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Cow-Calf

Wet fall conditions can lead to 
mouldy corn cobs and residue in
the field which can be harmful 
to grazing cattle.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Poor corn residue may need supplement

The wet fall can reduce feed quality of corn residue, create mould

By
In the last few years, many beef producers have taken advantage of corn residue as part of their cow herd’s overwintering feeding program. It’s a low-cost feed and for the most part, because early-gestating cows are allowed months of grazing without much trouble. Unfortunately, this wet fall has presented many challenges in feeding lower-quality corn […] Read more
beef on a winter pasture
Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Important to maintain proper BCS

Cattleman's Corner: Cows looking good going into winter still need to be fed

By
Warm temperatures and lots of rain right into fall regenerated pastures producing plenty of nutritious grasses for cattle. Many gestating cows are going into the winter, healthy and in decent shape. By feeding them well-balanced overwintering diets, we can continue this momentum, so these beef cows can get through a typical cold winter and be […] Read more
Watch for newer respiratory pathogens
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Watch for newer respiratory pathogens

Animal Health: One is a virus, the other a bacteria — both can be hard to identify

By
We have all heard of coronavirus being one of the main causes of viral scours in newborn calves. It alone, with a couple strains of rotavirus, are the two main viruses we see in scours vaccines. It also causes a winter dysentery (bloody diarrhea) in mature cattle, especially housed dairy cattle in the winter. What […] Read more
Easy weaning and putting yearlings onto pasture or grass hay can help transition them into backgrounding.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Ease weaned calves into backgrounding

It is difficult if not impossible to recover losses due to sick animals

By
Some ranchers hold calves over as yearlings, and some buy light calves in the spring to put on grass and gain weight. Some calves go into a confinement program and are fed a growing ration until they are ready to enter a finishing facility. Backgrounding covers a spectrum of situations that includes preconditioning before and […] Read more
calf in a pen
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Various treatments for calf diphtheria

Animal Health: Injury to mouth or throat can allow bacteria to set in

By
I am sure most producers over the years have had calves (on a sporadic basis) develop a throat infection. These are the calves which have an extremely loud inspiratory and expiratory sound which can be heard, across the pen. They generally have extended neck breathing and are in various forms of respiratory distress. The cause […] Read more
Photo: File
Cow-Calf, Finishers, Livestock

Six risk factors for BRD in feeder calves

By
There are many factors to consider to minimize BRD (bovine respiratory disease) when bringing in feeder calves. Knowing the history of the calves at weaning time, distance transported, vaccination and health history, as well as upcoming weather conditions will help you determine the level of risk. In bringing in calves, or for that matter feeding […] Read more
*current financial status is based on time of writing (author) The final profit in this case
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Preconditioning calves still pays this fall

Pencil out the costs and consider other marketing benefits as well

By
The weaned calf market reached a peak in the fall of 2014. Since then, mixed with lots of volatility, the value of weaned calves this fall is roughly half that nearly two years ago. Many cow-calf producers who sell weaned calves to feedlots are asking if preconditioning calves is really worth it. Yes, I believe […] Read more
cows eating pelleted feed
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Livestock

Elements of a “good” winter mineral

Cow-calf mineral requirements vary with time of year

By
It won’t be long before most cow-calf operators will be bring their cow herd home from pasture to overwinter. They should also be shopping for a good beef cow mineral. I think of a “good” overwintering cow mineral as one that helps meet the mineral and vitamin requirements of the early- to mid-gestating beef cow […] Read more
How calves are managed after weaning as well as transportation can play a big factor in their health risk level once they get to a feed yard.
Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf, Finishers

Determine the risk level of feeder calves

Animal Health: Knowledge of how weaning was handled is useful information

By
There are many factors to consider when bringing in calves to feed to minimize BRD (bovine respiratory disease). It is still the number one cause of morbidity and often mortality in our feedlots. Knowing the history of the calves at weaning time, distance transported, vaccination and health history, as well as upcoming weather conditions will […] Read more

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