Livestock Newsletter July/August 2000

Table of Contents

• Trouble Shooting Lactation Feed Intake Problems
• The 2000-2001 Georgia HERD Program
• Algae Control in Catfish Ponds: Research and Alternatives
• Minor Use Drugs Important to Alternative Animal Enterprises
• 2000 State 4-H Horse Show
• Feeding Horses During a Hay Shortage
• Upcoming Livestock Dates

Optimal feed intake for lactating sows is critical for sufficient milk production and nursing pig growth. Less than optimal feed intake during lactation can reduce the number of pigs weaned and weaning weights. Feed intake during lactation can be affected by many things and below is a list of factors to check to insure optimal feed intake and piglet growth.

Body Condition (prefarrowing) The body condition of sows when they farrow is a result of their gestation feeding program. Feeding too much during gestation can result in sows going off feed during lactation. In general, sows should be fed approximately 4 lbs of a balanced gestation ration per day for the first 35 days of gestation, 4-6 lbs per day during the period from day 35 to day 90 and 4-5 lbs per day until farrowing. Feeding more especially late in gestation, can cause a reduction in feed intake during lactation. Body weight adjustments for sows should be addressed during the period from day 35 to 90, during which light weight sows should be fed 6 lbs per day and heavy sows should be fed 4 lbs per day.

Phase feeding. Sows should be moved on to a full feeding schedule gradually after farrowing. For most farms, starting with 4 lbs of feed on the first day after farrowing and then increasing the daily feed by two pounds per day until they reach full feed can be a successful program. Bringing sows to full feed too quickly can cause sows to go off feed for a few days. If this happens, the process of gradually increasing feed should be repeated. The wide variation in farms and production methods means individual managers should use trial and error to identify a program that works best for their farm. Once on a full feeding schedule, sows should be fed several times a day if possible to make sure they are getting all the feed that they need.

Water. Good access to water is critical for optimal lactation. Sows that are not drinking will reduce feed intake. Waterers should supply 3-4 pints of water per minute so that sows can get large amounts of water quickly.

Temperature. Keep the temperature around sows at 65 to 70 degrees F. Use drip coolers if necessary.

Humidity. Keep the relative humidity between 60 and 70 and make sure the ventilation rate is adequate.

Feeder. Make sure the feeder is designed so that sows can easily access feed. Also make sure the feeder is free from surfaces that can be abrasive to the sow.

Parity. Feed intake should increase as parity increases. Therefore, a herd with a low average parity could have a low average daily feed intake.

Litter size. Sows with larger litters will eat more. When comparing sow feed intakes, remember that sows with small litters will generally eat less than sows with larger litters.
 
 

The 1999-2000 Georgia Heifer Evaluation and Reproductive Development program was a tremendous success. In our first year, we learned a lot. Not the least of which was that we could successfully keep 200 bulls and 240 heifers separated! Thank goodness for an electric fence. The heifers stayed very healthy; they developed well; the Seniors bred well (72% A.I.); and the ones in the sale sold well. We expect the buyers to be happy with the calves from these heifers and are anxious to hear from them this coming fall. A lot of effort was required from Extension Agents on the Heifer Team to make the HERD program work.

Now we are gearing up for our second year and we have incorporated some changes. The Heifer Team met in June and finalized the outline for the coming year. The biggest change is that we welcome the Northwest Georgia Experiment Station as new partners in the HERD program. Most of you know them already- they are the people who manage the Calhoun Bull Test. Now they will also be managing heifers. We welcome Phil Worley and Travis Turnquist to the Heifer Team.

Last year, we had two divisions of heifers; the Senior heifers were born September-November and were evaluated and bred. The Juniors were born December-February and were evaluated but not bred. This year, the September-December heifers will come to the Evaluation Center near Irwinville, similar to last year's program. The December-February heifers will go to Calhoun and undergo the same evaluation and breeding program. Delivery will be in December for Calhoun and the sale will be in June. There will be no open heifer division. All other aspects of the program will operate as it did last year.

• Heifers will be fed a ration to support a moderate rate of gain. This is not a gain test.

 
• Heifers will be evaluated for frame score, pelvic area, reproductive tract score, disposition score, ribeye area and structure.

 
• Heifers may be registered or commercial. They must be home grown.

 
• Heifers will be heat-synchronized and bred A.I. for two cycles to a calving ease bull chosen by the Heifer Team. Consignors have the option of furnishing semen from the bull of their choice.

 
• Consignors can elect to take heifers home at the end of the program.

