Raising cattle happens in many different ways. Sarah Brown shares five rules of wisdom to keep in mind:
- Work with a good veterinarian and be fanatic about animal health.
- You get what you pay for
- Cull out the crazy cows
- Good fences make better neighbors
- Plan for tomorrow today.
Source: Drovers, November 7, 2018. Link.
INSIGHTS: Consider these five wisdoms as you meet with cattle producers over the next weeks. Include some strategic questions during VFD herd and record checks if you’re part of a veterinary team. The same questions apply to salespersons calling direct on-farm. Be curious, such as:
- How did you make your culling choices this year beyond culling open cows?
- Are you planning to replace the culls with new stock?
- I am confident there needs to be a receiving protocol for any new stock separate from the rest of the herd. Would you like help with a review of your current protocol or to adjust it now that you have the new holding pens?
- Have you considered the spring calving season as part of your fall vaccinations?
- Managing ground cover or bedding was an issue for many producers during calving this spring. Have you set aside some of the roadside grass you baled for this? It doesn’t break apart as fast as straw or corn stock materials.