Beef - General

Beef-on-Dairy is Becoming a Bigger Engine for the Beef Supply Chain

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:58:56 GMT

Beef-on-dairy has become a significant part of the U.S. beef supply over the past decade, gaining momentum much like a freight train that keeps picking up speed. In fact, roughly 20% of today’s beef now traces back to a dairy cow, reflecting how integrated dairy production has become with the broader beef value chain.

And according to Matthew Cleveland of ABS Global and Nick Hardcastle of Cargill North America, that momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

“I think we’re all aware of the scope and magnitude of what beef-on-dairy has become and the significant role it plays within our beef supply chain today,” Cleveland noted during a panel at the 2026 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association conference.

He says the sector’s growth has also changed how the dairy and beef industries view one another. Rather than operating as separate segments, the lines between them have blurred.

“The dairy business is a big part of the beef business,” Cleveland says. “I don’t even like to separate them now. We’re all in the beef business, and we value partnership with our dairy producers.”

As beef-on-dairy has expanded, more attention has turned to decisions made on the dairy, where breeding choices directly influence how those calves perform all the way through the beef system.

Breeding With the Beef End in Mind

In the early days of beef-on-dairy, breeding decisions were driven largely by convenience rather than genetic intent. Beef semen was often selected based on price and availability rather than how those genetics would fit the needs of the beef sector.

“Before people really started thinking about beef sire genetics on dairy cows, there wasn’t much consideration for what those genetics actually were,” Cleveland says. “Most decisions came down to what semen was already in the tank or what was free. The main goal was simply getting the cow pregnant.”

That approach began to change as the industry started to see beef-on-dairy as a long-term genetic opportunity rather than just a reproductive tool.

“We began looking at beef‑on‑dairy more seriously from a genetic improvement standpoint around 2012,” Cleveland says. “We started to see the signals that beef-on-dairy was growing.”

Not long after, dedicated breeding programs were being developed across genetic companies to address the needs of both dairy producers and the beef supply chain. Today, Cleveland says those programs continue to evolve, with commercial performance data feeding back into genetic evaluations to drive ongoing improvement.

From ‘Black Holsteins’ to Beef-Calf Performance

During the early days of beef-on-dairy, crossbred calves exposed real challenges for the beef industry. Cleveland notes that many of these animals were simply viewed as “black Holsteins,” which cooled enthusiasm among packers.

“If you think back to 2013-14, you were just trying to create a black calf,” he notes. “We weren’t seeing the performance that you would expect from a beef calf. And for a few years, I think that soured the supply chain on the idea of beef-on-dairy.”

As sire selection became more intentional, however, performance improved. By 2017-18, Cleveland says calves coming from dairy cows began to more closely resemble traditional beef calves.

“We had to create animals that were going to perform,” Cleveland says. “And for us, that was really about focusing our genetic improvement to ensure we selected for the right things each segment wanted.”

Some of those genetic improvements included:

Fertility and calving traits for dairies
Feed efficiency and growth traits for feedyards
Carcass merit and consistency traits for the packers

According to Cleveland, these efforts have helped beef-on-dairy calves perform more like native beef cattle. And by focusing on traits that matter for dairies, feedyards and packers, the beef-on-dairy animals that we know today are much more consistent and valuable.

Performance Trends from the Packer’s Rail

With beef-on-dairy calves now performing more like traditional beef cattle, packers see that consistency as essential for maintaining quality and keeping cattle moving through the system.

“Beef-on-dairy is a very important thing for the beef industry right now, especially when we’re talking about capacity,” Hardcastle says. “We have to make sure we have a beef population that can meet our consumers’ demand.”

Importantly, he emphasizes that these animals are not bringing down overall standards in the beef industry.

“They’re good for the consumer,” Hardcastle says. “Tenderness data shows they perform very well, making a positive impact. These aren’t just animals being blended in that lower beef quality; they actually help improve it.”

He references Cleveland’s remarks, highlighting how focused breeding and feeding approaches have contributed to stronger quality grades.

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen quality grade continuously improve,” he says. “Back in 2021, these animals graded 80% Choice or better. Today they’re leveling at about 92% Choice.”

Hardcastle says beef-on-dairy cattle are also making a notable contribution to Prime.

“From a marbling perspective, almost two-thirds of these cattle could qualify for upper two-thirds Choice,” he says. “The ones that don’t usually fall short because of factors like hot carcass weight, ribeye size and fat thickness.”

From a carcass quality perspective, Hardcastle says beef-on-dairy is delivering the kind of results the industry needs. They’re grading well, adding stability to supply and proving they can hold their own in a system that demands both consistency and performance.

Processing Challenges Inside the Plant

Even as grades and marbling improve, processors are still working through carcass traits that affect returns, particularly excess kidney, pelvic and heart (KPH) fat. Hardcastle explains that beef-on-dairy cattle often mirror their Holstein roots, tending to carry more KPH fat than native beef animals.

“From a packing perspective, you pay for a carcass with the kidney, pelvic and heart fat in it, but that fat can’t be sold as beef,” Hardcastle says. “It ends up in the tallow market at 50 to 60 cents a pound, compared with about $3.60 on a beef grid, creating an immediate value loss.”

On today’s heavier carcasses, even modest differences in KPH can add up.

“If I have a 950-lb. carcass, which is pretty common today, that can mean about 12 extra pounds of internal fat instead of saleable meat,” he says. “That difference can cost $30 to $40 per head.”

These carcass differences are also highlighting the limits of traditional yield grade assumptions.

“Yield grade is meant to estimate how much salable red meat a carcass will produce,” Hardcastle explains.

Based on ribeye size, backfat and carcass weight, beef-on-dairy cattle should cut better than native beef, but yield grades often don’t reflect their true performance.

“Yield grade and beef-on-dairy really aren’t closely related,” he says. “Research shows that yield grading doesn’t reliably predict cutability or value for Holsteins or beef-on-dairy cattle.”

This mismatch shows that standard measures like yield grade, internal fat and weight don’t always capture the real value of beef-on-dairy animals, making it challenging for processors to price and sort them at the rail. To address this, Cargill is testing new technology called SizeR to capture 3D carcass measurements at chain speed.

“So, we can evaluate the full composition of these animals, not just traditional ribeye and fat thickness,” Hardcastle says. “This will help feeders and geneticists be able to better target the right traits to improve cutability and consistency.”

Growing and Permanent Force

Each year, millions of beef-on-dairy calves enter the market, providing a reliable source of high-quality cattle that deliver value from the dairy all the way to the packer.

“We have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 [million] to 3.5 million beef-on-dairy calves in the market today, which obviously represents a significant proportion of that beef supply chain,” Cleveland adds.

That presence is prompting both dairy and beef participants to think differently about their place in the larger system.

“At every stage, from the dairy to the feedyard to the packer, these animals are performing and adding value,” Hardcastle says. “We understand the significance of beef-on-dairy, and we know that beef-on-dairy is not going away.”

As the industry continues to refine how these cattle are evaluated and managed, beef-on-dairy is positioned to remain a dependable contributor to both supply and consumer demand. With ongoing genetic gains and strong beef demand fueling the engine, the sector is gaining momentum and becoming a permanent fixture in the beef supply chain.

What About the Other AI?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:17:57 GMT

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t new to agriculture, but it has reached a point where it is no longer limited to research projects or niche tools. What’s driving its growing visibility in cattle health and production is pressure.

Cattle values are high, input costs are higher and small inefficiencies now carry outsized consequences. At the same time, cattle operations are managing more data than ever, often spread across disconnected systems that are difficult to interpret quickly.

AI is emerging as a way to manage that complexity. Not by automating care or decision-making outright, but by processing information continuously and surfacing patterns that would be impractical to track manually. Harold Birch of UnCommon Farms and Robert Terry of Folio3 spoke at CattleCon on how AI could be used to improve how we work on the farm and with animal health.

From Raw Data to Continuous Awareness

A central theme of the discussion was early awareness. AI systems are designed to absorb large volumes of information, learn what “normal” looks like over time and flag changes as they emerge.

“It gives us more insight quicker than we can see with our own eye,” Birch explains. “The AI agent learns from you and gathers information out of your systems and gives it back to you in real time.”

That capability applies broadly — across health signals, operational workflows and financial data.

Rather than relying on episodic review or fixed schedules, AI enables a more continuous view of what is changing within an operation or across herds. This represents a shift from reacting to visible problems toward noticing drift sooner with AI analysis.

Pattern Recognition at a Different Scale

Pattern recognition is one of AI’s core strengths. These systems improve through use, refining their outputs as more data flow through them. They are not static tools; they learn from repeated exposure to real-world conditions.

“AI is not one-and-done,” Terry says. “You put it in place, and it just keeps getting better. It learns from itself — when we put things in place that were 85% accurate and four to six weeks later it’s 99%-plus.”

This adaptation makes it easier to identify subtle trends that might otherwise blend into day-to-day variability. Instead of relying on predefined thresholds alone, AI can recognize deviations because it has learned what typical performance looks like across time, conditions and systems.

Why AI Keeps Coming Back to Economics

Most current AI applications on farms are tied to cost and operational efficiency rather than direct revenue gains. AI speeds up routine work, reduces friction in accessing information and helps identify inefficiencies that quietly accumulate over a season.

“The impacts that we can have in agriculture usually revolve around cost and daily operations,” Birch says. “Most of it has been around the cost components. Things like detecting weeds, detecting sick animals and finding where animals are located.”

For animal health, this economic context shapes how AI fits into advisory roles. Insights that support earlier intervention, better timing or avoided losses tend to resonate more strongly than tools positioned purely around novelty.

Ideas for Where to Start With AI

Birch and Terry emphasize that AI does not need to be adopted perfectly — or all at once — to be useful. Its value often becomes clear through trial, not theory. Practical starting points include:

Use AI to scan for change — Apply AI to monitor for deviations in health, performance or operations so attention is drawn to what looks different, not just what is scheduled to be checked.
Summarize before you analyze — Use AI tools to pull together and summarize information from multiple sources before reviews or discussions, reducing time spent searching for context.
Focus on early signals, not final answers — Treat AI outputs as indicators of where to look first rather than conclusions. Earlier awareness alone can be valuable.
Reduce repetitive manual work — Experiment with AI for organizing, importing or synthesizing routine information, such as records, reports or metrics, freeing time for higher-level evaluation.
Apply it where consistency is hardest — AI is especially useful where scale, distance or workload makes consistent monitoring difficult. It can help standardize awareness across people, sites or time.
Test one workflow at a time — Start small, evaluate whether it improves clarity or efficiency and move on if it doesn’t. Learning what doesn’t work is part of the process.

AI as a Capability, Not a Commitment

Above all, Terry recommends dipping your toe in and seeing what AI can do for you.

“It’s not a spectator sport. When I first got involved with AI, I thought I had to do it perfectly and know a lot. Actually, the best thing you can do is get in and start doing it,” Terry says.

Waiting to understand everything before engaging often means never engaging at all. At the same time, not every tool will be worth keeping, and applying the wrong one can add complexity without benefit.

Rather than a single investment decision, AI is better viewed as a capability to explore. Used thoughtfully, it changes how quickly patterns are noticed, how efficiently information is handled and how confidently decisions can be made. For cattle practice, that shift is what makes AI worth paying attention to.

Will Beef-on-Dairy Help Rebuild America’s Record-Low Cattle Numbers?

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:10:39 GMT

America’s cow herd has shrunk to levels not seen in 75 years, falling to 86.2 million head. Weather challenges, high input costs and record cattle prices have made heifer retention a difficult decision for many beef producers, keeping numbers tight. In response, more feedlots have turned their attention toward the dairy sector, where beef-on-dairy calves are helping to fill the gap.

Can Beef-on-Dairy Help Fill Feedlot Pens?

As beef cow numbers continue to slide, beef‑on‑dairy calves have stepped up, offering feedlots a steady source of quality cattle. That growing demand is giving dairy farmers a chance to cash in on a market with lucrative returns.

A 2024 industry survey found about 72% of dairy producers are actively using beef-on-dairy breeding programs, and production numbers mirror this trend. CattleFax estimates beef-on-dairy calf production jumped from just 50,000 head in 2014 to 3.22 million in 2024, with projections likely to reach 5 to 6 million head by 2026.

These trends are reflected in the latest USDA numbers, which show just how tight beef supplies are and how the dairy herd is playing a growing role in meeting demand:

The number of milk cows in the U.S. increased 2% to 9.57 million.

Total Cattle and Calves Inventory: 86.2 million head (down 0.35%)
Beef Cow Herd: 27.6 million head (down 1%)
2025 Calf Crop: 32.9 million head (smallest since 1941)
Beef Replacement Heifers: 4.71 million head (up 1%)

(USDA Data)

Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek believes the tightest supply of this entire cattle cycle could occur in the next 60 to 90 days. During a recent episode of “AgriTalk”, Kooima highlighted how beef-on-dairy has become a major component helping to keep the beef supply chain strong.

“The gorilla in the room, to me, is beef-on-dairy,” he says. “From a couple of standpoints, the dairy cow herd’s the biggest since 1993. It’s grown and grown, and why wouldn’t you if you can get $1,200 to $1,500 for a day-old calf?”

