Bull-o-gram Beef newsletter

Transcription

1 Bull-o-gram Beef newsletter McDowell County Center April 2009 Cattlemen s Association Spring Meeting Inside This Issue Cattlemen s Association Spring Meeting 1 Calendar of Events 1 Arthrogryposis Multiplex-aka Curly Cow Syndrome 2-3 Reducing Stress and Improving Safety in Cattle Handling 4-6 Livestock Market Report 7 Contact Us McDowell County Extension 60 E Court Street Marion NC (828) Phone (828) Fax Mario_Deluca@ncsu.edu Calendar of Events This years spring meeting will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 pm at the Glenwood Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. We have an excellent program lined up for this meeting. Most producers work their cattle during the spring in preparation for breeding, spring grass flush and summer fly season. Our guest speaker, Noel Torres, Animal Health Rep from Pfizer Animal Health will be on hand to present our program, on worming, lice control and vaccinating. In addition many of our producers utilize AI in breeding their cattle and often synchronize the heat cycles of their cows and heifers with lutylyse and CIDRS. Noel will review and discuss the proper use of these products. We ll also have a short presentation on utilizing fly tags and their effectiveness. In an effort to save our producers some money on cattle pharmaceuticals, our directors decided to try a cooperative buying program for producers to order cattle products they most often use in their management programs including wormers, vaccines, lice pour-ons, fly tags, etc at a discounted rate. An order form and detail will be available at the meeting. We will also have a brief report on the forage and hay analysis being conducted for McDowell County to help us determine what nutrients are deficient and need to be supplemented in our minerals. This should be an interesting and informative meeting for everyone. As always, spouses and family members are always welcomed and encouraged to attend. Pfizer Animal Health will be sponsoring the meal so we will need to have an accurate head count on the number attending. Please RSVP to my office at by 5:00 pm on Monday, April 20. Looking forward to seeing you on the 23rd!! Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. April 20 April 23 RSVP for McDowell Cattlemen s Meeting McDowell Cattlemen s Association Spring Meeting Glenwood Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 6:30pm

2 Arthrogryposis Multiplex aka Curly Calf Syndrome Information for Cow-Calf Producers Scott P. Greiner, Ph.D., Extension Animal Scientist, VA Tech Last fall, the American Angus Association announced the presence of a genetic defect in Angus cattle called Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM; aka Curly Calf Syndrome). Research has confirmed that AM is a lethal genetic defect which is inherited as a simple recessive. As a simple recessive, the condition is controlled by a single pair of genes. For a calf to be affected, it must inherit the AM gene from both of its parents. AM calves are dead at birth with a bent or twisted spine, are small and thin muscled, and their legs are often rigid and hyper-extended. The chances of having an AM calf are directly related to the probability of herd sires and cows being carriers of the AM gene. Carrier animals possess the AM gene, and although they are not affected themselves, they will pass the effective gene to their progeny 50% of the time. When a carrier bull is mated to a carrier cow, on average 25% of the calves will have the AM condition and 75% of the calves will be normal. However, some of these normal appearing calves will be carriers of the AM gene (one copy of the AM gene, inherited either from their sire or dam) and have the ability to pass the gene on to their progeny. As a simple recessive, AM is inherited in a very similar fashion to coat color (black vs. red) and horns in beef cattle- both simple recessives which many producers are familiar with. Since AM results only when a calf inherits the AM gene from both of its parents, if one parent is free of the AM gene, it is not possible to have an affected calf. The American Angus Association has published an extensive list of animals which have been DNA tested for the absence (AMF- Arthrogryposis Multiplex Free) or presence (AMC- Arthrogryposis Multiplex Carrier) of the AM gene. This comprehensive list provides the AM genotype for the majority of Angus sires utilized AI. Commercial cow-calf producers can do a simple risk assessment for their herd by utilizing this published list. For example, assume a herd has a natural service son of a known carrier (AMC) bull. This son of a known carrier bulls has a 50% chance of being a carrier himself. Taken one step further, if daughters of this bull (son of known AM carrier) were retained in the herd, they have a 25% chance of being carriers (grandprogeny of known carriers have 25% of being carriers themselves). Using this approach, producers can get a feel for the potential frequency of the AM gene in their cowherds based on the ancestry of recent sires used in the herd. Herds which have used known carrier bulls AI, or sons of known carrier bulls, have a higher probability of carrier females within the cow herd. As stated earlier, both the sire and dam must be carriers to result in an AM calf. Consequently, if only AMF sires are used in a herd, the AM condition will not manifest itself. The use of AMF bulls certainly is the quickest and surest way to eliminate the risk of having an AM calf. Through DNA genotyping, current herdsires can be tested to determine if they are AMF or AMC. For bulls with carrier animals in their ancestry, DNA testing may be warranted, particularly in herds which have potential carrier females. The DNA test can be performed using a hair root or blood sample, and costs approximately $25 per animal. Definitive knowledge of the AM genotype of sires will allow for prudent mating decisions. Additionally, knowing the genotype of a bull allows for more accurate prediction as to the status of his progeny. 2

