Preconditioning Calves: Evaluate the Benefits

Preconditioning Calves:Evaluate the Benefits presented by: Scott Hendrickson Agricultural Agent, UW-Extension and Jeff Lehmkuhler Beef Specialist, UW-Madison

Just what is preconditioning? “Vaccination, nutritional, and management program designed to prepare young cattle to best withstand the stresses of adjustment when they leave the point of origin and enter the channels of trade” . . . all three components are needed. Dan Hinman Extension Animal Nutritionist University of Idaho

Seller Benefits Quality, Health, and Value of Calves Sold

Colorado State Research, Superior Livestock Video Auction Sales, 1995 – 2000Premiums for vaccinated and weaned calves ranges from low of $13 head in 1995 to a high of $21 head in 1997Four times as many lots sold through the Value Added Program in 2000 as in 1995 Preconditioning Pays Drovers Journal 11-27-2001

Potentially fewer problems with shipping fever and BRD (Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex) Animals that adapt quickly to feedlot rations and feedlot environment Buyer Benefits

Importance of BRDPercent of Placements Affected* BRD=Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex *Estimates include animals that were treated, died without treatment, or were shipped prior to harvest weight without treatment.

Stress Factors Heat Cold Dust Dampness Injury Fatigue Dehydration Hunger Anxiety Irritant gases Nutritional deficiencies Surgery Causes of BRD

Viral Agents PI3 IBR BVD BRSV Adenovirus Rhinovirus Herpesvirus IV Enterovirus MCF Reovirus Causes of BRD

Bacteria • Pasteurella Hemophilus Other Causes of BRD

Nasal and eye discharges • Coughing, fever, decreased appetite • Varying degrees of breathing difficulty, depression, droopy ears Clinical Signs

Management • Vaccines Prevention of BRD

Eliminate stress factors where possible • Recognize the “Critical Period” for disease detection (3 weeks that follow weaning; placing on feed; shipping of cattle) Prevention of BRD (management)

Avoid co-mingling cattle from different sources during critical 3-week period • Keep new cattle close to feed and water • Don’t over crowd (especially early in feeding period) • Control dust and mud Prevention of BRD (management)

IBR(red nose) • PI3(parainfluenza) • BVD(bovine virus diarrhea) • BRSV(bovine respiratory virus) • Pasturella(major cause of shipping fever) • Hemophilus Somnus(other agent involved with shipping fever) Prevention of BRD (vaccines)

What Might aPreconditioning Program Look Like?

Example: Livestock Marketing Association Kansas City, MO

For producers who can’t background calves but want to prepare them prior to weaning to increase their resistance and immunity before the calves enter market channels LEVEL 1

Requirements: • Administer Four-Way Virus Vaccine for IBR-PI3-BVD-BRSV, 7-Way Clostridian + Hemophilus somnus and Pasteurella when the calves are worked and at least 14 days prior to sale • External and internal parasite control • Use subcutaneous injection, if permitted on label, to reduce injection site blemishes • Administer all shots in the neck area or as directions advise • Vaccines should be administered by a licensed veterinarian and/or according to label directions

For producers who can’t background calves but want to provide optimal immunity and resistance before the calves enter market channels. LEVEL 2

Requirements: All of Level 1 requirements, plus booster shots (Pasteurella optional) at least 14 days prior to sale

For producers who have the resources to background calves for at least 30 to 45 days prior to sale LEVEL 3

Requirements: All of Level 2 requirements, plus weaned a minimum of 30 days

Requirements for all program levels: Recommended Nutrition • Provide adequate nutrition, including minerals and trace minerals Required Health Records: • Submit market certification form showing name of vaccine, lot or serial number, dates, where purchased, location of administration, and certify ownership of calves for at least 45 days. Required Identification: • Identify each calf with the market supplied LMA-Vacc ear tag or electronic identification required by the market. Required Processing: • Knife cut or band all bull calves prior to or at weaning • Dehorn or tip horns prior to or at weaning

Certification forms signed by owner • Certification forms submitted to sale barn at least two weeks prior to sale) How Does the Market Confirm that Calves are at their Certified Level?

Watch for preconditioned calf sales • Review certification component (i.e. vaccination, nutritional, management component) • Far cheaper to prevent disease than to treat it Summary

Lincoln, S. D. and D.D. Hinman, 1999 Preconditioning of Calves, Beef Cattle Handbook CD-ROM Midwest Plan Service, 122 Davidson Hall, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 2001 Respiratory Disease in U.S. Feedlots Info Sheet Veterinary Services, USDA:APHIS, 55 South Howes, Ft. Collins, Colorado • McBride, J.J. 2001 LMA-VACC Program: Questions and Answers Livestock Marketing Association, 7509 Tiffany Springs Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri References

Preconditioning Calves: Evaluate the Benefits