What used to be a steady stream of native beef calves is now increasingly made up of dairy-beef crosses. Feedlot managers say these cattle have helped provide something the beef industry has long struggled with — a reliable, steady supply.

Dr. Eric Belke, veterinarian and feedlot partner at Blackshirt Feeders in Nebraska, says that need for consistency is exactly why Blackshirt Feeders was designed around beef-on-dairy cattle.

“Historically, in the feedlot world, there has been a lot of seasonality. With the beef-on-dairy population, we have a very consistent flow of cattle throughout the year,” he explained during the 2025 MILK Business Conference. “We needed a very large and consistent supply chain.”

Belke’s experience highlights how some feedlots are restructuring their operations to lean heavily on beef-on-dairy cattle, designing facilities and supply chains around the predictability these animals provide.

“Our feedlot was really built for feeding beef-on-dairy animals,” Belke says. “Right now, we’re at a capacity of 100,000 head, and we’re under construction. Next year, we’ll be at 150,000 head. By the end of 2027, we’ll be at 200,000 head. Currently, we have about 87,000 head on feed, and over 90% of those are beef-on-dairy animals.”

What Impact is it Having on Packers?

That predictable pipeline isn’t just benefiting feedlots. Packers are seeing the results, too.

Each year, several hundred thousand beef-on-dairy animals are processed alongside native beef cattle. And the quality within these animals is strong, with many grading very high Choice and even Prime. That quality has helped secure their place in the market.

Nick Hardcastle, Cargill senior director of meat grading and technical specialist, explains beef-on-dairy calves are an upgrade to the traditional Holstein steer.

“Beef-on-dairy is more desirable because it helped overcome several Holstein difficulties,” he says. “Improvements include red meat yield — more meat to a consumer — as well as improved acceptance in branded programs.”

That progress comes from being more intentional with breeding and management. Since replacement females aren’t the goal for the dairy farmers producing these calves, they and their genetic partners can focus on the traits that matter most to the beef supply chain, like calving ease, feed efficiency, days to finish, carcass weight, marbling and overall yield.

Data is what makes that possible. By linking individual AI sires to feedyard performance and carcass outcomes through electronic identification and data sharing, some supply chains are reviewing sire performance every six months and making rapid adjustments. The result has been a measurable improvement in grade, efficiency and days to finish — driven by genetics and management working together.

The Other Side of a Hot Market

While the beef-on-dairy boom has been a big win for dairy farmers, not everyone is celebrating its rise in popularity. Kooima worries about the long-term effects of vertical integration and the growing control some companies now have over the supply chain.

“For the first time, you’ve got an integrator that can control an animal from its birthday and schedule it out 341 days later to slaughter,” he explains. “It’s a dream the packers chase. I watched what happened in hogs and poultry. This scares me to death. The combination of all of that is we’re losing price discovery. They’re going to try to slow it down as much as they can until they control the supply.”

That tension, between a system solving today’s supply problem and one that could reshape how cattle are marketed, is shaping much of the beef‑on‑dairy conversation.

With the U.S. native beef herd unlikely to rebound soon, beef-on-dairy is becoming an important part of keeping the supply chain steady. While the long-term market effects are still unfolding, the trend highlights how the dairy sector is helping meet the country’s ongoing demand for beef.

USDA Announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 21:52:07 GMT

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the launch of the N ew World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge. This funding opportunity marks a pivotal step in USDA’s comprehensive strategy to combat NWS and prevent its northward spread.

“This is a strategic investment in America’s farmers and ranchers and is an important action to ensure the safety and future success of our food supply, which is essential to our national security,” Rollins says. “These are the kinds of innovations that will help us stay ahead of this pest and protect our food supply and our economy, protecting the way of life of our ranchers and go towards rebuilding our cattle herd to lower consumer prices on grocery store shelves. We know we have tried-and-true tools and methods to defeat this pest, but we must constantly look for new and better methods and innovate our way to success. Together, through science, innovation, and collaboration, we can ensure we’re utilizing the latest tools and technology to combat NWS in Mexico and Central America and keep it out of the United States.”

As part of the Grand Challenge, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will make up to $100 million available to support innovative projects that enhance sterile NWS fly production, strengthen preparedness and response strategies, and safeguard U.S. agriculture, animal health, and trade.

Priority Areas for Funding

APHIS invites proposals that support one or more of the following objectives:

Enhance sterile NWS fly production
Develop novel NWS traps and lures
Develop and increase understanding of NWS therapeutics/treatments (i.e., products that could treat, prevent, or control NWS) for animals
Develop other tools to bolster preparedness or response to NWS

The notice of funding opportunity, including application instructions, eligibility, and program requirements, is available on the NWS Grand Challenge webpage . Applicants can also find information on the ezFedGrants website  or  Grants.gov  by searching USDA-APHIS-10025-OA000000-26-0001.  

Eligible applicants are invited to submit proposals that align with and support these priorities by the deadline on February 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Entities interested in submitting a proposal should ensure they are registered with the  U.S. Government System for Award Management (SAM) . Learn more about the basics of the funding process and  how to get ready to apply .  

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The New Age of Beef-on-Dairy is Here

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:54:00 GMT

Not long ago, beef-on-dairy was viewed as a side experiment to add value to low-demand dairy bull calves. Today, it’s become a practical strategy for both the dairy and feedlot sectors, boosting dairy margins while giving feedlots a steady, predictable supply of cattle.

As the segment has grown, the conversation has moved from whether it works to how it can work better. That evolution was front and center during the 2025 MILK Business Conference , where dairy producers and feedlot managers came together to compare notes, share lessons learned and discuss where beef-on-dairy is headed next.

(Farm Journal)

From Skepticism To Standard Practice

For many dairy producers, the first step into beef-on-dairy was taken cautiously. Daniel Vander Dussen, a New Mexico dairy farmer, remembers pushing back when beef-on-dairy was first introduced on his farm.

“We started giving it a try in 2017, so we weren’t the first ones to do it. I actually pushed back against it at first,” he says.

At the time, the idea of using beef semen on Holstein cows felt counterintuitive, especially after years of genetic progress focused mostly on milk production. The turning point came when calf buyers began to weigh in on value.

“Our custom calf raiser came to us and said, ‘Look, no matter what, your beef-on-dairy calves are going to bring you more than that Holstein steer ever will.’ So as soon as we figured that out, we went to beef-on-dairy. And looking back, I wish I would have started doing it even sooner,” Vander Dussen says.

That same progression has played out on a larger scale for Tony Lopes and his family’s fourth-generation California dairy. Over the past seven years, Lopes has helped turn beef-on-dairy from a trial concept into a central part of the operation. Today, the family milks 5,000 cows across four locations, produces about 3,800 beef-on-dairy animals annually and sources more than 12,000 additional crossbred calves from outside dairies and calf ranches.

(Angie Denton)

“Beef-on-dairy was becoming the trendy thing to do, and it coincided with us going through an expansion,” Lopes says.

During the farm’s expansion, replacement needs were secured using sexed semen. Once the dairy had hit their target, they stopped using conventional semen altogether and leaned fully into beef genetics. Today, the program has evolved even further, with calves raised from day-olds, to 400-lb. weights and up to 700 lb. to 750 lb. before marketing.

“In seven years, we’ve gone from knowing nothing about the feedlot side of beef-on-dairy to making it an incredibly big piece of our operation,” Lopes says.

What To Consider

For dairy producers like Lopes and Vander Dussen, as beef-on-dairy has cemented itself in the market, success has shifted from simply creating a black calf to producing one that fits the needs of the entire supply chain.

Feedlots and buyers are looking for cattle that finish the way they’re expected to, and that begins on the dairy. Breeding decisions, early calf health and how calves are managed in the first weeks all influence how predictable those animals will be later. As the market continues to mature, producers who plan ahead and stay connected to their buyers will be better set up for the long haul.

Begin With The End In Mind

Value doesn’t start at the feedlot. It starts on the dairy. Lopes says long-term success comes from thinking about how calves will be evaluated down the line. Animals that meet buyer and feedlot expectations are easier to market and more likely to earn premiums.

“If there isn’t value after the calf leaves your operation, it’s going to be difficult to capture more,” Lopes says. “Producers need to understand what buyers value and plan for that from the start.”

Vander Dussen learned that lesson over time.

“At first, as long as you had a black calf, that felt like enough,” he says. “But we quickly learned that feedlots care about more than just color. I wish we would have pushed harder for higher genetics right away.”

(Angie Denton)

Lopes bases genetics and buying decisions on conversations and data that align with his cattle marketing goals, not just individual traits.

“The goal is predictability,” he says. “You translate performance into dollars and make decisions from there.”

That same thinking carries into the feedyard.

“Everybody has to win within the chain,” says Dr. Eric Belke, veterinarian and feedlot partner at Blackshirt Feeders in Nebraska. “When data and feedback are interchanged, it leads to more consistent cattle and more value for everyone involved.”

Feedlots Crave Consistency

Collaboration matters with feedlots now leaning heavily on beef-on-dairy programs like those run by Lopes and Vander Dussen. These operations provide a steady supply of calves that grow and perform predictably, giving feedlots the scale and reliability they need.

Belke says that need for consistency is exactly why Blackshirt Feeders was designed around beef-on-dairy cattle.

“Our feedlot was really built for feeding beef-on-dairy animals,” Belke says. “Right now, we’re at a capacity of 100,000 head, and we’re under construction. Next year, we’ll be at 150,000 head. By the end of 2027, we’ll be at 200,000 head. Currently we have about 87,000 head on feed, and over 90% of those are beef-on-dairy animals.”

As beef-on-dairy enters a new era, feedlots like Blackshirt Feeders are looking more toward dairies to keep their pens full. Belke says the year-round flow of cattle sets beef-on-dairy apart from traditional procurement models that are heavily influenced by seasonality.

(Angie Denton)

“The reason this closed loop system really works is because we can grow cattle at scale. We needed a very large and consistent supply chain,” he explains. “Historically, in the feedlot world, there has been a lot of seasonality. With the beef-on-dairy population, we have a very consistent flow of cattle throughout the year.”

Consistency also shows up in performance, driven by genetic design and selection.

“Consistency is key, not just in the flow of cattle, but also in the consistent and predictive outcome of the cattle,” Belke adds. “What we’ve done genetically is work with dairy farmers to design sires that ultimately create extremely similar offspring.”

That focus on genetics and uniformity has helped feedlots manage risk and improve efficiency. Tony Bryant, director of nutrition, research and analytics at Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, says these animals are helping feedlots fill supply needs today and will continue to do so efficiently in the future.

“The cattle supply has been challenging for us trying to keep these yards full, and part of that is just the nature of the cattle cycle. But the other part of it is drought and the closure of the border. So, the beef-on-dairy cross animals really help us and the whole industry, especially from a cattle supply standpoint,” Bryant adds.

Bryant says improvements in genetics and faster access to data are helping feedlots get cattle that perform predictably, making it easier to manage costs and hit marketing targets.

“Beef-on-dairy has come a long way in a short time, with data coming back faster and the cattle getting better because of it,” he adds.

With the native beef herd continuing to shrink, both Belke and Bryant say the reliable supply and more predictable results of beef-on-dairy cattle have become critical tools for feedyards looking to secure cattle and manage risk year-round.

Predictability Built on Relationships and Data

As beef-on-dairy moves into its next phase, predictable outcomes are coming from stronger partnerships. Partnerships now begin at breeding, with dairies and feedlots working together to reduce uncertainty down the line.

“We start with the dairy before the calf is born,” Belke says. “Once the calf arrives, we make an offer based on the current market. Then we get the data that goes along with that calf. In return, the dairy producer gets a credit back to the semen company that is more than the original cost of the semen. So, they receive day-old market value for the calf, plus more than their semen cost covered, and we get the calf.”

That early coordination creates value on both sides. Dairy producers are paid fairly and rewarded for their breeding decisions, while feedlots gain calves with known genetics and management history that can be tracked from birth through finish. Just as important, that data follows the animal through the supply chain.

“All of this data goes back to help us make smarter decisions for the next generation,” Belke adds.

Bryant says that feedback loop is becoming essential as programs scale and risk management becomes more complex. With calves sourced from many dairies, knowing how animals were bred, fed and cared for early in life makes a difference.

(Angie Denton)

“Our objective is to build relationships with the producer, their nutritionist and their vet so we can synchronize the program as best we can,” Bryant says. “It is slower than we would like, but it is worth it.”

As those relationships deepen, data is becoming the backbone of decision making. What started as basic record keeping is evolving into a system that actively guides breeding, calf care and marketing decisions.

“The more we know about these calves before they arrive, the better we can manage growth, feed efficiency and overall performance,” Bryant says.

Rather than just sharing information after the fact, producers and feedlots are beginning to use data in real time, predicting outcomes before calves leave the dairy and adjusting programs accordingly.

“When you track calves from birth through harvest, you can actually see how dairy decisions show up later,” Belke adds. “It helps everyone stay on the same page and make better choices.”

Looking ahead, transparency and collaboration are becoming part of doing business. Operations willing to share information and act on it are creating more consistent outcomes and setting the direction for where beef-on-dairy is headed next.

