Prebreeding and Branding Management Tips
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A comprehensive prebreeding health management program can help producers improve pregnancy and calving rates, which increases percent calf crop and ultimately profitability. Pfizer recommends these health management tips to improve the reproductive health and efficiency of a producer's breeding stock and replacement heifers.
- Test all bulls for breeding soundness before the breeding season.
- Vaccinate breeding stock against diseases such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), vibriosis, and leptospirosis. Also consider vaccinating for neosporosis, trichomoniasis and Haemophilus somnus in problem areas, as well as brucellosis.
- Parasite control is also needed. Controlling internal parasites will help improve feed intake and efficiency and help bolster the immune system.
- The nutritional needs for lactating cows need to be met. If these needs are not met, the cow's ability to return to heat may be compromised.
- When selecting replacement heifers, look at their disposition, structural soundness, frame size, body condition, pelvic measurements and the records of the dam.
Incorporating these health measures into a comprehensive animal management program can help maximize pregnancy rates and increase profitability.
Once those calves are on the ground, get them off to a healthy start with these tips.
- Process calves early to reduce stress and help avoid excessive stress at weaning time.
- To minimize branding stress, Pfizer recommends: controlling dust at the branding site, avoid processing during extreme weather, handle calves gently, try not to run the calves excessively, use proper restraints, work them quickly and efficiently, and return the calves to their dams as quickly as possible.
- Vaccinate against diseases and parasites. Disease prevention is generally more cost effective than disease treatment.
Boosting immunity against clostridial and respiratory diseases, reducing calf stress and controlling parasites are key factors for adding value to calves and increasing a producer's bottom line. Good management should continue through all phases of the cow-calf management cycle to improve herd health and returns on the producer's investment.
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