Arkansas Agriculture
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Beef CHAMPS
November 2010
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Things to Do Before Purchasing a Bull •
Deworming Your Calves Pays
Things to Do Before Purchasing a Bull
Brett Barham
I know many producers spend many hours in the process of purchasing a bull. It's a big decision - one that can impact your herd for many years beyond the expected usefulness of the bull due to his daughters remaining in production. It pays to do some homework on determining what kind of bull you need prior to purchase. Here are some steps to help guide you through the process.
Herd goals serve as the foundation for sire selection and provide guidance as to traits with the most economic importance.
1. Identify Herd Goals. Herd goals serve as the foundation
for sire selection and provide guidance as to traits with the most
economic importance. Defining the production and marketing system,
along with management strategies and environment, are key factors
that warrant consideration.
- Will the bull be used on heifers, mature cows or both?
- Will replacement females be retained in the herd?
- How will the calf crop be marketed (at weaning? retained
ownership? sell females?)?
- What are the labor and management resources available?
- What are the feed resources and environmental conditions of
the operation?
- How will this sire contribute to the overall breeding system
plan?
2. Assess Herd Strengths and Weaknesses. Fundamental
records are key to identifying strengths and weaknesses. Basic
performance parameters such as calving percentage and dates, weaning
percentage, weaning weights, sale weights, carcass data, feed usage,
etc., are necessary to serve as the basis for assessing areas of
strength and those needing attention. This type of information is
extremely important considering the high input costs and low
operating margins of today's markets.
3. Establish Selection Priorities. Concentrate on those
factors which stand to have the largest impact on profitability.
Remember that income is derived from performance (sale weight,
percent calf crop weaned, carcass merit, etc.). Performance is a
function of both genetics and environment/management. Superior
genetics can be negated by poor management, which emphasizes the
importance of separating the impact of management (nutrition, health
program) from that of genetics when specific priorities for the herd
are established. Considering both the genetic and management
influences on various traits is important. Focus on a handful of
priority traits rather than attempting to change many traits
simultaneously. Establishing the few traits to focus on is the key
factor.
4. Utilize Selection Tools. Once selection priorities have
been established through close examination of herd goals and current
status, a number of useful tools are at the disposal of beef
producers to assist in making genetic improvement. Genetic
differences across breeds have been well established, and
utilization of different breeds in a complementary fashion through
structured crossbreeding plans provides the opportunity for
improvement in multiple traits.
Most importantly, heterosis attained through crossbreeding has
been shown to have significant favorable impact on traits such as
reproductive efficiency and cow longevity which are critical for
herd profitability. The limited ability to select for reproductive
traits in the form of EPDs further emphasizes the importance of
capturing the value of heterosis.
EPDs are available for many traits of economic importance. The
introduction of economic indexes, which combine several related
traits and their economic values into one EPD, are available to
assist with simultaneous improvement in multiple traits which impact
areas such as carcass merit and post-weaning profit. Again, with the
large number of EPD tools available, the critical step is to
determine the EPDs which are most important and establish benchmarks
relative to each.
5. Establish Benchmarks. Several tools can be used to help
determine EPD specifications. EPD values for current and past sires
can be used as benchmarks. With these benchmarks, EPD specifications
can be set to reflect the desired increase or moderation in
performance for a particular trait. As an example, establishing a
benchmark for milk EPD can be determined through the relationship
between previous sires' genetics for milk and the performance of his
daughters in the herd.
6. Find Source. With the above defined, we can now begin
to look at individual bulls. There are many sources of bulls that
warrant consideration - production sales, test stations and private
treaty sales. Of critical importance is that the bull be from a
reputable source which will stand behind its product. It may be
necessary to look at several sources in order to find the correct
bull.
7. Do Your Homework. The first step to doing so is to
evaluate the sale catalog, performance pedigree and data. By
examination of the bull's performance record, determine which bulls
meet the EPD and other specifications that have been established
(and, likewise, eliminate those that do not meet the
specifications). Be prepared to make tradeoffs, as the perfect
record may not be attainable. Do not be surprised or alarmed when
the bulls you have highlighted appear scattered throughout the sale
order. Remember to stick to the selection criteria and
qualifications/specifications that have been established. All this
can and should be accomplished prior to departing for any sale.
8. Have a Look. Once the list has been narrowed to only
bulls which meet the criteria, these bulls can be further evaluated
and the selection refined. Having a list of suitable bulls prior to
arrival at the auction or farm will not only save time but also
assist in making sure the right bull for the situation is purchased.
