With Fall around the corner, it’s a good time to (re)consider a few production practices. These 5 articles are full of ideas, scientific evidence, producer testimonials and interactive calculators. By taking a closer look at their options and potential, you may discover more ways to benefit your herd and bottom line.
Feed cows, not worms
Managing internal parasites
Internal parasites can be much more detrimental to your bottom line than you may realize. Effective parasite control can have a greater economic impact on cow calf operations than many other management procedures. To learn more about the options for internal parasite control and how to prevent resistance to dewormers:
- Visit www.beefresearch.ca/research-topic.cfm/internal-parasites-50, and
- Register for our upcoming webinar on managing internal parasites: www.beefresearch.ca/resources/webinars.cfm
Reduce sickness and sell more pounds
Preconditioning
By spreading out the stressors that normally occur at weaning (change in diet, vaccination, transport, etc.), calves gain more weight per dollar. Does that mean
net profits for cow-calf producers? See for yourself
by using our preconditioning calculator: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/value-of-preconditioning-calves/
Increase future weaning weights and prevent calving difficulties
Measure and maintain cows’ fat cover
Thin cows hurt your bottom line. They have fewer and lighter calves than cows in ideal condition. Looks can be deceiving, so the most accurate way to measure their fat cover is by putting your hands on them. Fall is an ideal time to body condition score and manage energy requirments accordingly so that cows end up in the best condition to handle the demands of winter and pregnancy. Learn more and crunch some numbers at www.beefresearch.ca/research/body-condition-scoring.cfm
Keep yourself safe during procedures and speed up calf recovery time
Pain mitigation
Many producers have added pain control products to their vet boxes to help speed recovery time, increase calf performance and reduce the chance of getting injured themselves while performing painful procedures. Learning more about pain control is worth the time this fall, especially if any of calves your got missed during spring processing. To learn about the options, techniques, benefits and other producers’ experiences, visit www.beefresearch.ca/pain
Sort and manage open cows to capture their full value
Pregnancy checking
Some producers wonder if the cost of preg checking outweighs the advantage of having more information to make culling decisions. To learn more about the economics related to pregnancy checking:
- Try our calculator www.beefresearch.ca/blog/calculator-pregnancy-testing-cattle/, and
- Register for tomorrow’s webinar: www.beefresearch.ca/blog/the-economics-of-pregnancy-testing-webinar-september-15th/
Click here to subscribe to the BCRC Blog and receive email notifications when new content is posted.
The sharing or reprinting of BCRC Blog articles is welcome and encouraged. Please provide acknowledgement to the Beef Cattle Research Council, list the website address, www.BeefResearch.ca, and let us know you chose to share the article by emailing us at info@beefresearch.ca.
We welcome your questions, comments and suggestions. Contact us directly or generate public discussion by posting your thoughts below.
