Beef and Dairy Cattle Nutrition

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Launches Ruminant Digestive Health Platform

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:13:03 GMT

A newly relaunched educational platform from Lallemand Animal Nutrition, rumantdigestivesystem.com , highlights a growing shift in cattle health management: Focusing only on the rumen is no longer enough to optimize performance, health and efficiency.

What Is a Whole-System Approach to Ruminant Digestive Health?

A whole-system approach evaluates the entire ruminant digestive tract, including both the rumen and lower gut, and how these compartments interact to influence:

Feed efficiency
Microbiome balance
Immune function
Disease risk

This approach reflects emerging research showing postruminal function plays a measurable role in overall herd outcomes.

From Rumen-Centric to Full Digestive Insight

Historically, ration formulation and digestive health strategies have centered on rumen fermentation. However, increasing attention is being placed on the lower gut, particularly its role in inflammation, nutrient absorption and systemic health.

To address this, Lallemand Animal Nutrition has expanded its interactive learning platform to cover the full digestive system, helping veterinarians and advisers connect research with practical management decisions.

The platform combines scientific data with applied insights, supporting a more complete understanding of how digestive function drives productivity and welfare.

Key Topics Covered in the Platform

The platform consolidates core areas of ruminant digestive health into a single resource:

Rumen–lower gut interactions
The ruminant microbiome and its function
Digestive development from calf to mature animal
Common challenges such as SARA, liver abscesses, leaky gut and BRD
The role of probiotics and microbial-based solutions

This structure helps translate complex digestive science into actionable strategies for on-farm use.

Using this Platform in Practice

The updated platform serves as a centralized, science-based tool to strengthen both decision making and communication among nutritionists, veterinarians and producers.

According to Lallemand, it supports a more comprehensive evaluation of digestive health issues by encouraging a broader view of the entire gastrointestinal tract. This allows for stronger integration of nutrition and health strategies, rather than addressing problems in isolation. It also helps veterinarians engage more confidently with emerging research, making it easier to incorporate new insights into practical recommendations. By shifting from a compartment-focused approach to a system-level perspective, veterinarians are better equipped to interpret multifactorial conditions where rumen and lower gut interactions influence outcomes.

The platform also functions as a practical communication tool.

Its interactive, visual format helps explain complex digestive processes in a way that is easier to understand and apply. This supports:

Clearer explanations of digestive function
Reinforcement of nutrition and management strategies
More effective discussions around performance and herd health

This improves the likelihood that recommendations are both understood and implemented on farm.

As ruminant nutrition research advances, translating new findings into daily practice remains a persistent challenge. By combining current science with real-world context, this platform helps bridge that gap, allowing veterinarians to apply emerging insights more effectively during herd visits and consultations.

A whole-tract approach to digestive health is becoming essential, and tools that integrate research with application will be critical in delivering more precise, system-based recommendations.

4 Key Factors for a Profitable Artificial Insemination Program

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:51:49 GMT

To achieve high conception rates in artificial insemination (AI), producers must prioritize consistent implementation and attention to detail over the technology itself. During the 2025 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) Symposium , experts from the University of Idaho, ABS Global, Select Sires and Genex identify the critical roles of facility design, technician consistency and herd nutrition in maximizing AI conception rates.

Leading the panel discussion was Joe Dalton, University of Idaho professor and extension specialist. Panel members included Bobby Strecker of ABS Global, John Herrick of Select Sires and Brandon Miller of Genex.

The panel shared these four key factors for AI success:
1. Defined Objectives: Align semen selection with specific outcomes like carcass merit or calving windows.
2. Functional Facilities: Create low-stress environments that promote steady cattle flow.
3. Precision Execution: Ensure proper semen handling and timing by trained technicians.
4. Management Fundamentals: Maintain high standards for nutrition and herd health protocols.

Start With a Clear “Why”

Before selecting protocols or sorting through semen catalogs, producers should first define their goals. Whether the objective is to build a stronger set of replacement females, improve carcass merit, tighten the calving window or target a specific market, every decision should align with that purpose.

Panelists note operations lacking clearly defined objectives often struggle to achieve consistent returns from AI programs. They encouraged producers to consult with veterinarians, reproductive specialists or genetic consultants to ensure their breeding plan matches both short- and long-term goals.

Why Facilities and People Matter Most

While high-tech genetics are essential, the panel emphasizes “people and pipes” (personnel and facilities) often dictate the ROI of an AI program.

While trained AI technicians are essential, equal importance should be placed on those handling cattle and managing semen. Strecker notes that low-stress cattle movement and meticulous semen handling are the primary differentiators between average and elite conception results.

Although a high-dollar facility is not required, a functional and efficient setup is. Panelists recommended working with industry professionals when designing or improving facilities to ensure they meet the needs of an AI program.

Execution Drives Results

Panelists caution producers against overcomplicating AI programs. Even the best genetics cannot overcome poor management. The panel stresses many reproductive challenges stem from simple management issues rather than advanced technology failures. Attention to these core practices remains essential.

Read more about synchronization options and the benefits of AI:

Upgrading in One Generation: The ROI of Artificial Insemination

Maximizing Reproductive Success: How to Use Estrus Synchronization to its Full Potential

The Role of Nutrition in Reproduction

Successful AI programs require cows to be in adequate body condition with a robust vaccination protocol in place before the breeding season begins.

When these elements are combined, AI becomes more than a reproductive tool. It serves as a driver of long-term profitability, genetic progress and overall herd improvement.

Ultimately, the consensus from the ARSBC panel is clear: AI is most effective when viewed as a comprehensive management strategy rather than a standalone technology. By mastering the fundamentals — from facility design and low-stress handling to precise nutritional management — producers can move beyond average conception rates. When execution matches the quality of the genetics, AI becomes a powerful engine for long-term herd improvement and operational profitability.

Your Next Reads:

Tug of War in the Cattle Industry: Cow Size, Carcass Weights and Total System Efficiency

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:52:36 GMT

The beef industry is currently experiencing a tug of war between biological efficiency and market signals that reward heavier carcass weights.

Recent Oklahoma State University Rancher’s Thursday webinar sessions highlighted the growing tension in the beef industry between the market-driven feeding for heavier carcass weights, selection for increased growth and efficiency, and the economic realities of maintaining larger cows.

The Feedlot Perspective: Why Tonnage is King in 2026

Carcass weights are increasing largely because feedyards are keeping cattle on feed longer and marketing systems reward pounds of carcass weight. At the same time, cow size has increased, in turn raising maintenance requirements and forage demand.

Speakers also discussed the biological factors behind heavier carcasses. Growth in finishing cattle remains relatively linear even at heavier weights, and modern marketing systems favor carcass-based pricing.

There are market incentives that encourage feeding cattle to heavier endpoints, including low cattle numbers, relatively inexpensive feed and reduced discounts for heavyweight and yield grade 4 carcasses. These conditions can improve gross revenue at the feedlot but also increase days on feed and reduce feed efficiency.

The Hidden Cost of Growth: Maintenance Requirements and Production Risk

Bigger cows are not necessarily more efficient cows. Cow size is closely related to feed intake, so selecting for larger mature size without considering forage resources can reduce stocking flexibility and increase production risk, particularly during drought or periods of high feed costs. Matching cow type to the ranch environment remains one of the most important management decisions producers make.

Ultimately, long-term profitability of beef production depends on balancing genetics, nutrition and available resources across the entire production system. Producers who align cow size, stocking rate and marketing strategy with their forage base are better positioned to remain resilient in volatile markets and challenging weather conditions.

Efficiency should drive replacement and management decisions. The most profitable cow herds are those that fit their environment and optimize performance from pasture to packer.

Your Next Reads:

Breeding in the Drylot: Strategies for Success in Confinement

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:00:51 GMT

Whether confinement feeding of beef cows is part of a cropping and livestock integrated system, or if cows have been displaced due to drought or fire, there are several key concepts to keep in mind when breeding season occurs in confinement.

When drought or wildfire forces cattle off the range, the breeding season doesn’t stop — it simply changes location. Transitioning cow-calf pairs into confinement is often a move of necessity, but maintaining reproductive efficiency in a drylot requires a specialized blueprint.

Breeding beef cattle in confinement presents a unique set of challenges, but it also offers a significant opportunity for precision management. According to Nebraska Extension Specialist Karla Wilke , success in a confined breeding system hinges on three critical factors:

Providing adequate bunk space to manage social hierarchy
Delivering nutrient-dense rations that meet the high energy demands of lactation
Leveraging the close proximity of working facilities to implement advanced reproductive technologies like artificial insemination

Wilke shares her suggestions regarding breeding season confinement in a recent UNL BeefWatch article and in a webinar focused on confinement feeding cow-calf pairs .

(Karla Wilke)

Housing and Space: Beyond the Feedlot Pen

According to Wilke, bunk or feeding space needs to be about 2 feet for cows and bulls and about 1 foot for calves. This is especially true if a nutrient-dense, limit-fed ration is being used.

“Feedlot pens are not the only place cow-calf pairs can be confined,” she says. “Producers may also be able to use fallow ground, pivot corners or calving pastures. However, a minimum of 500 square feet per pair is recommended.”

When possible, it is also recommended that calves have their own loafing space inaccessible to the cows. Wilke stresses this reduces exposure to pathogen loads, may provide shade or wind protection and during breeding season can shield calves from getting stepped on.

The Lactation Gap: Meeting High Nutritional Demands

Lactation is a huge energy drain on the cow.

“Feeding a diet similar to what the cow received during gestation will not meet her needs, causing her to draw from her energy reserves to feed her calf, and thereby decrease her chances of rebreeding,” Wilke explains. “A lactation diet similar in intake and quality to green grass is needed.”

Read more about why energy, protein, minerals and weekly body condition checks are critical to getting cows and first‑calf heifers rebred on schedule:

From Calving to Conception: Nutrition Strategies to Keep Cows on Track

Wilke adds the calf is beginning to eat forages, so extra feed needs to be provided to ensure the calf is not eating feed that was assumed to be for the cow, thereby causing her to lose body condition.

The Confinement Advantage: Streamlining AI and Synchronization

She says one positive aspect of maintaining cows in confinement is that they may be in close proximity to working facilities, providing an opportunity to employ artificial insemination (AI) or allow producers to tighten the calving window by synchronizing cows while still using natural service.

Read more about synchronization options and the benefits of AI:

Upgrading in One Generation: The ROI of Artificial Insemination

Maximizing Reproductive Success: How to Use Estrus Synchronization to its Full Potential

(Karla Wilke)

Social Dynamics: Managing Bull Age and Hierarchy in Close Quarters

Older bulls tend to dominate the breeding season, and this can be especially true in confinement.

“If possible to divide cows into groups, consider pairing younger bulls together, giving them the appropriate ratio of cows for their age ,” Wilke explains. “When dividing bulls into groups for confinement breeding, strong fences between groups are critical. Giving bulls two or three weeks to acclimate to breeding groups before turning in with cows when possible also helps reduce fighting.”

Drought and fires can take a toll on cattle. While it is always recommended to have a breeding soundness exam on bulls before turnout, it is especially important when bulls have experienced stressful situations that may impact structural soundness and fertility.

Read more about how a bull’s fertility and breeding ability are crucial to a producer’s success:

Wanted: Bulls Ready to Work

Is Your Bull Ready for Turnout? 4 Steps to Ensure Breeding Success

Due to the size of mature bulls, the growth requirement of young bulls and the activity level during the breeding season, bulls also need a high-quality diet. Maintaining bulls in a body condition score (BCS) of 5 or 6 on a 1 to 9 scale helps keep them healthy and productive.

Read more about how body condition scoring is an important tool for producers to use to make sure bulls are in good condition:

Body Condition Scoring Bulls: Now is the Time to Make Sure Bulls Are Ready for Turnout

Your Next Reads:

Beyond the Pass/Fail: K-State Veterinarians Decode Bull Fertility

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:02:01 GMT

Bull fertility is directly tied to herd productivity.

Bob Larson, Kansas State University veterinarian, says reproductive efficiency drives the income side of cow-calf operations.

Larson and fellow K-State veterinarian Brad White recently discussed a University of Tennessee case study on the “ Bovine Science with BCI ” podcast focused on breeding soundness exams.

“They evaluated nearly 1,400 bull breeding soundness exams conducted between 2008 and 2018,” Larson explains. “They came up with several factors and split them into intrinsic and extrinsic categories.”

Intrinsic factors include age, breed and history. Extrinsic challenges relate to season, nutrition and temperature.

From the exams, about 25% of the bulls failed. Not because of one single issue, but a combination of factors.

The Puberty Gap: Age Matters

Age plays a role on both ends of the spectrum. Older bulls have a higher failure risk, but so do yearling bulls. An important note is that yearling bulls may fail due to immaturity, not permanent infertility.

“If we test bulls around 11 months of age, there’s a fair number that will fail. But within six to eight weeks, they are maturing,” Larson says. “Age does make a difference around the yearling stage.”

Seasonal Slumps: How Heat and Forage Quality Impact Semen Counts

Seasonal challenges bring different impacts to your herd. In the cold months of winter and the heat of summer months, bull semen counts are at their lowest. The harsh elements combined with nutritional challenges influence fertility.

“Winter and summer were associated with a lower chance of passing the BSE than in the spring and fall,” Larson says. “Sometimes it’s not just the temperature, it’s the forage that’s available and quality of diet that’s available during the colder parts of the year.”

