Agricultural News
Feedyard Manager Insists Good Health and Quality Genetics Go Hand in Hand
Tue, 30 Aug 2016 17:00:09 CDT
When it comes to calf health at Chappell Feedlot in southwestern Nebraska, manager Tom Williams gets down to details with customers. Each load is unique, based on their history.
"If we have some health issues, depending on what they are we'll go back to the ranch for instance, a lot of ranches will have some mineral deficiencies, mineral issues, which may be a problem for adequate development of the immune system," Williams said. "So in several cases we've had people go back and soil test and change their minerals."
That one-on-one counseling shows in the finished cattle leaving the feedyard and their beef in the grading coolers, but the good health must start on the ranch. Williams advises that calves should be vaccinated twice if possible. He suggests vaccinating once while still nursing and again a couple weeks before moving them to the feedyard. He recommends that cattle be returned to their pens immediately after any doctoring to reduce the chance of reestablishing viruses.
Beyond and before health issues, the cattle feeder knows everything starts with genetics, which is why he drives out to a lot of ranches around the country. Williams believes working as a team to ensure the best in genetics and health makes quality beef production work for everyone from ranch to consumer.
"We've probably been on their ranch and we work with them on their data. A large part of my job is talking with customers on genetic decisions and evaluating their data," Williams said. "We've tried to become a niche yard for the rancher and do everything we can to help a rancher genetically."
Watch the video featuring Tom Williams of Chappell Feedlot speak about calf health on the ranch, by clicking on the PLAY BOX below.
Source - Certified Angus Beef
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