SOP 409.03.02: Beef Cattle Operations

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`CORRECTIONS DIVISION/`
`FACILITIES OPERATIONS`|`Reference Number: `
`IVM01-0002`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`12/15/02`|
|`Subject:`
`Beef Cattle Operations`|||
|`Authority:`
`DONALD/ADAMS`|`Effective Date:`
`9/01/04`|`Page``1`` of`
`9 `|

I. POLICY:

   GDC beef farms shall have the goal of efficient production of
   beef to meet requirements established through analysis of food
   service needs for inmate population.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All facilities having beef farms established by Central Office
   Food and Farm Services Subdivision and operating under Central
   Farm Services management.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   A. OCGA 40-5-6b

   B. GDC SOP: IVM01-0001

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. Beef Cattle Operation:

      1. Beef cattle operations function under the general
         direction of the State Farm Administrator who has
         authority to set production goals, design
         bloodlines, set finish weights, dictates purchase

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      and transfer plans, and institutes any other
      fundamental farm management policies.

   2. Institutional operations are conducted through the
      cooperation of institutional farm managers with the
      State Farm Administrator.

   3. Research shall be incidental to the farm's purpose
      and is not to interfere with the primary function,
      namely, beef production. Research proposals
      submitted by the University shall be discussed with
      the State Farm Administrator and the State Farm
      Advisor prior to initiation. Data obtained will be
      made available to the benefit of all Georgians
      according to the University's policies.

   4. The Farm Manager is responsible for overall beef
      cattle operation. Temporary authority and
      accountability may be delegated to specified
      personnel for time periods of weekends and after
      normal working hours.

   5. All replacements will be purchased by the Farm
      Advisor. The Farm Advisor and the Farm Manager will
      coordinate how many and the type of replacements
      needed. If permissible each manager will be able to
      view replacements before purchase is made.

B. Personnel:

   1. Operation supervisor shall delegate duties to
      correctional officers, and is responsible for the
      supervision of all work projects.

   2. Correctional officers shall pick up and transport
      inmates to work areas, and shall provide necessary
      supervision and security.

   3. All farm staff in non-security positions shall be
      acutely aware of the need for inmate security at all
      times and shall support correctional officers in
      security-related functions if it is necessary for
      the maintenance of security. Said staff shall also
      observe all facility rules concerning security in
      all contexts, and shall seek clarification from
      supervisors or correctional officers when in doubt

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      concerning some security aspect of the farm
      operation.

   4. All staff shall hold the care and health of animals
      used in the operation to be of utmost importance.
      Animal abuse or mistreatment by inmates or staff
      shall be vigorously prohibited and dealt with in an
      appropriate manner if it occurs. Offenders shall
      not be allowed to work in a Georgia Department of
      Corrections animal enterprise if they have any
      history of animal abuse.

   5. Correctional officers assigned to the beef cattle
      unit are to receive on-the-job training in working
      with beef cattle.

   6. Supervisors and correctional officers shall keep
      informed in modern beef operations techniques by
      participating in short-courses and/or classes, which
      may be offered.

C. Record Keeping:

   1. Accurate records pertaining to farm inventory are
      maintained, and livestock Monthly Report is
      submitted to the State Farm Administrator's Office.

   2. Livestock inventories will be monitored by the State
      Farm Advisor, who will conduct an inventory audit on
      a quarterly basis.

   3. Lee Arrendale State Prison Farm - Actual head count
      is to be continued each month using the Beef Monthly
      Livestock Report (IVM01-0001, Attachment 4).

   4. Middle Georgia Regional Farm - Actual head count is
      to be continued each quarter as outlined below using
      the Beef Monthly Livestock Report (IVM01-0001,
      Attachment 4).

      a. March, May, August, and October

   5. Joe Kennedy Farm - Actual head count is to be
      conducted no less than every other month using the
      Beef Monthly Livestock Report (IVM01-0001,
      Attachment 4).

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   6. Rogers State Prison Farm - Actual head count is to
      be conducted on a quarterly basis using the Beef
      Monthly Livestock Report (IVM01-0001, Attachment 4).
      An actual head count shall be conducted in April,
      July, October, and December. These are the months
      the cattle are worked on an individual basis.

