Since the traditional time for getting calves ready for grass is close to over, it is good to review your protocols, methods, and any issues you had this year and introduce ways to improve next year. There are two main ways ranchers process calves. The first is the traditional way we call ‘branding,’ where calves
Beef 911: How can you improve your calf processing?
There are always ways to improve and it’s worthwhile reviewing how things went this year
Beef 911: The last thing you want to see in a prized bull
Injuries that prevent a bull from breeding can be successfully treated, and about 50 per cent of cases will heal
Numerous times during the breeding season, calls come in to veterinary clinics in regards to swellings along the sheath of bulls. In many instances, a favourable outcome is highly attainable. And with today’s bull prices this may be good news. The location of the swelling says a lot about its cause. Generally if the penis
Beef 911: A close examination of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation form
Evaluating a bull isn’t straightforward and there are a number of factors to consider
In talking with astute, diligent and thorough cattlemen, it’s come to my attention that a close examination of the Breeding Soundness Evaluation form is clearly warranted. All conscientious breeders will make them available before a sale or for sure at the point of delivery. Specific things on the form may be more applicable depending on
Beef 911: Intestinal problems can come out of the blue
Some calves seem to be flourishing but they are suddenly struck down
Every spring, the sudden deaths of apparently healthy calves frustrate good managers. This article will shed some light on the cause of these internal conditions and help producers realize some things are simply beyond their control. We see one to two per cent perforating ulcers every spring on many well-managed farms. These are ulcers on
Beef 911: A vet’s guide to the proper use of calf pullers
The goal is to deliver a lively calf, not just one that’s alive, and have the cow in good shape to rebreed
Although calf pullers are not used today near as much as past years they still have an important place in the calving barn if used properly. To me, every cow-calf producer, and some feedlot owners, need one — especially if they are often alone when calving. By using common guidelines when pulling, a calf puller
Beef 911: Equipment for the calving barn
When calving season hits, there is no time to go shopping — so here’s a checklist of what you need
As with any work area on the farm, having the proper equipment, keeping it maintained and disinfected, and stocking the area with the right pharmaceuticals will help ensure a successful calving season. The one critical component is with biosecurity. With many cows and their mothers moving through the calving area at a stressful time, it
Beef 911: Cattlemen can ensure biosecurity on the ranch
Maintaining a few simple precautions can minimize the risk of disease outbreaks
Biosecurity refers to protecting the health of our livestock by preventing disease transmission. The extreme happened many years ago now regarding the spread of foot-and-mouth through Britain. A more likely example would be the spread of scours from farm to farm or from pen to pen within the farm itself. This article will try and
Beef 911: Kidney disease in cattle more common than realized
If symptoms are noticed early enough, treatment can be effective
Early recognition and treatment of kidney disease in cattle can often have a favourable prognosis. The capacity of the kidneys is great so often we may not see any specific clinical signs until two-thirds of the total kidneys’ capacity are damaged. There are many causes of toxic damage to the kidneys but this article will
Beef 911: ‘Hardware disease’ is a common problem in cow herds
Good pasture sanitation is important, and rumen magnets are a good investment
Vets call it traumatic reticuloperitonitis, but it’s better known as “hardware disease,” a term referring to a medical condition caused when an object penetrates through the reticulum, or second stomach causing infection in the abdomen. If a sharp object goes through the diaphragm, the cow can die of heart failure. Hardware disease drains production of
Beef 911: Lead poisoning in cattle continues to be toxic problem
Vehicle batteries have been responsible for several cases this year
Even with ever-increasing education, lead poisoning is still the No. 1 toxic cause of death we see as veterinarians in cattle-producing areas, especially on calves. This article will review the disease, the common sources of lead for cattle, and the circumstances where they occur. Hopefully, this will result in fewer deaths from lead exposure, which
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