AWA Friday Newsletter - June 11, 2021

POSTED: 06/11/2021

Vol 2, No 24

Complete your Fall CAR Enrollments before JULY 1st.

Complete Your Enrollment Early and Save Money. For herds enrolled in the Complete Animal Recording Program (Standard Herds) there are two inventory periods, Spring and Fall calving herds.

Fall Herd enrollment became active on May 1, 2021 and for those members who activate and enroll their cows by June 30, 2021 benefit with a $27 enrollment fee, a savings over previous years.

Fall Herd Enrollment Fee Schedule
$27 if enrolled before July 1
• $33 if enrolled between July 1 and August 31
• $36 if enrolled between August 1 and August 31
• $39 if enrolled between September 1 and September 30
• $42 if enrolled between October 1 and December 31
Invoices to be paid prior to the last day of the following month or fees
increase by $3 for each month past due.

Register Calves Early and Save Money


For herds enrolled in the Verified Herd program and ET calves register those calves by 365 days of age and save on registration fees.

0 - 365 Days of Age or Less $55
366 - 540 Days of Age $60
541 - 720 Days of Age $65
721 Days of Age and Older $70

2021 AWA Annual General Membership Meeting and Conference

The Annual General Membership and Conference for the American Wagyu Conference is only a few months away. Sponsorship opportunities for the 2021 AGM & Conference will be available in the coming weeks. Your financial support of the AWA is an important part for the success of the annual conference and promotion of the Wagyu breed in America!

Summer Pneumonia in the Beef Herd


Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian

Respiratory disease in pre-weaned beef calves on pasture can be a concern for cow-calf producers. These outbreaks tend to be unpredictable, occurring in well-managed herds, as well as in less-intensively managed herds. As such, they are frustrating for cattle producers and veterinarians alike.
Symptoms and Diagnosis

Based on submissions to the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, the infectious agents associated with summer calf pneumonia cases are similar to those implicated in typical post-weaning bovine respiratory disease complex. Bacteria, such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Histophilus somni, Pasteurella multocida and sometimes Mycoplasma bovis, are found in diagnostic samples from calves affected by summer pneumonia. Viruses implicated include Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBRV) and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV). Bovine coronavirus has frequently been found in nasal swabs from affected calves as well.

Despite this knowledge, a specific diagnosis in an outbreak isn’t obtained all that often. For one thing, calves aren’t always available for post-mortem examination and work up for diagnosis. This is because typical summer pneumonia outbreaks do not exhibit high death losses. In light of this, veterinarians will often take nasal swabs from affected calves to isolate infectious agents. These results need to be interpreted with caution, however. Bacteria and viruses present in the nasal passages might not accurately reflect the infection deeper in the lungs.

Signs of respiratory disease in pre-weaned calves do not always include breathing problems, such as cough or rapid respirations, although those signs may become more obvious when the herd is trailed or otherwise moved. Sluggishness, a reluctance to keep up with the herd and drooping of ears are commonly noted. Many affected calves will have high fevers.

Much remains to be learned about the factors contributing to pre-weaning calf pneumonia in the region, as well as optimal prevention practices. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect this problem in your herd.

Treatment Options

Most producers and veterinarians report that treating calves with summer pneumonia is frequently successful. A variety of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications have been used with good recovery rates. While these treatments enjoy a high degree of success, they are, of course, difficult to apply to individual calves in pasture situations. In cases late in the grazing season, pre-weaning vaccinations, along with antibiotics, can be administered to all calves if a high proportion of the herd is affected.

Compared to the post-weaning bovine respiratory disease encountered by animals entering the backgrounding lot or feedlot, little is known about the risk factors that predispose calves to pneumonia while on pasture. Some of the factors that have been speculated include:

  • Poor colostrum intake as a newborn calf.
  • Exposure of calves to older calves (such as feedlot animals) shedding high levels of infectious agents (but not necessarily sick themselves).
  • Dusty conditions that interfere with the respiratory tract’s normal defense mechanisms.
  • Adverse weather conditions.
  • Crowding and separation from mothers for prolonged periods of time, such as during breeding or synchronization.
Vaccine Considerations

Vaccines against respiratory pathogens at branding or turnout time have been utilized by cattle producers in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of calf pneumonia on pasture. While this is successful for many, outbreaks of calf pneumonia occur in well-vaccinated herds as well.

