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January 20, 2012


HEALTH & NUTRITION...


Health & Health Mistakes

A look at how cattle health and health mistakes affect performance and profitability in the feedlot.

Dee Griffin has spent most of his veterinary career dealing with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle. A feedlot veterinarian at the University of Nebraska Great Plains Veterinary Education Center, Griffin says there is a long list of viral infections and secondary bacterial infections that result in costly respiratory disease among newly arrived feedlot cattle. It's costly because of the money invested in preventing disease, and later treating the calves that get sick anyway. There is also the cost of lost cattle performance, because disease negatively affects average daily gain, feed conversion and carcass merit. Read more.


Feeding Wheat Straw

Wheat straw for beef cattle is an alternative for winter.

The shortage of decent hay for wintering cows, calves and yearlings has farmers scrambling for some type of replacement roughage. According to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri (MU) Extension, wheat straw may be an alternative most producers have not considered.

"Southwest Missouri does have some wheat straw available since the demand for it seems to be slumping along with the construction industry woes," says Cole.

Wheat straw is not a high protein or energy source, but if supplemented properly it can be used to feed bred cows that are in a body condition score (BCS) of 5 or 6. Cole says it can also comprise a sizeable portion of a fall-calving cow's diet when the calves are being hand- or creep-fed. Read more.


Calving Time

Abnormalities may cause calving problems.

Occasionally, a difficult calving is caused by a skeletal defect in the fetus. As stated by David Steffen, diagnostic pathologist and professor at the University of Nebraska, some congenital defects (present at birth) are due to accidents in fetal development. Others are caused by teratogens, which are defined as factors that cause an abnormality in a developing embryo or fetus. Teratogens include drugs, hormones, chemicals, viruses, toxic plants, high body temperature, etc. Some of the resulting abnormalities may cause dystocia. Read more.


Rick Rasby

Rick Rasby

Ridin’ Herd

How nutrition of the dam affects male progeny

It seems the more we know, the more we really don't know or understand. In this column we have discussed fetal programming of fertility in female progeny. This month we consider male progeny: Are there differences in performance and carcass characteristics of male progeny from dams that were supplemented or not supplemented with protein the last 90 days of gestation? Read more.


Choose the Right Ring

When choosing a bale ring, here are some tips to consider to reduce hay costs for beef cows.

Michigan State University (MSU) evaluated waste from different types of hay feeders in a recent study. The results showed some types of feeders do a better job of reducing round bale hay loss than others. This study compared a typical ring feeder with a solid panel around the bottom; a cradle-type hay feeder with slanted vertical bars so cows could access hay, but not place their heads inside the feeder; a silage feeder-type wagon; and a cone-type hay feeder similar to feeder No. 1, but with a sold panel at the bottom to keep any loose hay in the feeder. Read more.


Vaccination: What the Heck Am I Doing?

On the final day of Range Beef Cow Symposium XXII, veterinarian G.L. "Jerry" Stokka spoke out in defense of technologies used to enhance food production. A former extension veterinarian now with Pfizer Animal Health, Stokka said technology is too often portrayed in an unfavorable light.

"Technology is not a dirty word. It is not evil," stated Stokka. "The prudent use of technology is part of good stewardship."

Stokka said vaccines represent a valuable technology, but their use can be confusing. There are hundreds of different vaccines available, with multiple antigens and differing levels of effectiveness and safety. Veterinarians, said Stokka, serve a critical role in making recommendations based on individual herd objectives and assessment of risk for disease exposure and economic loss.

"There are three questions to consider when deciding whether vaccination is appropriate," emphasized Stokka. "Is it necessary? Is it effective? And is it safe to use?" Read more.


Horse in barnDon't Turn Up the Heat

Improperly heated barns may cause horse health problems.

Horse owners who use heated barns to keep water from freezing and to protect horses from cold temperatures during winter should remember supplemental heat can cause problems if used incorrectly.

Ventilation is important when horses are kept inside a barn, said Dave Freeman, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist. "Closing up a barn to maintain heat may increase respiratory diseases because of high ammonia content and bacterial growth in stalls."

Closed barns usually have increased humidity. High humidity combined with warm temperature can cause enough nitrogen smell or bacteria growth to irritate the horse's respiratory system. These frequently result in chronic, minor respiratory problems that interfere with animal performance. Read more.

Cattle Diseases: Common Conditions/Terms

Click here for a list of common conditions and terms related to beef cattle diseases, such as anaplasmosis, brucellosis, BVD, E. coli, IBR and others.



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