Date: July 30, 2003
BAN ANTIBIOTICS?
A bill introduced in the U. S. Senate would phase out non-therapeutic use of antibiotics that are used to treat humans. In some countries where this has been done, more animals have got sick and therapeutic use of antibiotics has actually increased. But, since some of the larger restaurant chains also are supporting such action, it may be inevitable.
HOW REPEATABLE IS WEANING WEIGHT?
Arkansas researchers wanted to know how well ranking of adjusted 205-day calf weight in one year would compare to the next year. Cows were divided into top, middle, and bottom thirds based on the 205-day weight of their calves. The next year, the probability was 51% that a top cow stayed in the top third, and 18% that she moved to the bottom. For bottom cows, the probability was 50% that she stayed in the bottom third, and 20% that she moved to the top. So, weaning weight was a fair predictor, but no guarantee by far.
WEANED CALF PRICE, WHEN IS IT HIGHEST?
The majority of cow/calf producers sell calves at weaning. When do weaned calves bring the highest price? According to Harlan Hughes, North Dakota State economist, this has changed a little over time, moving from June to April. Still, calves that are weaned and sold then are born in the fall. And cost of production for fall-born calves is generally higher than for spring-born, because you're wintering a cow that is lactating instead of dry. Beyond April, prices have tended to decline into the fall. But Hughes says in recent years there has been a "mini-peak" in calf prices in September, before dropping considerably in October and November.
NEW MUSCLE BUILDER FOR CATTLE
Elanco has received FDA approval to market OptaflexxTM for use in feeding cattle. The active ingredient is ractopamine, the same as in Elanco's swine product Paylean®. Indications are that the product will increase weight gain, improve feed efficiency, and increase red-meat yield, with no effect on beef tenderness, taste, or juiciness. The product is a beta agonist, not an antibiotic or steroid. As with the swine product, the European Union will not allow its use. The product is expected to be available to feed producers in the next few months.
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE AND SEXUAL MATURITY
The U. S. Meat Animal Research Center studied sexual maturity of Angus, Hereford, Brahman, Boran (an African Bos indicus breed), Tuli (an African non-Bos indicus breed), and Belgian Blue bulls. Angus were younger at puberty than all others except Hereford. Brahman were older than all but Boran. While breed averages at puberty ranged from 238 days and 711 lb (Angus) to 320 days and 860 lb (Brahman), scrotal circumference at puberty averaged 27.9 + 0.2 cm. Scrotal circumference was closely related to puberty even though age and weight varied considerably.
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