Chondro calves coming

[irishtx23]

Hello all,

I am excited to share that our two little girls, Shona and Alana, should be calving this month. This will be our first chondro Mamas to calf. I have learned a lot in the past few years with a several ups and downs. Losing a few calves along the way I resist the temptation to "overfeed" our Mama girls. I truly believe it was why I needed to help Clar with a huge bull calf. I have also not perfected the AI breeding as they did not take. So, these calves are "pasture bred"{:> I admit to being a bit nervous with our little girls being small, their first calves and my past experiences. I am more comfortable sharing my concerns here than FB where there are many opinions. If you have any suggestions of what I should be doing for them please share. For now, the girls are getting all the best quality hay they can eat, clean water and exercise. I am also trilled to share the training we did to take them to the Irish Festival last year was not forgotten. They are still the cutest, sweetest, well behaved little ladies I could have ever asked for{:>

Angie in Texas

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[dexterfarm]

How far out are they? Not much to do but keep an eye on them. Are they on good minerals? You mention they are getting the best hay. What kind of hay? Alfalfa is very high in protein and could cause the same issue with over weight as grain if they were getting to much. It also has small amounts of estrogen in it.

[genebo]

I second the good minerals suggestion.

I've had lots of trouble free years of natural calving by supplying the proper minerals, good grass and hay, and enough feed to provide a basis for getting them to eat the ninerals and come to the feed bunker every morning.

That is my best time with the Dexters. While everybody is chowing down I am running my hands all over them, looking for anything of interest. I'm also "socializing" them to interaction with humans.

I have an established herd with good manners and the calves would grow up just fine without my help, but all that I do to make them even easier to handle comes in handy when it's time to show them off, have them vet inspected and tattooed or load them into a trailer.

The only reason for concern is if your pasture bull throws large calves. Do you know what any of his previous calves weighed. Do you know how much he weighed at birth?

Please tell me that he is non-chondro.

[irishtx23]

Thank you for the responses. Two years ago, we drove up to Arkansas and purchased three Mamas and their calves from Samuel Headings. They are from the Rainbow Hill lines and our bull has been tested and is Non-Chondro. It was a wonderful surprise that two of the calves (girls) were Chondro. We test all of our cattle through Legacy so we are comfortable there is not a Chondro concern.

The subject of minerals did peak my interest. We have found a supplier of Kelp and give it occasionally when our cattle is up. What other minerals do you suggest? We also have horses and here the best hay we can get is Coastal Bermuda. We do not give our Dexters Alfafa. We do have it for a few horses and are careful as the issue of Blister Beetle is a concern so we again look for the best quality. All of our cattle have forty plus acres of pasture. We do not put chemicals on it but it was a well established Coastal Bermuda area before we purchased ten years ago. We do mow the weeds and cross fence to cut down on parasites.

I can see a wee bit of grain in order of getting them to eat they minerals. What are your suggestions for grain products and minerals? I do appreciate your responses as we are trying to learn more and have a healthy herd of happy Dexters.

Angie

[genebo]

There are a lot of loose mineral mixes on the market, some of them very pricey. Yet they need to have the minerals that are deficient in your area in order to do your cattle the best job. Your agricultural extension agent (County Agent) can give you a good idea of what minerals you should be feeding in your area. Then you have to read the labes of the available minerals to pick the one best suited for you.

Some areas are lucky, in that a local feed store will have a custom formulation made up for your area. Ask at the feed stores.

Selenium is one of the most critical minerals, but has differing needs for diferent areas. Many areas are low is selenium, but a few are high. Almost all of the minerals formulted for national sale do no include selenium, because in high levels it is toxic.

Search for a selenium map and locate your area to see if you are in a high or low area. Use this as a guide.

The reason I'm dwelling on selenium is that it is vital to proper functioning of the female reproductive system. Seleniumn deficiency can cause the uterine walls to be tough and hard to stretch. The calf is cramped during gestation and may have trouble getting into position for birth. The toughened walls make her contractions less effective. It's a recipe for a difficult birth.

It goes further than that. Selenium deficiency in the calf can cause "white muscle disease". That's a condition where the muscles are weak. The legs are rubbery and the calf has trouble standing. Some owners in low selenium areas automatically give the calf a shot of BoSe. The cow may benefit from the same.

Calcium and copper are two other minerals to monitor. You can have soil tests done to determine the level of all the critical minerlas by your County Agent. It's usually free for livestock farms. Make friends with your County Agent and get him involved. The state pays him to do just that. He can be a good source of information on a lot of subjects.

[dexterfarm]

Important not to make any sudden changes  in minerals. They can really overdo it when introduced to something new. We are using right now bronze. they make different formulas for different time of the year but we use the bronze year round. I put it out daily to prevent waist. I feed in those flexible rubber pans. I try to give enough so they dont completely clean up the pan everyday. Some days they lick the pan clean and some days they leave a little in the corners. If the pan is cleaned every single day then I am not giving enough. No extra salt just what is in the mineral should cause them to self regulate. If I miss a day like if it is raining then for several days after they will consume more but I dont increase the amounts until they have stabilized on the intake. I am currently giving a 64 fluid ounce container daily to 45 head.
www.cargill.com/animal-nutrition/beef/right-now