Change Nutrition Traditions

Changing traditional practices to preserve traditional values.

Change is the new constant. This isn’t a new concept. Yet in the cattle industry, there are plenty of traditions that survive throughout the years — like passion for cattle and the rural lifestyle. Dusty Abney adds that being frugal but not cheap, and focusing on animal welfare, husbandry and profitability are traditions to keep. However, he told attendees of the 26th Cattlemen’s College^® in New Orleans, La., hosted in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, that there are plenty of traditions to break.

Clostridial Infections Fatal in Calves

Vaccinating cows is best protection for young calves.

Clostridia perfringens types A, C and D commonly affect caves from a few days of age to weaning age.

Manuel Chamorro, clinical assistant professor of livestock services in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, says there are several types of C. perfringens bacteria, and some are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of cattle and commonly found in the environment.

Reduce The Risk Of A Calf Scours Outbreak

Reduce exposure to pathogens and increase immunity.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (commonly called “calf scours”) is one of the most costly diseases in the beef cattle business. Fall-calving herds have the help of the hot, late summer/early fall sunshine to reduce the buildup and spread of the pathogens that cause calf diarrhea. However, whether you have spring- or fall-calving cows (or both), there are some key management procedures that will reduce the likelihood of a scours outbreak in your calves, both by decreasing the pathogen exposure and increasing the calf’s immune system.

Practical Ways to Reduce Disease Challenges

Three components of biosecurity crucial to preventing disease.

“I’m not going to answer a lot of questions today, but I will leave you with better questions,” began Robin Faulkner as part of the 26th Cattlemen’s College, hosted in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans, La. The Zoetis cattle and equine technical services veterinarian urged cattlemen to think through their management systems to be a “producer cattleman instead of a consumer cattleman.”

Nutrition to Multitask

How to give multitasking mamas an added nutritional boost.

Ask any new mother how she’s feeling, and variations of “exhausted” will likely be uttered from her mouth. If a new mama cow could talk, her answer might be the same. This is especially true for a 2- or 3-year-old that’s just delivered her first or second calf into the herd, while still growing and developing herself. That’s not all this multitasking mama is doing; she’s also lactating, caring for a calf and trying to prepare herself for the upcoming breeding season.

Passive Immunity Necessary

Passive immune status within 24 hours of birth and long-term health and performance of calves.

You have heard the warning: “What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas!” Perhaps you have not heard: “What happens in the first 24 hours impacts the rest of a calf’s life!” Veterinary scientists, while with the USDA experiment station at Clay Center, Neb., monitored health events and growth performance in a population of range beef calves to identify associations of production factors with baby calf passive immune status.

Forage Sorghum Silage Tool

Forage sorghum silage viable option with sugarcane aphid control.

Forage sorghum silage in the Texas High Plains is a viable option with sugarcane aphid control, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service study.

Texas High Plains feedlots and dairies demand large quantities of quality silages. While corn is the predominant silage crop, declining well capacities and pumping restrictions are prompting interest in forage sorghum silage.