|
Post by triplec on Feb 16, 2015 14:13:42 GMT -5
I am shocked that some of the skills that are hired out such as all vaccination done buy a vet. I am not an expert but am not scared to try things. In high school I worked for a guy and we did all of vaccination, castration, medications (IM SQ and IV)and implanting. I was able to learn and practice many of these proceedures. I went to a community college that we were able to learn more using a major university's cattle including things like AI. At this time I am out of practice on many of these skills but plan on doing most of my own labor on my own cattle in the future. What are the basic skills that you see people getting in the cattle business do not have? What skills are you going to learn this year and implement? Just wondering.
|
|
|
Post by cjsfarm on Feb 16, 2015 18:59:31 GMT -5
I think that most chores pertaining to working cattle are curtailed by 2 things, cost & number of cows being maintained. Many areas have a vet available at reasonable rates that they rely on for all things. Other areas have travel costs that create such an expense that the vet is only called on emergencies. We normally call a vet twice a year, spring & fall, in the spring we are required to tric test our bulls and in the fall we bangs vaccinate our heifers. These both must be done by the vet. While there, we use the expense of the farm visit to cover the dogs, horses and anything else that needs attention.
|
|
|
Post by midhilldexters on Feb 17, 2015 7:34:53 GMT -5
Good point Triplec. I've learned a lot since getting cows abut 14 years ago. I'd like to do an AI course and I'd also like to learn how to use ropes and get a cow down on the floor. For some reason I've always thought I should know that and it would be handy one day, lol I've never needed to do it though. Just watch now I've mentioned it I'll need it. It may be hard for some as they don't have adequate handling facilities to work on their animals? Last year I learned to draw blood from the tail, wasn't too bad, followed the instructions that came with the test tubes. If I'm going to try something new I always look for the you tube videos and do my research first.
Carol
|
|
|
Post by RedRidge on Feb 21, 2015 11:44:30 GMT -5
I think the reason for using vets is a combination of convenience and lack of frequency that's required, especially for small herds. It's easy for those of us who already have skills due to large numbers over many years. We turn breeches, give shots, dehorn, draw blood, do stitches, do our own fecals, our own mastitis tests, and even do IVs. Over the years, far from a vet, these skills become a necessity, especially if you have large numbers.
But with the advent of small farmsteads, these skills are required less often and the smaller farms are closer to town which means easier access to vets.
We haven't had a vet here in three years, I'd like to keep it that way.
|
|
|
Post by littlecowfl on Feb 21, 2015 16:29:01 GMT -5
I think one of the most useful vet related skills is knowing how to lay a cow down for hoof issues or other emergencies.
Also, how to make a simple gate chute for emergencies, or until you can buy a head catch or squeeze. Ideally, your facilities will be there before the first cow comes home, but many newbies don't do this.
|
|
|
Post by Cascade Meadows Farm - Kirk on Feb 23, 2015 1:56:56 GMT -5
The most important skills I have on our farm are:
1. Rotational grazing skills (constantly moving animals to clean ground and fresh grass keeps them very healthy) 2. Hoof trimming skills (we have VERY soft soil and zero grit) 3. Knowledge to know when to let an animal heal itself and patience to let them do it (a squirt of iodine in a cut can help) 4. Courage and skill and tools (gun/knife) to quickly and humanely end an animal's life when needed. 5. Ability/skill to save meat for family, or to be fed to pigs, cats, chickens... (nothing wastes on our farm).
We have scores of Icelandic Sheep, American Guinea Hogs, chickens, farm Cats, and Dexters.... All very healthy and happy. Relying too much on vet work, just passes problems on to the next generation because many problems have a genetic component. Our vet bill for sheep and hogs = ZERO. Our Vet bill for Dexters is limited to the required brucellosis shots, and any travel preparations when an animal needs to cross state lines to go to a new home.
Problems decrease over time as you weed out any weak genetics.
