Some farmers will be keeping steers and heifers around longer this year. Whether they are to be sold in the spring, returned to the herd or sold at closer to 900 pounds it doesn’t really change the care they need to thrive through the fall and winter. The first need would be for sufficient feed to provide maximum growth without fattening.
Supplemental Feed
The need for supplemental feed will vary based on the quality of pasture, and the size and condition of the calves. Supplying adequate, least-cost supplementation to farm-grown feeds is the key to economical winter gains. Since the nutrient composition of roughages varies widely, a laboratory test will be helpful when deciding what supplements are needed. Farm stores can usually provide the lab tests at little or no cost.
“Most calves that are lost, die from pneumonia,” said Eldon Cole, Livestock Specialist with the University of Missouri. Therefore, he said, vaccinating against Pasteurella and Haemophilus, (respiratory and bacterial strains) is important. The other vaccines include IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis), PI3 (parainfluenza type 3), BVD (bovine virus diarrhea), BRSV (bovine respiratory syncytial virus), 7-Clostridia (Blackleg), and 5-Leptospirosis diseases. For the best protection, Cole said, “Follow label directions, if the vaccine needs a booster, give a booster.” Also a visit with the veterinarian can be beneficial.
Parasitic Concerns
A Missouri University Paper by Robert M. Corwin, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Richard F. Randle, Commercial Agriculture Program, states of the many species of worm parasites in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of cattle, only a few are clinically and economically important. These include the brown stomach worm Ostertagia, the coccidian Eimeria bovis and the lungworm Dictyocaulus.
Clinically, the parasites cause anemia, scouring, depression and even death, but clinical parasitism is rare. The effects are usually sub clinical, such as indigestion and poor feed conversion, and less than expected weight gain. Lungworms cause verminous pneumonia and viral and bacterial pneumonia, with labored breathing and anxiety evident. Poor performance may be caused by an internal parasite.
A strategic deworming schedule has been developed by University veterinarians. The program attacks the parasite cycle on a seasonal basis. During the spring calving period and before summer pasture turnout, cows should be dewormed so that their parasite burden is eliminated and there is no pasture contamination. Fall calves and yearlings should be dewormed at this time also.
The Backgrounding Type
Look for calves that are well-muscled, and healthy. Cole said there was a big debate on castration, but most buyers want steers. Backgrounders looking to buy should find out about vaccination records and get a statement that the heifers are open.
A couple of other factors that should be considered are the effects on cash flow and income taxes. Since there will be no cash income from the herd in the fall, interest and principal payments must be figured in the cost of backgrounding. Second, backgrounding one year and not the next could put two years of cattle income in one year.