Read more about how environment and nutrition impact bull fertility:

Factors That Can Affect Bull Fertility

Context is Key: Evaluating the Whole Picture

Not all factors are equal, and neither are all failures. BSE’s are a snapshot of time. It is important to understand BSE failures versus deferred bulls.

A bull is deferred when issues are likely temporary and reversible with time or treatment, such as immaturity, sickness or an injury that can heal. In most cases, deferred bulls will improve and pass when retested.

Bulls that failed previously are six times more likely to fail again. But there can be more factors contributing to the failure of a BSE. Age at testing, time of year and environmental conditions can all have an impact.

Larson encourages producers to look at their herd circumstances and think critically about the BSE results.

“Breeding soundness exams provide valuable insight, but they should not be viewed in isolation. You’ve got to look at the context, including year, quarter of the year, age of the bull and what defects we’re seeing,” Larson says.

Your Next Reads:

The Heifer Retention Blueprint: Why Preparation Starts Long Before Breeding Season

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:58:22 GMT

Preparing replacement heifers to breed starts earlier than deciding which bull to turnout or what semen to purchase. The long-term management of heifers directly correlates with higher conception rates and avoiding calving challenges, and nutrition is key.

When Should I Start Preparing Replacement Heifers for Breeding?

The process begins at birth. While it is common for heifers to be bred to calve at 24 months of age, nutrition management practices starting in the first months of life impact their entire reproductive future. Purina recommends heifers reach a body condition score (BCS) of 6 before calving to ensure a shorter postpartum interval and a successful breed-back the following season.

Weston Schrader says strong maternal genetics are incredibly important to their operation, and that’s where the process of heifer retention starts.

(Schrader Family)

What Are the Best Criteria for Selecting Replacement Heifers?

Schrader Ranch in Wells, Kan., manages around 400 to 500 purebred Charolais, SimAngus and commercial cows. Their replacement heifers are evaluated on strict criteria to maintain quality and efficiency. Well in advance of making breeding decisions, sorting replacement heifers is important to later success.

“Strong maternal genetics are incredibly important to our operation, and that’s where the process of heifer retention starts,” says Weston Schrader. “We keep detailed records of calving ease, udder quality, docility and body condition. Phenotypic quality has always been a priority for our operation; cattle must be structurally sound, functional and fit our environment. From there, we use EPDs (expected progeny differences) to confirm genetic merit and make disciplined, data-backed breeding decisions.”

Schrader identifies four foundational pillars for heifer retention:

Phenotypic quality — Cattle must be structurally sound, functional and fit the environment.
Maternal genetics —Detailed records are kept on udder quality and docility.
Data verification — Using EPDs to confirm genetic merit.
Calving history — Selecting for proven calving ease to minimize future labor.

Christina Christensen of Christensen Charolais Ranch recommends producers only keep their best heifers and avoid single-trait selection.

Located near Wessington Springs, S.D., Christensen manages more than 400 purebred and commercial cows, plus runs stockers on grass. Their breeding program is divided among embryo work, artificial insemination (AI) and using their herd bulls.

“Our primary focus is on carcass and performance while still maintaining functionality and soundness,” Christensen says. “We base our decisions off performance, phenotype and EPDs. This careful selection helps us pick the best of the best. Commercial heifers are selected on breedability, pelvic measurement, disposition and maternal qualities.”

(Schrader Ranch)

Why Is Nutrition Important in Heifer Development?

After sorting heifers, Schrader shifts to nutritional management strategies.

“Ensuring females attain appropriate body condition prebreeding is crucial and allows your best chance at shorter postpartum intervals and the ability to efficiently breed back the following breeding season,” he says.

Christensen echoes nutrition in replacement heifers is of utmost importance.

“Having a stable feed and mineral program is absolutely key,” she says.

The combination of selecting their best heifers for retention and a quality nutrition program is vital for Christensen. When breeding season is approaching, checking breedability and pelvic measurement helps ensure the heifers are ready for breeding.

“Don’t chase only certain traits; make sure to have balanced traits,” she says. “Don’t limit the selection process to single traits. Chasing single traits tends to take away from the broad picture.”

(Christensen family)

Why Is Early Calving Critical?

Another strategy Schrader uses is setting up first-calf heifers to calve in their earliest calving window, allowing them to keep pace with their mature cows the next year.

“Ahead of breeding season we identify proven, calving-ease sires for use in a 14-day CIDR (controlled internal drug release) protocol with a timed-AI option,” Schrader explains. “Then calving-ease bulls are turned out for 30 days.”

By calving heifers in their earliest possible window, producers give them the maximum amount of time to recover and rebreed as second-calvers.

What are Feed Additives?

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:13:24 GMT

Feed additives are specialized ingredients mixed into cattle rations to improve average daily gain, enhance feed efficiency and prevent metabolic diseases like acidosis and bloat. Whether managing a cow-calf herd, stockers on pasture or a finishing operation in the feedlot, understanding the regulatory landscape is essential for legal compliance and animal performance.

“Responsible feed additive use is important. Store medicated feeds properly. Observe product expiration dates,” says Brandi Karisch, University of Mississippi associate Extension and research professor. “Use feed additives only for their intended purposes. Follow label directions and pay attention to label warnings.”

In an episode of “ Doc Talk ,” Dr. Dan Thomson discusses various common feed additives used in cattle management. He says these are ingredients mixed into rations to:

Improve feed efficiency — more gain from the same feed
Reduce disease and digestive problems — acidosis, bloat and coccidiosis
Support overall animal health and performance
Help manage behavior and reproduction, such as estrus suppression in heifers

There are two classes of feed additives — nonmedicated and medicated.

Nonmedicated Feed Additives

Nonmedicated feed additives include probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, phytogenics and many other compounds.

According to the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) field guide , the following feed additives are available over the counter without a direct veterinary prescription — unless labeled for feeding in combination with a veterinary feed directive (VFD) medication such as ionophores, prebiotics, probiotics, fermentation products, enzymes and coccidiostats

Medicated Feed Additives

Medicated feed additives include antibiotics, antimicrobials, anticoccidials, antiparasitics, sulfonamidics, hormones, antibloat compounds and beta-agonists.

The federal veterinary feed directive stipulates medically important antibiotics are prohibited for use as growth promotants and cannot be fed without a veterinary prescription. The FDA requires a VFD for all feed-use antibiotics that could potentially impact human antibiotic resistance.

The BQA Manual (pages 116 to 119) explains the FDA regulations and the types of medicated feeds available. Page 118 has a table of approved feed additives including withdrawal and approved combinations.

What is a Veterinary Feed Directive?

If a cattle producer needs to use a VFD feed medication, they must obtain the VFD from the veterinarian with whom they have a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).

The veterinarian must be licensed to practice in the state in which the cattle are located. The only FDA-approved VFD feed medications are those used for treatment or control of specific diseases. The longest duration any VFD can have is 180 days unless specifically limited by the label.

There are no FDA-approved VFD medications for treatment, control or prevention of foot rot or pinkeye.

All VFD records must be kept and be available for inspection for two years by the issuing VCPR veterinarian, the cattle producer and the feed mill distributing the VFD medication.

There are several FDA-approved feed medications that do not require a VFD. However, if used in feed at the same time as a VFD drug, that concurrent use must be authorized and approved on the VFD. Notable among these are ionophores and parasite control medications. Visit with your veterinarian for more detailed information.

What is a VCPR?

A valid VCPR is required for producers to use all prescription medications, extra-label use of nonprescription medications and all FDA feed medications that require a VFD.

Veterinarians are trained to evaluate individual and groups of animals within a herd system and provide integrative management plans to prevent diseases or problems from occurring in the future. Working with a herd veterinarian to develop operation-specific protocols can improve management, record keeping and provide employee training opportunities. An established VCPR allows the veterinarian to diagnose animals, prescribe medications and drug therapy to treat, control or prevent disease and issue certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) or health certificates.

Residue avoidance in meat and milk products is a team effort that starts with the VCPR. Written and signed VCPRs are recommended for record keeping. VCPRs should be renewed annually, based on state or federal guidelines. Producers are encouraged to schedule yearly consultations with their veterinarian to review current practices and to develop and set goals for the next year and consider areas for improvement.

What are Ionophers?

According to Karisch, ionophores are antimicrobial compounds that modify microbial fermentation in the rumen, allowing cattle to get more energy from the feed consumed. Ionophores inhibit or depress the growth of certain rumen microorganisms. This alters the rumen fermentation process in several ways.

“The benefits of including ionophores in beef cattle diets are well documented,” she says. “Ionophores generally improve feed efficiency from 5% to 10% and improve rate of gain by 2% to 7%.”

What are Buffers, Yeast Cultures and Bloat Prevention Aids?

Karisch says buffers can be added to beef cattle diets to reduce fluctuations in rumen pH. This helps reduce the incidence of acidosis when adapting cattle to high-grain diets or when feeding cattle concentrate feedstuffs such as wheat at high levels.

Yeast cultures may improve feed efficiency, gain and health in cattle.

“Yeast-based products affect dry-matter intake, rumen pH and nutrient digestibility,” she explains. “But some studies show no benefits from adding yeast cultures to beef cattle diets. Yeast cultures can be used in receiving diets of both low- and high-stress cattle.”

Poloxalene can be fed to help prevent bloat on legume and other lush pasture. It can be mixed with feed or offered in block form.

“For product effectiveness, cattle must consume adequate quantities of poloxalene,” Karisch says. “It is still important to use other bloat-prevention measures, such as filling cattle up on hay before turning them out onto lush pasture, to be safe when dealing with high bloat risk.”

What are Beta-agonists?

Beta-agonists are a class of growth‑promoting feed additives used late in the feeding period to improve growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass leanness in cattle.

In feedlots, they are used as nonnutritive feed additives near the end of the finishing period to:

Increase average daily gain
Improve feed conversion
Shift nutrients toward more muscle and less fat, improving carcass yield

Fly and Parasite Control

Oral larvicides are fed to cattle through a feed ration or mineral to kill fly larvae as they hatch in the manure.

Karisch stresses they are effective only when animals consume the proper amount of the active ingredient. Oral larvicides do not control migrating adult flies. Adult flies can still be a problem if a producer is using an oral larvicide but a neighbor is not practicing any fly control. Other common fly control feed additives are insect growth regulators that disrupt fly life cycles.

She says many anthelmintics or dewormers are available as feed additives.

“Anthelmintics are advantageous when handling animals is difficult,” she explains. “As with other feed additives, effectiveness of anthelmintics delivered through feed depends on cattle consuming adequate quantities of the product.”

Both Karisch and Thomson stress feed additives can be great tools to use alongside good nutrition and management to keep animals healthier and more efficient. They encourage producers to work with their veterinarian and develop a plan that fits their program.

Seeing the Whole System: Holder’s Blueprint for the Future of Beef

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:32:01 GMT

When you ask Vaughn Holder where the beef industry should focus next, he doesn’t start with the latest feed additive or carbon credit scheme. Instead, Alltech’s global beef research director talks about systems — how methane ties into nitrogen, how trace minerals shape soil biology and pasture growth, and how all of it ultimately shows up in cow-calf margins and human nutrition.

Holder was the featured guest in “ The Future of Beef Show ” podcast, episode 19. He argues the era of chasing single numbers is over, and that the industry’s competitiveness now depends on understanding and managing the entire ecosystem that surrounds the cow.

Holder’s journey to Alltech started far from Kentucky. Originally from South Africa, he had the opportunity to intern at Alltech and he says he essentially never left. Like many in animal science, he originally thought he would become a veterinarian — until he walked through a vet school and realized he didn’t want to spend his life dealing only with sick animals. A course in rumen nutrition changed everything. Today, Holder is less a lab scientist and more a research architect.

From rumen microbiology and feed efficiency to soil health, nitrogen and consumer perception, this episode connects the science inside the cow to the broader ecosystem — and ultimately to the future of the beef industry.

Six key takeaways from the podcast include:

1. Beef’s Role in Sustainable Food Systems

Holder frames cattle as essential actors in circular, systems-based agriculture, not climate villains to be removed. He argues that focusing narrowly on methane without considering the whole system is misguided.

Holder explains Alltech’s documentary, “ World Without Cows ,” was triggered by a high-profile Super Bowl ad suggesting a future with no cows. Rather than producing a piece of industry propaganda, Alltech’s CEO and President Mark Lyons handed the project to journalists and gave them wide latitude. He asked them to find people through a wide range in the sciences and get both sides of the story.

“It really was an open and transparent documentary,” Holder summarizes, stressing the conclusion was clear. “The consensus from the story is really bad things will happen if we get rid of cows.”

He emphasizes that cattle are upcyclers of human-inedible biomass into nutrient-dense food.

2. Systems-Based, Not Siloed, Agriculture

Holder says Alltech intentionally avoids ultra-narrow specialization to keep a systems view of agriculture. He repeatedly stresses many industry debates are too siloed and miss soil–plant–animal–human linkages. He says the industry needs to judge interventions by their overall system efficiency and impact, not single metrics.

3. Future Research: Nitrogen, Rumen Function and Soil

Holder predicts the next major environmental pressure point will be nitrogen, more than methane.

“My guess is it’s probably going to be nitrogen on the ruminant side,” he says. “I think that’s actually a much more legitimate topic for us to be chasing than methane is.”