3 continued from page 2 Arthrogryposis Multiplex aka Curly Calf Syndrome Information for Cow-Calf Producers Moving forward, the application of DNA genotyping will present bull buyers with the ability to make informed decisions regarding AM status, as most seedstock suppliers will test bulls prior to ofering them for sale. Additionally, seedstock producers are well versed in the pedigree lineage of the bulls they have sold their customers in previous years, and can assist cow-calf producers in identifying bulls currently in use which are candidates to be DNA tested (ie. if current herdsire is at risk of being carrier based on ancestral information). Assessing the risk of an animal can become complex, as the pedigree needs to be evaluated several generations back (on both sire and dam side) to identify if an animal is a potential carrier. Seedstock producers are in the best position to assist commercial cattlemen in accomplishing this task. While the focus of AM has logically been with registered Angus cattle, the principles of inheritance of this condition extend to other breeds and crosses which are Angus-influenced. As an example, Gelbvieh Balancer and SimAngus genetics in commercial herds also need to be evaluated as to their AM status due to their Angus ancestry. In summary, AM is likely not to be a significant problem in most commercial cow calf operations. The risk will vary from herd to herd based on the genetics which have been utilized. While DNA testing is the only way to predict with certainty if an animal is a carrier or not, risk assessment based on pedigree information and testing of current herd sires (if warranted based on pedigree risk) provide a practical means for commercial producers to address this issue. Additional information on AM, including a list of known carrier sires and details on testing procedures and laboratories can be found on the American Angus Association web site 3

4 REDUCING STRESS AND IMPROVING SAFETY IN CATTLE HANDLING Submitted by F. David Kirkpatrick Farmers are aware of the dangers of working with machinery, the leading cause of injuries and deaths in the nation s most hazardous occupation. A summary from 15 states of farm accidents revealed that animals were a factor in one out of every eight injuries, ranking second to machinery in total cases. A Bureau of Labor Statistics study from revealed that 75,000 workers incurred injuries and 375 workers were fatalities from animal related injuries. Cattle were responsible for most of the injuries caused by animals. A 1997 study conducted by Oklahoma State University Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department found 150 cases of cattle handling-related injuries from 100 Oklahoma cow-calf operations. The study showed that more than one-half of the injuries resulted from human error while facilities accounted for almost twenty-five percent of the total. Human error can be the cause of many accidents. Errors in judgment and action can be due to numerous reasons, but occur most frequently when people are tired, hurried, careless, upset or do not understand animal behavior. There are many reasons cattle react the way they do when trying to gather them up at cattle working time. Many of their reactions are a result of their innate characteristics. Cattle evolved as animals of prey and have an inherent survival response that is motivated by fear. They rely on sight, sound and smell to detect predators and respond to danger by fleeing or fighting (survival mode). How they perceive human interaction dictate their response to stimuli, demands or environment. Stress occurs when human demands are placed upon them which cannot be responded to calmly or naturally. When unduly stressed, the animal operates in a survival mode of fight or flight. Excessive stress leads to panic and can make cattle handling an unforgettable event for both cattle and the cattle handlers. Stressing cattle can be costly from a performance and economic standpoint. Stressed cattle exhibit reduced performance, decreased disease resistance (immune system suppression), lower conception rates and reduction of meat quality in the form of dark cutters. In addition, stress can contribute to the injury of either or both the animal and the people interacting with them. Decreasing stress and excitability for both the cattle and cattle handler will contribute to the improvement of safety for both parties. Understanding these innate characteristics of animals and how and why they respond to different situations can make cattle handling a safe and less stressful event. Vision: Cattle have panoramic vision in excess of 300 degrees which means they can see in all directions except for directly behind themselves. In contrast the human s vision is roughly 180 degrees. Approaching cattle from directly behind them can startle them and be dangerous to the handler. Cattle have poor depth perception. Their ability to perceive ground depth while moving is very limited. Because of this limitation, cattle must stop and lower their head to focus. That is the reason unfamiliar objects and shadows on the ground are the cause of animals balking when entering or moving through the chute. Due to the limitation in vertical vision and lack of ability to focus, a shadow on the ground can appear to be a large ditch. Cattle are sensitive to light differently than humans and move more freely from a dimly illuminated area to a more lighted area providing the light is not glaring in their eyes. This is why it is difficult to get them to move into a dark chute from a sunny outdoor crowding pen. If working cattle at night, frosted lamps need to be used in order to eliminate glare in the cattle s eyes. Hearing: Cattle hear differently than humans. They can hear both lower volume and higher frequency sounds better than humans but cannot pinpoint the source as well as humans. Loud sounds scare them very easily. Because of their poor depth perception, excessive screaming and hollering can agitate them and cause 4 continued on page 5

