Farm Progress

Between now and summer is mudBetween now and summer is mud

Although snow cover this winter is less than usual, prepare now for spring calving.

February 20, 2017

3 Min Read
MUD IS BAD: Long-term cool, wet weather and accompanying persistent muddy conditions are more than difficult; they can be deadly at calving time. Likewise for feedlot cattle, mud is bad.

Unlike many years, Iowa hasn’t had much snow cover this winter that will be melting, but the weather forecast still looks muddy this spring. Most areas in Iowa had significant rain in late fall and early winter before the ground froze. With the temperature warming up early this year, mud is going to be persisting in cattle lots and pastures throughout the spring. For spring-calving operations, mud can be deadly.

Iowa State University Extension beef veterinarian Grant Dewell offers the following reminders and suggestions for helping cows and calves through the next few months.

Even though the temperature may be warm, calves can still get chilled easily if they can’t dry off. The ground may be thawing and warming up in the day, but nighttime temperatures will still drop below freezing, so calves will need a dry place to lie down.

The main problem with mud is that pathogens that can cause calf diarrhea persist in the environment longer, and mud facilitates continual exposure to the calf. If the cow has to either lay down in a wet muddy environment or walk through deep mud to get to feed or water, she will contaminate her udder with mud and pathogens. The calf is then exposed every time they nurse.

Prepare now to deal with calf diarrhea this spring. Download the free Iowa State publication Control of Calf Diarrhea (Scours) in Midwest Beef Cattle Farms.

Mud control
The two main options available at this time for controlling mud would be to haul in rock or gravel to establish a firm base with better drainage, or apply lime to the feedlot or holding area for cows that will soon be calving. Quicklime or hydrated lime will dry up the soil so that it can be compacted. After the lime is applied and allowed to dry for a few hours, it should be worked into the ground and then compacted.

Get bedding ready
With or without combating the mud in the lot, bedding needs to managed properly. Unmanaged bedding can be worse than no bedding, as pathogens will increase and persist in bedded areas. Cornstalks are an available source and generally superior than straw or sawdust. The bulky nature of cornstalks helps the water and manure settle, while the surface stays drier.

If the goal is to maintain a bedded pack, then you should apply new bedding often to keep the surface dry; calves need a drier surface than you typically see in finishing barns. If you are not establishing a pack, then the bedding should be completely removed and new bedding applied as soon as it becomes damp or soiled.

Move cows often
Congregating cows leads to manure, mud and more pathogens. Keep bedding areas separate from the feeding area to encourage cattle to not congregate in one spot. If you have the ability, move cows to new areas; it will help minimize the impact of mud. A modified Sandhills calving system, where pregnant cows are moved and pairs are left behind, can help decrease disease outbreaks as the days move through the calving season.

Contact your veterinarian and ISU Extension beef specialist to make sure your health and nutrition program is sufficient to provide your cows the best footing to get through the next few months. For more information, visit the Iowa Beef Center website at iowabeefcenter.org.

Source: Iowa State University

 

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