HEALTH & NUTRITION...
Take Simple Steps to Avoid Cattle Deaths
Johnsongrass troubles have increased because of weather conditions.
It has been known for years that Johnsongrass has the potential to be a livestock killer because of two lethal issues: prussic acid poisoning and nitrate accumulation. Even though the amount of Johnsongrass has been increasing in pastures and along roadsides for a number of years, there has been minimal concern because veterinarians have not seen cases of prussic acid poisoning — until recently. Read more.
EHD Cases Confirmed in Nebraska Cattle
According to state veterinarian Dennis Hughes, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture had as of Sept. 6 confirmed nine cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in cattle throughout Nebraska.
According to Hughes, the disease has been affecting Nebraska's deer population since the 1970s and is transmitted from deer to cattle by biting insects called midges.
EHD symptoms in cattle include fever, anorexia, reduced milk production, swollen eyes, redness and scaling of the nose and lips, nasal and eye discharge, ulcers on mouth, excessive salivation, lameness, swelling of the tongue, oral/nasal blisters, and labored breathing. Read more.
Hemorrhagic Disease Affecting Missouri Deer
Disease from biting midge flies causing deer deaths around state.
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) continues to receive reports from people around the state of dead deer. The culprit appears to be hemorrhagic disease (HD), a general term for epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) and the bluetongue virus. As of mid-September, MDC had received reports of approximately 2,800 dead deer from throughout most of the state, with HD being the suspected cause.
"Both diseases are closely related, have similar clinical signs and are naturally spread by a small, biting midge fly," says MDC Deer Biologist Emily Flinn. "Cattle and goats are normally not affected, or show only mild signs of being sick. Sheep are susceptible only to the bluetongue virus." Read more.
Aflatoxin — A Guide for Beef Producers
This year's drought has brought numerous challenges to cattlemen. Shortages of grass and water forced cow culling and sent many calves to the sale barn earlier than planned. The most recent challenge cattlemen are facing is high feed costs combined with the possibility of aflatoxin in the corn crop.
"It is a common misconception that the olive-green mold known as aspergillus automatically results in aflatoxin," said University of Illinois (U of I) Extension beef educator Travis Meteer. "This is not the case. If you find mold present on your corn, it needs to be tested for aflatoxin." Read more.
Cattle Heat-stress App Available
Cattle heat-stress app at hand to help producers reduce
weather-related livestock losses.
A new tool to help cattle producers reduce heat-related losses soon will be as close as the nearest smartphone.
Livestock researchers at the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) are developing a smartphone app called ThermalAid enabling cattle producers to more conveniently and reliably monitor livestock conditions in relation to local temperature and humidity levels. Easy access to temperature/humidity index readings will help producers more quickly determine when their cattle are heat-stressed, according to Don Spiers, professor of animal science at CAFNR and leader of the research team developing the app. Read more.
Rick Rasby
Ridin’ Herd
Using ammoniated low-quality forage
It seems like drought is more normal than years with "normal" moisture. At least in Nebraska, producers are usually managing livestock through a drought or utilizing post-drought management strategies to recover after a drought.
The commonality of drought is that there is a limited forage supply, and forages are expensive. The drought in the southwest last year was intense and in a localized area. This year's drought has a similar intensity, but it is more widespread than last year. A presentation from a climatologist suggested that the percentage of the U.S. cow herd involved in this year's drought was at least 60% or more, compared to 28%-30% of the nation's cow herd in last year's drought. This has made it very difficult to source winter feed and crop residue.
Twenty or more years ago producers used ammoniated low-quality forages to feed cows when drought conditions occurred. Anhydrous got expensive, and it became less cost-effective to use this management strategy. Read more.
Worm Control Strategy
Arkansas animal scientist recommends using refugia principle
to minimize drug resistance to anthelmintics.
You don't want to overdo deworming, warns a University of Arkansas professor of animal science, pointing to the drug resistance developing in some worm populations.
"Target treatments for when they are most effective and you can get the most benefit, and as infrequently as possible," recommends Tom Yazwinski. "This takes into consideration the refugia principle. This term refers to the population of pathogens on your farm that has not been exposed to any chemical products. They are therefore the most vulnerable (and 'unselected' for resistance) and easiest to control. Refugia parasites cross with resistant parasites and help keep the total parasite population vulnerable to chemical control. They are the gene pool for drug susceptibility." Read more.
Stocker Strategies Affect Value
When corn was $3 per bushel and finished cattle were clocking in at younger and younger ages, the stocker phase may have seemed less important. That's not the case now, after a decade of increasing feed prices for fewer calves that finish at ever-higher weights.
An estimated 76% of calves spend some time as stockers. Since marbling is a lifetime event, what happens during that stocker phase plays a key role in subsequent beef quality grade after finishing.
A white paper for Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) entitled, "Effects of nutrition and management during the stocker phase on quality grade," evaluates the body of research available and finds pathways to profit that maintain consumer satisfaction. Read more.
Same Product, New Delivery
New locations for base-of-ear administration approved for BRD/foot rot treatment.
Pfizer Animal Health announces that two new, convenient, base-of-ear locations for subcutaneous administration have been approved in beef and dairy cattle for Excede® (ceftiofur crystalline-free acid) Sterile Suspension. These new techniques are in addition to the existing base-of-ear "toward the opposite eye" approved route of administration for all cattle, as well as the "middle third of the ear," which is approved in beef cattle and dairy heifers less than 20 months of age. 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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