Vaccines that include IBRV, BRSV, Parainfluenza-3, and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) are used to boost immunity against these viral pathogens that set up the calf for more-severe bacterial problems. These vaccines are available in killed as well as modified-live virus versions.

Intranasal vaccines are also a popular choice in calves at this age, as they are believed to offer good local immunity in the nasal passages and stimulate a good overall immunity in young calves. Furthermore, some beef herds vaccinate against bacterial pneumonia pathogens, such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma bovis, in turnout programs.

Producers should seek veterinary input for their branding time or turnout vaccine program, especially when changes in products or timing are contemplated.

Steps to Submitting Performance Data – #6
Continuation of Inputting Calf Data in Birth Recording Table:

Tag: Less permanent ID system. ** Per AWA rules, tags are not an acceptable form of permanent identification. Permanent identification, consisting of the first owner’s herd prefix, the identifying number and year letter code, needs to be tattooed or branded on the animal. If tags are used as an additional herd management tool, it is recommended that the tag ID matches the permanent identification number and year letter code that is tattooed or branded.



Sex: Female, Male, or Steer (if male is already castrated prior to recording in herd)

H

/P/S: Horned/Polled/Scurred status of calf. If animal had the ability to grow horns but has since been dehorned, horned would be the appropriate status to select.

Coat Color: Coat color of the animal.


Weight: Birth weight. Birth weight measurements must be taken as soon after birth as possible.

Learn More About Expected Progeny Differences
Trait descriptions, how to read EPD, information on accuracy, percentile rank tables and guidelines for the publication of EPD are all available, simply follow this link. https://wagyu.org/members/genetic-evaluation/



AWA Adjustable Ball Caps Now Available

Whether you’re interested in something for yourself or a gift for your customers, we have several items to choose from including our new adjustable ball caps in three different colors for $20 each! With each purchase you are helping support your association and proudly support this great Wagyu breed.

wagyu.org/consumers/shopwagyu


Share a Favorite Photo


We make lots of memories with family, friends and Wagyu cattle! What activities have you been up to on the farm? Send us a picture and we will chose one to feature in an upcoming newsletter!

This month's photos were submitted by AWA Junior Member #2558 Londyn E. Hall.


Advertise with the AWA


The American Wagyu Association offers many ways members can advertise their genetics and products through AWA services. These include Face Book, Premium Advertising Page, eBlasts, Classifieds, the Annual Breeders Guide and other opportunities. Contact the AWA office for more information or visit wagyu.org/members/advertising-services



AWA Calendar


April 1, 2021 – Annual Membership Renewal – Late Fees Apply
May 1, 2021 – CAR Fall Enrollment Starts
June 30, 2021 – CAR Fall Enrollment Deadline – Fees Increase July 1
September 23 - 25, 2021 – Annual General Meeting and Conference, Fort Collins, CO

Upcoming Member Events

June 26, 2021 – Studwagyuauction.com – The June Select Sale – Online Auction

July 17/18, 2021 – Studwagyuauction.com – The Intl. Mid Summer Classic – Online Worldwide Event
August 21, 2021 – Elite Wagyu Sale - Salado, TX
Oct. 2, 2021 – Joseph Decuis Inaugural "Toast to a Wagyu Celebration" Sale, Roanoke, IN
Oct. 23, 2021 – Vermont Wagyu Production Sale – At the Farm in Springfield, VT

To post an upcoming event or to advertise your event with a live link, please contact the AWA Office.


Helpful Links


Stockmanship & Stewardship
Beef Quality Assurance
Beef Improvement Federation
Masters of Beef Advocacy
National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
Beef Cattle Community
eBEEF

Robert Williams, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Contact us at office@wagyu.org for any advertising inquires.
Visit us at wagyu.org for more information about the Wagyu breed.