5 REDUCING STRESS AND IMPROVING SAFETY IN CATTLE HANDLING Continued from page 4 them to move away from the source and possibly crashing into fences or other objects, including people. Be extremely cautious of cattle with sight problems (such as cancer eye) as they rely on hearing to a greater extent and may overreact to sounds. Flight Zone or Distance: Like people, cattle have a comfort zone. Their flight zone is measured by how near you can approach them before they move. When you enter an animal s flight zone, the animal will start to move. When approaching cattle from the front they will turn and move away from you. If approaching them from the rear, they will turn to look at you and move forward. The speed at which they move will vary depending upon their temperament. Wild cattle or those that have had bad experiences with cattle handling will have larger flight zones than docile cattle and these cattle will not allow a person to get near them before moving. Calmer cattle will allow a person to get closer to them before they start movement. Familiarity of the cattle with the cattle handler will also affect the size of the flight zone. Cattle will be more apprehensive with persons in which they are not familiar. Herd Instinct: Cattle are prey animals and feel more comfortable and safe in groups. This instinct causes them to want to be in a group and follow other animals movement in that group. Being alone may cause them heightened anxiety, fearfulness and willingness to fight back in a situation that a human might not perceive as dangerous. When an individual is separated from the herd it can become very stressed, agitated and aggressive. When trying to separate an individual from a herd, it is often much easier to allow one or two additional animals to go with that animal. Maternal Instinct: Cows have a defensive instinct to protect their young from danger. A cow or heifer s behavior can become very unpredictable at or after calving. A docile animal can become aggressive and charge when being separated from their young. A cow is often aggressive just after calving and is not to be trusted. Usually, the younger the calf, the more dangerous the mother. Always keep some type of barrier between yourself and the calf s mother when ear tagging or performing any other practice on newborn calves.. Territorial: Animals are attached to their own territory and are comfortable in that area. Changing environments or location alters their comfort level and can lead to changes in temperament. They may become very tentative when exposed to strange surroundings. Also, in a new environment they sometimes try to re-establish a new pecking order. A single animal moved to a foreign environment may become overly agitated and aggressive. It is best to provide that single animal with a companion animal to overcome stress and excitement. Bulls: Bulls react differently to people than cows. Cows are protective of their calves and themselves and when threatened they are usually in the defensive mode. When you retreat the cow will usually do the same and not bother you. Bulls are territorial and are more possessive of their space and cows. NEVER TRUST A BULL AND NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO HIM!. Without warning, a submissive and docile bull may turn aggressive and cause serious injury or death. Never attempt to separate a bull from the herd by yourself. Bulls need to be respected and not necessarily feared. Dairy bulls are more dangerous than beef bulls. The management system under which bulls are raised has a profound effect on their temperament. Individually reared bulls, as calves, can become more aggressive toward a person than group reared bulls because they perceive their handler as a rival and not a dominant power. An innate fear of humans is lost during individual rearing. It is made worse when the calf is teased, played with or constantly rubbed on 5 continued on page 6

6 REDUCING STRESS AND IMPROVING SAFETY IN CATTLE HANDLING Continued from page 5 during individual rearing. It is made worse when the calf is teased, played with or constantly rubbed on the head and he views a person as a competitor. When he matures he may want to challenge a person again. Basic cattle instincts contribute to behavior patterns that are based on actions to make them feel most comfortable in their environment. These behavior patterns or instincts allow cattle to respond to changes in their surroundings or environment. Some of their responses to different situations can be dangerous to both them and the cattle handler. Understanding how and why cattle respond to different situations can greatly reduce the risk of accidents when working with cattle. The best formula for working with cattle to eliminate problems and improve safety involves calmness, quietness, patience and not rushing and have adequate cattle handling facilities General APRIL BEEF MANAGEMENT CALENDAR Start watching for flies. Order fly control products to be ready when treatment warrants. Consider the type tags or sprays used last year. Change from organophosphate to pyrethroid or vice versa. Use spray or back rubs early, and delay tag application as late as possible. Use all outside stores of hay; clean out hay storage areas for new hay. Monitor mineral intake and watch closely for grass tetany. Plan for winter feed supply. Spring Calving Herds For calving to begin around January 1, bulls need to go into pastures on March 21 Check condition of bulls during the breeding season. Provide supplemental feed if needed. Bulls should be in BCS of 6.0 when turned in with the cows. Be prepared to remove bulls from mature cows after a 45 to 90 day breeding season. Watch heifers for heat to see if they are breeding. Remove bull from heifers after a 45 to 60 day breeding season. Cows need to be in moderate to good condition to rebreed. Proved supplemental feed if spring pastures are slow to grow. Maintain BCS of 5.0 Make final selection of replacement heifers. Market culled heifers. Evaluate profit potential for creep feeding. Fall Calving Herds Prepare weaning pen for calf weaning, and plan feeding program. Calves should usually be weaned at 7 to 8 months of age. To precondition for shipment, calves should be weaned and vaccinated for respiratory diseases 45 days prior to shipment. Ask your veterinarian for product recommendations, and order vaccines. Tattoo or otherwise establish permanent IDs for bred heifers. Consider creep feeding, depending on pasture conditions and marketing plans. Pregnancy check 45 to 60 days after the end of the breeding season or at weaning. Sell open heifers now or consider finishing them for freezer beef. 6

