Chapter 8

Beef Cattle
Management Practices
Generally success or failure in the cattle business with one calving in October, November and December
depends to a large extent upon doing the right things and the other in February, March and April. A split
at the right time. Whether this is the result of good calving season enables each bull to breed more cows
training and knowledge, good judgment or intuition, each year. It can also allow more efficient use of feed
the diligence with which some producers carry out supplies and extend the marketing season. A con-
certain management practices skillfully makes them trolled calving season is still possible in a split calving
more successful than others. This is often referred to system, but additional labor and pasture facilities are
as the MAN in MANagement. required.

Management of

Jan. 1
Breeding Animals

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Oct. 1 April 1
Weigh all calves for

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Sept. 22
• It facilitates the keeping of good production
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that are calving year-round.
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July 1

• Seasonal calving helps manage a good herd health FIGURE 8-1. Calendar for 60-day calving breeding season. 1
program. If cattle producers perform such prac-
tices as identification, castration, dehorning, vacci-
nation, worming and weaning within a short time
Breeding Management
span or all at one working, the labor requirement
Good breeding management starts several months
is greatly reduced.
before the bulls are turned in with the cows. Proper
development of young bulls and replacement heifers
• Pregnancy testing can be done more conveniently
and proper nutrition of cows from six weeks prior to
on a seasonal calving program.
calving and continuing through the breeding season
are necessary to ensure early estrus and high
• The nutritional requirements vary greatly between
conception rate.
animals at the various stages of reproduction and
production. When all cows are in a similar stage Other breeding management techniques during
of production, brood cow nutrition can be the season that will be advantageous are:
properly managed.
• Expose heifers approximately 30 days before the
• Finally, seasonal calving improves the opportunity breeding season selected for the mature cow herd.
for successful marketing. This allows 30 extra days for young cows to
recover from calving and be ready to breed
Some producers may prefer a split calving season. within the calving season their second year of
For example, the cattle may be divided into two herds production.

48
• Breeding heifers to bulls known to produce calves
with small birth weights or with calving ease
EPDs can greatly reduce calving difficulties.
• Separate heifers with their first calf from the
mature cow herd and feed separately. First-calf
heifers need feed to continue growth and
development in addition to the feed required for
milk production and regular reproduction.
• Provide adequate “bull power” during the breed-
ing season. The number of bulls required depends
on the age and condition of the bulls, general herd
health and the system of matings. A bull can serv-
ice more cows when hand mated than when pas-
ture mated. More bull power is necessary for a FIGURE 8-2. The proper way to measure scrotal
confined calving season than if the calving season circumference.
is split or the cows are calving year-round. The
general recommendation is one mature bull to
25 cows. TABLE 8-1. Standards for Scrotal Circumference and
Sperm Morphology and Motility
Fertility Testing Bulls Category Threshold

Checking the bulls for fertility and breeding Scrotal Circumference 30 cm at ≤ 15 mo.
__________ (cm) 31 cm at > 15 mo. ≥ 18 mo.
ability is insurance. The test should include a
32 cm at > 18 mo. ≥ 21 mo.
thorough physical examination by a veterinarian to
33 cm at > 21 mo. ≥ 24 mo.
determine if the reproductive organs are normal and 34 cm at > 24 mo.
functional. A semen evaluation should be made to
determine motility of sperm and sperm abnormalities. Sperm Morphology ≥ 70% normal sperm
A test service on one or two cull cows or heifers that
are “in heat” provides some assurance of the bull’s Sperm Motility ≥ 30% individual motility
and/or “fair” gross motility
ability to mate. The bulls should be in good breeding
condition, not too fat and sound in feet and legs. If
bulls are to be worked hard, additional grain or other
high-quality feed may be required. Alternating use Artificial Insemination of
of bulls during the breeding season can extend their Beef Cows
usefulness and help prevent calf crop losses due to
reduced bull fertility from overwork or injuries. The use of artificial insemination for beef cattle
has increased tremendously in recent years, especially
Evaluation of a bull should include a measure- in purebred and large commercial herds. A major
ment of scrotal circumference. This ranks as one of the problem in artificially inseminating beef cows is heat
most useful and valid measurements of a bull’s breed- detection under range conditions. Development of
ing ability. Scrotal circumference is highly correlated fairly successful heat detecting devices has lessened
with semen production capacity in young bulls. the problem. Still, much of the success or failure in
Research also has shown that bulls with larger testi- artificially inseminating beef cows depends on the
cles tend to sire heifers that reach puberty at a training, skill, carefulness and thoroughness of the
younger age. The diagram in Figure 8-2 indicates how ranch manager and the inseminator.
this measurement is taken.

