here's a wish list for the coming year- needles ARE disposable and not collector's items!
- see that calves get their modified live vaccine three weeks before the stress of weaning instead of the same day of(along with castration and other things that might just make that an 'injection' instead of an 'immunization').
- dehorn calves by 4 weeks of age - put the scoops away
- same with banding - if you can do it early - do so. if you're doing it later, don't forget the tetanus antitoxin
- make sure everyone uses/knows how to use lidocaine/analgesics in these calves, especially if you have to scoop.
- drag those pastures and break up the manure pats while there is still a bit of winter left - as good at reducing parasite load as many dewormers
- plan for pinkeye - ear tags and good fly control, vaccines for some herds
- see that calving cows and their calves get adequate selenium, whether orally with SelPlex or injection with MuSe/BoSe - it helps
- plenty of fresh water for calves - dip a bottle in the bucket - do you want to drink it? you should!
- delivering calves? scrub and be clean. lots of lube. it's not that much of a rush
- big calf -using the puller? a dose of dexamethasone pre-pull can help with keeping the nerve damage minimized
- and don't forget those vaccines - if you mix them up - they don't get better with age!
- and finally, everybody likes new needles!
have a great 2010!
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