 

The HERD program is an opportunity for both purebred and commercial cattle producers to evaluate the genetics in their herds. We use the latest techniques in evaluation with a goal of increasing the reproductive efficiency of participating cattle herds. If you need information on the HERD program contact your local county Extension office or communicate to Robert Stewart at rstewart@uga.edu.
 
 

Catfish farmers continue to call with algae problems. Both planktonic (microscopic) and filamentous algae are problems. Algae is both good and bad for the fish farmer. It is good when it provides oxygen at no cost to the farmer or food for young fish or algae eating fish. It is bad when too much algae causes an oxygen depletion or high pH or high carbon dioxide. Off-flavor in catfish can be blamed on algae in most cases however, not all algae cause off-flavor. Filamentous algae can clog seines and hamper harvesting efforts.

Copper is applied as copper sulfate crystals or liquid copper formulations. For channel catfish, a precautionary warning is given when the pond water alkalinity is less than 40 ppm. It is very likely that the amount of copper needed to kill algae will also kill channel catfish in those relatively soft waters. However, carp species, blue catfish, rainbow trout, and shrimp are more sensitive to copper than channel catfish. Chelated copper compounds in liquid formulations are effectively utilized in soft water to control algae. Liquid copper formulations are more expensive than copper sulfate, but when used according to label recommendations give effective temporary algae control.

Diquat is utilized for algal species that copper cannot control. Certain species of filamentous algae, for example Pithophora sp., are resistant to copper. Certain planktonic blue-green algae, for example Nostoc muscorum are resistant to copper concentrations below 2.0 ppm. Although the label for diquat allows it to be utilized for food fish, it costs more than most copper herbicide treatments.

Both copper and diquat provide very temporary control of algae. These chemicals leave the water column in ponds to be bound to soil particles in the pond bottom. Elemental copper may accumulate in the pond soils over the years. Diquat adheres to soil particles very tightly and is not a good herbicide in turbid pond water. Light causes diquat to decompose over time.

In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the label for diuron to allow it to be used for algae control in catfish ponds in Mississippi and a few other states with catfish off-flavor problems associated with blue green algae. This year, the EPA has extended the use of diuron for blue-green algae control. Diuron controls certain blue-green algae that can cause off-flavor in catfish, particularly Oscillatoria challybea. That species of blue-green algae is frequently found in Mississippi catfish ponds that have off-flavor catfish. We have seen that species in a few catfish ponds in Georgia. However, we do not know the frequency of occurrence in our state.

In order to better respond to the need for algae control in Georgia, I am asking producers to help with identification of the catfish off-flavor problem. Please call me when you have a pond that has been determined to have off-flavor in catfish. We can then make arrangements to have a water sample analyzed for the presence of off-flavor causing blue-green algae. My telephone number is 912-386-3364.

Diuron can only be used an a carefully prescribed manner in Mississippi. A small amount, 0.5 ounces of the 80% formula, is applied per acre foot of water. One treatment is allowed every seven days for a maximum of nine treatments each year. This amount is only enough to kill the "sensitive" species of blue-green algae. Most other forms of algae are not killed by such a small amount. Copper can be applied at concentrations of 0.1 to 0.2 ppm to control some blue-green algae. Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, and Oscillatoria have been killed with such low concentrations of copper as copper sulfate.

Fish that eat planktonic algae can also help to control it. Recently, farmers have reported some success with threadfin shad in catfish ponds as a means to control the frequency of off-flavor from algae. We have evaluated threadfin shad and fathead minnows as controls for blue-green algae in catfish ponds and have seen mixed results so far. All treatments have a certain amount of blue-green algae. However, some of the ponds with threadfin shad have a lower density of blue-green algae than the other ponds. Microcystis seems to be abundant in all ponds during the late summer and early fall. The variable results may be explained by the variation in the spawning success of either the threadfin shad or the fathead minnow. Also, since catfish eat some of both species, the numbers of threadfin shad or fathead minnows can vary a great deal from pond to pond. When our trials are complete and we share information among researchers at Auburn University and Louisiana State University who are conducting similar experiments, we hope to know if a fish can economically control blue-green algae. One advantage of using fish to eat the algae is the ability to remove more nitrogen and phosphorus from the pond as catfish eat the smaller threadfin shad or fathead minnow.

Mechanical control of algae may be attempted in several ways. One of the first methods was to flush the pond. Flushing was not economical, wasted water, and could not be accomplished quick enough in large ponds to affect algal populations. Another method was to shade the pond by adding a water coloring agent. Water colors are partially effective, but do not involve nutrient removal and may not be effective for algae that is near the surface. Aeration and water stirring have been reported to affect algal populations. The mechanism for algal control by moving water may be related to redistribution of nutrients, creation of soil turbidity, or otherwise reducing the amount of light available for algal growth.
 

