Tag: Cattle Health

Is All Calf Gel Created Equally?

Posted on by Jessica Graham

Cow-calf producers want the best start for their newborn calves. That’s why BioZyme® Inc. recently introduced VitaFerm® Sure Start Gel, specifically formulated for calves to support immune function and overall health during the critical post-birth period. Yes, there are other calf gels on the market. But, as leaders in animal health and nutrition, our goal is to provide animals with an undeniable impact from birth forward.

VitaFerm has foundationally produced nutrition for beef cattle that maximizes energy and forage utilization for successful production. However, successful production doesn’t happen if your calf doesn’t get started on the right foot. Yes, we know producers feed VitaFerm mineral to their cows in late gestation and early lactation to give their calves pass-through immunity and nutrients. However, VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is another resource to ensure that calves receive the best nutrients possible, as early as possible.

“Getting calves off to the best start possible is paramount for their long-term health and, ultimately, your profitability. While a year-round VitaFerm program can improve colostrum quality, Sure Start Gel uses our new Broad Shield technology to give an additional boost to immunity,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales.

Benefits of VitaFerm Sure Start Gel

The new VitaFerm Sure Start Gel offers several benefits to give newborns a sure start. Like all VitaFerm products, it contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic that supports digestibility by stimulating beneficial microbes. Furthermore, this innovative gel:

  • Delivers IgY antibodies derived from Salmonella, E. coli, bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, Cryptosporidium, Clostridium and MOS for broad support of the immune system.
  • Provides nutritional support to maximize calf vigor.

“VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is research-proven to enhance the efficacy of the antibodies the cow naturally passes to her calf, giving your calves every chance to develop their immune system and capitalize on healthy, efficient performance,” Cassady said.

This single-dose product comes in a 30 mL tube and you should administer it after the calf has had colostrum. For best results, we recommend giving it within the first 24 hours of birth. Repeat daily as needed. The bright orange color allows for a distinct recognition of administration.

What Differentiates Sure Start Calf Gel?

If you are a producer and Google search “calf gel,” endless options present themselves. However, not all calf gel is created the same. Many recommend use immediately after the calf is born.  At BioZyme, our scientists know the importance of colostrum. That is why we have suggested using the Sure Start Gel after that calf gets its mother’s first milk.

Furthermore, all BioZyme products are research-proven, meaning we have trialed them and know they do what we say they do. BioZyme has more than 150 research papers and presentations across all products for all species. We want our dealers and our customers to know that we have all animals’ best interests at heart. That’s why research has been at our company’s foundation for more than 60 years.

Another way that the VitaFerm Sure Start Gel distinguishes itself from the competition is its value. Yes, one tube is one dose, which makes it easy to administer – no guessing if you over- or under-applied. Calves are getting some of the best technology on the market, all for under $13 a dose, at the suggested retail price. Some other calf gels are priced at $18 or more per dose, and they do not contain Amaferm or the complete suite of antibodies that Sure Start Gel does.

Finally, our team is not just scientists in white lab coats making products for producers and animal lovers. The BioZyme team is comprised of producers – cattle producers – just like our customers. They know the value of calf gel that contains Amaferm and other key antibodies to protect the immune system.

Stock up on VitaFerm Sure Start Today!

No, calf gels are not created equally. Yes, some of the ingredients appear the same. The dosing instructions might seem similar. However, there is one brand that you can rely on. It’s research-proven and contains Amaferm, IgY antibodies, MOS and Broad Shield technology.

Get your VitaFerm Sure Start Gel today. VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is available from an authorized BioZyme dealer near you.

If you prefer to have this shipped to your doorstep, consider shopping online.

The True Cost of Cutting Corners in Breeding Season

Posted on by Jessica Graham

The True Cost of Cutting Corners in Breeding Season

Tight Margins

Cattle producers are no strangers to tight margins. Feed costs climb; weather shifts and every season seems to bring a new challenge. But there is one area where “Saving” money almost always backfires: Breeding Season Nutrition

According to Ted Perry, director of beef cattle technical services with Purina Animal Nutrition. Reproduction is the number one factor driving profitability in a cow-calf operation. “If a cow doesn’t get bred, she doesn’t have a calf,” Perry explains. ” That sounds simple, but it’s the most important truth in the business.

