Keeping cattle healthy and gaining are priorities for cattle producers; but when you can keep them healthy and gaining while saving some money at the same time, that is something everyone can get excited about. CV Ledbetter & Son is a diversified cattle operation located at Okmulgee, Okla. The cow-calf segment includes a Hereford and […]
Don’t Fall Victim to Weaning Woes
By Twig Marston, BioZyme® Beef Business Development & Field Support When the time comes to wean calves, producers have a lot of decisions to make on weaning strategies, vaccination programs and feeding protocols. However, the most important decisions producers will make are how to keep their calves healthy, on feed and gaining weight. Ensuring a […]
Managing Selenium in the Diet
Maintaining accurate levels of Selenium in your cattle diets can be a challenge – you don’t want to feed an excess and you don’t want to feed too little. The need for interaction with other nutrients, deficiency, and toxic effects of Selenium has been intensely studied, making guidelines and feeding recommendations fairly straightforward. The challenge […]
Considerations for Creep Feed
To creep, or not to creep? That is the million dollar question for many producers. When determining whether or not to creep feed, a producer must assess financial variables with production goals to determine what creep protocol (if any) is the best fit for their production scenario. Prior to weaning, a calf’s diet consists of […]
Begin Preparing for the Next Drought
by Patrick Gunn, Iowa State University It is no secret that the Southeast experienced a significant drought in 2016. Historically, droughts tend to move north and west, and, as such, those of us in the Midwest should be planning ahead for potential forage restriction. This projected drought highlights the necessity of making plenty of good-quality […]
VitaFerm Concept•Aid 5/S Now Available with MOS
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S is now available with MOS. Concept•Aid is a line of vitamin and mineral supplements for beef cattle formulated to promote effective, easy breeding when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding. High concentrations of vitamin E and organic trace minerals, coupled with the Amaferm® advantage, support quick repair of the reproductive […]
Tips to Reduce and Handle Heat in Your Stock
Warmer temperatures are quickly approaching, and that means producers should start considering how to help their animals handle the heat. Heat stress is almost inevitable, but some management practices can be implemented to help animals better cope with rising temperatures. All mammals regulate their internal body temperature involuntarily. Heat stress occurs when the animal’s ability […]
Timely Internal Parasite Control Needed for Positive Summer Gains
by Dana Zook, Oklahoma State University NW Area Livestock Specialist, With early spring growth comes new infestations of internal parasites in beef herds. The practice of deworming cattle for internal parasite control has been a best management practice many years, however, this concealed enemy is easily overlooked. Strategic deworming starts with the understanding of the parasite life cycle. […]
Tips for Bloat Prevention when Grazing Wheat Pasture
For many cattle producers in the Plains states, putting stockers out on wheat pasture in the spring makes perfect sense. The pasture is an available, palatable forage source that is high in protein, energy and minerals. However, too much of a good thing can be harmful, and that includes grazing your calves on wheat pasture, […]
Considerations for Getting Weaned Calves to the Bunk
It’s time to start thinking about weaning those fall-born calves, and although you expect to hear some upset mama cows and calves for a few days, there are ways to eliminate stress in the calves and keep them healthy by getting them to the bunk to eat. Three key factors to getting calves used to […]
