Stocker Cattle Management
Managing health and nutrition to maximize performance and profitability of stocker cattle was the subject of a Cattlemen’s College session featuring two specialists from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Bob Smith, of Veterinary Research and Consulting Services, addressed health management of stocker calves, while Oklahoma State University’s David Lalman spoke on nutrition.
According to Smith’s estimate, 88 percent of stocker calf deaths are due to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and associated factors, but the disease also impacts producer costs through impaired performance. Even animals that respond to treatment and recover may suffer long-lasting negative effects.
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| Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State Unveristy |
“Performance definitely is affected and there is evidence that quality grade also is affected,” added Smith, noting studies showing how marbling score was reduced among cattle requiring treatment.
Smith said the top two stress factors increasing the susceptibility of calves to BRD infection were weaning and commingling. Unfortunately, many calves endure both simultaneously. Transportation is not such a big factor if calves are prepared and past the peak stress period. He advised purchased of calves that have been weaned at least 45 days and properly immunized.
Smith’s recommended vaccination program includes 7-way clostridial bacterin, pasteurella mannheimia bacterin and IBR-BVD. For protection against the latter viral infections, a modified live virus vaccine is preferred to a killed virus product. In Smith’s experience, about twice as many calves vaccinated with killed virus have to be pulled for treatment as do calves vaccinated with a modified live virus.
Metaphylactic (mass) treatment of calves with antibiotics may also be an effective measure against BRD. It is not effective against viral infections, but research over 20 trials demonstrated effectiveness against of bacterial infections, reducing both pulls and death loss by 50 percent.
For any stocker nutrition program, said Lalman, the key is knowing the nutritive value of forage resources. Knowing what the forage provides dictates when supplemental feeding may be needed.
For example, cattle summer-grazed on native tall grass prairie may benefit from protein supplementation by mid-July, when protein content of grass typically declines. Farther south, where cattle may e grazing fertilized Bermuda grass, protein supplementation may not be needed until mid-September.
“Digestibility is variable among different forages too, and it dictates if and when energy may need to be supplemented.” added Lalman. “Supplementation programs must address both protein and energy.”
Lalman also talked about dry lot programs where pasture availability is limited or nonexistent. Alternatives for hay and concentrate are numerous for programs targeted weight gains averaging daily gains of up to two pounds. Lalman recommended high quality hay (at least 10 percent crude protein) fed free choice, with concentrates provided at the rate of 1 to 1.5 percent of body weight per day.
A “pretty good” dry lot program, said Lalman, can be based on alfalfa (18 -20 percent protein) and corn or grain sorghum. Blend at 60 percent hay and 40 percent grain for a gain response of 1.7 to 2 pounds per day. For faster gain, fed hay at 40 percent and grain at 60 percent of the ration, but start at 2 to 3 pounds of grain, per day, and work up.
Lalman said supplementation of minerals and vitamins is advisable, paying particular attention to vitamin A.
— by Troy Smith, field editor, Angus Productions Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Angus Productions Inc.
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