A Defining Shift

What began as a way to add value to unwanted calves has evolved into an integrated system shaped by genetics, data and collaboration. For dairies, it offers a way to strengthen economics during volatile markets. For feedlots, it provides dependable supply and predictable performance in an increasingly uncertain cattle landscape.

As native beef numbers remain tight and pressure mounts across the supply chain, beef-on-dairy is proving to be more than a trend. It’s the new normal. Producers who plan ahead, build strong relationships and think about the whole system are the ones seeing the benefits.

Second Screwworm Detection 120 Miles from U.S. Border

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 20:54:05 GMT

There was a new detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico, approximately 120 miles south of the Texas border.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the case in a 22-month-old bovine transported from Veracruz to a feedlot in Nuevo León.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller in a press release emphasized that Texas remains free from detection, but that state officials and agriculture leaders cannot be complacent.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today issued the following statement after being notified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of a new detection of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Montemorelos, Nuevo León, Mexico, approximately 120 miles south of the Texas… pic.twitter.com/Wb3uIwW3gf
— Texas Agriculture (@TexasDeptofAg) December 3, 2025

“We will keep working shoulder to shoulder with USDA, Mexican animal health authorities, and our own state agency partners to defend our border and Texans from this dangerous threat. We will protect our livestock, safeguard our economy, and do everything possible to keep the New World screwworm at bay,” Miller says.

He also encourages Texas producers to remain watchful for suspicious wounds, unhealed tissue, or maggot activity in livestock, wildlife, and pets, particularly in locations near the border.

Producers who suspect NWS should immediately contact their local veterinarian and state authorities. Early detection, strict livestock movement controls, screwworm fly suppression and rapid response are the best tools to combat this serious threat.

This detection marks the northernmost active case currently found in Mexico. It is also the second detection at the same Nuevo León feedlot since October. No additional cases were linked to the October detection, and both events appear tied to livestock movements from southern Mexico.

For more on NWS, including a current list of NWS detections within 400 miles of the U.S. visit Screwworm.gov .

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The Smell You’ll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm

Creepy Crawlies and Spooky Encounters from the Field

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:36:21 GMT

The veterinary profession is full of creepy crawlies and spooky animal encounters, and Halloween is the perfect time to swap scary stories. On “ Agriculture Today ,” Dr. A.J. Tarpoff, Kansas State Beef Extension veterinarian, shared some of his creepiest stories from the field.

“Have you ever had the feeling that something or someone was watching you?” Tarpoff recalled one necropsy where he could feel eyes on him, but was initially unsure where that feeling was coming from — until he looked up.

“At the top of the fence, eight feet above me, was a giant bald eagle that was just sitting at me staring very intently,” Tarpoff says. It must have thought Tarpoff was interfering with its meal. In an effort to appease the bird and avoid being the target of its large talons, Tarpoff tossed a chunk of liver in its direction as an offering. As he lives to tell the tale, that offering was enough — for now.

If birds of prey aren’t quite spooky enough for you, Tarpoff wants to remind you that the bubonic plague is still alive and well in the U.S.

“Some of these plagues and diseases we thought were long gone, they’re still around,” he says. “There are still fleas transmitting them. There are animals that are succumbing to them.”

Notably, hikers should take caution if they come into contact with dead wildlife on the trail.

Still not creepy enough? Have you ever heard of cattle grubs?

Caused by the heel fly laying eggs in the feet of cattle, these hatched larvae puncture through the hide then burrow upward into the spinal column or esophagus where they sit in wait as they mature.

“Once they become an adult, they go back into the skin, they bore a little breathing hole and become this big larva that’s just a big knot,” Tarpoff says. “It looks like a huge zit or little abscess that’s right underneath the skin. They sit there and wiggle around. You can see them moving under the skin. It’s disgusting.”

With it being deer season, finding nasal bots within the head of a deer you’re dressing is not uncommon. These bots can also infect sheep, goats and occasionally cattle. Just as the name says, these are grubs that live in the nasal cavity of an animal.

“Don’t be surprised as you’re doing your cleaning and dressing of that carcass that you remove the head or tongue area, and all of a sudden you start seeing some stuff move around,” Tarpoff says. “These little bots start pouring out of the nasal cavity after that animal dies. It freaks people out.”

Halloween is also the season for pranks.

As winter approaches, cases of lice are on the rise, and Tarpoff likes to have a little fun with the crews he works with.

“Whenever I diagnose lice, I’ll go and just start itching,” he says. “I’ll go bare handed and start itching my head until I get everybody in the group itching because they think they’re infested with lice now too. And then I remind them that lice are species specific, so you have nothing to worry about.”

After the parasites, predators and plagues, Tarpoff left veterinarians with one fitting takeaway: “There’s creepy crawlies everywhere. There’s dangerous stuff out there, but it’s good to be aware. Good basic preventative care working with your veterinarian can go a long way in solving a lot of these issues.”

As you head out for your Halloween calls, or your next necropsy, keep your eyes peeled and your gloves handy. You never know who or what might be watching you.

Don't Break, Build: A Farmer's Playbook for Taking Control of Your Mind

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:49:03 GMT

It was already shaping up to be one of those days.

An unexpected bill is due, and the money just isn’t there. The kids are fighting again. Understandably, your wife is over it, and now it’s your fault. One of your employees just called to say the new group of wean pigs is sick. It’s all a part of a life, but sometimes it just stacks up to be too much.

“In a world of unpredictability with so many factors at play on any given day, it’s easy to be mentally or emotionally hijacked by elements out of our control,” says Athena Diesch-Chham with Restorative Path Counseling and Wellbeing. “Stress and anxiety thrive in this environment. However, the long-term effects of that are real.”

Farming stress will never go away, so how can you get more grit or become more resilient to that stress?

One expert says it starts by paying attention to the present.

“Don’t think about what happened yesterday or worry about what is happening tomorrow,” says Cheri Burcham, with University of Illinois Extension. “Focus on what you are doing and feeling in the very moment.”

Diesch-Chham likes to think of it as “being where your feet are.”

“So often brains are hijacked by stress and launch us mentally to a different space either in the past or in the future,” Diesch-Chham adds. “Mindfulness is just asking for our whole selves to be here in this moment, wherever our feet are planted.”

Pay Attention

This concept of truly being “in the moment” not only reduces stress, but research shows it can also lower blood pressure, increase immunity and reduce anxiety and depression, Burcham says.

When you intentionally notice where you are, you can recognize potential challenges sooner, says Abigail Cudney with Michigan State University Extension . Instead of habitually reacting to stress with intense anger, emotional shutdown, negative thinking or overthinking, this intentional awareness helps rewire the brain through a process called neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to grow and adapt to new experiences.

Consider the attention you pay when walking through the barn. You use all your senses to make assessments and determine what’s going on all around you.

“Whether it’s walking the barn or enjoying the fall scenery, naming something you are currently experiencing for each of the five senses is another way to practice mindfulness,” Diesch-Chham says. “This doesn’t have to be complicated – the whole goal is to bring mind and body to the same place.”

5 Senses Technique

Just Breathe

The fight or flight response animals have when stress strikes is the same thing that happens in people. As a review, the vagus nerve, which runs from the base of the brain and branches out to the organs, serves as a conduit of chemicals/hormones that are activated automatically/reflexively by the sympathetic nervous system. This is an involuntary and adaptive process that increases respiration and blood flow to prepare the body for quick and protective action, such as fighting or fleeing. Once the perceived threat has passed or been managed successfully, the stress response also passes and respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate return to a normal steady state, according to the Yale School of Medicine .

Through deep breathing, the vagus nerve can be stimulated intentionally to help restore, mitigate and even prevent these physical and psychological reactions. Slow, even breaths that originate deep within the abdomen stimulate the vagus nerve in a way that signals safety and cues the body and mind to relax, restore, and release chronic and unhealthy patterns.

“Deep breathing can be practiced anywhere and in so many ways – so it is very accessible and easy for farmers to practice,” Burcham explains. “Practice in the field or even while operating machinery.”

Let Go of What You Can’t Control

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of “being where your feet are” is realizing you can’t control it all.

“Working towards recognizing what truly is within our individual control and then choosing to focus our energy on managing what we can control to improve our overall mental health and stress, helps us remain resilient through the pieces that are outside of our control,” Diesch-Chham says.

Adversity happens. Markets will crash. Animals will get sick. Disease will strike. Families will argue. But you can recover faster from those stresses by staying grounded in the moment, aligning your thoughts and emotions with reality.

Resources to Help Build Resilience:
North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center

Mindfulness: University of Illinois Extension

Building Resilience with Mindfulness

Veterinarian Becomes Disease Detective: Nichols Connects Animal Disease and Human Health

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:00:14 GMT

Growing up on a New Mexico ranch, veterinarian and public health leader Megin Nichols says she learned early the health of animals, humans and the environment are deeply connected.

Initially planning to practice small animal medicine, she says her plans began to pivot when she met a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) epidemic intelligence service officer who sparked her interest in public health. That realization led her to pursue a master’s degree in public health at the University of Minnesota, with a focus on food safety and biosecurity. Her career has included roles in local, state and federal health departments, investigating foodborne illness outbreaks and developing strategies to prevent them.

“Life has a way of taking you in places you never anticipated,” she shared during the 2025 Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture Oct. 6 at Kansas State University.

Today, as the CDC’s director in the division of foodborne, waterborne and environmental diseases, she lends her expertise to efforts involving disease investigation, food safety, antimicrobial resistance and agriculture literacy.

Megin Nichols has more than 15 years of zoonotic disease experience and has served at the federal and state levels. She has served as the lead of the Enteric Zoonoses Team investigating multistate outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli. Prior to joining CDC, Nichols worked as the Principal Investigator of the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance Program at the New Mexico Department of Health for five years.

(Angie Stump Denton)

One Health: Connecting Animal Disease and Human Health

Nichols’ work focuses on the One Health concept.

“One Health is recognizing the health and well-being of humans, of animals and our environment are all interconnected,” she explains. “One Health is something that many of us do every single day and are very, very aware of, especially if you have ties to agriculture and the land. But One Health as a concept oftentimes is difficult to fully understand.”

Nichols says One Health is:

Ongoing relationships with animal agencies.
Understand the culture of agriculture.
Having access to integrated human and animal surveillance.
Protocols for conducting joint response investigations.
Agreements for sharing biological samples and lab results.
Established lines of communication with agriculture and animal industry.
Plans for unified communication messaging.
Need to build linkages and trust before and outbreak.

“What happens in one area can significantly impact others — whether it’s a wildfire, a disease outbreak or environmental changes,” Nichols summarizes.

Pandemic and Disease Response Insights

Nichols was a leader in investigating and finding unique solutions for the livestock industry and specifically meat packing industry related to COVID-19.

“In April 2020, I got a call from my supervisor saying there are some meat, poultry packing plants that are going down because of labor shortages and illness,” she explains.

She selected and lead a team to figure out how to get the plants opened back up safely and to find unique solution to deal with the related animal welfare issues.

Summarizing the experiences, Nichols reports the estimated economic cost of COVID-19 is $14 trillion. Along with supply chain disruptions the industry experienced changes in consumer behavior, labor shortage and complex operations challenges. On a positive note, she says the industry did experience a lot of innovation and uptake of technology due to the pandemic, which resulted in innovative approaches to workplace safety and communication.

“We saw innovative strategies where if one person got sick, they looked around that worker and said, ‘OK, who do we need to monitor quickly for symptoms?’” she says.

Nichols also discussed the increase in salmonella outbreaks during the pandemic. She links the rise to the increase in backyard poultry ownership and the improper handling of backyard chickens.

“Many new chicken owners were unaware of disease transmission risks,” she explains.

Nichols also shared insights to H5N1 influenza and emphasized the complexity of tracking and preventing. She highlights the need for integrated, cross-species surveillance and communication strategies.

She also touched on emerging threats, including New World screwworm (NWS) . Her message emphasized the importance of prevention, control and preparedness.

She shares these five key strategies related to NWS:

Surveillance. Early dection through wound inspections and reporting in livestock.
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Ongoing release of serile male flies to prevent reproduction.
Biosecurity. Movement control of imported animals and monitoring at entry points.
Public Awareness. Education for doctors, ranchers, veterinarians and travelers.
Rapid Response Planning. Multi-agency coordination to contain outbreaks swiftly and deploy sterile flies.

Agricultural Literacy, Communication is Key

“Growing up in the middle of nowhere, I also came to understand that not everyone appreciates — or even understands — where their food comes from,” Nichols says.

She shared a 1993 study that revealed significant gaps in public knowledge about agriculture. She summarizes understanding food systems involves knowing:

Where food comes from.
How it’s produced.
Its impact on economy, environment and technology.

Throughout her lecture she shared the importance of transforming complex scientific concepts into engaging, accessible insights that resonate with students, farmers, ranchers and public health professionals alike.

“It doesn’t matter how much information we have if we don’t get it out to the people,” Nichols says.

She stresses the importance of agricultural communication specialists in translating scientific information and engaging audiences.

“Don’t leave the communications to the scientists,” she says.

Nichols emphasizes that agricultural literacy and effective communication are crucial for bridging knowledge gaps and building public understanding of food systems.

