Latest News From Beef Cattle

John Maday, Editor, Bovine Veterinarian
Consider Low-Input Beef-Heifer Development

Ranchers place a high priority on heifer pregnancy rates, while also understanding that, at some level, high development costs can cancel out the economic advantage of a small increase in pregnancy.

Ranchers along the U.S.-Mexico border say the disease carried by fever ticks has devastated their operations.
U.S.-Mexico Border Ranches Stricken by Fever Ticks

Ranchers along the U.S.-Mexico border say the disease carried by fever ticks has devastated their operations.

Using Artificial Insemination in Very Warm Weather
Using Artificial Insemination in Very Warm Weather

As the breeding season for spring calving herds is getting underway, understanding heat stress in cattle takes on increased importance. 

Proper Injection Sites to Remember at Calf-Working Time
Proper Injection Sites to Remember at Calf-Working Time

Correct administration of any injection is a critical control point in beef production and animal health. 

Cattle in a muddy lot.
Mud and Lameness in Beef Cattle

Melting snow and spring rains produce conditions that can increase lameness in beef cattle. Mud is among the predisposing causes for cattle lameness.

Effective Corral Work: Part 2

Alleyways are used not only for livestock movement, but for cattle "storage." But cattle don’t like to be crowded, and remaining in alleyways until processing makes the corral experience bad, and makes cattle harder to work next time.

These cattle are being stored in segments of the alleyway waiting their turn to go up to the processing area for pregnacy testing. Note the generous space they are given to help keep them relaxed and in a normal frame of mind. In this regard, wider alleyways are better (i.e., 14'-16') instead of 12' pictured here.
Effective Corral Work: Part 2

Alleyways are used not only for livestock movement, but for cattle "storage." But cattle don’t like to be crowded, and remaining in alleyways until processing makes the corral experience bad, and makes cattle harder to work next time.

Evaluate Udder Soundness Soon After Calving to Use as Culling Criteria
Evaluate Udder Soundness Soon After Calving to Use as Culling Criteria

Every year at "preg" checking time, ranchers evaluate cows and make decisions as which to remove from the herd. One criteria that should be examined to cull cows is udder quality.

Flooding Could Force Producers to Move Cattle
Flooding Could Force Producers to Move Cattle

Cattle producers should be prepared for wet, muddy conditions and possible flooding this spring.

Breeding Soundness Exams: Insurance for Bulls

Performing a yearly breeding soundness exam on bulls is an insurance policy for fertility.

Cow-calf producers should have a veterinarian perform a breeding soundness exam annually on bulls to ensure females will be bred.
Breeding Soundness Exams: Insurance for Bulls

Performing a yearly breeding soundness exam on bulls is an insurance policy for fertility.

Management to Prevent Calf Scours
Management to Prevent Calf Scours

Cold and wet weather have added to the calving challenges of Iowa cow-calf producers. Iowa State University Extension beef specialist Beth Doran said both are ideal conditions for contributing to calf scours.

Steer Clear! Man Takes Steer to Pet Store

A Texas Petco honored their “all leashed pets are welcome” policy when a man brought a haltered steer to the store.

A Texas Petco honored their “all leashed pets are welcome” policy when a man brought a haltered steer to the store.
Steer Clear! Man Takes Steer to Pet Store

A Texas Petco honored their “all leashed pets are welcome” policy when a man brought a haltered steer to the store.

Third Stage of Calving: Shedding of Fetal Membranes
Third Stage of Calving: Shedding of Fetal Membranes

The process of “calving” or parturition in beef cattle is defined by three stages. Stage I occurs about 4 to 24 hours prior to calving. The major event during stage I is the dilation of the cervix.

Dealing with the Big 4 Parasites in Cattle

Worms, flies, ticks and lice are all costly to beef producers.

Dealing with the Big 4 Parasites in Cattle
Dealing with the Big 4 Parasites in Cattle

Worms, flies, ticks and lice are all costly to beef producers.

You Herd Right: 8 Tips to Gather the Herd
You Herd Right: 8 Tips to Gather the Herd

Basic stockmanship plays a critical role in BQA. Check out the advice on herding from the 2019 NCBA Cattle Convention.

In cold and windy situations, protection for livestock will reduce cold stress and aid in calving success and energy requirements.
Windbreaks for Protection and Snow Diversion

In cold and windy situations, protection for livestock will reduce cold stress and aid in calving success and energy requirements.

March Can Be Brutal on Beef Cattle
March Can Be Brutal on Beef Cattle

March could be the hardest month of the year on beef cattle according to Eldon Cole, field specialist in livestock with University of Missouri Extension.

In this study, 60% of treated cattle were diagnosed pregnant from fixed-time AI compared with 51% in the control group.
Trace Minerals Can Boost Fertility

Mineral status plays an important role in cattle fertility, and using an injectable mineral product could provide more consistency than dietary supplements alone.

Cattle seeking refuge from rising floodwaters on a pond embankment in Queensland, Australia.
Flooding Kills Estimated 300,000-plus Cattle in Australia

It is estimated that anywhere from 300,000 to 500,000 cattle were killed in Australia during what has been described as a once in a lifetime flood.

Winter weather might require cows receive additional protein supplementation to maintain adequate body condition prior to calving.
Braving the Cold When Caring for Cattle This Winter

Cattle are generally doing fine in spite of the winter weather. Their rumens are keeping them warm, said Travis Mulliniks, beef cattle nutritionist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Jared Wareham: Get With The Program

Whichever way you look at it, increasing the opportunity for profit or decreasing the risk for loss, having an advanced genetic “scouting report” on feeders has value.