I sleep well at night knowing that no matter what crisis comes up, I can handle it and keep an animal from suffering.
|
|
zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
|
Post by zephyrhillsusan on Feb 23, 2015 9:28:48 GMT -5
I wasn't going to post at all because I'm more on the call-the-vet end of the spectrum, but I'll give my perspective for the benefit of any newbies who might be feeling overwhelmed by the list of skills they need to develop. We got our first cow in Dec. 2009, and I had never touched a cow before that except to pet one at a fair and in the pasture where we visited our first Dexters. So although I had had horses for a decade or so, I didn't know anything about cows, and I wanted to know that I had a vet who would come if I needed him. So I had a vet come out to evaluate her before calving and to be sure he would be on call if we needed him. Of course we didn't--she popped her calf out in the 2 hours we were eating dinner and had it dry, up and nursing when we found it. But the saddest calls for help that I respond to on another forum are the ones where people can't touch their cow, can't restrain it and either don't have a vet anywhere around who does cattle, or worse, they can't afford the vet. Cows have died because of that. So I always encourage every newcomer to cattle to get to know a vet and know who to call if they need one. I could give immunizations, but I personally like having a vet lay eyes on my animals once a year. I know a lot more about my cattle than when I started, and I have caught and treated mastitis and bloat, just to mention a couple serious things. And yes, I could learn to band calves, but I prefer cutting on the advice of two vets. After our only experience, though, I am not inclined in the least to try to learn that skill! At this point we will have a maximum of two calves a year, so I can afford to get the vet, and I will for the foreseeable future. There are all styles of cattle management. You MUST be able to handle them, either with a halter or by moving them Temple Grandin style. You MUST be able to restrain them. You MUST learn about their basic bovine needs and how to provide for them. You MUST learn the signs of problems and how to give first aid or basic treatment because you can't rely on a vet being able to be there when you need one. But there is nothing that says you are not a good Dexter owner if you choose to have a vet do immunizations, castration and de-horning. Rome wasn't built in a day, and don't be hard on yourself as long as you are learning and growing in your ability to care for your cattle. You can be a newbie and learn on the go, and you might surprise yourself with what you can do a couple years down the road!
|
|
|
Post by lakeportfarms on Feb 23, 2015 13:16:03 GMT -5
Though we can do much of the work ourselves, I tend to rely more heavily on the vet than not. First, I like to have another set of eyes on the herd from time to time, who can objectively judge and evaluate them and is not afraid to make some suggestions about some things we may want to look after. Because I have a good relationship with our vet, he will move heaven and earth to get out here at any hour of any day if I truly need him in an emergency situation, and we've had a couple of them in the 10 years of raising cattle. Much of this has to do with the quality of our vet, and they are very reasonable with respect to their pricing for us, lower than several others in our area and far more experienced.
Of course, with a herd size North of 100 Dexters and Highlands, it becomes a bit much for two part time farmers (each of us with full time jobs) to look after everything, so I consider our vet to be a extremely experienced part time assistant. It's not like he just stands around and talks when he comes to the farm. I have my own Callicrate bander, and will band the odd one here or there, but if we have 10 or so to band I find it more efficient to have the vet visit. I'll assist, and while he's here he'll take care of some other routine things. I'll purchase our syringes and many other routine supplies from him and other controlled medications like BoSe. His prices are the same as Valley Vet, and I've never had somebody from there answer any questions over the phone that I may have about my herd health. Our vet will let us know about other issues cattle owners are having because of the weather conditions, or local forage quality in a given year, as he deals with a lot of dairy herds that are like a canary in a coal mine with respect to things like that.
It took quite an effort to get moved up on his long waiting list of clients. Sheril and I had a relationship already on their small animal vet list for some time, but to get on the large animal schedule we first had to purchase some horses, board them at a large farm where he was the vet and sneak them in when he visited there. Then when we first got into cattle we took them in a trailer up to the office at the end of the office hours on Saturday morning to get them de-horned, banded, etc..., and finally when our numbers were large enough he started putting us on his farm call list...lol
It was well worth that effort.
|
|
|
Post by jlmissouri on Feb 27, 2015 11:17:23 GMT -5
I agree, best bet is to learn all the skills needed to keep cattle. Before getting Dexters I did have some cattle experience, but I have since learned a lot more. I have a little bit of an edge as my wife was a former Vet Tech and is also am RN, but had no experience with any real livestock as she used to be a city girl. I have never used a vet, and don't plan on it. Everything is pretty easy and we have learned it ourselves. It is easier to learn now days than at anytime in history. With great resources like Youtube and forums not to even mention the vast amount of books many of which didn't exist a couple generations ago.
