Table of Contents
What can I precondition my calves with?
Preconditioning typically consists of weaning calves at least 45 days before a sale, training calves to eat feed from a bunk and drink from a water trough, and following an appropriate vaccination program.
What time should you Precondition your cow?
The Preconditioning Program Typically, the first round of vaccinations will be given when calves are 2–3 months of age. Recommended vaccines include those for clostridial and respiratory diseases plus an application of an antiparasitic, while castrating and dehorning are done at the same time.
How long are calves fed in a feedlot?
Calf-feds may be on feed from 150 to as long as 300 days, depending on the production system. These cattle usually are placed in the feedlot directly following weaning.
How many days will a finishing calf spend in the feedlot phase?
90 to 300 days
Depending on weight at feedlot placement, feeding conditions, and desired grade, the feeding period can be 90 to 300 days.
What vaccinations do calves need at weaning?
At weaning, an infectious IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV vaccine is administered intramuscularly. The four-way viral BRD vaccine does not contain intramuscular, temperature sensitive, modified live IBR virus. Immunity induced by the infectious four-way viral BRD vaccine will last a lifetime in properly vaccinated weanling calves.
What is backgrounding of calves?
Backgrounding is a beef production system that involves maximal use of pasture and forages from the time calves are weaned until they are placed in a feedlot.
Why are calves preconditioned and background?
Preconditioning is a management method that prepares calves to enter the feedlot, reducing stress and disease susceptibility.
What does bunk broke mean?
A preconditioning program is a period of time, typically a minimum of 45 days, in which a cow-calf producer will work to build the health status of the weaned calf prior to sale. Calves are also “bunk broke” during this time and acclimated to a dry feed diet.
When should I get my calves vaccinated after weaning?
If administering vaccine isn’t possible before weaning, there are two other periods when it is best. The first is within three days of weaning, the second at least thirty days after weaning.
How long do you background calves?
Option A (average target weight of 740 pounds) This option involves 30 days of grazing on fall pasture or corn crop residues followed by 165 days of winter feeding. After the winter feeding period, the calves are put on spring pasture (usually in mid-May) for 50 days, and then sold in early July.
What is a wet Heifer?
Cows freshen after a calf’s birth. Freshening occurs when milk production begins. She’s then a “wet” cow, as opposed to “dry,” non-milk-producing animal.
What is cake broke in cattle?
And “cake broke” refers to any cattle that know how to eat cake. Especially used when describing younger animals such as yearlings or bred heifers. “Bunk broke” refers to calves that know how to eat from a feed bunk.