With calf prices currently strong, producers may be tempted to economize on nutrition. But as Perry warns, “It’s cheaper to cut back, but that cheap ration can cost a fortune.

The Economics of Early Conception

Calves born early in the calving season are typically worth more. On average, calves gain a little more than two pounds per day.

At approximately $4 per pound, each day a calf could add $8 in value. Multiply that across 21 days in a calving cycle over an entire herd, and the economic incentive is obvious.

One hidden risk is embryonic loss. Perry points out that early embryonic loss can mean lower profitability. A cow that loses her embryo and conceives again six to eight weeks later will result in a calf that is 100 to 120 pounds lighter at weaning.

This represents a significant revenue hit at today’s prices.

“These calves are worth around $2,500 a piece right now,” says Perry. “They’re gaining $8 a day, but we have to make sure we’re feeding them so they can continue to do that when we get them weaned off with the minimum amount of stress.” There are key nutrition factors to manage stress and avoid losses:

Body Condition Score (BCS):

The goal is a BCS of six, a little over 20% body fat. At this level, cows are most likely to conceive and maintain pregnancy. Lower scores compromise reproduction because cows will prioritize milk production over fertility.

Manure Scores:

Manure is a window into the rumen. “If it gets stacky and you see a bunch of fiber in the manure, that fiber did not get used in the rumen,” Perry explains. “The first thing we need to look at is mineral status, because rumen microbes need phosphorus.”

Mineral Status:

Adequate mineral intake ensures rumen microbes can ferment forage efficiently so cows can support both lactation and pregnancy. Minerals are the baseline for herd health and fertility. For fall-calving herds, December brings peak lactation at the same time breeding begins, often in harsh weather. Energy and mineral intake are essential to sustain fertility. Spring-calving herds face a different challenge in November: weaning. Calves consuming minerals directly benefit from stronger immune systems and better vaccine responses.
Looking ahead and managing risk One way producers can safeguard against these challenges is by using targeted supplements. Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® tub with CX8™ Additive Technology, a self-fed option designed to support cattle during critical stress windows, is an example of one of those proven tools that can help give producers peace of mind during transitions. High calf prices also provide an opportunity to manage risk in the future.

Market Outlook

Markets are cyclical, and that volatility means producers must know what works now, before margins tighten. “A few years from now, we may be having the opposite conversation about how to maintain reproduction in a lower-margin environment,” says Perry. “That makes today the time to fine-tune your nutrition strategy, while you have the margin to experiment and learn what works best on your operation.” The bottom line Breeding season is not the time to cut corners. Every cow that conceives early and maintains her pregnancy adds value to your bottom line. Every calf weaned heavier and healthier strengthens your position in a volatile market.
Tools like Purina® Wind and Rain® ProCycle® with CX8™ Additive Technology deliver advanced nutrition in a convenient form to help producers protect both their calves and their cows during times of stress. When the stakes are high, investing in high-quality nutrition is a practical way to protect profitability. “She has to breed. If we try to cheapen up the ration and we lose cows either in conception or increase open cows, that cheap ration has cost us a fortune,” says Perry. For today’s cattlemen, the message is clear: invest in nutrition during breeding season to support overall cattle health and performance. The returns in conception, calf weight and herd profitability will outweigh the costs. To learn more about cattle nutrition, visit purinamills.com/cattle-feed.
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Breeding Soundness for Live Cover Bulls 

Posted on by A.Miller-Cattle-Admin

Breeding Soundness for Live Cover Bulls

Improving profitability and cutting losses for cow-calf producers largely hinges on each cow’s ability to provide a viable calf year over year. While a lot of pressure is put on the cows, it is worth arguing that the virility of the herd sire (or clean up bull) is just as essential, if not more important.  

To do this, bulls should be evaluated regularly not only to manage their health and nutritional needs, but to ensure they stay viable for your herd. This includes annual breeding soundness exams and also knowing when to rest and retire bulls. 

