Straight From The Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County January 22, 2010 Edition I started talking in last weeks column about what I think is going to be a real challenge for us in the upcoming weeks and maybe months. It is a three letter word that I would imagine will eventually bring out some 4 letter words when it is all said and done. That word is mud! I think we will continue on that topic this week. I spent most of the column last week talking about the effects on nutrition. That is indeed important, however there are other considerations. In addition to the effects of this weather on nutrient availability, mud can affect feeding behavior. Let’s see how. The use of temporary feeding sites during winter and early spring months to supply feed and/or water to livestock is a common management practice with livestock producers. It is also common to have a lot or small pasture designated as a “calving area”. When selecting a location, producers need to be aware of the impacts of these sites on both environmental and animal performance. The growth performance of animals can be greatly affected if sites are improperly selected and managed. Lots and feeding areas can turn into muddy areas very rapidly after moisture events with high animal activity. Muddy areas create a suction effect on the legs and hooves of cattle. This makes it hard for cattle to move around feeders, and they stand still instead. Four to 8 inches of mud can decrease intake by 4 to 8% and slow gains by 14%. Belly-deep mud can reduce intake by 30%. It is extremely important to control mud accumulation so that it does not affect feeding behavior. It may also be tempting to skip some feedings because of challenges with muddy feed storage and feeding areas. For cattle on limit-fed rations, where they are hand fed daily, skipping feedings could lead to digestive upset when feeds are reintroduced to cattle. Skipped feedings also mean less total intake of these rations over time, which will lower performance of fat cattle, stocker feeders and even cow/calf herds which could effect calving. If cattle are in the stalk fields, producers should be also cognizant of potential damage from cattle hooves is particularly noticeable during muddy periods. Normally cattle on fields don’t create enough problems on stalks to be concerned about, but these conditions may warrant some thought. The same goes for any grassland or “sacrifice area” that may be utilized to hold the cattle. Trampling creates even muddier conditions and of course damage is often worst in areas where cattle loaf or congregate such as windbreak or near water and feeding areas. If this is the case, then I suggest that then when feeding hay, that producers should start towards the back of the area and work towards the front to keep mud from blocking area access. Also consider moving your feeding area and especially the bale feeder rings. New feeding area helps spread out the problem rather than intensify it. Pasture or lot damage expands to new areas each time your hay or feeding areas are moved. Although pasture, lot, and field damage is largely unavoidable during very wet periods, use of feeding pads, lanes for moving cattle, and rotation of sites, all can help limit this damage and potential pit falls. You may also want to consider what you are going to do for calving season. Some producers have started, but most calving is still ahead of us. This particular time frame always provides some challenges each year and this year we may have those challenges intensified. Most southern Nebraska cow herds calve during the mid winter – early spring time frame. It is important to watch for calves being born in remaining snow drifts and yes of course those mud holes. If temperatures drop during wet conditions, calves are at increased risk for hypothermia and it does not take long for a calf to perish. You may want to line up a calf “hot box” or some provision for warming any calves in this dilemma. Providing calving areas that are relatively dry, free from manure build-up, and with windbreaks if at all possible, and most importantly- some dry bedding like wheat straw. In isolated instances, calves may become trapped or even trampled into mud, especially around big round bale feeder rings. Close observation of cattle is critical to identify these situations. One of the biggest things that I worry about is that muddy areas with heavy manure concentrations often have heavy loads of disease causing organisms such as bacteria. Instances of calf scours, naval ill, and foot rot can be increased during these conditions. Consult a veterinarian for advice on disease prevention and treatment. Be sure to treat calf navals at birth with an iodine solution and watch closely for signs of infection. Treat sick calves promptly and keep colostrum on hand. I have also seen cattle drink from muddy pools of surface water that harbor infectious pathogens. To try to keep this from happening with temporary fencing that will keep cattle out of low-lying areas. Provide fresh, clean water supplies to cattle at all times. Extreme cases, where temporary fencing and intensive rotation are necessary, may require additional water sources. Consider using a tank truck or temporary water lines. Good clean water is essential for animal health. Calves from spring-calving herds usually have been weaned and many are still in lots. Stress from excessively cold and wet/muddy conditions adds to the challenges that calves face at weaning. Calf health and performance can be affected by this. If you haven’t weaned yet, be sure to use low-stress weaning methods. With early weaned or just weaned calves it is always important to use appropriate vaccination and parasite control strategies, and high-quality feeds and forages for weaned calves. To protect cattle health and ensure acceptable performance, observe cattle closely and take needed steps to improve the production environment during excessively cold, wet and muddy conditions. The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home