References:

Lawrence, J. M. 1962. Aquatic herbicide data. Agricultural Handbook No. 231, ARS USDA, Washington, D. C. 133 p.

Ashton, F. M. and A. S. Crafts. 1973. Mode of action of herbicides. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 504 p.

Jones, S. 2000. EPA extends diuron use by catfish producers. Fish Farming News, Volume 8, May/June, p. 7.
 
 

What are you going to do when your channel catfish get sick? Or your goats, emus, ostriches, largemouth bass, shrimp, or red deer, among other species raised in Georgia as alternative animal enterprises? Approved antibiotics and chemical therapeutic treatments are scarce for these "minor use species." That is why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun looking at changes in their drug approval process as a means to provide relief to animals that suffer from diseases that have no "legal" treatment.

About 20 months ago, the FDA presented a report on Minor Uses and Minor Species (MUMS). A coalition of interested parties was formed as a response to the report which has now developed legislation aimed at a solution to many of the problems encountered when chemicals are needed to treat disease in minor species enterprises. We all know of the concern that society has for chemicals in our environment and our food supply. We also know of the ever increasing number of strict regulations that govern the manufacture and use of chemicals. One aspect of that concern is the requirement that each drug be tested and labeled separately for each animal species. That presents a problem when a drug that is approved for use with chickens can be utilized on a large scale, but that same drug cannot be used to treat a minor species such as channel catfish even though it would cure similar diseases.

Recently, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Commerce Committee, Charles W. Pickering (R-MS), agreed to sponsor a bill that would take the recommendations of the MUMS Coalition before Congress according to the Fish Farming News and the National Aquaculture Association. That bill should be introduced sometime this summer. This legislation has been drafted with the cooperation of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, representation of major drug manufacturers, and minor animal species associations. It is a good time to let your U.S. Representative know how you feel about the need for minor use drugs.

The cost for drug approval under the current system runs into the $10 million range. One drug company spent millions toward labeling an antibiotic for use with channel catfish only to be asked for additional studies. Even though that antibiotic was already utilized with other species, the company faced such an uncertain approval process with channel catfish that it dropped interest in the drug approval process. The loss of time and money for drug companies is only a part of the problem. Producers often lose part or all of their animal population because they are limited to old treatment methods which may be only partially effective or not at all effective.

I hope that the MUMS legislation will create new interest in sponsorship of registration of drugs for minor species. Antibiotics used to cure bacterial diseases are still a good tool in production agriculture. Vaccines have been developed as an alternative to antibiotics, but there are many diseases that lack a specific vaccine. Some animal strains are being developed that have genetic resistance to disease. Without new MUMS policy, the minor species will be limited to vaccines and long term development of genetic resistance to disease.
 
 

The State 4-H Horse Show was held in Perry at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, June 20 - 24. Sixty-five classes were held in four divisions. The divisions were Stock Seat, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, and Contest. All together 274 4-H'ers and 328 horses made up a total of approximately 1500 entries. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Horseman's Quarter Horse Association and the Georgia Thoroughbred Owners' and Breeders Association. Besides competing for state titles at the Georgia State 4-H Horse Show, riders are also competing to qualify for the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships. Georgia competes with twelve other southeastern states. Each state can qualify and send 42 riders and horses. In conjunction with the State 4-H Show is a demonstration and public speaking contest, the winners of which also qualify for the Southern Regionals. New this year - an art contest (drawing, painting and photo) and an essay contest were held.
 

Following are the Horse Show Division winners:
 

Hunt Seat

Senior Division Champion -- $400 educational scholarship, Master 4-H status
Merideth Bryans, Morgan Co.

Senior Reserve Champion
Carmen Moss, Gwinnett Co.

Junior Division Champion
Emily Heidt, Effingham Co.

Junior Reserve Champion
Melody Bryans, Morgan Co.

Cloverleaf Division Champion
Rebecca Bentley, Cobb Co.

Cloverleaf Reserve Champion
Danielle Anderson, Paulding Co.

Sportsmanship
Krystal Brown, Houston Co.
 

Stock Seat

Senior Division Champion -- $400 educational scholarship, sponsored by Horseman's Quarterhorse Association -- Master 4-H status
Carmen Moss, Gwinnett Co.

Senior Reserve Champion
Katie Casey, Cobb Co.

Junior Division Champion
Madison Sargent, Gwinnett Co.

Junior Reserve Champion
Kimberly Davis, Dooly

Cloverleaf Division Champion
Danielle Anderson, Paulding Co.

