Rebuilding? Expanding? Protect your herd.
If the positive outlook for cattle economics has you preparing your grazing acres to support more animals, it’s important to consider how you’ll protect the health of your existing herd. “Weather challenges, from extreme drought to flooded pastures, have hit grazing acres hard in many parts of the country,” says Sam Ingram, Range & Pasture field scientist with Corteva Agriscience. “These compromised pastures serve as a good reminder of the role an abundant, high-quality forage base plays in the health of the herd.” Specific to drought, one of the greatest challenges for cows is the suboptimal quality and quantity of forage, says Phillip Kesterson, DVM, with Zoetis beef technical services. Based in Bridgeport, Nebraska, Kesterson has weathered drought cycles many times with his clients and has seen how those factors can leave the herd vulnerable. As pastures return to productivity – along with favorable economics for the beef industry – cow-calf producers will once again be ready to rebuild cow numbers, typically following one of three approaches: 1. Buying open replacement heifers 2. Buying bred heifers or cows from a known source private treaty 3. Buying bred heifers or cows through an auction barn “As you bring cattle in, the biggest concern is with the health and well- being of your current cow herd,” Kesterson says. “You are exposing them to other disease pathogens and challenging their immune systems. Following basic biosecurity measures, like quarantining new cattle, can help protect your cowherd.” Kesterson breaks down the concerns with each approach to expanding the herd. Buying Open Replacement Heifers
Phillip Kesterson, DVM, Zoetis
Buying Bred Heifers or Cows through a Sale Barn/Auction 1. Involves more risk than buying privately, due to more pathogen exposure with the types and classes of cattle that sell through the auction barn. 2. In most cases, the bred animals are past the high-risk pregnancy exposure, but they have increased risk of stress or injury with loading and unloading, sorting on concrete and going through chutes. 3. If vaccination history is unknown then you need to let them acclimate at home before vaccinating with a killed Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) product with fetal protection, like Cattlemaster Gold FP. 4. It is critical to observe a six-week quarantine period before commingling with your established herd, Kesterson says. The greatest risk is bringing in a BVD persistently infected animal that could put the established herd at risk. A testing strategy for BVD would be money well spent. (con’t on page 17)
1. This can be ideal or problematic, depending on timing between purchase and breeding, potentially limiting vaccination options. 2. A solid vaccination strategy is two doses of modified live vaccine before breeding. The first dose should be given after maturity of heifers (as evidenced by cycling). Allow a three- to eight-week interval, with the second dose at least 30 days prior to breeding; 45 days is better. 3. If you are within the 30-day window, then Cattlemaster® Gold FP is strategically sound. 4. A complete health program, including parasite control, is critical to breeding success. Buying Bred Heifers or Cows from a Known Source Private Treaty 1. Best situation is a solid modified-live vaccination program with proper timing of administration, ideally at prebreeding. 2. Less ideal is if the vaccinations are inappropriately timed or based on a vaccine that isn’t labeled for fetal protection.
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