Lab Practicum

What are the common practices in sheep?

• Ear tagging

• Tattooing

• Injections (IM and SubQ)

• Castrating and tail docking

purpose and function of ear tagging

• allow for the identification of individual animals

• allows producers to keep individualized records

• avoid major blood vessels and put it not too close to the edge of the ear

• can be physical or electronic

Purpose and function of tattooing

• allows for permanent identification of an individual animal

• make sure it’s lined up with your desired location

• consists of numbers or letters

Purpose and function of Injections

• common routes are IV, IM, and SubQ

  • IV = into the vein

  • IM = into the muscle

  • SubQ = into the skin

• most common reason is to prevent disease or treat medical conditions/diseases

• Flick the needle to remove air bubbles

• insert and pull needle back to make sure you didn’t hit a blood vessel

• given in the neck to prevent damage to valuable meat cuts in market

Purpose and function of castrating

• helps with temperament

• allows males to be housed with females

Purpose and function of tail docking

• prevents the accumulation of fecal matter

• reduces health and parasite problems

What equipment can dock tails, castrate, and ear notch

All-In-One Tool

Function of an All-In-One Tool

used typically for docking tails or emasculating (castration)

• Scissor-like part used for cutting; points on end used to help grab testes to pull out far enough for cutting

Function of CIDR and Applicator

Used to synchronize ewe’s estrous cycles to prepare for breeding (in combination with other hormonal procedures)

What does CIDR stand for?

Control Internal Drug Release

What hormone does CIDR use?

Progesterone

How do we AI sheep?

Laparoscopic insemination gun

• deposited directly into the uterine horns

Purpose of scrotal tape/Scrotal Measuring Tape

Measures the circumference of the scrotum

• Bigger the scrotum

  • more sperm production

  • daughters reach puberty sooner

Purpose of regular ID Ear Tag

• used to ID sheep

• ID allows producers to keep records on individual animals

Purpose of RFID (Electronic) Ear Tag Button

• used to ID sheep

• Has an electronic chip in it that can be scanned

  • Allows for more record

    information (i.e. time spent in

    feed bunk) than a traditional

    ear tag because it can interact

    with electronics

Purpose of Balling Gun/Bolus Administrator

• Use to give something solid (generally a pill) orally

• Stick inside of mouth and shoots pill right to back of throat for animal to swallow

• administers boluses/pills to sheep & cows!

What do we use to feed a non-suckling sheep?

A lamb stomach tube

Purpose of Lamb stomach tube

Used to feed lambs directly into their stomach

when they won’t/can’t suckle on a teat or

bottle

What do we use to give injections to multiple sheep without changing the needle?

Multi-dose syringes

Purpose of a multi-dose syringe

Used to give injections to several head of sheep without having to draw up a dose for each individual head

Purpose of a halter

• used to control and constrain animals

• know how to halter a sheep and cow and tie a slip knot for the practicum

What do we use to dehorn sheep?

Dehorners

How do you handle and restrain a sheep

• grab under the jaw with one hand and the back of the head with the other

Purpose of FEMACHA scoring

• look at the coloration around the eyes to determine red blood cell count and presence of internal parasites

  • Estimates level of anemia by looking at the mucous

    membrane of the eye

• Redder the better (lots of blood cells)

• know how to FEMCHA score

Purpose of mouthing/Aging

• Livestock and horses can have their age estimated by examining the teeth (occurrence of permanent teeth, shape, angle, etc.)

• look at incisors

  • every year 2 sets of incisors fall out and a new pair grows

• for sheep, 4 years = full mouth

Purpose of Body Condition Score (BCS) sheep

• Estimate muscle/fat cover to assess nutritional/general well-being of an animal

• Sheep have 1-5 levels

  • 1 - no fat or muscle

  • 5 - too much fat cover

• Want a 2 or 3

• feel over the back, rib, and loin areas

Purpose for ultrasound and pregnancy

• Ultrasound to see things under the skin of an animal while they are alive (estimate loin eye area, fat thickness pregnancy-related characteristics)

  • Different colors on the ultrasound

    • White - Very dense tissue, generally bone

    • Grey - soft tissue like muscle (also plasma tones)

    • Black - Liquid (fluid)

Define a SubQ injection

• 45 degree angle

• under the skin

Define an IM injection

• 90 degree angle

• into the muscle tissue

why do inject animals in the neck?

• we don’t consume that part of the animal

• not high value area. Not a lot of hide or meat

• least risk to the animal, producers, and consumers

what is the method of medication administration

SubQ

What does this medication treat?

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)

What is the withdrawal/residue period?

44 days

What is a special consideration for animals receiving this medication

do not use if cattle is a dairy female (20 months or older

What dose of this medication would you give to a 200lb cow?

12mL

How is this medication administered?

orally

What is the purpose of this medication?

Deworming

what’s the dose for a 1000 lb cow?

40mL

What’s the residue/withdrawal period for a cow?

27 days

What is a special consideration when administering this medication to a cow?

