Jeanne - Simme Valley
Well-known member
Here's an article from MyCattle.com
Calves at Risk From Long Bout with Bad Weather
The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo., February 08, 2007
by Tammy Alhadef
Feb. 8--WALSENBURG -- Huerfano County ranchers slipped out of muddy boots and came to town Tuesday to meet with veterinarians and discuss stress in beef breeding herds.
After a series of snowstorms that left many herds stranded, some cattle are just now experiencing the effects. With spontaneous abortion rates in cattle reaching distressing levels, Drs. Roger Ellis and Jack Whittier with Colorado State University came to the Walsenburg Community Center with information to help ranchers understand what to expect and what measures can still be taken to prevent subsequent loss.
"Pregnant cows are pretty resilient," Ellis said. "It'll take a lot for her to dump that calf."
Still, he said he's seen 10 to 15 percent abortion rates in some of the herds in Las Animas County, up from 3 to 5 percent in an average herd.
"We could be looking at 25 percent in some herds," he said, as it took some ranchers in Las Animas 10 days or more to get to their starving herds.
Prolonged exposure to cold, dehydration and energy imbalances can reduce blood volume and deliver less oxygen to the uterus. All those factors can make the cow release stress hormones that adversely affect production of the glucose that delivers energy to her fetus.
Toxic plants are a concern, particularly for herds that are not getting adequate nutrition. Ellis said he treated one herd of pregnant cows that foraged on ponderosa pine after taking shelter under the toxic trees.
"Twenty one out of 28 cows dumped their calves," he said. Many aborted within hours of eating the poisonous needles.
Rancher Dave Stroh said he could relate. He's had cows abort after foraging on pines.
Recent severe weather has caused other health issues in herds. Calves born to overstressed cows could suffer long-term effects. Many are born weak or unresponsive. Lower colostrum production in a nursing cow will significantly lower the level of immunity she can pass on to her calf, leaving the calf susceptible to illness. Calves born after a prolonged labor have a 20 percent greater risk of death. Ellis recommends warming the calves, ensuring they get colostrum and keeping them out of highly contaminated areas .
Many stress-related problems can be avoided by increasing protein consumption during the last 45 to 60 days of pregnancy. Fat supplements also are necessary, as inclement weather increases the nutritional demands of pregnant cattle.
Ellis also recommended checking cows for frozen teats.
"I've known calves to starve to death because they couldn't nurse."
Cows aren't they only ones suffering in the frigid temperatures. Scrotal frostbite is a concern in the bull population. If the problem has progressed to the testicles, sperm quality and production will decrease and beef losses could continue to the next breeding season.
Calves at Risk From Long Bout with Bad Weather
The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo., February 08, 2007
by Tammy Alhadef
Feb. 8--WALSENBURG -- Huerfano County ranchers slipped out of muddy boots and came to town Tuesday to meet with veterinarians and discuss stress in beef breeding herds.
After a series of snowstorms that left many herds stranded, some cattle are just now experiencing the effects. With spontaneous abortion rates in cattle reaching distressing levels, Drs. Roger Ellis and Jack Whittier with Colorado State University came to the Walsenburg Community Center with information to help ranchers understand what to expect and what measures can still be taken to prevent subsequent loss.
"Pregnant cows are pretty resilient," Ellis said. "It'll take a lot for her to dump that calf."
Still, he said he's seen 10 to 15 percent abortion rates in some of the herds in Las Animas County, up from 3 to 5 percent in an average herd.
"We could be looking at 25 percent in some herds," he said, as it took some ranchers in Las Animas 10 days or more to get to their starving herds.
Prolonged exposure to cold, dehydration and energy imbalances can reduce blood volume and deliver less oxygen to the uterus. All those factors can make the cow release stress hormones that adversely affect production of the glucose that delivers energy to her fetus.
Toxic plants are a concern, particularly for herds that are not getting adequate nutrition. Ellis said he treated one herd of pregnant cows that foraged on ponderosa pine after taking shelter under the toxic trees.
"Twenty one out of 28 cows dumped their calves," he said. Many aborted within hours of eating the poisonous needles.
Rancher Dave Stroh said he could relate. He's had cows abort after foraging on pines.
Recent severe weather has caused other health issues in herds. Calves born to overstressed cows could suffer long-term effects. Many are born weak or unresponsive. Lower colostrum production in a nursing cow will significantly lower the level of immunity she can pass on to her calf, leaving the calf susceptible to illness. Calves born after a prolonged labor have a 20 percent greater risk of death. Ellis recommends warming the calves, ensuring they get colostrum and keeping them out of highly contaminated areas .
Many stress-related problems can be avoided by increasing protein consumption during the last 45 to 60 days of pregnancy. Fat supplements also are necessary, as inclement weather increases the nutritional demands of pregnant cattle.
Ellis also recommended checking cows for frozen teats.
"I've known calves to starve to death because they couldn't nurse."
Cows aren't they only ones suffering in the frigid temperatures. Scrotal frostbite is a concern in the bull population. If the problem has progressed to the testicles, sperm quality and production will decrease and beef losses could continue to the next breeding season.