Upon narrowing the potential candidates on paper, the bulls can be
evaluated for suitability of phenotypic traits and the potential
candidate list shortened even further. Not all relevant traits have
EPDs (examples include disposition, foot soundness, fleshing
ability, etc.) and, therefore, must be evaluated visually.
9. Make a Sound Investment. For many cow/calf producers,
purchasing a new bull is a relatively infrequent occurrence. This
emphasizes the importance of selecting the right bull, particularly
in single-sire herds. The value of the right bull cannot be
overestimated. Investments in good genetics will pay dividends, both
short- and long-term, through the influence the bull has on each
calf crop as well as his daughters that are retained in the herd.
10. Manage the New Bull Properly. Of equal importance is
the care and management of the newly acquired bull. Proper
management and nutrition are essential for the bull to perform
satisfactorily during the breeding season. With most new herd sires
purchased as yearling bulls, management prior to, during and after
the first breeding season is particularly important. Plan ahead by
acquiring a new yearling bull at least 60 to 90 days prior to the
breeding season so ample time is available to allow for adjustment
to a new environment, commingling with other bulls and getting the
bull in proper breeding body condition.
Remember, your
local
Extension
agent is a great resource when it comes to help with making
improvements in your operation - give them a call!
Source: Scott P. Greiner, Ph.D., Virginia Tech
University
Deworming Your Calves Pays
Jeremy Powell
Internal parasites are an ever present factor in livestock
operations, although it's easy to forget their negative effects
because they are often "out of sight and out of mind." According to
the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) data,
nearly 40% of all cow-calf operations do not treat their unweaned
calves with a dewormer product. This low utilization of parasite
control assuredly impacts the overall production of our cattle and
decreases their ability to perform.
Performance loss from parasite infections is subtle. We don't
typically see overt clinical signs from cattle carrying parasite
infections. However, they do continuously rob our animals of optimum
performance every day. Worms cause cattle to decrease their feed
intake. This lowers weight gain and reduces body condition,
potentially leading to lowered reproductive performance, and
decreases milk production, causing reduced weaning weights. Internal
parasite infections also cause intestinal tissue damage and blood
loss, leading to poor nutrient absorption, lowered feed conversion
and reduced immune competence. All of these negative effects lead to
increased costs to the producer and cause poor productivity.
Utilizing proper deworming practices on your farm will increase your overall productivity and efficiency.
Knowing that parasites cause substantial economic loss to your
operation each year, the next question is, "How much will my calves
benefit from controlling worms?" Recent research completed at the
University of Arkansas demonstrates the impact of deworming calves
prior to weaning. This study was undertaken to compare the
performance of calves that received dewormer prior to weaning versus
calves that did not receive dewormer. Eighty-seven fall-born beef
calves from the University of Arkansas beef cow herd were utilized
in this study. Calves had average body weights of 310 pounds and
were randomly allocated to treatment groups. The two treatment
groups were examined over an 85-day preweaning phase and included:
(A) calves injected with Cydectin® at 85 days prior to weaning and
(B) a negative control group (Table 1).
Table 1. Treatments and performance were
as follows:
| Group |
Description |
ADG |
| (A) |
Dewormed 85 days prior to weaning |
1.82 |
| (B) |
Negative Control |
1.70 |
Results showed that the calves that were treated during the
pre-weaning phase had significantly better average daily gain (ADG)
up until weaning when compared to the untreated calves during the
same period (1.82 vs. 1.70 lb/day). Average cost of treatment for
calves at 85 days prior to weaning was less than $0.90/head, and
treated calves would have been worth approximately $13.00 more per
head than untreated calves at weaning due to their body weight
advantage.
These results indicate the importance of deworming your calves
and the impact it can have on gain performance. Current
recommendations suggest that producers treat all calves over 220
pounds to improve weaning weights. Always remember to use all
products as specified on the label. If you reduce the dose or give
the product in a nonindicated fashion, the effectiveness of the
product will be diminished. However, utilizing proper deworming
practices on your farm will increase your overall productivity and
efficiency. For more information about improving the management of
your herd, contact your
county
Extension
office.
Jeremy Powell, DVM Associate Professor - Veterinarian
Brett Barham, Ph.D. Associate Professor - Breeding and Genetics
The information given herein is for educational purposes only.
Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the
understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Printed by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
Service Printing Services.
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