New research provides important insight to the long-debated value of weaning and preconditioning programs. Bottom line: Data from Superior Livestock Auction show that calf buyers will pay premiums for calves that have been weaned at least 45 days, even after accounting for differences in preconditioning programs. Source: BEEF, August 23, 2018. Link. When calves arrive at the … [Read more...]
The veterinary significance of emerging infectious diseases
J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM, provides insight into the emergence of infectious diseases and their impact on animals and humans. He reminds us that our ability to identify new viruses currently outpaces the ability to interpret the relevance of these discoveries. It is estimated that 60% to 80% of emerging diseases are zoonotic, which emphasizes the importance of … [Read more...]
Change is in the air for U.S. cattle ID and traceability
A 2017 BEEF Survey says beef producers give cautious support to traceability, Burt Rutherford said as he spoke to members of the International Livestock Identification Association (ILIA) at their annual conference. This is important because at present, outside of those for various value-added programs, the U.S. doesn’t have a nationwide birth-to-consumer traceability … [Read more...]
Water consumption crucial to horse health
Getting enough water sounds elementary doesn’t it. But for horses, and cattle, as well, . . . water is the most important nutrient, especially in hot weather. Without it, horses die within a few days, whereas they may be able to go weeks without food. Source: BEEF, June 25, 2018. Link. Ambient temperature affects water intake, and horses typically drink less water in cold … [Read more...]
Beef business is marathon, not sprint
BEEF’s annual State of the Industry survey shows that while short- and long-term optimism have diminished, most respondents accept the roller coaster challenges of raising beef. Source: BEEF, June 2018., page 8. Link. When analyzing the responses to the short-term and long-term questions, it becomes a glass-half-full outlook versus a glass-half-empty worldview. Indeed, how … [Read more...]
Hormones by the numbers
Amanda Radke addresses myths surrounding beef and hormones. This information is well-referenced and realistic. Use it to reeducate yourself and share it with consumers who blame animal-based protein for hormonal problems. Source: BEEF, May 8, 2018. Link. A pre-pubescent girl would have to eat 10.7 steers’ worth of beef and a pre-pubescent boy would need to 8.2 steers’ worth … [Read more...]
BRD is a battle we may never win
Burt Rutherford makes a case that BRD or BRDC will likely never be eliminated. His opinion was formed after reading a research study that indicates over 21 percent of cattle are effected by BRD. While BRD costs the industry $800 - $900 million annually, the challenge is making changes in how calves are managed prior to weaning, he says. Source: BEEF, May 22, 2018. … [Read more...]
Pest busters for 2018
Here’s a great list of products available for animal pest control. From premise sprays to pour-ons managing insects is critical to production successes. Source: BEEF, May 2018], page 22. Link. Available products for parasites and pest management. INSIGHTS: Consider printing these pages to use as a handy reference when discussing products in these categories with … [Read more...]
Heed new pinkeye management protocols
Articles from AHD sponsor Addison Biological Laboratories provide information about how we should now manage pinkeye. Starting with a historical perspective helps. This is what we know: Pinkeye is a painful cattle disease that can reduce weaning weights as much as 17 lbs. to 65 lbs. per animal. Pinkeye is a multifactor disease. Once it begins to spread through a … [Read more...]
Hoof-care diagnostic tool is cool (slide show)
Zinpro’s new Step Up program has neat tools for cattle lameness identification and management. They were developed in collaboration from Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute. The materials combine as much knowledge from the beef and dairy industries as possible, then makes it somewhat specific for beef or dairy animals, says Zinpro’s Connie Larson. It is available … [Read more...]
2018 ATV-UTV roundup; 11 new options to consider (slideshow)
Whether you own a two-acre property in the suburbs, a suburban acreage, love to explore the outdoors or work on a farm this ATV-UTV review is worth reading. Source: Beef, March 28, 2018. When it comes to getting around quickly while spending less on fuel, ATVs or four-wheelers, and utility or side-by-side vehicles, are the answer. While they’ll never replace your pickup, … [Read more...]
Beef vets release statement on raised without antibiotics programs
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) released its position statement on programs that tout that animals were raised without antibiotics. In short, the AABP encourages producers and practitioners using these programs to always put the health and welfare of cattle FIRST. Source: Beef, March 28, 2018. The pressure on beef producers and their veterinarians to … [Read more...]
Trich is nasty and costly
Cattle producers work hard to avoid BVD and respiratory disease, but trichomoniasis can cost a lot more than treatments for these issues, often cutting the calf crop by half or more, if not corralled. Trich is caused by a tiny protozoan parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus. In cows. The parasite colonizes in the vagina and uterus. In bulls, it colonizes or lives in epithelial folds … [Read more...]
Clean up to reduce stable fly population
The manure and waste hay from a single feeding site can produce more than 1 million stable flies. On a smaller scale, the same thing happens on acreages or in backyards where manure and feces have piled up over the winter. Stable flies are also known as biting house flies and are slightly smaller than house flies. Source: Beef, March 8, 2018. Data from the “Managing Stable … [Read more...]
Dealing with calf dehydration issues
Heather Thomas went coast to coast to gather information from professors and producers about calf dehydration. Dehydration, loss of electrolytes and decrease in blood pH (metabolic acidosis) are the three biggest problems with scouring calves, says Geof Smith, DVM. “Rehydrating those calves is critical,” he says. George Barrington, DVM, says that means supportive treatment … [Read more...]