She shares this advice for agricultural advocates:

Bring agricultural perspective to discussions by speaking up and sharing lived experiences.
Challenge misconceptions with personal stories by focusing on storytelling rather than technical details.
Understand your audience and use relatable language and provide context.

Nichols stresses the importance of preparedness and collaboration. She explains the importance of local-level discussions and community preparedness, suggesting that some of the most effective emergency preparedness conversations happen “at the coffee house” or during casual community gatherings.

Share Your Thoughts: APHIS To Host Animal Health Listening Sessions

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:46:05 GMT

POSTPONED: The Farm Bill Animal Health Program Listening Sessions that were scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8 have been postponed.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is advancing animal disease preparedness and response through its Farm Bill animal health programs. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, funding for these programs will increase to $233 million annually under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill .

This includes:

$153 million per year for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank ( NAVVCB )
$70 million per year for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program ( NADPRP )
$10 million per year for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network ( NAHLN )

APHIS will host three virtual listening sessions to gather stakeholder input on how these new funds should be used to strengthen national, regional, and local capabilities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to animal disease outbreaks. APHIS will use the feedback to inform future program planning.

Each session will focus on one of the three programs. While advance registration is not required, we encourage participants to submit their name and affiliation to help us plan and facilitate the sessions.

Listening Session Schedule

Monday, Oct. 6 | 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Topic: National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)
Join the Listening Session on Teams or
Call-In: 202-650-0123; Phone Conference ID: 697 205 668#
Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Topic: National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB)
Join the Listening Session on Teams or
Call-in: 202-650-0123; Phone Conference ID: 440 983 713#
Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Topic: National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP)
Join the Listening Session on Teams or
Call-In: 202-650-0123; Phone Conference ID: 188 744 006#

To ensure as many participants as possible can speak, we ask that speakers limit their comments to 90 seconds or less.

Stakeholders are also invited to submit written comments before or after the events using the Farm Bill Funding Stakeholder Feedback Form . Written comments will be accepted through Oct. 15, 2025.

This is a valuable opportunity for all interested stakeholders to help shape the future of these critical animal health programs.

Winter: The Secret to Slowing the Spread of Screwworm

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:03:28 GMT

Winter or colder temperatures — it’s not something you typically hear livestock producers anticipating or praying for. But this year, as the threat of New World screwworm continues to inch closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, winter can’t come soon enough.

“Certainly, winter will be our friend,” says Chris Womack, a veterinarian and rancher from San Angelo, Texas. “Historically the flies were pushed south with frost.”

USDA Agricultural Research Service entomologist Kim Lohmeyer agrees we need winter to come fast. Lohmeyer serves as the laboratory director of the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas, where she and her colleagues use modeling to know when and where NWS may show up in the U.S. They are partnering with Lee Cohnstaedt and his team at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan., to study the life stages of NWS and its susceptibility to temperature and weather.

“With the climate changes and weather patterns we have now, if this fly gets here, it can go a lot further north, a lot further east and a lot further west,” Lohmeyer says. “It’s something to keep an eye on.“

The Winter Win

So, what exactly does “winter” mean? Lohmeyer says NWS are fairly cold sensitive, so several days of sustained cold temperatures in around 30°F would be enough to suppress NWS.

The NWS’s ability to survive is restricted to locations where low temperatures are regularly above freezing. Ideal adult fly activity occurs at 77°F to 86°F and relative humidity of 30% to 70%.

“This fly really loves 81.5°F,” explains meteorologist Matt Makens. “The research shows that’s when they’re friskiest.”

Although the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) remains a primary control mechanism, Makens says studies have made it clear that eradication success, outbreak intensity and re-emergence potential are closely tied to weather and climate.

“From seasonal wind patterns to monsoonal moisture, numerous environmental conditions shape the life cycle, spread and population dynamics of this parasite,” Makens explains. “Understanding these weather-related drivers is critical not only for control, but also in considering how long-term temperature trends have altered the geographic boundaries of screwworm viability since the major outbreaks of the 1950s and early 1960s.”

During a recent Cattlemen’s Call podcast Makens said weather is one of the main forces of spreading NWS.

“If we could control the weather, we could control the fly,” he stresses.

(Maps: Makens Weather)

Research indicates larval and pupal development cannot proceed below approximately 58°F and halts above 110°F. The optimal temperature for adult survival and reproduction lies around 81.5°F, a range common in tropical and subtropical climates like Mexico and Central America. NWS do not survive in regions with cold winters, though they may spread into these areas during the warmer months.

Impact of temperature on NWS:

Reduced activity: Adult screwworm fly activity is limited when temperatures are below 59°F.
Larval vulnerability: Pupae are vulnerable to soil temperatures below 46°F. Sustained maximums hotter than 95°F can also be limiting — extreme heat reduces adult fly activity and increases mortality in larvae exposed to hot surface soils.
Life cycle: While the entire life cycle can be completed in warm conditions, it takes longer in cooler, more temperate environments.

“One of the secrets to historically, the northern limit of screwworm, was basically a matter of how cold the winter got. That sort of limited how far it got,” says Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist. “In years when it was warmer, it would go farther. It would overwinter farther north, but in general, that’s going to set the upper limit, or at least it does if it’s not under control in any other way. That will limit its northward, northern movement, for sure.”

1972 NWS data (A) Monthly maps of observed cases of myiasis in Texas during the 1972 outbreak. Highest abundance occurred in August, and the length of all other density colour bars were scaled to it (bars in right hand margin of each map). The maximum density is at the top of each colour bar with the highest midseason incidence occurring in south central Texas. (B) Histogram summarizing the monthly total statewide data. (C) Map of total cases of myiasis during 1972.

(Medical and Veterinary Entomology)

Fly Season

David Anderson, Texas A&M professor and Extension specialist, says, historically, the fly season is April to October.

“If we get a really cold winter, that helps us,” Anderson adds. “It buys us some more time. But things are warmer now than it used to be. Fly season may not be that April to October anymore.”

NWS’s typical life cycle lasts about 21 days in warm weather and slightly longer in cooler climates. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, NWS fly life cycle is highly sensitive to temperature:

In warm (more than 80ᴼF daytime highs) and tropical conditions, the full life cycle may be complete in two to three weeks.
In more temperate conditions, the life cycle may take three to four weeks.
In cooler conditions, the life cycle may take up to two to three months.

It is important to understand that the flies do not die at these lower activity temperatures, but prolonged exposure to these temperatures can reduce populations or active infestations.

Texas rancher Wayne Cockrell says NWS’s entry into the U.S. is inevitable but suggests winter and colder weather might temporarily delay the spread until next April or May. Cockrell serves as the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association director and chair of the cattle health and well-being policy committee.

“We should be within 60 days hopefully when cold weather helps in two-thirds of the state,” Cockrell explains.

Rainfall and Monsoon Factors

Makens says while temperature defines where screwworms can survive, rainfall and moisture influence when and how intensely they can thrive. Outbreaks often follow moderate to heavy rainfall by improving conditions for larval survival.

He explains tools like the Palmer Crop Moisture Index (CMI) have shown promise in predicting screwworm risk, with higher-than-normal CMI values sometimes preceding population spikes.

When rainfall coincides with favorable temperatures, screwworm activity tends to increase. In contrast, hot and dry conditions tend to suppress survival and reproduction.

“One of the most striking climate connections is the role of seasonal monsoon winds in transporting screwworms over long distances,” Makens explains. “In multiple outbreak years, adult flies were documented migrating northward into Texas and the desert Southwest via the North American Monsoon (NAM) — a seasonal pattern that delivers moisture to northwestern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest from June through September. During the summer, prevailing winds shift from west to a more humid, southerly flow, creating favorable conditions for fly migration from central and southern Mexico into their northern states and, at times, into the southern U.S. The NAM this year had an early start and gave significant rainfall to parts of Arizona and New Mexico. The NAM typically calms by early fall.”

In the 1960s, these wind-assisted movements allowed the temporary re-establishment of breeding populations even after local eradication. In some years, migration spanned hundreds of miles, connecting source populations in northern Mexico to re-infestations in Arizona and New Mexico.

“This atmospheric ‘conveyor belt’ remains a critical concern in surveillance strategies for livestock-producing regions of the Southwest,” Makens says. “The 2025 monsoon was undoubtedly a factor in the most recent northward migration of NWS.”

If NWS should cross the border, it will be key for producers to coordinate management practices with weather patterns expected for their region.

“Ultimately, weather patterns act as both a barrier and bridge for screwworm activity,” Makens summarizes. “Knowing how and when the balance tips is essential to preventing the return of one of the industry’s most damaging parasites.”

Here’s to hoping Old Man Winter decides to arrive quickly and help buy livestock producers and government leaders more time to prepare to battle NWS.

Your Next Read: The Battle at the Border

New Technology to Combat New World Screwworm

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:41:26 GMT

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS) is partnering with Texas A&M University to combat New World screwworm (NWS) .

On Sept. 21, USDA announced NWS had been found less than 70 miles from the U.S. border near one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world.

Working with Texas A&M’s National Center for Electron Beam Research (NCEBR), NNSA is advancing the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) using electron beam (eBeam) technology in place of radioactive cobalt. SIT effectively prevents the spread of NWS by releasing sterilized male screwworms to halt reproduction and reduce their population.

According to the release, ORS’s mission includes preventing the misuse of highly radioactive materials and promoting innovative alternatives like eBeam devices. The eBeam technology eliminates the need for radioactive sources, which could be used for nefarious purposes if they fell into the wrong hands.

This collaboration enhances radiological security best practices nationwide, thus strengthening national security.

“Our mission-driven partnership with Texas A&M is essential to advancing American innovation in eBeam applications and enhancing our national security,” says Kristin Hirsch, Director of ORS. “With the support of Texas A&M AgriLife experts, NNSA is able to help combat the spread of the NWS, building stronger food systems and safer communities across the country.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced a new NWS fly dispersal facility in Texas and a five-pronged plan for eradicating the pest. The plan includes the USDA pursuing innovative research, such as eBeam and other technologies.

Currently, SIT relies on cobalt-60 gamma sterilization. But cobalt-60 carries significant radiological security risks, so NNSA, NCEBR and Texas A&M’s Department of Entomology have worked to find replacement methods. Through modeling studies sponsored by NNSA and conducted by Texas A&M since 2023, researchers identified eBeam technology as a viable alternative and are working to make it available to USDA to combat NWS.

The eBeam system at work, sterilizing screwworm pupae. This technology is vital for protecting U.S. agriculture and radiological security.

(U.S. Department of Energy NNSA)

NNSA has been collaborating on the development of an eBeam system to be used for chemical remediation, another critical area where cobalt-60 use could become a risk. NNSA is repurposing this technology toward NWS response and accelerating development to make eBeam available to USDA by early 2026.

Once integrated into a rearing facility, it could create more than 100 million sterile flies in 24 hours. That’s a vast improvement compared to cobalt-60, which can take a week to do the same amount. This efficiency would be a game-changer in NWS response.

Your Next Read: The Battle at the Border

U.S.-Mexico Border Battle Continues As the Threat of New World Screwworm Intensifies

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 20:04:06 GMT

With New World screwworm (NWS) confirmed just 70 miles from the U.S. border , producers, government officials and industry leaders are taking action. Finding NWS along one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to Laredo, Texas, is a red flag for the industry. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong safeguards, it’s time to plan for not “if but when” NWS crosses the border.

On Monday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins confirmed protecting the U.S. from NWS is non-negotiable and a top priority for President Trump.

UPDATE ON SCREWWORM THREAT:

Protecting the United States from New World Screwworm is non-negotiable and a top priority for @POTUS.@USDA landed boots on the ground this morning in Nuevo Leon, physically inspecting traps and dispersing sterile flies after the detection of the…
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) September 23, 2025

“The southern border remains closed to livestock trade, and we are aggressively expanding trapping and surveillance,” she wrote. “At the same time, we’re expediting operations at our sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Texas .”

On Tuesday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins reported 80,000 sterile flies were released on “spot” and nearly 200 surge staff had been deployed to Mexico.

Thank you, @IngrahamAngle, for paying attention to this important issue. Due to multiple failures from our southern neighbors and failure to act in the last Admin, the devastating parasite New World Screwworm is knocking on our southern borders door. We’re not waiting, we’re… pic.twitter.com/ZO5Vx5oes8
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) September 24, 2025

Mexico’s Response To New World Screwworm

According to Reuters, Mexican’s agriculture ministry said there is no risk of adult screwworm fly emergence due to the early detection of the infected bovine, which was confirmed on Sept. 21. The infected animal was in a shipment of 100 animals originating from the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz, according to the statement.

Fly traps in northern Mexico have not detected a single screwworm fly.

U.S.-Mexico Border Remains Closed to Cattle Trade

The Mexican border closure remains a topic of debate. The September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor found 80% of ag economists surveyed oppose reopening the border to Mexican cattle due to screwworm risks.

(Farm Journal)

The border closure has created significant division within the cattle industry with producers, feeders and industry leaders on both sides of the fence.

