Protein Producers Fall 2016

PROTEIN producers

Feedlot Cow-Calf Swine Dairy Equine Fall 2016

Shorter Sub-Q Withdrawal Time Than Nuflor Less Viscous and More Syringeable Than Nuflor* New Plastic Bottles Eliminate Breakage FDA-Approved for Sub-Q Use in Cattle at High-Risk of BRD Broad Spectrum Treatment and Control Against BRD Unique Formulation ®

orfenicol

®

(florfenicol)

*Data on file

www.norbrookinc.com Observe label directions and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions.

The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Nuflor is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health.

1015-591-I01E

FOR VETERINARY USE ONLY

ANADA 200-591, Approved by FDA

PROTEIN Producers 2016 Volume 4 Issue 3

For intramuscular and subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only.

BRIEF SUMMARY (For full Prescribing Information, see package insert.)

INDICATIONS: Norfenicol is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and for the treatment of foot rot. Also, it is indicated for control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M.haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol.

NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult physician immediately. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about Norfenicol with your veterinarian.

For customer service, adverse effects reporting, or to obtain a copy of the MSDS or FDA-approved package insert, call 1-866-591-5777.

PRECAUTIONS: Not for use in animals intended for breeding. Effects on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which persists beyond 28 days. This may result in trim loss at slaughter. Tissue reaction at injection sites other than the neck is likely to be more severe.

RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment.

Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows as such use may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves.

Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Inappetence, decreased water consumption, or diarrhea may occur transiently.

Manufactured by: Norbrook Laboratories Limited, Newry, BT35 6PU, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol ® are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.

Editor Kelly Terrell Associate Editor Lisa Taylor Editorial Assistant Brandi Bain

THE PAC TEAM Dr. Wade Taylor Technology identification and deployment Dr. Tom Noffsinger Animal handling, staff development Dr. Doug Ford Reproduction, lameness Dr. Corbin Stevens Diagnostics and clinical evaluation Dr. Nels Lindberg Leadership development, field research Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz Animal handling, field research, facility design Dr. Jim Lowe System design and management, team education Dr. Shane Terrell Feedlot lameness, field research Dr. Kev Sullivan International veterinarian Animal handling, heat stress management Dr. Dan Thomson Field research, team education Dr. Tom Edwards Associate member Ultrasound technology Ted Howard Animal stewardship, horsemanship Jose Valles Bilingual education & training, research monitoring Garrett Taylor Information management Kelly Terrell Marketing and communications Lisa Taylor Business and data analysis Brandi Bain Marketing and business administration

Service. Synthesis. Solutions. pacdvms.com

Lining up for Feed Bledsoe Cattle Co. Wray, Co Grant Bledsoe, Manager 4 pacdvms.com

We want to showcase unique photographs from our readers here!

Please submit your photographs to Kelly Terrell at kelly.terrell@pacdvms.com.

13 23 Contents 13 Animal Stewardship:

How to Acclimate Cattle

16 Animal Stewardship:

Lameness in the Working Horse

19 26 23 Research:

Digital Dermatitis (Heel Warts) in Beef Cattle - An Awareness Campaign

26 Real World Education

19 Faciltiy Design:

29 Newest PAC Members

21 4-H Shaping True Leaders in

31 Bilingual Training:

Details, Details, Details

Communities across Nebraska

Bilingual, Digital, Audio-Visual Training Modules Improve Technical Knowledge of Feedlot and Dairy Workers

45

Fall 2016

39

34 Cartoon by Doug Gaswick 35 Cosmo the Wonder Dog 37 Chuckles from Down Under 39 Beef:

42 45 Cow-Calf:

Giving Calves a Great Start Begins With Cow Nutrition

47 How Do You “Bump” into Your People?

49 Getting to Know the PAC Team: Dr. Dan Thomson

Silage Management

42 Kenny and Tesoro

49

51 Events

Jarret Corn Feedyard owner Jarret Corn Cattle Company Plains, Texas

I GOT BACK 30 BUCKS A HEAD. I ALSO GOT BACK MY FAMILY. Using DRAXXIN® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution has helped Jarret’s operation deliver fewer re-pulls, re-treats, chronics and mortalities. That’s because DRAXXIN provides long-lasting treatment and control of all four major bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens. Plus, using DRAXXIN helped accelerate Jarret’s shipment days. “Having cattle here 15 days less reduces feed costs. The $2-per-head savings per day over 15 days returns $30 back in our pocket,” Jarret says. “And with the time I’ve saved doctoring and pulling, I’ve been able to reconnect with my family.” Talk with your veterinarian or visit draxxin.com/jarret.

Important Safety Information: DRAXXIN has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Do not use in dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Effects on reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined.

On your phone, use the bar code scanner app to scan this code and watch a video about Jarret Corn’s operation.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. ©2013 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. DRX13015

Welcome Welcome to Volume 4, Issue 3 of Protein Producers! I love the topics this magazine has covered in past issues and the level of information it provides our producers.

One of the unique characteristics of this magazine is its coverage of beef, swine, and dairy operations. It demonstrates the importance of learning from all different industries and gives us ideas to apply to the industry we each serve. This will help us continue to produce a wholesome and safe protein source.

I want to start off by saying thank you for those who attended the PAC Beef Summit meetings this year in Kearney, NE and Oberlin, KS. We are looking forward to continuing with two meetings in 2017.

A misinterpretation of these two meetings is that they are the same meeting held in two different locations. This is not at all the case. While both meetings are designed to educate our managers and employees in the field, each meeting features different speakers covering different topics including emerging or current diseases, animal stewardship, data analytics, leadership development, and team building. I encourage each of you to participate in upcoming meetings whenever possible.

On October 12, 2016, we will be co-hosting a lameness seminar with Zinpro in Norfolk, NE at the Northeast Community College arena. This meeting will feature morning classroom sessions followed by live animal lameness scoring and corrective hoof trimming demonstrations.

I encourage participation from all locations, as this is our first attempt to educate producers in the U.S. on musculoskeletal lameness in this type of setting.

In this issue of Protein Producers, Dr. Dorte Dopfer will have a great article on digital dermatitis, which has begun to plague our industry. Building awareness as well as prevention models will be imperative for meeting this challenge in our industry.

We also continue our discussion of facility design and cattle handling, both important focal points for PAC. This is a crucial time in the beef industry, as several producers are preconditioning calves, and in some areas, starting to wean calves as well. These calves will either be shipped and sold at a local sale barn, or be shipped directly to a feeding facility to be backgrounded for continued growth and preparation.

You can use our handling and stewardship section as a resource to refine your techniques and continue to improve on the skills you already have.

I want to close by saying how appreciative I am to be with an organization that focuses on education.

This magazine and our Summit meetings are simply extensions of the daily opportunities we have for education and interaction as we visit feedyards.

These tools will continue to build awareness in our industry and demonstrate the knowledge, effort and thought put forth in our protein communities to ensure we have one of the safest protein sources in the world.

We are entering a busy time for our industry with placements, silage and corn harvest, and shipping. Please take your time, keep your eyes open, and stay focused. You are not only affecting your family’s lives, but may affect someone else if you lose that focus. More accidents tend to happen when we get in a hurry.

Do not let time get in the way of life!

God Bless, and have a safe fall season of weaning, placements, and harvest.

Dr. Kip L. Lukasiewicz, DVM

To subscribe to Protein Producers visit pacdvms.com and click on our Subscribe link!

Follow us on Twitter @PACVets

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Contributors Dr. JD Lillich

Dr. Lillich is an Associate Professor at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his DVM from Colorado State University, completed his Large Animal Surgical Internship at Cornell University, completed his Master of Science and Equine Surgery Residence at The Ohio State Unviersity, and is an American College of Veterinary Surgeons Diplomate.

Jacob Mayer

Jacob is a project engineer for Settje Agri-Services & Engineering (www.settje.com) located near Raymond, NE. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and has a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University and M.S. in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University. He resides in Wahoo, NE with his wife, Katie, and daughter, Kirkland. He does not wear a pocket protector and does not know how to use a slide rule.

Dr. Dorte Dopfer

Dr. Dopfer (dopfer@wisc.edu) is an Associate Professor in the Food Animal Production Medicine Section at the School of Veterinary Medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Jeremy Martin

Dr. Martin is a nutritionist with Great Plains Livestock Consulting, Inc. and resides in Lexington, NE. He has a Masters and Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition and reproductive management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Thank you to all those contributing multiple stories and insights to Protein Producers.

Cover Photo Credits: Thank you to Knight Feed yard and Luke Knight in Lyons, KS for the photograph, “Early Fall Morning”.

Thank you to all sponsors for supporting PAC & Protein Producers.

American Animal Health Animal Health International Bayer Boehringer Ingelheim CPEC Daniels Manufacturing Co. DOCTalk Elanco Lallemand Merck Animal Health Merial Micro Beef Technologies Midwest NetPro Newport Laboratories Norbrook Nova Microbial Technologies Nutrition Physiology Company Randall Bumgarner SSG Fusion Zinpro Zoetis

pacdvms.com 11

How to Acclimate Cattle By: Dr. Tom Noffsinger and Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, Production Animal Consultation, & Dr. LeeAnn Hyder, Robinson Hospital for Animals Excerpt from “Feedlot Processing and Arrival Cattle Management,” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 31.3 (2015): 323-340.

The primary focus of acclimation is stress reduction. The signs of stress are many, and stressed animals exhibit a mixture of these signs. Stressed cattle are often wary of their surroundings and their new caregiver. They tend to be herd bound and congregate in a chosen corner of their new pen.

These animals keep whatever and whomever they view as a threat in their line of vision. Stressed cattle have spacious flight zones and are reluctant to pass by or engage with a handler. These animals are reluctant to travel in straight lines and exhibit aimless circling. Stressed cattle may or may not vocalize or exhibit decreased abdominal fill. One of the main negative effects of stressed animals is that they hide subtle signs of injury and disease. Cattle are a prey species and do not wish to be identified by what they consider a threat. Until cattle trust their caregiver, the caregiver is viewed as a threat and cattle do not present disease symptoms honestly.

Cattle in the process of relocation search for guidance and instruction.

Positive first impressions are an efficient way to improve cattle confidence and create proper animal behavior. Greeting cattle as they file off a truck or trailer or into their new pen is an appropriate first step. Cattle crave to easily visualize their source of guidance and their destination simultaneously.

By positioning themselves to accommodate this instinct, handlers can start the process of convincing cattle they can pass by without incurring harm.

Handler posture can also be used to convince cattle to trust the handler and to accept increasing degrees of pressure. Sensitive cattle refuse to pass by a handler with frontal focus; instead, handlers should turn their shoulder, side, or back toward the cattle. A relaxed posture is more encouraging than a confrontational, rigid, fixed posture with a puffed-up chest and broad shoulders. Handlers should encourage cattle to pass by through the application of the least amount of pressure that is effective in initiating and maintaining movement. Owing to poor depth perception, cattle are suspicious of handlers that stand still. Gentle swaying movements by handlers convince cattle that handlers understand their lack of depth perception and are willing to be clearly visible.

Once unloading is complete, it is time to send cattle to their new home pen. Proper emptying of the holding pen is the first step in this process. As handlers approach the holding pen, they should respond to the first signs of cattle acknowledgment by halting or changing angles. The most sensitive cattle in the holding area acknowledge handler presence by either raising their heads or moving away. The goal is for handlers to create orderly cattle flow out of the holding pen by working near the gate.

The handler should enter the pen and move along the side of the pen that allows cattle to see the handler and their destination simultaneously (Fig. 1). As soon as cattle initiate motion, the handler should release pressure.

pacdvms.com 13

Cattle choose to turn around the handler as they enter the alley; this prevents them from rushing out of the pen, losing their footing, and striking their shoulders or hips as they exit.

