Get Weaned Calves Straightened Out More Quickly
Decrease stress to help out calves.
Sometimes the biggest challenges to livestock production are out of our control, but as producers we still look for ways to work around those obstacles. That is the case for one cattle operation in Northeast Louisiana where heat and humidity are at a peak as they approach weaning time.
“The humidity down here is the worst thing we fight,” said Colby Daugherty, manager at J&S Cattle at Bastrop, La.
Due to the operation’s size and scope –– managing more than 2,500 mama cows across five parishes –– they wean all calves in one group, starting in early September. Ideally, most of those calves will weigh between 600-700 pounds (lb.), but like most operations, there are always calves that are a little behind, and they will wean some that weigh as little as 400 lb.
With the group of lightweight calves already under increased stress, Daugherty knew he needed to find a way to help those calves along, so he reached out to his BioZyme area sales manager, Chris Kyle. Daugherty decided to supplement the group of about 300 lighter-weight steers and heifers with Vita Charge® Stress Tubs after using the Vita Charge Cattle Drench on them.
“The calves never backed up, and when they stalled out they went to the tubs, which got them eating and drinking, and that’s the main thing. If I can keep these calves from going backward, I don’t have to regain that much ground,” Daugherty said.
At J&S they mix their own feed rations, and the faster they start eating it and gaining, the better. They typically lose between 15-20 calves at weaning; in 2016, they had only four deaths — another positive he attributes to introducing the stress tubs to his calves.
“I’m very pleased with the product, and I will use it again this year. And this year I’m going to put all my calves on it to see how they do,” he said.
Editor’s Note: Shelia Grobosky is a public relations specialist for BioZyme Inc.