Bohaty Farm Bulletin

June 2015

Bohaty’s British Whites— Quality You Can Count On Since 1983!

Bohaty’s British Whites

Walter & Nancy Bohaty

1371 42nd Road Bellwood, NE 68624

402-367-4741

Email: nbohaty@gmail.com

www.britishcattle.com

Thanks for Coming

to Our 2015

Open House & Sale

We enjoyed visiting with

Friends and Customers!

Everyone had a

great time!

Come Again Visitors

Always Welcome!

2015 Open House &

Sale Highlights!

Started Friday off by Diane washing

and blow drying the 2 open heifers we used for the clipping demo.

B&B Panzee (pictured above) wasn’t so calm during this process so I decided

to use B&B Desi for the clipping. These two heifers are broke to lead but not

nearly ready for showing! (See more highlights and pictures on

page 3)

B&B Pocahaunus 49Y & 2015 May calf

This pair and others like her for sale

Contact us for details

Bohaty’s Herd Reduction Sale We are getting old enough to slow down some so

we are offering pairs—first come first pick!

How did your herd bull make it through the

winter? Jim Neel, University of Tennessee Extension

Did your herd bull receive any concern during the long cold winter we have experienced? Probably

most of the concerns were directed toward the cow herd and calves. However, the long cold winter

we experienced may have led to several negative effects on the bull that could severely reduce his re-

productive potential. These range from frostbite on the bull’s scrotum, excess loss of body condition,

and perhaps injuries to the feet and legs depending on the condition of the frozen surfaces they were

walking on.

Under normal winters, with sufficient care, the effects of cold weather would be less of a problem.

However, with the extremely cold weather this year, bulls have been exposed to conditions with

greater risk of frostbite and cold injury to the scrotum and testicles that can cause subfertility or in

some cases, infertility.

In cold weather sperm quality is reduced, and the colder it gets the more quality reduction occurs.

Bulls with larger, hanging scrotums are more susceptible to being sub fertile or possibly, even sterile

in cold conditions. These bulls would have a problem “drawing” their testicles up close to their body

to keep them warm.

Both cold and hot weather can interfere with the spermatogenesis process and reduce reproductive

potential.

Check the bulls’ scrotum for scabs; these would probably be found on the lower part of the scrotum.

The presence of “no scab” is not an assurance that the reproductive potential is not negatively af-

fected. If frostbite and or cold injury is a concern, the bull should have a Breeding Soundness Exami-

nation (BSE) 45 days or so after the injury. Check with a local bovine veterinarian and discuss the

possibility of “frost bite” and arrange to have a BSE done on the bulls.

A BSE prior to the breeding season has always been a good practice and may be even more impor-

tant this year. An exam should include an evaluation of the bull’s reproductive tract, semen volume

and quality, as well as the bull’s structural soundness and overall physical condition.

Observe the bulls for lameness, as frozen, slippery and sometimes sharp edged ground conditions

can lead to lameness that will affect their ability to breed cows.

Did they come through the winter in decent physical condition? Or, did they end up thinner than you

would like due to the cold weather energy requirements causing them to burn more calories to stay

warm? Ideally bulls should have a similar Body Condition Score (BCS) to that of replacement heif-

ers: from a 5 to 6.5. Top performing bulls will be busy and lose weight during the breeding season so

they need to be in adequate condition before breeding begins. Also remember young bulls are still

growing and may need extra feed during the breeding season.

During the pre-breeding period bulls should physically and nutritionally prepared for the work they

have ahead of them. (Continued on Pg 4)

June 2015 Page 2

June 2015 Page 3

Highlights of our 2015 Open House & Sale (Continued from page 1)

Visitors from many states began arriving Friday after-

noon to check out the sale animals and visit with friends

old and new. All who were interested in seeing me clip

the heifer gathered around the grooming chute at 2 PM

and the demo began. I explained what I was doing and

why and tried to answer any questions that people asked.