Do not administer to female cattle during first 45 days of pregnancy or for 45 days after removal of bulls

purpose and function of calf weaner

• Used to wean calf off mother without

  physically separating them

• Does not allow calf to put mouth around teat

  • Often has projections that cause the mother to move away when calf tries to nurse as well

Purpose and function of Burdizzo

• Crush spermatic cord to effectively castrate animal

• Castrating males helps with temperament, allows them to be housed with females, and in some species prevents poor tasting meat

Purpose of branes dehorner and dehorning tube/spoon

• Used to dehorn calves early in life

• Dehorning keeps cattle from damaging themselves or each other with horns later in life

What are two pieces of equipment used to AI Cows?

• AI rod

  • straws of semen

  • goblets

  • canes

• liquid nitrogen tanks

• semen straw cutter

Purpose and function of the AI Rod

• Allows for proper placement of rod before you actually inseminate animal (different shapes for different animals)

• AI allows for greater genetic gains (can used frozen semen from superior bull that cannot travel to your cows), ensures every heifer/cow is inseminated, prevents spread of disease, safer method for cow, bull, and handler compared to live cover

Purpose and function of palpation glove

Used during palpation of an animal

• In cattle, this is generally for reproductive purposes (AI, pregnancy check)

What are two ways to identify cows?

• ear tagging

• Tattooing

• hot/freeze branding

purpose of cow magnets

Cattle fed a strong magnet to catch any metal in their rumen they will eat later in life that could damage the digestive tract further down

• prevents hardware disease

Why do we implant cattle?

• increase growth and/or marbling/fat deposition

function of implant gun

Used to place hormone implants in ear

Purpose and function of nose lead with chain

• Clips into nose and allows more control when a halter is not sufficing

• Multiple forms of rings, or the more temporary ‘plier’ style from the one on the previous screen

purpose and function of a semen thaw unit or thaw bath

• set at a temp of 90-99 degrees

• maximizes sperm viability

How do you properly operate a cow chute?

1. Prepare the chute

• Make sure it’s clean and functioning

• Adjust width if possible (so it fits the size of your cattle)

• Check latches, headgate, and release mechanisms

2. Move cattle in calmly

• Use slow, steady pressure—don’t yell or rush

• Let cattle follow each other (they move better as a group)

• Keep distractions low (no loud noises or sudden movements)

3. Secure the headgate

• When the cow steps forward, close the headgate around the neck

• It should be snug but not choking or too tight

4. Apply the squeeze (if needed)

• Gently close the sides to reduce movement

• This actually helps calm the animal when done correctly

5. Perform your task

• Vaccinate, tag, check health, etc.

• Stay aware of legs and movement zones

6. Release properly

• Release the squeeze first, then open the headgate

• Let the cow exit straight ahead—don’t block the path

demonstrate how you would move cattle

• up alleyways, into the chute

• flight zones, point of balance

• DO NOT turn back towards animals

• keep going forward

• get someone to help you if an animal would not go forward

Define hot branding and purpose

Red-hot branding iron is applied directly to animal’s skin; iron is heated by fire/coal/gas, or an electric branding iron is used; iron is applied to remove the hair and create a permanent mark where the brand was applied

Define freeze branding

Branding iron is chilled in liquid nitrogen; iron is applied to damage the pigment-producing hair cells, causing the animal’s hair to grow white where the brand was applied

Body condition scoring for cows

• Range from 1 to 9

• Ideal is 5-6 (cows grazing pasture)

• Many show heifers will be 7-8

  • Reduces fertility and ability to breed

• Cattle less than a 5 at breeding will have reduced breed back rates

• Need to be increasing the animals body condition score during breeding season

What are the 6 phases of production for cows

• Seedstock/Purebred

• Cow-calf

• Background/Stocker

• Feedlot

• Harvest

What is the purpose and function of the Seedstock phase (cows)

Purpose:

• Breed purebred animals for commercial producers to use in their operations to meet their breeding goals

Average Age of Cattle when they move into this Phase:

• Females are raised on the operation, or bought as a heifer (~10mo) or mature cow (2-6 yrs)

Amount of Time Cattle Spend in this Phase:

• Can spend their whole life here, or can be sold to be moved into commercial production

What is the purpose and function of the Cow-calf phase (cows)

Purpose:

• Maintain a herd of breeding cows/heifers to produce weaned calves

Average Age of Cattle when they move into this Phase:

• Females enter herd after they hit puberty and can be bred (~10 mo)

• Calves born here

Average Amount of Time Cattle Spend in this Phase:

• Females stay until they are culled (varies greatly but averages 7-9 yrs)

• Calves stay from birth until weaning (varies but averages 7-8 mo)

What is the purpose and function of the Background/Stocker phase (cows)

Purpose:

• Utilize roughages/forages to grow cattle until ready to enter the feedlot

• Transition calves from a diet of mostly milk, to eating a variety of forages which might include a supplemental diet consisting of vitamins and minerals to meet nutritional needs

Average Age of Cattle when they move into this Phase:

• Weaned calves (varies but average 7-8 mo)

Average Amount of Time Cattle Spend in this Phase:

• 6-9 months (varies)

What is the purpose and function of the feedlot phase (cows)

Purpose:

