Drovers’ Top 10 Cow-Calf Stories of 2018
As we move into 2019, here are 10 cow-calf articles of the past year to help keep you informed and ready to start a successful year!
10. Atypical BSE Confirmed in Florida Cow
USDA confirmed an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a six year-old mixed-breed beef cow in Florida this August. Industry leaders say this shows how well the U.S. surveillance program works.
9. Refine Your Deworming Program
Advice to seek professional help with might seem presumptuous, but for your parasite-control program, expert guidance could pay off with better health, weight gains and returns on your input investments.
8. Jared Wareham: The Ranch Horse is Not Obsolete
New technology can't replace the legacy and necessity of the ranch horse. On the King Ranch, maintaining that prized remuda of mares is as important as spring rain.
7. Four Ways To Gather Cattle In A Pasture And Start Good Movement
A lot of ranchers have trouble gathering their cattle; that is, it takes a lot of riders multiple days and they still end up short. If done properly, however, one or two people can gather even large pastures in one day and miss none.
6. Get Your BQA Certification Now—Some Packers To Require It in 2019
Several beef packers will require Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification from fed cattle suppliers, starting Jan. 1, 2019. Leaders from Tyson and Cargill say this effort is driven by beef retailers and consumers, who are asking for more information about how cattle are raised.
5. Five Wisdoms that Rule the Herd
It’s been a long few months of contention—the country, the checkoff and the weather. It’s time to get back to what we all love—watching new calves born, feeding the first few loads of corn silage, and seeing your kids racing to pull on muck boots to help with the chores. Here are five rules of wisdom we all need to be reminded of.
4. Controversy in Texas Over Cattle Fever Tick Spray Box Shut Down
A decision by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to halt the operation of spray boxes utilized to prevent to the spread of Cattle Fever Ticks is getting pushback from other government officials and cattlemen.
3. Removal of Wolf Pack Authorized in Washington After 16 Cattle Attacks
After 16 separate attacks on livestock, wildlife officials in Washington have approved the lethal removal of the two remaining wolves in the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) pack.
2. Dire Forage Situation in Nine of the Top 10 Cow-Calf States
Long-term precipitation deficits, going back to summer of 2017 have made the hay supply situation even worse, as supplies were already short.
1. Anger Over Anaplasmosis
Despite using the recommended antibiotic-mineral mix with a VFD to prevent anaplasmosis infections, manager Jason Lewis says the Division Ranch, Strong City, Kan., lost 13 cows last year to the disease.