Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people. The growth of this bacteria is aided by high temperatures.
Small-grain hay and silage can make excellent forage. That is good news for producers because forage supplies will tighten if the drought conditions persist.
North Dakota ranchers are experiencing an historical widespread drought and the window for forage production is closing for 2021. Many producers may not have adequate production to justify haying.
When commodity feed prices become high, cattle producers should consider options for getting more out of their livestock feeds. Using other methods to get more nutrients out of the feed is now cost effective.
A sacrifice area is an area where animals stay at times when pasture grazing is detrimental to land and plants. This area can be in a dry lot pen or a fenced-off area of the pasture.
Summer pneumonia is respiratory disease/pneumonia that occurs in beef calves nursing their dams. The age range of calves affected can be as early as 3 to 4 weeks and from 3 to 5 months of age.
The northern Plains has experienced severe drought since 2020, with alfalfa plants stressed due to a shortage of water. The lack of snow cover and temperatures below 0 F in February likely caused alfalfa winter-kill.
Managing infectious diseases in cattle involves all aspects of the cow-calf system. A systems approach includes matching genetic selection to resources, nutrition, reducing stress and the use of vaccine protocols.
Many cattle operations will find themselves without enough feedstuffs to maintain their current herd size. Producers have several strategies to manage herds with limited resources, including creating a culling plan.
