Johnson grass

[Lucky]

Have you noticed any Jimsen weed growing outside the fence? Any odd activity in the calves..in their walking or movements? It's that time of year in Texas.

Haven't noticed that weed. Been looking for any odd movements in walking or standing but haven't noticed anything.

 

[wbvs58]

I would suggest that it was blackleg... they're okay, then dead is typical. If it was dry, and many times cooler/cold temps.... then you went to wet, and warmer, the clostridium spores will basically "explode"... and they will ingest them. It can happen to calves often as young as 2 months, but most often seen in cattle 4 months and up.
We have had it happen in the younger animals.
Sometimes they won't show any symptoms, but look fine and dead the next day. Some will get a fever but again, it progresses FAST...

We vaccinate our cows for blackleg when we preg check. CHEAP insurance and they pass a better immune response in their colostrum and milk.
Most calves are protected for 4-10 weeks from their mother's milk. There are arguments that giving a blackleg shot at birth is counter indicative. We give them a shot when they get worked to go to pasture, most are 4-8 weeks old.

I'm with Jan.

Ken

 

[Lucky]

I would suggest that it was blackleg... they're okay, then dead is typical. If it was dry, and many times cooler/cold temps.... then you went to wet, and warmer, the clostridium spores will basically "explode"... and they will ingest them. It can happen to calves often as young as 2 months, but most often seen in cattle 4 months and up.
We have had it happen in the younger animals.
Sometimes they won't show any symptoms, but look fine and dead the next day. Some will get a fever but again, it progresses FAST...

We vaccinate our cows for blackleg when we preg check. CHEAP insurance and they pass a better immune response in their colostrum and milk.
Most calves are protected for 4-10 weeks from their mother's milk. There are arguments that giving a blackleg shot at birth is counter indicative. We give them a shot when they get worked to go to pasture, most are 4-8 weeks old.

I've heard they'll have popping in there legs if it's blackleg? We do not routinely blackleg cows in the fall. We have once or twice but typically do not.

 

[Mrcopier]

I've heard they'll have popping in there legs if it's blackleg? We do not routinely blackleg cows in the fall. We have once or twice but typically do not.

Yes, it kinda sound like wadding up a news paper when rubbing thier legs.

 

[TCRanch]

I've heard they'll have popping in there legs if it's blackleg? We do not routinely blackleg cows in the fall. We have once or twice but typically do not.

I used to only vaccinate the calves for blackleg (either Cavalry 9 or Covexin 8). But quite a few years ago, there was a thread about blackleg and a member, I believe up north near WY, lost some cattle to it. We were in a drought and suddenly an onslaught of rain, and I discussed vaccinating the cattle with my vet. Do it, he said. Precisely as @farmerjan described. Those spores are in the ground, just waiting for the right opportunity.

My calves are vaccinated for all the clostridial diseases at appx 3 months, and again at weaning. Passive immunity from the dam should protect them until the initial vaccination. "Should" being the operative word.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

Wife thinks Poke Salad killed them. It's in brush piles and they definitely eat it. Who knows

Well.... maybe, but I don't think it fits. I'd suspect you would see symptoms before you saw death, and I wouldn't suspect it with other ample forage around.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

I never seen them eat poke weed but looks like its possible but not probable.

Thanks @kenny thomas! Great reference! I'd say the availability of the Johnsongrass, at least, and availability to the calves....that died, especially, are a bit of a rule out indicator to the poke weed/salad. The poke weed is probably not mature enough yet to be that toxic either, not that it's impossible.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

The wild weather kinda contributes to the blackleg theory, as well as, and I'll say it's still a contender, grass tetany.

 

[gman4691]

What i am considering is called Outrider.

I've used Outrider but what I've been buying is called Cryder...same stuff as Outrider and it works well. Granular form - use 1 oz. per acre.

 

[kenny thomas]

I've used Outrider but what I've been buying is called Cryder...same stuff as Outrider and it works well. Granular form - use 1 oz. per acre.

Is it the same price. Outrider is pretty expensive.

 

[gman4691]

Is it the same price. Outrider is pretty expensive.

Yes, sir...it's pretty much the exact same product with a different label...and it is a bit pricey...might find a better price online(?) I don't know...never bought it online.

 

[kenny thomas]

Yes, sir...it's pretty much the exact same product with a different label...and it is a bit pricey...might find a better price online(?) I don't know...never bought it online.

I will check out the price. Guess I need to see of its restricted use here.

 

[gman4691]

I will check out the price. Guess I need to see of its restricted use here.

It is restricted here but I have a private applicator's license so I don't really think about that aspect of it...definitely check out your state's rules.

 

[crossbreed]

Got my weed wiper for the mule yesterday. Lots of rain last 2 days so stuff should be growing