JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Kansas Cattlemen’s Association (KCA), in partnership with Merck Animal Health, hosted a regional cattlemen’s meeting in South Hutchinson on the evening of May 9th to discuss industry topics. The meeting took place at Central Livestock. David Worrell of Merck Animal Health discussed Implants & Strategic Deworming Programs. Craig Kerbs of New Generation Supplements (SmartLic) provided detailed information on Maximizing Profit Centers in Beef Cattle Production.
The meeting began with an overview of KCA and policy positions with the CEO of KCA, Tyler Dupy. He touched on how KCA’s focus within the Beef industry is geared toward the interests of independent cattle production. He also spoke about alternative meat programs including vegetable-based products and cultured meats as well as up-to-date legislative information.
David Worrell, Merck Animal Health, spoke about herd health, strategic deworming programs, implants and the overall value of an implant program. A critical element regarding deworming is timing. In order to understand the efficacy of a deworming program, Worrell stressed the importance of consistency and testing. Pain relief and control using transdermal pour-on was presented. Stressing relevant pain relief and improved turn-around times on sick cattle from BRD (Bovine Respiratory Disease) to foot rot. Encouraging continued grazing and consumption during illness with the use of transdermal pour-on pain relief significantly improves survival. He then discussed implant technologies and the impact they play in return on investment. Outlining an implant strategy across a herd was discussed with an emphasis on implanting heifers whose fates were unknown. Ultimately providing for faster net gains in the event the heifer was sold across the scale and not held as a replacement. Properly implanting stocker cattle, suckling calves, and the best implants for steers versus heifers were also discussed. Additionally, Worrell explained how using an implant like Ralgro contributes to sustainable beef production by improving gains without using or stressing additional natural resources.
Craig Kerbs provided a presentation on maximizing profit centers in beef cattle productions through mineral supplement regimens. He outlined the key attributes of a healthy herd with a solid mineral regimen; animal competition and preference, forage enhancement, reproduction efficiency, gain on pasture and overall animal health. Kerbs stressed the importance of mineral supplementation for cattle on grass as well as silage and hay. He explained because cattle cannot store magnesium and often find minerals unpalatable in cool season grass grazing, cereal grains (distillers) and cheat grass that using mineral tubs is imperative to maintaining optimal reproduction, gain, and overall herd health. Kerbs then discussed the destructive Horn Fly and how the use of mineral supplement tubs with fly control sharply reduces the incidence of fly-related reproduction issues such as mastitis and staph infection in heifers and cows as well as the huge increase in overall gain during warm grazing season.
Sponsors of the meeting included: Merck Animal Health, Central Livestock, Rawhide Portable Corral, Inc., Redinger Agency Inc., State Auto Farm and Ranch Insurance, Ehling Custom Mills, Inc., SmartLic Supplements, High Plains Farm Credit, PrairieLand Partners, Central Prairie Co-op, KFSA Insurance Agency, Kauffman Seeds, Inc. of Haven, and Liquid+ Feeds.
— Kansas Cattlemen’s Association
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