Semen quality should be determined by an

Estrous Synchronization
experienced veterinarian. Semen is scored for motility in Cattle
and morphology. Bulls are said to have satisfactory Estrous synchronization is the manipulation of the
semen if the sperm morphology is ≥ 70 percent nor- reproductive processes so that all females can be bred
mal sperm, sperm motility ≥ 30 percent individual during a short, predefined interval with normal fertil-
motility and/or “fair” gross motility and a scrotal ity. This control facilitates breeding in two important
circumference that is equal to or larger than the preset ways: it reduces, and in some cases eliminates, the
standard for bulls of their age. Table 8-1 gives the labor of estrous detection, and it allows the producer
scoring system recommended by the Society of to schedule the breeding. For example, if a herd can
Theriogenology. be induced to exhibit estrus at about the same time,

49
the producer can arrange for a few days of intensive method of pregnancy testing for producers who
artificial or natural insemination. Estrous synchroniza- have limited access to veterinary services or have
tion early in the breeding season should result in a small herds.
large percentage of a herd calving earlier in the pre-
scribed calving season, thereby producing heavier Ultrasound is another option for pregnancy
weaning weights. It enables the producer to breed determination. Equipment cost makes this option
more cows to a selected bull, and it concentrates labor prohibitive for small- and medium-size operations;
into shorter periods of time for breeding, calving and however, veterinarians may offer ultrasound preg-
calf management procedures. nancy detection as a service.

Advanced procedures related to estrous The cost for pregnancy checking is minimal when
synchronization, superovulation, embryo transfer and the expense of carrying an open cow for a year is con-
artificial insemination continue to be researched and sidered. Pregnancy testing can aid in obtaining an
developed. Reproductive efficiency is one of the acceptable percentage calf crop if low calving rate is a
important economic considerations in beef cattle herd problem.
production.
Body Condition Scoring
Embryo Transplantation Proper body condition of cows prior to calving
Embryo transplantation in beef cattle production plays an important role in continued successful repro-
has gained popularity in the last decade and will duction in a herd. Scoring cows for body condition, at
likely increase. Embryo transplantation involves the time calves are weighed for weaning, provides a basis
removal of an embryo from a donor cow and implant- of determining nutritional needs prior to the
ing the embryo into a recipient cow. The donor cow upcoming calving.
usually is superovulated in order to increase the num- The plane of nutrition provided during lactation
ber of viable embryos. Embryo transplantation likely is the most important of several factors affecting the
will have greatest impact on the purebred cattle condition of brood cows. Differences observed in
industry by increasing the number of progeny from body condition within the herd may be due to age,
an individual female. Only cows with proven produc- soundness of teeth, milk production, general health or
tion records should be used as embryo donors. genetic variability. Extremely thin or fat cows may
Heifers and young cows should not be chosen as need to be fed separately or culled from the herd. The
donors. Embryo transplantation is an expensive pro- score cards in Tables 8-2 and 8-3 will provide some
cedure. The expected value of a calf from embryo guidelines for cow management.
transplantation must be sufficiently great to offset the
cost associated with the transfer. Calves produced by
embryo transplantation pose special problems when
their records are considered in selection programs,
because their records contain variation associated
with differences in maternal environment. Records of
calves produced by surrogate mothers should not be
compared to records of calves from natural mothers.
Embryo transplantation has no practical application in
the commercial cattle industry.

Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing by palpation is done by
inserting the arm into the rectum and feeling the FIGURE 8­3. BCS 3.
reproductive tract for pregnancy status. Short-term
pregnancies are difficult to detect, so it is best to wait
at least 45 days after bulls are removed to pregnancy
test. Palpation is an art and skill. Most veterinarians,
artificial insemination technicians and experienced
cattle producers can make accurate pregnancy
determinations.
Another option for pregnancy testing is utilizing a
blood sample that is sent to a commercial lab for test-
ing. This procedure requires obtaining a blood sample
from either the neck or tail of a cow. The sample
needs to be collected no sooner than 30 days after the
breeding season ends. This option may be a good FIGURE 8­4. BCS 5.

