mardi 5 juillet 2011

Starting Cattle on Feed


I. THE PROGRAM
A recommended program for handling newly purchased feeder cattle upon
their arrival at their new feedlot home is presented. Naturally, it would be
expected that most feedlot operators would plan to impose various modifications
in this program. However, it is quite a workable program when followed in
principle.



1. Isolate the new cattle so that they are not adjacent to cattle which are
already "adjusted." This author has experienced an outbreak of "shipping fever"
in cattle which have been on site for 6 weeks, undoubtedly via exposure to new
cattle which were brought in and penned adjacent. It is therefore a good idea to
have receiving pens where the isolation adjustment phase may be managed away
from the other cattle.
2. Clean dry quarters should be available where the new cattle may rest
following a long, uncomfortable transit period.
3. Cattle should not be crowded. At least 40 square feet (3.72 square meters)
per animal under roof is desirable--especially during rainy periods (Figs. 14.1
and 14.2).
4. It is best to have shed-type shelter in the receiving pens to give cattle the
option of shelter or open air.
5. Fresh clean water is critical since cattle tend to become dehydrated on long
hauls. If drainage is good, it is especially desirable to use overflowing tanks.
Automatic individual waterers should be avoided since new cattle usually are
unacquainted with the use of such equipment.
6. The timing of hormonal treatments and treatment for grubs, lice, and
worms varies. The large commercial operator prefers to give the complete treatment
to new cattle immediately upon arrival--right "off the truck." Others prefer
to administer the typical veterinary shots at this time, but to delay such things as
growth implants, worming, and administration of degrubbers until the cattle have
passed through the 3-week shipping fever period. Either management technique

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