What are the managements for low annual costs? ( 4 )
- Feed costs usually account for 50-70% of annual costs
- Period from weaning to last 1/3 of gestation is time to save money
- Labor costs compose 15-29% of annual cow costs
- Palpate cows for pregnancy
What are the primary factors of Stocker - Yearling Production?
- Marketing ( buy + sell )
- Gaining ability of cattle
- Amount of availability forage
- Health of cattle
In ______ - _______ operations be aware of shrink loss of 3-12% while cattle can take 2-3 weeks to recover lost weight.
Stocker - yearling
True or False: stocker yearling cattle that are purchased and sold multiple times are not high at risk for common diseases.
False: they are at very high risk for common disease
What diseases are common in stocker-yearling operations?
- Shipping fever
- Respiratory disease
Name two types of feedlot operations.
- Commercial Feeders
- Farmer-Feeder feedlots
How many head are usually in a commercial feedlot?
Over 1,000 head of cattle at a time
Who owns the cows in a commercial feedlot?
- The Feedlot
- Investors
- Producers
- Packers
How many head are usually in a Farmer-Feeder Feedlot?
Less than 1,000 head
Why are there mounds in a pen at a feedlot?
To keep some dry areas and to help with runoff
True or False: all feedlots have feed mills on site
False: not all of them have one on site
What are feeder cattle priced for?
- Weight
- Sex
- Fill ( content of digestive tract )
- Skeletal Size
- Thickness
- Body Condition
True or False: If you feed Low Quality forages (thin) and will gain quickly when put on a good ration
True
What percentage of total costs goes towards feed?
60-75%
What are the four primary issues in environmental management?
- Dust
- Odor
- Water Quality
- Flies
Name some ways that water runoff can be managed?
- Ditches
- Gras filter strips
- Dams
- Controlled drain systems
What are the three times of year where you need to do a BSE?
- just before breeding season
- immediately after breeding season
- at weaning time
What does a basic breeding soundness exam consist of?
- Physical examination
- examination of the reproductive organs
- measurement of scrotal circumference
- evaluation os semen
Is a history of the bulls illnesses helpful when looking at a BSE?
yes
A bulls scrotal circumference directly relates to his daughters reaching ____________
puberty faster
What are the three stages of calving?
- visible signs of labor
- birth of calf
- expulsion of fetal membrane within 9-12 hours after delivery
What does stage 1 of calving consist of?
- seeking an isolated spot
- liquefaction and expulsion of cervical plug
- restlessness, kicking at belly
- tail movement
- water sack shows
What does the second stage of calving consist of?
- cervix dilates
- amniotic sac breaks
- fetal limbs enter birth canal
- PRESENTATION, POSITION, POSTURE
- if stage 2 lasts more than 1 hour call for assistance
What is the most common reason for calf loss?
Distocia
