Stocker calves

[Cress27]

bluegrass south in Lincoln county and lake Cumberland livestock market in Pulaski county are the closest to me. I hear a lot of people have been going to Springfield stock yards as well but never been. A lot of happy customers that go there as well. I’ve been to ayres livestock too he doesn’t charge commission only thing he charges is the beef check off. You unload and they buy them right off the trailer. You never pull away from the unload dock and if you don’t like the price the calf goes right back on the trailer no questions asked. He’s located in Lancaster ky. I sold some to him and was very satisfied.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

I assume your stockpiled grasses are an all season long stockpile? Or was the fescue mowed this past summer? If it was mowed the protein and energy will be considerably higher. @kenny thomas is the fescue guru IMO for the Ky TN Va region.

On the warm seasons, youll 100% need to be supplementing protein and energy. I hear soybean meal is the best bang for your buck but I haven't ever used it.

I'm close to the KY/TN boarder a bit east of Knoxville.

Props to you for being able to stomach the $1,400+ 4 weights. Many were at or just below $4.00 this week in my area. Do you have an alternative market option in case prices were to take a dump? Just curious.

I'll 2nd that about @kenny thomas knowing how to produce fescue for stockpile. The thing here is though is that you already have the stockpile, and whatever it makes up. The thing here is you can't change what you already have. More in a minute.

 

[Mark Reynolds]

@Cress27, I'm half surprised that @kenny thomas didn't say it, but he played 'ring around the mulberry bush'. @kenny thomas just posted one of these the other day, and it was a beauty! Get your current grasses that you have to graze tested. Collect a forage sample - of each forage in each pasture - and get an analysis. @kenny thomas tell you best how to do this, as well as what the results mean. Knowing these results will tell you more than anyone on here can, even @kenny thomas himself can (unless you give him these results that he can use to 'cheat' with).

 

[Mark Reynolds]

@Cress27, after you get the results from the forage test, you may wish to consider bale grazing IF you don't have enough stockpile to carry the number of stockers til spring without running out of standing forage. Do this by supplementing the standing forage with bales NOW. By doing so, you will have higher protein levels in the forage later in the season by still having standing forage rather than feeding all hay.

Look at the 4 never fail rules of grazing (they aren't as important right now when there is no growth occurring, but still important). Also, I have a set of rules for bale grazing if you want to seriously consider this as an option for your operation.

 

[midTN_Brangusman]

Better to have a dart gun and draxxin and not use it than to lose a 1,400$ calve because I'm over confident that I won't lose one. Anyone that's fooled with cattle know your gonna have sick animals eventually. So why not have a dart gun a draxxin on hand?

I have never had good luck treating respiratory with draxxin. I prefer Baytril, if that doesn't clear it up Excede. However, I do like draxxin for a preventative antibiotic given on arrival. The key is to treat them when they are just starting to feel bad, if the calf is sick when you treat your a day or two late.

 

[Louthelivestockguy]

Ok so I'm new to the stocker calves I plan to buy steers around the weight of 350 to 400 pounds. I have stock piled fescue and some dried up warm season grasses. The grass is waist high. I haven't had any cattle on the place for over a year. Not an abundance of weeds. My question is what should I do to potentially gain 2 pounds a day. What kinda feed or supplements should I consider. I only have access to wrapped ryegrass silage which I shouldn't have to feed to much of I don't think and what feed I can buy at the local feed store I will be implanting the calves. I've always had cows and I'm new to the stocker calves any advice on what kinda feed what kind of vaccinations I should use. I'm from central Kentucky if that helps any on recommendations.

Thanks and god bless

This age group is young teens and freshly weaned. They will be looking for ways to get out of your pastures so make sure you have great perimeter fences and decent cross fencing if you are rotating them throughout the spring.
Nothing worse than a bunch of high dollar calves you have to chase and/or possibly lose!

 

[gcreekrch]

I have never had good luck treating respiratory with draxxin. I prefer Baytril, if that doesn't clear it up Excede. However, I do like draxxin for a preventative antibiotic given on arrival. The key is to treat them when they are just starting to feel bad, if the calf is sick when you treat your a day or two late.