Cloverleaf Reserve Champion
Brittany Braswell, Gwinnett Co.

Sportsmanship
Lauren McGirt, Douglas Co.
 

Saddle Seat

Senior Division Champion -- $400 educational scholarship -- Master 4-H status
Megan Sapp, Wayne Co.

Senior Reserve Champion
Lindsey Blalock, Glyn Co.

Junior Division Champion
Caitlin Pumpelly, Wayne Co.

Junior Reserve Champion
Melody Bryans, Morgan Co.

Saddle Seat

Cloverleaf Division Champion
Lauren Wasdin, Wayne Co.

Cloverleaf Reserve Division
Eliza Pursley, Wayne Co.

Sportsmanship
Cassandra Smith, Douglas Co.
 

Contest Events

Senior Division Champion -- $400 educational scholarship -- Master 4-H status
Krystal Mincey, Elbert Co.

Senior Reserve Champion
William Heape, Screven Co.

Junior Division Champion
Molly Ricketson, Coffee Co.

Junior Reserve Champion
Robbie Taylor, Bacon Co.

Sportsmanship
Casey Barber, Bacon Co.
 

County Stall Award

1^st-- Douglas
2^nd--Rockdale
3^rd--Fayette
 

Overall High Test Score

Sam Goodson, Carroll Co.
 

Following are the Demonstration, Public Speaking, Essay, and Art contest winners:

Individual Demonstration

Seniors: Juniors:

1^st -- Meredith Bryans, Morgan Co. 1^st -- Kristen Yeaney, Oconee Co.
2^nd -- Krystal Mincey, Elbert Co. 2^nd -- Sarah Yeaney, Oconee Co.
3^rd -- Colleen Shumake, Morgan Co.
 

Public Speaking

Seniors: Junior:

1^st -- Meredith Bryans, Morgan Co. 1^st -- Melody Bryans, Morgan Co.
2^nd -- Krystal Mincey, Elbert Co.
 

Essay Contest

Seniors: Juniors:

1^st -- Krystal Mincey, Elbert Co. 1^st -- Jacquelyn Smith, Douglas Co.
2^nd -- Lacey Fletcher, Coffee Co. 2^nd -- Caitlin Pumpelly, Wayne Co.
3^rd -- Shacora Travis, Mitchell Co. 3^rd -- Cristen Poole, Harris Co.
 

Photo Contest:

Seniors: Juniors:

1^st -- Megan Sapp, Wayne Co. 1^st -- Mary E. Godfrey, Forsyth Co.
2^nd -- Aaron Schroeder, Stewart Co. 2^nd -- C.J. Rutledge, Baldwin Co.
3^rd -- Elizabeth Barfield, Cobb Co. 3^rd -- Ashley Wood, Fulton Co.
 

Drawing Contest:

Seniors: Juniors:

1^st -- Ashley Poland, Cobb Co. 1^st -- Sandy Smith, Douglas Co.
2^nd -- Lacey Fletcher, Coffee Co. 2^nd -- Cristen Poole, Harris Co.
3^rd -- Lisa Ann Barley, Webster Co. 3^rd -- Germael Travis, Mitchell Co.
 

Painting Contest:

1^st -- Ashley Poland, Cobb Co.
2^nd -- Krystal Mincey, Elbert Co.
 
 

During times of droughty conditions we are reminded even more the importance of roughage in a horse's diet. Many areas of the South East have or will have low supplies of hay because of not being able to make hay as well as having to feed hay to many horses that normally would be maintained on pasture. Horses require roughage in the diet to maintain normal digestive function. Horses have a microbial population in the hind gut that is similar in types and numbers per volume of the hind gut as the cow has in the rumen. When the horse does not receive adequate roughage the microbial population is altered and digestive problems may occur. The horse also needs adequate levels of roughage in the diet to maintain normal behavior. It is not known whether inadequate levels of roughage create digestive disturbances that lead to altered behavior or the horse simply needs to chew a minimum number of times per day to accommodate or mimic normal grazing behavior. Horses in a free grazing situation with enough available forage will spend seventy percent or greater of their time grazing. In reality the minimum chew time a horse needs probably fulfills both functions of maintaining normal digestive function and normal behavior.

With the above in mind what is the minimum amount of hay that can be fed to a horse and what roughage sources may be substituted for hay? The minimum level of roughage a horse should receive per day is .75 to 1.0% of the horses's body weight in hay or hay equivalent. This means an 1100 pound horse should consume 8.25 to 11 pounds of hay or hay equivalent per day. Hay equivalent is a key word as complete pelleted feed with a high fiber content is not the same as a feed that has high levels of fiber (ie 18-25% crude fiber) that has not been ground and/or pelleted. Hay chopped, ground, or pelleted does not provide the same hay equivalent as a hay fed from a bale or even chopped to less than one inch in stem length. Another important rule when limiting hay intake is to make sure the hay or hay equivalent roughage source makes up at least 50% of the total feed consumed per day.

