BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE
Consumers ultimately determine the success of any industry today. The consumer is health conscious and, therefore, concerned about food quality. Wholesome beef, with no drug residues or excessive tissue damage, is the beef industry’s minimum standard.
Carcass quality involves both genetics and management. However, the beef quality assurance program here will address the management related problems, specifically, those things the cow-calf producer, stocker operator and feeder can do to assure a quality carcass.
The cattleman’s main concern becomes that of disease and illness prevention. This program begins on every farm with vaccination and processing programs designed to ready calves and yearlings for the future disease challenges they will encounter.
WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS?
Losses to the cattle industry annually amount to $25-$30 million due to bruising of the meat from rough handling. Another $40 million is lost as a result of quality defects in beef carcasses of which many can be traced to improper vaccination of calves and bruising in older animals.
Every cattleman must help alleviate this problem. Therefore, concerns must center on prevention which includes better and easier handling methods for cattle, along with proper site selections for vaccines.
Today, because of quality assurance programs, cattlemen are aware of these problems and are developing herd health programs that will reduce such carcass blemishes.
VETERINARIAN’S ROLE
The veterinarian’s role is to assist every beef
producer with the development of an individual herd health and disease prevention program. He diagnoses disease problems and outlines treatment
procedures. Working closely with the local veterinarian is just good business. Many cattlemen implement most of their herd health programs; however, the veterinarian should be his friend and advisor.
RECORD KEEPING
In past years, record keeping has been something that only the purebred breeder and commercial producer interested in performance kept. Today, cattle buyers like to see health records (what calves were vaccinated for and when). Tomorrow, it may be that we cannot market our calves unless accurate herd health records are supplied to show proof of treatment and show that our animals are free of residues (withdrawal times observed).
Record keeping systems are being developed so that carcasses can be traced back to their owner(s). The reason for this system is so discounts can be “billed back” to earlier owner(s) when carcass damage and/or residues are found. Therefore, a complete record of all your animals and their treatments might be helpful in defense of charges pertaining to carcass bruises or residue contamination.
Ernest Manning: Vaccinating a Cow in the neck
VACCINES
The proper use of animal health products are a primary component of wholesome beef production. Every producer should select health products carefully, store them according to instructions and prepare and administer them as stated on the label. Select products that are federally licensed and approved, with full company support behind them. Second hand or “bargain” products are always a risk that cannot be taken.
Read the label carefully before you start work. Products work effectively only when used as specified on the label. Instructions are given to get maximum immune response, reduce chance of side effects and reduce the risk of residues. Follow them exactly as stated.
Observe the following check list . . . proper dosage, proper timing (interval between dosages) and approval for pregnant cows. The route of administration (sub-Q, IM, intranasal), withdrawal period, how to reconstitute, storage (keep cool, never freeze, and keep on ice in the field), and observance of expirations date are critical. Look for combination vaccines and never mix unless instructions so state.
SYRINGES AND NEEDLES
Both syringe and needle sizes are important. For smaller jobs, use a small syringe. The syringe should be marked clearly and calibrated to deliver the desired dose. Air alters the dose and causes leakage of vaccine, therefore, expel all air from the syringe.
Proper needle size will reduce waste and insure delivery to the expected site. Use only 16 or 18 gauge needles for large animals. Subcutaneous (sub-Q) injection should be made with ½ to ¾ inch length needles and for intramuscular (IM) injections use 1 ½ inch long needles. When giving multiple injections, keep injection sites several inches apart. Never put more than 10 ml of product into any one site.
INJECTIONS
With every injection into a muscle comes the risk of scarring or abscessing the tissue. When this occurs, the area must be trimmed on the kill floor. Such waste costs the retailer and the packer. Now, a “bill back” system is in effect and the cost of damaged muscle is being charged to the feeder and/or the cow-calf producer.
Injections by most cattlemen are given intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (sub-Q). As the name implies, intramuscular (IM) is given deep into the meaty area of the neck muscle. In the past, many of these injections were given in the round or hip. Injections should not be given in the round or hip. Injections should not be given in those expensive cut areas. The injection site for IM shots should be in front of the shoulder, in the neck muscle area. The subcutaneous (sub-Q) injection is given under the skin. Again, the injection site should be forward of the shoulders, under the skin. Loose skin is gathered and the needle is inserted through the gathered area - this requires two hands. With IM or sub-Q injections, never inject more than 10 ml in any one spot.
SANITATION
IMPLANTING
Implanting can provide an economical advantage in producing leaner beef and increased gains. However, improper implanting can be costly. Therefore, correct placement of the implant is absolutely essential. On the back of the ear, insert the needle beneath skin and cartilage approximately midway between the tip and the base of the ear. Avoid the ribs and blood vessels in the ear. When the needle is inserted to its full length, withdraw slightly and deposit the implant. You will be able to feel the implant pellet(s) with your fingers. If you cannot, then you are not implanting properly.
BRUISING AND HAULING
It is estimated that bruising alone costs the cattle industry up to $30 million annually in carcass trim. Many cow-calf producers might feel that calf identity will eventually be lost and that a “bill back” system will never work. However, identification systems are improving because each cattle owner must keep a better set of records. You just might need heard health records to use in your own defense in a charge of residue contamination. Also, carcasses from cull cows are easily traced back to the producer. Therefore, damages such as residue or bruises will be billed back to you, the cow-calf producer. Because of the new approach, you damage, you pay, and cattle owners must provide improved handling facilities. How many times have you worked cattle with sharp corners, nails and with used farm equipment exposed in coral areas?
Hauling is another area where most cattlemen spend little time and effort to ensure safety of animals. Slick floors in the vehicle and the addition of slick straw for bedding does nothing to improve the ability to stand. Sand on the floor is about the only thing that will allow cattle to stand with ease. Yet, because it requires additional clean-up time, sand is seldom used. Every cattleman must show a concern for safety when hauling cattle.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
--Thursday, March 29, 2007---Dr. John Irwin, Clemson Extension Area Livestock Agent (CEALA) will explain the calf hood vaccinations necessary to insure high quality performance in the feedlot, based upon feedlot tours that he completed in Kansas.
--Thursday, April 12, 2007---Mr. Rusty Thompson, CEALA, Coordinator of the Iowa Beef Challenge, Retained Ownership Program, will share with us profit/loss results of retaining ownership and the considerations for selling individual carcasses on the grid.
--Tuesday, May 8, 2007---Mr. Brian Beer, CEALA, will teach us how to use E.P.D.’s Expected Progeny Differences to help make the best bull selections for a crossbreeding program.
Mark J. Talbert,
County Extension Agent
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Clemson University cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Counties. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May and June 30, 1914.