Top Hand Keys: Chute-Side Tips for Cattle Processing - PART 1

By Jason Duggin, Dylan Davis, Marrissa Blackwell, Dr. Brent Credille, Carole Knight, UGA Beef Team

We purchase vaccines and take the time to administer them, but whether the vaccines do their intended job largely depends upon us. Was the vaccine handled correctly from the time of purchase? Was it administered correctly?

Beef Quality Assurance standards are the guideposts for improving cattle health and performance, producer safety, product quality, and consumer perception. This article is geared to all cattle producers and enthusiasts, but it also serves as a resource for anyone interested in participating in the Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship Contest series. A tutorial video for each topic below can be accessed at ugabeef.com in the Educational Programs tab in the Top Hand link.

Vaccine Handling

First, vaccines should be stored according to the product label. Products requiring refrigeration should be stored in a refrigerator that is climatecontrolled; and while working cattle chute-side, vaccines should be stored in a cooler with ice packs. Vaccines should also be kept away from UV light exposure. Before administering the product to the animal(s), locate the serial number, expiration, and lot number on the bottom of the box. Record that information in the rare event that there is an issue.

Modified live vaccines (MLV) come packaged as two separate bottles that will need to be mixed just prior to administration. When using a mixing needle, insert the needle into the liquid portion before putting the other end into the dry powder, which contains the modified viruses. If using a syringe, use a clean needle to draw up the liquid portion and then inject into the powder (Figure 1). Once a modified live vaccine is mixed, do not shake it for too long or too vigorously. Instead, gently tilt the bottle back and forth two or three times. Use the mixed vaccine within the product’s labeled timetable. This is often within 30 minutes.

Vaccine Administration

Vaccine administration is of utmost importance for the health of the calf going forward and the quality of the eventual beef product. Properly mixed, and stored vaccines must be given in the proper location. Either side of the triangular mass of the neck (Figure 2) is where most vaccines are labeled for administration. Many vaccines are directed to be given subcutaneously (SQ) or under the skin. This can be accomplished by either tenting the skin (pulling the skin outward) (Figure 3) or administering at an angle that passes through the hide but avoids entering the muscle. Products that are improperly stored or administered using the wrong method will not stimulate the calf’s immune system properly.

Switch needles at least every 10 head. Bent, burred, dulled and dirty needles should be discarded immediately. Needles are often less than 20 cents to purchase, so taking this precaution is an affordable way to ensure herd health. Contaminated needles could cause injection-site abscesses and low-grade sickness that may take away from average daily gains. Tossing bad needles is the best way to save money. Clean, sharp needles are the best way to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccine and the calf’s ability to fight off a disease challenge. Beef Quality Assurance guidelines recommend a ½ to ¾ inch length needle at 18 to 16 gauge for SQ injections. See Figure 4 for additional situations. continued on page 24

Top Hand Dates for 2023

April 15 – Top Hand Field Day, Hawkinsville, GA: High school - adult - Register at ugabeef.com.

April 20 – Athens Regional Contest, Location: Double Bridges Farm, 4:00 Registration.

May 4 – Alapaha Regional Contest, Location: Alapaha Beef Unit, 4:00 Registration.

May 11 – Carrolton Regional Contest, Location: TBD, 4:00 Registration.

May 20 – Top Hand S&S State Championship, Location: TBD.

Chute-Side Safety

Safety is top priority when working cattle. Ultimately, nothing else matters. Here are a few tips to help your cattle and crew have a safe workday.

1) At the sweep tub or bud box: Never get in a pen with cattle that are aggressive or flighty. Working from the outside is safer and smarter in those cases, particularly. In instances where the bud box is utilized and requires the handler to be inside the pen, it is recommended that inexperienced handlers should gain experience moving cattle before using a bud box on their own. Overcrowding sweep tubs is a common problem that leads to potential injury and reduces cattle flow.

2) Along the alleyway: Fingers, hands and arms are our most valuable tools. When working cattle through a chute system, always be aware of pinch points and potential hazards. Avoid putting hands and arms between excited cattle. Before opening any sliders, check for people who may still be working on either side of you.