Whichever way you look at it, increasing the opportunity for profit or decreasing the risk for loss, having an advanced genetic “scouting report” on feeders has value.
Jared Wareham: Get With The Program

Whichever way you look at it, increasing the opportunity for profit or decreasing the risk for loss, having an advanced genetic “scouting report” on feeders has value.

The Winter of Mud: Consequences of the Wettest Year on Record
The Winter of Mud: Consequences of the Wettest Year on Record

The very prolonged cloudy, wet weather with regular bouts of rain has resulted in muddy conditions that require substantially more energy in feeds just to maintain body heat

Docility is an important trait that impacts beef operations' bottom lines in each sector of the industry.
Docility EPD Added to the Suite of Gelbvieh and Balancer EPDs

"The American Gelbvieh Association is excited to add the BOLT-powered docility EPD to the toolbox for producers utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics.

An unusually cold front is bringing snow to Montana and a sigh of relief from those who have been battling wildfires all summer.
Are Your Cows Ready for the Last Trimester of Pregnancy?

We are beginning to enter the last 3 months of gestation for the majority of spring-calving cows.

POLL: When Is Your Primary Calving Season?

Share with us the timing of your primary calving season, whether it’s a tight 60-day window or a seasonal timeframe. We'll report the results back to you.

Share with us the timing of your primary calving season, whether it’s a tight 60-day window or a seasonal timeframe. We'll report the results back to you.
POLL: When Is Your Primary Calving Season?

Share with us the timing of your primary calving season, whether it’s a tight 60-day window or a seasonal timeframe. We'll report the results back to you.

A cow and calf.
Passive Immune Status Within 24 Hours of Birth and Health of Calves

Passive immunity obtained from colostrum was an important factor determining the health of calves both pre- and post-weaning, and indirectly influenced calf growth rate during the same periods.

Veterinarian Pleads Guilty to Helping Illegally Move 60,000 Cattle
Veterinarian Pleads Guilty to Helping Illegally Move 60,000 Cattle

After helping illegally move more than 60,000 cattle across state lines a Kentucky veterinarian has pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges.

Service is top of mind for this Kansas veterinarian.
I'm A Drover: Service-Minded Veterinarian

Service is top of mind for this Kansas veterinarian.

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The 3 Stages of Parturition in Cattle

As the spring calving season approaches, an increased understanding of the parturition process is helpful.

<p>Farm Bill</p>
Cattlemen Pleased with 2018 Farm Bill; Urge ‘Yes’ Votes

Both the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) are happy with elements of the farm bill.

As background, medusahead has invaded about 5 million acres of pastures in the western U.S.
Study Shows Optimal Way to Control Invasive Medusahead

Weedy grass drastically reduces forage production in Western pastures.

<p>Deworming cattle</p>
Treating Internal Parasites in Cattle Herds Protects Producer Profits

Taking care of internal parasites is an annual or biannual proactive measure producers follow to protect their cattle herds and ultimately their operations’ bottom line.

Wyatt Bechtel
Body Condition Score at Calving is the Key to Young Cow Success

Producers are faced with the challenge of maintaining body condition on the replacement heifers through the calving season and into next spring.

Tally Time: Troubleshooting Poor Pregnancy Rates
Tally Time: Troubleshooting Poor Pregnancy Rates

Information on when cows did get pregnant during the breeding season can be very informative.

While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay.
Limit Feeding Cows Corn as an Alternative to Hay

While hay is often used to feed cows through the winter, current prices make corn a competitive option to feeding hay.

Incorporating good stockmanship during sorting, loading and unloading can assist in reducing bruising.
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Focus on Transportation

Incorporating good stockmanship during sorting, loading and unloading can assist in reducing bruising.

Maintain Body Condition Between Calving and the Breeding Season
Maintain Body Condition Between Calving and the Breeding Season

Body condition score at calving is the single most important trait determining when a cow resumes heat cycles and therefore when she is likely to re-conceive for the next calf crop.

Three Tips for Winter Feeding Beef Cattle

Grazing longer, feeding hay and supplementing grain are all ways to keep cattle fed in winter.

Grazing longer, feeding hay and supplementing grain are all ways to keep cattle fed in winter.
Three Tips for Winter Feeding Beef Cattle

Grazing longer, feeding hay and supplementing grain are all ways to keep cattle fed in winter.

Mysterious Cattle Deaths Still Under Investigation in Arizona

The death of 24 cattle in Arizona is being investigated by multiple government agencies.

Bunk space can vary depending on if calves were preconditioned or not prior to entering the feedlot.
Preconditioned vs Weaned Calves can Affect Bunk Space Requirements

Bunk space can vary depending on if calves were preconditioned or not prior to entering the feedlot.

The death of 24 cattle in Arizona is being investigated by multiple government agencies.
Mysterious Cattle Deaths Still Under Investigation in Arizona

The death of 24 cattle in Arizona is being investigated by multiple government agencies.

Feeling squeezed?
3 Issues Squeezing Livestock Producers

In a marketplace where margins are tight, change can be hard—and expensive.

Kentucky Company, Veterinarian Charged for Illegally Shipping Cattle

A Kentucky cattle company and veterinarian are alleged to have shipped more than 60,000 cattle without proper health inspections and falsifying documents for at least 600 different certificates.

A Kentucky cattle company and veterinarian are alleged to have shipped more than 60,000 cattle without proper health inspections and falsifying documents for at least 600 different certificates.
Kentucky Company, Veterinarian Charged for Illegally Shipping Cattle

A Kentucky cattle company and veterinarian are alleged to have shipped more than 60,000 cattle without proper health inspections and falsifying documents for at least 600 different certificates.