Cattle should move into their new home pen voluntarily.

If possible, allow cattle to go past their designated gate and volunteer to stop at a check gate or at the end of a drover’s alley. Cattle instinctively return in the direction they came from; this creates voluntary motion and provides another opportunity to show cattle they can safely pass by a handler into their new home. After the cattle have volunteered to stop at the check gate or end of the drover’s alley, the caregiver can then ask the cattle to move into their new home pen.

Fig. 2. To establish trust and provide guidance, the handler should be positioned at location A or B depending on the sensitivity of the cattle.

Fig. 1. This handler is positioned properly to initial orderly cattle movement out of the pen.

The caregiver should interact with the animals at the front of the group. Gentle pressure within the flight zone should be applied to ask the animals at the front to move past the caregiver. Once the first animal begins moving forward, the caregiver should move with that animal to relieve pressure from the remainder of the group. This action allows the caregiver to guide the front of the group while the remaining cattle follow. Because new cattle tend to have a large flight zone, being in the alley with them can place excessive pressure on these animals.

Cattle that are under too much pressure turn into the check gate, press against their herd mates, and avoid eye contact with the handler. In these cases, the handler should move out of the alley and work with the cattle from a neighboring pen (Fig. 2). Gently moving cattle into their home pen establishes the caregiver as the provider of food and water. The bunk should be filled with grass hay and ration and the water tank filled with clean water before cattle arrival to encourage immediate nourishment and rehydration.

It is worthwhile to follow cattle into their home pen and move across the bottom third of the pen parallel to the bunk, allowing cattle to use their peripheral vision to view the handler. Cattle ideally begin consuming food and water and may be left alone for the time being. In situations in which cattle do not go to or remain at the bunk, a caregiver who has followed the cattle into the pen is in the appro-

14 pacdvms.com

priate position to work with those animals. Cattle that lack trust in their handlers initially circle around handlers and avoid straight motion. The presence of the caregiver in the pen influences the herd to gather in a preferential corner.

It is the handler’s responsibility to use position, stimulus, and release to guide the herd to each corner of the pen.

Moving cattle to each corner of the pen introduces them to the entirety of their new space; this is accomplished by working in a small square within the center of the pen. The handler should initially be orientated at a 45-degree angle to the corner where cattle are gathered (Fig. 3).

Cattle attention on the handler is necessary before motion within the group can be created. Uniform attention or alignment of the cattle is achieved by lateral movements of the handler parallel to the front of the group (Fig. 4). Once alignment is achieved, the group should be surveyed by the handler to identify the individual animals requesting guidance through their posture (Fig. 5). These animals are the front of the herd. The posture described is an animal standing broadside bending its neck to view the handler (Fig. 6).

Fig. 3. Handler positioning at a 45-degree angle initiates voluntary herd movement.

Learning how to perpetuate straight motion is the key to guiding the front of the herd. Once the handler moves to a spot that allows the guidance-seeking animal to straighten its neck, the handler simply moves straight past the nearside eye. This handler movement encourages that animal to step forward. Once cattle motion is initiated, the handler should back up in a divergent line at a 45-degree angle with the motion of the cattle. This handler movement maintains motion by guiding the front animals and releasing pressure on the timid herd mates, allowing them to follow the leaders (Fig. 7). Once animals are willing to travel in a straight line from corner to corner around the pen, the handler can choose to leave the cattle at the bunk (Fig. 8). Pressure is applied in the back corner of the pen and released as the cattle arrive at the bunk area, encouraging bunk confidence.

A completely calm and confident herd does not develop with a single training session. Multiple sessions are needed over several days, and multiple training sessions within a single day are encouraged for new arrivals.

Initially, training sessions should not be longer than 7 to 9 minutes because cattle become overwhelmed and the training becomes ineffective. Breaks lasting 30 minutes to several hours should be taken when cattle start to show fatigue. Indications that cattle are becoming tired are cattle Fig. 4. The handler moves back and forth across the front of the herd at gentle angles to establish uniform alignment.

Fig. 5. Once cattle alignment is achieved, the cattle are ready to move as a unit.

lose focus on the handler, leaders are difficult to identify, and cattle stop motion more often.

Training sessions should occur regularly for the first week after arrival. The sessions become longer than 7 to 9 minutes as cattle gain trust in the handler and decrease in length again when the group is consistently willing to work for the handler.

Fig. 6. The animal on the far right (arrow) is requesting guidance and visibility from the handler.

Fig. 7. The handler moves with the front of the herd to continue to providing guidance while releasing pressure on timid animals at the back of the herd.

Fig. 8. The handler can either ask cattle to return to the corner they came from or preferably continue around the pen.

Animal Stewardship

Lameness in the Working Horse By: Dr. JD Lillich, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, Kansas State University

Across the vast and varied uses of horses within this country, none sees more activity than the working cow horse. Whether it’s working cattle on the ranch or riding pens, the job demands a horse to be used virtually every day for long periods of time.

As a consequence, these working horses are going to experience “wear and tear” within the musculoskeletal systems (the muscle, the joints, and the bones), and this usually results in a horse that becomes lame (an abnormal gait at the walk or trot). Each athletic discipline has their own set of predisposing factors that can cause problems or injury.

For example, horses that work at speed (primarily racing) are predisposed to injuries that fracture bones (minor joint fractures are far more common that major long bone fractures) or tear soft tissues (tendons or ligaments). In this instance, speed kills or does major damage.

While all equine disciplines have their own common sets of issues, no horse, no matter the use, is immune to problems involving the foot. In fact, the old proverb of “no foot, no horse” holds true for virtually every breed and use of horse.

That being stated, how can this simple statement be applied to the working horse in a practical fashion to ensure long and sustained use of a horse that has to work every day, in variety of jobs and over a variety of surfaces?

This article is intended to point out some very simple steps that can be taken to limit the impact of long use on a working horse, to extend its useful lifespan and increase the horse’s and rider’s quality of life.

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Selection of the Horse This clearly is the starting point for any equine athletic discipline, and we can’t get away from the fact the genetic base of the horse rules the day in this area. Horses are simply amazing at being able to tolerate and excel at jobs with training. However, we can’t overlook the basic truth that we have to have good starting material in order to develop a product that works well.

When considering a horse for pen work, the quick and fundamental question that needs to be asked is what the selection criteria was used to create this horse. Meaning, was the horse bred to do this work and did the lineage do this work?

When it comes right down to it, the horse that works every day needs to have two solid attributes, one mental and one physical. Contrast this with what is needed of the race horse, who only has to have enough mental capacity to handle crowd excitement for 15 minutes and stand in the gate for 15 seconds, but needs to have the physical ability to run a sustained speed for several minutes. Assessing mental abilities is a topic all in itself, so let’s just focus on the physical assessment of a horse.

The body of working horse has to be physically balanced, with correct limb confirmation, and have a size of foot that matches the body. This is where the rub comes in because in years past we have bred horses with smaller feet.

Many people that breed for the working horse are laboring diligently to reverse this trend, and we still have some improvements to make. Correct limb confirmation allows for the foot to be placed evenly on the ground, and therefore biomechanical loading (allowing bones, muscles and

tendons to function as they were designed to function) of the limb is done evenly, not over-straining certain portions of the leg. Without correct confirmation, the foot will not be used properly and therefore the hoof capsule will not grow or wear normally.

The foot itself also needs to be well balanced, meaning, no under run heels, no poor quality hoof capsule, no flat or thin soles, and have a contact with the ground that is bigger than the size of the coronary band. Finally the bone within the distal limb needs to be aligned with the hoof capsule (i.e., the horse needs to have “good angles”).

Let’s be honest here, if you are going to invest the time and money to train the horse to ride pens or work cattle, or if you are going to spend good money buying a horse trained to do that work, make sure the physical substance is present before you start. Poor confirmation and poor quality feet might get you a cheap horse, but it will cost you much more in medications, corrective shoeing, and lost time in the long run.

Daily Care of the Foot There are many horses used in ranch work that can do their job without shoes. Despite this observation, most veterinary professionals would recommend that horses used every day be shod on a regular basic, with a reset every 6-8 weeks depending on hoof growth.

If shoeing the horse is not possible or required, then certainly, regular trimming is indicated. Horses that walk or stand on hard surfaces (concrete or asphalt) for extended periods of time should have a set of shoes.

There are several shoe options for the working horse and commercially available shoes are generally adequate for these horses. Fundamentally, steel is superior to aluminum, and a wide webbed shoe gives more protection to the sole.

Whenever possible, try to avoid having the fourth nail hole used. The heel of the horse is designed to spread slightly as the horse places weight on the limb. Restricting the elasticity of the heel can lead to pathologic conditions over time.

Make a habit of checking and picking out every foot at the start and end of each work day. Stones or rocks have a nasty way of finding their way in between the shoe and sole, creating a pressure point that causes lameness or bruising. Under wet conditions, the tissue of the frog can harbor superficial bacterial or fungal infections. Cleaning this area reduces the chance of creating deeper problems.

Finally, since heel bulb lacerations are relatively common in horses used for working cattle (lots of wire cuts), consider protective devices for daily use. This would include bell boots, shin guards, etc. The cost of treating one bad laceration would more than pay for a good quality commercially available product.

Recognizing a Foot Problem that Causes Lameness Subsolar abscessation is a very common diagnosis and usually presents itself as an acute, non-weight bearing lameness.

There are several possible causes for the abscess including trauma, puncture wounds, a shoeing nail placed incorrectly (known as quicking), and thin soled horses walking on hard ground. All of these are common historical findings in horses that experience abscessation of the foot. Whether it started as a stone bruise or not, the clinical manifestation is usually the same: a lame horse pointing the toe.

The horse with an abscess will usually have the following: unilateral (one leg) lameness, pointing toe, bounding digital pulses, heat, and be positive to hoof testers. The physical examination of the foot is easy to perform, however is frequently overlooked even by veterinary professionals.

A good, sharp hoof knife is required as well as the set of hoof testers.

First, place your hands on the foot and check for inflammation (swelling/edema), heat, digital pulses, and pain with pressure at the coronary band.

Next, check joint effusion of the coffin joint by pressing around the coronary band.

Then, check for soft spots at the coronary band which may be indicative of an abscess that is about to break and drain (known as a “gravel”) at the top.

Finally, the hoof testers are applied to determine the most painful area, which is usually where the abscess is located.

Treatment consists of examining the sole, paring out the abscess with the hoof knife, soaking with antiseptic solutions or astringents, antibiotics if there is cellulitis (swelling up the leg) present, and foot bandaging. If the horse fails to improve, then radiographic examination is indicated to identify a nidus of infection, which is usually a small fracture off of the coffin bone.

The Bottom Line Take care of the horse’s feet, and he will take care of you.

Details, Details, Details By: Jacob Mayer, P.E., Settje Agri-Services & Engineering, Inc. Last issue we talked about transferring the ideas for your new working facility out of your head and onto paper.

Now that we have our bar napkin sketch, it is time to refine those ideas into drawings that can be used to obtain bids for construction. Filling in that gap can be tedious and time consuming, but diligent planning on the front end of the project always pays dividends in the end.

One area that seems to cause a lot of grief, if not given thorough attention, is proper post placement. Because some or all of the area around this facility will be a poured concrete slab, it is important that we get our fence posts in the correct spot the first time. To get it right we need to answer a few questions: 1. What type of fencing materials are you going to use?

Oil field pipe is the most common, but there are other options.

2. If you choose pipe, what is the diameter? This usually depends on price, availability, and if you need or want overhead braces for gate openings greater than 18-20 feet.

