Citation
Recommended practices for producing feeder calves in the everglades

Material Information

Title:
Recommended practices for producing feeder calves in the everglades
Series Title:
Everglades Station Mimeo Report
Creator:
Chapman, H. L ( Herbert L. ), 1923-
Kidder, Ralph W
Haines, C. E
Everglades Experiment Station
Place of Publication:
Belle Glade Fla
Publisher:
Everglades Experiment Station
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
2 p. : ; 29 cm.

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Cattle -- Breeding -- Florida ( lcsh )
Calves ( jstor )
Herds ( jstor )
Weaning ( jstor )

Notes

General Note:
"October, 1962."
Statement of Responsibility:
Herbert L. Chapman, Jr., R.W. Kidder and C.E. Haines.

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
All applicable rights reserved by the source institution and holding location.
Resource Identifier:
63762191 ( OCLC )

Downloads

This item has the following downloads:


Full Text





Everglades Station Mimeo Rpt. 63-5 October 22, 1962

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR PRODUCING FEEDER CALVES
IN THE EVERGLADES

Herbert L. Chapman, Jr., R. W. Kidder and C. E. Haines
Everglades Experiment Station


Summary of recommended management practices for commercial cow-and-calf cattle-
men in the Everglades (dates can vary 30 days either way);

1. Breeding season Jan. 15 to April 15

2. Number of cows per bull Multiple sire herds 25
Single sire herds --35

3. Semen-test -bulls Immediately prior to going into cow herd.

4. Pregnancy test cows 80-90 days after bulls are removed.

5. Calving season October 15 to January 15 (9 mos. after
bulls are put in).

6. Castration At birth, with knife.

7. Dehorn When calf is 4-8 weeks of age or at time
of first blackleg shot.


8. Vaccination
a. Blackleg and malignant edema
b. Bangs (females)

9. Weaning period

10. Identification (optional)


11. Pasture stocking rate

12. Feeding program for cows (variable







13. Water


14. Creep feeding (optional)


2-4 mos. of age and also at weaning.
4-8mos. of age.

When calves are 7-9 months old.

At birth use ear tags, ear notches, etc.
At weaning fire brand.

1-1- cows per acre.

)(a) 3-5 lbs./day/cow of a readily avail-
able source of energy from November 15-
April 15 on muck soil or on sandy
soil where legumes are used.
(b) 2-3 Ibs. of energy, 1 lb. of protein/
cow/day on sandy soils where legumes
are not used.
(c) Properly balanced mineral free choice.

Have well water available to both cows
and calves.

See page 2.


Presented at meeting of Glades Livestock Market Association October 11, 1962.










Pros and cons of creep feeding calves:


Pros

1. Will help offset pasture shortages.
2. Will help offset poor-producing cows.
3. Will produce fat slaughter calf or calf ready for a short-term feeding period.
4. Will produce a heavier, more uniform appearing higher grading calf at weaning.
5. May increase reproduction efficiency of cows. (Has not been conclusively
proven).
6. Will help combat internal parasite and disease problems.


Cons

1. Do not creep feed if calves are to be carried as stockers or are to be carried
through the winter.
2. Benefit of creep feeding calves is lost if a long feedlot period is used.
3. Increased expense may not be returned at selling time.
4. Makes the job of choosing herd replacements more difficult.


Have a "multi-purpose" cattle operation:

Cow and calf
program




Weaned calves


Heifers



50% kept for
breeding herd
replacements


50%
1.
2.
3.
4.


used for:
Stockers -
Feeders -----
Slaughter calves --
Breeding stock


Steers



Used for:
1. Stockers
2. Feeders
3. Slaughter calves