“We have some cattle people that are glad it’s closed. We’ve got others who are hit pretty hard and are not happy about it,” explains David Anderson, Texas A&M professor and extension specialist — livestock and food product marketing.

NWS is a threat the industry can not ignore, says the ag economist with more than 30 years under his belt.

“I think this is the most serious problem the industry has faced since I’ve been a livestock economist,” he stresses.

From his perspective, keeping the border open with heightened monitoring and surveillance could have potentially been more effective than implementing a total closure.

“If we go back and look at data from the early ‘70s, when we had a big screwworm outbreak in the U.S. and Mexico, the border was open,” he says. “I probably would have leaned to not closing the border to begin with. I understand why you would want to do that, but I don’t know that it’s ended up reducing the likelihood that we’re going to get screwworms, and yet we’re paying a price for that.”

According to Anderson the economic consequences to the border being closed are:

Significant loss of approximately 26,000 imported cattle weekly
Estimated 18% reduction in cattle placements in Southern plains
Contributed to tighter beef supplies and higher consumer prices
Substantial economic hit to cattle feeders and ranchers

At this point, he’s quick to admit keeping the border closed is the best option.

When it comes to reopening the border, Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist with Oklahoma State University, suggests the decision is not straightforward.

“Given everything I’ve experienced, it’s probably prudent to leave the border closed,” he says.

He adds any reopening should be “under very, very controlled, limited circumstances.”

Peel emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach with Mexico.

“We’re kind of in it together, and so whether it’s here or there, we’ve got to work together,” he summarizes. “We’re going to need to control it in both places. Otherwise, it’s not going to benefit either one of us.”

He also points out not everybody in Mexico is sorry the border is closed. For example, cattle buyers in Mexico can source cattle cheaper because the border is closed.

“Keeping the border closed does affect the movement of cattle south of the border ... it builds a backstop for cattle movement north,” he adds.

Peel notes cattle from Central America to Panama have increasingly made their way to the Mexican market, which validates NWS movement in Mexico and why recent confirmation has occurred.

“The longer this goes on, the more the Mexican industry will adjust,” he says. “It might permanently change the way the [U.S. and Mexico] work together.”

Texas Rancher Weighs In On Impact of New World Screwworm

Texas rancher Wayne Cockrell says the parasite’s entry into the U.S. is inevitable, suggesting that winter and colder weather might temporarily delay the spread until next April or May. Cockrell, who serves as the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association director and chair of the cattle health and well-being policy committee, recently joined AgriTalk to talk about NWS.

“We would much rather stop this on Mexico’s southern border than our Southern border,” Cockrell says.

Mexican feeder cattle traditionally represented 30% of Texas feedyard inventory, he adds, but with current restrictions, feedlots are adapting.

“I think a lot of those feedyards have moved to the dairy-cross side,” he adds. “They have had to change the way they do business.”

Noting the broader economic implications of the border closure, 1.2 million fewer cattle for Texas represents “about two weeks” of impact nationwide, according to Cockrell.

“Winter and sterile flies is what we need now,” Cockrell summarizes.

Your Next Read: The Smell You’ll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm

Mexico Confirms Case of New World Screwworm 70 Miles from U.S. Border

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:51:42 GMT

Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) confirmed a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Sabinas Hidalgo, located in the state of Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border on Sept. 21.

USDA reports this is now the northernmost detection of NWS during this outbreak, and the one most threatening to the American cattle and livestock industry. Sabinas Hidalgo is located near one of the most heavily trafficked commercial thoroughfares in the world, the major highway from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, to Laredo, Texas.

“Protecting the United States from NWS is non-negotiable and a top priority of the Trump Administration,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a release . “This is a national security priority. We have given Mexico every opportunity and every resource necessary to counter NWS since announcing the NWS Bold Plan in June 2025.”

Rollins says the U.S. will not rely on Mexico to defend U.S. agriculture.

“We are firmly executing our five-pronged plan and will take decisive action to protect our borders, even in the absence of cooperation,” Rollins said. “Furthermore, we will pursue aggressive measures against anyone who harms American livestock.”

The previous northernmost detection was reported approximately 370 miles farther south on July 9 in Veracruz, USDA reports.

SENASICA preliminary reports indicate the affected animal — an 8-month-old cow — had recently been moved to a certified feedlot in Nuevo León from a region in southern Mexico with known active NWS cases. USDA says this potential link to animal movement underscores the “non-negotiable need for Mexico to fully implement and comply with the U.S.–Mexico Joint Action Plan for NWS in Mexico.” U.S. ports remain closed currently to imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico.

USDA has been actively monitoring nearly 8,000 traps across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. More than 13,000 screening samples have been submitted to date, with no NWS flies detected. USDA said it will continue to analyze all new information related to the recent case in Nuevo León and will pursue all options to release sterile flies in this region as necessary.

As well, USDA will release a significant plan soon to help rebuild the American cattle supply, incentivizing ranchers and driving a full-scale revitalization of the American beef industry, the release said.

USDA Leads An Aggressive National Response
USDA reports it’s comprehensive strategy includes the following immediate actions:

Innovating Our Way to Eradication
USDA is investing $100 million in breakthrough technologies through the NWS Grand Challenge. This program will solicit ideas to enhance sterile fly production and develop new tools such as advanced traps, lures and therapeutics. USDA says it’s also exploring and validating technologies like e-beam and x-ray sterilization, genetically engineered flies, and modular sterilization facilities through public listening sessions and ongoing evaluations.
Protecting the U.S. Border
USDA has begun construction on a domestic sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, Texas. This $8.5 million facility, expected to be mostly complete by the end of 2025, will be capable of dispersing up to 100 million sterile flies per week, USDA says. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working with USDA on plans for for construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility in Southern Texas, with a projected capacity of 300 million sterile flies per week.
Strengthening Surveillance and Detection
USDA has been actively monitoring nearly 8,000 traps across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico since July. To date, more than 13,000 screening samples have been submitted, with no NWS flies detected. USDA continues to disperse 100 million sterile flies per week in Mexico, sourced from the COPEG facility in Panama. In addition, USDA is providing support to Mexico to renovate a production facility in Metapa, which is expected to produce an additional 60–100 million sterile flies.
Enhancing Public Awareness and Education
APHIS has published an updated national disease response strategy and is providing training and webinars for federal, state, Tribal and veterinary partners. Outreach materials, including pest ID cards and alerts, are being distributed along the U.S.–Mexico border. APHIS has held over 50 stakeholder meetings and continues to expand outreach efforts.
Coordinating with Mexico and International Partners
Following detections in Oaxaca and Veracruz, USDA closed southern ports of entry to livestock trade after a case was reported 370 miles from the U.S. border. USDA is conducting monthly audits of Mexico’s NWS response and is helping the country develop a more risk-based trapping plan, especially in Veracruz and along the border. Mexico currently deploys traps in high-risk areas, with USDA support.

USDA is supporting hiring of over 200 surge staff for trapping and animal movement control in Mexico. As well, SENASICA has launched a dashboard that tracks NWS cases across Mexico. This enhances USDA’s ability to monitor the situation south of the border, better assess risk, and deliver more effective operational responses in coordination with Mexican authorities.
Unprecedented Interagency Collaboration
Collaborating agencies include: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of State. This collaboration is guided by the U.S. One Health Coordination Unit for NWS (U.S. OHCU–NWS), co-led by USDA, CDC, and DOI, the release said.

Watch Out for Signs of NWS
NWS maggots most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh. They can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people.

USDA urges residents on the southern border to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS .

“Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort,” USDA said. “Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian immediately.”

Although not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.

A Deworming Plan that Delivers

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:38:02 GMT

For Oklahoma producer Buck Rich and his veterinarian, Dr. Tyler Thomas, parasite control isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing it better.

Together, they’ve fine-tuned a simple, practical approach to parasite control that helps Rich’s herd stay healthy and productive all year long. Their success comes down to four practices that any producer can adopt: diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management.

Oklahoma producer Buck Rich (left) and veterinarian Dr. Tyler Thomas, owner of Prague Veterinary Clinic.

(Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.)

Diagnostics: Start With the Facts

When Rich notices cattle underperforming, his first move isn’t to reach for more product — it’s to collect a fecal sample.

“You don’t know where to go until you know where you’re at,” explains Thomas, a mixed animal practitioner and owner of Prague Veterinary Clinic in Prague, Okla. “Diagnostics tell us if treatment is even necessary, and whether what we’ve done is working.”

Rich’s operation, Leaning Oak Ranch in Okemah, Okla., includes 2,000 pairs. Like many cow-calf operations, it’s heavily forage-based and parasite control plays a key role in performance.

“We had a group of cows that didn’t look right, and I assumed it was a worm issue,” Rich says. “But fecals came back clean. Diagnostics saved us from reworking the cows unnecessarily.”

That kind of clarity is why conducting fecal egg counts, before and after deworming, is a regular part of their plan.

“Without diagnostics, it’s easy to point the finger at the product,” adds Dr. Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “But if you’re not testing, you might be treating the wrong issue or not seeing the whole picture.”

Combination Treatment: Target Parasites in Different Ways

Combination treatment is the practice of deworming cattle by using two or more dewormers from different drug classes. Dewormers can be divided into three different classes, based on their chemical structure and mechanism of action: macrocyclic lactones (endectocides), benzimidazoles (white dewormers) and imidazothiazoles. Each class controls a distinct spectrum of parasites, and for a different amount of time (see Figure 1).

For Rich and Thomas, implementing combination treatment was a game changer.

“We used to rotate products,” Rich recalls. “Now we use a white dewormer and a macrocyclic lactone at the same time. The cattle slick off faster and just look better.”

Figure 1: The three classes of dewormers.

(Boehringer Indelheim)

“Most operations already use a macrocyclic lactone,” Thomas explains. “Adding a white dewormer targets parasites differently. You get more coverage and it’s economical.”

Dr. Matt Washburn, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, says combination treatment is one of the most effective ways to slow resistance, while improving outcomes.

“Each class kills different parasites in different ways,” he points out. “When you use a combination of products, you clean up more effectively and reduce the risk of survivors.”

Refugia: Treat the Right Animals

It may go against tradition, but Rich and Thomas agree: Sometimes, the best choice is to skip the deworming treatment. This practice, known as refugia, leaves a portion of the herd untreated to maintain a population of susceptible parasites, helping dilute resistance across the herd.

“We’re wired to treat everything,” Rich says. “But when we’ve held back a few, like Dr. Thomas recommends, it’s worked, and we’re not wasting product.”

Wade notes that skipping treatment isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what’s right.

“The days of treating everything, every time, are behind us,” he emphasizes. “Refugia takes discipline, but it gives us longevity. It protects the products we have.”

Buck Rich (left) and Dr. Tyler Thomas processing cattle.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

Management: Strong Grazing Supports Stronger Control

Rich is quick to explain that success doesn’t just come from products; it’s also about how grazing is managed.

“We’re not extreme rotators, but we do move cattle regularly,” he says. “We try to leave about half the grass behind each time. It helps the pasture bounce back faster, and keeps parasite pressure lower.”

Thomas adds that forage height matters.

“Most infective larvae live in the bottom two inches of pasture,” he says. “If cattle graze above that, they’re exposed to fewer parasites. And it’s better for regrowth and soil health, too.”

Washburn agrees and adds, “Overgrazing doesn’t just hurt your grass. It increases parasite exposure and slows pasture recovery. Management is a pillar of deworming, just as much as the product in your chute.”

Planning that Pays

For Rich and Thomas, deworming isn’t a stand-alone decision; It’s part of a year-round plan. And that plan flexes with the season, the weather and the cattle in front of them.

“Herd health protocols aren’t static,” Thomas says. “If Buck’s going to keep calves for 10 months, we make a different plan than if they’re leaving in 60 days. It’s about making the product fit the goal, not the other way around.”

Rich’s partnership with Thomas helps him stay ahead of parasite pressure, while reducing unnecessary costs.

“I know I can call Dr. Thomas any time,” Rich stresses. “He understands our operation and helps me make decisions that actually fit what we’re doing. Working with my vet makes all the difference.”

That tailored approach is one reason Leaning Oak Ranch continues to see results year after year.

“It’s about using the tools we have wisely,” Washburn says. “When you put diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management together, you’re building something more sustainable — and profitable.”

For Rich, the proof is in the cattle and the next generation.

“This is a family operation. My kids are growing up on this ranch,” he concludes. “I want our cattle to look good now, but I also want this to work 10, 20 years from now. That’s why we do it this way.”

To explore strategies like the ones Rich and Thomas use visit DewormingLegends.com .

First Generic Bovine Respiratory Disease Treatment Approved by the FDA

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:43:04 GMT

Updated October 8, 2025

Bimedia US has now launched Gamrozyne, an FDA approved antibiotic (gamithromycin) injectable solution for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) caused by Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Additionally, Gamrozyne has been approved to help control respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M. haemolytica and P. multocida.

This marks the first FDA-approved generic version of Zactran (gamithromycin; Boehringer Ingelheim) injectable solution and has been determined to be bioequivalent.

Gamithromycin has been shown to reach target lung tissue within 30 minutes and delivers 10 days of treatment with a single subcutaneous injection.

