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Tips For Processing Calves This Spring

 
Spring time means many farmers and ranchers are processing their calves.
 
Beef Production Specialist with the Alberta Beef Producers, Karin Schmid, says using pain control products like Metacam, which is an injectable form of Meloxicam, has become more popular.
 
Schmid says, a lot of pain control products require running the calves through the chute to administer the drug before the processing work is done, but there's trade offs.
 
"To get the best effect would require a double run through, but that also increases stress on the animals, so most of the vets actually recommend just doing it at the time of procedure and then you won't necessarily get the benefit of reducing that acute pain right when the procedure happens, but you'll get the carry over effect after processing."
 
She says producers using pain control products when processing have reported the work takes less time and the calves mother up faster.
 
Schmid adds there's no scientific research that supports applying aloe vera gel to brands, but since a brand is a burn, it doesn't hurt to apply the gel.
 
There's also some research being done looking into a topical pain control product to apply to brands, Schmid says.
 
In regards to low stress cattle handling techniques when processing, Schmid says, it depends on your set up.
 
"If you're roping, you want to make sure you've got good skilled ropers and that the calves are getting caught by both heels, and that the branding pits aren't too far away, because you don't want to drag the calves too far when they're roped. If you're working with a calf cradle or calf table, it's important to keep the animal calm as you're moving them through and make sure the alleys aren't too crowded."
 
Source : Steinbachonline

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