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 […]
Category: VitaFerm News
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 […]
Four Accounting Programs to Help Improve Your Operation
Accounting is the language of business. Not having accurate accounting information is like trying to get on the right train in Tokyo when you don’t speak Japanese. In the end, you will be lost and unsure of your business’ financial footprint. Whether you’re a beginning farmer or have a thriving business, accounting software can make […]
Best Management Practices for Weaning and Feeding Calves
by Twig Marston, Technical Sales Field Manager When it comes to weaning and feeding calves, there are several best management practices (BMPs) you don’t want to stop. When focusing on BMPs you can create an effective management system and improve calf health and productivity. Tying nutrition, vaccination and management programs together minimizes problems, builds value and […]
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 […]
Determine Whether the Herd Bull Stays or Goes
By Patrick Wall, ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist This article may seem several months early for many cattle producers in the Upper Midwest; the combine and grain dryer demand a lot more attention than the cow herd this time of year. However, early fall is actually the most opportune time to evaluate bull power, […]
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 […]
