calming agents for 4H steer

[dunni]

Our county fair is coming up in a few weeks, We have a 4H market steer that gets very anxious and jumpy in new situations.  At home, he is calm and we can do anything with him.  We have been working on exposing him to new people, things, etc.. I am considering using cattle calm or melatonin to help his nerves and for my young daughter to be able to show him.  Anyone have experience with either of these? 
I read cattle calm has no withdrawal.  But I wondered if either cattle calm or melatonin was tested for at 4h level? or if they are allowed?  thanks in advance.

We are in Ohio and our fair rules default to Ohio Chapter 901-19 Livestock rules.

 

[looking4champions]

FOCUS ORAL CALMING LIQUID.!!!!! (period)

Sold By Sullivan Supply. All natural. No withdrawal and drug free.  Order 8 oz and try it at home before the show.  Trust me it works.  Drench the steer with it using the recommended dosage.  Give it time to take effect. Then see how he reacts. Its kind of pricey, but paying $40 bucks for 8 oz is worth the investment to protect your child and others.  Not to mention some of the ringmasters are useless at some shows.  Don't leave your kids safety and an opportunity to grow as a showman to chance.

Let me know if you try it and what you think about it. Good Luck!

 

[dunni]

Tried the Focus today. Gave it in the AM and then 3 hours later had some new people come into pen while we were leading him.  Did not seem to make a difference, but only gave a 15ml dose. label says 15-30 ml so I will try the 30ml.

 

[vc]

Try melatonin, start with 30ml (10 3ml tabs) feed it to him same time every day (once a day), will take a few days to really tell if it is working. From there you can add or subtract the dosage, if it make him to mellow take away 9ml's if it dose not seem to be enough add 9ml's you can give it to him all the way through the project. Grow n Shine is another option, both will help with hair as well.

Walmart, CVS, or equivalent, look for the 2 for one sale. Get the 3 ml tabs, there are others but it can get deceiving, I find the 3 ml are the easiest to figure the dosage, you can count them out and bag them so you have the dosage ready for each day, you can crush them and top dress or just put them on the feed, depends on the calf, some just eat everything in the feed pan.

 

[dunni]

We used the  melatonin a couple months ago for clipping, getting used the blower, etc.. and it  worked well.
I was concerned about using it for fair time as I could not find any info on a  possible withdrawal period and was not certain it was allowed in the 4h setting.

 

[looking4champions]

If the calf is 1000lb or heavier I would give more than the minimum.  Keep working it until you get the dosage to where it works.  Plus keep in mind its all natural, so you can't overdose it.  I would try it 20-30 minutes after you give it to him. Not 3 hours.

 

[dunni]

Thanks for the advice.  Yes, it is a market steer that weighs about 1250#.  I will give a higher dose today and see it's effects  30 minutes afterward.  I appreciate all of your input.  I showed for many years, but never had a need for a calming agent so have never used one before.  This steer is not mean, aggressive, or crazy.  Just very nervous and anxious around new things-- and we all know a scared steer can be a dangerous one.

 

[DLD]

Just because Focus is all natural does not mean that you can't overdose it.  Too much will make them get soft in their top and/or want to drag their feet, just like ace.  I use Focus and I believe it works (on most of them anyway), but you have to start slow and see how it works on each individual animal because it affects them all differently.

 

[vc]

Cattle produce melatonin, it is a natural occurring hormone, almost all of the hair growth supplements for cattle contain Melatonin,  I know it is not listed as a banned substance for showing nor is it tested for.   
We used the Grow-n-shine, the pills from walmart more for hair growth and for a few calves that needed to take the edge off. To me it just like calf calm or any other of those types of supplements.
If it worked for your calf earlier I am betting it will work now.