Bull Health 

According to Reinaldo Cooke’s Oregon State University bulletin, Basics of reproductive function in bulls, the average 12 months to reach puberty for bulls can vary quite a bit. Factors like genetics, nutrition, environment and health can all affect maturity.  

“As an example, under adequate nutritional and management scenarios, Holstein bulls can reach puberty as early as 8 months of age, whereas Brahman bulls typically reach puberty after 15 months of age,” he explains. “…Bull fertility and serving ability will determine the reproductive performance of the cows that the bull is expected to breed. Consequently, the reproductive ability of bulls should be evaluated annually prior to breeding.” 

 Keeping track of your bull’s health is important to ensure you catch any issues as they arise so you save yourself time and money.  It’s important that cows conceive and if there is an issue with a bull it can cause a domino effect. 

Breeding  Soundness Exams 

Breeding soundness exams (BSEs) are important to ensure bulls meet the proper and standard criteria as the most beneficial and impactful for the herd. 

These exams don’t guarantee everything, but they give a solid foundation and background support for a bull. A full exam should include everything from semen quality to physical characteristics impacting mobility and function. 

It should especially look at overall reproductive traits in young bulls and measure testicular size via scrotal circumference. In addition to increasing the likelihood a bull will impregnate more cows, it can also help pinpoint undesirable traits and culling candidates.  

“Body condition should be scored, and a general physical examination conducted with special attention paid to the feet, legs, eyes, and sheath,” says the Merck Veterinary Manual. “The inguinal rings and internal genitalia should be palpated per rectum to detect any abnormalities, eg, seminal vesiculitis. Palpate the scrotum to evaluate the testes, epididymides, spermatic cords, and scrotal skin.” 

For sperm tests, there should be an evaluation of two things in a complete BSE – motility and morphology. To consider being passable, a bull should have at least 30% sperm motility and 70% of sperm being classified as physiologically “normal.”  

However, this doesn’t mean that BSEs are necessarily the end all be all. Dr. Lew Strickland of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture notes in his article Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation that: 

“A BSE does not evaluate a bull’s libido, nor does it ensure that a bull will remain a satisfactory potential breeder the entire breeding season. An injury to a bull’s hooves, legs or reproductive tract may render a bull incapable of breeding your cows. Therefore, it is still extremely important to observe your bulls regularly to ensure they are doing their job.” 

That’s why regular observation during the breeding season is so critical. Ideal mobility means a bull moves freely without stiffness or limping whether walking or mounting. He should be able to travel the pasture with ease, keeping up with cows in heat without signs of fatigue.  

While libido can’t be fully “measured” in a lab, you can still get a pretty good sense of it through pasture observation. A bull actively checking cows, exhibiting flehmen response, and making repeated, successful breeding attempts shows signs of strong breeding drive. Conversely, a bull that shows little interest in cycling cows, or fails to complete mounts, should have an evaluation immediately to prevent lost breeding opportunities. 

Your bull genetics will influence not only the current calf crop but also future breeding stock if you retain bull calves. Selecting a bull with traits that complement your cow herd ensures that desirable characteristics integrate into your herd, while poor decisions can set a program back for years. 

 

Does it really matter? 

Whether a bull is physically present on the farm or accessed through an A.I. or stud service, he’s an essential part of any cow-calf operation. A thorough understanding of a bull’s physical health, reproductive soundness and nutritional needs to cover cows in a timely manner

With frozen semen, they perform much of the initial reproductive evaluation is already complete. Testing semen quality for motility, morphology  and concentration before going to market to ensure the product meets fertility standards. However, it’s still up to the producer to match that semen’s genetic profile to their cow herd’s needs and goals. Likewise, proper semen storage and handling are all essential to improving its integrity. 

BSEs are an invaluable tool, whether you’re purchasing a new bull or leasing one for a season. They offer a tangible, measurable way to evaluate a bull’s fertility before investing time and resources into breeding. 

His genetics will influence not only the current calf crop but also future breeding stock if you retain bull calves. Selecting a bull with traits that complement your cow herd will lock in those desirable characteristics and pass them down. Conversely, poor decisions can set a program back for years. 

By Jaclyn Krymowski for American Cattlemen 

October 2025

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