   7. If a farm for any reason cannot conduct an actual
      head count in the above outlined manner, the manager
      must submit a report outlining the reason why actual
      head count is not conducive at the scheduled time
      and a plan of action outlining a more appropriate
      count time to the State Farm Administrator. This
      report must be received prior to the above scheduled
      count time.

D. Cattle Pre-Breeding Procedures:

   1. No less than three weeks prior to the beginning of
      the breeding season, all bulls will be worked
      through a restraining system, and qualified
      personnel will perform a reproductive soundness
      examination.

      a. Bulls shall be given a rectal palpation in
         order to determine whether or not there are any
         abnormalities of the sex glands.

      b. Scrotal measurements are to be recorded, and
         semen samples should be collected. Semen is to
         be tested for sperm quality, motility, and
         morphology.

      c. Bulls are also to be examined for soundness of
         the feet and legs.

      d. Bulls not meeting selection criteria are to be
         culled from the herd.

      e. In addition to the above procedures, bulls are
         to be dewormed at this time.

   2. If replacement bulls are to be used, these bulls are
      to be selected on the basis of performance of
      testing data. Any replacement bulls must be tested
      for tuberculosis and brucellosis prior to exposure

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      to the cow herd unless purchased from a certified or
      accredited herd.

   3. Approximately three weeks prior to the beginning of
      the breeding period, all cows should be processed
      through restraining equipment. Prebreeding
      requirements of the Farm Services' Herd Health
      Program must be met.

   4. Following the treatment prescribed above, cows
      should be organized into designated breeding groups.

   5. Replacement bulls and/or cows must be approved by
      State Farm Advisor or designee of State Farm
      Administrator.

E. Breeding Period Procedures:

   1. The length of the breeding season shall not exceed
      ninety days.

   2. The bull to cow ratio shall be no greater than one
      bull for each 35 cows to be bred.

   3. Bulls shall be observed daily in order to determine
      soundness of the feet and legs, sex organs, and the
      ability to service females.

   4. It is essential to be certain that the correct bull
      is with each designed breeding group. Bull to
      breeding group relationships is to be recorded in
      the Farm's records for inspection by the State Farm
      Advisor or State Farm Administrator.

   5. Bulls who are determined to be unable to properly
      service cows are to be replaced immediately.

F. Calving Period Procedures:

   1. Approximately six to eight (6-8) weeks prior to the
      beginning of the calving season, the cows shall be
      worked through restraint equipment. Cows shall be
      treated for internal and external parasites.

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2. After being worked, cows are to be placed in
   designated pastures easily traversed by horses and
   light truck.

3. Protein and energy feedstuffs should be provided in
   order to meet nutrition requirements. Adequate
   water and minerals are also to be provided.

4. Heifers calving for the first time shall be placed
   in easily accessible pastures in the event that
   delivery assistance is required; the pastures should
   be checked frequently at this time.

5. Calving pastures are to be checked routinely. The
   observer is to look for calving difficulties, rectal
   prolapse, and other problems.

6. All newborn calves are to receive the following by
   the age of 100 days:

   a. Male calves are to be castrated, treated with a
      topical antibiotic, and implanted with a growth
      promotant.

   b. All calves are to be tattooed in both ears with
      a designated chronological identification
      number.

   c. All calves will be ear tagged, with male calves
      being tagged in the right ear, and females
      being tagged in the left ear with metal and
      plastic tags.

   d. Ear tag numbers should be identical to the
      tattoo numbers. All lost tags shall be
      replaced.

   e. Calves are to be dehorned when they are
      processed through the chute for their first
      series of vaccinations. All calves are to be
      dehorned and healed prior to weaning.

   f. These procedures are to be followed unless
      other directives are given in writing by the
      State Farm Advisor and approved by the State
      Farm Administrator.