He notes ruminants have poor nitrogen efficiency, so improving this means fighting evolution. He also sees big potential in work that links trace minerals, soil biology, plant growth and animal performance.

4. Food Pyramid Changes and Human Nutrition

Holder sees animal protein as central to nutrient density and public health, and views the new pyramid as a “return to sanity” with long-run benefits. He strongly supports the shift in the food pyramid toward animal products and vegetables as the base.

He expects long‑term public health benefits from the updated dietary guidelines will reduce childhood obesity and diabetes, clarifying these reductions are going to take years to improve. He also stresses what gets pushed off the plate may matter most — the highly processed, highly stable, packed with additives.

5. Innovation, Startups and Extension

Alltech’s R&D is explicitly positioned as innovation, not just lab work.

“Our entire research department has now been rebranded as an innovation department,” he explains. “Our job is to be out there understanding what new things are coming around and how we can engage with them.”

They deliberately engage with startups and accelerators to stay close to bold, early-stage ideas. He is critical of research that never reaches producers.

“A frustration with a lot of cow-calf researchers is they do that work and they have no one to give it to,” he says. “If no one ever uses it, then what’s the point?”

Holder suggests extension and translation of science into practical language and actions are crucial.

6. Challenges at the Cow-Calf Level

Holder calls cow-calf production both critical and hard to reach. Measuring real‑world responses on farms is a major barrier. He stresses the measurement and adoption gap at the cow-calf level is one of the biggest bottlenecks to applying research and technology.

Overall, the message from Holder is the importance of:

Thinking in systems, not single variables.
Focusing on efficiency and nutrient density across the whole chain.
Treating cattle as integral to circular agriculture and human nutrition.
Ensuring science is translated, measurable and adoptable at the producer level.
Keeping the industry open to innovation and cross‑sector collaboration.

For him, that means one thing above all: never viewing any of those challenges in isolation.

The Heifer Health Roadmap: Protecting Your Future Herd Investment

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:36:58 GMT

Transitioning a heifer calf into a productive, long-term member of the breeding herd requires attention to many important factors, including nutrition, genetic and breeding decisions and environmental management. Disease and health challenges, however, can undermine all that work. Health issues can derail a heifer’s progress at every stage — from her own development to reproductive success, calving and rebreeding.

The Heifer’s Ability to Stay Healthy

Disease problems, even early in life, can have lifelong effects on the breeding female. The most common of these, bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), might not seem like it has much to do with reproduction. However, evidence from the dairy world shows that heifers affected by BRDC as calves exhibit decreased survival to first calving, poorer calving scores, lower first lactation milk production and a higher chance of leaving the herd after first calving due to the disease’s draining effect on immunity and other body systems.

Preventing BRDC needs to start well before the heifer is selected as a replacement. Vaccination for pathogens such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR, or “red nose”), bovine respiratory syncytial virus, Mannheimia hemolytica and Histophilus somni should begin before weaning or earlier, with boosters as required by the vaccine. Close regular monitoring for illness and prompt treatment is important for every calf, but especially for potential replacement heifers. Paying attention to biosecurity concepts, particularly segregating feeder calves or other animals brought into the herd, will help prevent herd BRDC problems as well.

Examples of other diseases affecting heifer health include pinkeye and foot rot. These conditions result in lower weight gains, poorer body condition scores, increased stress and decreased mobility, all potentially detrimental to future fertility. Managing environmental factors such as flies and other eye irritants, and muddy lots are important, while pinkeye vaccination should be considered for heifers. For these diseases, prompt detection and treatment are critical to minimize their effects.

Internal and external parasites are also detrimental to overall heifer health and productivity; calves coming off pasture should be dewormed with an effective parasiticide.

The Heifer’s Ability to Become — and Stay — Pregnant

A heifer’s capacity to become — and stay — pregnant hinges on nutritional, hormonal, genetic and immunologic factors all working together optimally. Lurking in the background, however, is the threat of infectious reproductive diseases. Of these infections, those caused by IBR and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) are especially important. Both can cause infertility and pregnancy loss; BVDV infections during pregnancy can result in calves born with birth defects or persistent BVDV infections. With their relatively inexperienced immune systems, heifers are at increased risk for these problems.

Fortunately, effective vaccines are available to protect heifers and their pregnancies against these viruses. Recent research can help inform decisions about the version of and the timing of these vaccines. This information reinforces the importance of setting heifers up as calves and before their first breeding with modified-live (MLV) versions of these vaccines (which conveniently meshes with BRDC prevention mentioned above). In general, pre-breeding vaccines should be given well ahead of breeding or synchronization as to not interfere with the estrus cycle, and killed vaccines should be considered prior to subsequent breeding seasons. Biosecurity is another important aspect of BVDV prevention — in particular, testing incoming herd animals for BVDV persistent infections.

Leptospirosis infections can adversely impact fertility and pregnancy success. Two categories of this bacteria affect cattle: “lepto” strains picked up from environmental sources causing sporadic pregnancy loss, and cattle-adapted strains that can persist in kidneys and reproductive tracts and spread through a herd, causing longer-term insidious reproductive difficulties. Vaccines for both of these versions exist and should be given to replacement heifers earlier than pre-breeding if possible, as heifers can contract and harbor these germs even prior to their selection as replacements.

Neospora infections can affect heifer pregnancies more profoundly than those of older cows. Heifers that blood test positive for Neospora exhibit higher open rates compared to those that are negative. Because no vaccines exist for neosporosis, blood testing heifers prior to their selection as replacements is a worthy strategy.

The Heifer’s Ability to Raise a Healthy Calf

Calves born to heifers are a well-known “population at risk” when it comes to health challenges. Much of that risk is related to colostrum quantity and quality. Optimal heifer nutrition can improve both. Heifers with lower body condition scores produce less colostrum with lower antibody concentration. Therefore, maintaining heifers in moderate to good body condition at calving will optimize colostrum production, as well as future milk production and their ability to rebreed.

Pre-calving vaccination can improve heifer colostrum quality. Common “scours” vaccine programs utilize vaccines containing diarrhea-causing strains of E. coli, Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus and coronavirus. These killed vaccines require boosters when given to heifers, so timing of the first dose becomes important. Because antibodies from the heifer’s bloodstream begin moving into colostrum five weeks before calving, the second dose of vaccine should be given around that time. This requires the initial dose to be given several weeks before that (follow label directions). These vaccines do not elevate the overall antibody concentration in colostrum, but they do increase the level of antibodies against those pathogens.

The Heifer’s Ability to Breed Back

First-calf heifers are notorious for their difficulty in becoming pregnant during their second breeding season. Most of that phenomenon relates to body condition score when breeding commences, but other factors contribute as well. The increased risk of dystocia that heifers experience can lead to uterine infections and retained placentas, both of which delay breed-back.

Prompt recognition and treatment — with veterinary advice — can help minimize the negative impact of these conditions. Other, non-reproductive-related conditions can also hasten a heifer’s early removal from the breeding herd, including mastitis, pinkeye and foot rot — all of which should be quickly identified and treated, again with guidance from a veterinarian.

Managing reproductive vaccine choice and timing is also important as heifers approach their second breeding season. In general, killed vaccines given well ahead of the breeding season represent less risk to a successful early breeding compared to live vaccines given close to the onset of estrus.

The length and success of a heifer’s breeding career depends on preventing and managing their health challenges — starting well before they’re even identified as breeding herd candidates. At every step along the way, advice from a veterinarian with knowledge of your herd can help you avoid many of these health pitfalls.

From Calving to Conception: Nutrition Strategies to Keep Cows on Track

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:15:57 GMT

The goal for every cow is to have a calf every 365 days. To achieve that goal, producers need to be proactive and focus on prevention‑minded nutrition and management.

Anne Koontz, Alltech research manager for publications and communications, and Shelby Roberts, Alltech beef technical support, agree producers need to treat the first 100 days as a critical stress window. Management and nutrition in this window largely decide whether a cow breeds back on time.

Koontz says after calving the cow must simultaneously:

Recover from birth
Ramp up lactation, peaking at approximately 60 days
Resume her estrus cycle

To stay on a one‑calf‑per‑year schedule, she must be rebred within about 82 days of calving. “That’s hard,” Koontz says. “That’s a lot of stress all at once.”

Koontz and Roberts suggest these five nutritional strategies to help cows be successful in their role as a mother plus return to estrus and breed back on schedule:

1. Prioritize Energy and Body Condition

Roberts stresses BCS is the main driver of return to estrus. She says the targets are:

Mature cows: around BCS 5
First‑calf heifers: closer to BCS 6 for a cushion

She encourages weekly BCS checks — ribs, hooks, pins and “gutted-up” look — so you can adjust early. It is important to start supplementing before cows get thin.

“Don’t wait until they’re at a 3,” Roberts says. “You should have started when they slipped to a 4.”

Make sure the diet — forage plus any supplement — delivers enough energy to support both milk and reproduction.

For most beef cows on decent forage, energy is more limiting than protein.

“In those days post‑calving, we need to be far more focused on energy and mineral nutrition than protein,” Koontz stresses.

She says the goal should be to keep cows from losing too much body condition so they can:

Milk
Recover
Still cycle and conceive within that short window

“If grass or forage doesn’t meet needs, add an energy supplement,” Roberts says. “Inadequate energy leads to cows losing BCS which leads to delayed estrus and poorer conception.”

She also reminds producers it is important to know forage quality — testing if possible.

Heifers have higher nutrient requirements because they are still growing.

Roberts suggests producers manage heifers separately from mature cows until they are rebred, then merge them back into the main herd.

2. Ensure Adequate Water

Roberts says lactating cows need substantially more water — roughly 20 to 30 more gallons per day. Water intake optimizes milk yield, supports feed intake and enhances overall performance, all of which affect breed‑back.

3. Get Trace Mineral Nutrition Right

Use a good-quality, bioavailable trace mineral program in this 100‑day window; don’t just put out the cheapest mineral.

Koontz says the real leverage for reproduction is trace minerals. Five key trace minerals drive reproductive leverage:

Zinc: Supports uterine tissue repair.
Copper: Essential for hormone production and cycling.
Manganese: Influences conception rates.
Selenium: Critical for early embryo survival.
Iron: Supports overall metabolic health.

4. Match Minerals to Your Region and Forage

Region‑specific mineral management beats one‑size‑fits‑all tags.

Koontz says selenium, copper and iron can be too low or too high depending on soils and forages. Her advice to producers is to lean on local extension and nutritionists who know the area. Forage and sometimes water testing help fine‑tune the program.

5. Mineral Programs Can Directly Influence Uterine Readiness and Embryo Survival

The mineral program isn’t just “insurance”— it can actively support the biology of conception and early pregnancy.

Roberts encourages producers to use whatever form of mineral that fits the operation — loose mineral, tubs or cake with minerals.

“The form matters less than consistent intake of a good program,” she stresses.

Koontz explains Alltech’s research shows mineral programs can change gene expression in uterine tissues to make the uterus “more ready to conceive.” It can affect how well the conceptus — early embryo — develops and survives in the first weeks.

Koontz summarizes getting cows rebred comes down to feeding enough energy to protect body condition and using a high‑quality, region‑appropriate trace mineral program that supports uterine recovery, hormone function and early embryo survival during the first 60 to 100 days post‑calving.

In addition, Roberts encourages producers to use BCS as their dashboard, give heifers special attention, match supplements to forage quality and be proactive with energy, protein, water and minerals so cows are ready to cycle and conceive on schedule.

Cow-Calf Checklist: Start Preparing for Breeding Season

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:45:34 GMT

Each month, cow-calf producers are faced with management tasks related to seasonal and production goals. Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist Jason Warner summarizes the top 10 management practices producers should check off their to-do lists in March.

1. Start post-calving nutrition programs for spring-calving females.

Begin lactation rations/supplement levels or feed higher quality hay once first calving cycle is complete.
Ensure thin (BCS ≤ 4.0) females are maintaining or on an increasing plane of nutrition going into breeding.

2. As you make your bull selection decisions:

Review your past herd performance relative to your marketing and genetic goals.
Study EPDs and indexes that impact your operation profit centers and do your homework well before sale day.

3. If you will synchronize females this spring, schedule your protocols now well in advance of the breeding season and mark key dates on your calendars.

Inventory your artificial insemination (AI) supplies and order products in advance.
Check your tanks for current semen inventory and nitrogen levels.

4. If you have a fall-calving cow herd:

Schedule pregnancy checks if not already done.
Evaluate cost of gain vs. the value of gain when considering how to market fall-born calves this spring.

5. Evaluate your mineral program for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.

Work with your supplier to outline your needs.
Consider magnesium supplementation levels, particularly for lactating cows grazing wheat, rye, or triticale in the spring.

6. Evaluate herd bulls for body condition score, adjust as needed prior to breeding.

Bulls need to be in a BCS ≥ 5.0 prior to the next season of use.
Schedule breeding soundness examinations with your veterinarian well in advance of breeding.

7. Monitor replacement heifer growth and development.

Check weights help ensure growth rates are on track.
Consider tract scoring and pelvic measuring .

8. Review your calf health protocols before spring turn out.

Schedule calf working activities , mark dates on calendars.
Reflect if changes from last year are needed.