7 Chesnee Livestock Yard, Chesnee, SC Weighted Average Auction Report Tuesday March 31, 2009 Cattle Receipts: 415 Last week: 521 Last year: 503 Slaughter cows steady-1.00 higher, Slaughter bulls steady, Feeder steers and heifers higher. Slaughter cows made up 15 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 1 percent, replacement cows 6 percent, other cows 1 percent, and feeders 78 percent. The feeder supply included 34 percent steers, 34 percent heifers, and 32 percent bulls. Near 19 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. (Figures in parentheses are weighted average weights and prices for each category) Feeder Steers: Medium and Large lbs (215) (98.50); lbs (265) (109.35); lbs (323) (105.23); lbs (367) (105.66); lbs (423) (104.27); lbs (470) (101.42); lbs (524) (101.31); lbs (500) (91.00 Fleshy); lbs (578) (98.04); lbs (565) (90.49); lbs (624) (89.83); lbs (725) (80.00); lbs (780) (81.00); lbs (818) (80.00); lbs (855) (75.00); Small lbs (215) (96.22); lbs (269) (99.91); lbs (315) (93.50); lbs (378) (93.45); Medium and Large lbs (238) (82.42); lbs (329) (75.78); (363) (82.44); lbs (415) (84.45); lbs (585) (60.00); lbs (785) (50.00); lbs (965) (57.00); lbs (1020) (56.00). Holstein Large lbs (730) (47.00) Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large lbs (225) (94.00); lbs (282) (87.82); LBS ( 318) (89.00); lbs (369) (90.58); lbs (420) (91.22); lbs (471) (86.04); lbs (521) (82.25); lbs (568) (84.37); lbs (634) (79.17); lbs(660) (79.04); lbs (773) (70.88); lbs (805) (67.00). Small lbs (220) (90.00); lbs (273) ( 83.38); lbs (330) (82.95); lbs (350) (82.00). Medium and Large lbs (258) (78.60); lbs (316) (80.84); lbs (363) (77.40); lbs (426) (74.70); lbs (468) (72.05); lbs (510) (72.00); lbs (580) (76.02); lbs (610) (65.00); lbs (670) (73.50); lbs (755) (63.50). Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large lbs (421) (98.33); lbs (462) (99.69); lbs (515) (90.75); lbs (564) (93.51); lbs (590) (88.50); lbs (623) (84.98); lbs (675) (80.51); lbs (713) (73.26); lbs (830) (65.00); lbs (930) (62.00); Medium and Large lbs (427) (86.72); lbs (480) (81.37); lbs (529) (79.60); lbs (569) (81.21); lbs (621) (70.75); (663) (68.01); lbs (738) (65.94) Bred Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young lbs (855) (410.00) per head 1-3 months bred; (895) (550.00) per head 4-6 months bred; lbs (1043) (610.14)per head 4-6 months bred lbs (1115) (649.40) per head 7-9 months bred; Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged lbs (825) (385.00) per head 4-6 months bred; lbs (965) (440.00) per head 4-6 months bred. Slaughter Cows: Breaker % lean lbs (1242) (46.92); lbs (1264) (41.22) low dressing; lbs (1481) (47.99); lbs (1460) (42.50) low dressing; Boner % lean lbs (1154) (47.59); lbs high dressing (1195) (52.45); lbs low dressing (995) (42.00). Lean % lean lbs low dressing (755) (37.96); lbs (961) (47.23); lbs low dressing (900) (37.49). Other Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young lbs (790) (53.00); lbs (1068) (51.38); Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged 950 lbs (950) (42.00). Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade lbs high dressing (1485) (65.50); 1835 lbs (1835) (61.00); Source: SC Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Columbia, SC 7

8 McDowell County Center 60 E Court Street Marion NC Cattlemen s Association Spring Meeting Glenwood Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 pm RSVP by 5:00 pm to on April 20 For accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact the McDowell County Center at , no later than five business days before the event. 8