CIO-Lancasttr Farming, Saturday, March 13 1993 Livestock Notes | The Calving Kit John Comerford Penn State Beef Specialist Calves will be hitting the ground soon in most beef herds and it’s time to review the 10 con tents of any calving kit. 1. A record book. Not to be overlooked, we have to think further ahead and be sure there is an accurate calving record for each cow. This is essential infor mation for all performance prog rams, and provides the breeder with valuable details about the success of the nutrition and breed ing program for the heard. 2. Portable scales. Recording of actual birth weights has become important information for purebred producers in merchan dising their cattle and participat ing in their breed’s performance programs. It can also give the commercial breeder insight into the selection of bulls for breeding to specific cows in the herd for next year. 3. Obstetrical chains. Any body who breeds cattle has to pull a calf on occasion. 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When asked when a calf should be pulled, I usually answer that 1 have not seen very many pulled too early, but I have seen several pulled too late. Remem ber; keep them clean and pull a calf down between the cow’s hocks while rotating it through the pelvis. Pull only when cow pushes. 4. Implants. Volumes of research has shown the value of implanting calves at birth, particu larly steer calves. Remember: do not ever implant a bull calf that may be used for breeding and be sure the implant you have is cleared for use in newborn calves. 5. Ear tags. There will never be an easier time for both you and calf to tag it than when you find it. If for no other reason, they sure are easier to catch! 6. A knife or heavy scissors. For bull calves that are destined to be steers, the least amount of stress in castration will be at a younger age. You can successful ly castrate a calf at birth with a QUALITY LLAMAS for sale. Excellent health, conformation and personalities. QUALITY SERVICE includes; Reproductive guarantees Stud service Info/resource assitance Transportation available j r.*° 45*883 *** 1 little knowledge of testicular tissue. Be sure to use a spray anti septic that is sprayed directly into the wound. 7. lodine? There is a question mark because some vets tell us that if the navel is not dipped before the calf ever hits the ground, it will probably be too ' late. However, it sure won’t hurt to dip the navel as soon as the calf is found. 8. A hammer and nails. This is used to nail the bam door shut dur ing calving. The best calving pas tures are those wooded areas on a south slope with good drainage. One of the best medicines to pre vent calf scours is sunshine. Lar ger areas are preferable to small lots for calving because the animal concentration contributes to disease. 9. Esophageal feeder/ Gatorade/com syrup/scour bol uses. For the guy who did not nail the bam door shut. The first thing that has to happen after the calf is bom is to get some colostrum in it. If scours do occur, mix some Gatorade with 'A cup of com syr up in 2 quarts of warm water and feed the calf twice a day with the mix. There are a lot of commercial products out there that also do a fine job, including synthetic colo strum. Early attention to the calf will decrease losses from scours. 10. A thermos of coffee or tea GIGANTIC SELECTION In Lancaster Farming's CLASSIFIEDS ADC Meets Farmers’ Needs More Than $129 Million in Extra Payments "At Atlantic Dairy Cooperative, our mission is to maximize returns to members. In the past six years, we returned more than $129 million to members in equity payments, over-order premiums and quality bonuses. That’s an average of $36,600 per member. And these extra dollars are continuing at the rate of $1.7 million a month. "When non-members ask me why they should belong to Atlantic Dairy Cooperative, I am happy to report that we are financially healthy, strong in membership and growing in sales. ADC is the region’s largest and most fiscally-sound cooperative, with a guaranteed market and outstanding benefits. "More dairy farmers joined us last year than at any time in the past decade. If you are not an ADC shipper and are worried about your own milk market, then you should talk to the cooperative that is facing the future with confidence.” AUKte Dghy Cotyumve The most important economic fac tor in the cow-calf business is the production of a live calf. First-calf heifers are usually checked every 2-3 hours during calving season, and older cows about four times nightly. When a cow needs your assistance, she usually needs it now. Failure to provide timely assis tance can cause the loss of both the cow and the calf. Try feeding late in the evening (after 7 p.m.) and you will have many more calves bom during the daylight hours. What is. Farmer’s Lung Disease? During winter, many farmers work in buildings that may not have adequate ventilation. They may be placing themselves at risk for serious respiratory problems. Among the mote severe respir atory conditions is farmer’s lung disease. Yet the disease is often misunderstood by farmers and diagnosed by medical personnel. The following information, adapted from the UC Agricultural Health and Safety Center News, Feeders Available Also 10' Bunk Feeders • Round Bale Feeders • Gravity Feeders with Running Gear Minimum Order Total 50 pieces • Freight t Tax Extra Where Aphcable Call Dave or Linda Brewer 215-7,59-3340 For Puces and Information r Edgewood Valley Farms> 271-B Knuss Rd, Nazareth, Pa. 18064 Atlantic Dairy Cooperative 1225 Industrial Highway, Southampton, PA 18966 answers questions about this chronic health problem. Farmer’s lung disease is a respiratory illness that may deve lop in agricultural workers who inhale dust containing bacterial or fungal proteins. Typically it occurs in ranchers or farmers who handle silage or compost in a con fined space. Symptoms include chest tightness, fever, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath and sometimes dry cough. Symp toms may develop slowly, several hours after exposure. In the absence of repeated exposure, the symptoms often disappear. Con tinued exposure can cause loss of normal respiratory function and permanent damage. The key to preventing farmer’s lung disease is to avoid prolonged work with silage or compost in unventilated areas. If that’s not feasible, wear personal protective equipment. The minimum respir atory protection would be a toxic dust mask that prevents inhalation of organic particulates. If you develop symptoms, seek medical attention. Create tnoae Roane P«n«, Arenas, Catch Pena or work Chutes, Out of Easy to Msembte Original z- Panola Z-Bf«C*Q»t«*, HMd OilM, SqwMa»ChuUw, Work ■ AS two Inch hswvy doty pfp* • Throa weight* lo chooaa from •Numarouatanglh* • i’hlgh tor*d