WOOSTER, Ohio A little motherly love goes a long way when it comes to keeping beef calves healthy. Two Ohio State University re searchers have found that the performance and health of newly arrived feedlot calves im proved when they were allowed to interact with adult cows, rather than being isolated. Although the four-year study showed some inconsistencies, the results could be a marketing strategy for producers willing to try a new technique. “It’s a challenge for the in dustry to keep calves healthy in feedlots. They don’t grow as well if they don’t eat or they get sick,” said Steve Loerch, Ohio Agricultural Research and De velopment Center researcher. Loerch and OARDC researcher Francis Fluharty, conducted the study. “It costs the beef industry -/re HEATERS ■*** A, The Purafire heater provides a consistent, cleanburning and fuel efficient source of warmth for all types of poultry and swine houses. 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Lets you group hutches HHsS side-by-side for easy feeding and service JB WreS Comes with two large pails, inside pail holder and eyebolts for lifting Rainproof jidge top ventilators keeps calves dry and comfortable v ■m/00/nn Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 to 5:30 10/28/00 Sat 7:30 to Noon Farmer Boy Ag Systems as inc. 2E 4lO East Lincoln Avenue* Myerstown, PA 17067 , Same Day Shipping 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 Herd Interaction Positive On Calf Health, Performance millions of dollars a year.” About $5OO million annually to be exact and poor calf per formance, morbidity and mor tality is to blame. Previous studies focusing on these aspects have pointed to psychological stresses the calf suffers from when faced with environmental changes, new feed and the expo sure to potential pathogens in the feedlot. “Calves go through a two to three day period of stress after being weaned, transported and placed in a feedlot environment. It is during this brief period that they don’t eat and are suscepti ble to respiratory diseases,” said Loerch. He and Fluharty found that by placing cows and calves to gether in feedlots improved the calves’ appetites and cut down on the risk of illness by nearly half. A seven-day observation of • Other Models Available > * v BASKET FANS With Cord and Ceiling Mounting Brackets. Direct Drive 1/3 Hp, 24”, 1/2 Hp. 24" & 1/2 Hp, 36” Quantity Pricing V Available [FEEDING r Call Us For All Your 1 I DAIRY - POULTRY - SWINE I Remodeling & Equipment Installation Needs A COMFORT 100 oz. Waterproof the only one of its kind • The Heaviest • The Driest • The Strongest • The Most Effective » The Best Why Buy Anything Else? it U ,ii calf behavior showed increased feeding on the fust day, which leveled off by the end of the week. “The effect cows have on calf behavior is very transitory and short term,” said Loerch, adding that the cows act as mother fig ures to the calves, reducing calf stress by just being present. “The calves follow the behavior of the maternal figure, which in cludes feeding. It’s stresses from the initial exposure to new envi ronment that the calves need to overcome in order to prevent illnesses and the cows help with that transition.” The adult cows serve another role, as well by providing a better market sale for producers. The researchers suggest using “open” cows or heifers that never became pregnant during the breeding season and have been tagged for the market. “Producers pregnancy check their cows at the same time calves are being weaned,” said Loerch. “By placing the adult cows in the feedlots and letting them feed on the grain, they’ll See Lancaster Poured Wails • Agriculture •Commercial • Residential Call for Prices On: • SCS approved Manure Storage Pits • Basements • Retaining Walls • Footers Customer Satisfaction Is Our Goal Lancaster Poured Walls 2001 Jarvis Rd. • Lancaster, PA 17601 • (717) 299-3974 ATTENTION DAIRY FARMERS: NEW PRODUC - (PROVEN) HOPE PLASTIC BARN GUTTERS • Customized to Fit Your Barn • All Seams Welded & Leak Proof • Gravity Flow System - No Electricity Needed • Satisfied Customers We would be pleased to Show you operating facilities • Low Maintenance • Installed Between Milkings MEW S PROVEN New Style Manure Storage HOMESTEAD EXCAVATING CO. 151 Meckvllle Rd„ Myerstown, PA 17067 717-933-4366 b t i I'on.'t.e jbO 02 fitr'i -vsi(n ttii v m'j .^iTVfri Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 28, 2000-A33 Lancaster Farming Cow Cam Visit our Website at www.iancasterfarming.com with 5/8” Bottoms & Precast Walls Sealed With Welded HOPE LINER Leak-Proof With Underground Detection Lines. 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