ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE April 2022 23 animals are on the same ranch but are from different pastures, producers need to consider a commingling strategy. 4. Unfamiliar diets Going from their mothers’ milk to feed might feel like a stark transition to some calves. The tips later in this article explain how to get calves to the bunk and help them transition to a new, healthy, nutrient-dense diet. THE EFFECT OF STRESS ON PRODUCTION Stress can have consequences on production, including: • Impaired growth. Stress causes muscle breakdown and can slow the growth of your cattle. • Suppression of immune functions, which can lead to a decreased ability to resist infection and an increased susceptibility to getting sick. • Altered behavior, like reduced feed intake. A wholistic view of beef production is necessary to identify where leverage points exist within the production system. Recognizing leverage points allows for a more effective application of management practices to minimize stress and improve performance. In beef production, the most effective approach to minimizing stress is a preventative one. Implement practices that will help you foster and maintain a resilient herd. Resilient calves are going to be able to handle the periods of stress that are inherent within the beef system. The key to building resilient calves is implementing proactive management practices. TIPS TO MANAGE STRESS Outlined below are five easy and practical management tips that will help you produce resilient cattle. 1. Vaccinate prior to shipping Work with your veterinarian to establish a vaccination program prior to your animals being commingled and shipped. A vaccination program is essential to building a healthy immune system prior to animals being exposed to novel pathogens in a new place and when surrounded by other animals. 2. Castrate animals as early as possible Castration is a stressful but generally necessary management practice. Research has shown that animals experience less stress when they are castrated at a younger age. Some producers will castrate at birth, when they tag or maybe when they take cattle out to grass. Whatever fits into your management schedule, getting your animals castrated early will
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