FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENCE OF CALF SCOURS IN NORTH-DAKOTA BEEF HERDS

A survey of 85 beef cattle producers in North Dakota was conducted to determine differences in scours in beef calves with respect to calving times and corn silage feeding, Fifty-eight of the ranchers returned the surveys, giving a 68% response rate. Findings indicated that calves born in herds in which heifers were bred before the rest of the cow herd were 1.6 times more likely to have scours than were calves that were born in herds in which heifer breeding was begun at the same time as the cows. Additionally, the calf scours rate was lower in herds in which corn silage was fed to cows compared to herds that were not fed silage. Protocols are needed to extract and evaluate the variables associated with calf scours. Through careful observation and by presenting the correct questions about management and nutrition, the answers to scours challenges can be obtained by practitioners.