9. Take inventory of any feed/forage that will be left over from winter.

Cover piles or close bags if silage is left over and won’t be fed until fall.
Clean up any soiled bedding or unused/wasted feed in pens and calving lots to reduce the breeding and development of stable flies as the weather warms up.

10. Price risk management will be key again this year given record high calf prices.

Consider if specific price risk management strategies (forward contracting, insurance) need to be part of your operation.
Evaluate strategies for both cattle and pastures/forages.

Tips for Care Following Wildfire

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:42:07 GMT

As Oklahomans and their nearby neighbors in Kansas endure wildfire season , Oklahoma State University Extension specialists offer tips to keep livestock safe, as well as help with recovery efforts.

Livestock Welfare After a Fire

Monitoring surviving animals is crucial in the days after a wildfire, says Dr. Rosslyn Biggs , OSU Extension beef cattle specialist.

“We need to be thinking about long-term repercussions,” she adds. “Thermal injuries, burns can be a big issue on these animals. We also need to be thinking about smoke inhalation and the systems that those affect.”

Enhanced monitoring of the surviving animals is crucial after a wildfire, Biggs explains. In addition to nutrition, hydration is key. Cows that are in the later stages of pregnancy need to be thought about, too. Consider their capacity to care for either calves on the ground or those they will soon birth.

Post-wildfire evaluation can lead to difficult decisions, too.

“It’s very important in these disaster-type situations that animal welfare needs to be our first consideration,” Biggs says. “How are those animals that have survived going to be able to recover from those injuries? In many cases, unfortunately, euthanasia may be the most humane decision that we have to make.”

Protecting Horses During Wildfires

Have your horses loaded and ready to go before you see a wildfire reach your property, says Kris Hiney , OSU Extension equine specialist.

“So many animals, when fire is coming, it causes panic,” Hiney says. “They may be harder to handle, so if trouble is coming, have the horses already up in a small lot where you can catch them. In a burning building, horses won’t want to leave, but now we’re talking about a threat to human safety as well.”

Horses will often be reluctant to leave an environment they deem safe, Hiney adds. Keep the horses together and avoid isolating one horse at a time, as this could cause further panic.

“The calmer the handler can be, the better the horses will act,” Hiney says.

Preparation is also key. Maintaining your property, like mowing fence lines and creating fire breaks, is important. Be aware that fire structures, such as hay storage, can be extremely dangerous for animals to be near. Have photographs and records of all your horses, Hiney says.

If smoke is high in the air, even if not directly where fire is impacting your land, respiratory health in horses is important. Hiney recommends not working the horses when the smoke particulate matter is high.

Emergency Cattle Nutrition

Wildfires can ravage forage, requiring producers to pivot in the aftermath.

There are several strategies to minimize weight loss until hay can be secured. One option is to provide a commercial “creep feed” product for four to five days . Commercial creep feeds will generally contain 12 to 14% protein and are aneasily accessible option, with this feed bagged and ready to ship immediately.

The feeding rate is equivalent to eight pounds of feed per day, assuming cows weigh 1,200 lb. If hay is more abundant, 15 lb. of grass hay fed with five lb. of a 28% to 32% range cube can maintain a 1,200-lb. cow in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Mineral supplements with a high calcium level are essential to offset the high phosphorus levels in concentrate feeds. Work with your local Extension educator to ensure a well-balanced diet for your cattle in limit-feeding scenarios.

The priority is to meet nutritional needs while stretching hay supplies.

Documenting Losses

After a wildfire, documenting losses will be crucial for producers. Review your existing records and then create a line of documentation on a day-to-day basis after a disaster.

“Having documentation becomes very important from a financial aspect,” Biggs says. “It can be as simple as, if we have losses, documenting those with photographic evidence. Most people can use their cellphones to take pictures that can be timestamped. For many emergency-type programs, it’s going to be necessary to have verifiable records.”

Carcass Disposal

Burial will be the best option for disposing of livestock carcasses, says Doug Hamilton , OSU Extension water management specialist.

“You need to be in a high spot,” Hamilton says. “You need to be well above a flood plain. You’re going to have to dig a hole 4-6 feet deep and be at least two feet above where the water table may rise.”

It is also important to keep burial sites at least 300 feet away from water sources.

The state of Oklahoma has five methods for disposing of livestock: landfilling, rendering, incineration, composting and burial. Finding a landfill to take a dead animal will be difficult, even in an emergency. Rendering will be hard if the animal has been dead for several days and incineration requires expensive and specific equipment.

Composting is viable, but it will require wood shavings or sawdust and management . An advantage of composting is that once you’ve completed it, the land site will be viable for use again.

If you are affected by the wildfires and have agricultural, livestock care or forage questions — or wish to donate or receive hay — contact OSU Extension by calling 405-780-4569 or emailing DisasterSupport@okstate.edu.

Your Next Reads:
After the Fire: The Need for Feed, Fence and Prayers
Why the Southern Plains Became a ‘Perfect Recipe’ for Wildfires

Mycotoxin Risk Holds Steady in 2025

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:49:11 GMT

According to the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey , which assessed the global mycotoxin threat, 86% of North American samples tested above the recommended threshold for at least one mycotoxin. While mycotoxin levels haven’t necessarily escalated from 2024 to 2025, there was a shift in the distribution, which has some implications for cattle and swine operations.

“The 2025 results show a continued mycotoxin challenge, with contamination rates rising for both aflatoxins and zearalenone and average levels increasing across all major mycotoxins,” said Ursula Hofstetter, head of mycotoxin risk management at dsm-firmenich, in a press release.

The Major Players

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by fungi, most commonly Fusarium, Aspergillus and Claviceps species. They develop in the field and can persist through harvest and storage. Weather stress, hybrid selection and storage management all influence which toxins dominate in a given year.

The primary mycotoxins shaping North American livestock risk in 2025 were:

Deoxynivalenol (DON)
A Type B trichothecene produced by Fusarium species. Commonly found in corn and wheat. Often referred to as ‘vomitoxin’.
Zearalenone (ZEN)
Also a Fusarium toxin. Structurally estrogenic and frequently present alongside DON in corn and small grains.
Fumonisins (FUM)
Produced by Fusarium verticillioides and related species. Predominantly found in corn.
Aflatoxins (AFLA)
Produced by Aspergillus species. More common in drought- or heat-stressed corn.
Ergot alkaloids (ERGOT)
Produced by Claviceps species. Typically associated with small grains.

These toxins rarely occur in isolation. Co-contamination often shapes the reality producers see on the farm.

What Changed from 2024 to 2025

The 2025 North American mycotoxin prevalence in raw materials compared to 2024 shows the following shifts:

DON: 74% → 76%
ZEN: 73% → 78%
FUM: 46% → 55%
AFLA: 15% → 17%
ERGOT: 44% → 9%

Trichothecenes remain deeply entrenched, with DON prevalence increasing slightly. Most of this increase is a result of an increase in wheat (73% → 93%). Meanwhile, fumonisins rose meaningfully and ergots dropped sharply.

Cattle: Rumen Function, Immune Resilience and Production Losses

Cattle historically are considered somewhat more resilient to mycotoxins than monogastrics, owing to partial ruminal detoxification. However, evidence increasingly shows persistent exposure to Fusarium toxins like DON, ZEN and FUM, especially in combination, can exert significant effects on digestion, immunity and metabolic health.

When looking at global finished feed samples for ruminants:

DON was prevalent in 69% of samples and above the risk threshold in 53% of samples.
ZEN was prevalent in 73% of samples and above the risk threshold in 33% of samples.
AFLA was present in 34% of samples and above the risk threshold in 29% of samples.

Studies have demonstrated short-term exposure to Fusarium toxins, including ZEN and FUM, affects fermentation patterns and the microbial community, which in turn can reduce fiber breakdown and volatile fatty acid production — key drivers of energy supply in cattle. Even modest disruptions to the rumen microbiota can reduce feed efficiency and gain over time.

The immune system is also affected by mycotoxins. The immunosuppressive effects of common mycotoxins in ruminants have been documented , including alterations in cytokine gene expression, immunoglobulin production and macrophage function.

Further, individual toxins like AFLA have well-established effects on liver function and general metabolism in cattle. Chronic AFLA exposure has been linked to reduced appetite, lower weight gains and elevated liver enzymes, indicating compromised hepatic function that can impact production and health resilience.

These findings indicate how cattle performance and disease resistance can be eroded by the mycotoxin patterns reported in the 2025 data. Persistent DON and ZEN exposure, combined with higher FUM presence, places additional load on rumen fermentation and immune competence, potentially contributing to subclinical production drift.

Swine: Immune Disruption, Gut Barrier Injury and Performance Drag

In swine, elevated prevalence of DON, ZEN and FUM can exert systemic effects on immune function, gut integrity and reproductive physiology at both clinical and subclinical levels.

When looking at global finished feed samples for swine:

DON was present in 85% of samples and above the risk threshold in 41% of samples.
ZEN was present in 79% of samples and above the risk threshold in 19% of samples.
FUM was present in 44% of samples and above the risk threshold in 8% of samples.

Research has shown DON and FUM alter the gut epithelial barrier, impair immune defenses and increase bacterial translocation from the gut, making pigs more susceptible to infections even when properly vaccinated. In the immune tissues themselves, DON exposure has been linked to changes in the gene expression of key antimicrobial and inflammatory regulators, implying a weakened ability to respond to disease challenge at the cellular level.

ZEN adds another layer of complexity. Beyond its well-known estrogenic effects (i.e., swelling of reproductive tissues and altered estrous cycles), ZEN has been shown to suppress antibody production in porcine immune cells, reducing levels of IgM, IgG and IgA. These immunoglobulins are important for protective vaccine responses. This explains why farms employing what should be effective vaccination programs still report breakthrough disease.

Collectively, these mechanisms mean widespread DON and ZEN exposure is a disease vulnerability issue. When the gut barrier is compromised and immune cell function is suppressed, pigs are less able to defend against respiratory pathogens, enteric bacteria and systemic infections alike, and their response to vaccination may be diminished.

Mycotoxin Co-Contamination Defines 2025

The defining feature of mycotoxins in 2025 is not a single toxin spike, but co-contamination. Feeds routinely contain multiple mycotoxins at once and their effects overlap, creating steady biological pressure.

The result is rarely dramatic toxicosis, but production drift is reflected in reduced gains, narrower reproductive margins, lowered health resilience and increased performance variability.

With persistent DON, rising ZEN and higher FUM prevalence in North America, ingredient-level vigilance and close monitoring of performance trends are important. The mycotoxin burden did not spike, but it did rearrange.

How Gestational Nutrition Impacts Calf Health and Future Herd Fertility

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:56:15 GMT

Proper nutrition during gestation plays a critical role in the productivity, health and long-term success of beef cattle operations. Research and industry experts continue to emphasize what a cow consumes during pregnancy not only affects her own health but also has lasting impacts on fertility and the lifetime performance of her offspring. Understanding these connections allows producers to make informed management decisions that directly influence profitability and herd sustainability.

John Hall, University of Idaho professor and Extension beef specialist, presented research on how cow herd nutrition during gestation affects fertility and calf performance during the 2025 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium in North Platte, Neb.

While Hall shares several valuable takeaways, his central message is clear: proper nutrition during gestation extends far beyond the cow. Producers who invest in adequate nutrition for pregnant cows often see returns in improved herd condition, fertility, calf survival and long-term productivity.

What is the Ideal Body Condition Score (BCS) for a Pregnant Cow?

According to Hall, BCS remains the most reliable indicator of a herd’s nutritional status. Maintaining a moderate to good condition before calving is essential for reproductive success:

Estrus Recovery: 90% of cows with a BCS of 5 or greater reached their first estrus by 60 days postpartum.
Pregnancy Rates: Cows with a BCS of 6 achieved pregnancy rates near 60%, while those at a BCS of 4 dropped to 40%.

Research consistently shows cows maintained in moderate to good body condition before and after calving are more likely to resume cycling on schedule and produce healthy, vigorous calves.

How Does Cow Nutrition Affect Calf Vigor and Nursing?

Nutritional status directly impacts how quickly a calf stands and consumes life-saving colostrum.

BCS 6 Cow’s Calf: Average time to stand and nurse was 35 minutes.
BCS 4 Cow’s Calf: Average time to stand and nurse was 1 hour and 3.5 minutes.

Hall says calf vigor is especially critical during the first hours of life, as timely standing and nursing allow calves to consume colostrum. Delays in colostrum intake increase the risk of illness and mortality, particularly in challenging weather conditions.

Can Maternal Nutrition Improve Calf Immunity Against BRD?

Yes. Maternal nutrition also has a significant impact on calf immunity. Studies presented by Hall demonstrate supplementing dams with specific fat and protein sources during gestation reduce the incidence of bovine respiratory disease, or BRD, in offspring and improve calves’ responses to vaccination.

· Fat Supplementation: High-fat diets during pregnancy enhanced the calf’s immune response to BRD vaccines.
· Feedlot Performance: Calves from supplemented dams experienced lower disease rates upon arrival at the feedlot.

The Long-Term Benefit: Improving Heifer Offspring Fertility

Protein supplementation on deficient rangeland during late gestation pays dividends in the next generation of the herd.

Pregnancy Rates: Heifers from protein-supplemented dams achieved a 93% pregnancy rate, compared with 80% for those from non-supplemented dams.
Calving Ease: 78% of supplemented cows calved unassisted, compared with 64% of cows that received no protein supplementation.

