Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Mooo've Over For High Quality Beef - Through Proper Management
Elizabeth Schilling, reporter, CAFNR Corner Post

Sept. 22, 2003--"Any agricultural enterprise is economics-this information will help you," stated the animal science 65 professor. The students taking Animal Science 65 were given the opportunity to hear talks from Dr. Bob Larson, DMV and Dr. Bob Miller, DMV, both veterinarians from the UMC School of Veterinary Medicine. Each doctor used the exhibits at Trowbridge during Ag Week. According to Dr. Miller, the exhibits were a concerted effort. Sponsoring the exhibits and the literature were: Beef Quality Assurance, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Cattlewomen Association, the MU College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, the Missouri Livestock Marketing Association, the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Beef Industry Council.

"Beef quality is every cattleman's business," according to the Missouri Beef Quality Assurance Program. Dr. Larson began the talk by discussing the proper place to inject cattle so as not to decrease their value. Improper injection sites, especially intramuscular (IM) injections in the calf's rump and leg reduces the beef quality because it damages the meat. The best injection site is the neck and the best type of injection for the least amount of damage is subcutaneous (SQ). IM can be given in the neck as well, however, one should always read the directions on the label before giving any type of injection and follow the instructions. According to Dr. Larson, this beef quality defect is costing the beef industry approximately $130 million per year.

Hide damage is another area where money is lost . In 1995, the economic loss due to poor hide quality was $24.30. This economic loss can be decreased by timing the application of insecticides such as pour-on, spays and timed fly tags in such a manner that the hide is not damaged by these products. Additionally, this type of timed program will also improve calf growth. Branding is no longer recommended due to the damage that it causes to the hide. However, if a calf must be branded, then the brands should be placed high on the hip and be very small. Do not brand on the rib case since those brands cannot be cut out.

Bruising causes significant carcass trim which means less money for the producer. Cattle should be handled with care. Young cattle should be dehorned so that they do not injure and bruise each other. Remove objects in the chutes and pastures on which the cattle might injure themselves.

Finally, using proper management techniques will produce healthy calves and better profits. Calves that are maintained in good condition because they were castrated and dehorned when they were young undergo less stress. The results are less sickness and death in the herd, lower treatment cost, and less required injections, therefore increasing the value of the meat and the overall performance of the herd.

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