Hunger Pains of Beef Cattle Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Hunger Pains of Beef Cattle Presented by: Emily, Macie, Audrey Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Nutrient Requirements Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Nutrient Requirements Minerals: Salt, Calcium, Phosphorus Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, and E Protein: A medium-frame heifer calf weighing 1,000 lbs and gaining 1.0 lb/day needs appx. 1.5 lbs of protein Energy: A medium-frame heifer calf weighing 1,000 lbs and gaining 1.0 lb/day needs apx. 1.02 Mcal/lb of energy. Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Common Feeds Silage Pasture Corn Hay Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Common Feeds Silage Pasture Corn Hay Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Common Disorders Grass Tetany Bloat Founder Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Common Disorders Grass Tetany Bloat Founder Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Grass Tetany Grass tetany is a nutritional disorder that occurs when cattle are grazing on grass pastures that are deficient in magnesium. Early symptoms – Excitement Loss of coordination Loss of appetite Convulsions Coma Death may occur quickly, sometimes within 30 minutes Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Grass tetany Grass tetany is found most often in cattle during the lactation period. Prevention measures: Feeding Mg in the ration in areas where the soil is deficient Including legumes in the pasture mix Treatment by injecting a Ca & Mg solution into the jugular vein of the animal Cattle must be handled carefully, since stress may kill the animal Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Bloat Bloat occurs when rapid fermentation in the rumen causes too much gas to be produced. The rumen swells and the animal cannot get rid of the gas. Symptoms include uncomfortable movement and swelling through the middle part of the body. Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

bloat Prevention: Major cause of bloat: Treatment Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders bloat Major cause of bloat: Eating too much green legume too fast Some animals will bloat on dry feeds Prevention: Prevent animals from overeating legumes in too short a period of time Feed grain, dry roughage, or silage before turning cattle onto legume pastures Free access to water at all times Treatment Stomach tube passed through the mouth helps the animal get rid of the gas Walking on rough ground to get the animal to belch Forcing the animal to drink mineral oil or poloxalene (Bloat Guard) Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders Founder Founder is a swelling of the tissue that attaches the hoof to the foot. It occurs among cattle in the feedlot Symptoms include lameness, shifting weight from one foot to another, and difficulty to standing Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

founder Treatment: Take the animal off high-concentrate rations Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders founder Treatment: Take the animal off high-concentrate rations Put wet cold packs on the affected part Antihistamines sometimes used Overeating concentrates, sudden changes in ration, drinking too much water, or standing in a stall for long periods can cause founder Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015

Hunger Pains Principles of Agricultural Science – Animal Unit 5 – Lesson 5.4 Nutritional Disorders References Gillespie, J.R., & Flanders, F.B. (2015). Modern livestock and poultry production (9th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar. Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Copyright 2015