3. Are your 16-foot gates exactly 16’0” long, or are they 15’8” long so they fit a 16-foot opening?

The decisions these questions trigger are typically based on personal preference, formulated from years of experience in the industry, and tailored to meet the specific goals you set in the early stages of planning. In this case there is no right or wrong, just right for you.

pacdvms.com 19

the building, and there are four water tanks that are 74” long with a 3 ½” diameter post 4” from each end, then we are ready to update our budget and start calling contractors to gather bids for your job. I plan to talk more about that process in my next article.

Until then, God Bless.

Another crucial area that seems to generate its fair share of stress is locating underground utilities. Nothing is more frustrating that having an electrician trench through a water line or a plumber tear out an electrical wire when installing a drain line. A good plan will help you avoid these types of mishaps.

Once we know with confidence that the sort gates are 15’6” long in an alleyway that is 16’0” wide centerline to centerline, the building will be supplied with at 2” Schedule 40 PVC water line from an existing well 180’ northeast of

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4-H Shaping True Leaders in Communities across Nebraska By: Tracy Pracheil, University of Nebraska Extension As the presidential election hoists leadership to the forefront of national dialogue, Nebraska 4-H is joining the discussion by participating in a campaign recently launched by the National 4-H Council called Grow True Leaders.

The Grow True Leaders campaign is meant to rally the nation to provide more youth with hands-on experiences so that they grow into true leaders.

In Nebraska, one-in-three age-eligible youth across all 93 counties are enrolled in 4-H, for a total enrollment reaching approximately 140,000. Those young people are preparing for a successful future by focusing on career and college readiness; community development; entrepreneurship; food supply confidence; healthy living; leadership development; and science, technology, engineering and math. They’re having experiences that grow confidence, responsibility, independence and compassion which they’ll need to be a true leader.

One of those true leaders is Tressa Reiner, a long-time 4-H member from Garfield County. When Reiner learned that training tools for patrol dogs are in short supply because they can only be used once, she gathered her friends to help her with a project making the tools. Reiner and her friends used donated materials to hand make tools which they donated to the Nebraska State Patrol.

“What was great about this project is that Tressa took the initiative to give back on her own,” said Jennifer Schoen, extension educator in Garfield, Loup and Wheeler counties.

Extension educators working in Nebraska 4-H play an important role in the True Leaders campaign by serving as role models for youth. Jacie Milius, an extension educator for Nuckolls, Thayer and Clay counties chose her college major based upon her experience in 4-H, and is now helping youth discover their interests and passions.

Milius recently inspired Chad Holcomb from Nuckolls county to discover his interest in technology. During a 4-H workshop Holcomb learned how to solder a USB phone charger. This workshop was developed to give 4-H members an opportunity to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through fun, hands-on activities and projects.

How to work collaboratively, take the lead on a project and achieve goals with confidence builds a foundation of

Chad Holcomb from Nuckolls county discovered his interest in technology during a 4-H workshop where he learned how to solder a USB phone charger. leadership and skills for success in 4-H’ers future careers.

“4-H can play an enormous role in someone’s life because we’re teaching youth skills that they aren’t learning anywhere else,” said Milius. “They receive traditional education in school, but 4-H is focusing on soft skills such as how to be on time, have a conversation and stand up for themselves and their communities.”

As part of the campaign, Nebraska 4-H is asking everyone to join in using social media to call attention to the impressive things kids are doing every day. Share positive messages and photos or videos using #TrueLeaders and #NE4H to shout out a young true leader who exemplifies a positive example of courage, responsibility and resilience.

For more information about the 4-H Grow True Leaders Campaign, contact Nebraska Extension Educator Tracy Pracheil at 402-472-9016 or tpracheil2@unl.edu.

The Nebraska 4-H Youth Development Program strives to empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. 4-H programming is present in all 93 counties across Nebraska. To learn more visit www.4h.unl.edu.

pacdvms.com 21

Digital Dermatitis (Heel Warts) in Beef Cattle - An Awareness Campaign By: Dr. Dörte Döpfer, MSc, PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison Digital dermatitis (DD) or hairy heel warts is a common problem in dairy and beef cattle worldwide that leads to ulcerative lesions along the skin-horn border, the so-called coronary band, mostly in the hind aspects of feet. The resulting lameness becomes more pronounced over time and it is crucial to detect the skin lesions as soon as possible before severe, debilitating lameness and outbreaks of DD occur on average 60 days before harvesting.

We have not even begun to estimate the economic losses caused by DD in beef cattle, but for the time being, an estimate of on average $40 per lesion, even the small ones, is a starting point. There is a marked difference in severity of lesions between early season and late season DD lesions on feed yards (Figures 1A, 1B). If we caught DD early, the prospects of successful prevention and control are much better compared to the late season DD lesions..

Fig.1A: Early season M2 lesion, about ‘quarter’ size resulting in lameness grade 2 on the Step-Up scale. This type of active lesion can be treated topically and recurrence prevented through well managed foot baths. This type of lesion can be detected in the squeeze chute or during pen inspections while cattle are at the feed bunk or in the alley ways under dry flooring conditions.

What if early season DD were here and nobody was looking for it?

It is the current belief that calves enter the feed yards free of DD, and at the same time one wonders where DD causing the devastating outbreaks of lameness originated from once detected. It seems to “fall from the sky”.

I want to convince you that it is an awareness problem that hinders us to detect DD before the large outbreaks happen. We need to go out and confirm as to whether it is actually true that cattle enter feed yards free of signs of DD and we need to actively seek DD lesions before lameness is apparent. pacdvms.com 23

Figure 2: Two feet of calves being unloaded from a truck in 2003 that show a chronic M4 lesion and an active M2 lesion. Pictures modified from a video courtesy of Dr. Tom Noffsinger.

Fig.1B: Late season M2 lesion (15 days before harvesting) with layered heelhorn erosion and crater-like tissue losses’ severe lameness as a consequence (grade 3 on the Step-Up scale).

By means of an anecdote, I want to raise your awareness about how early DD is introduced into feed yards and one route of introduction is that basically cattle with subclinical DD are unloaded from the trucks!

In August of 2015, Dr. Tom Noffsinger showed a 60 second video to an audience of about 100 producers, herdsmen, and pen riders for the purpose of illustrating how abrasive some of the metal flooring types are that those calves had to cross. In 2003, about 60 calves were being unloaded from a truck while the camera zoomed in on the metal bridge that the cattle crossed upon arrival.

This camera setting allowed me to observe the hind aspects of their feet. It was clear that during those 60 seconds from the past, six subclinical chronic DD lesions were being unloaded together with the calves. Figure 2 shows two of the lesions found by means of this old video.

The audience was silent for a moment until awareness surfaced about what this finding implied. Calves as young as the arrival date at the feed yard introduced DD from day 1 into their pens.

In order to explain what this means, I will rewind to provide more information about DD in cattle.

Digital dermatitis (DD), Hairy Heel Warts or Mortellaro’s Disease has been recognized worldwide where intensive cattle husbandry is practiced and DD is considered to be the most prevalent infectious claw disease in cattle.

Most information about DD stems from investigations into dairy cattle. Today, DD is recognized as a serious animal welfare issue that results in costs due to decreased milk production, lameness and reproduction problems, particularly as a consequence of the severe stages of DD.

24 pacdvms.com

The disease manifests itself most often by seasonal outbreaks of lameness on endemically affected farms leading to large investments in labor for the topical treatment of cows and costs for the management of hoofbaths containing disinfectants such as copper sulfate and formalin that are problematic for the environment and health.

Digital dermatitis is considered a multi-factorial disease with a strong bacteriological component and Treponema-like microorganisms (spirochetes) are thought to play a key role in the etiology of DD. Post-peak heifers on slatted floors in free stalls under unhygienic conditions are at higher risk for developing DD. In addition, the severe stages of DD are associated with decreased longevity and lameness.

The clinical course of DD is characterized by a succession of acute and chronic proliferative stages that have been categorized in many ways. Most classification systems for DD lesions distinguish active from non-active and chronic lesions. The details recognized about the stages of DD depend on how the feet of cattle are being evaluated, i.e., standing up in a chute, on the cattle’s side on a tilt table, in the milking parlor or in alleyways and feed yard pens without lifting the foot.

The categorization of DD into M-stages applies to beef and dairy cattle. The freely available DD Check App (for iOS/MAC devices) provides pictures and information about the course of disease as does the “Cattle Lameness” book that can be purchased through for example amazon. com.

In short, the two text boxes below describe the lesions and how to generate types of cattle with regards to recurrence of lesions. Beef cattle in feed yards do often not become old enough to be registered as type III cattle, but chronic cases with repeated M2 stages are numerous.

Box 1 Five M-stages for the clinical stages of DD are (Dopfer et al 1997, Berry et al 2012): M0: normal skin appearance M1: small focal circumscribed damage of the epithelium at the skin horn border, <2.0 cm in diameter M2: circumscribed ulcerative skin defect, a red or grayish surface that can have a white epithelial margin, overlong hair and can be painful to the touch, >2.0 cm in diameter M3: the healing stage of DD, after the M2 lesion has covered itself with a scab that is not painful to the touch M4: chronic stage of DD that is characterized by a thickened epithelium (hyperkeratosis) or proliferative growth of the epithelium (heel warts) M4.1: the chronic stage as described under M4, but with an M1 lesion within its perimeter Box 2 Based on the recurrence of M2 lesions, steers are typed into (Dopfer et al 2004, Holzhauer et al 2006, Gomez et al. 2015): Type I: steers that never develop M2 stages Type II: steers that develop M2 stages once and never again for prolonged periods of time Type III: steers that develop M2 stages repeatedly, for example every 14 days (known as the core group of “Problem Steers”) One improvement for the prevention and control of DD is to be aware of the different stages of DD, to monitor for DD stages on a regular basis by means of weekly pen rides or inspection of cattle walking in the alley ways and by generating records of lesions upon receiving cattle through the processing chute.

Recent experimental infections have reproduced epithelial lesions that resemble DD lesions clinically, and are

identical to DD histopathologically using pure cultures of Treponemes spp. or wound scrapings of active DD lesions.

The fact that Treponema-like microorganisms have evaded bacteriological cultures on occasion is due to their anaerobic culture conditions and their change in morphology over time (spirochetes tend to encyst and not be recognized as spiral anymore which may lead to disposal of a sample as negative).

Reports about many other bacterial species found in DD lesions, the environment and skin biopsies are manifold. The presence of the microbes detected on DD lesions reported is plausible, but their role in the pathogenesis of DD remains speculative.

Complications of DD are recognized: among those are heelhorn erosion, sole ulcers, treponeme infested pre-mammary dermatitis, and non-healing DD. The topical treatments of those complications have different success rates and they include hoof trimming when horn structures are involved, the debridement of the wound combined with antimicrobial topical antibiotics under a bandage and prolonged clinical courses of disease.

In conclusion, after decades of DD being known as an infectious claw disease that leads to severe lameness, the etiology is not clarified, the complications and clinical course of disease are studied in unstandardized ways and no solution for the elimination of this disease is in sight for either beef or dairy cattle.

This has led to extreme frustrations of producers and claw health managers while this animal welfare problem continues to exist and environmentally questionable hoof bathing practices are commonplace in modern cattle practice.

Resources for research about DD are scarce as is commonplace for production diseases. The latter fact delays the study of DD and finding adequate solutions for defining the ‘manageable state of disease’ for endemic DD. It is clear that there are feed yards where DD is currently not detectable, particularly during certain seasons and in certain regions of the US and Canada. I have spent many hours searching for DD in beef cattle operations and I could not find any visible lesions, including in Holstein cattle and their cross breeds.

