Beef Suckler Cow Management and Fertility

Mod 21, week 1

What is a suckler cow

a lactating cow producing a calf for beef production

What is a bulling heifer

female 1 yr old until pregnant with first calf

What are the main differences between a suckler cow and a dairy cow

suckler cows are seasonal, calf is important to productivity of the herd, handled less/not as easy to handle, rarely routine vet visit, NOT MILKED, less emphasis on nutrition

Do suckler cows tend to get ill 

no, they rarely get LDA/RDA, mastitis, ketosis, milk fever, digital dermatitis, cystic ovarian disease, etc

When do beef suckler calves get weaned compared to dairy calves

later, around 6mo vs 2 mo in dairy calves

Important note for exam - flip

note if they question ias asking about beef or dairy farm/cow. Alter your ddx and management suggestions accordingly. No bulk tank, no collecting milk samples, calves suckle colostrum from mother (how much do they get) snatching them at calving is not an option

• “biosecurity” - what do you mean

What characteristics make a good suckler cow

• gets pregnant first time

• Calves herself

• Maternal instinct

• Not too wild

• Rears a calf every year

• Good food conversion efficiency

• Produces a calf w a good carcass confirmation 

• Good milk production

What is the benefit of spring calving in the uk

spring grass is protein and energy rich for the calf

Flip for the calf rearing flow diagram

What are limitations with maintaining a closed herd

• maternal instincts of certain breeds may not be suitable as replacements

• Problems with in breeding, especially in smaller herds

• is only really possible for large units with multiple bulls

What are the limitations from buying in from accredited herds

• do they exist - esp for dairy/beef replacements (mainly pedigree)

• If the farm is full of disease anyway it may not be their primary concern 

Vet involvement in calving, breeding, pregnancy, rearing, drying off/warning, death/culling (table)

Why does the cycle of beef suckler cow production matter to us as vets?

• need to plan routine tx and procedures to co-inside with handling and other things if possible

• Your ddx list changes depending on time of year

• When out on farm for one job, you can be planning for the next event

Describe the differences with spring/autumn calving (at grass vs housed): Price, BCS controlling, weaning times, and breeding times)

What energy and protein is required at calving

huge increase needed here for colostrum and milk production

What mineral demands are increased at calving

Ca, Mg increased due to milk production

What minerals are required at rearing calf and breeding times

magnesium to prevent staggers, copper for fertility and calf growth, seleni/vit E for calf growth and immunity

Why should we ensure energy and protein requirements are met at rearing calf and breeding times

because its important to ensure the cows return to cyclicity (critical to avoid BCS loss). This can be hard to control if at grass

What should we watch out for during rearing calf and pregnancy in terms of energy and protein requirements 

cows can get over conditioned at the end as calves drink less milk

which minerals are needed at rearing calf/pregnancy stage

nothing super specific, but iodine and selenium

Which minerals are needed at weaning calf/dry off period

iodine to prevent goiter and poor tolerance to cold, selenium to prevent WMD

What is important about energy/protein requirements in wean calf/dry off period

now is the time to manipulate BCS

Cows in late pregnancy can be underfed Or overfed

in last 6 weeks before calving, what requirements ramp uo

energy and protein

which minerals are needed/not needed as pre-calving minerals

Calcium (keep it low pre calving), Mg and Ph to prevent slow calving, iodine to prevent goiter and poor tolerance to cold, selenium to prevent WMD

What are the 3 components to nutrition that are calculated for early lactation, late lactation, dry period, and late pregnancy in cattle

dry matter intake, energy, crude protein

How do we help beef cow lose BCS? When should it be done

• delay weaning of calf

• Dilute silage that is too good for the cow with straw or poorer quality forage (hay)

• Feed what’s needed, not ad lib

Should be done mid pregnancy

How do we help gain BCS in beef cow

• wean calves early

• Feed ad lib higher quality forage (eg silage and supplement w concentrates/barley)

• Check for underlying disease (Johnes, dentition, lameness)

i dont know how to make a flash card for this slide and im overwhelmed by George kings voice at the moment

What are some common beef nutrition issues

• big bale silage - every bale is different, hard to do well (spoilage, storage)

• Good silage is sometimes ‘too good’ for cows in mid pregnancy (feed in the total mixed ration cake mixer thing)

• Long calving period and one ration = over and under nutrition

• Autumn calving cows are expensive to feed

• Heifers often under fed

what is the issue with underfeeding heifers before breeding

they wont be big enough to mate in first place (target = 65% of adult liveweight)

Whats the issue with underfeeding heifers during 1st pregnancy/calving

continue to grow during pregnancy, dystopia if too small

what is the issue with underfeeding heifers at/after 1st calving

could be bullied by older cows. Leads to poor fertility post partum and DLWG (daily live weight gain) in calf

What are solutions for underfeeding heifers

• calculate what they need and feed accordingly

• Keep as separate group

• Monitor weight and size and DLWG

• Make decisions based on this ^

at what age are beef calves weaned when we force it

6-9 months

Should we take the cow away from the calf or the calf away from the cow

take the cow away from the calf! Less stressful for them

When should creep feeding be introduced to calves

before they are weaned

List Herd health plan components

• Farm details

• Aims and objectives

• Data

• KPI targets and review of herd performance 

• Routine preventative tax/procedures

• Disease tx for common disease - 1st and 2nd line

• Biosecurity/quarantine plan

• Breeding policy

• Nutrition planning

• Calendar

what is the SMART acronym for herd health plans

S - specific to herd

M - measurable

A - Attainable

R - relevant

T - time based