How To Recognize BRD

BRD is the most common and costly respiratory disease affecting the North American beef cattle industry. Delayed diagnosis and treatment increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections and can lead to severe illness and death. Clinical signs of BRD in cattle depend on the age of the animal, the causative organism(s) and the stage of the disease. However, the general clinical signs are:

Fever (over 40°C/104°F)
Labored breathing
Nasal and/or ocular discharge
Depression and/or dullness
Lack of appetite
Rapid, shallow breathing
Coughing
Salivation

Of these symptoms, fever in cattle is most commonly attributed to BRD and can be one of the earliest signs of disease. Further, the type of coughing can be indicative of the severity of the infection. In early cases, the lungs and airways are painful, so the animal will try to clear the airway with tentative, soft coughing. Later stage infection is characterized by more prominent coughing, and at this point, treatment is difficult.

BRD Prevention

To prevent BRD in cow-calf operations, close collaboration between the veterinarian and the producer is key. Developing a prevention-based herd-health program can improve the reproductive performance of the cow herd and help prevent illness in pre-weaned calves. This program should include:

A vaccination program tailored to the risk factors of your herd
Adequate herd nutrition (including assuring passive transfer with colostrum intake)
Consistent cattle handling to reduce stress
Testing for and removing cattle persistently infected with BRD

Your Next Read: Risk Factors Associated with BRD in Preweaned Calves

Importance of Clean Water in Cattle Production

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:23:33 GMT

There’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold drink of water after spending time in the Kansas heat in August. According to Kansas State University beef cattle experts, cattle feel the same — and clean water is the most critical nutrient for the animals’ health and performance.

“Water is the most important nutrient that animals are going to get, and they have to have enough of it,” says K-State Veterinarian Dr. Scott Fritz.

While many producers might assume all water is created equal, experts warn that not all sources are suitable for livestock. They note that total dissolved solids, nitrate and sulfate levels and pH (acidity) can significantly impact animal health and productivity.

“Cattle nearly double their water intake (when temperatures rise) from 40 degrees to 90 degrees (Fahrenheit),” Fritz says. “This increase underscores the importance of understanding water capacity and quality, especially during intense summer heat.”

Wells and ponds present different challenges.

“We’ve seen wells that were normal for 10 years, then all of a sudden the water contains as much sodium as sea water,” Fritz says.

Key factors ranchers should monitor include total dissolved solids — which should stay under 3,000 parts per million — as well as sulfate and nitrate concentrations. The veterinarians noted that water hardness typically has minimal impact on livestock.

Fritz and others agree it’s good practice to test water sources periodically, particularly after drilling a new well or during significant seasonal changes. The goal is ensuring livestock have access to clean, abundant water that supports their health and productivity.

To learn more about heifer management, marketing cattle and water quality, check out the latest episode of the K-State BCI Cattle Chat podcast.

From Selection to Breeding: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Productive Heifers

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:15:09 GMT

Heifers are one of the largest and most expensive inputs for a herd.

“Where do you want to be in five years? Where do you want to be in 10 years with your cow herd?” These are questions Dr. Jennifer Koziol, Texas Tech University associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery, encourages cattle producers to consider when selecting replacement females.

Koziol emphasizes the importance of strategic selection, advising producers to think long-term when selecting the next generation for their cow herd.

She recommends selecting heifers based on multiple factors beyond just appearance, including:

Birth Timing
- Select heifers born earlier in the breeding season. Early birth indicates better reproductive potential and means these heifers come from more fertile dams.

“We want to pick heifers that were born earlier in the year... from dams that were the most fertile,” Koziol explains.
Genetics
- Choose heifers from cows with long herd longevity
- Consider future herd goals such as carcass quality or maternal traits
- Look beyond just physical appearance
Environmental Compatibility
- Select heifers that match your specific environment by considering frame scores appropriate to your region. A cow’s size should match available feed resources.
Long-Term Perspective
- Think about herd goals five to 10 years in the future and select heifers that will contribute to those objectives
- Consider traits like fertility, growth and adaptability
Physical Traits
- Assess frame scores
- Examine feet and leg structure
- Look for overall structural soundness

Bottom line: She encourages producers to select replacements with a purpose, rather than just choosing the most attractive heifers.

“Focus on strategic, goal-oriented selection that supports long-term herd improvement,” she says.

Koziol was featured in a recent “ Doc Talk ” hosted by Dr. Dan Thomson. During the podcast, she shared strategies for producers to consider whether retaining or purchasing replacements.

She offers practical, research-backed guidance to support herd health and long-term profitability.

“I’m really passionate about thinking about how we do a better job on the preventative side, so we don’t get the backside and have problems,” she says.

Vaccination and Health Management

Heifer health is key to long-term success in the herd. Koziol shares the following guidance on heifer immunization:

Use modified live vaccines at weaning to get the heifers’ immune response up and going
Administer a booster four to six weeks after initial vaccination
Repeat vaccination four to six weeks before breeding

She refers to research from Auburn University supporting this vaccination strategy, noting it provides the best immune response for first-calf heifers.

Nutrition and Growth Patterns

She says nutrition strategy isn’t one size fits all.

“We can really let those growth patterns of the heifers be driven by our feed resources,” Koziol says. “We know that we want to target those heifers to be about 55% to 60% of their mature cow weight at breeding.”

She explains producers can adjust average daily gains based on feed abundance. Adding heifers can “coast” when feed resources are limited.

Reproductive Assessment

“Reproductive tract scoring and pelvic measuring are two great things to make sure we’re breeding heifers that are going to do a good job for us,” Koziol suggests. “Work with your veterinarian to find problems and get rid of the problems before we either waste money breeding them, or we have to call our vet out in the middle of the night for a c-section.”

Reproductive tract scoring (RTS) helps identify which heifers are prepared for breeding. This process includes evaluating the uterus to make sure it and the ovaries are functioning and make sure the heifer is cycling. The original RTS system was a five-point system.

She suggests using an updated three-category system developed by Kansas State University:

Ready category: Heifers actively cycling and prepared for breeding
Intermediate category: Smaller reproductive tracts, not yet cycling
Problem category: Incomplete reproductive tracts or potential fertility issues

She suggests combining RTS with pelvic measuring. The goal with pelvic measuring is to find heifers that are too small or abnormally shaped. The target pelvic area is approximately 130 centimeters squared.

“We’re looking for those heifers that are either too small or abnormally shaped, because those are going to be ones that have increased chances of dystocia,” she explains. “We don’t really have to select for bigger. We just have to find the ones that are too small.”

She suggests conducting the assessments four to six weeks before breeding. The assessments can help determine which heifers should be bred or if they should be culled.

Biosecurity Considerations

If you decide to buy replacement heifers or bred heifers, Koziol recommends producers consider these three measures to prevent disease transmission and to ensure smooth herd integration:

Quarantine new animals for four to six weeks before commingling
Verify vaccination records and disease status of incoming heifers
Introduce new animals well before breeding season

Economics and Sustainability

She summarizes as expenses continue to increase, being economically minded is key to being sustainable and profitable.

Koziol reminds producers to view heifer development as a long-term investment — focus on preventative measures to reduce future veterinary costs.

Considering her suggestions, producers can identify and cull problematic heifers to use as an alternative income stream instead of an economic burden to building a productive and efficient herd.

Texas A&M Researchers Study Diet’s Impact On Salmonella Prevalence In Cattle

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:29:16 GMT

Salmonella is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and can spread to people from a variety of foods, including beef. Understanding how and why cattle become infected with Salmonella is an important part of fighting this major public health concern.

Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) are addressing this problem from a new angle by studying how diet and feeding schedule impact Salmonella infections in cattle.

Their recent study , published in the American Society for Microbiology’s Microbiology Spectrum journal, found that high-starch diets can potentially lower Salmonella prevalence in cattle, especially within the lymph nodes — organs that are often embedded in fat trims included in ground beef products.

“Lymph nodes may be present in fat trimmings that are used to balance lean-to-fat ratios in ground beef products,” says Yesica Botero, a fourth-year biomedical sciences doctorate student. “This is a food safety concern because Salmonella can hide inside lymph nodes, where surface cleaning or treatments do not reach. As a result, it can still be present in ground beef.”

Feedyard cattle are typically fed a high-energy, grain-based diet designed to promote rapid growth and efficient weight gain.

Understanding the role that a high-starch diet potentially plays in reducing Salmonella prevalence could have major impacts on the beef cattle industry, providing ranchers with new options for controlling the spread of bacteria within their herds.

Taking A New Approach

The Texas A&M project was designed to study feedlot cattle that Dr. Kendall Samuelson, from West Texas A&M University, was examining in a separate project to see whether high-starch diets and feeding schedules impact liver abscess formation.

“We aimed to understand the factors that contribute to the presence and distribution of salmonella in feedlot cattle,” said Dr. Gizem Levent , a VMBS assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences . “There aren’t many studies focusing on understanding how diet and management changes impact Salmonella.”

Botero and Levent took samples of feces, hides, lymph nodes and soil from Samuelson’s cattle pens over a period of more than seven months. They found that while there was little difference in Salmonella populations between cattle with scheduled versus erratic feedings, the level of starch in the diet made a notable impact.

“We saw a reduction in Salmonella, especially in the lymph nodes, when cattle were fed a high-starch diet,” Botero says. “High-starch diets typically cause a lower pH in the rumen, which may be what reduces Salmonella prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract and, subsequently, in lymph nodes.

“Findings from Dr. Samuelson’s original study suggested that high-starch diets may also correlate with a higher incidence of liver abscesses,” she says. “This is something we would like to explore further in upcoming studies by testing different starch concentrations in the diet to find one that does not harm cattle health — such as by increasing the risk of liver abscesses — but still helps lower Salmonella levels.”

Continuing The Investigation

In addition to studying how different levels of starch impact liver abscesses and Salmonella, Levent and Botero are planning to dive even deeper into the data to study the specific serotypes, or genetic profiles of Salmonella, observed in their samples.

“We want to do a follow-up study with more in-depth analysis of the dynamics of the Salmonella population,” Botero says. “By looking at the genetic profiles, we can better understand which serotypes are present, how they might respond to antibiotics, and whether they carry genes that make them more likely to survive or spread in the environment.”

Fortunately, what they have seen so far from the feedlot samples does not indicate a high presence of Salmonella or serotypes resistant to antibiotics.

“The overall Salmonella population found was not resistant to antibiotics of public health concern, which is good news for public health,” Levent said. “But we will definitely keep screening for resistance so that we can better understand what makes resistant populations exist in the environment.”

Heifer Economics: Calculating Replacement Costs in Today's Market

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:54:39 GMT

As beef producers consider expansion, key expenses to consider are the cost of buying versus the price of developing your own replacements.

Oklahoma State University’s Mark Z. Johnson says there is evidence of an increase in heifer retention with improved drought conditions across much of the Central Plains and summer video auctions reporting a smaller percentage of heifer calves.

“Retention does not appear to be aggressive,” says Johnson, Extension beef cattle specialist, in a recent Cow-Calf Corner newsletter. “With the calf market on pace for another year of record prices providing incentive, herd rebuilding remains sluggish compared to past cycles.”

Lingering drought continues to limit forage availability in key regions while high interest rates and the substantial capital required to develop or purchase bred females further suppresses expansion. Many producers also remain wary of a repeat of the post-2014 market correction, adding a layer of caution to long-term decision-making.

“Even with bred female values at record highs, relative to calf prices, breds may still be undervalued, a sign of producer hesitation rather than a lack of economic feasibility,” Johnson explains.

He says an excellent metric to consider when purchasing bred heifers is the number of calves it takes to pay for the purchase. CattleFax recently reported in 2025 that figure is projected to average just 2.75 calves, well below the long-term average of 4.5 and far beneath the 2015 peak of 9 calves.

“This ratio is likely to rise over time, driven by higher bred female prices, moderating calf values, or a combination of both,” he explains. “If feed resources allow, this dynamic suggests that adding females to the herd today may be the best time from a breakeven perspective to expand.”

(CattleFax)

Keeping Replacements vs. Buying Bred Heifers

Johnson stresses replacement heifers are expensive; not only with respect to dollars invested but also the expenditure of time and labor involved.

“Recent market reports indicate 550-lb. weaned heifer calves selling for well more than $2,000 per head. Those heifers calves are still two years away from weaning their first calf if all goes according to plan,” he explains. “Accordingly, operations looking to add inventory may find a better option of purchasing bred heifers in the current market.”

What Should Bred Heifers Be Worth?

Johnson says assuming weaned calves remain at a value of $2,000 to $2,500 per head over the next few years, your annual cost of running a cow will largely determine what you should invest in a bred heifer.

“The annual cost of maintaining a beef cow is highly variable and has increased tremendously over the past five years,” he explains. “Variable costs such as fuel, fertilizer and herbicides have been blamed as the primary culprits; however, fixed costs such as equipment, hired labor and land have increased as well.”

Total economic costs associated with U.S. cow-calf production for 2018 were estimated to range from $910 per cow for operations with 500 or more cows to $2,099 per cow for operations with 20 to 49 cows.

“These results show significant economies of scale, with costs per cow declining with increased herd size,” Johnson says.