3) At the chute: Avoid standing directly over a calf. Instead, stand out to the left or right working from the side as you apply ear tags, give intranasal vaccine, read tattoos, etc. Before letting cattle out of the chute, make sure everyone is clear that the calf is being released, particularly when working from both sides of the chute simultaneously.

Getting youth involved in the cattle industry is a high priority, particularly when it comes to hands-on production and management. The cattle handling contest known as Top Hand Stockmanship and Stewardship is one window of opportunity for high school age students to gain experience working cattle from the sweep tub through the chute. Check out ugabeef.com for more information about the Top Hand Program.

RWA Home Town W1821

AAA # 20190623 | 08-11-2021 | Sire: Home Town | Dam: Fail Safe

RWA Ashland W1161

AAA # 20190716 | 08-7-2021 | Sire: Ashland | Dam: Progress

RWA Home Town W1021

AAA # 20190642 | 08-7-2021

Sire:Home Town | Dam: Prophet

RWA EJB Transcendent W142

AAA # 20349282 | 01-19-2022

Sire: Transcendent | Dam: Fail Safe sunday 4.23.23 2:00 pm

10th anniversary

BCC Fail Safe 825

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100 bred heifers and 50 bred cows

Consignors: BC Cattle Company | Brooks Angus Farm | Edgewood Farm | M & V Farm | Two Rivers Cattle Company Kirk: 828.226.2839 | Robin: 706.540.0400 | www.rockingwangus.com

Update

By Taylor Evans

Beef. It’s What’s Dinner.® 300

For the third year in a row, Daytona International Speedway announced its partnership with Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. to sponsor the 42nd season-opening race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series – The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.® 300. The race was scheduled to kick off the season on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Daytona International Speedway, the day before the 65th annual DAYTONA 500. In addition to the monumental television, radio and digital exposure gained through this event, GBB staff was able to be on site for the race – promoting beef to the thousands of race fans present for Speed Week.

Atlanta Chili Week

This February marked the third year of Atlanta Chili Week! Twenty participating restaurants cooked up thousands of bowlfuls from Feb. 20-26. This beef promotion came in response to a request from the restaurants; they saw so much success from participating in Atlanta Burger Week that they wanted to bring beef to the city again. The restaurants were encouraged to use different cuts of beef to promote the rich versatility of beef.

May is Georgia’s Beef Month

May is Georgia’s Beef Month, and it will be here soon! We want to encourage you to work with your chapter to promote our beef industry and the delicious beef products during May. Here are a few ideas:

• Cook and serve hamburgers and hot dogs to local law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, etc.

• Purchase copies of “Can-Do Cowkids” from Amazon and donate them to local libraries and elementary schools. Or even set up times to visit classrooms and read the story to a class!

• Work with your local radio station to provide and promote a beef message.

• Take part in local farm/ag days and educate students on how beef is raised.

• Work with local grocery stores to provide beef materials and resources at the meat counter.

• Host a beef cooking competition.

• Host your county leaders for a farm tour in your area.

• Share beef nutritional resources with medical offices.

Please reach out to Taylor or Tricia (taylor@gabeef.org or tricia@gabeef.org) and let us know how we can assist you as you plan and prepare.

Robert Fountain Jr., Chairman P.O. Box 284

Adrian, GA 31002 478-955-2363

Joel Keith, Vice Chairman 2772 Mountville Hogansville Road Hogansville, GA 30230 706-594-2873

Melvin Porter, Treasurer 168 Hardman Rd Jefferson, GA 30549 706-654-8283

Gerald Long 3005 Old Whigham Road Bainbridge, GA 39817 229-246-7519

Bill Bryan 2830 East Armuchee Rd Summerville, Ga 30747 423-605-0561

Kenneth Murphy 7432 Rocky Mount Road Gay, GA 30218 770-550-0339

Adam Williams 2270 Rome Road SW Calhoun, GA 30701 404-569-1549

Luke Spooner P.O. Box 704 Donaldsonville, GA 31745 229-254-3186

Clay Floyd P.O. Box 566 Swainsboro, GA 30401 478-237-3201

Chuck Joiner 425 Gray Rd Carrollton, GA 30116 770-301-3243

Brent Galloway 1295 GA HWY 152 Lyons, GA 30436 678-410-6070

Georgia Beef Board PO Box 28230 Macon, GA 31221 478-474-1815 www.georgiabeef.org