CALF_News_October_November_2019

14 CALF News • October | November 2019 • www.calfnews.net What's in a Name? Making a Difference I t still holds true that the more things change the more they stay the same. That’s certainly the case in the cattle business. Although the industry has made some major advances through the years to address core needs, there are still many that need to be addressed … or readdressed. As often happens, that was the discus- sion over steaks and whisky a while ago when a group of cattle feeders got together. The search and management of the labor force, burdensome state and federal regulations and the always- present health problems were all put on the table as problems they might be able work on. Like generations before had done, this small group of independent feedlot owners and managers went look- ing for answers. “We were all in the same business and all facing the same challenges,” one of the managers said.“We just started throwing ideas against the wall.” Now, that peer group meets three or four times a year, identifying problems and looking for solutions. One of those solutions is a program the industry cur- rently uses. Cattle Feeder Preferred Through the years, different groups have put together programs to help By Betty Jo Gigot Publisher ranchers provide calves and yearlings that are ready to go on feed. The proper vaccinations, deworming and weaning programs vary and, in some cases, do not achieve their goal. In search of a way to source cattle that have all undergone the same health and management protocols before entering the feedyard, the group has developed a set of standards that both Superior Livestock and Northern Live- stock Video Auction are now offering. Cattle Feeder Preferred Health and Management Program is designed to improve the overall health and perfor- mance of calves at both the ranch and feedyard, according to their literature. “The program has vaccination requirements for both the cow herd and the calves to create an optimum immune system so the calves can face the health challenges of weaning, shipping and the environment at the feedlot. In addition, the program has management require- ments that further enhance the immune system of the calves. “Buyers can rest assured that the calves they are buying have undergone additional health and management pro- tocols, which in turn creates added value for producers.” There are three levels of participation in the Cattle Feeder Preferred program. The Base Level includes two rounds of pre-weaning calf vaccinations and a fall cow vaccination program. The Base Plus Level also calls for a spring cow vaccina- tion program in addition to Base Level vaccinations. The Premier Level requires two rounds of pre-weaning vaccinations, a minimum 60-day weaning program with additional vaccinations post wean- ing and a fall cow vaccination schedule. Cow herd and health management protocols require a Vet Client Patient relationship be in place in addition to a deworming strategy that is appropriate for the area. A mineral supplement pro- gram must be utilized that addresses any known deficiencies in the area. There is an emphasis on a nutrition regimen that helps maintain a body condition score of 3 or greater during calving and weaning, and developing culling proto- cols for cows that fail to maintain body condition standards. The program also has protocols for evaluating udder health and structure in order to maximize pas- sive colostrum transfer. The overall protocols for calf health and management include immunizations as calves’ maternal antibody protection begins to decline (2 to 4 months old). It also implements a deworming strategy that is appropriate for the area, as well as a dehorning program. Calves must be dehorned prior to permanent transfer from the ranch. For 2019, identification requirements are brands, electronic ID tags (EID), ultra-high frequency (UHF) EID tags or ranch tags. Starting in 2020, only UHF tags will be accepted. Cattle Feeder Preferred reviews will be conducted by IMI Global, a third-party verification company. Visit http://imi- global.com/beef-programs.html for more information. 