Scours is usually an outbreak waiting to happen and it’s rarely caused by a single factor. Roslynn Biggs, DVM, shares the importance of keeping calves on clean ground by moving them routinely, as the Sandhills calving system describes. Source: Hay and Forage Grower, February 3, 2026. Link. Also see: Have you tried the Sandhills Calving System?, Progressive Cattle, … [Read more...]
Extension beef specialist concerned about lower quality hay from 2025
Jeff Lehmkuhler has never seen lower hay quality than what he witnessed in 2025. With winter weather extremes and spring-calving cows in their third trimester, he recommends pulling forage samples to document what nutrient levels exist in unique lots of hay, then adjust accordingly. Communicating the importance of nutritional sampling is a simple action for veterinary teams … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 31, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, December 24, 2025. Link. Scroll through recent Animal Health Digest posts here: December 2025 AHD Archives. Link. November 2025 AHD Archives. Link. October 2025 AHD Archives. Link. September 2025. AHD Archives. Link. ======================= 4 signs the dog is over holiday socializing Source: … [Read more...]
Variable hay quality a concern during cold snaps
Cattle feed intake can surge higher than 20 percent to make up for energy expended to keep them warm. Amber Friedrichsen reminds us that a large spread in hay quality across the Midwest exists, making it that much more important to test forage and budget for additional bales or supplemental feed. In short, a bale ≠ a bale ≠ a bale. Source: Hay and Forage Grower, December … [Read more...]
Windrow grazing provides nutrition, cost advantages
Here’s an idea that has caught on in row crop country. Aaron Berger shares how windrow-grazing annual forages allows producers to cut the crop at an optimum time for quality in late summer or early fall and increase harvest efficiency through strip-grazing the windrows. With crop harvest progress more than 80 percent complete, this method may be a good discussion topic with … [Read more...]
Advice for grazing beef-on-dairy calves
While beef-on-dairy calves outperform dairy calves for stocker and finishing systems, they require a different management and understanding when it comes to grazing. Unfamiliar with being a grazing animal, beef on dairy calves need to go through a two- to three-week receiving period, says Paul Beck, MS, MBA, PhD. This allows time for calves to adjust to new feeds, learn to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 4, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 28, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 28, 2025 AHD Bulletin – KC Animal Health Corridor Summit and initiative posts. Link-1 and Link-2 July VetWatch® commentary. Link. Everyone’s a coach. Link. Recognizing the early signs of joint disease (video). Link. The joy of sharing life … [Read more...]
Forage alone may not cut it for fall-weaned calves
Commentary So many variables determine producer success when raising calves and preparing them for the next stages of their lives. Amber Friedrichsen’s discussion of various approaches to supplements and forage as winter progresses provides an opportunity to visit with producers about ensuring proper nutrition. It also supports the overall health of the animals and the … [Read more...]
Water-soaked hay improved asthma in horses
Hay and bedding are a common source of airborne particles in horse barns. In a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, researchers found that soaking hay with water before feeding was effective in reducing the clinical signs of asthma. To be effective, a specific protocol must be followed. The hay must be soaked for 45 minutes and any dried hay that … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 26, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 19, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the September 19th AHD Bulletin – Subtle leadership. Link. Study: superbug crisis could get worse, kill nearly 40 million people. Link. Injectable iron – New science on a routine practice. Link. 10 reasons to love sticky ichthammol ointment. Link. … [Read more...]
Curbing gas with perennial grass
The Paris Agreement commitments to global emissions-reduction targets has elevated the discussion of methane production from cows <Link>. While some claim inaction from the livestock segment, a Minnesota study of forages contradicts those claims. Perennial forages are often praised for their ability to capture atmospheric carbon and sequester it in the soil. Now a … [Read more...]
At 25,000 bites per day improving forage management can improve cattle health
Animal health pros understand the importance of having healthy animals when implementing preventive vaccines and pharmaceuticals. After water, the quality of nutrition available is a precursor to successful animal health practices. Sarah Flack shared her definition of improved grazing during the Grassfed Exchange. She explained how each tool in a grazier’s toolbox can boost … [Read more...]
