Miss Daisy
Well-known member
33 pair, about 10 are first calf cows. We are in Central WA. They began calving January 18 and finished in April. Beofre the calving season began, their BCS was around 5-6, the heifers were good solid 6-6.5s. The cows began dropping weight, and the heifers were worse. I mean 300 lbs, skin and bones. At that point they were getting 25lbs of DM per day. It was chopped, 50% alfalfa 50% oat hay. We upped them a little at a time, by the end of the winter they were getting 40 lbs each. They quit losing weight at this point, but were not gaining any back. They were turned out to summer pasture on May 20. It has enough TDN but the minerals are a bit low, the winter hay was a better test. They are just now finally slicking off their winter coats. They are black angus and had that red hair going on. Most of them have picked up some weight, they are in the 4.5 range. Some better, some worse. The calves have done nothing. They are five months old and weigh 200-250 llbs. The herd is happy and have great attitudes, ears are up. They are not stressed in any way, other than it was a cold and rainy spring. There was a small bout of milk scours that came through but it took care of itself.
The hay tested perfect. At 25 lbs, they were getting all the protein and nutrients needed. Nitrates are nonexistent. They have free access to Purina Wind and Rain 12 and white loose salt. They are UTD on 8-way and Cattlemaster. They get pink eye vaccines. They are wormed with Ivomec Plus in the fall and spring. There have been no outside sale barn cows introduced into the herd in 6 years. We bought a couple at a registered sale (only 2 miles away) and they came with all the health paperwork and records and were quarantined for 30 days. All temps are normal in cows and calves.
They were getting proper feed and mineral and fresh running water. We have had two vets out, three nutritionists, and every cattleman around. Nobody knows. And its not one or two cows, it was the whole herd. We contacted the extension office and they are putting the head of veterinary at WSU in touch. We have eliminated most of the obvious causes. One thing to mention is that last years calf crop was left on longer than they should have been so the cows didn't have as much chance to recover as they normally do. There were no open cows either, and we haven't lost any calves.
All the neighors cows look great, nice and fat and shiny and slicked off... 500 lb calves. Breeds include Angus, Charlais, and black baldies.
Current plan of action is to drench with safeguard. We did just switch to a better mineral with chelated minerals and selenium that is more available. We are setting up to collect stool and blood samples.
The calf crop is pretty much ruined as far as I can see. My main focus is getting condition back on the cows. The bull was turned in April 20. He will be pulled out this week and I'm thinking there will be quite a few open cows. At this point, its anyones guess.
Thats what I can think of off the top of my head. Ask any questions you may have. I can email the feed analysis to anyone interested. I do not have pictures.
The hay tested perfect. At 25 lbs, they were getting all the protein and nutrients needed. Nitrates are nonexistent. They have free access to Purina Wind and Rain 12 and white loose salt. They are UTD on 8-way and Cattlemaster. They get pink eye vaccines. They are wormed with Ivomec Plus in the fall and spring. There have been no outside sale barn cows introduced into the herd in 6 years. We bought a couple at a registered sale (only 2 miles away) and they came with all the health paperwork and records and were quarantined for 30 days. All temps are normal in cows and calves.
They were getting proper feed and mineral and fresh running water. We have had two vets out, three nutritionists, and every cattleman around. Nobody knows. And its not one or two cows, it was the whole herd. We contacted the extension office and they are putting the head of veterinary at WSU in touch. We have eliminated most of the obvious causes. One thing to mention is that last years calf crop was left on longer than they should have been so the cows didn't have as much chance to recover as they normally do. There were no open cows either, and we haven't lost any calves.
All the neighors cows look great, nice and fat and shiny and slicked off... 500 lb calves. Breeds include Angus, Charlais, and black baldies.
Current plan of action is to drench with safeguard. We did just switch to a better mineral with chelated minerals and selenium that is more available. We are setting up to collect stool and blood samples.
The calf crop is pretty much ruined as far as I can see. My main focus is getting condition back on the cows. The bull was turned in April 20. He will be pulled out this week and I'm thinking there will be quite a few open cows. At this point, its anyones guess.
Thats what I can think of off the top of my head. Ask any questions you may have. I can email the feed analysis to anyone interested. I do not have pictures.