Nominating a top customer for this award is worth the time invested. Beef has recognized some of the industry’s top stocker operators with its annual National Stocker Award for 11 years. In many ways, the stocker sector serves as the supply fulcrum of beef production. Yet it is often invisible. Source: Beef, April 20, 2017. Previous winners come from a mix of operations, … [Read more...]
5 strategies to improve a cow’s immunity
Transition cows benefit from more attention and care. Barry Bradford, an immunity specialist from Kansas State University offers his top five strategies to help these cows: Manage body condition Housing Antioxidants Anionic diets Tweak immunity Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, April 24, 2017. INSIGHTS: Transition is an ongoing discussion at every level of dairy … [Read more...]
6 antibiotic myths explained
The antibiotic tools used in cattle today are likely the same ones you’ll have for the rest of your life. That’s the advice from Mike Apley, veterinarian and professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. He’s not saying antibiotic resistance is threatening the cattle business. Instead he says it’s … [Read more...]
Now is not the time to relax
The 2017 calf crop is taking shape and breeding season is currently or soon will be underway. It is feeling to see cow-calf pairs turned out to fresh pastures for the first grazing of the season. We can’t relax too much. This is a critical time of the year for producers to focus on the needs of the herd. This is especially true for yearling heifers and two-year-olds nursing … [Read more...]
Don’t take parasites to pasture
Flies and worms lower cattle health. This can lead to major economic damage, so controlling parasites with insecticides and other management protocols is important. Producers prepare pastures by fertilizing, spraying, burning and inter-seeding. The same logic applies to preparing cattle for spring by controlling parasites early. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 14, … [Read more...]
No kidding? When to help a goat in labor.
We found this article informative. Lisa Seger shares her labor-assisting approaches. Source: Hobby Farms, April 17, 2017. Most times, a doe in labor will successfully kid on their own, but occasionally they do require help. There is also a middle zone, where they may not technically need help, but will have a better experience and outcome with it. … [Read more...]
What’s in the latest JAVMA
Here’s a quick look at the May 1, 2017 JAVMA. Our AHD team found the article titled Bovine colostral cells—the often forgotten component of colostrum interesting from the perspective of the DVM, the producer and sales representatives. Source: JAVMA, May 2017. Although the role of colostral antibodies in the protection of neonates against disease has been well documented, … [Read more...]
Steaks and burgers make inexpensive grilling
Animal health pros and their customers who enjoy grilling beef will benefit from increased beef production this summer. This surge in output means the U.S. is headed for a meat bonanza. Steaks and burgers will likely rival prices of pork and chicken this summer. Source: AgWeb, April 17, 2017. Ground beef in grocery stores has dropped about 9 percent from a year ago, the … [Read more...]
Zero tolerance for bad tempered cows
Most cows respect their caregivers. For those of a different temperament, get them out of the pen. Cattlemen should have no room for killer cows. The same goes for bulls too. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 17, 2017. Quit making excuses for bad-tempered cattle. Cattle that routinely challenge the producer should be sold. Cattle that are very aggressive and are put in a … [Read more...]
Include udders in culling decisions
"Preg" checking represents a primary evaluation period to make culling decisions. Beef cattle producers are not as likely to think about udder health and shape as are dairy producers, but this attribute affects cow productivity and should be considered. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 10, 2017. An evaluation system for udder soundness has been developed and used by … [Read more...]
Pigs – a hobby farmer’s view
Every breed is unique, but producers should know what they’re getting when raising pigs for market pork. Rodney Wilson shares how he learned this all-important first lesson in our lifelong education about feed conversion efficiency: pigs can loosely be lumped into two classes, bacon pigs and lard pigs. Source: Hobby Farms, March 20, 2017. Today’s new and prospective hog … [Read more...]
Cage-free eggs come with costs
The majority of the U.S. egg supply will become cage-free within a decade, but the egg industry says the economics don’t make sense. “The ability for the industry to do this conversion is truly subject to the demand for cage-free eggs from the consumer,” said Jeff Coit, a poultry industry specialist at Farm Credit Services of America. “Today, we’re not there. The vast majority … [Read more...]
There’s something wrong in the neighborhood
Who you gonna call? Pest busters. Here’s a list of available products for parasite and pest management. Source: Beef, April 2017, page 20. Pest busters for 2017. … [Read more...]
5 reasons to monitor colostrum quality
You may think that we don’t need to discuss colostrum ever again. Phil Durst shares five reasons to routinely check test colostrum to better understand the variances in quality. Colostrum quality is the first step in making sure calves are protected and set up for success in life. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 5, 2017. Why test colostrum quality? Here are some … [Read more...]
Swine Science Online offers opportunity for students, current producers
Leading universities are collaborating to ensure the pork industry is led and managed by individuals who have broad educational and production experiences that prepare them for these roles. The effort, Swine Science Online, teaches scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production for an efficient and sustainable operation. Source: National Hog Farmer, … [Read more...]
Be aware of the causes of bloating
Spring pastures are greening up. Cattle grazing these lush grasses, especially immature legumes, are susceptible to bloat. It can occur in as little as 15 minutes or nearly two days after grazing. It can also be painfully deadly. Experts from Purdue University’s agronomy and animal sciences departments offer 10 tips to help avoid bloat, as well as a video showing how to tube a … [Read more...]