50
 TABLE 8­2. Body Condition Score (BCS) for
Beef Cattle

1 — Emaciated – cow extremely emaciated,

no detectable fat, prominent tailhead
and bare ribs.

2 — Poor – cow somewhat emaciated, little

Too Thin fat, spine, ribs, and tailhead somewhat
prominent.

3 — Thin – back and tailhead lightly

covered, ribs individually identifiable,
somewhat bare.
FIGURE 8­5. BCS 7.
4 — Borderline – ribs not visually obvious,
Borderline
some fat cover over ribs and pins.

5 — Moderate – generally good overall

Management at Calving
condition, spongy fat cover over ribs
Most calf losses at birth are due to abnormal
and pins.
or difficult deliveries. At least half of the losses at
6 — High Moderate – firm pressure required calving time can be prevented by proper observation
Optimum to feel spine, considerable fat cover and assistance when needed. First- and second-calf
over ribs. heifers should be given special attention because most
calving losses occur with this age group.
7 — Fleshy – cow appears fleshy, consider-
able fat cover, pones somewhat Location of a calving site is important for ease of
obvious. observation. Observation of cows every 4-6 hours is
generally adequate to detect difficulties. As the cow
8 — Fat – cow very fat, overconditoned, approaches parturition she becomes nervous and rest-
large fat deposits over ribs, around less. Labor pains begin a few hours before birth and
tailhead. increase in both frequency and intensity until delivery.
Too Fat Most cows will attempt to calve in seclusion away
9 — Extremely Fat – extremely wasty and from both man and other animals if given a choice.
patchy, extreme “pones,” impaired
mobility. The cow will normally calve within a 1- to 3-hour
period from the first signs of attempted delivery. She
should be left alone if calving proceeds normally. If
TABLE 8­3. Weight Changes Needed by Calving Time the calf has not been delivered within 3 hours,
and General Feed Recommendations for Beef Cows examination and assistance are in order. A normal
presentation is both front feet first with the head on
1 — Needs to gain 350 lbs (cull)
the knees. An inexperienced producer should obtain
2 — Needs to gain 300-350 lbs (cull) the prompt services of a veterinarian when difficulties
Too Thin in delivery are encountered.
3 — Needs to gain 200-300 lbs, improved
ration, grain needed A strong, healthy cow will usually care for her
newborn calf, especially if delivery has been normal.
4 — Needs to gain 150-200 lbs, improved
Borderline Determine if the calf is breathing when born. If the
ration, excellent forage
nostrils are covered with fetal membranes or filled
5 — Needs to gain weight of fetus (100 lbs), with mucous fluid, they should be cleared.
good forage
A normal calf should stand and nurse within 30 to
Optimum 6 — Needs to gain weight of fetus (100 lbs), 45 minutes after birth. Weak or chilled calves may
good forage require assistance to obtain a first feeding of colos-
trum (first milk). This milk provides highly concen-
7 — No weight gain needed, fair forage trated food nutrients and antibodies helpful in
preventing calf diseases and digestive disorders. It is
8 — Needs to lose 50-100 lbs, limit ration, too essential.
fat to calve
Too Fat The cow should expel the placenta, or afterbirth,
9 — Needs to lose 100-200 lbs, may need to from her reproductive tract. If the cow does not
be culled, usually low in fertility clean out normally within 24 hours, contact your