These improvements not only enhance reproductive efficiency but also reduce labor demands and veterinary costs.

Expert Tip: Supplementation Should Fit the Ranch

Nutrient density and intake requirements change throughout gestation and lactation, and Hall stresses the importance of matching diets to each production stage. While the data are clear, Hall cautions there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Producers should monitor BCS regularly and adjust supplementation based on:

Forage availability and quality.
Labor resources and management logistics.
Current stage of production (late gestation and early lactation require the highest nutrient density).

“Supplementation strategies should fit the ranch,” he says, emphasizing nutrition decisions must account for forage availability, labor resources, management logistics and overall economics.

For many producers, small adjustments in supplementation timing, forage management or ration formulation can yield significant returns. Monitoring body condition regularly and responding proactively to nutritional gaps can help ensure cows calve in adequate condition, support calf vigor and maintain reproductive efficiency. The overarching message remains consistent: cow nutrition during pregnancy is not simply about maintaining body weight. It directly influences fertility, immune function, calf survival and the long-term productivity of the herd.

Hall summarizes producers who strategically manage body condition and implement targeted supplementation programs are better positioned to improve reproductive outcomes, enhance calf health and build resilient, profitable operations for the future.

Does Supplementing Bred Heifers Increase Calving Difficulty?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:45:09 GMT

Producers are often told supplementing bred heifers with protein prior to calving increases calf birth weight and leads to greater calving difficulty.

According to Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist, nutrition of bred heifers during gestation does have lasting consequences for both the calf and the future productivity of the cow.

“Decades of research clearly demonstrate that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy negatively influences not only the cow’s reproductive performance, but also immune transfer, calf survival, weaning weight and post-weaning performance,” he says.

Research conducted in the 1970s at OSU compared productivity of heifers managed to achieve either adequate or obese body condition from 12 months through 5 years of age. At first calving, 58% of the obese heifers required calving assistance, compared with only 8% of heifers at adequate body condition. These data are the basis for current recommendations that heifers calve at a body condition score (BCS) of approximately 6, but not reach a fleshy (BCS 7) or obese (BCS 8) condition.

Energy and protein supply during late gestation can influence calf birth weight, Beck summarizes. Research by Corah and colleagues published in 1975 demonstrated heifers restricted to 65% of energy requirements during the final 100 days of gestation produced calves approximately 4.4 lb. lighter at birth. However, these calves experienced greater neonatal mortality and reduced weaning rates compared with calves from adequately fed dams. Importantly, lighter birth weight was not associated with reduced calving difficulty, illustrating how undernutrition compromises calf viability rather than preventing dystocia.

“Restricting nutrients prior to calving weakens both the cow and the calf, increasing calving difficulty and reducing calf survival,” Beck summarizes.

Kansas State University’s Jaymelynn Farney says restricting heifer diet in the last trimester can result in potentially lower quality and quantity of colostrum , reduced absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum potentially driven by weaker calves that were slower to nurse, an increase in calf scours and a reduction in overall weaning weights.

Birth weight responses to precalving supplementation are highly variable. Beck evaluated changes in calf birth weight reported from 24 studies evaluating late-gestation supplementation.

“The average increase in calf birth weight was only 3 lb., with responses ranging from a 3 lb. decrease to a 10 lb. increase,” he reports. “The largest increases occurred when high levels (approximately 5 lb. per day) of energy-dense supplements were fed.”

Fifteen of these studies also reported subsequent pregnancy rates. Although variable, the average pregnancy rate of unsupplemented cows was 86%, compared with 92% for cows supplemented during late gestation, with the greatest response observed in first-calf heifers.

Excessive energy intake during late gestation partitions more nutrients toward fetal growth, resulting in larger calves. When coupled with excess fat deposition in the pelvic region, this increases the risk of dystocia. Thus, excessive energy, rather than protein supplementation alone, is the primary contributor to increased calving difficulty in many heifer programs.

Ensuring bred heifers meet — rather than greatly exceed — energy and protein requirements, promoting moderate BCS gain during mid and late gestation and strategically supplementing key nutrients improves calf survival, preweaning growth, immune function and long-term reproductive performance without increasing calving difficulty.

“Avoiding maternal undernutrition remains one of the most consistent strategies for improving whole-herd productivity and profitability,” Beck summarizes.

What Causes Calving Difficulty?

Farney says there are multiple reasons calving difficulty can occur, which may include the calf being too big, pelvis too small, abnormal presentation, lack of uterine contractions, fatigue or twins.

“Abnormal presentations cannot be eliminated by genetic selection or nutritional management, so be prepared for these scenarios a minimum of three weeks before your first calf is expected,” says Farney, a beef systems specialist.

Calf birth weight is often blamed as the sole culprit of calving issues.

“Calf birth weight can be affected by several factors — genetics, gestation length and, to an extent, dam nutrition,” Farney summarizes. “High calving ease sires typically have a shortened gestation length, hence the reason that most of those calves are a bit lighter in weight.”

She says on average, calves will gain between 1.5 lb. to 2 lb. of body weight in late gestation. For example, if the average gestation length is 283 days and a calf is born a week early, it will often weigh 10 lb. to 14 lb. less.

She adds dams that experience cold stress in the last trimester may have calves that are heavier in weight.

“Typically birth weights are greater for calves born in the spring or winter as compared to fall-born counterparts,” she says. “A Nebraska study that evaluated six years of data found for each 1° F lower than the average winter temperature (December through February) calf birth weight increased 1 lb.”

The increase in birth weight is most likely due to the needed increase in nutrient flux through supplementation to offset cold stress events.

“Now you might think, it is a cold winter and I do not want to deal with calving problems, so I will just make that cow survive on the same diet she has been on and not account for added maintenance requirements due to cold stress,” Farney says. “That thought will lead to a plethora of other issues that can extend through that calf’s entire productive life.”

She stresses it is important to appropriately balance a diet for first-calf heifers.

“Don’t starve the calving difficulty out of your heifers,” Farney summarizes. “These heifers need appropriate energy to help with the birthing process or they will quit on you as they just run out of steam going through parturition. Additionally, the calves need enough energy to quickly get up and nurse, and if dam energy is restricted, calves will be lethargic. Proteins are essential for colostrum quality, which has major lifetime effects on that calf.”

Your Next Read: Feeding at Dusk: How Does This Affect Calving Times?

Drovers Beef Biz: Check Out These New Products Promoted During CattleCon

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:18:40 GMT

Akralos Animal Nutrition , a new North American animal feed and nutrition company, officially launched Feb. 1. Formed through a joint venture, Akralos combines Alltech’s U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses with ADM’s U.S. feed operations. Operating a network of more than 40 feed mills across North America and supported by more than 1,400 team members, Akralos delivers feeds, minerals and supplements through its brands.

Bimeda announces the launch of Eprimectin , a new generic eprinomectin pour-on. Eprimectin delivers the same broad-spectrum parasite control as the pioneer brand Eprinex (eprinomectin) from Boehringer Ingelheim. Eprimectin is the ideal solution for both beef and dairy operations, including lactating dairy cattle, thanks to its zero milk and meat withdrawal time. Producers can expect the same convenient, weatherproof formulation and proven efficacy they’ve come to trust from this molecule.

Breedr announced new features to make managing breeding stock and tracking calves easier. These features include: separate breeding stock from commercial cattle, create virtual animals before calves are born and view genetic and EPD information at the chute. It also introduced three new chute-side processing improvements: quick induction, genetic results in chute mode and reliable offline performance.

Solvet announces CattleZen, a new cattle stress management tool designed to help producers maintain calmer, healthier beef and dairy cattle. CattleZen is a proprietary blend of maternal bovine-appeasing substance and a calming pheromone that, when applied just above the muzzle, stimulates a calming effect.

Using a direct-to-satellite device, CERES GEN6 brings together livestock health, behavior, location and pasture feed intake intelligence with new reproduction algorithms. Producers can now identify cycling cows, monitor bull activity and receive calving alerts to improve reproductive efficiency, season after season.

Envu is making it easier for ranchers to make smarter decisions about their grazing management rotation through their innovative ranch management tool, RangeView . Now, ranchers can seamlessly integrate CERES TAG into their RangeView dashboard to track cattle across range and pasture, herd optimization and ROI.

Ever.Ag announces the launch of Feedlot IQ , an intelligent, connected feedlot management platform built for cattle feedlot operations. Designed to help feedyards improve consistency, support animal health and make earlier, more informed decisions, Feedlot IQ uses advanced artificial intelligence and connected data for a clearer understanding of what’s changing across the yard.

Golden Agri-Resources, ED&F Man and Westway Feed Products are partnering to expand sustainable palm-based animal feed through the GoNutri product line. This collaboration will strengthen the supply chain for sustainable animal feed, providing customers in North America direct access to high-quality, sustainable, palm-based animal feed supplements.

Built by a lifelong rancher and software founder, Herd Advisor combines practical experience with data to give producers a clearer view of the market ahead. Just say “Hey Siri, cattle record” then speak naturally. Records go to review — confirm, edit or delete. Nothing slips through the cracks.

FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for IVOMEC(ivermectin) 1% Injection to prevent infestations caused by New World screwworm in cattle. The over-the-counter product must be administered within 24 hours of birth, at the time of castration or at the appearance of a wound.

John Deere’s V452M round baler headlines the updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features for heavy crop and silage conditions. The current 1 Series round balers remain and continue to serve customers with their baling needs.

Jones-Hamilton Co. announces the launch of SurpHace , a rebrand that brings together the company’s pH and ammonia control products for beef and dairy operations under a single product name. SurpHace replaces BeefUp and ParlorPal, delivering the same environmental control but positioned to serve the broader livestock market.

KEEN Utility announces the release of a new pull-on waterproof work boot — Flatland . Keen is known for out-of-the-box comfort, snug heels, wide toe boxes and asymmetrical carbon toes that are lightweight and unobtrusive.

Merck Animal Health’s EXZOLT CATTLE-CA1 (fluralaner topical solution) received FDA’s conditional approval for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus). Recently, FDA removed the “single use only” language from the product label.

MGK Insect Solutions launched Troika Farm and Livestock Aerosol , a synergized dual-active, broad-spectrum insecticide that delivers the quick kill needed for immediate relief and provides residual control. The aerosol kills more than 25 insects on contact with residual control up to four weeks.

New Holland expands its T7 tractor series with three redesigned models . A new front axle design cuts the turning radius by 20% versus previous models, and in-cab visibility has been improved in every direction.
Norbrook’s Defendazole (fenbendazole) is the first FDA-approved generic white drench dewormer. The product treats and controls many of the common profit-limiting internal parasites that reduce feed efficiency and threaten the health of your herd. With Defendazole, producers can expect the same safety, efficacy and performance advantages as Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) oral suspension.

Ritchie introduces an all-climate solution for cattle operations that need a flexible watering solution for use in various pen configurations. The new OmniMaster 4 puts the proven performance and producer-favorite features of the OmniMaster 8 in a smaller footprint to water up to 180 beef cattle.

Suther Feeds announces the launch of Sulutions CaliGuard Paste , a biologically active nutraceutical designed to support gut health, hydration and digestive stability in livestock. This ready-to-use paste is a tool for calves and young animals during periods of stress, transition or digestive challenge. CaliGuard Paste is formulated with a targeted blend of tannins, essential oils and probiotics.

Vermeer Corporation and alliance partner G.T. Bunning & Sons Ltd. announce a new milestone in their collaboration efforts: The first MS400 manure spreaders produced at Vermeer’s Griswold, Iowa, facility are now shipping to dealers and customers in North America. While Bunning remains the design and engineering lead, Vermeer is leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to better meet demand and expand future product availability.

Westway’s Synergy line delivers nutrition where it matters most — out on pasture. Available in a molasses base, Synergy products provide cattle a highly palatable source of vitamins and minerals through a consistent, self-regulated delivery system to eliminate waste and increase labor efficiency. This new product is a fit for cattle producers who feed cubes, a TMR, commodities or liquid feed.

Zoetis Inc. has announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in INHERIT Select for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.

Be sure to check out BoVet Editorial Director Andrea Bedford’s The Bovine Vet Podcast . She walked the trade show floor at CattleCon 2026 and visited with companies about new products. You can read more at: Beyond the Trade Show Floor: Translating CattleCon’s Top Tech Into Daily Practice

Feeding at Dusk: How Does This Affect Calving Times?

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:10:05 GMT

It’s commonly said among producers that feeding in the afternoon or evening means cows will calve during the day, making it easier to manage. Finding what works best for your operation is crucial to a successful calving season.

Rumen Activity’s Role in Calving Time

To ensure females are adjusted to this cycle, UNL Beef’s Rick Rasby and Kaci McCarthy say producers should start feeding at dusk two to three weeks before calving season starts.

It’s unclear what truly prompts cows to calve, other than a hormonal connection. Rasby and McCarthy explain studies show rumen contractions increase in frequency after feeding and then lessen a few hours before a cow calves. Rumen pressure drops in the last two weeks of gestation and continues to decline during calving.

Therefore, it’s concluded calving can be triggered by low rumen pressure. So, in this instance, feeding at night increases the pressure, and then by daytime it has declined, meaning cows are more likely to calve.

Originally, Gus Konefal, a rancher in Mantioba, Canada, developed and reported observations of this method in the 1970s, and this method of feeding is named after him.

