by Travis Meteer, University of Illinois, Beef Extension Educator Are you sifting through stacks of bull sale catalogs looking for your next bull? While bull selection can be a daunting task, your choice will impact your herd for years to come. Thus, taking some time to think about what you need from your next herd sire […]
Category: Featured
Implementing a Herd Health Program
If healthy calves are your goal, there are several “don’t stop” management decisions you should consider. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true when it comes to building a successful health program. Vaccination, nutrition and stress management continue to be the cornerstones of a comprehensive herd health program. Cost […]
To Bed or Not To Bed
by Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate, courtesy of iGrow.org “To bed or not to bed?” With apologies to William Shakespeare, that is the question on many feedlot managers’ minds as we head into the winter months. Will providing bedding result in enough extra performance to outweigh the additional expenses in both material […]
3 Tips to Prepare for Calving Season
You’ve been waiting nine months to see if your cattle nutrition and breeding decisions were on track and D-day is almost here. Kevin Glaubius, Director of Nutrition and Regulatory Support at BioZyme® Inc., offers three tips to make sure you are prepared for this calving season. Make Sure Your Calving Kit is Ready There is […]
Health programs are vital to a profitable herd
by Twig Marston, Technical Sales Field Manager Health programs are vital to a profitable herd. It seems simple, but really it is one of the more complex management decisions producers need to implement. Nonetheless, producers need to build herd health protocols that prevent disease, treat illnesses and injuries, as well as promote animal well-being. There are […]
5 Tips for Beef Cow Herd Winter Supplementation
With first blast of winter weather quickly approaching, have you thought about what that means to your cow herd? Keeping cattle in good condition through the fall and into early winter ultimately helps insulate the animal and minimize the amount of feed required later in the winter season. Kevin Glaubius, Director of Nutrition and Technical Sales […]
Focus on Body Condition Scores Prior to Calving
There is a little bit of irony when we say “spring” calving is around the corner. However, regardless of when calves will hit the ground, you want to make sure you and your cows are prepared. Calf prices are certainly not what they were last year, but at this point, every live calf means dollars […]
Understanding the Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship
Article courtesy of Russ Daly, DVM, DACVPM, igrow.org By now, livestock producers are becoming aware of soon-to-be-implemented changes in how feed grade antibiotics are used, in the form of expanded use of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Producers using feed grade medications such as chlortetracycline and tylosin will need to obtain a prescription-like VFD form from a veterinarian before they’re […]
When Times Get Tough…Don’t Stop!
Supplementation programs will always be important building blocks for cow herd nutrition programs. During “belt tightening” times, getting the most bang for your buck becomes even more critical when selecting which, how much and what supplements to feed. It has been repeatedly proven that proper mineral, feed additive and protein supplementation will economically increase beef […]
Prepare for the Worst During Fall Calving
Source: Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service – Northeast District’s Timely Topics Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar is quoted saying “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” Most cattle producers do a really good job with management while expecting the best but sometimes we lack on preparing for the worst. There are steps that each […]
