Reading Time: 3 minutes Pasturing alfalfa can improve gains, but bloat is always a worry. Thankfully, advancements in technology, along with pasture management, can make this a viable option. Adhering to several principles can go a long ways to preventing unnecessary deaths when turning cattle out into leguminous pastures. Cattle should initially be turned out in the heat of […] Read more
Ways to reduce the risk of bloat when pasturing on alfalfa
Beef 911: Producers can take steps to reduce the risk through management and preventive products
Sick cattle: When to treat, call the vet, or pull the plug
Make an informed decision, but do it sooner rather than later
Reading Time: 3 minutes When first assessing sick mature cattle, there are four main choices or treatment streams to choose. Is it a treatable condition in which a positive response is likely? Is this a condition where the animal can be shipped for immediate slaughter? If the condition has gone past the point of return and the animal should […] Read more
Hands-on synchronization programs have many benefits
Beef 911: Some suggestions for running a successful AI program for beef cattle
Reading Time: 3 minutes We have come a long way from the synchronization programs of one shot of prostaglandins, observation, and breeding according to heat. Prostaglandins are still a very useful tool in combination with other drugs and intravaginal devices containing progesterone. Many of you will have seen the numerous protocols put out for synchronization — American Breeders Service […] Read more
On-farm semen collection is a valuable tool
With a valuable bull, on-farm collection becomes like an insurance plan preserving his genetics for the future
Reading Time: 4 minutes This is the time of year when either your own hot breeding prospects or ones for sale are coming to the forefront. A good insurance plan is collecting semen on these hot new or proven prospects, especially when you incorporate artificial insemination into your program. This article will review some of the finer points of […] Read more
A full breech birth is a dangerous situation
Beef 911: Cows with a history of twins more likely to have a full breech birth
Reading Time: 3 minutes In the true breech, the calf presented tail first with both back legs pointing forward under the body of the calf. A lot of producers refer to a straight backwards calf as a breech, but that is a misnomer. The true full breech has both back legs forwards so the first thing you feel when […] Read more
Hormonal implants are efficient, effective, economical and safe
Hormone allows more beef to be raised on less feed and a smaller environmental footprint
Reading Time: 4 minutes Implants in the cattle industry have been used on hundreds of millions of cattle in North America and other countries. We all know the benefits that come with a very small amount of hormone in the right proportions placed in the ear give us both increased gain and feed efficiency. Gains will increase (10-25 per […] Read more
Strawberry foot rot is on the increase in feedlots
Beef 911 An infection previously mostly found in dairy cattle is showing up in some western feedlots
Reading Time: 3 minutes It has come to my attention that “strawberry foot rot” or “hairy heel wart” or “Montellaros disease,” which was once considered a dairy disease is now making its way into feedlots in Eastern Canada. The disease is potentially caused by a treponema bacteria. The infection starts at the back of the hoof on or near […] Read moreFall vaccinations and processing
Reading Time: 4 minutes It has been proven time and again that sickness and death are reduced by pre-immunizing calves, and that vaccination is cheaper than treatment later. If you have not immunized at spring turnout for the common diseases such as blackleg (seven- or eight-way), IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, do it now. The most prevalent respiratory pathogens Mannheimia […] Read more
Shipping cattle direct is a win for both purchaser and seller
beef 911 It has long been recognized that transport coupled with commingling of cattle greatly increases stress, shrinkage, and the incidence of the respiratory disease complex.
Reading Time: 4 minutes For many years, auction markets have used satellite or Internet sales to market larger groups of cattle without having to move them off the farm. This is pretty much all upside for both seller and purchaser. Selling and shipping directly to the purchaser’s place eliminates one transport, saves time, and there is no comingling unless […] Read moreKeep an eye out for water deprivation
beff 911 As water levels in dugouts get shallower, the water temperature and evaporation increase
Reading Time: 3 minutes Water is the most essential nutrient of life and even though most areas have more than enough this year, it’s still a good time to talk about water deprivation. We need to focus on the preventive and what to watch for should water deprivation become a problem. Many articles have been written about water quality […] Read more