But in other operations, subclinical DD lesions are present and the lameness situation during a DD outbreak is simply heartbreaking and irreversible.

We need to train ourselves and our producers and herdsmen to recognize DD earlier than through lameness and the necessary skills can be taught while awareness for DD should be raised!

pacdvms.com 25

Special Interest

Real World Education

The Beef Production Immersive Knowledge Experience offers highly motivated veterinary students a birds-eye view of serving feedlots and stocker producers.

By: Wes Ishmael, Reprinted with permission, BEEF Vet magazine

“I see it as a tremendous opportunity for some of the brightest veterinary students from across the nation. It’s like getting on the dream team for vet school,” says John Groves, DVM, of Livestock Veterinary Service at Eldon, Mo. “I think this is a priceless opportunity for students to leave the structured environment of the classroom and enter the real world of beef production,” says Tom Noffsinger, DVM, a consulting feedyard veterinarian and low-stress cattle handling expert based at Benkelman, Neb. Both are talking about the Beef Production Immersive Knowledge Experience (B-PIKE), a ten-week summer program designed to help veterinary students learn by doing at the feedlot, with added insights to the stocker sector.

“The idea of this program is not to turn them into feedlot consultants—obviously there is no possible way to do that in ten weeks. What we hope to do is give them an understanding of how a feedyard works and the role that the veterinarian plays within that framework,” explains Terry Engelken, DVM, associate professor of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine at Iowa State University. “Along the way, we try to challenge them to develop their critical thinking skills in the areas of animal handling, pathology, disease transmission, health protocol evaluation and the relationship between nutrition and disease. Then, they can take this experience back to vet school and have a different perspective on the information that is presented in the classroom.”

Terry Engelken, DVM, Iowa State University Dr. Engelken worked with Dee Griffin, DVM, feedlot production management veterinarian at the Great Plains 26 pacdvms.com

Sam Blakeney of Prairie Livestock in West Point, Miss., discusses stocker calf grading with students on the “Grass Cattle 101” trip.

Veterinary Educational Center (GPVEC) at Clay Center, Neb., to develop the program which began six years ago. Dr. Engelken adds that Del Miles, DVM, at Veterinary Research and Consulting Services, LLC, based at Greeley, Colo., played a key role in getting the program off the ground.

The B-PIKE program is limited to six students per year.

Competition is deep and widespread. Last year, for example, there were more than 20 applicants from Washington State University to Cornell University and everywhere in between.

“I’m impressed with how hard these kids are willing to work so that they can make a difference when they enter practice,” Dr. Groves says. “They’re highly motivated.”

Dr. Groves’ practice and stocker clients host B-PIKE students as part of a touring, week-long, in-depth look at the stocker sector—dubbed Grass Cattle 101—that is part of the ten week program.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Dr. Dee Griffin and GPVEC,” Dr. Groves says. He participated in the Beef Cattle Production Management Series there several years ago.

“I think what they do is of such high quality. It’s such a good program and they train the best of the best vets out there.”

For perspective, the stocker tour last year included visits with veterinarians, stocker operators, university folks and allied professionals in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi.

The year before, students visited stocker operators, feedlots, auction markets, veterinarians and allied professionals in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Dr. Engelken is quick to credit the support of animal health companies for helping B-PIKE provide students

with a comprehensive experience. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is the primary sponsor today, with added support from Bayer Animal Health. Elanco Animal Health sponsors the Grass Cattle 101 portion. Fort Dodge Animal Health was the sole sponsor when B-PIKE began in 2008.

Learning How Feedlots Work “There’s a wide variation in the background and production experience of the students, but all of them are intently interested in becoming part of the beef production system,” Dr. Noffsinger says. He is a consulting veterinarian for Nebraska-based Gottsch Feedyards which hosts B-PIKE students each summer at its yards in Juniata and Red Cloud.

“I include them in my daily consultation visits, interacting with them mostly on hospital treatments and protocols and postmortem examinations,” Dr. Noffsinger says. “We include them in any stockmanship and caregiver training and we are training them in low stress handling as we process and sort cattle and as we walk and exercise hospital cattle.”

Students have the chance to learn how feedlots work from end-to-end.

“The program requires students to work in each part of the feedyard in order to understand the total package,” Dr. Engelken explains. “Students learn how to evaluate incoming calves and the best way to load out finished cattle. They work in the feed mill, ride in feed trucks and learn to read bunks. They process newly arrived calves and work with pen riders to learn how to recognize sick cattle and get them to a hospital. They work with the hospital crew to understand clinical decisions as part of a treatment protocol and the importance of animal health records and Beef Quality Assurance. We do our best to have students necropsy all of the deads under the supervision of either feedyard personnel or the consulting veterinarian.

“Students also get an opportunity to work with the consulting veterinarian and nutritionist as they visit the yards,” Dr. Engelken explains. “They come to understand that there is a lot more involved in constructing and monitoring

Jay Chancellor of Brooksville, Miss discusses low-stress cattle handling with students.

John Groves, DVM, Livestock Veterinary Service a health program than picking the right vaccine and counting the deads. The students get an opportunity to see the daily running of the yard from top to bottom and hopefully gain a better understanding of the role that veterinarians play in making sure the cattle are cared for.”

Dr. Groves points out another opportunity students have through B-PIKE is access to a wide network of influential veterinarians.

B-PIKE’s practical education is supplemented by weekly seminars presented by academic and industry experts on various feedlot topics.

“These production medicine rounds are designed to enhance student learning and understanding of the feedlot industry,” Dr. Engelken says. “Students in B-PIKE get a daily, firsthand look at the population dynamics that affect animal health, animal welfare, nutritional management and productivity. This repetitive immersion is key to understanding the factors that affect enterprise profitability and the role that the veterinary profession plays in feedlot management.

Additionally, Dr. Griffin does a great job of supplementing these sessions by meeting with the students during the week.”

“We teach them some about acclimation in processing and the fact that how cattle are processed is much more important than how fast they are processed,” Dr. Noffsinger says, offering some specific examples of his interaction with students. “We discuss how to establish the case definition for BRD (bovine respiratory disease), using more than a thermometer, and how that case definition changes recommended treatment and expected response.”

Jim Coffey participated in B-PIKE last year. He’s in veterinary school at Oklahoma State University. He’s one of those who grew up on a farm and has been around livestock all his life. He explains veterinary medicine was a logical choice for him because he wanted to be in a position to help both animals and people.

“B-PIKE enabled me to work in three different feedyards and be around industry leaders and veterinarians while learning more about the beef cattle industry,” Coffey says. “My current plan is to be a mixed animal or large anipacdvms.com 27

mal practitioner in the Southeast or Midwest. I really enjoy feedlots and would love to consult as well.”

Learning in Both Directions “We value our time with these students because we get to share with them this part of the business, what we do, how hard we work and what they need to be able to do in this sector,” says Jack Lawless, feedyard operations manager at Gottsch feedlots in Juniata and Red Cloud. “It gives us a chance to have a little influence on a set of kids who will hopefully be influential in our industry.”

Lawless also believes the feedlots are made better by hosting the B-PIKE students.

“It keeps all of us in the yard honest about how and what we’re doing. These kids are very interested. They tear apart everything we say. They don’t necessarily think we know what we’re telling them. They’re willing to challenge things, and that’s good for everybody. It makes us better leaders,” Lawless explains. “It helps our yards because they’re here asking questions about why we do things a certain way. Sometimes, we don’t ask ourselves that. There has to be a reason why you do something a certain way or do something at all.”

“It also gives my caregivers at the feedlot a chance to teach the students what they’ve learned,” Dr. Noffsinger adds. “As relationships form, in turn, the students have a chance to share with the caregivers things they know.”

“It’s a picker-upper for every crew the students work with,” Lawless says. “Everyone is so proud of the job they do, and these students look at everything microscopically.

That gives everyone a chance to look more closely at themselves and what they’re doing so there are no weak spots.”

“We met a lot of great people who take pride in their work,” Coffey says. “We saw a lot of good cattle, great facilities and great people. We were able to ride with the consulting veterinarians and nutritionists, and spend quite a bit of time with Dr. Engelken and Dr. Griffin. Everyone took great care of us and Dr. Engelken and Dr. Griffin made sure that it was an excellent experience.”

Aspects of the B-PIKE education can be multiplied when the students return home, too.

“We get young university people out on operations that have a huge emphasis on beef quality assurance, animal well-being and proper veterinary care,” Dr. Noffsinger says.

What they see are things they can take back to share with classmates in and out of veterinary school.

Research Projects Add Depth The latest evolution in B-PIKE is the addition of summer research projects.

“In-house” research projects are becoming more com28 pacdvms.com

mon as large production units (cow-calf, stocker-backgrounder, feedlot) search for the optimal use of different input combinations,” Dr. Engelken explains. “Research skills have also been required for industry technical service veterinarians as a means of product evaluation and usage for many years. Skills such as experimental design, data capture, and statistical interpretation are becoming more important than ever before, even in practice situations.”

For an idea of the types of research projects, think along the lines of such things as: determining the correlation of antemortem diagnosis with postmortem necropsy lesions; investigating the incidence, risk factors and necropsy lesions associated with AIP (acute interstitial pneumonia) in longfed cattle; and determining the utility of deep nasal swabs for diagnostics.

The notion is that students will conduct two or three research projects concurrently and then present their research findings by participating in the student research competition at the annual convention of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Along the way, the participating feedlots have the opportunity to uncover information that’s useful to them.

The next program change under consideration is adding a cow-calf component to the summer-long immersion experience.

Jack Lawless, Gottsch Feeyards The Best and Brightest Reflecting on his interaction with B-PIKE students, Dr. Groves says, “The tables have turned on veterinarians who complain to the veterinary schools that they need to send us kids ready to work. Very few practices are set up to handle kids with the skills these B-PIKE students possess in areas such as information technology and data analysis.”

Lawless mentions how some folks look at the next generation and despair of the future, just the way their parents and grandparents did.

“If you think there’s no hope for the industry, the country or whatever, then you need to be around kids like these who have a high level of education and drive,” Lawless says.

“There’s a lot of hope. There are a lot of really good kids and they’re smart, really smart.”

Newest PAC Members

Antonio Isaias Valles

Brigg Davis Folsom

Parents: Jose and Areli Valles

Parents: Dr. J.D. and Micah Folsom

Mary Colleen Foote

Parents: Scott and Michelle Foote

Eli Alexander Terrell

Parents: Brock and Heidi Terrell

Alvaro Joaquin ‘AJ’ Loya

Parents: Carlos and Saydee Loya pacdvms.com 29

Bilingual, Digital, Audio-Visual Training Modules Improve Technical Knowledge of Feedlot and Dairy Workers By: Dr. C.D. Reinhardt, Kansas State University, Dr. D.U. Thomson, Kansas State University, Dr. D.D. Retzlaff, Kansas State University, Dr. B. Butler, Kansas State University, Jose Valles, Production Animal Consultation Reprinted with permission from The Online Journal of Rural Research and Policy, Vol. 5, Issue 7.

Abstract Two studies were conducted to determine the effectiveness of digital multimedia modules as training tools for animal care workers. Employees at a commercial feedlot (n = 17) and a commercial dairy (n = 10) were asked to independently complete a 10-question quiz prior to and following viewing of training modules.

Module topics in the feedlot were proper handling of non-ambulatory animals and humane methods of euthanasia; modules were administered to the workers, as a group, in either English (n = 7) or Spanish (N = 10), depending on previously indicated worker preference. Modules addressing dairy cattle health practices and dairy cattle handling were presented to the dairy care workers who had a preference for learning in either English (n = 7) or Spanish (n = 3).