I hope the demo was helpful to those who watched. I am

sure some thought it was a lot of work, which it certainly

is, but when going to shows and sales clipping is impor-

tant.

A social time

followed as

friends gath-

ered around

the picnic ta-

ble to visit.

Pizza was served to all who stayed for supper followed

by a birthday cake for Rick Stockhill. This part was

planned

by all his

Face

Book

friends.

He was

really

surprised.

Saturday morning everyone returned to our farm to

check out the sale animals and decide which ones they

might want to buy. Breakfast of rolls and hot beverages

was available for all. Dinner at 11:30 and the sale

started at 1PM. Door prize ($20) winner was Paul Sims

of MO.

A p

icture o

f those w

ho a

ttended

ou

r 2015 S

ale! T

han

ks everyo

ne.

Sale Time with our Sale Referee

Kent Clymer

(See picture at right)

The month of May is traditionally the time when “spring round-ups” take place. This is the time that large and small cow/calf operations schedule the “working” of the calves. As the majority of the calves reach their second month of life, it is time to castrate the male calves and immunize all of the calves to pro-tect them against blackleg. Also the new information suggests that in some situations, calves may be vacci-nated for the respiratory diseases, i.e. IBR and BVD. Check with your veterinarian for vaccination ad-vice.

Correct administration of any injection is a critical con-trol point in beef production and animal health. There is a negative relationship between meat tenderness and injection sites, including injection sites that have no visible lesion. In fact, intramuscular (IM) injections, regardless of the product injected, may create perma-nent damage regardless of the age of the animal at the time of injection. Tenderness is reduced in a three-inch area surrounding the injection site. Moving the injec-tion-site area to the neck stops damage to expensive steak cuts. Therefore, cow/calf producers should make certain that their family members, and other hired la-bor are sufficiently trained as to the proper location of the injections before the spring calf-working begins.

Give injections according to label instructions. Subcu-taneous (SQ) means under the skin, intramuscular (IM) means in the muscle. Some vaccines (according to the label instructions) allow the choice between intra-muscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SQ). Always use subcutaneous (SQ) as the method of administration when permitted by the product’s label. Remember to “tent” the skin for SQ injections unless instructed oth-erwise by the manufacturer. Proper injection tech-nique is just one of many components of the Beef Qual-ity Assurance effort that has had a positive impact on the entire United States beef industry.

Another important aspect of the Beef Quality Assur-ance effort is keeping of accurate treatment re-cords. Treatment records should include:

· Individual animal/group identification · Date treated · Product administered and manufac turer’s lot/serial number · Dosage used

Proper injection sites to remember at calf-working time By Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension May 05, 2015

June 2015 Page 4

(Continued from Pg 2)

During the peak of breeding season bulls will

need the physical stamina to cover many

miles in one day. Just like with people, reach-

ing this level of fitness won’t happen over-

night. Providing a 1-2 acre lot during the pre-

breeding period will go a long ways in build-

ing a bull’s stamina.

So, take a good look at your bulls to see how

they made it through winter. Now is the time

to evaluate them, so that you have sufficient

time to put them on a pre-breeding program

to have them ready to go when the time

comes, or have time to find replacements if

needed.

(Continued from left column)

· Route and location of admini-stration · Earliest date animal(s) will have cleared withdrawal period · Name of person administering the product

Treatment records for cattle should be stored and kept for a minimum of three years after the ani-mal(s) have been sold from your operation. Beef producers are encouraged to learn and practice Beef Quality Assurance Guidelines. You can learn more about the Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance program by going to the website: http://

oklahomabeefquality.com/ The Oklahoma Beef Quality Assurance Manual can be downloaded from that site. Examples of treatment records to be kept and stored are available from the Okla-homa Beef Quality Assurance Manual or the Okla-homa Beef Quality Assurance program website.

Worry is like a rockin' horse. It's some-thing to do that don't get you nowhere.

-- Old West Proverb

June 2015 Page 5

In the cow/calf business, fall profits depend heavily on deci-

sions producers make in the spring for both cows and calves.

