School is back and summer is nearly gone… It was a good summer with mostly adequate rainfall, and a moderate fly population. If only everyone could have had control of the humidity to help dry down the hay crop better!! Other than that the grass is green, the cattle are fat, and its almost time to start another big season getting crops harvested and calves backgrounded. Speaking of backgrounding calves, it’s a good time to start thinking about your plans this fall getting calves off to a good start. Purina strives to be the leader in research and development of products to do just that! As every feedyard should know it’s a fact that when cattle are given a good start in the backgrounding phase, it pays off for the rest of the life of the animal.
Building better cattle through nutrition is a lifetime event starting from the genetics/breeding side of things to the finishing or in replacement heifers, the reproduction phase. Spring born calves are healthy and gaining weight, then all of the sudden STRESS! Weaning, Shipping, Comingling, Diet Change, Processing, Weather changes, and disease all get thrown at those calves with a short period of time.
The Question comes, when will disease hit? And where will nutrition fit?
Typically, disease outbreaks in backgrounding calves from day 0-14 after arrival. Where does nutrition fit? Calves are most vulnerable during the first 45 days on feed due to disease exposure, stress-induced immunosuppression, and nutrition deficiencies. Good nutrition improves disease resistance by reducing stress, providing essential nutrients, and activating the immune system. How can we accomplish good nutrition? Early Intakes rebuild rumen population of microorganisms that digest feed, improve ADG, and improve health.
So why is nutrition important?
- Stimulated Intake- 2.5-3% of Body Weight in 7-10 days
- Rumen Function Improvement- improved microbial protein production, rumen fermentation.
- Disease Resistance- Greater disease resistance- improved vaccine/antibiotic response
- Enhanced Performance- Better feed efficiency, better gain!!
What products/additives can you use to achieve better nutrition?
RX3- Immune support technology (Prebiotics, Postbiotics, and plant extracts)
- Influences the innate immune system so calves can – Recognize disease sooner, Respond more appropriately, and recover more quickly.
- Improved Visual Scores, Reduced Cortisol Levels, Reduced Glucose Demands
Diamond V XPC- Postbiotic microbial fermentate yeast products.
- Postbiotics work naturally* with the biology of the animal to help maintain immune strength, support digestive tissue integrity, and promote a healthy microbial balance.
Availa 4- High quality Specific Trace Mineral Complexes (Zn, Cu, Mn, Co)
- Improves ADG
- Decreased Morbidity (sick calves) and Decreased Mortality (death loss)
Purina utilizes all of these additives in our cattle starting programs. These programs include:
Accuration Starter Complete- Starter feed including forage for use with creep feeders
Precon Starter Complete- Starter Feed for hand feeding in bunks
Stress Care- Starter Feed for using customers own forage through feeder wagons
Stress Tubs are recommended for any and all starter programs!!
For more information on any of our other feed products, contact us at:
- Premier Ag Main Office – (605) 842-3619
- Avery Davis – (605) 610-7721
Purina Livestock Production Specialist