D2O-Lancaster Farming Saturday, December 8,1990 Livestock Notes 1 Profitability Traits in Feedlot Steers A recent report from the University of Missouri identifies several animal and economic variables that influence profi tability for feedlot steers. The trial used data accumulated over five years in a feedlot program. Animal data included average daily gain, starting weight, frame size, final weight, feed conversion quality grade, internal carcass fat, dressing percentage and total feed intake. Economic data includes initial steer value, feed cost per head, and lot cost per head. Veterinary, marketing, and fixed costs were assumed to be the same for all animals. Variables that correlated well with profit (total carcass value minus all costs) were not usually associated with the animal. The highest correlations with profits were initial (-.47) and quality grade (.40). Those with lower relation ships were feed conversions (-.25) and starting weight (-.23). It is also important to note that frame size was nega tively associated with profitability; that is, as frame size increased, profits went down. In fact, this relationship was almost the same as that between average daily gain and profits. Feedlot programs will often tell you the key to success in feeding cattle is to buy them as cheaply as you can and feed them until they grade Choice. This study certainly confirms that statement. Effects of Restricted Nutrition in Mid-Gestation An Ohio State study shows there will be no difference in reproductive performance after calving of heifers that had a restricted diet during mid-gestation. Crossbred heifers were divided into two groups with one group receiving sufficient feed to gain I'A lbs. per day from 56 days after breeding through gestation, and the other group restricted to .2 lbs. of gain from day 56 to day 188 gestation. This would be rough ly the same as heavy reductions in feed intake during mid winter for spring-calving heifers. There was no difference in birth weight, calving ease score, or conception rate between the two groups. This in itself would indicate there would be no problem with this kind of feed restriction in mid-winter, but other factors must be considered. For instance, the restricted group weighed about 270 lbs. less at calving, and they gained about 88 lbs. more to weaning. Also, this weight gain in the heifers was at the expense of calf weaning weight with the calves from restricted group weighing almost 60 lbs. less. There appear to be a couple of factors at work here. The increasing plane of nutrition of the restricted group after 188 days of gestation would help to explain why there was no difference in reproductive rate between the groups. This result has been shown before with beef cattle. However, with a young heifer that is still growing, that increase in feed appears to be partitioned into growth, rather than into milk production and calf growth. The trade-off of lower winter feed bills may not be justified. Manage Control for Sows Winter will soon be here, and with it the annual mange outbreak in many sow herds around the state. For producers with a treatment program, the outbreak won’t be very bad and might not occur at all*. For those who don’t treat their sows, the situation will probably be a lot worse. Mange is caused by a mite that burrows under the skin, causing itching and rcsUcssncss in the pig. Sows should be treated before entering the farrowing house to eliminate the risk of infecting baby pigs. What docs mange cost m lost performance? Studies have shown that pigs from mange-infested herds weigh about a pound less at weaning and lake 5-7 more days to reach mark et weight. In addition, whole herd feed efficiency can drop as much as 10 percent. The number of bom alive can also drop by as much as .6 pigs per litter. Under field conditions this adds up to an annual cost of nearly $BO per sow. Let’s look at some compounds used to control mange: Permectrin, Ecliban- No age restriction, 5 day withdraw al, high pressure application required, 2 applications neces sary (7-10 days apart), SlB-537 for 50 gal. (treats at least 100 Pigs). Prolate- Pigs must be over 3 months of age, 1 day with drawal, high pressure application required, 2 applications necessary (7-10 days apart), $23 for 50 gal. (treats at least 100 pigs). Taktic- No age restriction, 1 day withdrawal, partially sys temic (absorbed through skin into the bloodstream), low pressure application OK, 2 applications necessary (7-10 days apart), $33 for 50 gallons. Ivomec- No age restriction, 18 days withdrawal, must be injected under the skin, single application enough if no further exposure, also controls internal parasites, $.BO per 100 lb. ($32 for 40 pigs). Mange