Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, PhD, says vaccinations and ear tags are key to maintaining herd health. He urges producers to review their vaccination and parasite control programs and plan for fly control including insecticide ear tag rotation. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin Extra, April 26, 2023. Link. Vaccinations should be given 45-60 days before the bulls will be released with the … [Read more...]
Search Results for: cattle
2023 CATTLE U event moves to Manhattan, KS
If you service cattle producers in the 300-mile radius of Manhattan, Kansas ,this is an opportunity for them to listen to industry experts and network with other producers. High Plains Journal's CATTLE U is a free, educational event now in its fifth year. It will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas, on July 11th. The event includes a full day of … [Read more...]
Interest in miniature cattle continues to surge
Demand for miniature cattle is strong. They are the result of generations of selective breeding and choosing selected genetics to reduce size, while promoting the best breed qualities, conformation and temperament. They are 1⁄2 to 1⁄3 the size of full-size cattle and require less space than regular-size cattle. Two or three miniatures can be kept in an area normally required … [Read more...]
Highlights from the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show
If you missed the NCBA convention or if you’re just curious about what happens when thousands of cattlemen and women from across the country gather, the photos and videos shared here will give you a sense of #CattleCon23. Source: National Cattlemen's Beef Association, February 11, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Changing our 10,000-year relationship with cattle
Author and livestock enthusiast Roger Morgan-Grenville is working to rewrite the narrative on cows. After spending 14 months helping out on a farm and diving deep into bovine research, Roger Morgan-Grenville found “an industry at once scared for its future yet alive with ideas and experiments, not to mention good practices.” Morgan-Grenville’s research and experiences were … [Read more...]
K-State researchers show value of adding shade to cattle pens
Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events. Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in … [Read more...]
5 tips to winter cattle through a drought
How cattle owners in drought-affected regions graze and supplement cattle in dry spells have long-lasting economic and ecological effects. Noble Research Institute’s Ranch Manager Clark Roberts offers five tips to consider before making winter management decisions. 1) Consider culling 2) Know the quality and quantity of your forages 3) Know each animal’s demands 4) … [Read more...]
Genetics drive conversation for profitability of commercial cattlemen
Picking and managing best traits has long been part of the art of livestock production. Still, doing something new may be right to add value through genetics and marketing programs. A panel at the 2022 Angus Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, shared tactics and thought processes commercial cattlemen can use to grow their operation during the November 5th event. . . . the gap … [Read more...]
Parasite resistance in cattle, a widespread concern for veterinarians, livestock producers
Parasite resistance in cattle operations has moved from theory to a real-world scenario producers across the country face. Parasite management is no longer applying a dewormer. Today, ranchers must understand the parasites in a herd and learn to live with a few bugs, writes Jennifer Ryan who shares the experiences and perspectives of Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, … [Read more...]
Choosing the right needle size to work cattle
Depending on the size of the animal, viscosity of the product and administration protocols, a variety of needles might be needed. Veterinarians at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute share guidelines to help decide. Needle diameter, or gauge, varies depending on two factors: the size of the animal viscosity of the product Source: Drovers, September 2, … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis: not “if” but “when” in some cattle herds
Anaplasmosis is a common disease with worldwide distribution in cattle. It is transmitted through tick and fly bites , as well as blood contaminated instruments like needles, tattoo tools, castration equipment and dehorning instruments. Once an animal becomes infected, it is infected for life. Successful antibiotic therapy curing the clinical signs of infection results in a … [Read more...]
Collaboration offers digital cattle record access
Superior Livestock Auction and Zoetis are collaborating to offer BLOCKYARD™ technology to cattle producers. The platform creates a digital copy of an animal, so wherever an animal goes, its data can follow. BLOCKYARD™ allows registered users to: Share genomic insights to inform price discovery, management, selection and breeding decisions Communicate genetic merit for … [Read more...]
Cattle producers are behind in biosecurity planning
State veterinarians, the NCBA, USDA and others are working together to educate and encourage beef producers to create a biosecurity plan. Free online templates are available to walk farmers through biosecurity questions to develop a farm plan. Currently, biosecurity plans are voluntary in the beef industry. What might move the needle toward more cattle producers having a plan … [Read more...]
Breeding cattle for fly resistance. Could it be?
Doug Colwell, PhD, reminds us of the general rule in parasitology that states “in all breeds of cattle about 80 percent of the flies are on 20 percent of the animals.” Citing consumer concerns, he says non-chemical fly control is currently being researched. Horn flies are extra difficult to control. Insecticide ear tag use is common but often results in resistance in as few as … [Read more...]
USDA offers payments to eligible cattle owners affected by extreme heat
The USDA Livestock Indemnity Program will pay eligible livestock owners for deaths exceeding normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions which can include extreme heat. Documentation is required. Source: Kansas Livestock Association, June 12, 2022. Link. Producers must file a notice of loss within 30 days of the loss becoming apparent and file an application for … [Read more...]
Kansas cattle lost to heat, humidity, a rare natural disaster
More than 2,000 cattle died in Kansas from heat stress triggered by extreme heat and humidity the weekend of June 11th. While unfortunate for producers, the event has sparked controversy and non-confirmed video coverage. Veterinarians are working diligently to put this event into its proper perspective. Sometimes the conditions get so extreme, it doesn’t matter how hard … [Read more...]
Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding working on pipeline for hoof health data collection
Lameness affects about 50 percent of dairy cows with significant impact on cow health and dairy economics. A project led by CDCB and the University of Minnesota seeks to create a data pipeline as an essential first step to develop genetic evaluations for related traits using the National Cooperator Database. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 13, 2022. Link. The first data … [Read more...]
The importance of observation in cattle handling
Across dairy and beef country, cattle are on the move. These activities give producers an opportunity to review good stockmanship practices with seasoned and new employees. Anything that causes a cow to associate an action with something negative will cause her to be reluctant to repeat that action. It can be a huge source of frustration when cows don’t easily move when and … [Read more...]
Review: the effects of dust on feedlot health and production of beef cattle
We know feedlot dust affects cattle health and performance. 2022 weather forecasts indicate drought conditions are likely in prime cattle feeding geographies. Research helps us understand the effects of dust and what to do about it. Dust is not just dirt and sand that becomes airborne. Groups of cattle produce organic dust and particulate matter at a relatively high … [Read more...]
How cattle vaccination and nutrition connect
Complimentary Sponsored Content Shelby Roberts, PhD, discusses the symbiotic relationship of sound nutrition and proper vaccination which helps to maintain healthy immune functions in cattle. Vaccinations and nutrition have a symbiotic relationship in terms of maintaining healthy immune functions in cattle.” - Shelby Roberts, PhD Source: Alltech, March 8, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Gene-edited beef cattle get regulatory clearance in U.S.
The cattle cleared by the FDA have genes altered with CRISPR technology giving them short, slick coats that let them more easily withstand hot weather. Cattle that aren’t stressed by heat might pack on weight more easily, making for more efficient meat production.” Source: ABC, March 7, 2022. Link. U.S. food regulators said short-haired cattle produced through gene editing … [Read more...]
Simple trick for keeping cattle calm
To reduce chute stress and increase worker safety, blindfolding cattle, horses and wildlife is a time proven, humane way to calm a restrained animal. Blindfolding may help avoid sedative use and the potential risks associated with them. The blindfolded animal is calmer and this strategy is also more humane than many other types of restraint. We know a blindfold works for other … [Read more...]
New direction in digital dermatitis treatment in dairy cattle
Research published in the Veterinary Record provides a clear welfare justification for giving NSAIDs to dairy cows with active digital dermatitis lesions, with significant milk yield benefits. The study suggests that the use of Ketofen in the treatment of pain and lameness associated with active digital dermatitis lesions may be beneficial for animal welfare as it is associated … [Read more...]
Forage study: legumes in beef cattle bring MANY benefits
H.A.(Bart) Lardner, PhD, shares preliminary findings from his ongoing forage study evaluating plant production, nutritive value, animal growth and performance, soil nutrient profiles, water dynamics and more. Source: The Cattle Site, January 27, 2022. Link. We’ve put in a grass species with a legume species, and we feel legumes are really the solution to the long-term needs … [Read more...]
Pinkeye in sheep different than pinkeye in cattle
Commercial content included While most prevalent during warmer months, crowed conditions in sheep barns and enclosures during winter increase the risk of animal-to-animal transfer of pinkeye bacteria. Pinkeye, called infectious keratoconjunctivitis, is most frequently caused by one of two bacteria. Chlamydia psittaci (ovis) and Mycoplasma conjunctiva are the culprits … [Read more...]
Beef cattle: the ultimate upcyclers
Complimentary Sponsored Content As consumers continue to push for more sustainable food production, the beef industry, by way of cattle's natural ability as upcyclers, is primed to deliver. If we think about upcycling in the context of cattle, what they're doing every single day is taking mostly human inedible plants and making a higher value product [beef] with regard to … [Read more...]
Plastic net wrap on forage bales can harm cattle
In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes. Cows are more at risk than feedlot animals. Remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding. Source: Nebraska Farmer, December 14, 2021. Link. CLIP THE WRAP! It is best to … [Read more...]
Survey: Attitudes regarding using analgesia in U.S. beef and dairy cattle
Many surveyed respondents indicated they were cognizant of the benefits of analgesia use in cattle, but perceived federal regulations and drug costs as impediments to the implementation of pain mitigation protocols on cattle operations. Source: JAVMA, January 15, 2021, Abstract only. Link. In general, frequency of analgesia use increased as cattle age increased, regardless … [Read more...]
AABP develops cattle vaccination guidelines for members
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ Committee on Pharmaceuticals and Biologics has developed vaccination guidelines for its members to use when designing client vaccination protocols. Likely the first of its kind for cattle, the guidelines provide member practitioners with the base knowledge necessary to construct protocols customized to bovine client needs across … [Read more...]
4 quick tips to get cattle winter-ready
The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to enlist some extra helpers on the farm. Extension beef specialist Ron Lemenager recommends these steps for early winter herd management planning: Take care of your weaning Get your vaccinations done Prepare your facilities Consider adding windbreaks or other protective structures to limit cattle stress Source: … [Read more...]