51
veterinarian. A retained placenta putrefies rapidly and Castration can best be done when the calf is quite
may cause toxemia (blood poisoning). young. Older calves are more difficult to restrain and
suffer a greater set back. Many cattlemen castrate
For the first few days after birth, watch for newborn calves at the same time they tattoo them for
scouring in the calf and see that the calf is nursing all permanent identification.
quarters of the cow’s udder. Sometimes heavy milkers
or cows with large teats need to be “milked out” a few Surgical castration is the most positive method of
times to prevent the udder from spoiling. castration and is preferred by many stockmen. The
young calf is restrained, the lower third of the
Managing the Calf Crop scrotum is opened with a scalpel or Newberry knife,
the testicles are then pushed one-at-a-time through the
A calf management program should begin with incision where it is separated from the membranes.
individual animal identification. Calves are identified The spermatic cord is severed usually by scraping
to (1) provide positive identity for recording perform- with a knife blade. An antiseptic should be applied to
ance and family relationships and (2) serve as a means the wound, and if castration is performed during fly
to establishing legal title. A number of methods pro- season, an insect repellent should be applied.
vide good permanent identification for a record pro-
gram. These methods include (1) ear tattoo, (2) hot Emasculating, or clamping, is a bloodless method
iron brand, (3) freeze brands, (4) chemical brands and of castration. Each cord should be carefully crushed
(5) ear notching. Temporary identification, such as separately. Make certain to leave the median
chains, nylon cords or eartags, may also be used for unclamped for free circulation of blood to the scro-
easy identification. Some horned cattle breeders use tum. Improper clamping will result in a large number
horn brands. Paint brands and stick-on tags are often of stags.
used for very temporary identification, usually
Elastration is another bloodless method of
associated with marketing.
castration. This method runs a rather high risk of
The ear tattoo is widely used by breed registry tetanus or other clostridial infections. Also, the rubber
associations and cowherd performance testing pro- rings sometimes fail to hold until the operation is
grams as a method of permanent identification. complete.
A number brand is second in use to the ear tattoo Dehorning
as a permanent means of individual animal identifica-
tion. Number brands are usually applied with a hot Cattle without horns attract some preference over
iron. The hot iron brand has been an integral part of horned cattle in the market. Hornless cattle require
the heritage of the beef cattle industry in the western less space in transit, in the feedlot and at the feed
range states. Originally brands were used only as a bunk. They fight less and inflict fewer injuries to each
means of ownership identification, and ownership other. There are several effective methods of dehorn-
brands are still important in many areas of the ing, depending on operator preference and age of the
country. There are rigid brand registration laws in animals.
many states. In Arkansas, state registration of your Genetic – Crossing cows with a bull that is
brand is not required by law, but brands of record homozygous for the polled trait is an often over-
take precedence over unrecorded brands of like and looked solution to dehorning. All calves from such a
kind when there is question of ownership. Brands mating will have no horns. Likewise, if your cowherd
should be registered with the Division of Brand is comprised of a polled breed, you can breed to a
Registry, Livestock and Poultry Commission, Little horned bull and all calves will be polled without the
Rock, Arkansas. expense incurred with other dehorning procedures.
Permanent number brands may also be applied Chemical Dehorning – A caustic paste or stick
by freeze branding. This method is popular with some can be used on very young calves (up to two or
producers. Branding technique determines the success three weeks of age) where only a button can be felt.
or failure of freeze branding. Clip the hair from over the horn button and apply
Soft-type plastic ear tags are probably the most petroleum jelly below the area to protect the calf’s
widely used method of temporary identification. eyes. After applying caustic, keep the calf in the dry
Often the ear tattoo and ear tags are both used simul- and away from its dam until the treated area is hard-
taneously on an animal. Tags are easy to read, and the ened or dried. Be careful to avoid contact of the
ear tattoo provides identification should a tag be lost. chemical with your skin or eyes.

Castration Spoon or Tube Dehorners – Horn buttons or

small horns just emerging can be readily removed
Steer calves are preferred over bull calves in the with spoon or tube dehorners. The tube must be large
feeder market. Bull calves should be castrated if not enough to fit over the base of the horn and include
intended to be retained for breeding purposes. about one-eighth of an inch of hair around the horn.

52
 Push and twist until the skin has been “cut through”
and then, using the cutting edge of the tube, cut or
scoop under the horn and remove it. Apply an
antiseptic and an insect repellent if needed.
– Tube dehorner
Hot Irons – A hot iron may be used to dehorn
calves with buttons or small horns. Fire-heated irons
usually come in sets so the proper size can be selected
to fit over the base of the horn. Heat the iron to a dull
red. Electrically heated irons are designed to maintain
– Hot iron dehorner
the proper temperature. Success depends on holding
the hot iron in place long enough to destroy the ring
of growth cells around the base of the horn. This
method of dehorning is practically bloodless and one
of the most satisfactory methods available when
– Electric dehorner properly used on the right age calf.