Results of the Konefal Feeding Method

South Dakota State University Extension cow-calf field specialist Adele Harty explains research supports the Konefal feeding method. A study from Iowa State University used this system, feeding one time per day at 4 p.m. starting two weeks before expected calving. Results showed 82% of cows calved between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and 91% of calves were born between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

In this project, first-calf heifers were separated from the data set, resulting in 90% of them calving in this same time frame.

Further studies among 15 producers in Iowa and Missouri concluded feeding once a day between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. resulted in 85% of cows calving between 5 a.m. and midnight. Data provided by UNL Beef from Canadian and British studies shows 79% of cows calved during the day when fed later. Other field trials by cattlemen showed 74.5% of calves born between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Combining results from 15 farms in Iowa, 85% of cows calved between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. when fed at dusk.

Points for Success

As a producer, you must do what works best for your operation. Harty provides some key points to consider when and if producers choose to implement the Konefal feeding system.

For this method to be most effective, it should be implemented one month prior to calving, but a shorter duration before the start of calving will have a similar effect.
Stay as close to the same feeding schedule and feed amount as possible every day. Deviating more than 15 minutes in the schedule or feeding too much will affect the results.
Still maintain regular night checks — implementing this system only means there is less calves born during the night.
It works best in a drylot setting where all feed is regulated and provided. Results may not be as effective in a grazing situation if grazing is unregulated.
Weather can temporarily change the effects, as with most systems.
Other research shows that if a first-calf heifer calves during the day, she will tend to calve during the day throughout her productive years.

Calving season is a stressful time for producers, often having longer hours. With the Konefal feeding system, producers can ensure more cows calve during the daylight hours, reducing workload and stress.

Your Next Read: 3 Nutritional Questions to Consider Prior to Calving

Cow-Calf Checklist: Are You Ready For Calving?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:47:01 GMT

1. Condition score cows to guide your nutrition program:

Targeted body condition score (BCS) at calving: 5 for mature cows, 6 for young cows.
Adjust feed amounts as needed before calving for spring-calvers .

2. Continue grazing crop residues as they are available:

Quality and quantity of residue decline with time.
Be prepared to move cattle or supplement as needed.

3. Be ready to react to severe winter weather effects:

Cow energy needs increase during periods of cold stress .
Thin (BCS of 4 or less) cows and cows without wind protection are at greatest risk.

4. Don’t forget about herd bulls:

If bulls have a BCS of 5 or less, consider supplementing to regain BCS going into winter.
Testicular frostbite can happen; provide plenty of bedding.

5. For those getting ready to start calving:

Have calving equipment cleaned and available to use as needed.
Consider teat and udder scoring females at calving, even if they’re commercial.

6. Review your genetic selection goals for your herd:

When picking bulls , do your homework well prior to the sale.
Focus on the traits that are economically relevant for you.

7. Replacement heifers are worth a lot this year:

Know your target weight at breeding , and adjust accordingly.
Schedule reproductive tract exams prior to breeding.

8. As you think about this female market this year:

Consider the time needed to pay off replacement females at a given calf price.
Consider all the ways in which you can add females back into the herd.

9. For those with fall-calving cow herds:

Make plans for weaning and marketing fall-born calves.
Manage females to avoid significant BCS losses as calves nurse through winter.

10. It’s always a good time to think about herd data and record keeping:

Review what information you’ve been recording and consider what you should be recording this year.
Do you need to make changes in how you record your data ?

Turning Empty Feedlot Pens Into Opportunity: Five Rivers Offers Heifer Development Program

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:48:08 GMT

At a low in the cattle cycle, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding is betting on heifer development. By opening select yards to replacement heifers, the company aims to fill pens while helping producers develop more females.

The January Cattle on Feed report released last week included the quarterly inventory of steers and heifers in feedlots. Heifers as a percentage of feedlot inventories increased to 38.7%, the highest level in the last year.

Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist from Oklahoma State University, says heifers continue to make up an above average share of total cattle on feed and suggest limited heifer retention thus far. USDA will release the cattle report on Jan. 30 and provide data on cattle inventories, including the inventory of replacement heifers.

“Low culling rates have allowed producers to sell more heifers in the last three years, but additional heifer retention is needed going forward just to maintain the productivity of the current low cow inventory,” Peel says.

As producers consider consider cow herd expansion, key expenses to consider are the cost of buying versus the price of developing their own replacements . Lingering drought continues to limit forage availability in key regions while high interest rates and the substantial capital required to develop or purchase bred females further suppresses expansion. Many producers also remain wary of a repeat of the post-2014 market correction, adding a layer of caution. Other key concerns for producers considering heifer retention and development are facilities and labor.

To help producers with the facilities, feed and management details and to fill open pen space, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding is offering a heifer development program. Kim Rounds, Five Rivers manager talent acquisition, says the program grew out of both market conditions and industry stewardship — a way to help rebuild the cow herd.

“We are at an all-time cattle cycle low, and so we have the pen space right now,” Rounds explains. “We’re like a hotel. We operate best when full. The more cattle we have in pens, the better, and there aren’t cattle to be bought right now.”

“We obviously want the cow herd to grow, so incentivizing, encouraging, finding ways for people to retain more heifers is going to be better for our industry in the long term,” she adds.

Five Rivers has 13 locations in six states. They are offering the heifer development program at three locations: Gilcrest Feeders, LaSalle, Colo.; Grant County Feeders, Ulysses, Kan.; and Coronado Feeders, Dalhart, Texas.

What Services Are Provided?

Rounds says Five Rivers development program will include:

Customized nutrition plans developed by nutritionist to hit optimal body condition score for breeding.
Professional cattle handling by staff who are BQA trained and certified.
Health and growth monitoring, including valuable data to help set up heifers for a lifetime of productivity.

The program can be as simple or as full-service as the customer wants.

She explains optional services include:

Medicine and chute fees at cost
DNA collection
Facility use for synchronization, artificial insemination and ultrasound
EID placement
Buy back option for heifers that don’t meet replacement standards
Options for cows and feeder steers

At this time, Five Rivers will not offer artificial insemination services, they will provide the facilities where producers can synchronize and breed.

Pen sizes are flexible.

“We have smaller pens — 50 to 100 head,” Rounds says. “Or we can obviously take up to thousands, depending on how you want to have them sorted out and what groups you want them in.”

Other Program Benefits

Rounds says another objective of the program is building long-term relationships.

“If you’ve ever had an interest in retaining ownership of feeder steers, I think this is a really safe way to get a taste of what that looks like,” she explains.

If there are heifers in the development program that don’t meet the producer’s performance or breed, Five Rivers will buy them.

“If you decide I don’t want to keep them, I didn’t like their performance, we will buy them back and put them on feed as feeders,” Rounds says.

She acknowledges the emotional and financial leap producers make when they hand cattle over to someone else to manage.

“That’s your livelihood that you have in somebody else’s hands, but our teams are amazing, and they’re super specialized,” she notes, explaining Five Rivers has dedicated staff for pen riding, feed delivery, facility maintenance and to support animal health and nutrition.

What Are Some Key Questions About the Program?

Rounds says there has been two key questions from producers interested in the service.

“I think the biggest concern is that we’re going to get them over fat and mess up breeding,” she says.

She counters these concerns emphasizing their specialized nutrition expertise and cost competitiveness.

“We have two phenomenal nutritionists, and they understand the requirements for a feeder steer getting fat and a heifer going back to breeding are going to be very different, so they’re going to custom build a ration for the heifers,” she explains. “The next is cost, and we’re pretty competitive on yardage. And if you are going to have to feed cows over the winter anyway, it’s going to be really good.”

To learn more about the program, call 970-408-0174 or visit fiveriverscattle.com .

Your Next Read — Developing Heifers: Expectations for the Next Generation

Managing Vitamins and Minerals to Increase Calf Survival

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:31:03 GMT

Stillbirths and weak newborn calves are among the most frustrating outcomes in both beef and dairy systems. Calving difficulty, infectious disease and congenital defects are often investigated first, yet many cases end with no clear explanation. Even when calving appears normal, losses still occur leaving veterinarians and producers searching for answers after the fact.

Dr. Bob Van Saun, professor and Extension veterinarian at Penn State University, spoke on the importance of maternal nutrition and the placental transfer of vitamins and minerals on a recent episode of AABP’s “Have You Herd?” podcast.

What often goes unnoticed is the gestational environment that shaped the fetus long before calving began. Nutritional decisions made months earlier, particularly around vitamins and trace minerals, can quietly determine whether a calf is born resilient, compromised or nonviable. Rather than being isolated calving failures, some stillbirths might represent the final outcome of inadequate fetal preparation.

“If we don’t do what we need to do nutritionally for that pregnant animal, we could have very long-term effects not only on the reproductive success of the female, but also on the offspring,” Van Saun says.

Newborn Calves Enter the World Nutritionally Limited

Newborn calves, whether beef or dairy, arrive with a biological disadvantage: milk alone cannot meet their trace mineral and vitamin needs.

“We often tout milk as nature’s perfect food, and it certainly plays a very important role in the macro minerals and in energy and protein, but one of the things that’s been well known is milk does not have significant quantities of most of the trace elements. Particularly iron, copper, selenium and even some of the vitamins aren’t in high quantities within the milk,” Van Saun says.

Trace minerals and vitamins are essential for enzyme function, immune development and antioxidant defense, yet the neonatal diet provides very little of them. As a result, the calf’s ability to survive early life depends heavily on what accumulated before birth, particularly in the fetal liver.

“With some of the work that’s been done, we’re starting to recognize that the mineral status of that newborn calf is very dependent upon how we feed mom,” Van Saun says.

In addition to gestational nutrient transfer, colostrum is an important way to get calves off on the right foot, especially with fat soluble vitamins, so long as the mother has been appropriately supplemented.

Placental Transfer of Minerals and Vitamins

Minerals and vitamins reach the fetus through the placenta, but not all nutrients behave the same way. Trace minerals appear to move primarily by facilitated diffusion, rather than active transport. Van Saun explains that as a result, fetal blood concentrations are typically much lower than maternal blood concentrations.

Once those nutrients enter fetal circulation, the liver becomes the key storage site. However, the complete mechanism by which these nutrients are stored in the liver is not well understood.

“If you remember the anatomy, the umbilical vein goes directly to the liver. It’s my thinking that the fetal liver somehow captures these minerals and stores them,” Van Saun says. “The fetal liver can concentrate these trace elements to a level that’s nearly twice what we typically see in the dam. We need to find out what influences this.”

In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins cross the placenta inefficiently, particularly later in gestation, leaving newborn calves relatively depleted at birth and heavily reliant on colostrum to establish antioxidant protection.

Maternal Mineral Deficiencies and Fetal Loss

At the Penn State diagnostics lab, mineral and vitamin analyses of fetal and stillborn calf livers have revealed a surprising number of incidences of deficiency. Despite expectations of a linear relationship between maternal mineral status and fetal mineral status, there appears to be very little direct relationship.

“When I plot maternal versus fetal concentrations, I generally see a shotgun scattergram,” Van Saun explains. “That makes me think there’s got to be some other regulatory process there.”

Across the data, several nutrients appear repeatedly in association with fetal loss and stillbirth. Van Saun highlights the following:

Copper: Essential for enzyme systems and antioxidant defense
Selenium: Critical for glutathione peroxidase activity
Zinc: Involved in cellular and immune development
Magnesium: Supports energy metabolism and neuromuscular stability
Vitamin A: Needed for epithelial development and antioxidant defense

Oxidative Stress at Birth

As umbilical blood flow is compromised during delivery, particularly during prolonged or difficult births, the fetus experiences hypoxia.

“That’s going to produce large quantities of reactive oxygen species,” Van Saun explains. “And if those aren’t squelched by the antioxidant system, that could cause the demise of the animal.”

Trace minerals and fat-soluble vitamins play central roles in the defense against reactive oxygen species. When fetal reserves are marginal, oxidative stress during calving might push a compromised fetus past a survivable threshold. This could help explain why some stillborn calves show no obvious infectious, genetic or mechanical cause at necropsy.

Why Overfeeding Isn’t Usually the Problem

A common concern is whether aggressive mineral supplementation could harm the fetus. However, even in dams with liver mineral levels that would be considered toxicosis, fetal levels remain within a narrow range.

“When maternal concentrations of liver minerals are very low, the fetal maternal ratio is quite high. In other words, the fetus is capable of extracting more mineral from a deficient mom,” Van Saun says. “But as mom’s mineral status increases to very high levels, the ratio is quite low. Suggesting that there is some mechanism in place where the fetus doesn’t over accumulate.”

Van Suan observed this most profoundly with copper, but has also seen the same pattern with zinc, iron, selenium and manganese.

“Somehow, Mother Nature has built in a protective mechanism on both ends of the spectrum ensuring even when mom is on the low side, the fetus can try to accumulate,” he says. “And then if mom is on the high side, the fetus doesn’t over-accumulate.”

Stillborn Calves as Nutritional Sentinels

Stillborn calves represent an underused opportunity to evaluate herd nutrition. Liver mineral and vitamin analysis from stillborn calves can uncover deficiencies that were not clinically apparent in the dam.

“We really need to emphasize how to make a good situation out of a bad situation,” Van Saun says. “I think if you’re having a string of stillborns, I would be wanting to take a liver sample.”

