Beef code of Practise

 Acidosis

an abnormally acidic condition of the rumen (ph affected). Typically due to rapid or overconsumption of highly digestible feeds (could cause death)

As fed:

feed that contain their normal amount of moisture (compared to dry matter)

Backgrounding:

a growing (fattening) program for feeder cattle from weaning until they are put on a finishing ration in the feedlot (on grass or fed-harvested feed)

 Bloat

abnormal distension of the rumen as a result of accumulated gases that cannot escape (ex. acidosis indigestion)

Bunk:

 feed trough or container

Creep Feeding:

 supplemental feeding of suckling calves in an enclosure (creep) that prevents larger cattle from entering

Dry Matter

feedstuffs after the water (moisture) has been removed

Esophageal Feeder:

: a device that allows the producer to safely deliver milk (or colostrum) directly to the newborn calf's stomach (also called stomach tube or tube feeder)

Feed Efficiency:

ratio of feed required to produce a unit of weight gain

High Energy Feeding

 a feeding regime that relies on a nutritionally balanced ration higher in grains, premixes and supplements for finishing cattle (prior to slaughter)

Housing

 Beef Cattle

• Housed depending on age, size, repro status

• Fields, corrals, pens

• Bedding

• Shelter

High Temp & Humidity
Tolerate low temps better than high temps.
Signs of heat stress:

• Open mouth panting

• Labored breathing

• Drooling/froth around mouth

• Risk increases with increased humidity

 If cattle are showing signs of heat stress:

• Provide shade +/- air movement

• Feed dusk and dawn

• Do not handle cattle

• Water sprinklers

Low Temp

• Tolerate well if acclimatized

• Wet cattle …

• Poor BCS

• Inadequate feed

• Signs of hypothermia:

  • Shivering - will stop if worsens

  • Cold mouth

  • Inability to get up

  • No sucking reflex (calves)

  • Frostbite (young)

• Provide additional feed and bedding

Feed Management

• Cattle not adequately fed will lose body condition, not perform to capacity, decreased immune function

• Behavior signs of insufficient food +/or water:

  • Increased vocalization

  • Roaming

  • Breaking through fences

• Increased animal density increases competitive interactions, reduces bunk attendance times, and increases time spent waiting for food/water

• Utilize BCS to determine sufficient feed

Body Condition Score : 1-5 BCS (Nutritional Targets)
Body Condition Score Targets for Beef Cattle - (assuming spring calving)

Stage of Production	Target BCS (out of 5)
30 days before start of breeding	2.5 - cows; 3.0 - heifers; 3.0-3.5 - bulls
Start of winter feeding program	3.0 - all females; 3.0-3.5 - bulls
Calving	2.5 - mature cows; 3.0 - bred and first-calf heifers

Water

• They must have access to a source that provides sufficient clean and palatable water daily

• Beef cattle will drink between 26-66L per day

• Snow is used as a water source in some extensive western Canadian beef operations BUT is not ideal. Other proper watering sources should be provided

Water
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

1. Ensure that water sources are easy for cattle to locate and access

2. Manage cattle and water sources to avoid competition that would limit access to water

3. Check automated water sources daily to ensure they are dispensing properly

4. Test water quality in the event of problems such as poor performance, reluctance to drink, or reduced feed consumption

5. If utilizing natural water sources, provide water in troughs or bowls wherever possible to ensure cleanliness of water supply and safe animal access

6. Be aware of the signs of stray (tingle) voltage around water sources, such as reluctance to drink or reduced feed consumption

7. If using a frozen-over natural water source in winter, provide an area of open water and restrict cattle from areas of thin ice.

Handling and Moving
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

1. Adjust your handling techniques and positioning according to the response of the animals and the situation

2. Take a course in cattle handling techniques

3. Use handling tools, such as flags, plastic paddles or rattles, to direct animal movement

4. Evaluate your cattle handling techniques regularly, and make improvements to them as needed (27). Factors to consider include the percentage of cattle:

   • Falling (belly or torso touches the ground) during handling

   • Stumbling or tripping (knee contacts ground) after being released from the chute

   • Requiring the use of electric prods to move

   • Running or jumping when leaving the chute

   • Vocalizing as a result of restraint.

Increasing levels of the above handling events may indicate a need for changes in lighting, noise levels, equipment, handling methods, or environment.

Overall Body Care
Hoofs:

• Checked regularly for disease and excess growth

• Lameness: caused by injury, nutrition and infection
  Note: common cause of lameness / arthritis is BRD (Mycoplasma bovis)

• Lameness can be reduced thru good facility design and low-stress handling

Pregnant Heifers/ Cows:

• It is recommended that heifers be at least two-thirds of estimated mature body weight at first breeding, and 85% of mature body weight by calving (28)

• Ensure that cows and heifers are in suitable body condition at the time of calving (suggested targets: heifers 3; cows 2.5)

Calving - when to help...
A Cow or Heifer is Having Difficulty When:

• The cow actively strains for 40 minutes with no progress

• 90 minutes have passed since the water bag first appeared

• The legs emerge with the surface of the hooves pointing up

• Only the head or tail emerges

• An un-calved cow is mothering another calf

• A cow has demonstrated greater than 5-6 hours of anxiety, e.g. walking about, tail extended, apparently looking for something.

Calving - when to help...
To Examine a Cow that is Having Difficulty

• Restrain the cow either in a chute or in a safe and humane manner

• Wash all manure away from around rectum and vulva

• Soap your arm or use plastic sleeves with soap; hairy arms can bruise the birth canal

• Explore the problem.

Calves Should Only be Pulled If:

Two front legs and a nose or two hind legs and the tail can be guided into the bony part of the birth canal.
NOTE: To distinguish front and back legs, feel the joint above the one nearest the hoof. If it bends the same direction as the lower joint it is a knee–front leg. If it bends the opposite direction it is a hock–back leg.

Calf Care - Weaning:

• Weaning is the process of eliminating milk from the calf's diet. Under natural conditions, a cow's milk output decreases gradually over several months. Under conventional beef production, calves are typically weaned at 7-8 months of age

• The right time to wean a calf depends on the condition of the cow and not the age of the calf. Calves should be weaned before the condition score of the cow falls below 2.5 if adequate winter feed is available and the cows maintain their condition.

(Weaning tips infographic slide)
4 tips to get calves eating quickly:

• Encourage consumption

• Evaluate bunk space, management

• Make feed placement a priority

• Consider water sources, cleanliness