Feedlot horses’ attitude, energy and disposition send important messages to cattle and make handling them much easier
Cattle will sense the confidence, or lack of it, within the horse and will alter their movements accordingly, says Dr. Tom Noffsinger, a veterinarian with Production Animal Consultation.
William DeKay
Stories by William DeKay
Herd health, economics based on water quality
A former livestock specialist says insufficient water intake reduces an animal’s performance faster than any other nutrient deficiency
Water comprises 50 to 80 percent of an animal’s live weight and insufficient intake reduces performance faster than any other nutrient deficiency.
Vertical mixers get their day in the sun
Vertical feed mixers are becoming the tool of choice for producers to combat the rising cost of feed while safeguarding feed quality in dry years.
Polio symptoms linked to high sulphate levels
Sulphate toxicity is one of the leading causes of polio encephalomalacia, which can be prevented by testing water quality
Symptoms of polio encephalomalacia (PEM) include progressive blindness, difficulty walking, depression and seizures in cattle.
Keep close eye on blue-green algae this summer
Heavy blooms appear as a solid shimmering blue-green sheen across the dugout water’s surface with a “pea soup” quality
Often called blue-green algae, cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause liver damage, gastroenteritis and even death if ingested by livestock.
Branding called vital in recovering stolen cattle
Officials say the recent recovery of stolen cattle could not have happened if they had not been branded and documented
The recent recovery of cattle stolen in Alberta couldn’t have happened if the animals had not been branded and documented, says a law enforcement official. “It was a four-way joint effort, beginning with Livestock Identification Services and the RCMP in Alberta and then moving over to Livestock Services of Saskatchewan and the RCMP in Saskatchewan,” […] Read more
B.C. doubles seats for vet students
British Columbia is doubling the number of subsidized seats for B.C. veterinary students who attend the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. According to the B.C. government, the number of provincially subsidized seats in the WCVM’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program will permanently increase to 40 from 20, with the support […] Read more
Stolen cattle recovered
A 48-year-old man faces criminal charges after Saskatchewan and Alberta RCMP recovered 10 head of cattle that were stolen in Thorhild, Alta., and taken to a pasture near Martensville, Sask. The recovered cattle are worth more than $25,000. Alvin Hamm has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He is scheduled […] Read more
Saskatchewan Beef Expo – photo essay
Saskatchewan Beef Expo was held March 31 to April 2 in Saskatoon. | William Dekay photos
Immunity transfer vital to calf health
Colostrum quality is affected by the health of the mother, body condition and the nutrition it received during pregnancy
Several studies assert that passive transfer of immunity is the most important factor affecting the pre-weaning health and survival of beef calves, particularly after a difficult birth. Calves are born with an immature immune system and need the antibodies in colostrum to protect them in early life. “If you have a dystocia such as a […] Read more