• Feed high concentrate rations to cattle in confinement for quick growth and marbling/fat deposition prior to harvest

Average Age of Cattle when they move into this Phase:

• 14-18 months

Average Amount of Time Cattle Spend in this Phase:

• 4-6 months

What is the purpose and function of the harvest phase (cows)

Purpose:

• Produce meat products from mature cattle to sale to consumers at a packing plant/processing facility

Average Age of Cattle when they move into this Phase:

• 18-24 months

Average Amount of Time Cattle Spend in this Phase:

• 1-2 days, then carcass is fabricated out

What’s the purpose of injectable iron (pig)

Iron is a key component of hemoglobin which carries oxygen in red blood cells. We inject iron in baby pig to help decrease anemia

Purpose of ear notcher

Used to notch ears to identify litter and pig number

Label this image

Function of AI Tube

• how we AI pigs

• AI rod “locks into” or plugs the cervix to prevent semen from coming back out of

  the vagina

Purpose of pig ring and pliers

Helps to decrease rooting behavior (digging and pushing things with their nose)

• Decreases damage to landscape/ground and escape attempts. Also decreases injuries from trying to root on concrete in confinement

Purpose of rectal ring

Helps hold organs in the body when rectal prolapse has occurred

How do you keep a pig hydrated?

Water nipple

Function of water nipple

Used in a facility and hooked up to a water/milk line for pigs to be able to drink whenever they want

Function of a snare (pig)

• Used to restrain pigs

• The rope portion of the snare is placed in the mouth surrounding the upper jaw/nose and tightened to allow for control/flipping

  • Pigs should never be led with a snare. This is for control while they are still to allow handler to do whatever needs to be done (injection, observation of an injury, drain abscess, etc.)

What are at least 4 things you do with a piglet once it’s born

• ear notch

• iron injection

• clip needle teeth

• tail dock

• castrate males

• dip naval in iodine

Purpose of ear nothing (pig)

Ear notching provides:

• A permanent, inexpensive identification system

• Individual identity for all animals

Purpose of iron injections (pig)

Iron is a key component of hemoglobin which carries oxygen in red blood cells. We inject iron in piglets to help decrease anemia.

Purpose of clipping needle teeth (pig)

Clipping the corner teeth keeps piglets from injuring the sow’s udder and the other piglet’s faces within their litter

Purpose of dipping umbilical cord in iodine (pig)

The umbilical cord is directly connected to the liver and an easy source of infection.

Purpose of tail docking (pig)

Helps to prevent tail chewing between other pigs

Purpose of castrating males (pig)

Allows them to be housed with females, helps with temperament, and avoids boar taint in the meat after harvest

What are the 5 phases of production for pigs

• Gestation

• Farrowing

• Nursery

• Grower/Finisher

• Harvest

Describe the gestation phase (pigs)

114 days (3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)

• Gilts (female pigs) reach maturity and are bred at 170 to 220 days of age.

• After delivering their first litter of pigs, gilts are called sows.

• Gestation (pregnancy) is about 114 days, or 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

Describe the farrowing phase (pigs)

21 days (3 weeks)

• Sows and gilts are moved to a farrowing barn when ready to give birth (farrow).

• Usually, a sow or gilt will have 12 to 13 pigs per litter.

• Sows nurse pigs until they are weaned at about 21 days of age.

Describe the nursery phase (pigs)

42 to 56 days (6 to 8 weeks)

• After weaning, piglets are moved to a nursery or to a wean-to-finish barn and are housed with piglets from other litters.

• Specialized temperature controls and ventilation support the newly weaned piglets.

• Piglets are fed a corn/soybean meal diet, eating 1.4 to 4 lbs. per day.

• In this phase, pigs grow to 50 to 60 lbs.

Describe the growing and finishing (pigs)

115 to 120 days (16 to 17 weeks)

• Pigs are moved from the nursery to a finishing barn to accommodate their continued growth. If pigs are in a wean-to-finish barn, they remain there.

• In the grow/finish phase, pigs consume 6 to 10 lbs. of feed daily.

• A diet typically consists of corn and soybean meal, as well as vitamins and minerals to ensure proper health and growth of the pigs.

• As the pigs grow, they are monitored daily to ensure that they are healthy.

• At about six months of age, the pigs weigh about 280 lbs. and are then market ready.

Describe the harvest phase (pigs)

183 days (6 months)

• In the harvest phase, pigs are about 280 lbs. and are ready to be slaughtered.

• Pigs are transported to slaughter plants and humanely slaughtered.

• Valuable products are removed from carcasses.

What do you give to cows that won’t suckle?

A stomach tube

What is a flight zone

The flight zone is the animal’s personal space.

• The size depends on the cattle’s temperament and previous handling.

• Calm cattle have smaller flight zones, while wild or stressed cattle have larger ones.

How to use flight zone for handling

• Enter the Flight Zone → Cattle move away.

• Exit the Flight Zone → Cattle stop moving.

• Stand at the Edge of the Flight Zone → Encourages controlled movement.

Describe point of balance

Located at the shoulder.

• Standing behind it moves the animal forward.

• Standing in front moves the animal backward