Calving season presents unique challenges for producers, but proactive planning can significantly reduce stress and ensure success. While factors like weather and feed availability are beyond control, focusing on four critical areas can help producers navigate the season with...
Properly designed cattle handling facilities are critical for implementing essential health and management practices while ensuring the safety of both animals and handlers. Facilities that promote low-stress cattle handling not only improve animal welfare but also enhance productivity and...
Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Background
Collection, Handling and Feeding
Chaff can be handled and collected in either of two ways. It can be collected and dropped on top of the straw swath, where it can then be baled using a...
Source: Oklahoma State University
By Paul Vining, Paul Beck, Kellie Curry Raper, David Lalman, Blake Wilson, Rosslyn Biggs, Derrell Peel
Beef Calf Preconditioning
Within the beef industry, "preconditioning" typically refers to the implementation of management practices aimed at enhancing calf immunity and...
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...