For feedlot workers, post-test scores were improved by 28% after viewing the modules compared to pre-test scores (74% vs. 58%; P < 0.01), across language and topic. There were no interactions (P > 0.30) between language, topic, and between-test variation, indicating that the modules were equally effective at information delivery to both audiences in both languages.

For the dairy workers, test scores improved by 27% from pre-viewing to post-viewing (73% vs. 92%; P < 0.01); there was an interaction between the effect of module and language preference (P< 0.01) indicating that although scores increased for both of the topic areas for the English-speaking workers, only the score for the animal health topic increased for the Spanish-speaking workers.

Regardless of nationality, level of formal education, topic, or preferred language, digital media are effective at improving knowledge transfer to animal care professionals.

Introduction The animal agriculture industries are currently experiencing tremendous change in the demographic makeup of the workforce. Immigrants make up 41% of hired labor on dairies across the U.S.,1 and 71% of hired labor on large (>1,200 cows) Wisconsin dairies are Latin American immigrants2, of the immigrants currently working throughout agriculture, 90% have less than a secondary education.3 Although the presence of immigrant, non-English-speaking workers is not new to animal agriculture, the need for rapid, effective, adoption of modern vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and humane animal practices is perhaps more critical than ever before.4, 5 Although the concept of incorporating digital media as the primary method of introductory information delivery in commercial animal agriculture is novel, digital multimedia technologies are and will continue to be a significant method of information delivery in the public educational arena. As of 2005 57% of students surveyed were using the internet regularly for school or training purposes.6 The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of digital, multi-media modules, in both English and Spanish, on improving knowledge in various topic areas, in commercial feedlots and dairies.

Materials and Methods Modules were developed describing proper handling of non-ambulatory animals, proper methods of euthanasia, dairy cattle health practices, and dairy cattle handling. The modules contained still photographs, video, illustrations, audio narration, and text and were translated from English to Spanish by native Spanish-speakers from Mexico and Peru.

pacdvms.com 31

Workers were asked to complete a written demographic survey. Questions from the survey included:

completion of each exam, workers, as a group, were shown the module of the topic corresponding to the exam, trans1. Age lated into their respective preferred language (English for 2. Gender the doctors and Spanish for the processors). Immediate3. Country / state of origin ly following viewing of each module, workers were asked 4. Native language to independently complete the identical exam that they 5. Years of schooling / Education level (elementary school, sechad completed prior to viewing the modules. Once again, Bilingual, Digital, Audio-Visual Training Modules Improve Technical Knowledge…

Vol. 5, Issue 7 (2010) ondary, college, degree/s earned) questions were both written and read aloud by the bilingual 6. Years (or weeks) of experience with the current operation trainer.

7. Years of experience in thetobeef/dairy (combined be- cattle health Training was conducted a group consisting of the Topics presented the dairyindustry workers were dairy practices and dairyascattle handling. fore and since arrival in the U.S.) entire job description group, with all seven doctors being Workers completed written, 10-question, examinations prior to viewing each of the training In modules, addition toand being written, questions aloud exams. trained together as a group and all 10 processors being then completed the were sameread respective in the language preferred by the workers. trained as a group; examinations were completed indeTraining was conducted by preferred language of the group, byTraining a trainerand fluent in both English Feedlot Study pendently. examination were conducted in Spanish. feedlot Thereinwere seven workers the English-speaking and the three workersgroups in thespend break Atand a commercial central Kansas, feedlotindocthe commongroup area where respective Spanish-speaking group.

Workers were trained in their common break area. tors (n = 7) and processors (n = 10) were asked to complete time. a demographic survey. The doctors were all born in the U.S., Dairy Study Statistics spoke English as their primary language, and six out seven Similar to the feedlot study, 10 workers (n = 7 native had completed high school or some college.

The processors English-speakers; 3 native Spanish The general linear models procedure of SAS (v. 9.1; SAS Institute,n = Cary, NC) was speakers) used to on a comwere all born in Mexico, spoke Spanish as their primary mercialfrom dairythe in northeast were asked to evaluate the evaluate pre-training vs. post-training test lanscores. Data feedlot Kansas and dairy training guagegroups and English as a second language, and only one of effectiveness of modular training technologies. were analyzed separately. Pre-training exam scores were compared to post-training examAll workers ten had completed high school.

Immediately to viewcompleted with high school and atworker least some postsecondary scores with data being analyzed as prior a repeated measureshad experiment individual as the ing each of the two training modules, all workers were then training; however, the non-English speakers had less than experimental unit and training, language, and module topic as treatments. Effects were asked considered to completesignificant a written, 10-question, multiple-choice years in the dairy industry and the Enwhen the P-value fell below the two F-test of of P <experience 0.05. examination pertinent to the module topics (proper hanglish speakers had greater than 10 years experience. and Discussion dling Results of non-ambulatory animals and proper methods of Topics presented to the dairy workers were dairy cattle euthanasia), in the language preferred by the workers (Enhealth practices and dairy cattle handling. Workers completAt the feedlot, there was a 28% increase in test scores ed following viewing of the training modules glish for the doctors and Spanish for the processors). In written, 10-question, examinations prior to viewing each (P < 0.01), and there were no interactions (P > 0.37) between the effects of training, language addition to the questions being written on the exam, the of the training modules, and then completed the same reand module topic area (Table 1). Processors had lower (P < 0.01) pre-viewing and post-viewing questions were read aloud by the trainer (fluent in English spective exams. scores for both module topic areas compared to Doctors. This likely is a reflection of reduced and Spanish), in the language preferred by the workers.

Training was conducted by preferred language of the experience in the feedlot workplace, as indicated by the demographic survey.

The examinations were completed independently. After group, by a trainer fluent in both English and Spanish.

Table 1. Effects of viewing multi-media training modules on topic area exam scores for workers at a commercial feedlot.

All

Pre-viewing

Post-viewing

SEM

P-value

55.3

71.5

3.34

< 0.01

Language

0.79

English

70.7

87.9

6.95

< 0.01

Spanish

44.5

60.0

6.61

< 0.01

Module Topic area

0.42

Humane euthanasia

53.3

72.1

6.00

< 0.01

Handling of non-ambulatory animals

57.6

73.9

6.31

< 0.01

Module Language

0.73 English

Spanish

Pre-viewing

70.7

44.5

4.01

< 0.01

Post-viewing

87.9

60.0

5.09

< 0.01

These results indicate substantial improvements (28% There were seven workers in the English-speaking group and 27% for feedlot and dairy workers, respectively) from and three workers in the Spanish-speaking group. Workers initial exam scores following viewing of multi-media were trained in their common break area. training modules. This is noteworthy due to the fact that Statistics language preference in the feedlot study was confounded The general linear models procedure of SAS (v. 9.1; SAS with nationality and job description and in the dairy study Institute, Cary, NC) was used to evaluate pre-training vs. language preference was confounded with nationality and post-training test scores. Data from the feedlot and dairy years of experience within the dairy industry. training groups were analyzed separately. Pre-training exam Success of the training despite these confounding facscores were compared to post-training exam scores with tors may be interpreted to indicate that the modules, which data being analyzed as a repeated measures experiment with contain the elements of audio, still photography, video, ilindividual worker as the experimental unit and training, lanlustrations, and text, can engage multiple learning styles.7 guage, and module topic as treatments. Effects were conGriggs and Dunn8 suggest that training for Hispanic/Latisidered significant when the P-value fell below the F-test no learners is optimized if the environment is structured of P < 0.05. and peer-oriented.

Results and Discussion In these studies, this was indeed the case. However, At the feedlot, there was a 28% increase in test scores those authors also suggested that more kinesthetic teachfollowing viewing of the training modules (P < 0.01), and ing resources be utilized, which is not the case with digital there were no interactions (P > 0.37) between the effects modules. While multimedia technologies are clearly effecof training, language and module topic area (Table 1). Protive at training those students who prefer learning from cessors had lower (P < 0.01) pre-viewing and post-viewing facts and data, visual images such as video, photographs, scores for both module topic areas compared to Doctors. and illustrations, or from verbal and written communicaThis likely is a reflection of reduced experience in the feedtion, there are still other students who will have limited lot workplace, as indicated by the demographic survey. benefit from these forms ofVol. learning and still require a The The mainOnline effectJournal of module viewing at the of Rural Research and commercial Policy 5, Issue 7 (2010) more hands-on, interactive approach to learning.9 Also, dairy indicated that test scores were increased by 27% after digital media cannot completely replace a more experienviewing the training modules (Table 2). There was no effect The on main effect of viewing at the dairy indicated scorestactile wereenvirontial approach to learning that in thetest physical, of language pre-viewing or module post-viewing test scores (P commercial by 27% viewing the interaction training modulesment (Table There was no effect of language of 2). commercial animal agriculture.

Beef and dairy = 0.52).increased However, there was after a significant 3-way or post-viewing scores there a significant 3-way cattleHowever, are large, fast, andwas often unpredictable; heavy equipbetweenon testpre-viewing score, language, and module (Ptest < 0.01) and(P a = 0.52). interaction between test score, language, and module (P < 0.01) and a non-significant interaction ment commonly utilized on the farm can be dangerous if non-significant interaction between test score and module between test score and module (P = 0.08). operated improperly.

(P = 0.08).

Table 2. Effects of viewing multi-media training modules on topic area exam scores for workers at a commercial dairy.

Pre-viewing Post-viewing SEM P-value All

72.5

92.0

2.86

< 0.01

Language

0.53

Module topic area

0.08

Language × Module topic area interaction

< 0.01

English Animal Health

75.7

91.4

4.44

0.03

Handling

71.4

92.9

6.20

0.03

Animal Health

67.9

92.4

4.71

< 0.01

Handling

73.3

83.3

5.27

0.25

Spanish

Nevertheless, these data demonstrate that the multimedia approach can be used to rapidly and inexpensively expose new and inexperienced workers to a large quantity of customary industry practices, procedures, and technologies as a means of accelerating the learning process. Also, these modules can be utilized with experienced workers to reinforce previously learned techniques in order to maintain the integrity of best management practices. By reducing travel costs, this technology may offer a cost-effective means of delivering state-of-the-art training to remote, rural locales.

The rural veterinary practitioner may choose to utilize this technology to accelerate and reinforce ongoing training programs, reserving the actual time spent in person on the farm especially for addressing individual farm-specific issues raised within the digital training.

References 1. Rosson, P., F. Adcock, D. Susanto, and D. Anderson. 2009. The economic impacts of immigration on U.S. dairy farms. National Milk Producers Federation and USDA CSREES, Federal Research Administration Grant #2008-03223 / Center for North American Studies. http://www.nmpf.org/files/ file/NMPF%20Immigration%20Survey%20Web.pdf Accessed 06/10/2010.

2. Harrison, J., S. Lloyd, and T. O’Kane. 2009. “Overview of Immigrant Workers on Wisconsin Dairy Farms.” Changing hands: Hired labor on Wisconsin dairy farms. Program on Agricultural Technology Studies. University of Wisconsin. http://www.pats.wisc.edu. Accessed 06/10/2010.

3. Kochhar, R. 2005. Survey of Mexican Migrants, Part Three: The Eco-

nomic Transition to America. Pew Hispanic Center. A Pew Research Center Project. http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/58.pdf Accessed 06/10/2010.

4. Burns, K. 2008. “A meeting of minds on the welfare of beef cattle: Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute hosts International Symposium.” July 15, 2008. JAVMA, Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. http://www. avma.org/onlnews/javma/jul08/080715a.asp. Accessed 06/10/2010.