Stressed now, lame later
International hoof care consultant Karl Burgi identifies three primary incidences that can trigger lameness events: heat stress any episode of cows standing too long transition Source: Dairy Herd Management, March 31, 2017. Heat stress affects the feet? Yes, said Burgi, because hot cows stand more to try to cool off. When cows are standing, blood does not flow as … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken basics always in order
Interest in raising chickens in backyards continues to grow. Bryant Gill with the Farm Report with Pam Jahnke interviews Ron Kaine, a University of Wisconsin Extension poultry specialist, to learn about backyard chicken basics. Source: Farm Report with Pam Jahnke, April 4, 2017. I usually tell people to choose one that you like because that’s going to make it more … [Read more...]
Not all disinfectants are equal
Animal health pros must be regularly reminded that not all disinfectants are created equal. The AASV study of disinfectant effect on Senecavirus A is stark reminder of the variances in disinfectant efficacies. Source: Pork Network, March 20, 2017. Household bleach, a phenolic disinfectant, and a quaternary ammonium-aldehyde disinfectant were tested at manufacturer’s … [Read more...]
Chick time
Springtime means chick time, and it’s one of Kassie Kreissler’s favorite times of the year. Local farm and feed stores are getting prepared for the many chirps that are chick days. Kassie reminds us that taking chicks home requires some preparation. Here are a few of many things to consider: Vaccinations Housing Feed Grit Water Heat Space … [Read more...]
3 parasites that can infect chickens
Amy Murillo, Ph.D., with the University of California, identifies three ectoparasites to look for in flocks. She also shares her expertise for controlling parasite populations: Northern fowl mites Lice Sticktight fleas Source: Chickens, March 3, 2017. Cleanliness and biosecurity are the first lines of defense against parasites in flocks. Clean the chicken house … [Read more...]
The quirks of working with goats and sheep
Goats live on about 128,000 farms in the United States, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, with a population of about 2.6 million. Sheep are on fewer farms, 88,000 with a population of about 5.4 million. Veterinarians in small ruminant practices also tend to llamas, alpacas, deer, elk who live on thousands of farms. Source: JAVMA, April 2017. Veterinarians who … [Read more...]
How fed cattle qualify for the Certified Angus Beef brand
Angus brands dominate the beef market today with two-thirds of more than 140 USDA-certified brands. Where did it all start and what does it take to qualify? Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC vice president, shares the history and real story of CAB. Counting the total area of black spots on Holsteins is not allowed. Source: Beef March 23, 2017. Predominantly solid black … [Read more...]
Bugs chickens love and hate
Insects are everywhere! Learn which flyers and creepers keep chickens happy, and which to watch out for. The information provided will help backyard chicken raisers better understand what to do and not to do when it comes to bugs. Source: Hobby Farms, March 15, 2017. When it comes to chickens, flies are a double-edged sword. On the positive side, chickens love to eat flies … [Read more...]
68.2 percent fewer dairies since 1992
The number of dairies needed to produce adequate milk supplies continues to decline. The dairy industry is on track to have only half as many farms as it does today. The only question is which year during the 2030s it will happen. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 20, 2017. The biggest statewide declines have occurred in North Dakota (-94.4 percent) and Arkansas (-93.1 … [Read more...]
More than 1 million acres burned; photo essay
Ron Smith captures the devastation of the recent wildfires that have burned much of the Southern Plains. At a time when green grass should replace hay and rations, cattlemen and farmers are back at winter-like protocols to keep the remaining livestock alive. Source: Beef, March 13, 2017. Fires burned across thousands of acres of rangeland, leaving a blackened landscape for … [Read more...]
Fly season is here already
Spring brings pretty flowers and flies. Nasty flies. Proactive management helps lower their negative effects. Source: Progressive Cattleman, March 14, 2017. Horn flies are most always associated with cattle on pasture. House flies and stable flies are most often found around confined cattle and their premises. Once producers know what flies are an issue, they can better … [Read more...]
DVM offers advice for cattle that survived wildfires
Recent wildfires in the High Plains burned hundreds of acres of land, destroyed outbuildings and homes. Cattle weren’t spared. For those not killed or euthanized, the road back to health may be tough. Randall Kowalik and Dr. A. J. Tarpoff with Kansas State Research and Extension offers some burn and orphan care tips. Source: High Plains Journal, March 20, 2017. Regardless … [Read more...]
Backyard chicken revolution struts onward
Chicken raising is experiencing unprecedented popularity. The backyard-chicken movement is recapturing some of the agricultural legacy lost to golf courses, sprawling estates and business campuses. Source: Pet Product News International, March 2017. The guesstimates of the number of backyard chicken owners in the U.S. is anywhere from 1 million to 10 million households. … [Read more...]
Technology helps replace painful management practices
Technology is moving quickly to help cattlemen reduce the use of traditional management practices that cause needless pain. From individual identification to castration, Bernie Rollin, Colorado State University animal science professor, gives an overview of how cattlemen can continue improving their daily practices. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, March 8, 2017. If asked to … [Read more...]