Kansas Farm Management Association estimates the annual cost of running a cow to be approximately $1,551 according to data collected in 2024.

Johnson says it is noteworthy that pasture and feed only account for $684 of that total. Visit AgManager.info for a detailed breakdown of the other actual expenses.

Market fundamentals are strong for a continued robust cattle market until cow inventories start to climb.

“There is currently not much indication of that happening anytime soon,” Johnson summarizes. “That being said, what bred heifers are worth to your operation, and how many calves a female needs to raise in order recapture your initial purchase price, will depend on how much profit she nets each year per calf rather than on the gross value of each calf she produces.”

Tetanus: A Storm Aftermath Problem for Animals

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:40:49 GMT

Of all the challenges faced by livestock owners and animal caretakers in the wake of damaging spring and summer storms, one potentially serious animal disease might not appear for days or weeks later: Tetanus.

Debris blown about by storms poses an injury threat to confined animals, as well as those in pastures and lots. These storms can also spook animals into running through fences and damaged buildings. A wide variety of animal injuries can result, ranging from minor scratches to debilitating injuries that require intensive treatment or euthanasia. When deep wounds result, Tetanus is a potential problem.

What causes Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by a bacteria, Clostridium tetani, that only creates disease under very specific conditions. Farms can’t avoid this bacteria. It’s very common in soil and animal manure in spore forms that are very resistant to time and weather conditions.

Sitting out in the barnyard, these bacterial spores are harmless. It’s when they find their way into wounds that they cause disease. In damaged muscle and connective tissue that’s deep enough that oxygen can’t penetrate, the spores activate into rapidly reproducing bacteria that produce toxins.

One of these toxins, called tetanospasmin, attaches to nerve endings in the area. The toxin blocks the nerve’s ability to release inhibitors that “switch off” muscle fiber contraction. As a result, muscles can’t stop contracting.

As more toxin is produced, it migrates up to involve more of the nervous system. Uncontrolled muscle contractions create clinical signs of stiffness, muscle tremors, a “sawhorse” stance and “flicking” of the third eyelid. Eventually the animal is beset with generalized tremors and an inability to stand; death or euthanasia is the outcome.

Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, any wound can easily become contaminated. But not every wound provides the right conditions for Tetanus. Deep puncture wounds that introduce the bacteria into damaged, oxygen-poor body tissue are most often associated with Tetanus.

The time from the wound occurrence to the onset of disease can vary from several days to several weeks, but is typically 10-14 days.

Additionally, animal species differ in how vulnerable they are to Tetanus infections. Horses are by far the mos- susceptible species, followed by cattle, sheep and pigs.

How do you treat and prevent it?

Tetanus is a preventable disease, with vaccines widely available for use in livestock species. Tetanus vaccine is considered a “core” vaccine for all horses, meaning that all horses should have annual Tetanus vaccinations. Routine Tetanus vaccination is less commonly recommended for cattle and older sheep, and generally focuses on calves and lambs being band castrated.

Once a wound occurs, the potential for Tetanus to develop can be dramatically reduced by prompt intervention. Following a storm, animal caretakers should closely examine their animals, as puncture wounds might not be obvious externally. Administering Tetanus antitoxin, proper wound care, and antibiotic treatment can reduce the chance that Clostridium tetani infections and their subsequent problems will occur. Because horses are highly susceptible, they should be administered antitoxin and have their Tetanus vaccination boostered when any kind of wound, however minor, is detected. While cattle and sheep are less susceptible, those interventions may be appropriate for them too.

Wound care methods vary according to their severity and location, so a veterinarian should be consulted about how to deal with them, as well as appropriate antibiotics to use. Once signs of Tetanus set in, progression can be very hard to stop, so prompt action is important.

Animal care can be challenging following destructive storms, with Tetanus just one of the many considerations for animal caretakers. If you are one of these people, contact your local veterinarian for guidance.

Tick Riders Join the Fight Against New World Screwworm Threat

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:33:08 GMT

With the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, the Tick Riders, a dedicated group of mounted patrol inspectors, will have a new job to tackle.

The Tick Riders have been patrolling the southern U.S. border for more than 100 years. Their mission has been protecting U.S. cattle from the cattle fever tick, a troublesome parasite that causes severe blood loss, weakness and can transmit deadly diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis.

The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP), established in 1906, uses modern tools like chemical treatments, anti-tick vaccines and injectable medications to manage the threat, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) explains in a release.

A Line of Defense
Because Mexico continues to report cases of babesiosis, the Permanent Quarantine Zone (PQZ)—stretching from Brownsville to Del Rio, Texas—remains a critical line of defense. Within this zone, Tick Riders monitor for stray livestock crossing the border that may carry these dangerous ticks.

Cattle fever ticks carry bovine babesiosis, which is severe and often fatal.

(USDA)

To help prevent NWS, CFTEP has launched a preventive treatment protocol for all cattle and horses apprehended along the PQZ. Under the new protocol, CFTEP staff will apply NWS-preventative treatments to captured animals.

“These treatments are safe for animals and the environment. They do not replace APHIS’ routine inspections for cattle fever ticks,” APHIS explains.

However, to defend the U.S. from mounting threats of NWS, APHIS is employing these additional measures.

Don’t Accept Unusual
The NWS fly lays eggs and larvae in open wounds of warm-blooded animals,” says Russ Daly, Extension veterinarian for South Dakota State University. “NWS’s function is similar (but different) to a maggot. Domestic blow flies lay their eggs on dead tissue. The resulting maggots feed on the dead tissue. The difference with NWS is it lays its eggs on living tissue and will feed on living tissue.”

(USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

NWS is endemic in parts of the Caribbean and South America and has recently spread as far north as southern Mexico.

“As Tick Riders take on this new challenge, they continue to exemplify APHIS’ commitment to protecting U.S. agriculture,” APHIS reports. “Their work helps ensure that farmers, ranchers and producers can keep feeding, fueling and clothing America.”

Daly challenges livestock producers to pay attention to unusual situations. If you have an animal that suddenly has a lot of necrotic tissue that fly larvae (maggots) are trying to clean up, Daly says that’s a sign producers need to take seriously.

“NWS does respond to some insecticides that we would use for show pigs or horses during the summer to keep the flies off,” Daly adds. “But in order to get that animal healed up, the larvae have to be flushed out and removed by a veterinarian. These infestations can lead to secondary infections to worry about. And, if the infestation has gone deep enough, there could be severe muscle damage or damage to other organs that are beyond help.”

Treatment products need to be considered, adds Lisa Becton, assistant director of SHIC. Because of this, wound care is key during NWS infestation.

“If you have animals that have sores, it’s very important to treat that wound,” Becton says. “You may or may not be able to use a sealant, whether that’s iodine or antibacterial. Wound care is very important to help get a wound healing fast, even if you also have to use antimicrobials for an animal to help prevent other infection.”

Learn more:
Protect Your Livestock: Signs of New World Screwworm

Where Animals, Data and Decisions Meet

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:04:02 GMT

One of the country’s leading authorities on diseases that can jump from animals to humans will be the 12th speaker in the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture series at Kansas State University.

Dr. Megin Nichols, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases , will speak on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in McCain Auditorium. Farm Journal is the exclusive media partner of the lecture series.

Her talk, titled “Where Animals, Data and Decisions Meet: A One Health Journey,” will explore the often-invisible thread that connects human health, animal populations and the environment. Admission is free and organizers say the lecture will be streamed live online.

One Health is CDC’s collaborative, multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes for Americans by recognizing the connection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.

“If you were to scan the newspaper on any given day,” Nichols says, “you’re likely to see something related to zoonotic diseases — diseases that can jump from animals to humans. These affect our health, our food supply, and even our economy.”

It’s a subject Nichols has studied for decades, and one she says touches every person, whether they know it or not.

She points to recent examples like highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), which disrupted both poultry and dairy industries while raising public health alarms; and the northward spread of New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that threatens livestock.

“These are everyday issues,” Nichols says. “And by understanding how these outbreaks happen, we can prevent future ones. That’s the heart of One Health.”

Understanding zoonotic diseases

The term ‘zoonotic’ may be unfamiliar to some, but the concept is ancient — and personal, says Nichols, who grew up in rural New Mexico.

“My parents used to tell me, ‘Don’t go near that animal burrow; there might be fleas,’” she recalls. “They were teaching me basic zoonotic prevention before I even knew the word.”

Zoonotic diseases are caused by germs that can spread between animals and people through viruses, bacteria, parasites and even fungi. Nichols says about 60% of all known infectious diseases in humans come from animals, and three out of four emerging diseases originate in animals.

“That includes everything from E. coli to plague,” she says. “We still have plague in New Mexico, transmitted by fleas on rodents. These aren’t just things of the past.”

Risks to health and economy

Zoonotic diseases don’t just threaten human health; they can upend economies.

“We saw egg prices spike during avian influenza outbreaks,” Nichols says. “Milk production dropped when H5N1 hit dairy herds. These impacts ripple through supply chains, affecting consumers and producers alike.”

More concerning, she adds, is the potential for some of these pathogens to jump to people and cause outbreaks of their own — a sobering reminder that protecting animal health is often the first step to protecting human health.

Prevention: From barnyard to boardroom

When it comes to prevention, Nichols says there are simple steps every person can take — like washing hands after being around animals, cooking meat thoroughly, and using bug repellent to avoid bites from ticks, fleas and mosquitoes that can carry disease.

“Today, we have a real opportunity to translate science into public health communication, strategy, education and innovations that help us be better prepared to manage these diseases,” Nichols says. “We’re at a really exciting time in our history where we have laboratory techniques like whole genome sequencing to look at the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other organisms that infect us, and learn more about them.”

She adds that new technology can help to reduce the risk of transmission, such as a real-time traceability system that can help monitor disease in livestock. Innovations in facility design can also reduce risk — especially in places like petting zoos.

“You can still let kids interact with animals, but we can design safer spaces where they aren’t putting their hands and mouths on contaminated railings,” she says. “It’s about smart interaction.”

The Role of NBAF and K-State

Nichols says she’s particularly excited to speak in Manhattan, a hub of animal health research that includes the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) — the first U.S. facility with Biosafety Level 4 containment for livestock.

“NBAF is operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and plays a critical role in diagnosing emerging diseases, developing vaccines, and protecting food and public health,” she explains.

K-State, while not managing NBAF, is deeply involved through education and research, training students and professionals to be on the front lines of disease detection.

“We rely on that first line of defense — the veterinarian, the family physician — to say, ‘Wait a second, I’ve seen this before,’” Nichols says. “That early detection can save lives.”

Looking to the Future

Though the Oct. 6 lecture will include students, researchers, and community members, Nichols says her message is meant for everyone.

“One Health is about understanding that our health is deeply connected to the animals and the environment around us,” she says. “And the more perspectives we bring — whether from agriculture, medicine, or public communication — the stronger we are when we face new threats.”

She adds: “Mentorship is key. We need to prepare the next generation of scientists, veterinarians, doctors, and communicators to face diseases we haven’t even imagined yet. And that starts by having conversations like the one we’ll have in Manhattan.”

K-State established the Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems lecture series to provide science-based education about world food issues. The series allows students, faculty, staff and Kansas citizens to interact with U.S. and international food industry leaders on topics of current interest.

The lecture series is funded by the Gardiner family of Ashland, Kan. Henry C. Gardiner, who passed away just days before the first lecture in 2015, was known as a visionary leader who dedicated his career to improving the beef industry through science and technology.

More information on this year’s lecture, as well as videos of past speakers, is available online .

Taking Stock For Disasters: Developing A Large Animal Preparedness Plan

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:41:05 GMT

When a disaster is on the horizon, timely evacuation can become that much more challenging for owners whose horses and livestock can’t simply squeeze into the back seat. These animals often depend entirely on their owners to shield them from the elements within their pasture, so having a proper plan in place is vital for their safety.

Kyle Johnson, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, offers insight into disaster risks and preparedness methods for large animal owners.

The Threat Of Wind, Water And Wildfires

Natural disasters that can impact horses and livestock include seasonal concerns like extreme summer heat and winter ice as well as sudden events like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.

Any storm with strong winds brings the threat of flying debris.

“When airborne, this debris can cause traumatic injuries — such as lacerations and puncture wounds — to horses and livestock,” Johnson says. “These high winds can also cause barns, shelters, and other structures to collapse.”

Flooding brought on by a storm’s heavy rain is another major threat for large animals exposed to the elements.

“If an animal is forced to stand in floodwaters because it is confined to a stall or a flooded pasture, it can suffer from a variety of injuries, including severe dermatitis, pneumonia and gastrointestinal or neurological disease — collectively known as submersion injury,” Johnson says. “Floodwater can also be heavily contaminated with a variety of substances, such as petroleum products, agricultural and industrial chemicals, pesticides and bacterial organisms like E. coli.”

Completing nature’s triple threat against horses and livestock is the potential harm brought by wildfires.

“When these animals inhale the smoke from wildfires, it can cause irritation of their eyes and lungs,” Johnson says. “Animals may cough, have increased respiratory rates and nasal discharge. Fires can also destroy or contaminate any available forage for grazing animals. In these cases, animals will either need to be moved or high-quality forage will need to be delivered to them.

