We are all trying to get factual information on the health, production and welfare of our herds. Sometimes it is hard to stay abreast of all the information. Publications like this one, and websites of the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattle Association and provincial beef producers’ groups, can help with that. YouTube videos, if
Podcasts a great medium for expert beef advice
Beef 911: Podcasts are convenient and can offer what producers need to know, when they need to know it and with many ways to listen
More information is better when looking for your next herd sire
Beef 911: Scrotal size is a key indicator and getting reliable, consistent measurements isn’t difficult
Scrotal circumference and scrotal palpation are among the quickest, repeatable and fact-revealing pieces of information we can get on bulls. Some breeds get away with less scrotal size, but we have also seen that scrotal size, on average, has gone up through selection. Because it is quite heritable, fertility improves. However, we are probably reaching
Often a tranquilizer makes things easier for cattle and their owner
Beef 911: There is a non-prescription product that has many uses and can be administered by producers
There are many times when tranquilization makes it easier on both cattle and the operator. The main tranquilizer I am talking about is acepromazine, a member of the phenothiazine tranquilizer family. It is not a prescription product and producers can be trained in its usage and in the way it is delivered. Since the dosage is pretty
It’s more rare these days, but grain overload has a big impact in cows
Beef 911: Mixed rations and better storage have reduced cases, but take care when increasing grain in a ration
Grain overload has been drastically reduced over the years thanks to nutritionists, total mixed rations and fewer incidents of accidental ingestion. But let’s review the condition, treatment and, most importantly, the ways to prevent it. Grain overload occurs when there is over-consumption of a carbohydrate source, most often grain. I have treated severe overload when
We have very safe pharmaceuticals, but they must be used properly
Beef 911: Mistakes can happen if you don’t pay close attention to labels and used the correct route of administration
There are various toxicity tests that determine how effective a product is and how to safely use it. There is an acronym called LD 50 (for lethal dose), which is the concentration or amount of a product to kill 50 per cent of the patients. Fortunately, most cattle products we use are very safe. But
We should celebrate change and raise those low vaccination rates
Beef 911: Thoughts on how things are getting better, the joy of hydraulic chutes, and vaccination hesitancy
They say the only constant is change, and one only has to think back on how we used to do things to see the great changes that have happened in the cattle industry. Advancements in technology, vaccines, reproductive technologies, nutrition, handling, production genetics and animal welfare are abundant. I think most of these changes have been positive and, above
Birthweight isn’t as straightforward as it should be
Beef 911: Believe it or not, the methods for determining this critical number can vary a great deal
Purebred producers diligently weigh their calves to give the purebred bull purchasers an accurate prediction, adding that information to data on bull selection and calving ease. It is highly heritable, so birthweight and birthweight EPDs, as well as calving ease, are usually listed in bull sale catalogues. Purebred and commercial products need to be aware of several
Leptospirosis and reproductive losses in beef cattle
Beef 911: While clinical cases are not common in Western Canada, detection of lepto titres in AI bulls can be a problem
Leptospirosis has been seen rarely in Western Canada. The three large pharma companies have leptospirosis vaccines, usually in combination with the standard five-way viral vaccines. They do not sell many doses, which indicates low frequency. In veterinary practice, we have suspected it when seeing bloody diarrhea or with a high open rate or abortions. Leptospirosis
What’s your secret to keeping bull calves from being injured?
Beef 911: Raising bulls is challenging, and sharing tips and tricks would be very helpful
I don’t think this research has ever been done, but if one were to track purebred bull calves from an early age until sale you would find the two top reasons for culling, selling, death and other losses are fertility and injuries. I would include lameness in this tally as a high percentage of this
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is hitting the next level
Beef 911: There are now a variety of NSAIDs and we can select the right ones for specific situations
I just listened to a talk by two technical services veterinarians with Merck animal health. What I liked about the presentation was they broke down the different disease categories we have on our farms and ranches, and went over what probably would be the first choice for an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and the second
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