Barnes Type Dehorners – Barnes type dehorners

can be used on horns too large for tube or hot irons
but small enough for the instrument to fit properly
and permit cutting a ring of skin and hair. Barnes type
dehorners are available in calf and yearling sizes.
Close the handles to fit the blades around the base of
the horn. Spread the handles and twist while applying
considerable pressure against the skull to remove the
horn. Hemorrhage may need to be controlled by
– Mechanical dehorner pulling major exposed arteries with forceps. Apply a
(Barnes type) especially non-irritating antiseptic and fly repellent if needed.
adapted to dehorning
calves. This type is avail­ Removing Large Horns – Cattle with horns too
able in two sizes, the large to remove with the above methods can be
larger of which can be dehorned with a saw, clippers or obstetrical wire.
used in dehorning animals Removal of a ring of skin and hair around the horn is
that are up to about a essential in all cutting methods of dehorning, not only
year old. to prevent regrowth but also to expose the arteries so
hemorrhage can be controlled. Dehorning wounds in
large cattle heal slowly and care must be taken to
prevent sinus infection and flyblow. Cost and risk
should be carefully weighed against expected benefits.

Creep Feeding Nursing Beef Calves

Creep feeding is the practice of providing
– A commonly used supplemental feed, usually grain, to nursing calves in
type of dehorning a facility that prohibits the brood cow from having
clipper. At least two access to the feed. Even though creep feeding will
sizes usually are almost always yield a response of increased growth
available. rate in calves, it is not always economically profitable.

Creep feeding of beef calves is certainly not a

practice that is routinely recommended in commercial
beef herds. Creep feeding may be worthwhile in the
following situations:
• periods of drought
• poor milking cows
• calves from first-calf heifers and old cows
• cows on poor pasture or toxic fescue
FIGURE 8­6. Types of dehorners. • just before weaning to teach calves to eat
• calves being fed for slaughter at weaning

53
 Situations under which creep feeding is probably Growth-Stimulating Implants
not profitable are:
A growth implant is implanted into the ear.
• cows with good milking ability Research data strongly indicate a positive and
economical response to implants in all segments of
• pastures high in quality and abundant, such as
the beef industry.
clover-grasses
• calves to be grazed or backgrounded at relatively Livestock producers should always read the label
low rates of gain after weaning for use and restrictions. Implant products differ for
• heifer calves being raised for replacements recommended age at first implanting and implanting
heifers intended for breeding. Never implant bull
Generally, creep feeding is not profitable when calves. Ralgro, Synovex C and Compudose are com-
calves are receiving sufficient feed from other sources mon implants used in pre-weaned calves. Ralgro,
to grow at their genetic potential, although sometimes Synovex, Component and Revalor brand implants are
purebred beef cattle producers find it advantageous to commonly used in pasture stocker and background-
creep-feed calves to be sold for breeding stock. The ing calves.
better conditioning and bloom of hair coat is attractive
to buyers.

Weaning
Weaning is a distress period for both calf and cow.
Calves are made to break the nursing habit and rely
on feedstuffs other than milk for their growth and
subsistence by separation from their mothers. Both
cow and calf bawl and go off-feed for two or three
days. The calf is particularly susceptible to various
disease organisms at this time.

Weaning should be done early enough to allow

cows sufficient rest prior to their next calf. A two- to
four-month rest between calves will allow the cow to
FIGURE 8-7. Implanting for increased weight and profit.
regain condition lost during lactation and improve her
mothering ability with the next calf.
Feed Additives
Fenceline Weaning
The purpose of this section is to give a brief
Fenceline weaning is a weaning process in which introduction to the types and general purposes of feed
the calves are removed from their dams but are additives. A feed additive can be generally described
allowed to see, hear and smell their dams. It has the as a component of the diet that does not fall within
potential to reduce stress related to transport, changes the basic nutrient categories: protein, fat, carbohy-
in environment and diet adaptation. Fenceline wean- drates, mineral or vitamin. Most feed additives are
ing may also reduce labor demands and costs associ- medicative and are approved and regulated by the
ated with drylot facilities and weaning. Food and Drug Administration. There are other forms
of feed additives that are non-medicated and may or
Fencing should be substantial enough to prevent
may not be regulated by a governmental administra-
the calves from nursing and keep the cows and
calves separated. Various fencing combinations have tion. For example, chemicals used as a feed through
been used such as electric and non-electric, and high- for horn fly control are regulated by the government,
tensile, barbed and woven wire fencing. For cattle whereas a direct fed microbial to date is not.
that have not been exposed to electric fencing, either
Feed additives may include antibiotics,
woven wire or at least five strands of electric fencing
will likely be necessary. If the cattle are familiar with anthelmentics (dewormers), larvacides (fly control),
electric fencing, three strands will likely be sufficient. beta-agonists, surfactants, estrus suppressors, cocci-
Yet another option is to utilize four to five strands of dostats, yeast cultures and direct fed microbials. These
barbed wire combined with a single strand of electric products come in various concentrations and types.
fence offset from the main fence. Some concentrated medicated feed additives are
restricted to licensed feed mills for making less con-
This system of weaning is generally less stressful centrated supplements, whereas others are available
on the cow and calf resulting in lower morbidity. in concentrated forms for on-farm mixing.