Repeated measures of low selenium, copper, or vitamin A in stillborn calves, especially in the absence of other pathology, can point back to gestational nutrition as the root cause.

What Can You Do to Get Ahead of the Problem?

Effective investigation of stillbirths and weak calves should begin with diet evaluation, but meaningful assessment of gestational nutrition requires a broader, more deliberate strategy. A clearer understanding can be gained by using multiple diagnostic entry points across the herd and across time.

Van Saun highlights several practical diagnostic opportunities:

Submitting liver samples from stillborn calves when infectious and congenital causes are not identified
Using cull cow or abattoir liver samples to establish baseline mineral status
Sampling healthy animals within defined physiologic groups, rather than sick cows in inflammatory states
Building longitudinal data rather than interpreting isolated results

Taken together, these approaches allow the shift from reactive troubleshooting to proactive risk management.

Stillbirths and weak calves are often the final expression of biological constraints established months earlier not failures limited to the calving event.

Strategies for Cornstalk Grazing During Late Gestation

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:03:23 GMT

Cornstalk residue is a good source of nutrition for the beef cow. When grazing cornstalks, we want to use about 15% of the residue. This 15% includes any remaining corn and 50% of the husk and leaf. Those parts are the most palatable and the highest quality nutrition for the cow. For every bushel of dry corn, the husk makes up 3 lb. per bushel and the leaf makes up 14 lb. per bushel. The highest nutrition out in the field is the corn that was left.

A cow’s intake and diet quality decrease the longer she is left in the field. When cattle graze corn residue, they select corn first, husk and leaf second, cob and stalk last. When cows are forced to eat cob and stalk, they can’t meet their nutritional needs.

A general rule of thumb is that for every 100 bushels of dry corn produced a cow can graze for 1 month. To calculate how much feed is available in each field use the cornstalk grazing calculator: https://cap.unl.edu/livestock/tools/ .

However, in recent studies, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has found high yielding corn (200 bu/ac or greater) has less leaf and husk per bushel and the quality is generally lower than lower yielding fields. Based on this research, it is suggested to reduce the grazing days by 5% in higher yielding corn hybrids. This can be accomplished by changing the utilization rate to 45% instead of 50% in the grazing calculator.

When grazing corn residue properly, pregnant cows can meet their energy and protein needs without supplementation. However, they do require supplementation of minerals and vitamin A. We suggest a 4 oz free choice mineral contains containing at least 300,000 IU per pound of Vitamin A, 4 to 5% phosphorus, 1500 to 2500 parts per million copper and 3000 to 5000 parts per million zinc.

Corn residue, especially husk, is susceptible to losses from trampling and wind. Monitoring husk availability is a great way to ensure cows are receiving the nutrients they need. When husk is hard to find, either move cows to a new field or start feeding a supplement.

Bred and first-calf heifers have higher energy and protein requirements and need to be supplemented. During mid gestation, 2 to 3 lb. of dried distillers grains or 4 to 6 lb. of modified distillers per day will meet their needs. During late gestation, 3 to 5 lb. of dried distillers grains or 6 to 10 lb. of modified distillers grains per day will be sufficient.

In conclusion, remember these 5 tips for successful cornstalk grazing:

If high yields, around 200 to 250 bushels, cut back to 45% utilization
Monitor availability of husk in the field as a way to gauge utilization
Heifers require supplementation with a protein and energy source
All cattle need access to a mineral source with vitamin A
If cows are losing weight, supplement or move to another field.

Grazing Milo Can Save $300 per Head

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:56:33 GMT

This is the third year that Green Ridge livestock producer John Chamberlin has worked with University of Missouri (MU) Extension agronomist Rusty Lee and livestock specialist Gene Schmitz to find how milo can reduce winter feed costs and improve herd health.

Milo is a drought-resistant forage that can be used as a winter livestock feed to save time and labor. It also improves carrying capacity and returns nutrients back to the soil, Lee says.

Composite forage tests of all plant parts of milo shows a TDN of 73%-75% and crude protein of 7%. That is adequate energy but requires protein supplementation, says MU Extension agronomist Rusty Lee. Allocating 12 pounds of grain per cow per day yields a possible carrying capacity of 420 cow days per acre.

(Linda Geist)

Saves Labor, Costs

By grazing the standing milo, producers eliminate grain harvest and transportation costs.

Strip grazing takes cattle to the feed rather than feed to the cattle, saving time and money, says Lee.

He has grown milo on his east-central Missouri diversified farm for more than 10 years.

Producers control daily feed allocation by creating strips with polywire electric fencing. This encourages cattle to utilize the fodder leaves and portions of the stalk in addition to the high-energy grain head of the plants.

Chamberlin says strip grazing saves him hours of feeding time daily for the approximately 400 head since it takes only 30 minutes a day to move the polywire instead of the hours it took to unroll hay and fill feed bunks.

MU Extension specialists Rusty Lee and Gene Schmitz tested downed milo for prussic acid or cyanide. Like other sorghum specie forages, prussic acid is present in milo after frost injury. To avoid this, delay grazing for about two weeks after frost to avoid nitrate poisoning in cows.

(Linda Geist)

Toxicity Still a Problem After Frost

Like other Sorghum species forages, temporary but toxic levels of prussic acid are present in milo after frost injury. To avoid this, delay grazing for about two weeks after frost to avoid cyanide poisoning in cows.

Chamberlin recently did in-field research to see if he could avoid this prussic acid poisoning window by mowing milo down prior to frost.

“The idea was to start the two-week clock for volatilization in an area that would then be usable once the remainder of the field was in the frost-induced grazing restriction,” Lee says.

He left mowed stalks on the ground to dry and waited for MU Extension specialists to test the downed milo for prussic acid or cyanide. Eight days after mowing, their tests still showed that prussic acid levels were still too high to safely turn cattle in to graze.

Lee and Schmitz say that while the head of the plant may be dead, the stalk continues to create regrowth that appears to contain cyanide. While palatable to livestock, it can be deadly.

MU Extension agronomist Rusty Lee, right, shows livestock producer John Chamberlin a simple test kit he carries with him to make testing for prussic acid quick and easy. After frost injury, temporary but toxic levels of prussic acid are present in milo, and livestock grazing should be avoided.

(Linda Geist)

Post-Frost Toxins

Risk is highest immediately after the first fall frost, primarily due to the stress-induced breakdown of cyanogenetic compounds into prussic acid or hydrogen cyanide, says MU Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.

When Sorghum species like milo are stressed by frost, they tend to accumulate a compound called dhurrin. When frost-damaged plant tissues break down in the rumen, the dhurrin quickly converts to the highly toxic prussic acid.

Prussic acid interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen to generate cellular energy, with the oxygen remaining unused in the typically cherry red blood, leading to symptoms such as muscle twitching, staggering and even death. Ruminants are more susceptible to prussic acid poisoning than other animals because cud chewing and rumen bacteria help release the cyanide from plant tissue.

Additionally, frost can cause nitrate accumulation in some plants by hindering their ability to convert nitrates into proteins.

Despite the lack of success in reducing the two-week wait after frost to graze, Lee says MU Extension specialists continue to look for ways to move cows onto milo quicker.

High Production, High Utilization

Strip-grazing standing milo eliminates the costs associated with harvesting and transporting feed grains. This results in lower daily feed costs compared to the traditional winter hay feeding program. Lee estimates the milo utilization rate at 75%.

Composite forage tests of all plant parts consumed show total digestible nutrient values (TDN) of 73%-75% and crude protein of 7%. That is adequate energy but requires protein supplementation, Lee says. Various commodity feeds like soybean meal or high-quality hay can provide this.

An average milo yield of 120 bushels per acre is 6,720 lb. of grain. Taking into consideration the observed feeding losses of 25% as the cattle graze, that leaves 5,040 lb. per acre into the mouths of cows. Allocating 12 lb. of grain per cow per day yields a possible carrying capacity of 420 cow days per acre.

Savings of $300 per calf

Chamberlin says he gets 400 cow days per milo acre, letting him run more cows per acre. He estimates that he reduces the acres/cow ratio from 4 to 3, a significant savings of resources.

His figures point to milo saving him $300 per calf compared to hay. With a 400-head herd, that’s about $120,000 in savings, Lee says.

Chamberlin remains a firm supporter of grazing standing milo.

“I have nothing but praise for this. If you’re not already grazing standing milo, start.”

Breeding Rates Improve

Lee says milo provides a consistent, high-energy feed for breeding fall-calving cows or late spring-calving cows with calves at side when used with a protein supplement.

Calving rates improve when moving cows from fescue fields to milo as little as 30 days before breeding season, he says.

Lee recommends putting cows on milo two weeks after a killing freeze, typically Nov. 1. This works well with fall-calving program of bull turn-in between Thanksgiving and Dec. 1.

Nov. 1 to Valentine’s Day

Typically, a Nov. 1 start allows grazing all winter until planted acres are consumed. While it is possible to graze milo until spring pasture green-up, March winds and deteriorating stalk strength make it a good idea to conclude milo grazing by Valentine’s Day, Lee explains.

Available resources

Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage

Grain Sorghum Planning Budget

Your Next Read: Instead of Feeding Hay: 5 Profitable Winter Feed Alternatives for Your Cattle Herd

Finding Forage Efficient Heifers

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:21:59 GMT

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding biological and genetic sources of variation in feed efficiency of growing cattle consuming energy-dense, mixed diets during the postweaning phase.

In contrast, much less is known about feed efficiency of cattle consuming moderate-to-low-quality forage diets. This is important because approximately 74% of the total feed required to produce beef comes from forage.

Indeed, the ruminant animal’s primary advantage over non-ruminant species is its ability to convert forage — essentially sunlight, water and carbon dioxide — into a high-quality human food source. With increased heifer retention over the next few years, perhaps now is an opportune time to consider strategies for improving forage use efficiency in replacement females.

Forage use efficiency has been a major research focus at Oklahoma State University. Although grazing studies are ultimately the goal, the OSU team began this line of work in a controlled pen setting where forage intake can be measured accurately.

Each year, the group evaluates a contemporary group of weaned replacement heifers and a contemporary group of 5-year-old cows. The cows are tested during lactation and again during gestation. During each test period, cattle spend approximately 90 days in the OSU forage intake facility (see Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Forage intake facility at the Range Cow Research Center near Stillwater, Okla.

(Oklahoma State University)

Cattle are fed bermudagrass hay and provided mineral with free-choice access to both. The hay typically contains 12% to 14% crude protein and approximately 57% to 60% total digestible nutrients (TDN).

High-quality bermudagrass hay was selected so protein requirements of growing heifers and lactating cows are met without the need for protein supplementation. Importantly, the hay is fed unprocessed — not ground, chopped or shredded. This allows the OSU team to evaluate intake and performance under conditions similar to many real-world forage systems.

Substantial phenotypic variation is observed within each contemporary group. As an example, forage intake and weight gain for the 2024 weaned replacement heifers are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Hay intake and average daily gain for heifers consuming bermudagrass hay.

(Oklahoma State University)

Average daily forage intake ranged from 9 lb. to 19 lb. per day, while average daily gain (ADG) ranged from slight weight loss to gains of 1.6 lb. per day.

Notably, heifers with unacceptable weight gain have been observed in every contemporary group, as indicated by the red rectangle in Figure 2.

At the same time, many heifers exhibited moderate forage intake coupled with acceptable, or even exceptional, weight gain (green rectangle).

The team’s working hypothesis is that heifers demonstrating moderate forage intake with acceptable growth will ultimately become more forage-efficient cows. Simply put, they define an efficient cow as one that is highly productive without consuming excessive amounts of forage.

In this article, we focus specifically on the forage performance (gain) component of efficiency. Our group, along with several others, has conducted experiments to determine whether cattle that rank high for weight gain when consuming an energy-dense diet (such as a bull-test diet) also rank high for gain when consuming forage.

To date, the answer appears to be no. Across seven independent studies, no statistically significant positive correlations have been detected between gain on concentrate-based diets and gain on forage-based diets.

In fact, the average correlation across studies is near zero. These results suggest growth performance on energy-dense diets is largely unrelated to growth performance on moderate-quality forage. Additional research is clearly needed, including larger experiments with sufficient data to estimate genetic correlations.

The encouraging news is measuring forage-based growth performance is neither difficult nor expensive. Producers need only a reliable scale and a 70-to-100-day period during which heifers are grazing moderate-quality forage (or consuming hay) with little or no supplementation.

In practice, some producers might already be selecting for forage performance — perhaps unintentionally. For example, low-input heifer development programs, short breeding seasons and retaining only heifers that conceive early might naturally favor females that perform and reproduce efficiently on forage-based systems.

Considerable variation exists among heifers in their ability to gain weight on moderate-quality forage, and this variation appears largely independent of performance on energy-dense diets. Simple measurements of forage-based weight gain, or well-designed development programs intended to challenge heifers to perform (with minimal or no concentrate feed), and become pregnant early in the breeding season might help identify heifers that are better suited for efficient, forage-based, cow-calf production systems.

What Ranchers Need to Know About Vitamin A

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:14:50 GMT

Cattle aren’t cheap, which makes it more important than ever to make sure ranchers are managing in ways that tap into the full genetic potential of their cattle. Proper nutrition and ensuring nutrient deficiencies aren’t present is one way to do this, especially keeping Vitamin A in mind.

