Health_Nutrition

ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA

December 20, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 12

Health & Nutrition

Winter Weather Requires Major Shift in Cattle Management

Adequate nutrition, water access and bedding are just some of the considerations ranchers should address ahead of winter storms.

“Winter weather is here, and storms are in the forecast,” said Zac Carlson, NDSU Extension beef cattle specialist, just ahead of the storms that blanketed cow country mid-December. “This storm may bring heavy snow, cold temperatures and raging winds. Cattle feel the effects of extreme weather, and producers need to make sure the provided feed is meeting the energy and protein needs of the cow herd.”

Tips for testing silage.

by Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

We typically suggest getting forage tested to determine nutrient content such as energy and protein. With silage, additional testing may be needed, especially when grown under stressed conditions and/or put up in less-than-ideal conditions. The presence of mold in silage can decrease the energy value, feed intake and performance of cattle. Additionally, some molds produce harmful mycotoxins that can affect animal production and health.

Coccidiosis is an intestinal parasite that may contaminate feed and water.

Ranchers in North Dakota have been observing calves showing signs of coccidiosis this fall and winter, says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian. The intestinal disease affects several animal species. In cattle, it may produce clinical symptoms from 1 month to 1 year of age, but it can infect all age groups.

December 6, 2022 | Vol. 15 : No. 12

Purchased Hay: the Extra Costs

Tips to consider when buying hay.

Winter is finally here. For some, dry weather has resulted in a lower than desired hay inventory. While we can reduce demand by adjusting rations or selling animals, purchasing hay may be the best option to fill in a feed gap.

Some cost up front for the procedure could save many dollars down the road.

When an animal dies of an unknown cause, it’s wise to have a veterinarian perform a necropsy. Some situations might only require you to collect a few samples and photos to send to your veterinarian to determine what happened. In other instances, the cause of death may be readily evident — such as in the case of a broken neck from a fall, electrocution from a lightning strike, strangulation from a head caught in a loop of wire or bloat from overeating in a lush alfalfa field. Other instances might warrant calling your veterinarian with questions or to arrange for a necropsy.

Expanding the CRISPR toolbox could have broad implications in manipulating bacteria and other organisms.

In a new study, North Carolina State University researchers characterize a range of molecular tools to rewrite — not just edit — large chunks of an organism’s DNA based on CRISPR-Cas systems associated with selfish genetic “hitchhikers” called transposons.

This edition’s theme is “Frequently Asked Questions,” so we thought we’d change up our sidebar to direct you to all the stories within a little differently.

Front page

• How can I access Angus Beef Bulletin’s podcasts?
Answer.
• What’s happening in the Angus business and the beef industry?
Answer.
• How can I protect my back while working?
Answer.

Management page

• How can I reduce my hay bill?
Answer.
• What is involved in a SWOT analysis? Can it really help my farm or ranch?
Answer.
• Are there any new products out there that I can use?
Answer.

Health & Nutrition

• Why would calves pass blood in their feces?
Answer.
• The storm is coming. How do I prepare the herd?
Answer.
• If mycotoxins are a problem this year, how do I protect my herd?
Answer.

Marketing page

• How can we meet consumer expectations?
Answer.
• What is the forgotten component of bull power?
Answer.
• How much do exports mean to beef value?
Answer.

ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA