October 5, 2021 | Vol. 14 : No. 9
The receiving period can be a stressful time for cattle. Using his perspective and knowledge of the European beef production system, Carlo Sgoifo Rossi, associate professor of veterinary science and technology for food safety at the State University of Milan, shared various considerations related to stress during the Alltech ONE Ideas Conference.
The hands of a veterinarian hold the life cycle of an animal in their care. The mind, however, directs the hands.
Anyone who’s met veterinarian Bob Smith knows the way he thinks is something else.
Regular and consistent performance analysis can help a cow-calf operation: 1) identify where the business has excelled, as well as opportunities for improvement; 2) make informed management decisions; and 3) formulate goals and monitor progress toward goals. Analyzing cow herd performance for only one year will not accomplish all the above.
Some producers buy light calves in spring to put on grass and grow to larger weight. Some buy weaned calves to put into a confinement program on a growing ration — until ready to go to a finishing facility. Some stocker programs have calves on pasture in the fall after fall rains stimulate regrowth of grass.
There are American Angus Association members in all 50 states who raise quality cattle in a variety of climates. They have different forages, techniques and environments, but they have one thing in common. They are all proud to be Angus. Jim Moore, owner of Moore Cattle Co., Charleston, Ark., says his farm is unique.
In spring-calving herds, weaning season is upon us. At this time it’s important to focus time and management on ways to eliminate stress, maintain health and maximize the value of weaned calves. It’s also a critical time to manage the cow herd. Cows are basically the “production factory” in cow-calf production. They take raw material and turn it into a weaned calf to be sold as a return on the cost of production. There is a cost of maintaining a cow each day we own her.
