The Sidney herald., 1960-11-16
Management - Key To Feedloi
Disease Prevention


In this present age of antibiotic
treatment of livestock, there is a
general tendency for many live
stock producers and feeders alike
to abandon sound health manage
ment practices. It is risky bust
ness to think that a "shot" of an
tibiotics will correct all mistakes
and careless procedures in hand
ling new feedlot arrivals or new
ly weaned calves on the ranch.
Sound principles that should be
followed in handling new arrivals
in the feedlot are generally recon-
mended by veterinarians and
animal husbandry specialists as
follows. On arrival of the animals
in the feedlot, keep them we'll
bedded as it serves for warmth
and a paunch filler. Prairie hay
is the best roughage as it is the
nearest substitute for the range
from which the cattle have just
come. If alfalfa hay is the only
roughage, use older hay first along
with light feelings of whole oats.
First let them get their fill on the
less hazardous straw. Trickling,
readily available water will at
tract new arrivals to their water
supply and will encourage greater
fill. 1t is important to get them
drinking plenty of water right
away. Have loose salt available for
the new arrivals and this will help
to stimulate early water conSump-
ton. A small corn field, well
fenced, may serve as an excellent
weaver as lambs and claves will
fill on the dry roughage, and with
many of them it is a feed and con-
dition they are already used to
It will be at least three weeks
before lambs and calves are be-
yond he threat of coccidiosis and
shipping fever troubles. Washy
feeds such as beet tops, real greer
leafy alfalfa hay, and green alfalfa
stubb1e as forageS, or barley
wheat, and screenings as the con
centrate are troublesome in this
three week period because of lax
alive qualities, coupled with
tendency to engorge because o.
palatability. Additions of calves
or lambs to an already started
group should not be made directly
Keep them separated for at leas
two weeks to make adjustments
More important, if disease doe
break out in these new additions
a complete feedlot exposure is no
so probable. Disease ORGANISMS ge
"hotter'' or more virulent as the.
pass from one animal to another
Always isolate sick animals.
If in doubt as to your diseas
prevention practices, it would b
a good idea for you to consult wit
YOUR veterinarian. Also, if a los
should occur, get in touch wit
YOUR veterinarian at once as the,
are trained to handle the situation
land know what preparations ar
doing the best in the local area.
| Shipping Fever
Shipping fever is diseas
that is probably the biggest worn
for the cattle feeder. First observ
ed in the case of shipping fevel
according to DR.. I. A. Schippe,
| NDAC veterinarian, is a rum
nose. watery eyes, and the anims
going off feed. This usual
happens a week or ten DAYS afte
you bring the animals into tn
| feedlot.
DR.. Schipper says that no on
measure will prevent this diseas
every time. Antibiotics and trar
ouiliZers have been used as pr'
ventive measures. Antibiotics haN
been generally used with excel
ent success bv our local v~eterina'
ians in preventing this disease.
is a general practice for all calv'
no be given a shot before they al
placed in a feedlot.
Also. don't forget good manag,
ment and careful handling
mentioned before because they a
most important as far as preve,
ton of shipping fever, as well
other feedlot diseases.
Fire Protection Important
How are you fixed for fire e.
tinguishers in your home al
other buildings? A few extinguis
ers placed at key points may me;
a difference between a little bla
and a big destructive one. But
choosing extinguishers be sure
get the right kind for the kind
fire you may have to use 1t c
Water is most effective for orr
nary combustibles such as wo
and paper, while a dry chemical