  BeefTalk:
Producers Know their Cattle With ‘SmartCows’
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
Last summer the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension
Center launched an initiative called "SmartCows."
The Center provided labor, facilities and traveled to producers who wanted to
have their cattle worked. With all the shop talk regarding the pending County of
Origin Labeling requirements, now would be a good time to share the crew’s
experiences.
Adam Ottmar shared the following diary of the visits, visits that for some
were the first experience of working cattle on the "range." Adam noted the
"Smart Cows" pre-weaning package was an easy and affordable means for any
producer to weigh, vaccinate, and record data on pre-weaned calves without the
hassle of facilities and labor.
In the SmartCows system, the producers supply the vaccine and the cattle.
From there, the SmartCows team takes over. The team included five professional
cattle handlers from the Dickinson Research Extension Center along with a mobile
facility which consisted of two portable corrals, a portable tub, and a working
chute.
Adam noted the first trip was a windy one for the crew as they journeyed
roughly 80 miles (one way) to southwest North Dakota. The cattle were
conveniently located in one area so only one setup was necessary. The ground was
rough and uneven which made the placement of the scale difficult. Once
everything was in place the crew began processing the 126 head of calves. The
producer had previously arranged for his cows to be ultrasounded so once the
calves were finished the crew did the ultrasounding as well. The equipment
proved itself worthy of long travel and harsh conditions from the beginning.
The second trip was a brief 60 mile trek to another southwest North Dakota
producer. At this operation, there were three locations that totaled 350 head.
Only calves were worked and conditions were mild. One working location was in
the middle of a stubble field that was dusty but quite simple to set up. The
calves were new to the facilities which made things more difficult and time
consuming. Yet, with patience, things went quite smoothly.
Distance was tested on the third trip. The crew headed to northwestern North
Dakota (250 miles one way) where the team worked 298 calves at three sites. The
New Town bridge, a couple of missed turns, and bitter cold proved to be the only
true challenges on that trip. The two-day trip turned out to be an enjoyable one
with cooperative calves, friendly producers, and some great café dining.
On the way home, another northwest North Dakota producer had his calves
preconditioned by the crew. With 110 calves at two sites, the workday was short
and sweet as the crew worked from the middle of the pastures. The only setback
of the day was one wrong turn.
As fall set in, good blasts of North Dakota’s icy wind made the day feel like
an eternity for the Smart Cow crew as they worked 135 calves at two sites and
drove 380 miles to another location.
The crew also headed to the eastern side of the state to work 218 calves at
two sites. After the 300 mile (one way) trip the crew worked along side the
local veterinarian to finish the job in great time. Great home cooking after the
first site warmed the group after a cold morning and brought good story telling
as well. The afternoon made for short work and the crew began the long ride
home.
The last trip of the year took the crew to the northwest corner of the state
to work 211 calves at two sites. Uneven ground ended up being quite a problem at
the first site and soft dirt posed challenges at the second. The day was
finished with good spirits and the roadwork for Smart Cows 2002 was complete.
Next week I will look at the costs, but rest assured cattle producers are no
slouches when it comes to knowing their cattle. May you find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at
www.BeefTalk.com. For more information,
contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association, 1133 State Avenue,
Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to
www.CHAPS2000.com on the Internet. In
correspondence about this column, refer to BT0143.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2427, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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BeefTalk
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"In today's beef world, it is
essential to keep accurate
records of your herd from
the day they are born to the
day they are taken to sale.
The future of beef production
has changed."
Adam Ottmar
College Student,
Manning, North Dakota
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