“At times like these, proper animal identification is critical, as it makes returning these animals to their owners and pastures much easier after flood waters have receded and fires have been extinguished.”

Methods of large animal identification include:

Microchipping
Ear tags
Plastic neck bands
Branding
Tattoos

Thinking Ahead

Simply deciding to evacuate your horses or livestock isn’t enough. Having a safe place to go is also a vital part of your plan. Furthermore, knowing how to get there and having alternate routes can also be critical to an effective evacuation.

“A vital first step in any evacuation is the ability to quickly and safely load your horses into a horse trailer,” Johnson says. “Practice makes perfect so practicing loading your horse can be helpful so when you must leave. It’s also important to ensure that the trailer is regularly maintained.”

A plan is merely an idea unless it is written down. Copies should be made and stored both on-farm and in alternate, but known and accessible, locations. It should also be rehearsed, even if only briefly, and everyone should have a thorough understanding of the plan and know their role.

Emergency Kit Preparation

Companion animal owners are encouraged to plan ahead in the event that an evacuation might be needed by creating an emergency “go kit” of necessities for their pets; having the same kind of kit in the event that you need to evacuate large animals will make that process easier as well.

An emergency kit for large animals should contain enough supplies to last at least 72 hours, and possibly up to two weeks.

“Water is arguably the most important part of an emergency kit,” Johnson says. “An adult horse needs roughly six to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. As such, a kit should include at least three days’ worth of water per horse, with enough feed to last one to two weeks.”

Additional emergency kit materials include:

Registry paperwork
Copies of medical records
First-aid supplies
Identifying photographs
Feed and water buckets
Extra halters and lead ropes
Cleaning supplies
Medications

Pre- And Post-Disaster Resources

Before a disaster strikes, an owner’s best preparation resource is their regular veterinarian, who can provide copies of important documents and ensure that horses are properly vaccinated and in good health.

“It is important for horse owners to know their neighbors or, if the horse is kept in a boarding barn, the barn manager and other boarders at the facility,” Johnson says. “These relationships can promote mutual aid when disaster strikes.”

There are also a variety of resources available for members of the public to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about disasters that may impact their area, including automated emergency alert systems in the form of texts, emails or apps.

Knowing how weather may affect your property and having a plan in place are the best ways to protect your horses and your herds and to stay ahead of the chaos.

“As Dr. Deb Zoran, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team, says, ‘hope is not a plan.’ Owners should plan for disaster, discuss their plan with others, prepare their emergency kits, and be ready to act,” Johnson says. “With disasters becoming more frequent and catastrophic, it’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Don’t Waste Feed: Let Manure Scores Guide Cattle Nutrition

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:41:57 GMT

Evaluating cattle productivity often focuses on common benchmarks such as body condition, weight and feed consumption. Yet, there’s another informative — and sometimes ignored — performance indicator in plain sight: manure.

What comes out of the back end of your cattle can tell you a lot about your nutrition program. By utilizing a manure scoring tool, you can analyze your cattle’s manure and better understand how well the rumen is working to ensure your nutrition dollars are being used by the cow and not just passing through into their manure.

“Think of manure scores as a short-term report card on how the diet’s doing in the rumen,” says Ted Perry, Purina Animal Nutrition cattle nutritionist. “By scoring manure on the 1-5 scale, you can gain insight into the rumen environment, optimize your nutrition program and get more out of your feed resources.”

What do the manure scores look like and mean?

(Purina Animal Nutrition)

Manure score 1: The manure is more liquid than solid, with a cream soup consistency and possible gray color. The rumen isn’t functioning correctly, and what’s passing through is essentially water. This can also be an indication of acidosis and rumen upset. It is most commonly seen in feedlot diets.

(Purina Animal Nutrition)

Manure score 2: Manure doesn’t stack up properly. The manure pat is usually less than 1 inch thick and relatively runny or nearly liquid-like. The color will generally be the normal manure brown, typically experienced when forages are lush in the spring.

(Purina Animal Nutrition)

Manure score 3: This is the ideal manure score to aim for year-round in your cow herd. It has a normal manure pat form and will be relatively firm and retain its shape.

(Purina Animal Nutrition)

Manure score 4: The manure pat is thick and becomes more profound, yet it is not stacking. Rumen is not balanced for protein, carbohydrates and fiber degradability. It tends to happen when corn is added to the diet, and you’ll see undigested corn particles in the manure.

(Purina Animal Nutrition)

Manure score 5: The manure pat is firm and stacks over 2 inches high. It can also resemble horse manure in its look because undegraded fiber passes through the rumen. You can break open the manure and see the fiber.

How can you improve manure scores?

Manure score 1 requires the most significant diet change and will need a lot of fiber, usually in the form of hay.

“You’ll also want to work with a nutritionist to adjust the diet properly when the manure score is so low,” Perry says. “If the manure score is 2, ensure a quality mineral balanced for trace minerals is available, along with providing any supplemental fiber.”

When scores are higher (4 and 5), supplementation can bring the rumen back in balance by increasing forage digestibility. Using a cooked supplement like a tub or block helps regulate the manure score by feeding the rumen microbes appropriate amounts of starch, protein, vitamins and minerals.

“If you feed the rumen microbes properly, you’ll get better forage digestion,” Perry says. “For instance, it’s not uncommon to see cows grazing corn stalks with protein tubs having a manure score of 3 because the rumen microbes have been fed right.”

To maintain an ideal manure score of 3, adjust your supplementation and mineral as forages change.

“Forage quality constantly shifts throughout the year, so your nutrition program must also shift,” Perry says. “Adjusting the nutrition program based on manure score helps keep the cow herd in optimum body condition score (BCS).”

When should you gather manure scores?

Manure scores can be gathered throughout the year. A good time to utilize this tool is in tandem with body condition scoring to get an even better idea of how your nutrition program is working. If you currently work with a nutritionist to help body condition score your herd, they can also assist you with manure scores.

“It’s also a good idea to check manure scores whenever there’s a diet change,” Perry explains. “If you’ve moved the herd from one type of forage to a new one, like dormant native grass in late winter to wheat pasture, there will be a difference in the manure.”

Similarly, if you’re grazing pasture or feeding hay and consistently see a manure score of 5, it’s time to make a change with some supplementation and minerals. Three to four days after making a diet change is the ideal time to reevaluate manure scores because the rumen has had enough time to adjust.

“Much like body condition scoring, manure scoring can quickly tell you how your herd is performing and help you make important nutrition decisions,” Perry summarizes. “Incorporating this tool into your regular management routine can give you valuable insights to ensure your nutrition program is as efficient and effective as possible.”

Your Next Read: Key Nutrition Strategies for a Successful Weaning

Could EPA Decision Signal The Beginning Of The End For DEF?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:28:35 GMT

Mike Berdo has strong words to describe his ongoing experiences using machinery requiring DEF ( Diesel Exhaust Fluid ) on his southeast Iowa farm.

“It has been an absolute nightmare, at least for us. Mechanics make trip after trip to do little stuff that’s very expensive to fix,” said Berdo, who produces grain and beef cattle near Washington. “We had planting delays last spring … little stuff that came from it and just seemed like [an issue to deal with] day after day.”

The ongoing mechanical issues and costs are why Berdo said he is “all for” EPA rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding. The Finding has enabled the agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act and, in recent years, and launch requirements such as the use of DEF systems in diesel-powered engines.

EPA Draws A Line In The Sand
On Tuesday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin released a proposal to rescind the 2009 Finding.

If finalized, the proposal would remove all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines, EPA said in a follow-up press release .

The move would start with EPA’s first greenhouse gas standard set in 2010 for light-duty vehicles and those set in 2011 for medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and engines.

EPA said the proposal is expected to “save Americans $54 billion in costs annually through the repeal of all greenhouse gas standards, including the Biden EPA’s electric vehicle mandate, under conservative economic forecasts.”

Zeldin made the announcement to rescind the Finding in Indiana, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and called it the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.

What The Decision Could Mean To Farmers
Specific to U.S. farmers, the proposal could potentially result in DEF systems no longer being included on new tractors and other heavy equipment using diesel-powered engines, said Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk, during a Farmer Forum discussion on Wednesday.

South Dakota farmer Ryan Wagner told Flory he has a wait-and-see perspective on how or whether the EPA proposal goes into effect. He anticipates that reversing the Finding will take considerable time and effort for EPA to implement.

“It took a long time with the interim engines and things to get into full DEF in the first place,” Wagner said. “I don’t know how long it would take to unwind all that and how quickly manufacturing will just take those systems right off, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.”

To Wagner’s point, here’s a brief look back at some timing showing when DEF rolled out in agriculture and nonroad equipment and became mandatory . The regulations were phased in over several years based on the type of equipment and engine size:

2008: DEF became required for all new diesel engines with engine sizes over 750 horsepower.

2011: the regulations expanded to include equipment with engine sizes between 175-750 horsepower.

By 2015, all new nonroad diesel engines were required to be Tier 4 compliant and utilize DEF, regardless of equipment type or engine size.

As Wagner considers DEF, he noted its use in diesel engines has provided him with one benefit: “On the plus side, I do like that they don’t make the walls of my shop black. That’s been nice,” he said. “You can run them inside for a short time and not not feel like you’re breathing in a bunch of soot and making everything black.”

Expect Legal Challenges To EPA Decision
A number of environmental groups have already blasted the move by EPA, saying it spells the end of the road for U.S. action against climate change, according to an online article by Reuters .

Legal challenges from various environmental groups, states and lawyers are likely ahead.

That fact wasn’t lost on Flory and the Farmer Forum participants during the AgriTalk discussion on Wednesday.

“If this proposal is finalized, it’s going to start a lot of conversations … and the dominoes are going to start to fall, something that we need to keep track of, no doubt,” Flory said. You can hear the complete Farmer Forum discussion on AgriTalk here:

EPA will initiate a public comment period to solicit input. Further information on the public comment process and instructions for participation will be published in the Federal Register and on the EPA website .

Your next read: Right To Repair Granted? John Deere Launches Digital Self-Repair Tool for $195 Per Tractor

8 Easy, Cost-Effective Tips To Maximize Biosecurity On The Farm And At The Fair This Summer

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:38:38 GMT

When it comes to biosecurity, livestock producers should have protocols in place for both on the farm and when taking animals to fairs or exhibitions. Live animals, vehicles, equipment, animal products and people can carry disease onto farms.

University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Chloe Collins says preparation helps producers know what they are up against.

“This will help your biosecurity practices run smoothly and effectively,” she says.

With it being county and state fair season for many parts of the country, University of Missouri Extension veterinarian Corinne Bromfield says there are easy things producers can do to improve biosecurity and help minimize transmission of diseases.

“Many think biosecurity needs to be intense and expensive, but small, consistent actions can pay big dividends,” Bromfield says.

Collins and Bromfield share basic biosecurity steps that cost little to nothing but can save a lot of money and headaches:

Check health requirements for exhibitions. Many events require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or health certificate from a veterinarian — especially for livestock traveling from out of state. This helps ensure only healthy animals go to shows, reducing the likelihood animals will pick up something at the show and bring it back home. If livestock exhibit any signs of contagious disease, such as coughing, diarrhea or skin irritations, they should be left at home.

Dedicated clothing. People taking animals to fairs should wear dedicated clothing and footwear at the fair and not bring them home to their other animals. Having dedicated clothing/footwear that doesn’t leave your farm is also important for your animals staying home.

Isolate new or returning animals. This is a key step to mitigate the immediate spread of disease and gives producers time to observe animals. Make sure the isolation area is separate from high-traffic areas and has its own feed and water sources. Another option is attending a terminal show, where the livestock will not return to the home herd.

Set a quarantine protocol. Keep new or returning animals separate from the herd for at least two weeks (four weeks is even better), and watch for any signs of illness. This helps prevent the spread of disease to animals that are currently healthy animals. Work with your quarantined after working with the home herd.

Sanitize. Keep housing, feeding and watering areas clean. Regularly disinfect these spaces and remove manure frequently to reduce cross contamination. Avoid bringing home feed, shavings or manure from the event. Wash the trailer to clean off manure, and always wash your hands after interacting with animals.

Clean your equipment. This is especially important for those attending fairs this summer or frequently moving animals. Always clean your equipment before you leave the farm and as soon as you return. If you’re bringing new equipment, such as a stock trailer, to the farm, stop at a truck wash on the way home to clean and disinfect it. Don’t forget to scrub buckets, fans, panels, shovels and any other objects that have traveled with your animal or may have encountered other animals or animal products.

Limit farm access. Create designated areas for visitors. If you frequently have people who visit your farm, create zones for them — preferably away from animal areas. Require visitors to wear disposable footwear covers (like plastic boots) to limit disease spread. Designate parking and foot traffic areas to keep a barrier from your herd. Consider posting “Personnel Only” signs and establish protocols for high-risk areas, such as feed storage and highly trafficked zones.

Develop a written biosecurity plan unique to your farm. First, figure out what risks you already face with visitors, moving equipment on and off the farm and other animals that could be potential disease vectors. Plan how to mitigate animal contact and minimize risks.

Your next read: Remember Biosecurity Practices As You Exhibit Animals at Shows and Fairs