Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Calving season can be both exciting and challenging. While most cattle deliver calves without complications, dystocia – or difficult calving – may occur. Reviewing what normal deliveries look like, recognizing the signs of dystocia, and understanding...
Cow depreciation is a significant cost for cow-calf producers, often ranking as the second largest expense after feed. Despite its impact on profitability, it is frequently overlooked. Depreciation represents the loss of value in a cow over its productive...
The Sandhills System involves moving pregnant cows on to different “clean” ground while leaving freshly calved pairs in the field they were born in. This method helps minimize direct contact between older calves and younger calves and reduces the...
Creep feeding and creep grazing are supplemental nutrition strategies for nursing beef calves, each offering distinct benefits and considerations depending on management goals, forage quality, and market conditions.
Key Highlights
Creep Feeding:
Practice: Supplements calves with feed via self-feeders or...
Source: Oklahoma State University
Research has shown that the young calf is the most at risk for vitamin A deficiency in cow-calf systems. Vitamin A plays several important roles in the body, one of which is immune function. Marginal deficiencies...
Source: National Farm Animal Care Council, Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, Appendix C
The basis of a cow–calf enterprise is a healthy cow with a healthy nursing calf. Knowing when and how to help...
As calves are weaned in late October and November for spring-calving beef herds, producers are encouraged to use this transition period to assess the body condition scores (BCS) of their cow herds. Weaning provides an ideal opportunity to evaluate...
By mid-November, most cow-calf operators in the U.S. are feeding hay or preparing to do so, as winter feed costs represent the largest expense in cow-calf production. Following a tight hay supply in 2022, 2023 saw improved production, leading...
Bovine Respiratory Disease (“BRD”) or “shipping fever”, also known as bronchopneumonia, continues to be the most common cause of illness and death in postweaned (stocker) calves despite significant improvements in the vaccines and antibiotics available today. Traditionally, disease prevention...
The initial two weeks in a feedyard are crucial for cattle health and performance. During this time, minimizing stress and following specific feeding, hydration, and processing protocols can help ensure a smooth transition.
Reducing Stress Upon Arrival
To reduce stress, cattle...