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G. Weaning Period Procedures:

   1. At an approximate age of nine months, calves are to
      be prepared for the stress of hauling and the
      differing environment of the feedlot through the
      following:

      a. At weaning time (during the suppression of
         nursing), calves will be separated from their
         dams and placed in separate enclosures.

      b. All calves will be processed through restraint
         equipment, treated for internal and external
         parasites, and given the proper vaccination
         boosters.

      c. Brood cows will be pregnancy checked 90 days
         after the bulls have been removed from the
         breeding group or shortly after weaning.

H. Finishing Period Procedures

   1. Feeder calves are to be transferred to the finishing
      unit at approximately 500 lbs. of bodyweight. A
      Livestock Sale/Transfer Agreement, (IVM01-0001,
      Attachment 1) is completed and signed, and serves as
      documentation of transfer. This form is to
      accompany cattle at time of shipment. For calves
      falling short of 500 lbs. in weight, a list of each
      animal must be submitted to the State Farm
      Administrator.

   2. Feeder calves received at the finishing facility are
      to be placed in a backgrounding program, which
      consists of grazing with supplemental feed provided.

   3. Calves will remain in the backgrounding program
      until a bodyweight of approximately 800 pounds is
      reached.

   4. When adequate bodyweight is achieved, calves are to
      be moved into a feedlot, where they will remain on
      feed until attaining a slaughter weight of
      approximately 1200 pounds or has reached maximum
      growth potential as dictated by frame size. Average

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      time in the feedlot is 125 to 130 days, with an
      average daily gain of approximately three pounds.

I. Production Goals for Cow/Calf Units:

   1. The following are goals, which have been established
      for cow/calf operations:

      a. Conception rates - 90% or better as computed
         from the number of breeding females exposed.

      b. Live calf delivery rate - 90% or better as
         computed from the number of females bred.

      c. Live calf weaning rate - 95% or better as
         computed from the number of calves born alive.

      d. Average weaning weight of male calves - 475
         lbs. or better

      e. Average weaning weight of female calves - 450
         lbs. or better

      f. Post-weaning average daily gain (120 days)          1.25 lbs.

      g. Total annual death loss - 2% or less as
         calculated on weaned calves and mature animals.

J. Pasture Management:

   1. Fences are to be examined frequently for damage, and
      repaired as necessary. All fence lines are to be
      maintained free of debris and plant growth.

   2. Water supply (ponds, tanks, creeks, etc.) is to be
      checked daily to be sure that there is an ample
      supply of quality drinking water.

   3. Pastures are to be observed daily for adequate
      grazing forage, and should be rotated as necessary.

   4. Pastures are to be maintained for weed control by
      chemical spraying, rotary mowing, and intensive
      grazing practices.

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   5. Soil samples are to be submitted for laboratory
      analysis each year during the fall season. Pastures
      are to be fertilized according to soil test
      recommendations. Fertilizer will be applied in
      accordance with Georgia Cooperative Extension
      Service recommendations. Copies of test results and
      plans for fertilization will be submitted to the
      State Farm Advisor for his records.

   6. Winter small grain pastures should be grazed in
      order to prevent overgrazing. This results in
      diminished leaf area, which will not allow for
      regrowth.

   7. Selected pastures will be properly managed in order
      to obtain optimum hay harvest. In the event that
      Hay is transferred from one farming operation to
      another a farm Weigh Bill form is used, see (IVM01      0001 Attachment 3). Proper management will involve
      soil sampling, fertilization, limited grazing, etc.

K. Security:

   1. Syringes, needles, medicines, scalpel blades, and
      similar supplies are stored in a secure place, and
      are checked out to inmates in accordance with
      institutional security regulations. A record is
      kept indicating what was issued, to whom issued, and
      the time that the item was returned.

   2. Other tools are issued in the same manner.

   3. A daily and monthly inventory is kept on all items
      for security and restocking purposes. Disposable
      items such as needles, syringes, and scalpel blades
      are accounted for and secured in the same manner as
      non-disposable items.

L. Safety:

   1. Weekly safety meetings pertaining to work area
      specific topics will be mandatory. A copy of the
      meeting minutes including list of attendees should
      be maintained on site for a period of two (2) years.

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2. It will be the responsibility of all farm staff to
   monitor farm operations on a daily basis to insure
   the safety of both the staff and inmates assigned to
   this work area.