5. Cima, G. 2009. “Experts give views on antimicrobial use, resistance: Conference at Kansas State examines antimicrobial use in cattle production.” August 1, 2009, JAVMA News. Amer. Vet. Med. Assoc. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/aug09/090801r.asp

Accessed

06/10/2010.

6. Pew Research Center. 2010. Pew Internet & American Life Project. The Pew Charitable Trusts. http://pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/ Trend-Data/Online-Activites-Total.aspx. accessed 06/07/2010.

7. Felder, R.M., and E.R. Henriques. 1995. “Learning and Teaching Styles in Foreign and Second Language Education,” Foreign Language Annals, 28(1), 21-31. Application of the F-S learning style model to language education.

8. Griggs, S., and R. Dunn. 1996. Hispanic-American Students and Learning Style. The Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting, Children’s Research Center, University of Illinois Urbana -Champaign.

EDO-PS-96-4.

9. Felder, R.M. 1996. “Matters of Style,” ASEE Prism, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp.

18–23. www.ncsu.edu/felderpublic/Papers/LSPrism.htm. Accessed

Cosmo the Wonder Dog By: Dr. Greg Quakenbush, Geissler Corp., & Dr. Doug Ford, Production Animal Consultation My wife Jan Ford is an avid bird lover. She is the most meticulous, caring, gentle caregiver in the world. When it comes to caring for any kind of critter, she is the best.

Chickens, turkeys, guineas, pheasants, peacocks, exotic ducks, and an occasional scouring calf, you name it.

As a connoisseur of fine fowl, Jan begins ear marking the pages of her poultry catalogs, strategically selecting her new clutch of fine feathered friends. All of this begins in late winter with the anticipation continuing into spring. After the order is placed, each day she will methodically mark off the days on the calendar; much like a hunter or fisherman waiting for opening day.

To add to the excitement of the adventure she will periodically stop by the local feed stores for a bag of popcorn and a peek at spring’s little peeping friends chirping their way around a 400 gallon galvanized water tank, bedded with wood chips and adorned with fifteen heat lamps.

Jan cannot sleep for two nights before the fated day. Finally the notice comes from the Post Master, “My chicks will be here in the morning, YEA!!” Jan will rise 2 hours earlier than normal and fix her hair “extra special.” She will wear her best jean shorts, a sexy top, appropriate jewelry and a splash of the perfume that I gave her the Christmas before.

Being the best poultry outfitter west of the Mississippi, the new chicks will come home to the Trump Towers of chickens in Snyder, CO. Everything is a go, full tank of gas, car cleaned and spit polished. “I think I am ready.” A final glance in the mirror, touch up the lip gloss, and adjust a few hairs in her bangs. It’s very important to make a good first impression with new arrivals, just ask Dr. Tom. Watches were synchronized and her mission came off without a hitch. Driving home at 35 MPH (you can’t go too fast) she finally turned down our quarter mile long driveway. She backed the car up to the Guantanamo Bay/Gitmo unloading area, showed her clearance I.D.’s and began to unload her precious cargo. Every detail was perfect.

Finally I showed up to help and our cargo was safely checked in for the day. Security check point Charlie was downgraded from a level 6 to a level 1.5. This is where our tale takes a turn. How could we know there was a traitor in our midst?

Nine years ago we acquired Cosmo the wonder dog along with a parcel of land we were purchasing. She is a Chihuahua, blue heeler cross, and is Jan’s most trusted friend. For the most part she is a sweet, loveable, and devoted little dog.

One major flaw in her Cain and Abel personality is her desire to kill every little thing that chirps, peeps, and squeaks.

Over the years this hasn’t always been an ideal situation.

As we finished up a few details Jan looked around and said, “Where’s Cosmo?” We reluctantly went into the nursery and our worst fears became reality. When we had turned our attention in another direction Cosmo deliberately and without regard for any consequences began snatching up baby chicks one by one. She would take them out of sight, bite off their head and proceed to the next victim. Before we interrupted her mission the mortality resembled one of Dr. Wade’s feedyards.

Of course Jan was devastated, heart broken, and sick to her stomach, but mostly mad enough to relocate Cosmo to planet Mars with one kick of her Nike flip flop. Eventually, Jan forgave Cosmo and let her again chew on her bone under the dining room table, or occasionally sleep at the foot of the bed, or ride between us on the console when we went to check cows.

Life was good for several years. But on occasion, Cosmo’s sneaky nature would get her in trouble, usually when she thought we weren’t looking.

Fast forward, two weeks ago a pair of Jan’s prize peacocks hatched 5 precious little babies. They are Jan’s pride and joy. Saturday afternoon Jan was doing some detail work in their pen, convinced that Cosmo has learned her lesson, Jan would let her in the pen (always supervised) and there was never a hint of any bad behavior.

Cosmo was previously found guilty, convicted and served her time; she was a rehabilitated blessing to society.

Wrong. Jan turned her back for 30 seconds, long enough for Cosmo to return to her unrestrained dog nature. Luckily Jan only lost one peacock chick. As we went through the emotions of the situation, my thoughts were directed to spiritual matters.

God loves us so much and he wants the best for us. Since He is God He is not surprised by our pride, disobedience, sneaky nature, or our double mindedness. He knows our core nature (sin), our weaknesses, and the spiritual consequences of our actions. pacdvms.com 35

He is faithful and forgives us time and time again often for the same crime. All he really wants is for us to turn our eyes, heart, will and trust towards him. He wants us to sleep at the foot of his bed, to chew on our bone under his dining room table, and to ride on the console while he is checking cows.

It goes back to the core values Dr. Nels has shared with us: “Integrity- Choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.”

Doing the right thing even when no one is watching. The pain of discipline is minor compared to the pain of regret.

One more thing. Cosmo was forgiven because she belongs to Jan and is loved. We are forgiven and loved also, if we belong to Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is not free; it came at a bloody and painful cost. God himself paid the price in full. What a great thing it is to be free of condemnation. Just ask Cosmo.

Feedlot Shade Sytems that deliver: • Cost-effective shade solutions • Design flexibility • Spans to keep pens clear of posts • Uniquely designed canopy material

Isaiah 53: 5-6: 5But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

Dr. Doug and Jan Ford

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Chuckles From Down Under By: Jane Sullivan, Bell Vet Services A young lady is sunbathing on the hotel roof. Seeing she is alone, she discreetly peels off her swimsuit.

In minutes, the manager rushes up. “Madam, please cover yourself!”

“But there’s no one else here,” she complains. “And I am lying face down.”

“I know,” says the man.

“You’re on the dining room skylight!”

There was only one customer in the local pub so the barman phoned his wife and told her he’d be home early.

Just then another man came in.

“Where are you from?” asked the first customer.

“Five miles west of town,” answered the newcomer.

“I live five miles west of town too. Let’s drink to that.”

As they drained their glasses, the first man learned that his drinking companion’s age was 43.

“I’m 43 too. We’d better drink to that as well.”

It turned out that both were born in the same hospital and another round was ordered.

Calling his wife, the barman said, “Forget it, dear – the Farquharson twins are at it again.”

A burglar was in the midst of robbing a house when a strange, disembodied voice echoed through the dark: “Jesus is watching you!” Startled, the burglar clicked on his flashlight and swept the beam around the room. He saw nothing out of the ordinary, so he turned off the flashlight. But as he was scooping up a handful of jewelry, he heard again, clear as a bell, “Jesus is watching you!”

The burglar began to feel scared, so he turned on his flashlight again and passed it over every corner of the room.

Finally, in the far corner, his beam landed on a parrot in a cage. “Was that you talking?” he hissed at the parrot.

“Yep,” the parrot said. “I’m just trying to warn you.”

Feeling more relaxed, the burglar said, “Warn me, huh?

And what’s your name pretty birdy?”

The bird said, “Moses.”

“Moses?” the burglar laughed. “What kind of people would name a bird Moses?”

“The kind of people who would name a Rottweiler Jesus.”

Cattle Performance Enhancement Co. FROM THIS

TO THIS

Lynn Allen, CPEC Sales & Marketing

P.O. Box 630 • Stratford, Texas 79084 806-753-7979 cell • lallen6423@aol.com www.cpec.us

Silage Management By: Jeremy Martin, PhD, Great Plains Livestock Consulting Inc.

Recently there has been renewed interest in the use of silage from corn and a variety of other crops. There are a number of reasons silage crops have become more popular including more interest in cover crops, reduced price advantages of wet byproducts, and the potential to generate more income per acre with silage crops.

From a nutrition standpoint, silage is versatile enough to work well in feedlot, backgrounding, or cow rations. However, the true cost and benefits of silage depend greatly on how well the process is managed. The dairy industry is far ahead of us cowboys when it comes to putting up quality silage, and I would encourage you to study their recommendations as you plan your silage season.

Ensilaging is a simple idea: chop a wet crop, eliminate the oxygen, and allow microbial activity to both preserve and enhance the value of said crop. Achieving the desired results from a silage operation is not nearly so simple; like most of what we in agriculture do, it requires strict management.

This article will focus on general management of the silage chopping and feeding processes, and I hope it reminds you that the process truly determines the success of making and feeding good silage.

First and foremost, the silage crop needs to be at the optimum moisture content when chopped. While the ideal moisture varies with each crop, it is generally 60-65% (35-40% dry matter).

Recent research (2016 UNL Beef Reports) indicates chopping corn silage at dry matter content up to 43% (beginning of black layer formation) can be an advantage for finishing cattle, but if you are chopping a large quantity of silage, please consider weather risk and equipment issues that could cause your silage to become too dry. So, perhaps finishing at up to 43% dry matter is an option, but unless you can chop all your silage in a day, do not wait that late to start.

Often producers desire to direct-cut cover crops, haylages, or small grain silage in the interest of time and land use, which results in silage at 20-25% dry matter or less. The risk with overly wet silage is that fermentation is delayed and compromised, resulting in high butyric acid concentrations (making it unpalatable) and greater shrink.

With cover crops and forage crops, the best silage usually results from swathing and allowing the crop to wilt prior to chopping so the ideal moisture can be achieved. The difference in timing is only a day or two; the difference in silage quality can be huge. Conversely, silage chopped too dry is hard to pack, often resulting in sub-par fermentation as a result of the oxygen present. pacdvms.com 39

Once the chopping process starts, it is important to complete the pile as quickly as you can do it correctly, with a target density of 15 lb. dry matter (45 lb. as fed) per cubic foot. A good rule of thumb is 800 pounds of packing weight per ton of wet silage delivered per hour, packed for approximately one minute per ton.

Most newer choppers have kernel processors, and we recommend using them on corn silage, mostly because of the increased dry matter digestibility of silage run through a kernel processor. Ideal setting for the kernel processor is 1 mm to adequately process kernels. The secondary advantages of kernel processing are that it virtually eliminates the coarse pieces of cob that cattle often sort out of the bunk and it allows for silage to be packed to a greater density.

The drier the silage, the more important it is that a kernel processor be used.

As far as length of cut, the correct choice for grain crops depends on whether or not you use a kernel processor. The ideal length of cut with grain silage run through a processor is 1/2” to 3/4”, with the longer cut preferred in finishing rations where silage is the sole roughage source and the finer chop preferred in cow or growing rations where silage serves as a major energy source.

If silage is not processed, I prefer 1/2” or slightly less length of cut to minimize sorting in the bunk and allow for improved starch availability. Likewise, for small grain and hay silages, the correct length of cut depends on the end use of the silage, with the caveat being that it has to be chopped fine enough to pack well. If the primary use of the silage is for roughage in a finisher ration, it makes sense to chop the silage at 3/4”, but a finer chop is preferred in rations where silage will be a major energy source. A simple particle size separator test on site will allow you to evaluate and adjust the length of cut.