Two readily available sources of roughages that can be partially or completely substituted for hay in a horses's diet are beet pulp and cottonseed hulls. Beet pulp can make up to 20-25% of the total diet of a horse. Beet pulp has a crude fiber and energy content similar to alfalfa hay for horses. The 1100 pound horse doing light work can be maintained on 9.5 pounds of Bermudagrass hay and 9.5 pounds of a grain-sweet feed that contains 5-7 % crude fiber. If beet pulp were used at up to 25% of the diet, the horse could be fed as follows:
 

POUNDS / DAY
Bermudagrass Hay 4.75
Beet Pulp 4.75
Grain-sweet feed 9.50
(10% crude protein, 5-10% crude fiber)
 

The same 1100 pound horse doing moderate work could be fed as follows:

POUNDS / DAY
Bermudagrass Hay 5.25
Beet Pulp 5.25
Grain-sweet feed 11.00
(10% crude protein, 5-7% crude fiber)
 

Cottonseed hulls have a much higher fiber content than Bermudagrass hay. Neutral detergent fiber content of cottonseed hulls will be around 80% whereas Bermudagrass hay will range from 65 to 70. Therefore cottonseed hulls will provide more bulk or fiber so that less of it can be fed with more grain. We ( the University of Georgia Horse Center) have successfully fed diets containing 20-30% cottonseed hulls.

Cottonseed hulls can be fed to an 1100 pound horse doing light work as follows:
 

POUNDS / DAY POUNDS / DAY

Bermudagrass hay 5.0
Cottonseed hulls 2.0 5.5
Grain - sweet feed 10.5 12.5
(12% crude protein, 5-7% crude fiber)
 

The same horse doing moderate work can be fed as follows:
 

POUNDS / DAY POUNDS / DAY

Bermudagrass Hay 6.5
Cottonseed hulls 4.0 8.0
Grain-sweet feed 12.00 15.0
(12% crude protein, 5-7% crude fiber)
 

The cottonseed hulls should be mixed with the grain portion of the diet. It is also important to use a textured feed (not pelleted) when feeding cottonseed hulls and/or beet pulp. Any changes in the horses diet should be made gradually over a seven to ten day period. This requires some planning and foresight so that changes can be made before certain supplies of roughages run out.

Horses may have more energy when reducing hay intake and increasing the levels of other feed. This is why it is important for a competent Equine Nutritionist to take a look at the energy intake your horse was receiving and what the energy intake will be in your proposed diet. Horses fed a minimum amount of roughage may need more exercise time. Horses may need to be fed more often to reduce the times between meals thus preventing long periods of boredom and long periods of reduced gut fill. In many cases the total of feed fed will be reduced, therefore, the horse spends less time eating. When limited amounts of roughage are fed to horses you should be looking for signs of behavior changes. For example, some horses will begin the practice of coprophagy (eating their own feces). Another potential behavior problem is mane and tail chewing. Finally, horses may begin to crib. Cribbing is the act of a horse grabbing a horizontal surface, usually wood, with its incisor teeth, flexing their necks, and swallowing air. Physical problems may result from each of the motions a horse goes through during the act of cribbing. The incisor teeth become very badly worn, the neck muscles may develop excessively (hypertrophy), and if enough air is swallowed, colic may result. It is important that if you begin noting any of the above behaviors, that you make some changes immediately. Changes to be considered should be diet, less confinement time, more contact with other horses, and increasing the number of times a day a horse is fed.

To conclude, there is a limited supply of hay available for feeding horses. There are some alternatives to feeding horses with a limited amount of hay. A higher level of management is needed when feeding zero or limited amounts of hay to prevent digestive and behavioral problems. If you are not certain what you are doing, seek help from a competent Horse Nutritionist.
 
 

Upcoming Livestock Dates

September 1 Entry deadline for bulls at Tifton

September 8 Entry deadline for HERD heifers at Tifton

September 19-21 Pork Check-off Referendum Vote (FSA Office)

October 6-15 2000 11^th Georgia National Fair, Georgia Agricenter, Perry

October 17-19 Sunbelt Expo, Moultrie

October 31 Deadline for registration of swine operations (300 to 1000 Animal Units) with EPD

November 3-5 Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY.

November 15 Entry deadline for HERD heifers at Calhoun

December 14 Calhoun Bull Sale