We've had good luck treating pulls with Resflor. I’m still not 100% convinced a dart gun delivers product the way it should be.

 

[Cress27]

I h

@Cress27, I'm half surprised that @kenny thomas didn't say it, but he played 'ring around the mulberry bush'. @kenny thomas just posted one of these the other day, and it was a beauty! Get your current grasses that you have to graze tested. Collect a forage sample - of each forage in each pasture - and get an analysis. @kenny thomas tell you best how to do this, as well as what the results mean. Knowing these results will tell you more than anyone on here can, even @kenny thomas himself can (unless you give him these results that he can use to 'cheat' with).

ad no idea they had such a thing lol. More good info. I appreciate that info

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

We've had good luck treating pulls with Resflor. I'm still not 100% convinced a dart gun delivers product the way it should be.

I've had much better luck successfully treating animals in the chute administering meds as prescribed vs darting them in the field.

Dart gun has its place but isn't my first choice.

 

[Cress27]

I have never had good luck treating respiratory with draxxin. I prefer Baytril, if that doesn't clear it up Excede. However, I do like draxxin for a preventative antibiotic given on arrival. The key is to treat them when they are just starting to feel bad, if the calf is sick when you treat your a day or two late.

Baytrill is a good option I’ve never used excede before. Is it a 1 time shot or does it require a 2nd or 3rd shot?

 

[Cress27]

Got woven wire with electric in my front 2 pastures then 3 strains of 14 gauge electric in the back 40. Hope to get them use to the electric then put them in the back once they get use to getting shocked lol

This age group is young teens and freshly weaned. They will be looking for ways to get out of your pastures so make sure you have great perimeter fences and decent cross fencing if you are rotating them throughout the spring.
Nothing worse than a bunch of high dollar calves you have to chase and/or possibly lol

 

[Cress27]

I've had much better luck successfully treating animals in the chute administering meds as prescribed vs darting them in the field.

Dart gun has its place but isn't my first choice.

I agree I’ll be administering an antibiotic upon arriving they will get a 7 way live virus vaccine implanted and injected ivermectin. Anyone have any recommendations on what kind vaccine they recommend?

 

[kenny thomas]

Baytrill is a good option I've never used excede before. Is it a 1 time shot or does it require a 2nd or 3rd shot?

Excede is usually a 1 time shot given in the soft spot behind the ear. It is not listed for use in a dart gun but im not sure the others are either.
Im not a vet and don't pretend to be but i do not like treating an incoming animal thats not sick yet. I prevent the sickness with a dose of Presponse and Inforce 3 and the rare ones that get sick i wil give an antibiotic.

 

[Silver]

Baytrill is a good option I've never used excede before. Is it a 1 time shot or does it require a 2nd or 3rd shot?

If I remember right a second dose in the opposite ear 3 days after the first shot for severe cases. One shot generally does the trick.

 

[kenny thomas]

I agree I'll be administering an antibiotic upon arriving they will get a 7 way live virus vaccine implanted and injected ivermectin. Anyone have any recommendations on what kind vaccine they recommend?

One of my many pet peeves is giving a vaccine that requires a booster and never giving the booster. On most vaccines requiring a booster the first shot only primes the response and the second shot gives you the protection. If waiting 14 to 21 days to get the protection you are mostly past the point that they get sick.
At a Cattle Today vets recommendation i give Inforce 3 internasal and Presponse at arrival. I also give Alpha 7 for blackleg. All 3 are 1 shot. I also give Cydectin injectable, ear tag, and knife cut. If for some crazy reason i band one instead of knife cut i give Tetanus antitoxin. Once turned out into my weaning lots they don't have to be gotten back through the chute for a booster.
As i stated i am not a vet nor claim to be but the Vet School here brings students here to my farm to learn and i learn from the teacher. On some topics I am the speaker. The students enjoy my stupidity i think. I only speak on grazing and health benifits of good grazing. They also see Dallis grass, Johnson Grass, Oak acorns, Wild Cherry, "cattle are fenced away from the acorns and cherry" and the professor discusses symptoms and treatment if it causes a problem. In return they preg check cows, semen test bulls, work calves if needed. Its a win win for both sides. Next group is coming Feb 4th.