Inoculation is proven to reduce dry matter loss during storage and, in some cases, improve bunk life or reduce loss during feed-out. The proper inoculation is dependent on the crop, but is important for all silage crops.

Inoculation must be applied accurately to work well, as the idea is to supplement bacteria native to the crop with bacteria that will expedite and improve the fermentation process and result in a more rapid pH drop. Because inoculants contain live bacteria, which must remain alive to be effective, they need to be stored, mixed, and applied correctly for best results.

If you have the option of applying inoculant via the chopper, that is likely the best route. This results in even distribution and immediate application to the crop. Silage can also be inoculated after delivery to the storage site, with care to adequately distribute the inoculant. Choosing the right inoculant is dependent on the crop, application 40 pacdvms.com

method, storage method, and feeding management. This is a choice you should make with the help of a nutritionist, based on your individual needs. Remember, you inoculate feeds you want to ferment (silages) and you use a preservative on feeds you do not want to mold (dry hays).

Packing is the key once silage is chopped, and it is hard to overstate the value of correctly packing any silage crop.

Bagged silage density is controlled by the bagger, but in the beef business, most of us are using bunker or drive-over piles and it is critical that we have enough packing weight per square foot.

How you build a pile will depend on your own operations, but regardless of the pile design, focus on adding thin layers of 6” of material or less to the pile so it can be packed tightly. Remember, excluding oxygen throughout the pile is the key. Some people have the misconception that they can push silage loosely during the day and then pack after the chopper stops.

The problem with this is that even the heaviest tractors do not effectively remove oxygen for much over 6” below them. So, spread silage in thin layers and pack extensively throughout the day for the best results. If you cannot spread thin layers and get them completely packed before you are overwhelmed by trucks bringing more silage, get more packing tractors on the pile.

With today’s high capacity choppers, it is rare that I see a silage pile that can be adequately packed by a single tractor.

Calculations for the proper amount of packing vary, but it is likely that you need to pack for approximately 1 minute per wet ton of silage delivered to the pile, so packing tractors should not stop moving during silage harvest. The edges of piles are problem areas to pack due to safety concerns.

As you build the pile, focus on safely minimizing the amount of silage on the edges that remains loose, as it will contribute to higher shrink. Drive-over piles are ideal because the edges can be completely packed. In bunkers or wedge shaped piles, focus on building the piles in a trough shape, so the tractor leans into the pile rather than off the edge. At the end of the process, round off the pile. This will allow for the best pack on the edges as well as in the middle.

As soon as harvest is complete, cover the silage. There is no doubt that covering silage in some fashion will reduce spoilage and shrink. Feeding spoiled silage reduces intake and performance of cattle, so the spoiled layer on top costs you twice. Traditionally, white/black plastic has been used, although many operations have experimented with distillers solubles or other liquid feeds for covering silage. Any of these are better than not covering a pile, but none have proven to be as effective as the newer oxygen barrier films on the market. These oxygen barriers resemble cling wrap and are put down on the pile, then topped with plastic. They

add some cost, but in our experiments have reduced shrink by 50% or slightly more. Thus, the cost is more than justified, and easily recovered.

The feedout phase is very tightly managed in dairy operations, and haphazardly managed in a lot of beef operations. Maintaining a smooth vertical face on the pile with very limited amounts of loose silage present at the foot of the pile helps eliminate shrink and loss of feed value incurred when silage is exposed to oxygen.

At the end of feeding each day, the face of the pile should be even from one side to the other, straight up and down, and very little loose material should be present. It is tempting when digging silage out to feed to run the loader bucket under the bottom of the pile, stand on the throttle until the wheels spin, then lift up to loosen the silage and get the bucket completely full. However, that rarely results in proper face management. Ideally, start at the top of the pile and use the edge of the bucket, a silage rake, or facer to evenly remove silage from top to bottom. It is much easier to manage the quantity of silage you remove in this fashion.

All of the steps mentioned above are aimed at not only producing quality feed, but also for minimizing shrink.

Shrink in silage is not limited to moisture; substantial dry matter loss occurs through volatilization of fatty acid and conversion of sugar to carbon dioxide. Shrink is the enemy of silage feeders, and minimizing shrink is the key to economically feeding silage. It is often estimated that silage

shrinks 15%, which may not be far from the average, but a lot of operations experience greater shrink and just don’t measure it well enough to know for sure.

Our data indicates 15% is probably normal for piles packed reasonably well, covered with white/black plastic, and managed fairly well during feedout. You may believe you can limit shrink to 15% without taking the time to manage a pile, but frankly the shrink is probably greater. When you consider the sheer dollar value of silage in most piles, saving even a few percentage points of shrink is worthwhile. We encourage you to manage the process from start to finish in order to get the most benefit from your silage.

These silage management tips are general, and apply to most silage crops you may choose to harvest. Another general idea you need to focus on is safety, through every step of the process. Take the time to review safety tips with chopper, truck, and pack tractor operators.

Furthermore, remind feeders that silage piles are dangerous due to the potential for silage to cave off the pile and engulf a person. Do not park or stand near the face. There is a lot more to the process than covered here and although the process may vary it starts with a plan tailored for your specific operations.

We look forward to seeing the results and pray that you all have a safe and abundant harvest.

Easy on cattle and your bottom line.

1

Titanium® vaccines have no impact on feed intake and result in little to no post-treatment side effects, so you can keep your cattle on track with health management solutions that don’t interrupt your day-to-day operations or affect your bottom line.1,2 It’s BRD protection that doesn’t impact performance, so you can be confident in every dose.

ELANCO.US/TITANIUM

A DOSE OF CONFIDENCE The label contains complete use information, including cautions and warnings.

Always read, understand and follow the label and use directions.

As measured by body temperature, feed intake, injection-site reaction or white blood cell count. 2Terhaar, B. 2001.

Evaluating the effects of vaccine-induced stress on productivity. Study No. TR-13. Published by Agri Laboratories Ltd. Do not vaccinate within 21 days of slaughter. Elanco, Titanium® and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned or licensed

by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. © 2015 Elanco Animal Health FYDH 35192 USBBUTIT00069

1

Special Interest

Kenny and Tesoro By: Darcy Howard, Production Animal Consultation On a warm summer evening in western Kansas under the bright arena lights, if you are lucky you might see a new rodeo act performed by Ferny “Kenny” Carrillo Gutierrez and his handsome equine partner, Tesoro. Kenny and Tesoro entertain rodeo crowds with an act that brings honor to Kenny’s Mexican heritage with authentic costume, music and horsemanship.

Tesoro, which means treasure in Spanish, not only performs with Kenny, by bowing, sitting and laying down on cue, Tesoro is also used to ride pens at Lane County Feeders near Dighton, KS. Kenny has been with Lane County for the last 3.5 years. He indicated, “It has been the best feed yard for everything, people and cattle.”

Kenny came to the United States as a young man of fifteen. At his home in central Mexico, his family owned horses, mules and donkeys; however he had not ridden much once he started school as a young child. Once in the United States, he worked in the feedlot industry processing cattle.

Kenny knew he wanted to grow his skills and move to the cowboy crew. It was shortly after his first job riding pens that he met two gentlemen that would help shape his future.

Dr. Wade Taylor and Dr. Tom Noffsinger consulted in the feed yard where Kenny was riding pens. Both of these veterinarians do more than consult on the health of cattle in the feed yards; each one of them spends time getting to know the crews that care for the cattle and horses. Kenny shared that Dr. Tom showed him a YouTube video of the well-known horse trainer, Stacy Westfall riding a black horse with no bridle or saddle. Kenny smiled as he said, “I teared up and knew that was awesome and I wanted to be able to do that.”

42 pacdvms.com

This modern day story cannot be told without giving some mention of Facebook. Kenny credits Facebook’s Garden City Trader page with helping him locate his then four year old Palamino partner. Tesoro, who is now nine years old, was purchased for $300. However, the price for this then unbroke stallion has turned out not to be his value. If you ask about his horse, Kenny will tell you, “He is everything to me. I have patience when I’m with horses, all my problems go away. I can spend hours with my horses.”

Kenny and Tesoro’s eight minute act has been seen in Kansas at venues in Atwood, Scott City, Ashland, Leoti, Greensburg and Coldwater. Kenny wears traditional Mexican clothing, including a sombrero while Mariachi and tamborazo instrumental music is played as he demonstrates his

horsemanship on Tesoro. Kenny is proud of his heritage and is honored when the music of his native land can be heard.

Kenny is not the only one in the duo that respects the traditional folk music from Mexico. During their act in Coldwater, KS the rodeo announcer played country music instead of the expected Mexican music. Tesoro kept returning to the arena gate and would not perform on cue. When the announcer finally played the Mariachi music, Tesoro relaxed and performed his part of the act.

Kenny continues to work on his performance and has goals of adding some rope tricks to his act. He envisions Tesoro lying down while he stands on him spinning a lariat.

He would also like to add another horse to the team. He is interested in the Friesian breed.

When asked if he wanted something specific mentioned in this article, Kenny replied, “I would like to thank Ted Howard for working with me on how cattle and horses react to pressure and release. This knowledge has truly helped me. I would also like to thank PAC and Dr. Taylor for keeping me in mind for this article. I want to show my gratitude by continuing to improve my stockmanship.”

In a world where we do not always hear these uplifting stories, it was a pleasure to spend time with Kenny and his passion and bright outlook. Tesoro isn’t the only treasure on this team. Kenny is a wonderful person and truly a treasure in his own right.

Giving Calves a Great Start Begins With Cow Nutrition By: Connie Larson, Ph.D., Research and Nutritional Services Ruminant Manager - North America, and Jason Russell, Ph.D., Beef Research Nutritionist, Zinpro Corporation

As the cattle industry continues to produce and promote the value of beef as a protein source to meet nutritional demands of an increasing population, beef production practices will evolve to impact calf lifetime performance. Feed yard managers recognize that incoming cattle with compromised immunity impact their bottom line whether the animals will be challenged with respiratory disease or infectious claw lesions creating lameness issues.

Information evaluated from 47,764 head enrolled in the Iowa Tri-County Steer Test over an eight-year period revealed that cattle requiring just one treatment had decreased performance. These steers had lower out-weights, longer days on feed and less desirable feed conversion that contributed to $68 per head loss on profitability compared to steers that required no health treatment. For steers requiring two or more treatments, the losses escalated to over $189 per head. In order to minimize these losses, it is apparent that pre-arrival health, nutrition and handling are critical factors for optimizing feed yard performance and ultimately carcass characteristics. In other words, how do we get calves off to a great start?

The first opportunity begins prior to the birth of a calf. Nutritional interventions to promote fetal programming in beef cattle are a growing area of interest in the cow-calf segment of our industry. Most often, the conversation about fetal programming focuses on the impact of energy and protein intake during gestation. However, an arguably under-discussed concept is Generational Nutrition®, the impact trace minerals can have on offspring development, health and performance.

Trace minerals are essential for fetal development and the fetus depends entirely on the dam for proper supply of these elements. If maternal supply is inadequate or imbalanced, fetal development and post-natal performance may be impaired. For example, Zn, Cu, Mn and Co are required for adequate development of the fetal nervous and immune systems that set the stage for future performance in achieving the genetic potential of our cattle today.

A recent study conducted at Oregon State University evaluated the response of offspring to different trace mineral supplementation programs for late-gestation beef cows.

At the end of the second trimester of gestation Angus X Hereford cows were supplemented with either no additional zinc, manganese, copper or cobalt (Control), inorganic (sulfate) forms, or Availa®4 (7 grams per head daily). The Availa-4 and inorganic supplements were formulated to provide equal trace mineral fortification. As cows calved, the cow-calf pairs were returned to the general herd and fed a common diet containing sulfate-based trace minerals.

