Stocker cattle also have their share of challenges

The decision to sell cows from the herd is often influenced by a variety of factors, including her performance, the quality of her offspring, cattle prices and marketing opportunities. (Photo: Kansas State University Research and Extension)

I hear several cattlemen who buy lots of stocker cattle say that it is a lot harder to keep these calves alive when weaning them than it used to be—particularly when buying these unweaned calves, normally in September and October, but sometimes for more months than that.

For those of you who think a black leg shot is all a calf needs, then you are definitely living in the past. That might have worked 30 years ago. Giving that cow a red nose lepto shot will also build immunity in the unborn calf. I am going to do that more consistently any time I have that cow in the chute, but be sure and read the label and make sure it is safe for giving it to a pregnant cow or a calf nursing a pregnant cow.

With this huge challenge of keeping these calves alive, plus the cost of a calf, I think you could easily see $50 per hundredweight difference between the calves vaccinated right and those with no vaccine or only a blackleg shot.

My son just texted me and said I got all those cows back on the smoke. I knew what he meant since we call that place smoot. But, if you know me, you would know I texted back and said, “Oh, we have a fire there!?” Lucky for him, lots of times I can’t tell whether it’s his spelling or the phone.

Last Thursday I bought some small, thin calves, knowing better but did it anyway. I thought I can put a big bull in front and 31 small calves in the back. When I got on the west side of town, I filled up full of gas and, sure enough, two on the very back were down.

So I turned around, went back to the sale and, yes, you know the story then, I said, “Lord, please let them be alive and not trampled even though I made a dumb mistake.” Sure enough, they were fine. I guess I should lecture myself because I’m sure the boys would have gotten to hear how you can’t crowd thin, small calves. Sometimes I have to relearn the same thing time and time again.

Do you know what the cowgirl said at her second rodeo? This ain’t my first rodeo.

Editor’s note: The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the view of High Plains Journal. Jerry Nine, Woodward, Oklahoma, is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family’s ranch near Slapout, Oklahoma.