February 19, 2020 Issue, Page 4 of 10

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Agriculture (i Wednesday, February 19, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Preventing cold stress in calves Producers have a tremen- ues to support that maternal intervention at the first signs Syringes and needles ability to thermoregulate. before calving season can dous investment in getting a health, and in particular, nu- of calving is critical for both Exam and __ obstetrical Calves born in extreme reduce stress and lead to healthy calf on the ground. trition at all phases of gesta- calf and dam survival. A calf gloves cold quickly utilize all body more successful outcomes. A well-developed plan to tion, can have long lasting not delivered in a timely Obstetrical lube fat reserves, putting them Your veterinarian can guide monitor cows and _ heifers impacts for calves through- manner will need interven- Clean towels at risk. Exposure to wind and train you and your team during calving season is out their lives. Limiting nu- tion by a skilled individual. Straw or hay for bedding can exacerbate cold tem- on how and when to call for crucial, particularly during trition in the cow or heifer Heifers that labor in Stage 2 Esophageal feeder peratures. Assess body tem- assistance. the weather extremes of the does not decrease the birth of parturition for longer than Colostrum or colostrum perature if a calf appears For more information con- year. Both severe heat and size of the calf and does sig- an hour and cows that labor replacer stressed. tact Greg Hartman Beck- severe cold impact calf sur- nificantly more harm than longer than thirty minutes Medications prescribed The best way to monitorham/Washita County Ex- vival, and advanced. prepa- good. In addition to nutri- should be examined imme- by your veterinarian such as a calf’s temperature is with tension at 580-928-2139 or ration can help address both tion, vaccinate dams ap- diately. pain medications and seda- a rectal thermometer. Inex- 580-832-3356 cow and calf needs. Calves propriately and limit stress, Remember to discuss your tives pensive digital thermom- Oklahoma State Univer- born during the winter have especially during the last calving plan with your vet- Halter eters work well and make sity, in compliance with aunique set of requirements. trimester. erinarian. Communicate Lariat it easy to evaluate progress Title VI and VII of the Civil The first part of a well-de- One option to limit stress well before there is a calving Sorting Stick when warming the calf. If a Rights Act of 1964, Execu- veloped calving plan begins is to control the environ- problem. Your veterinarian Large trash bags calf’s temperature falls be- tive Order 11246 as amend- before calving season. Take ment. Maintain clean, dry can work with you and your Disinfectants low 100 degrees F, gradually ed, Title IX of the Educa- a close look at the cows and calving areas. Consider team to develop protocols Following delivery, the raise that temperature. Bring tion Amendments of 1972, heifers and evaluate their providing shelters for ani- so everyone is on the same goal is to see the calf up and the calf indoors and out Americans with Disabilities appropriateness as dams. mals to escape the weather. page when a problem oc- nursing as soon as possible. of the elements if needed. Act of 1990, and other fed- Age, disposition, history of However, remember that as curs. Your veterinarian can Delays in acalf receiving co- When used appropriately, eral laws and regulations, calving difficulty, ability to animals congregate in shel- also help you develop essen- lostrum have both short and warm water baths, blankets does not discriminate on the maintain body condition and ters, there can be an increase tials for a calving kit. long-term impact on the im- and warming boxes are all basis of race, color, national past illnesses are just a few in the pathogen load in the Items to consider in your mune system, Ideally, a calf options to rewarm a calf. origin, sex, age, religion, criteria that impact the selec- area. calving kit may include: should receive colostrum Be careful not to damage disability, or status as a vet- tion of females. Additionally, be prepared Veterinary emergency within the first two hours the skin of the animal by ei- eran in any of its policies, One way to avoid calf if a female presents with number in cell phone of life. Administering co- ther rubbing too vigorously practices or procedures. This births during extreme calving difficulty. Develop a Breeding dates and due lostrum to calves without a or placing them too close to includes but is not limited to weather is to schedule a de- plan to transport to a veteri- dates with associated sire suckle reflex should be done