We do everything from surgical castration to injections when needed and even helped our Holstein give birth when the calf wasn't coming out correctly. There is a learning curve, but I plan on having cattle for the rest of my life, so I better learn sometime and the tution is cheaper than a vet anyway. Makes you a better cattleman, it is better for your cattle in the long run and keeps more money in your pocket.
|
|
|
Post by triplec on Feb 28, 2015 19:37:37 GMT -5
I do think one of the biggest skills is to know when to ask for help. I also think that one should watch and learn. I also think it is important to teach others skills to build their confidence. Yes mistakes will be made at a cost sometimes. I take more pride in all my projects when I have direct involvment. It only makes the next problem seem less dramatic. As an example. I am a certified farrier but have not owned any horses for a few years and have not persuaded it as a career. I recently have acquired a few head of horses. I have felt great after trimming my own horses. I have one that needs some special treatment for that I am calling in help. I would have tried it at on time but my experience tells me to get help. I am lucky in that I will be watching and working with my BIL who is a proffesional farrrier. I totally understand the need for a professional. I also wish that government would allow qualified owners to do more of their own work as in the case state required vaccinations. For those skills like throwing a cow with a rope would you try this before you might need it at 2am and no one is around? I have teamroped and calf roped in the past so rope skills are something I aware of but haven't tried to use a rope to use pressure getting a full sized cow down but give me a set of horns up to a 600 lbs and I would try by hand. Anything under 300 no problem with or without a chute.
|
|
|
Post by littlecowfl on Mar 2, 2015 17:10:08 GMT -5
I do think one of the biggest skills is to know when to ask for help. I also think that one should watch and learn. I also think it is important to teach others skills to build their confidence. Yes mistakes will be made at a cost sometimes. I take more pride in all my projects when I have direct involvment. It only makes the next problem seem less dramatic. As an example. I am a certified farrier but have not owned any horses for a few years and have not persuaded it as a career. I recently have acquired a few head of horses. I have felt great after trimming my own horses. I have one that needs some special treatment for that I am calling in help. I would have tried it at on time but my experience tells me to get help. I am lucky in that I will be watching and working with my BIL who is a proffesional farrrier. I totally understand the need for a professional. I also wish that government would allow qualified owners to do more of their own work as in the case state required vaccinations. For those skills like throwing a cow with a rope would you try this before you might need it at 2am and no one is around? I have teamroped and calf roped in the past so rope skills are something I aware of but haven't tried to use a rope to use pressure getting a full sized cow down but give me a set of horns up to a 600 lbs and I would try by hand. Anything under 300 no problem with or without a chute. Those ol' range cattle skills have their place, but if your cattle are gentle, try this instead. This video is pretty good. Maybe I'll have someone with a camera next time we lay one of ours down. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJn2_cgX1ww
|
|
|
Post by triplec on Mar 2, 2015 17:37:37 GMT -5
I totally agree littlecowfl. I just have not used it yet. It didn't seem that guy thought his cows were very gentle. The techniques used depend on the animal and the process needed performed. That was a good video. It seems that cow may have done that before.
|
|
|
Post by tressa on Jul 24, 2015 13:35:41 GMT -5
I think one of the most useful vet related skills is knowing how to lay a cow down for hoof issues or other emergencies. Also, how to make a simple gate chute for emergencies, or until you can buy a head catch or squeeze. Ideally, your facilities will be there before the first cow comes home, but many newbies don't do this. I'm the newbie. What supplies would you say are an absolute before bringing them home? I'm in the planning phase and want to make sure I'm correctly set up (sorry if this is a hi-jack)
|
|