HEALTH & NUTRITION...
Johne’s Disease
Among dairy and beef herds, the trend is obvious: Johne’s disease is on the increase. Research shows that one out of 10 animals moving through livestock auction facilities has Johne’s disease, with infection rates at one out of about four dairy herds and eight out of 100 beef herds. Read More.
Bovine Leukosis Virus
Bovine leukosis virus (BLV) is one of those insidious diseases that can kill cattle and reduce overall productivity of a beef herd, even when there are no obvious signs of infection. In less than 5% of infected cattle, BLV causes malignant lymphoma that leads to cancerous tumors (lymphosarcoma) and death. Most animals don’t die of the disease, but the virus can never be eliminated, and BLV-positive cattle remain a source of infection for other animals. Read more.
Bob Larson
Vet Link
Prevent drug and chemical residues in meat
The use of drugs in food-producing animals is an important requirement for protecting animal health and welfare and for efficiently producing food for a growing world population. However, because almost any chemical administered to an animal will be found in various body tissues and organs for some period of time after administration, establishing and following appropriate withdrawal times is essential for responsible drug use. Read more.
Basic Requirements
Meeting the basic nutrient requirements of beef cows is a key component of meeting cow herd production and profitability goals for the beef cattle enterprise. Read more.
Feeding Cows During Cold Weather
Many cow-calf producers are not aware that cold weather brings added nutritional needs for cattle. Or, if they recognize that their cattle are stressed, they aren’t sure how — or what — they should do to offset it. Read more.
Rick Rasby
Ridin' Herd
Reduce hay storage losses
As input costs for the cow-calf producer continue to rise, it will take timely management of all resources to remain competitive. How forages are stored affects losses that can occur from the time the forage is harvested to the time it is fed. Read more.