heaters. Additionally, do not admissions, employment, fi- fined breeding period that nary clinic or have excellent Calving book with extreme caution due to to wash off the odor of amni- nancial aid, and educational leads to a distinct calving onsite facilities to address a Tag applicator the increased risk of aspira- otic fluid. This helps prevent services. References within season. Plan for calves to hit dystocia. Iodine for navel tion pneumonia. Milking the rejection by the dam. Warm this publication to any spe- the ground in months with Next, monitor pregnant Catch pen and functional dam or maintaining a supply oral or intravenous fluids as cific commercial product, moderate temperatures if females closely for signs of chute of frozen colostrum are the advised by a veterinarian process, or service by trade possible. calving. A calf that is too 5-gallon bucket best options for colostrum can also make a big differ- name, trademark, service To help mitigate bad large relative to maternal Calf puller in working or- replacement. Commercially ence. Once a calf is warm mark, manufacturer, or oth- weather, insure that both size is the most common der prepared colostrum replacer and has been fed colostrum, erwise does not constitute or cows and heifers are well cause of calving difficulty Obstetrical chains and is acceptable if a cow-de- return it to its mother. imply endorsement by Okla- prepared. Ongoing fetal pro- followed by incorrect po- handles rived source is not available. Working with your veteri- homa Cooperative Exten- gramming research contin- sitioning of the calf. Early Calf sled Weather impacts a calf’s narian to develop protocols sion Service. Oklahoma Irrigation Conference set for March 3 in Altus decisions when it comes to be on hand to share their ex- cot NexGen. water. Water is an important pertise. MEDIA CONTACT: Tri- and much-needed resource,” There will be informative sha Gedon | Agricultural Taghvaeian said. “This con- sessions on topics including Communications Services ference is a great opportu- weather variability, hemp | 405-744-3625 | trisha.ge- nity for participants to learn production, discussion of [email protected] from some of the region’s the Upper Red River Basin top experts.” study, sensor technologies Oklahoma State Univer- The conference will take for irrigation, how the Okla- sity, as an equal opportu- place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 homa Mesonet can benefit nity employer, complies with p.m. in the Pioneer Heritage crop water use, salinity man- all applicable federal and Center at Western Oklahoma agement for cotton produc- state laws regarding non- State College, 2801 N. Main tion, updates on financial as- discrimination and affirma- in Altus. Registration is $10 sistance programs and much tive action. Oklahoma State and due by Feb. 20. Regis- more. University is committed to a tration is available online Participants have the op- at — http://oces.okstate.edu/ portunity to earn 4 certified policy of equal opportunity caddo/oklahoma-irrigation- crop advisor CEUs, includ- for all individuals and does conference, or download ing 2.5 CEUs in soil and not discriminate based on wi) the 2020 brochure and mail water management and 1.5 race, religion, age, sex, col- Participants will learn about best management practices at the Oklahoma Irri- in the attached form. Reg- CEUs in crop management. or, national origin, marital gation Conference which takes place March 3 in Altus. Photo by Todd Johnson, istration includes lunch and For more information, status, sexual orientation, Agricultural Communications Services break refreshments. contact Taghvaeian at 405- gender identity/expression, Industry specialists and 744-8395 or email at saleh. disability, or veteran status By Trisha Gedon Oklahoma Irrigation Confer- cialist, said attendees will scientists from OSU; Okla- [email protected]. with regard to employment, STILLWATER ~ Agricul- receive the latest research- homa Department of Agri- This year’s conference is educational programs and ence slated March 3 in Altus, culture, Food and Forestry; hosted by OSU Extension ture producers looking for Oklahoma. based information on many Texas A&M AgriLife Cen- and OSU’s Water Resources activities, and/or admis- information about increasing Saleh Taghvaeian, Okla- topics related to irrigation. ter; USDA; University of Center and sponsored by sions. For more informa- water-use efficiency should homa State University Ex- “It’s important for pro- Oklahoma; and the U.S. two industry partners, OK tion, visit https:///eeo.ok- make plans to attend the tension water resource spe- ducers to make informed Bureau of Reclamation will Cotton Council and Ameri- state.edu. Have a photo or story to tell? Reach out tous [email protected]