Beef checkoff continues to enjoy strong approval
The most recent survey on the beef checkoff shows a higher percent of cattle producers approve of the program. often controversial, overall, beef producers are pleased with the performance of the checkoff, says Burt Rutherford, editor: 76% say the beef checkoff has contributed to a positive trend in beef demand 78% say the checkoff has value even when the economy is … [Read more...]
8 new trucks for 2018
“The 2018 lineup of trucks combine technology, style and plenty of muscle,” says Burt Rutherford, senior editor. Whether you use a truck to pull trailers or haul hay or just want a fancy ride that’s not a luxury sedan, there’s plenty for everyone in 2018. Source: Beef, February 2018. Check out the lineup of full size and heavy duty trucks for this year. We think you’ll … [Read more...]
Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in the books
More than 7,500 cattlemen and cattlewomen blazed a trail to Phoenix last week for the 121st annual 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. Including the 25th anniversary of Cattlemen’s College and the learning experiences that go with it, BQA and environmental stewardship awards were also presented. Throughout the event, new acquaintances were made and friendships were … [Read more...]
Keep the pressure on lice
Whether or not it’s been a warm or cold winter in your area, winter lice infestations can be a problem. There are two types of lice that infect cattle and both spend their entire lifecycle on cattle hosts: Biting lice - feed on the skin and secretions on the outside of the animal Sucking lice - these species are blood feeders and pierce the skin Source: Beef, January … [Read more...]
Seedstock 100 shows bull influence
The 4th annual edition of Beef Magazine's Seedstock 100 (S100) lists the biggest seedstock producers in the beef industry, including bull sales volume and contact information. The list of breeds and composites that these S100 operations offer speaks to the genetic diversity borne by customer need and demand, as well as breed concentration. Source: Beef, December 28, … [Read more...]
Stockers, the shock absorbers for the beef industry
It is easy to argue the stocker sector serves as the fulcrum that makes current beef industry efficiency possible. Stocker operators warehouse cattle, spread seasonal surpluses and deficiencies into a balanced mix of volume. They assemble and sort cattle into more homogenous groups—weight, sex, type and such. Along the way, stocker producers straighten out the high-health-risk … [Read more...]
Products bring solutions to livestock handling (slideshow)
Livestock handling continues to evolve. Handling animals without stressing them is still one of the biggest challenges livestock producers face. Several new chute and animal-handling systems were among the products Farm Progress editors uncovered at recent farm shows. Source: Beef, November 28, 2017. The last decade has brought a move forward in understanding how animals … [Read more...]
How to disagree with a client
We’ve all been in this scenario—you try to talk to a customer about using a certain management system or therapy and they insist on doing something different. The challenge here is to guide the customer to understand your recommendation without further offending them. Working through this requires taking three steps: Active listening Explanation while getting feedback … [Read more...]
Beef Quality Assurance launches new transportation program
“The BQA Transportation (BQAT) training and certification program has been a long time coming,” said Chase DeCoite, director of BQA for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. “By educating cattle haulers and producers on the best practices in cattle transportation, BQA is helping make improvements in cattle care and beef quality.” Source: Beef, November 16, 2017. Online … [Read more...]
Peek inside a hoop beef facility (slideshow)
Progressive practices are best viewed in person, but when you can’t, articles like this one help animal health pros understand new approaches. Here, a Missouri father-son team shares experiences from their hoop feeding facility and the benefits they are seeing. Source: Beef, May 19, 2017. By taking the weather off their back, cattle are improving gains and feed … [Read more...]
Cull the right cows without keeping records
What? no records? Cattlemen are often told to keep individual records on each cow and calf. Burt Teichert contradicts that and thinks that it is a waste of time. He says, you don’t really select cows. You eliminate or cull the ones you don’t want. You select bulls. Source: Beef, September 1, 2017. How do we cull the right cow without any paper or computerized records? It … [Read more...]
Value-added calves are the result of good pre-conditioning
According to survey numbers, the value of pre-conditioning or back-grounding calves post-weaning is growing rapidly. Since its inception, the Beef Quality Assurance program has given beef producers a template on how to do things right. More than one-third of producers are BQA certified according to the survey results. Source: Beef, October 2017, page 22. Dan Thompson, DVM, … [Read more...]
Tips for a successful weaning/preconditioning program
Planning now for spring calf weaning and preconditioning makes sense before producers are taxed with the work of calving. Weaned and preconditioned calves can bring more dollars at sale time. As veterinarians meet with producers for VFD consultations, preconditioning is a topic that adds value to the compliance visits. Source: Beef, September 7, 2017. There are numerous … [Read more...]
Harvest season and safety on the roads
Here are 10 things a farmer hopes you will consider and act on when you are following equipment on the road. It’s a good reminder for sales representatives and veterinary teams that travel by automobile. Source: Beef, September 25, 2017. Warnings and reminders about equipment size, speed, visibility and watching for lights and signs on the farm implements are part of the … [Read more...]
A quadrillion reasons those microbes matter
When cattle are fed, producers feed an ecosystem of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Rumen microbes work together to break down what a cow eats, turning the feed into energy and protein. Keeping microbes flourishing can keep cows productive and in the herd. The numbers are mind-boggling. Source: Beef, August 24, 2017. Three main microorganisms are responsible for breaking down … [Read more...]