HEALTH & NUTRITION...

Mineral Moxie

University researchers say producers should focus the most on mineral nutrition the last trimester of pregnancy and the first 100 days following calving when cows are rebreeding.

If your budget for cow minerals doesn’t stretch year-round, at least make sure your females get what they need that last trimester of pregnancy. Read more.

Bob Larson

Vet Link

Assessing heifer reproductive soundness

Selection and development of replacement heifers should start by selecting heifers born early in the calving season from dams and bulls likely to produce calves that have sound feet and legs, good udders, and appropriate size and milking ability for the available forage. Approximately six weeks before the start of the breeding season, heifers should undergo a thorough physical examination, including determination of body weight and palpation of the reproductive tract. Confirming that a high percentage of replacement heifers are cycling prior to the start of the breeding season as well as identifying and removing freemartins, very immature heifers, and pregnant heifers will increase the success of an estrous synchronization and AI program and allow more appropriate management of these nonbreeding animals. Read more.

Structured Management Key to Improved Feedlot Health, Vet Says

Challenges to feedlot cattle health remain much as they have been for the last few decades. The reasons cattle get sick haven’t changed much, says veterinarian Jason Osterstock, of Texas AgriLife Research, an agency of the Texas A&M University system.

“Feedlot cattle are like a bunch of kindergartners sharing infections with one another,”Osterstock says. “There have been no great scientific breakthroughs to change that.”

And while the manager’s toolbox is better equipped than 30 years ago, Osterstock believes the key to improved feedlot health is a comprehensive approach to management. That has to start with early detection of disease and timely, appropriate response. Read more.

Feeding Distillers’ Grains May Affect Beef Color

Seeking answers to questions regarding potential consequences of including distillers’ grains in cattle finishing diets, University of Nebraska meat scientist Chris Calkins says the most significant impact on meat characteristics may be the way distillers’ grains influence beef’s appearance in the retail meatcase. According to Calkins, feeding wet distillers’ grains (WDGs) seems to compromise shelf life in terms of color. Read more.

Rick Rasby

Ridin’ Herd

Strategies of supplementation

We have discussed in this column supplementation strategies and how to determine if the diet is deficient in protein, energy, minerals, etc. As producers strive to keep input costs in check, there may be some ways to continue to attack fuel and labor costs that are related to the nutrition program. How you deliver a supplement, especially if the diet is deficient in protein, may lead to a reduction in input costs. Read more.

NAHMS Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the first report from its National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Beef 2007-2008 study. Focusing on health and management practices implemented on U.S. beef cow operations, the study compiled information from producers in states containing the largest beef cow populations. How does your operation compare? Read more.