Beef Cow Nutrition Before and After Calving

Beef Cow Nutrition Before and After Calving. By John W. Comerford - Professor Emeritus of Animal Science - Pennsylvania State University. Supplying adequate nutrition to the cow is critical during the 60 days prior to calving and immediately after calving.Beef cattle are the scavengers of the livestock...

Drought Plan

Drought Plan. By USDA NRCS South Dakota.  A drought plan will be an essential component to your overall grazing plan, as it provides guidance in making decisions during critical times when forage may be lacking. Generally, a drought plan will identify certain triggers, including calendar dates (that you...

Using the Right Colostrum Products

Using the Right Colostrum Products. Article and photos courtesy of SCCL. As the cold weather sets in, so does the realization that calving season is right around the corner. Now is the time to start preparing your calving kit, and one of the most essential items to include is a colostrum supplement or...

Colostrum Alternatives for Beef Calves

Colostrum Alternatives for Beef Calves. By Heather Smith Thomas. Colostrum is crucial for a newborn calf, to provide instant energy and temporary immunity to help him fight off many diseases he will soon encounter.   Calves with failure of passive transfer (calves that don’t receive or absorb...

Common Calving Issues and how to Avoid Them

Common Calving Issues and how to Avoid ThemBy Jaclyn KrymowskiThere may be no more special time on the ranch than calving season. This next generation represents a culmination of time and energy invested in your breeding program and preparing for the future.And while this season is full of excitement and hopes, it is...

Elements of Pre-calving Vaccination Protocol

Elements of Pre-calving Vaccination Protocol. By Jaclyn Krymowski. A successful calving season involves plenty of advanced preparation, most of which is geared towards ensuring the health of cow and calf. A big part of this preparation involves a carefully curated vaccination program.Proactive disease...

Ectoparasite Control in Cattle

Ectoparasite Control in Cattle. By Nick Wagner, DVM. Article courtesy of Neogen. Ectoparasite control in cattle production requires the implementation of management practices to maintain animal health, to optimize performance, and to provide a comfortable environment to achieve success.  Ectoparasites...

Cold Stress in Cattle

Cold Stress in Cattle. By Heather Smith Thomas.Weather is always a factor in cattle health.  Stressed animals are more vulnerable to stress-related illnesses.  Cattle need more care and feed during cold or wet weather.  Good management to prepare cattle for winter and minimize these stresses can...