Parasite Solutions

Consider the “big three” gastrointestinal worms when selecting deworming products and timing.

Ashley Steuer likes worms. Rather, she has a strong professional interest in the parasites of livestock — especially worms. That’s not too surprising for a veterinary parasitologist. As a veterinarian with Zoetis, Steuer helps beef producers better understand how parasites can undermine cattle health and cattle business profitability.

Worms Without Borders

Adaptability of parasitic worms makes a proactive deworming protocol a top priority for grazing beef cattle.

Worm parasites are showing greater adaptability to both geographic movement and weather conditions. As the transport of beef cattle across geographies becomes more commonplace, so does the prevalence of worm parasites.

Tips to Prevent a Biological Time Bomb

Grazing management and diagnostic testing are key to tracking and minimizing effects of liver flukes.

by Taylor Edwards, intern

Affecting more of the country now than ever, liver flukes are no longer just a coastal issue. Cases have not been found in all 50 states yet, but because of the way cattle are shipped now, spread is bound to happen.

Silage for Beef Cattle

Tips for putting up high-quality corn silage and reducing losses.

Silage is a common feed for dairy cattle, but it is also used in many beef operations. Silage can be created from nearly any forage crop, including grasses and legumes, but corn is often used because it is the most energy-dense.

BRD Battle Plan: The Two-Step Approach to Building Immunity

Maternal antibodies and vaccine-stimulated immunity are both required to protect a calf.

We can’t control everything on a cattle operation. But we can make a battle plan to protect calves from bovine respiratory disease (BRD) long before we ever reach for antibiotics. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent losses associated with BRD, but no vaccine can prevent infection 100% of the time.

Minimize Waste, Maximize Genetics Through Management

Investments in superior genetics and prioritizing nutrition could pay dividends for the cattleman.

Ranching brings rewards, but it’s not all “sunshine and rainbows.” With drought and high input costs in the balance, it takes sharp management decisions to keep black ink on the bottom line. Here are some tips for when you need to know what to cut back and what to keep doing.