Research discovers relationship between PAP scores and feedyard performance.
Cattle mysteriously dying once they moved from higher elevations to lower elevations used to be a regional issue. However, as more cattle from the mountains move to lower-elevation feedyards, it becomes a Central Plains issue, too. Emma Briggs, graduate student at Colorado State University, shared her research regarding the relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) scores and feedyard performance at the virtual 2020 Beef Improvement Federation Symposium and Convention.
Keep Cattle Hydrated and Healthy
Water quantity and quality are key.
It’s hot and getting hotter. Each summer in the South, farmers and ranchers are on the gambling side of the weather, hoping for an appropriate level of rainfall to water cattle and crops. Although most of the region is not currently experiencing drought-like conditions, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory encourages cattle producers to be vigilant during periods of drought or drought-like conditions.
One Health: The Balancing Act
Producers can continue to ensure proper antibiotic use by focusing on prevention.
For Amy White, the key to effective antibiotic stewardship is shifting the focus from intervention to prevention. It’s important that the industry maintain access to antibiotics — because producers have an obligation to treat sick livestock.
Shipping Fever Costs
The real cost of shipping fever and what you can do about it.
Shipping fever, or bovine respiratory disease, costs the cattle industry up to $900 million annually. What does that number really mean to producers?
“It’s hard for me to appreciate $900 million worth of losses spread out across the whole industry,” says Mike Nichols, Boehringer Ingelheim veterinarian. “But it’s a cost that impacts every operation — it hits profitability, competitiveness and sustainability.”
Deworming Cattle on Pasture
Know the type and amount of worms to mount the best attack.
Internal parasites — stomach and intestinal worms — rob cattle of nutrients, reducing growth rate and weight gain in young animals. They also hinder optimum production in all ages of cattle. Bert Stromberg, professor emeritus in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota, says we have to be careful we don’t deworm too often, however, since some populations of worms are developing resistance to the drugs we use.
Alternatives for Feedyard Rations
Whole cottonseed and cotton gin byproduct found to be effective without a decline in performance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Science found cotton byproducts, including whole cottonseed and cotton gin trash, are an effective source of fiber, fat and protein in feedyard rations without adverse effects on performance or carcass characteristics.
Keep Cattle Antibiotics Effective
There are many steps cattlemen can take to reduce need for antibiotics.
Amelia Woolums, Mississippi State University veterinarian, shares concerns about antimicrobial resistance in cattle, and what producers can do to help. This video news is provided by Certified Angus Beef LLC and the American Angus Association.
