September 23, 2019 | Vol. 12 : No. 9
In fall and winter, most native forages and tame pastures are low in protein. Many stockmen try to extend grazing as long as possible because winter feeding is the most expensive part of raising cattle. Adding a protein supplement to mature, dry pastures is generally cheaper than feeding hay.
Watch Stephanie Jens, senior territory business manager with Lallemand Animal Nutrition, explain how producers can still make significant changes that will improve both the quantity and quality of forages available.
There is no real “if, then” type of equation for managing fescue toxicosis, according to Daniel Poole of the North Carolina State University Department of Animal Science. Poole outlined the simple mechanics of how fescue toxicosis affects reproductive success during the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) workshop hosted Aug. 20-21, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn.
For those who have learned to manage fescue, the forage can be highly profitable. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s still difficult to deal with and is cause for concern.
Many herds are put through the chute twice or more annually. It is important to make sure these tasks are accomplished smoothly and safely, for the health of the cattle and the safety of the crew doing the job.
Liver flukes affect cattle performance in many ways, and the liver damage can lead to other diseases, including redwater. Studies have also shown negative effects on reproduction.
“Liver damage affects virtually everything the body needs for converting nutrients into utilizable proteins, energy, vitamins,” says James Hawkins, retired veterinarian in Madison, Miss. “Liver flukes affect gain in young cattle, but this is usually a slow-developing problem compared to the effect of gastrointestinal nematodes (worms). A large study at LSU (Louisiana State University) sought to discover whether worms or liver flukes had the most impact, and what happens if cattle have both?”
It’s estimated nearly 9% of beef cattle operations have a calf persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). This might seem like a small percentage, but presence of BVDV can mean a risk for something more. Producers are 43% more likely to need to treat bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in feedlot calves exposed to a BVD-PI animal, a study found.
In the cattle business, there are few things as rewarding as getting weaned calves and newly arrived feeder cattle off to a good start. The first 30-45 days after weaning and/or commingling can set the tone for calves’ lifelong health, performance and profitability. Whether calves are destined to be herd replacements or feeder cattle, they should be provided with feed that helps them build strong immune systems and grow at a pace that will enhance their production for their entire lives.
If there’s one disease cattle producers should look out for in starting 300- to 500-pound cattle, it’s coccidiosis. In many operations, this parasitic disease poses numerous problems that need to be addressed.
