There is some confusion about the various growth implants available for suckling and stocker cattle. Six basic formulations are being marketed by five companies. The companies are: Ft. Dodge (F), Hoechst-Roussel (H), Schering-Plough (S), Upjohn (U), and VetLife (V). The products, marketer, and use are: (1) Ralgro (S), 30 days of age and up steers and heifers, including replacements ; (2) Calf-oid (U), Implus (U), Component-C (V), and Synovex-C (F) for 45 day old to 400 lb steers and heifers, including replacements; (3) Compudose (V) and Encore (V) for suckling steers and weaned steers and heifers; (4) Component-S (V), Implus-S (U), and Synovex-S (F) for above 400 lb steers; (5) Component-H (V), Implus-H (U), and Synovex-H (F) for above 400 lb heifers; and (6) Revalor-G (H) for weaned steers and heifers.
A new extension publication, "Supplementation Strategies for Beef Cattle", has been written by Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at the Texas A & M Center - Amarillo. This outstanding publication details consideration of forage quantity and composition in choosing supplement types and amounts. The publication (B-6067) is available from Texas Agricultural Extension Service Distributions, PO Box 1209, Bryan, TX 77806, (409) 845-6571.
Data were collected by Mike Mallett, Lampasas County Extension Agent, of prices paid at the Lampasas auction from 1994 to 1997. Information was collected on 1719 steers and bulls on 28 sale days. Steers averaged $1.81/cwt above bulls, but horned cattle were discounted only $0.05/cwt. Compared to Continental-types, British-types brought $2.58/cwt less and American-types were $2.81/cwt lower. Black cattle brought $1.47/cwt more than reds. Compared to blacks, off-colors averaged discounts as follows: brindle, $4.70; dun, $4.66; paint or spot, $6.67. Muscle score no. 3 animals averaged $9.90/cwt below muscle score no. 1. An animal hit with all categories of these penalties averaged about $21/cwt discount, or over $100 a head loss for 500 lb cattle.
Fort Dodge Animal Health is now marketing Cydectin, a new pour-on product for internal and external parasites. The active ingredient, moxidectin, is the first of this chemical family used in livestock parasiticides. Cydectin is cleared for all ages and classes of cattle except lactating dairy cows. There is no slaughter withdrawal time and the product is oil based, so it can be applied under all weather conditions and is non-flammable. Control is provided for lungworm, brown stomach worm, scab and mange mite, biting and sucking lice, grub, and hornfly. The company guarantees 100 days of protection against disease caused by intestinal roundworm or lungworm and a 180-day lice control satisfaction guarantee.
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