Cow/Calf Protocol

Posted by Dr. Steve Dudley on June 09 2009 13:17

Calves: Birth to Weaning

Birth

• Dip navel in 7% iodine
• Individual ID
• Assure 4qts of colostrum consumed by 24 hrs old if calf fails to nurse on its own at first
• Castrate and dehorn

Turn out to grass

• Implant with calf specific implant (Ralgro, or Synovex C)
  • Never implant heifer or bull calves that may be used for breeding
• Vaccinate with
  • Bovishield Gold or Titanium 5
  • Vision 7 or Vision 7 20/20 or Ivermax

Weaning

• Booster Bovishield Gold VL5 or Titanium 5 VL5 in heifers
• Booster Bovishield Gold or Titanium 5 in commercial calves
• Pour with Ivermax for internal and external parasites
• Replacement heifer calves should be vaccinated for Brucellosis

Heifers/Cows

Turn out to grass (Post Calving/Pre-Breeding)

• Vaccinate with:
  • Bovishield Gold VL5
  • Vision 7
• Pour with Ivermax

Preg Check

• Deworm with Ivermax

Moved to Calving Pastures (3 to 7 weeks pre-calving)

• Annual Scourguard 3K/C booster to cows (2-3 weeks pre-calving)
• Heifers must get 2 doses of Scourguard 3K/C at weeks 4 and 2 pre-calving
• Vision 7 somnus

Bulls

Pre-breeding (best 3 to 4 week pre-breeding)

• Vaccinate with
  • Bovishield Gold VL5
  • Vision 7 Somnus
  • Pinkeye
• Pour with Ivermax
• Breeding Soundness Exam

Post-breeding

• Pour with Ivermax

Breeding Program

If we want our calves on the ground the first part of May 1st next year, we should be turning out the bulls around July 25th. Some things to consider when turning the bulls out this time of year are, the long lasting effects of heat stress, and bull power may need to be increased due to the heat. The usual stocking rate for bulls with in the herd is 1 bull per 25-40 cows, depending on the age and experience of the bulls. With the heat, bull stocking rate may need to be increased to 1 bull per 20 cows. Making sure that the cows and bulls have the proper vaccinations is also a key part of managing our cows. Breeding season time limits must be established, a 60 day breeding season is common. This is determined by the ability of the management to keep up with calving and the availability of labor.

Feedyard Program

Because we have taken the usual stresses out of weaning such as dehorning, castrating, and have implemented a good vaccination program, our calves should take off better once they get in the yard. As these calves get into the feedyard we should back calculate days on feed based on weaning weights and likely performance to come up with an appropriate implant program.