Baxter Black, DVM: The Squeeze Chute

Baxter Black, DVM: The Squeeze Chute

The sun shone dull on its metal bars.

The snow lay drifted against her frame.

Full Story

Livestock Producers, Veterinarians Face Increased Oversight on Antibiotic Use

Livestock Producers, Veterinarians Face Increased Oversight on Antibiotic Use

Victoria G. Myers

Progressive Farmer

California’s legislature is being given kudos for passing a tough bill aimed at halting the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Senate Bill 27 (SB 27) adds a level of regulation to the FDA’s implementation of GFI No. 209, commonly referred to within the livestock industry as the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD).

Full Story

Don’t let weather impact last stage of calf development

Don’t let weather impact last stage of calf development

Farm and Ranch Guide

More than 75 percent of fetal growth occurs in the last trimester, due in part to the rapid growth of a calf’s tissues. For many beef producers the period of rapid development also coincides with extremely variable weather conditions that often include rain, wind, sleet and snow.

Full Story

Establishing Corn Silage Value

Establishing Corn Silage Value

Warren Rusche

iGrow

Corn silage represents the base of many beef and dairy diets in the Midwest for a number of very good reasons. Properly harvested corn silage is an excellent forage resource that can be used in a number of feeding situations. A large quantity of feed can be harvested from a relatively small land area in a short period of time, especially with modern corn genetics and silage harvesting equipment. However, assigning accurate values to corn silage can be challenging as there are few if any published market prices.

Full Story

PETA turns 35, still using sex and shock for animal causes

PETA turns 35, still using sex and shock for animal causes

SUE MANNING

Sioux City Journal

PETA has done a lot with a little sex, shock and shame. One of the longest-running and sexiest stunts you will see in online ads around the world is a group of naked women who choose to wear nothing rather than wear fur, said Ingrid Newkirk, president and co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Full Story

How do you react when the (really) bad days happen?

How do you react when the (really) bad days happen?

Troy Marshall

BEEF

Bad days in the ranching business just happen. The calf that bloats, the horse that goes lame, the chain that breaks on the feed truck, the new four-wheeler that burns up in the pasture. I’m sure you could add 10 more things to the list without really trying. That’s because ranching forces you to deal with daily problems.

Full Story

Preventing Prussic Acid Poisoning

Preventing Prussic Acid Poisoning

Dr. John Andrae

Southeast Cattle Advisor

A significant risk of grazing certain species of drought or frost-damaged forages is hydrocyanic acid poisoning. This is more commonly known as prussic acid or cyanide poisoning. While prussic acid toxicity occurs less frequently than nitrate poisoning, cases are not uncommon in South Carolina. This bulletin will review causes of prussic acid poisoning and offer management strategies to help prevent animal losses.

Full Story

Autumn answers to cattle questions

Autumn answers to cattle questions

Justin Sexten

High Plains Journal

As summer turned to autumn, you faced familiar questions. Do I market calves at weaning or precondition them? Which heifers should I keep? Record prices made answers a bit easier last year, but with those on the decline you may want to consider alternatives.

Full Story

Inventory Stored Feeds Now

Inventory Stored Feeds Now

Travis Meteer

University of Illinois

The dry fall weather has been optimal for farmers harvesting crops, however it has left pastures without needed moisture to grow fall forage. As a result, it is becoming glaringly evident that cattle producers need to inventory feeds and make sure they have the needed amounts of stored feed in case they are forced to start feeding cattle earlier than expected.

Full Story

Pasture to Pounds: Using Rumensin in growing cattle

Pasture to Pounds: Using Rumensin in growing cattle

BEEF

Beef cows, stockers and replacement heifers can all benefit from improved efficiency with Rumensin, the only ionophore approved for use in beef cows. Doug Hufstdler, Ph.D. and Elanco technical consultant, talks about implementing Rumensin to grow healthy beef cows, stockers and replacement heifers.

Full Story