can be expensive of not controlled in the sow herd. There are several compounds on the market that, when used properly, do a good job of controlling mange. The best con trol program includes treating the sows before farrowing and treating the pigs sometime after weaning. If you maintain that schedule and the mange problem in your facility is not too bad, treatment of pigs over 100 pounds is usually not Gestation Feeding Level Doesn’t Affect Reproduction Researchers at South Dakota State University fed cither 4 or 6 pounds of feeds to Large White x Landracc gills during gestation. Gilts on the higher feeding level gained more weight during gestation, but lost more weight during lacta tion. Sows on the lower feeding level consumed 48 pounds more feed during lactation. Feeding level had no effect on number bom live, number weaned, litter weight at weaning or days to return to estrus. Based on the conditions of this study, there is no advantage for feeding gilts more than 4 pounds of feed during gestation. Meat and Bone Meal Processing Kills PRV Researchers at lowa State University recently concluded for the results of six experiments that the normal heating process for meat and bone kills pseudorabies vims (PVR). Experiment 1: Pigs were infected with PVR and killed five days later. The carcasses were then subjected to the nor- Composting Under YORK (York Co.) Yard waste composting is the subject of two evening meetings being spon sored by Penn State Cooperative Extension of Franklin County on December 12 and 13. The training sessions will start at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. in the County Admi nistration Building, 191 Franklin Farms Lane, Chambersburg. There is no fee to attend. The first session, on December 12, will be oriented to homeow ners, gardeners and those intend- Your Full-Service John Deere Dealers ADAMSTOWN EQUIPMENT INC. Mohnton, PA (near Adamttown) 215-484-4391 JS. a SS" M rawSrajA. HJI. GUTSHALL. S Hi4^ b 7.BHHi A EQUIPMENT Wattoniown, PA SONS. INC. 814-257-8881 NMdmor., PA 717-538-3557 C.rtl. . PA 717-573-2215 . 717 249 2313 $$ ing to backyard compost for the first time. The com'posting pro cess, materials, backyard com posting techniques and health con siderations will be among the top ics discussed. Included in the program will be Clarence Har baugh of Rouzerville, founder of the Franklin County Organic Gar den Club. Large-scale composting of yardwaste will be the subject of the second session on December 13. This session will be oriented to ENFIELD supSTJk auOSTOH Aa B SSSSm t SUPPLY, INC. & TURF, INC. 301-452-5252 “Si Ch.mb.r.buffl. PA 717-836-4011 717-263-4103 CARLYLE & MARTIN, INC. Hagerstown, MD 301-733-1873 Great John Deere tractor deals plus... hay and tillage tools Buy a John Deere 55 Series, 105- to 200-hp tractor now, and you’ll earn extra savings on new John Deere hay or tillage tools. And that’s just for starters... • Ask about FREE tractor demonstration • NO finance charges until March 1, 1991, or special low-rate financing, or cash discount • FREE 5-year Customer Protection Plan for your new tractor mal rendering process. Immediately after the hog carcasses were rendered, researched processed a group of uninfected cattle carcasses through the same plant. After rendering, samples from both the hog and cattle tissue tested negative to PRV. Experiment 2,3 & 4: Tissue samples taken during the rendering procedure showed the virus was killed early in the process. The 165°F temperatures apparently inactivated the PRV in as little as 10 minutes. Experiment 5: Researchers contaminated processed meat and bone meal with PRV. Because of the dry nature of the meat and bone meal product, the virus remained viable for only four days. Experiment 6: Twelve lots of the finished meat and bone meal product were monitored over a three month period. None tested positive to PRV. The normal heating process quickly destroys the pseudo rabies virus. Even when clean meat and bone meal is conta minated with live virus, the dry nature of the product inacti vates the virus within four days. Study At Meeting municipalities, gardening centers, farmers and those intending to compost large amounts of yard waste. Yardwaste management options, DER guidelines, site operations, land applications and marketing will be among the top ics discussed. Joe Sieber, Franklin County recycling coordinator, will be at this session to discuss DER grants for composting and the County Municipal Waste Man agement Plan. EVERGREEN TRACTOR CO., INC. Uabanon, PA 717-272-4641 A.B.C. GROFF, INC. Now Holland, PA 717-354-4191 ROBERT G. HAMPTON, INC Shiloh, NJ 609-451-9520 I.G. SALES Silvordalo, PA 215-257-5136
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers