38 Follow us on Twitter: @PrairieFarming Better Farming | May/June 2024 Livestock 2. Duration of implant – How long do the implants last and does that fit into your management program? 3. Depletion curve – Typically implants release a large spike of hormone after implantation, with a slow decline after. 4. Nutrition – The feed and ration provided to the implanted cattle will impact the results. Mitchell explains that calves on grass and milk might see a 5:1 return on investment for implants, while those fed a creep feed might see more than 20:1 return on investment. 5. Cost – Implants vary in price. Mitchell says that some may be as cheap as 85 cents, while others can be up to $9. The needs of the operation will impact these factors. Implants can be used through four stages of production: Nursing calves, stocker calves, grower calves, and the finishing phases, says Mitchell. Implants should not be used in veal calves or bulls or heifers selected for breeding stock. “The phase that is the least used is nursing calves. They are the least commonly implanted. There are some very good products that generally start at 45 days old,” explains Mitchell. “In that stage you mostly see natural hormones at low amounts. Many times, they are one of the best payoffs. You are generally going to see 10 to 15, and potentially up to 30:1, return on investment, so it’s a great opportunity to add some growth.” Mitchell notes that implants are beneficial and improve economics in all four stages. Producers should also make sure that implants are applied correctly to maximize the benefits. “It’s important that anyone implanting cattle familiarize themselves with the implant gun. Make sure it’s loaded properly. They should clean and dry the ear, and the needle should be sharp and disinfected,” says Schmid. Mitchell adds that chlorhexidine is an appropriate mild disinfectant for the needle. If the calf has dirty ears, to avoid infecting the injection zone and the needle, he says that some producers also keep a toothbrush in chlorhexidine to clean the site. “Positioning is extremely important,” says Schmid. “The implant should be in the middle third of the ear. Avoid cartilage and do not place it too close to the head. When retracting the needle, hold the pellets in place without crushing them.” Pellets placed in cartilage will release too slowly, whereas crushed pellets or those placed too close to blood vessels can release too quickly. This will reduce the effectiveness of the implant and potentially increase behaviour problems associated with the hormone. Finding an implant strategy that reflects the needs of your cattle operation can improve growth and efficiency, saving money and improving margins. “It’s one of the safest investments that a beef farmer could possibly make,” says Mitchell. BF Cattle can be implanted at four stages: nursing calves, stocker calves, grower calves, and in the finishing stage. Farm & Food Care photo
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