HEALTH & NUTRITION...

NAHMS Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently 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.

High Protein Detrimental to Fertility

Ron Skinner, veterinarian near Hall, Mont., does a lot of artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transplants (ET), consults with ranchers on nutrition, and helps resolve breeding issues.

“When I started doing embryo work 30 years ago, I thought I could help cows by putting them on high-quality alfalfa hay. I learned that feeding a high-protein diet builds up a too-high urea level in uterine fluids and [the] blood stream and changes the pH, and really hurts conception rates,”Skinner says.

He had to adjust protein to a lower, more optimum level.

“Now our average is 15 to 18 eggs per cow. The national average is seven eggs per cow on a flush. Our AI conception rate is in the 80s, and we get well over a 70% conception rate on embryos. We weren’t able to do that until we changed nutrition management on cows during the period we’re giving shots, three weeks before the flush. This taught me that all the alfalfa hay we’re using in beef cattle now may be doing us more harm than good,”he says.

Skinner says alfalfa for beef cows is best used as a supplement rather than as the primary hay source. “Eleven to 12% protein for those cows is excellent, but 16% is too high,”Skinner says.

— by Heather Thomas

Bob Larson

Vet Link

Treating and preventing bull injuries

Because bulls are large and aggressive, it is not uncommon for bulls to have foot and leg injuries due to mounting activities or fighting with other bulls. In addition, bulls are susceptible to injuries of the penis, testicles and other organs of the reproductive tract. Read more.

How to Avoid Lead Poisoning

Recently a cow-calf producer suggested that producers be alerted of a potential danger of lead poisoning to their cattle. When the producer encountered an unusual sudden death of more than 10 young calves, he sought veterinary help. The investigation and diagnosis revealed that old car batteries were buried in a ditch in one of the pastures. The calves died from lead poisoning. Read more.

World Facing Shortage of
Large-Animal Veterinarians

It’s worrisome, a Penn State University veterinary scientist suggests, that there is a growing scarcity of “public-sector”veterinarians who are involved in the care and treatment of livestock, the eradication of threatening diseases, and the monitoring of food safety and quality with state and federal agencies. Read more.

Rick Rasby

Ridin' Herd

Keep the young ones separate.

Calving time is here or quickly approaching. It’s time, if you already haven’t, to put the final touches on the nutrition plan for the herd after calving. Read more.