Key Research Findings: Results support Generational Nutrition and the influence of trace mineral programs on in utero calf development and subsequent growth and immunity. Weaning weights were greatest for calves from cows fed Availa-4 during the last trimester of pregnancy. The 205-adjusted weaning weights for calves from dams fed the control, inorganic or Availa-4 treatments were 538 pounds, 556 pounds and 580 pounds, respectively (Figure 1).

Following a 45-day preconditioning program, the calves were trucked to a commercial grow yard. Calves born to cows supplemented with Availa-4 continued to have an advantage as fewer calves required treatment for BRD symptoms. Treatment rates for calves

pacdvms.com 45

Figure 1: Weaning weight of calves from beef cows supplemented during last trimester; Calf 205-d adjusted weaning WTa

Figure 2: Feedlot growing phase BRD treatment percentages for calves from beef cows supplemented during last trimester

from dams fed control, inorganic or Availa-4 treatments were 42, 59 and 20 percent, respectively (Figure 2).

Calves born to cows fed a diet that included Availa-4 maintained a weight advantage through harvest. Hot carcass weights were 42 and 22 pounds greater for calves from dams fed Availa-4 versus calves born from cows fed the control or inorganic treatments, respectively.

Supplementing Availa-4 during a cow’s last trimester appears to have set the stage during fetal development for offspring to optimize growth potential for weaning weights, require fewer treatments for BRD and produce heavier carcass weights. As the cattle industry navigates new regulations with the Veterinary Feed Directive, nutrient support for optimum immunity to minimize respiratory disease and infectious claw lesions will likely gain greater attention. While continued research efforts are needed to further determine the impact of Generational Nutrition, the future is promising.

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Leadership

How Do You “Bump” into Your People?

By: Dr. Nels Lindberg, Production Animal Consultation

The environment of the feed yard business can be very fast paced and stressful, as many important decisions need to be made on a daily basis. We all deal with moving targets, changes of plans, and many other variables with our cattle, people, and the weather.

We can get so busy that we often forget to think about the people we “bump” into each day. With each “bump,” we can create a positive, negative, or neutral interaction. As leaders, we want to work at blocking out stress, eliminating negativity from our minds, and avoiding jumping to conclusions. Our level of influence will climb as we achieve more and more positive interactions with our people.

How do we achieve this goal? Three key ways to do so are through transparency, candor, and humility. When we act upon these, we start to gain influence and begin to better connect with our people who are looking up to us as their leaders. It is our job to connect with our people and build relationships with each person on our team. This includes everyone, from the cowboy to the feedtruck driver to the tank washer. Without a connection and relationship to the people we work closely with, the team will not be as committed or as effective.

Transparent leaders communicate often and at high levels. It is important that we communicate our vision and the direction we are headed. We must talk to individuals and crews about their purpose and how that relates to the overall mission.

If we aren’t transparent in what we are trying to accomplish for that hour, day, or year, our people will feel as if we are “keeping them in the dark.” We begin to be what I call a “mushroom leader” someone who keeps people in the dark and feeds them manure! Keeping people in the dark or having hidden intentions is manipulation, which invites resistance and deception. This can cause people to drag their feet against the cause or purpose.

We must connect with our people by getting out of the truck, stepping out of the office, and climbing in the trenches with them. We can ask them things such as, “How can I help you?”, “What can we do to help you do your job better?”, “What could we do better?”, and “How can we help your crew?”. Even better, ask them, “What is your passion?”, “What drives you to do better?”, and “How can we help you and your family?” These types of questions allow a leader to connect on a deeper level that some aren’t comfortable with, but in the end, allows everyone to succeed at a much higher level. But remember, transparency requires great leaders to be accountable.

If you can’t be 100% accountable, it could backfire. But if you can’t be 100% transparent, you will likely be a poor leader.

Candid leaders are direct and honest, while at the same time being optimistic and acting as a cheerleader for their team. As mentioned before, there are many daily obstacles we need to overcome, which can be very draining. But we must be able to tell someone what we think, while letting pacdvms.com 47

them know we believe in them. Candidness is often best demonstrated through asking questions, especially before pointing fingers. If someone makes a mistake, first address the mistake and then reassure them that you continue to believe in them.

If you are disappointed in their actions, remind them that you expect greater things from them. Lack of candidness often condones bad decisions, habits, and behavior. Although candidness can be difficult at times, we aren’t doing anyone any favors without it.

Lastly, we must be the most humble servant leaders to our people at all times. Humble leaders admit their own mistakes, accept their faults, and have a level of vulnerability that makes them “real”. We must not be self-serving and never try to make ourselves look good at the expense of others. By serving our people, we gain influence and help them achieve what they want out of life.

I have strayed away from the “bumping” effects, but I challenge you to think about how you “bumped” into all of your people over the last month. How did you interact with them? Did you leave them with a positive experience or a negative one?

We must intentionally work extremely hard at creating magnificent effective impacts on our people every single

day. Even on the days when the back-up feed truck breaks down or two crew members didn’t show up to work and the days when we are in the thick of taking in corn silage or something tragic takes place at home. Did your IMPACT spark a fire that was negative or create connections that led to solutions? Keep at it, and have #PassionForPeople!

REWRITING THE BOOK ON

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Zelnate is the first licensed immunostimulant that aids in the treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica.

By jumpstarting the innate immune system — which has been shown to provide a rapid, potent and broad protective response to infectious agents — Zelnate helps reduce lung lesions and mortality in cattle. Administer Zelnate at the time of, or within 24 hours after, a perceived stressful event.

visit zelnate.com for more information This product is based on technology developed by Juvaris BioTherapeutics and is patent protected. Animal health applications are being exclusively developed by Bayer Animal Health and are the subject of Bayer patent applications. ©2015 Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health, Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66201 Bayer (reg’d), the Bayer Cross (reg’d), Zelnate™ and It’s not an antibiotic. It’s not a vaccine.

It’s Zelnate.™ are trademarks of Bayer.

ZNT151142

Getting to Know the PAC Team: Dr. Dan Thomson

Hi, I’m Dr. Dan Thomson, a third generation bovine veterinarian raised in Clearfield, IA. My grandfather started our practice in Clearfield in 1938 and my dad John Thomson joined the practice in 1967. Clearfield, IA is a small town. I graduated with 8 kids in my high school class. Besides our clinic, we had a commercial cow herd and a few horses and bird dogs around for our hobbies.

I got my Animal Science and DVM degrees at Iowa State University in 2000. When I was an undergraduate at Iowa State, I rode pens and fed cattle for two ruminant nutrition professors. It really opened my eyes on how few animals really get sick. Being a vet’s kid, everything I ever saw was sick. So my interests moved towards production systems and led me to do a MS in Ruminant Nutrition at South Dakota State University and a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition from Texas Tech University. Being a nutritionist and a veterinarian, I just ride around arguing with myself.

I did a short stint as an associate veterinarian with Veterinary Research and Consulting Services in Greeley, CO. But then I was hired by Jack Rhoades and the Engler family to serve as the Director of Animal Health and Well-being for Cactus Feeders in Amarillo, TX. I was the veterinary consultant for their 10 commercial feedlots that fed 1.2 million head of cattle per year and directed their animal health research at the Cactus research facility.

Currently, I am the Jones Professor of Production Medicine at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. I have been fortunate to work with the PAC group from the beginning when it was just a few of us in the basement of the bank in Oakley. My role with PAC is being defined by the group and I enjoy squeezing in wherever the group needs me to assist. In the future, I hope to work with the yards, the research business and provide a niche for PAC working with beef packers and retailers in the interest of our beef production clietns. I have served

Dr. Thomson with his wife, Cindy, and (right) with his daughters.

on McDonald’s Beef Health and Welfare Committee and the Animal Welfare Advisory Board of the Food Marketing Institute, the Beef Quality Assurance Committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Animal Welfare committees of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Academy of Veterinary Consultants.

You might have seen me on RFD TV in a show I host entitled “Doc Talk” that reaches over 45 million homes world-wide. We have a blast with the show and have enjoyed feedback from all the viewers. If you have a topic, let me know.

On a personal note, I have a great family life. Cindy and I have been married for 25 years and she teaches science at Riley County High School. We have 4 daughters, Kelly, Katelyn, Tory and Sarah. The oldest two are at K-State where Kelly will play her last basketball season for the Wildcats. Katelyn finished up her college basketball at Cloud County Community College and will be in Animal Science at K-State. Tory is a junior and Sarah is a freshman at Riley County High School. My hobbies are the daughters’ activities and a little hunting or fishing in southwest Iowa when time allows.

PROTECTS DAYS LONGER THAN

Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot.™1

NO OTHER PRODUCT CAN MATCH THE PROVEN DURATION OF VISTA® ONCE.1,2 Vista Once, Vista 5, and Vista 3 vaccines demonstrate protection for 86 days longer than Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot.1 Pyramid® 5 + Presponse® doesn’t have any duration claims.2 All Vista vaccines are labeled for use in pregnant cows and calves nursing from pregnant cows.

Vista Once and Once PMH® SQ also provide 16-week protection against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida – the only products with duration claims against these respiratory bacteria.

Ask your veterinarian for Vista vaccines.

It’s the only name that matters when protection matters most.

1 Vista product labels and Bovi-Shield Gold One Shot product label 2 Pyramid 5 + Presponse product label merck-animal-health-usa.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright ©2016 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

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Events

15th - 17th American Association of Bovine

August

Practitioners, Charlotte, NC

16th KLA Field Day, Bertrand Cattle Co.

18th - 20th Nebraska LEAD Program,

30th CVS Swine Conference, Macomb, IL,

October

Wallace, KS, Dr. Wade presenting

Dr. Jim presenting

September 8th Passion for Pigs, St. Louis, MO,

Lincoln, NE, Dr. Shane and Kelly attending

2nd - 4th Nebraska LEAD Program, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Dr. Shane attending

12th Addressing Feedlot Lameness, Norfolk, NE, Drs. Shane, Kip and Tom presenting

Dr. Nels presenting

8th BISA Gold, Ames, IA, Dr. Jim presenting

8th Kansas Animal Health Board meeting, Hutchinson, KS, Dr. Wade attending

right for your operation.

Talk to your veterinarian about prescription ZACTRAN. For more information, visit ZACTRAN.com.

®ZACTRAN is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2015 Merial, Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

RUMIOTD1405 (01/14)

Production Animal Consultation PO Box 41 Oakley, KS 67748 pacdvms.com

SAVE the DATE

Addressing Feedlot Lameness

Sponsored by Zinpro Corporation and Production Animal Consultation

Schedule When: Wednesday October 12, 2016 Location: Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex 2301 E. Benjamin St. Norfolk, NE

Invitation to follow

You’re Invited!

8:00am: 8:30am: 8:45am:

Registration Welcome Anatomy Review and Normal Mechanical Function Dr. Dörte Döpfer, University of Wisconsin, Madison 10:00am: Importance of Nutrition, Dr. Connie Larson, Zinpro 10:30am: Stockmanship: Lameness Prevention and Control Dr. Tom Noffsinger and Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, PAC 11:30am: Locomotion Scoring Dr. Shane Terrell, PAC 12:15pm: Lunch 1:15pm: 3-45 minute rotations Rotation 1: Interactive Locomotion Scoring Rotation 2: Stockmanship and facility design demonstration Rotation 3: Wet lab on hoof trimming and demonstration of equipment needed to treat lameness 4:30pm: Adjourn Registration link: https://www.getfeedback.com/r/6VMkOXTQ

Addressing Feedlot Lameness Register Today!

Norfolk, NE October 12th, 2016