HEALTH & NUTRITION...
News Briefs
• Manhattan, Kan., Selected for DHS Facility
• MN Discovers TB-Positive Cows
• TB Identified in Indiana
• Bovine TB Detected in N.D. Animal
Comments Sought on Proposed
Cattle “Trich”Program for Texas
Ranchers, cattle owners, veterinarians and other interested persons are encouraged to comment on Texas’ proposed regulations to control trichomoniasis, or “trich,”a venereal disease of cattle that causes the early death of fetuses and abortions, resulting in infertility in cows and extended breeding seasons in a herd. The comment period for the proposed regulations by the Texas Animal Health Commission will end Jan. 30, 2009. Read more.
Not Just a Texas Problem
Cattle Tick Fever increasingly threatens the U.S. cattle population in the face of changing wildlife populations, difficult treatment options and an underfunded eradication program. Read more.
Bob Larson
Vet Link
Grain overload
As we move into winter months, cattle in many parts of the country are more likely to be fed or supplemented with grain to offset reduced quantity and quality of available forage. Too rapid or dramatic a change from a roughage diet to a concentrate diet can be accompanied by acidosis or grain overload. Read more.
Prevent Coccidiosis This Winter
Coccidia are so common in the United States that they can be found in beef and dairy calves from operations of all sizes and in all seasons, including cold winter weather. This means almost all calves are vulnerable to the damaging effects of coccidiosis, especially when the stress of changing weather creates a higher risk for disease. Read more.
Twine Ain’t Feed
During most years when winter comes, so does snow. And snow often leads to feeding hay. And feeding hay means work.
To lighten the workload feeding hay, we often take shortcuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales. And whether we want them to or not, animals fed that hay often eat at least some of that twine. What happens to twine that’s eaten? Read more.
Rick Rasby
Ridin' Herd
Increase revenue by managing body condition.
We are all well aware that input costs for cattle enterprises have increased during the past few years. Profit in the cow-calf enterprise can be increased by reducing annual cow costs, increasing revenue generated in the enterprise, or a combination of decreasing annual cow costs and increasing revenue generated. Sometimes you may need to invest money to generate more revenue. Are there management strategies that don’t take a lot of dollar investment to generate more revenue? Read more.