Beef cattle husbandry training module Adapted from “Guide for the care and use of agricultural animals in agricultural research and teaching”; Federation of Animal Science Societies; 1st revised edition, Jan 1999 NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Range and pasture systems available fresh water shade in areas of heat stress shelter/windbreaks/supplementary feed in areas of cold stress adequate supply of forage appropriate nutrient supplements herd observation - weekly environmental factors – predators, poisonous plants NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Feedlot and housing system airflow/ventilation means of cooling during extreme heat sprinkling, misting, shade cold housing loafing shed, windbreak bedding proper pen surface and drainage hard surface durable, slip-resistant, impervious to moisture, easily cleaned, resistant to cleaning chemicals and animal waste NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Feedlot and housing systems fences and gates strong, free of sharp edges and irregular spacing lighting allows adequate inspection safe working conditions for animal care personnel NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Floor or ground area sufficient space to move around at will adequate access to feed and water dry resting site reasonable cleanliness space requirements vary with numbers of animals, slope, soil type, rainfall distribution NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Floor or ground area indoor pen surfaces unfinished concrete, grooved concrete, concrete slats, expanded metal, plastic-covered metal flooring, rubberized mat Surfaces must not be so rough as to cause foot damage or so smooth as to result in slipping stanchion/metabolism stall surfaces concrete, expanded metal, wood, rubberized mat combination of the above NDSU-IACUC

Facilities and environment Intensive laboratory environments metabolism stalls, stanchions, respiration chambers, environmental chambers acclimation ventilation uniform lighting daily cleaning/washing exercise NDSU-IACUC

Feed and water NRC recommendations dependent upon environmental conditions, breed or biological type, gender, production demands, gestation, lactation minimize contamination with feces, urine remove spoiled feed from bunks avoid abrupt changes in feed, avoid deprivation of feed access to water NDSU-IACUC

Social environment Mixing, crowding, group composition, competition for resources can all be stressors Introduced cows can be the recipients of herd aggression Mixing of older bulls can result in fighting All individuals should have unlimited access to feed, water and shelter NDSU-IACUC

Husbandry Vaccinating, dehorning, castrating, horn-tipping, ear-tagging, branding, weighing, implanting, chute operation, roping, hoof-trimming, calving assistance, ultrasound pregnancy checking, feeding, watering Artificial insemination, electroejaculation, pregnancy palpation, embryo flushing and transfer, retained placenta treatment NDSU-IACUC

Dystocia management Dystocia (difficult birth) Be familiar with stages of birth and signs of normal delivery Facilities for assisted birthing Freedom of movement in case the animal becomes recumbent Training in the use of fetal extractor NDSU-IACUC

Standard agricultural practices Castration reduce aggressiveness, enhance reproductive control, manage genetic selection, meat composition perform on young calves – birth to 3 months variety of methods possible training of personnel castration of older animals needs to be done by experienced personnel sanitation, tetanus vaccination, possible antibiotics NDSU-IACUC

Animal observation Learn how to recognize categories of disease Respiratory Difficulty breaking, discharge from the nose and eyes Digestive Diarrhea, bloat, impaction, rectal prolapse Neurologic Behavioral change, blindness, circling, head pressing Reproductive Uterine prolapse, abortion, stillbirth, retained placenta NDSU-IACUC

Standard agricultural practices Dehorning perform while cattle are younger than one month remove horn buds at birth cauterizing irons and chemicals, sharp knife, commercial devices dehorning in older cattle needs to be done by experienced personnel restraint, anesthesia, hemostasis NDSU-IACUC

Handling and transportation Knowledge and use of an animal’s flight zone Sensitivity to loud noises (dogs, etc.) Adequate ventilation, transport during cool of day Panoramic vision but poor depth perception Solid walls on panels, ramps, chutes, gates Ramps – angle of 20% with good footing Hydraulic or manual chutes Avoid electric prods, canes Maintain facilities, train personnel NDSU-IACUC

Euthanasia Intravenous barbiturates Penetrating captive bolt Gunshot to the head Should be performed only by trained individuals NDSU-IACUC

Quiz question #1 Examples of cold weather housing for livestock includes Loafing shed Windbreak Bedding All of the above None of the above NDSU-IACUC

Quiz question #2 Give an example of an appropriate surface for cattle housed indoors NDSU-IACUC

Quiz question #3 At what age should male cattle be castrated? NDSU-IACUC

Questions #4 and #5 Give a sign of respiratory disease in cattle. Give a sign of neurologic disease in cattle. NDSU-IACUC