“Vitamin A is a very critical nutrient, as are all vitamins, and first of all vitamins are what we call mainly trace elements,” says Blane Lowe, DVM. “It’s involved with the gene expressions, so vitamin A can help make sure cattle reach optimal performance.”

Signs of vitamin A deficiency can vary but all impact cattle well-being and performance.

“Blindness and specifically night blindness is a large component of that we see things with dull and rougher hair coats,” Lowe says. “With younger animals, you can certainly see stunted growth or slower growth rate, lower weight gains and reproductive efficiency.”

Part of the lower and slower growth rates are caused by reduced Vitamin A in colostrum.

“If there’s not some winter supplementation, it’s not uncommon to see the cows have low vitamin A levels,” Lowe says. “The consequences to those cows are really kind of minimal compared to those of the calves they are carrying … Those get their first 90 days of vitamin A through colostrum.”

Lowe also notes that retained placentas, pink eye and footrot are connected too.

“We see pink eyes, foot rots, they’re all associated with them,” he says.

Nature does a good job providing adequate vitamin A during specific times throughout the year.

“Mother Nature’s provided us with vitamin A in green, lush forages,” Lowe says. “Cattle also store anywhere from a 2-to-4-month’s supply of vitamin A in the liver.”

However, it’s the winter months or even drought years that create need for vitamin A supplementation.

Drought is probably one of the biggest factors there,” Lowe says. “Certainly higher nitrates in the feedstuffs can contribute to a poorer absorption and conversion of vitamin A in the body.”

Ranchers can take steps to ensure adequate vitamin A levels in their herds through proper nutrition, mineral programs and even supplementation if levels are already undesirable.

One solution for herds who need supplementation is Optade which is a water-soluble vitamin A.

It’s called Optade because in addition to the vitamin A, it also has 300,000 international units of vitamin D and 1,260 of vitamin E,” Lowe says.

This solution is administered through the primary water supply of cattle.

“We will recommend that people, if they’re able to, put it in their water supply; put that in at roughly a pound per hundred gallons of water,” Lowe says.

Something to note about vitamin A is its low stability.

“Vitamin A is not really stable, so it degrades fairly rapidly,” Lowe says. “If you bought your mineral several months ago with a specific amount of vitamin A in it, it’s likely that level is no longer the same.”

However you choose to ensure proper nutrient levels in your cattle, keep in mind the big picture of profit and cattle health and performance.

“We’ve done an excellent job as an industry of looking at genomically enhanced EPDs; we’ve selected a very good set of genetics in our herds for the most part,” Lowe says. “Ensuring proper vitamin A levels allows ranchers to take advantage of what they’ve purchased through our breeding selections and give genes the opportunity to be expressed.”

Listen to the full conversation on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast .

Vitamin E Deserves a Second Look in Beef Herds

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:02:03 GMT

Vitamin E is one of those nutrients that doesn’t get a lot of attention until something goes wrong, but it plays a steady, year-round role in keeping cattle healthy. It is a small inclusion in the ration that supports several big-ticket items: immunity, muscle integrity, calf health and resilience during stressful periods. While vitamin E is often discussed in relation to meat color, the health and production benefits matter just as much.

“When we talk about vitamin E nutrition specifically, it really is such an exciting nutrient because not only does it impact the animal from an immune response perspective, but we have the opportunity to make real incremental improvements on the productivity of that animal”, says Zeno Hubbert, Ruminant technical expert at dsm-firmenich.

Why Vitamin E Matters for Cattle Health

Vitamin E acts as a major antioxidant in the body. Its job is to protect cells from oxidative stress — something cattle deal with daily through normal metabolism, immune challenges and environmental stressors. When vitamin E levels are low, tissues are more vulnerable to damage and immune responses don’t fire as cleanly.

Severe deficiency is rare in feedlot cattle, but when it does occur, it can show up as white muscle disease, weak calves, or general muscle and nerve problems. But the real story isn’t about preventing dramatic deficiencies. It’s about making sure cattle have enough vitamin E to stay healthy during high-stress stages such as processing, shipping, early feedlot adaptation, late gestation and early calfhood.

Feedlot Cattle: Support During Stress & Recovery

In feedlots, vitamin E is well-known for how it affects meat quality, but its impact on health shouldn’t be overlooked.

“When we talk about feedlot cattle, we’re not aiming to just keep that animal out of a state of deficiency. For me, that’s almost a no-brainer. It’s non-negotiable,” Hubbert says. “We’re aiming for optimization of productivity.”

Research has shown vitamin E supplementation to beef steers before or after transit may not affect growth performance, but can lower the stress response of these animals. Further, vitamin E supplementation has been shown to increase antibody titers of newly received steers after vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea virus.

When vitamin E is supplemented for meat quality, the standard is to feed at increased levels for at least 100 days to see results in the muscle tissue. This is the time period required to equilibrate the liver and tissue soluble levels with the intake amount. There are very few studies on vitamin E spanning this duration with beef cattle in an effort to observe growth performance or immune response. This is an area requiring further attention.

Cow-Calf Operations: Where Vitamin E Really Shows Its Value

Vitamin E can pay off meaningfully in the cow-calf world. Late gestation is an especially important time because the cow’s vitamin E status directly influences the calf.

“If we look at the vitamin E level in milk, it’s only supplying about 16% of the requirement of that newborn calf,” Hubbert explains. “So we definitely have a requirement for vitamin E supplementation in that newborn calf. We can definitely affect the health of that calf by supplementation of the late gestation cow.”

Research has shown that vitamin E supplementation to late gestation beef cattle can benefit both the dam and the calf, especially with the added environmental stress of winter calving and the consumption of stored forages. In one study , winter born calves from vitamin E supplemented dams had higher weaning weights. Additionally, calves born to vitamin E supplemented heifers have been shown to have increased antibody titers at birth, pasture turn out, and weaning in response to routine vaccines.

Is Vitamin E Supplementation Right for Your Herd?

While vitamin E is essential for cattle, whether it is worth adding or increasing in the ration of a herd comes down to the cattle’s stress load, forage quality and production stage.

“We need to be strategic,” Hubbert says. “It’s very much dependent on the range conditions, whether we have drought conditions — how much access to forage those cows have. It’s a conversation to be had with the nutritionist and not just a blanket recommendation across the board.”

Cow-calf herds often see the biggest return, but feedlot cattle under heavy stress during receiving or diet changes may also benefit from increased vitamin E levels to support antioxidant defense or recovery. A quick review of the mineral program and forage conditions can reveal whether adjusting vitamin E could be beneficial.

“I think that vitamin nutrition is generally something that, due to the small level addition to the ration, goes by unchecked,” Hubbert says. “The impact that a vitamin deficiency can have on that animal in terms of productivity is significant. It’s such a small addition to a ration from a cost perspective, it’s almost as if it’s an investment in the health and productivity of that animal.”

Biotics in Bovines: Postbiotic Applications for Beef Cattle

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 18:27:28 GMT

Beef production involves dramatic changes in environment, nutrition and social structure, creating repeated stress points that challenge both the rumen and the immune system. Calves face the shock of weaning and comingling, and feedlot cattle undergo abrupt dietary transitions and frequent handling.

Postbiotics, beneficial microbial products, provide a non-living, heat-stable option that can help buffer these disruptions by influencing rumen stability and immune activity. Because the microbial metabolites are delivered directly, rather than relying on live microbe survival, postbiotics can be easier to implement in beef production settings where feed delivery, pen competition and weather conditions can vary widely.

This is the sixth and final installment of the Biotics in Bovines series, where we have explored the role and application of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics in dairy and beef cattle nutrition. Each installment has examined a different facet of microbiome-focused nutrition from how these products work to what recent research says about their effectiveness and on-farm value. The goal is to help veterinarians and producers make informed, evidence-based decisions about integrating biotic feed technologies into herd health and performance programs.

For applications in beef, yeast fermentation products have been most commonly explored. These products are largely derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, containing inanimate microorganisms and/or their components. Additionally, lactic acid bacteria fermentation products may hold postbiotic promise for beef cattle.

The incorporation of these compounds may support enhanced gut barrier integrity, immune regulation, and microbial adaptation to dietary changes, especially those related to fiber digestion. In turn, these effects can help improve rumen fermentation, feed efficiency and animal performance.

Evidence in Beef Systems

In beef heifers fed high grain rations, supplementation with a yeast fermentation product resulted in improved rumen fermentation profiles. This was evidenced by increased organic matter and fiber digestibility, along with enhanced rumen buffering. This has also been seen in calves where a starter containing yeast postbiotics promoted microbial stability while mitigating subacute ruminal acidosis.

In Angus steers , supplementation with a yeast fermentation product did not affect rumen pH, but did reduce the total concentration of rumen volatile fatty acids and increased total tract dry matter, organic matter and starch digestibility. These results indicate potential improvements in energy efficiency and animal performance with postbiotic supplementation.

In backgrounding steers fed a lactic acid bacteria fermentation product, increased dry matter intake and average daily gain were observed compared to animals supplemented with monensin. In corresponding in vitro digestion trials, decreased propionate and increased butyrate levels were observed. Propionate is known to have an effect on satiety and may have affected intake in these animals. This work also suggests postbiotics may have applications in reducing antibiotic use.

Limitations and Research Gaps

Postbiotics are perhaps the least studied of all current biotics approaches for cattle. Despite some demonstrated benefits, we still lack information on optimal dosing and long term metabolic impacts. There may be potential for postbiotics to help mitigate methane production, but more in vivo research is required for verification.

Practical On-Farm Guidance & Strategies

Target periods of increased stress: Postbiotics can help support cattle through times of rumen instability and immune suppression.
Use probiotics to ease dietary transitions: Postbiotic supplementation at times when rumen dysbiosis is likely could help ease these transitions by maintaining gut equilibrium.
Apply to improve utilization of variable quality diets: During winter feeding and pasture transitions, postbiotics may help stabilize fermentation and fiber digestion, smoothing out any performance dips due to inconsistent forage quality.
Prioritize consistent delivery: Uniform exposure to postbiotic products is key to obtaining results. Avoid inconsistent top-dressing or delivery methods that differ by pen or time of day as these inconsistencies may be reflected in any response.

Your next reads:
Biotics in Bovines: Postbiotic Applications for Dairy Cattle
Biotics in Bovines: Prebiotic Applications for Beef Cattle
Biotics in Bovines: Prebiotic Applications for Dairy Cattle
Biotics in Bovines: Probiotic Applications for Dairy Cattle
Biotics in Bovines: Probiotic Applications for Beef Cattle

Building Back Better: Tips for Replacement Heifer Development

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 20:14:46 GMT

In spite of market volatility over the past three weeks, the strong market fundamentals and current status of the U.S. beef industry remain unchanged, and can be distilled down into a few short bullet points:

The lowest beef cow inventory since the early 1960s
The lowest number of feeder calves in the production chain since the 1950s
Strongest consumer demand for beef in several decades
Very little evidence (over past several calf crops) of heifer calves being retained to develop as the next generation of cows

These factors indicate the robust values of all classes of cattle (and beef) we are seeing now should continue for several years. Why? Because of the biological time lag between heifers selected now to develop as replacements, and the 24 months before they would potentially wean their first calf to enter the production system. Furthermore, it is most likely the beef cow inventory of 2026 will be lower than 2025.

This current status is the result of droughts, the threat of New World screwworm , the resilience of cattle producers, high input cost and the great success story of cattle breeders improving the additive genetic merit of U.S. cattle to consistently yield a high quality, great tasting beef product to meet consumer demand.

The existing cow inventory will age out of production; thereby, replacement heifers are needed!

Analysis of your production system, proper breeding objectives, mating decisions and development ensure the replacement heifers you are bringing into production are the right fit for your environment and set your operation up for success over the long-term.

Heifer Development

In order to maximize profit potential it is important to have heifers calving at 2 years of age. Research shows heifers becoming pregnant early in their first breeding season, (specifically the first 21 days) remain in the herd longer and produce more total calf weaning weight over their lifetime in production.

How do we select and manage replacement heifers so that they are having fertile heats and ready to conceive by 14-15 months of age?

Genetics, photoperiod, level of nutrition and growth rate all influence when beef heifers reach puberty; that being said, heifers that have reached 65% of their mature weight by this age should have reached puberty and be ready to breed.

Obviously, age should be taken into account, (along with other selection criterion ), when selecting replacements, with older heifers having an advantage. Heifers calves born earlier in the calving season, are produced by cows that conceived earlier in the breeding season.

After heifers are selected, how do we arrive at the target weight they need to gain from weaning until their first breeding season?

First, we need an accurate estimate of the average mature weight of the cow herd that produced the heifers. This can be calculated from weights taken at weaning time on the 4- to 7-year old cows and adjusting to a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 5. If developing purchased heifers, target an optimum plane of growth having the heifers in a BCS of 6 by 14-15 months of age.

What is the best way to feed to reach that target weight?
In a normal Oklahoma year, spring born heifers weaned in fall can be grown on wheat pasture typically available by late November and gain 1.5 lb. per day (or better) to reach target weight. With wheat pasture conditions currently sporadic in Oklahoma, it is comforting to know that heifers can grow very slowly through the winter months and fed harder for the couple of months going into breeding season in order to reach target weight by breeding season. In regard to gestating bred heifers due to calve next spring.

Target a body condition of 6 and 80% of their mature weight at first calving.