Keeping calves healthy and prepared for top marketing pro-

grams, as well as getting cows rebred, are universal keys to

ranching success. Here are seven springtime management

suggestions that will provide reproductive protection

through breeding and gestation, plus build strong calf immu-

nity to maximize their growth potential and be immunologi-

cally prepared to transition to the feedlot in the fall.

1. Work with your veterinarian to build a health protocol specific to your herd. Your veteri-narian is the best resource you have to identify the pathogens and disease challenges that are most important in your area. Vaccinations for cows should be focused on optimizing concep-tion and preventing abortion, while prevention of respiratory disease is the most important ele-ment of calf vaccinations.

2. Vaccinate cows in the spring whenever pos-sible. Three to six weeks before breeding is the ideal time to vaccinate cows for maximum repro-ductive protection. The focus is to protect against reproductive pathogens that can interfere with conception or trigger abortions. Administering a combination vaccine, such as Vista® 5 VL5 SQ, can accomplish this in one dose. And don’t forget to include trichomoniasis testing for bulls in your health protocol. There are no vaccines for trichomoniasis, so testing is the best option available.

3. Vaccinate calves for respiratory protection with a target on fall marketing health programs. Spring is often our first opportunity to prime the calf’s immune system, so they rapidly respond to weaning vaccinations. The viruses of concern that need to be included in a vaccination pro-gram are Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV). The most prominent players for bacterial pneumonia are Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multo-cida. Look for combination vaccines, such as Vista Once SQ, that address all the important respiratory viruses and both bacteria. For more information about calf preconditioning proto-cols, visit www.cattleprimevac.com.

4. Use intranasal vaccines in calves younger than 5 months of age. Intranasal vaccines, such as Nasalgen® IP and Once PMH® IN, stimulate a strong immune response directly on mucosal surfaces in the nose – the major route of respiratory infection in cattle. Intrana-sal vaccines also are less stressful on the young calf than vaccines given under the skin and escape interfer-ence from maternal antibodies in colostrum.

5. Eliminate internal parasites before turnout. There’s no shortage of evidence that shows if parasites are effectively eliminated, the cow will eat more, milk better and produce a heavier calf. Because of docu-mented parasite resistance to ivermectin products, the most effective strategy to control internal parasites should include fenbendazole, the active ingredient in Safe-Guard®. Using Safe-Guard with an ivermectin pour-on for external parasites will achieve a near 100 percent parasite kill. Consult with your veterinarian to assist with the diagnosis, treatment and control strate-gies for internal parasites.

6. Control pinkeye with vaccination and manage-ment. Because pinkeye is a significant health problem in many parts of the country, a combination of vaccina-tion and fly control is recommended for complete con-trol. Fly tags in cows and calves can be very helpful in areas with heavy fly pressure. (Note: We here at Bohaty’s have found that using a good mineral with Vitamin A in it helps control Pinkeye and have stopped using the vaccine for Pinkeye.)

7. Consider implanting all calves at branding. Im-planting a calf will add 20 to 25 pounds to the weaning weight and an extra $40 in revenue for just a $1.25-per-head investment. Unless a producer has a solid con-tract for a “natural” program that guarantees a pre-mium of $40 or more, implants should be part of his spring turnout program for all calves older than 1 month of age. (Note: This step is optional, especially for those breeders who are raising calves for breeding stock)

After you have taken the steps to ensure optimal calf health, be sure to document the products and practices you have used. A signed certificate, especially one signed by your vet-erinarian, will add value to your calves. Documentation should comprise of vaccination, parasite control and other treatments, including the product, what it’s for and the date applied. Print a copy to accompany the calves when they go to market. Buyers pay $15 to $35 more per head for calves with that kind of documented health history.

Seven spring suggestions to set up calves for top performance By Kevin Hill, D.V.M., technical services manager,

Merck Animal Health April 28, 2015

If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody

else's dog around. -- Will Rogers