 

[Cress27]

One of my many pet peeves is giving a vaccine that requires a booster and never giving the booster. On most vaccines requiring a booster the first shot only primes the response and the second shot gives you the protection. If waiting 14 to 21 days to get the protection you are mostly past the point that they get sick.
At a Cattle Today vets recommendation i give Inforce 3 internasal and Presponse at arrival. I also give Alpha 7 for blackleg. All 3 are 1 shot. I also give Cydectin injectable, ear tag, and knife cut. If for some crazy reason i band one instead of knife cut i give Tetanus antitoxin. Once turned out into my weaning lots they don't have to be gotten back through the chute for a booster.
As i stated i am not a vet nor claim to be but the Vet School here brings students here to my farm to learn and i learn from the teacher. On some topics I am the speaker. The students enjoy my stupidity i think. I only speak on grazing and health benifits of good grazing. They also see Dallis grass, Johnson Grass, Oak acorns, Wild Cherry, "cattle are fenced away from the acorns and cherry" and the professor discusses symptoms and treatment if it causes a problem. In return they preg check cows, semen test bulls, work calves if needed. Its a win win for both sides. Next group is coming Feb 4th.

Heck yeah I'm a firm believer to never stop learning hints why I'm asking for other people's preferences. I enjoy learning and not getting stuck in the same routine. I know some say if it works don't fix it. But it never hurts to learn new things. I really appreciate all the comments and knowledge. Thank yall.

 

[kenny thomas]

bluegrass south in Lincoln county and lake Cumberland livestock market in Pulaski county are the closest to me. I hear a lot of people have been going to Springfield stock yards as well but never been. A lot of happy customers that go there as well. I've been to ayres livestock too he doesn't charge commission only thing he charges is the beef check off. You unload and they buy them right off the trailer. You never pull away from the unload dock and if you don't like the price the calf goes right back on the trailer no questions asked. He's located in Lancaster ky. I sold some to him and was very satisfied.

Im sure you know that at Stanford, even though the numbers are less on Monday than Thursday the prices are mostly cheaper on Monday. The man that is the manager of our stockyard buys there on Monday.

 

[gcreekrch]

One of my many pet peeves is giving a vaccine that requires a booster and never giving the booster. On most vaccines requiring a booster the first shot only primes the response and the second shot gives you the protection. If waiting 14 to 21 days to get the protection you are mostly past the point that they get sick.
At a Cattle Today vets recommendation i give Inforce 3 internasal and Presponse at arrival. I also give Alpha 7 for blackleg. All 3 are 1 shot. I also give Cydectin injectable, ear tag, and knife cut. If for some crazy reason i band one instead of knife cut i give Tetanus antitoxin. Once turned out into my weaning lots they don't have to be gotten back through the chute for a booster.
As i stated i am not a vet nor claim to be but the Vet School here brings students here to my farm to learn and i learn from the teacher. On some topics I am the speaker. The students enjoy my stupidity i think. I only speak on grazing and health benifits of good grazing. They also see Dallis grass, Johnson Grass, Oak acorns, Wild Cherry, "cattle are fenced away from the acorns and cherry" and the professor discusses symptoms and treatment if it causes a problem. In return they preg check cows, semen test bulls, work calves if needed. Its a win win for both sides. Next group is coming Feb 4th.

It is my understanding the intranasal vaccines are only effective for a month. Right wrong or indifferent, we use an 8 way clostridial including tetanus, a 4 way live for respiratory and a Draxxin to keep them alive until the vaccines kick in. Guilty of not giving boosters……

We each do what works for us.

 

[Cress27]

Im sure you know that at Stanford, even though the numbers are less on Monday than Thursday the prices are mostly cheaper on Monday. The man that is the manager of our stockyard buys there on Monday.

Yeah Mondays are slower normally good time to buy prices do seem a little cheaper on Mondays. But not as good of quality normally. Bluegrass is a good place not knocking them at all. That’s normally where I sell.

 

[kenny thomas]

Yeah Mondays are slower normally good time to buy prices do seem a little cheaper on Mondays. But not as good of quality normally. Bluegrass is a good place not knocking them at all. That's normally where I sell.

Bluegrass is a very good place. But anywhere you go there can be a bargain if you watch for it