search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • OCTOBER 2019 Joint initiatives a


priority for feeders Safety, calf health discussed by TOM WALKER


CACHE CREEK—The annual general meeting of the BC Association of Cattle Feeders was held at the Bonaparte Ridge Golf Club in Cache Creek on September 6. Members enjoyed nine holes of golf before settling down to the business meeting, a steak barbecue and presentations. BCACF executive director


Andrea van Iterson welcomed 25 members and guests and outlined some of the ex-officio representation that the BCACF has on BC Cattlemen’s Association committees. “We are grateful that


Cattlemen’s has given us an opportunity to work with them as we have many cross- industry issues that affect us just as much as them,” says van Iterson. BCACF is an active member of a steering committee looking at developing the placement of livestock emergency response trailers across the province to respond to situations such as liner rollovers or wildfire evacuations. “We have a commitment


from the [BC] Ministry of Agriculture and hopefully will have the first trailer in place by the end of the year in the Cranbrook/Jaspray area,” notes van Iterson. The objective is to have a


unit available for a variety of situations and commodities. “BC Pork is very interested


in this, as is the Horse Council of BC,” says van Iterson. “The multi-industry goal was part of the reason for our support from the Ministry of Agriculture.” Van Iterson also shared a


two-page outline of a protocol for dealing with protestors from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. “This is a good place to get a base of information, but we are hoping to organize an education day later in the fall to discuss how to respond to protestors,” she says. The first speaker of the


• BEEF • VEAL • BISON • LAMB • GOAT • DEER


evening was veterinarian Brian Warr, manager of cattle veterinary services for Zoetis Inc. “The first couple of weeks


in the feedlot pose a greater risk to a calf’s health than any other time in their life,” Warr told BCACF members. Warr’s presentation took members through some steps to reduce the risks to a calf’s health. “When your calves arrive at


your feedlot, you should group them into risk categories and design a health management program based on the perceived health outcome,” he says. Bovine Respiratory Disease


(BRD) is the greatest risk to cattle in feedlots, and Warr says feedlot operators need to look at a combination of factors to determine which calves are most vulnerable. Factors putting calves at risk of developing BRD include body weight on arrival, the amount of co-mingling with non-herdmates they are required to do in the feed pen, the distance they have travelled, when they were weaned, their sex and procurement method. “It’s hard to find auction cattle that aren’t high-risk,” says Warr.


The goal is overall animal


health. “You want to minimize the incidence and costs associated with BRD in order to maximize feedlot performance and carcass value,” he says. Warr says feedlots should


focus on the stressors they can control. “The arrival protocol is the first opportunity you have to manage an animal’s health,” he explains. “And that includes low-risk handling such as advocated by Kurt Pate and others.” High-risk animals should be


processed first, with workers using a checklist to make sure all steps are taken to enhance calves’ health and well-being. The arrival protocol might involve administering an


25


Best of the best


Tlell 601C Fullback ET 9F, led by Don Richardson of Tlell, was judge Scott Severtson’s supreme champion bull at the Lakes District Fall Fair in Burns Lake, September 7. The fair was cancelled last year due to wildfires in the area but was back in full operation this September with all the usual attractions including a well-supported beef show. Richardson Ranch wrapped up their 10th annual online sale last month. High seller was a yearling bred heifer, lot 8, Tlell 501C Felicity 15F, who sold to Arden and Colleen Voth of Vanderhoof for $4,000.00. SUBMITTED PHOTO


antimicrobial, a respiratory vaccine, a clostridial vaccine, parasite control as well as hormone implants to increase weight gain. Gender management is a consideration, too. An antimicrobial is the best


option for protecting high-risk calves from BRD, but there are numerous alternatives. Selecting the right defense strategy will depend on a cost-benefit analysis. A less


expensive treatment that isn’t as successful could end up being more expensive than if an effective but more expensive drug is used in the first place. “You need to look at total health costs,” says Warr. “There is the drug cost to retreat [an animal] but also the labour involved with retreating and the possible cost of a mortality if the drug is not successful.”


Zoetis hopes that operators


will make an evidence-based medical decision, with Warr putting in a good word for Draxxin, a Zoetis product. A literature review showed that Draxxin had the highest success rate at treating BRD, giving Warr confidence in his company’s offering. “At Zoetis, we believe Draxxin can provide you with the payback you need,” he says.


MEADOW VALLEY MEATS PROVINCIALLY INSPECTED ABATTOIR BC#34


CUSTOM SLAUGHTER SERVICES PROVIDED Serving the Community Together


WANTED: ALL SIZES MARKET GOATS & LAMBS 18315 FORD ROAD PITT MEADOWS, BC V3Y 1Z1


ashiq@meadowvalleymeats.com 604/465-4752 (ext 105) fax 604/465-4744


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48