54
 Antibiotic feed additives are often used on cow- when the brown stomach worm (Ostertagia) is not in
calf operations. Of these, chlortetracycline is most hibernation. These formulations should also be
prevalent. Chlortetracycline is approved for treatment rotated with newer injectable or pour-on formulations
of bovine respiratory disease complex and prevention to help prevent the buildup of drug resistance.
of anaplasmosis. Chlortetracycline is also approved
for inclusion in free choice minerals, and this method Larvacides may be included as feed additives to
of delivery is common; however, for the antibiotic to suppress horn flies. These have no systemic influence
be effective, the mineral must be palatable and con- on the animal but work by interrupting the life cycle
sumed on a regular basis. There are other forms of of insects that lay eggs in fecal pats. The products are
antibiotics approved to increase animal performance, often available in free choice mineral formulations
increase feed efficiency, treat bovine respiratory dis- which establish convenience; however, to be effective,
ease complex or reduce incidences of liver abscessing, all animals must be consuming the feed at the labeled
which is associated with high concentrate, low rate. Adjacent herds where horn fly populations are
roughage diets. not controlled can also reduce the overall effectiveness
of fly suppression.
Certain feed additive antibiotics are considered
medically important to both animals and humans. MGA® (melengestrol acetate) when added to
Use of feed additives requires establishing with your feedlot heifer rations stops the normal hormone
veterinarian a veterinary-client-patient relationship. production sequence that produces estrus. Because
Through this relationship, your veterinarian can write feeding the exact recommended level of MGA pre-
a veterinary feed directive which outlines the legal vents estrus but allows the optimum level of estrogen
feed use of protected antibiotics for disease preven- production, feedlot heifers gain at an increased rate.
tion/treatment. MGA can also be used in estrus synchronization
protocols.
Monensin (Rumensin) and lasalocid (Bovatec) are
special types of medicated feed additives called Beta-agonists (Zilmax, zilpaterol and Optaflexx,
ionophores. These improve feed efficiency and rate of ractopamine) are relatively new to feedlot cattle.
gain in beef cattle. The mode of action of these two These are utilized toward the final days on feed and
products differs from that of common antibiotics. increase lean deposition and weight gain.
While antibiotics generally have a systemic action
within the animal, the mode of action of ionophores is Direct-fed microbials, yeast cultures and yeast cell
through changes in the microbial population of the wall are specialized feed additives. Direct-fed micro-
rumen. Ionophores are selective against certain bacte- bials are being studied to improve health such as
ria and protozoans. As a result, these products also sustaining a higher ruminal pH under concentrate
help prevent coccidiosis. Of the two, monensin is feeding to prevent sub-acute acidosis, yeast cultures
more commonly found in feedlots and lasalosid is are being studied as specialized nutrients for the
commonly used in cow-calf and stocker operations. rumen microbes, and yeast cell wall is being studied
The main reason for this occurrence is toxicity in for binding properties to toxins. Animal responses to
horses. While both are toxic to horses, monensin these products have varied in research. This area of
toxicity occurs and at a much lower dose. Because of feed additive development gained rapid interest in
toxicity concerns, many commercial feed mills will countries where feeding antibiotics has been banned.
not carry monensin if they manufacture horse feed.
Monensin is the only ionophore approved for mature In conclusion, feed additives vary in their form
beef cows. Neither of the ionophores are labeled for and purpose, and the cost, purpose and expected
developing bulls. In addition to monensin and lasa- response of any feed additive should be well studied
losid, there are other coccidiostats available for mixing and thought out before including them in the diet.
in feed, water or for drenching. Medicated feed additives require strict adherence to
the label including mixing and feeding rates, legal
Anthelmintics (dewormers) delivered through drug combinations, approved animal type and
feed have been around for years. These products are following withdrawal times before slaughter or
available as a topdress; however, block and tub marketing.
formulations are more popular. To be effective, these
products should only be used in the spring and fall

55