpful to those who watched. I am sure some thought it was a lot of work, which it certainly is, but when going to shows and sales clipping is important. A social time followed as friends gathered around the picnic table to visit.
June 2015 Page 4 Proper injection sites to remember at calf-working time By Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension May 05, 2015 The month of May is traditionally the time when spring round-ups take place. This is the time that large and small cow/calf operations schedule the working of the calves. As the majority of the calves reach their second month of life, it is time to castrate the male calves and immunize all of the calves to protect them against blackleg. Also the new information suggests that in some situations, calves may be vaccinated for the respiratory diseases, i.e. IBR and BVD. Check with your veterinarian for vaccination advice. Correct administration of any injection is a critical control point in beef production and animal health. There is a negative relationship between meat tenderness and injection sites, including injection sites that have no visible lesion. In fact, intramuscular (IM) injections, regardless of the product injected, may create permanent damage regardless of the age of the animal at the time of injection. Tenderness is reduced in a three-inch area surrounding the injection site. Moving the injection-site area to the neck stops damage to expensive steak cuts. Therefore, cow/calf producers should make certain that their family members, and other hired labor are sufficiently trained as to the proper location of the injections before the spring calf-working begins. Give injections according to label instructions. Subcutaneous (SQ) means under the skin, intramuscular (IM) means in the muscle. Some vaccines (according to the label instructions) allow the choice between intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SQ). Always use subcutaneous (SQ) as the method of administration when permitted by the product s label. Remember to tent the skin for SQ injections unless instructed otherwise by the manufacturer. Proper injection technique is just one of many components of the Beef Quality Assurance effort that has had a positive impact on the entire United States beef industry. Another important aspect of the Beef Quality Assurance effort is keeping of accurate treatment records. Treatment records should include: Individual animal/group identification Date treated Product administered and manufac turer s lot/serial number Dosage used (Continued from Pg 2) During the peak of breeding season bulls will need the physical stamina to cover many miles in one day. Just like with people, reaching this level of fitness won t happen overnight. Providing a 1-2 acre lot during the prebreeding period will go a long ways in building a bull s stamina. So, take a good look at your bulls to see how they made it through winter. Now is the time to evaluate them, so that you have sufficient time to put them on a pre-breeding program to have them ready to go when the time comes, or have time to find replacements if needed. (Continued from left column) Route and location of administration Earliest date animal(s) will have cleared withdrawal period Name of person administering the product Treatment records for cattle should be stored and kept for a minimum of three years after the animal(s) have been sold from your operation. Beef producers are encouraged to learn and practice Beef Quality Assurance Guidelines. You can learn more about the Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance program by going to the website: http:// oklahomabeefquality.com/ The Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Manual can be downloaded from that site. Examples of treatment records to be kept and stored are available from the Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Manual or the Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance program website. Worry is like a rockin' horse. It's something to do that don't get you nowhere. -- Old West Proverb
June 2015 Page 5 Seven spring suggestions to set up calves for top performance By Kevin Hill, D.V.M., technical services manager, Merck Animal Health April 28, 2015 In the cow/calf business, fall profits depend heavily on decisions producers make in the spring for both cows and calves. Keeping calves healthy and prepared for top marketing programs, as well as getting cows rebred, are universal keys to ranching success. Here are seven springtime management suggestions that will provide reproductive protection through breeding and gestation, plus build strong calf immunity to maximize their growth potential and be immunologically prepared to transition to the feedlot in the fall. 1. Work with your veterinarian to build a health protocol specific to your herd. Your veterinarian is the best resource you have to identify the pathogens and disease challenges that are most important in your area. Vaccinations for cows should be focused on optimizing conception and preventing abortion, while prevention of respiratory disease is the most important element of calf vaccinations. 2. Vaccinate cows in the spring whenever possible. Three to six weeks before breeding is the ideal time to vaccinate cows for maximum reproductive protection. The focus is to protect against reproductive pathogens that can interfere with conception or trigger abortions. Administering a combination vaccine, such as Vista 5 VL5 SQ, can accomplish this in one dose. And don t forget to include trichomoniasis testing for bulls in your health protocol. There are no vaccines for trichomoniasis, so testing is the best option available. 3. Vaccinate calves for respiratory protection with a target on fall marketing health programs. Spring is often our first opportunity to prime the calf s immune system, so they rapidly respond to weaning vaccinations. The viruses of concern that need to be included in a vaccination program are Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV). The most prominent players for bacterial pneumonia are Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Look for combination vaccines, such as Vista Once SQ, that address all the important respiratory viruses and both bacteria. For more information about calf preconditioning protocols, visit www.cattleprimevac.com. 4. Use intranasal vaccines in calves younger than 5 months of age. Intranasal vaccines, such as Nasalgen IP and Once PMH IN, stimulate a strong immune response directly on mucosal surfaces in the nose the major route of respiratory infection in cattle. Intranasal vaccines also are less stressful on the young calf than vaccines given under the skin and escape interference from maternal antibodies in colostrum. 5. Eliminate internal parasites before turnout. There s no shortage of evidence that shows if parasites are effectively eliminated, the cow will eat more, milk better and produce a heavier calf. Because of documented parasite resistance to ivermectin products, the most effective strategy to control internal parasites should include fenbendazole, the active ingredient in Safe-Guard. Using Safe-Guard with an ivermectin pour-on for external parasites will achieve a near 100 percent parasite kill. Consult with your veterinarian to assist with the diagnosis, treatment and control strategies for internal parasites. 6. Control pinkeye with vaccination and management. Because pinkeye is a significant health problem in many parts of the country, a combination of vaccination and fly control is recommended for complete control. Fly tags in cows and calves can be very helpful in areas with heavy fly pressure. (Note: We here at Bohaty s have found that using a good mineral with Vitamin A in it helps control Pinkeye and have stopped using the vaccine for Pinkeye.) 7. Consider implanting all calves at branding. Implanting a calf will add 20 to 25 pounds to the weaning weight and an extra $40 in revenue for just a $1.25-per -head investment. Unless a producer has a solid contract for a natural program that guarantees a premium of $40 or more, implants should be part of his spring turnout program for all calves older than 1 month of age. (Note: This step is optional, especially for those breeders who are raising calves for breeding stock) After you have taken the steps to ensure optimal calf health, be sure to document the products and practices you have used. A signed certificate, especially one signed by your veterinarian, will add value to your calves. Documentation should comprise of vaccination, parasite control and other treatments, including the product, what it s for and the date applied. Print a copy to accompany the calves when they go to market. Buyers pay $15 to $35 more per head for calves with that kind of documented health history. If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around. -- Will Rogers