Veterinarians, nutritionists and those representing the pharmaceutical industry hear lots of queries and complaints that their ranch-raised calves, though vaccinated, still get sick. Why is that? One must really look at the whole process involved in raising a calf — the gathering, processing, weaning, feeding, watering and transportation — and reduce stress as much as […] Read more
Author Archives
Sunburn can cause significant problems for livestock
With the arrival of summer when animals become more exposed to ultraviolet light, cases of photosensitization can occur. In ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats), many causes can be caused by ingestion of certain plant species. As well, infectious causes such as liver flukes or leptospirosis can spark cases. The bottom line is that liver damage […] Read more
Bison health concerns have pretty short list
Lots of comparisons can be made between raising bison and cattle. Some things are easier, some things are harder. But every year, I hear of new issues in the bison herds, involving animal deaths, loss of productivity or reproductive failures. One very good thing about the bison industry is it is a close-knit group of […] Read more
Parasite prevention vital as dewormer efficiency fades
In the past, most pour-on products were primarily targeted at lice but for about the past eight years, the efficacy of pour-on dewormers on internal parasites has diminished. This means that after a fall treatment, the internal parasites emerge in spring, excreting lots of worm eggs. This then carries onto the pasture season and pastures […] Read more
Major changes needed to process calves amid COVID-19
Spring processing is here, when larger groups of cattle producers sometimes gather to process the calves. This year, major changes are needed. I think some changes will become the new normal in the cattle industry and some will benefit us in other ways. Livestock producers are among the most knowledgeable when it comes to biosecurity […] Read more
Calcium most obvious option for pregnant downer cows
Many cows that go down close to calving are low in calcium or phosphorus, or both, and magnesium can play a role as well. When colostrum is being formed, there is a large draw of calcium into the udder and this becomes the main cause of the deficiency. To compound the problem, some cows don’t […] Read more
Proper tubing of young calves should be top priority
Tubing a young calf with colostrum, colostrum substitute, electrolytes or for other reasons can be common on cow-calf operations. The procedure must be properly done, keeping in mind biosecurity and that important pledge from the Hippocratic Oath: First, do no harm. This article will outline proper procedures for tubing as well as some treatment parameters […] Read more
Herd health monitoring can have beneficial results for producers
In beef cattle production, there are essential practices we must do to treat animals, and other practices that vary from region to region, pen to pen, or year to year. On some procedures, monitoring must be consistent to enable the producer and the herd veterinarian to set out specific points as to when to initiate […] Read more
Vaccination timing is important but sometimes needs fine-tuning
Vaccines and parasiticides are most effective in livestock when used at the proper time. Fine-tuning the most appropriate and cost-effective times to apply will achieve the optimum results. Over the years, we have sometimes got away with the cookbook-type approach, which means cattle always get treated with a vaccination, are dewormed and de-liced before entering […] Read more
Stress can open the door for Histophilus somni bacteria
The disease organism known as Histophilus somni can cause many illnesses in feedlot cattle. This bacteria has been linked to pneumonia, arthritis, ITEME (infectious thrombo-embolic-meningo-encephalitis), as well as septicemia and heart failure. Stress can bring on diseases caused by H. somni, which is why the stress of weaning and then commingling and transportation to auction […] Read more