Concerns rise as drought reduces hay supply
Early-season drought conditions across much of the country have affected the hay supply. Beyond basic availability, there are concerns about nutritional value, dependability of the hay source and what is in hay bought from an outside source. Whether buying hay for horses or cattle, there are important considerations to get the quality and value animals need. The five … [Read more...]
Be on the lookout for grass tetany
In cattle country, the lush green grasses emerging are generally known to be low in magnesium. Producers need to be reminded to watch for symptoms of grass tetany as forage grasses flourish. Symptoms of grass tetany often include going off feed, nervousness, muscle spasms, convulsions, irritability, and aggressiveness. Severe cases may result in a comatose state or … [Read more...]
Cows benefit from cud chewing
Too basic? Maybe. However, considering the current challenges with forage because of the drought the key takeaways are about particle size and length plus cow observation. Cud chewing is the regurgitation of feed that has already been consumed and swallowed. The regurgitated feed is re-chewed to an acceptable particle size and then re-swallowed. But wait . . . there’s … [Read more...]
Beware of blister beetles
Blister beetles secrete cantharidin to defend themselves from predators through a process called reactive bleeding. Cantharidin is also released when beetles are crushed. Blister beetles are members of a family of plant-feeding insects (Meloidae) that contain cantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against … [Read more...]
Forage concerns and management in drought areas
A few of the recent storm systems have eased drought concerns in some areas. Still, without sustained moisture over the next three months, keeping livestock fed without depleting grazing forage will remain a hot topic for coffee shops, veterinary visits, machine sheds, bankers and regional extension specialists. Hay and Forage Grower Magazine stays abreast of grass and … [Read more...]
Hay could be in short supply next winter
Experience is a good teacher if you pay attention. Kenny Burdine, University of Kentucky extension, cites challenges with hay supplies in 2007. He shares reasons why he thinks it will be prudent to ensure adequate hay stocks going into the winter of 2022-2023. Source: Hay and Forage Grower, May 17, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: A little coaching at the local coffee shop from … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 20, 2022
Last week’s most read post Lyme-carrying ticks live longer. What? Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, Jan 13, 2022. Link. =========================== The world’s largest wildlife crossing could have a spring groundbreaking Source: LAist, January 13, 2022. Link. The Liberty Wildlife Crossing has been impressive since its … [Read more...]
Should we let cattle swim?
A group of beef cattle experts discuss the pros and cons of letting cattle have free access to ponds in the summer. Among the concerns were water quality, bank erosion, mastitis and foot rot. Overall, the risk of health challenges for beef cattle in ponds is low, and when considering investments in the herd, fencing off the pond is a low priority on my list of recommendations … [Read more...]
Fall alfalfa decisions have repercussions
Drought continues to be a concern for farmers and livestock producers. Forage availability and quality are integral to sustaining herd numbers and health. Kim Cassida shares alfalfa management tips. For animal health pros working directly with producers, consider using this article to open new discussions about nutrition and herd health decisions. You might find a local … [Read more...]
Summer feed spoilage – something to consider for any animal
Amber Friedrichsen shares approaches to packing, inoculating, sealing and removing feedstuffs during hot summer weather. She focused on stored forages in this article. Heat considerations are applicable to feed for any animal as they can absorb moisture and deteriorate in the heat.” – Kirk Augustine Starchy forages, such as silage, are susceptible to aerobic instability. Wet … [Read more...]
Hay, its winter!
Mike Rankin writes about feeding hay, the challenges, strategies and opportunities during these winter months. Winter chores are a survival game, but don’t lose sight of what’s going on during the hay-feeding ritual, he says. One of the tasks associated with bale feeding is removing the bale-binding material, be it net wrap, plastic twine or sisal twine. Source: Hay and … [Read more...]
Breed cows to match forage resources
“The beef industry is on an unsustainable path because aggressively selecting for enhanced mature size, muscle and milk potential isn’t necessarily good for the commercial operation given typical forage resources,” said David Lalman, Oklahoma State University extension beef cattle specialist. He says we need to do a better job of breeding cows to match forage resources found on … [Read more...]