Cow-Calf News

Stopping Flies in 2026: 4 Steps to Battling These Economic Pests

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:27:47 GMT

With fly season approaching, now is the time to evaluate and refine your fly management plan for 2026.

“Every year, stable and horn flies cause significant economic losses, but a good fly control program can minimize this impact,” says Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist. “Although often grouped together, these are very different flies that need different control approaches.”

Dr. Ashby Green, Neogen senior technical services veterinarian, says, “If you are seeing flies, ticks, lice or insect damage to your cattle herd, we know there is an economic impact; however, that impact can become far greater than production or weight gain loss alone. Insect pressure affects grazing patterns of cattle; it affects their comfort and it can lead to health issues. Some of those health issues can be definite, such as anaplasmosis.”

The vectors responsible for spreading anaplasmosis include horse flies, stable flies and ticks. This condition has been reported in most states across the U.S., while the disease has been recognized as endemic throughout the South and several Midwestern and Western states.

Jonathan Cammack, Oklahoma State University assistant professor and state extension specialist, says, “With horn flies, we’re looking at mastitis risk, so that’s going to impact both dairy cattle and also our cow-calf operations. A lot of times, horn flies will feed on the udders of the animals, and they transfer the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because they land on the manure, then they go back to the animal to feed and bring those bacteria with them.”

Several other conditions are propagated by flies, including pinkeye, which can be spread by face flies and causes inflammation and ulceration of the eyes. Pinkeye-affected calves are, on average, 35 lb. to 40 lb. lighter at weaning compared to healthy calves, according to a University of Kentucky report.

Cammack predicts flies are costing the U.S. cattle industry $6 billion annually in losses.

“That encompasses everything from actual loss in production due to decreased weight gain or decreased milk production, veterinary needs associated with treatment of cattle with exposure to pathogens from some of these insects, and then also the control measures associated with managing those individual fly species,” he explains.

David Boxler, Nebraska Extension livestock entomologist, says if previous control efforts underperformed, consider adjusting your approach.
“The best control method will depend on several factors including efficacy, cost, convenience and your current herd management practices,” he summarizes.

He also reminds producers that horn flies can migrate from neighboring untreated herds, masking the effectiveness of your efforts and increasing fly pressure. For this reason, Boxler recommends a comprehensive, integrated fly control.

Olds shares these tips for stopping flies, or at least reducing their impact:

Step 1: Know What You Have

“The first step in developing a good fly control program is knowing who you have,” Olds explains.

(Kansas State University)

Horn flies feed 20 to 30 times a day and stay associated with their chosen animal 24/7, with females only leaving briefly to lay eggs. Stable flies in contrast only feed once or twice a day, remaining on the host for a short period of time (3 to 5 minutes).

When not feeding, flies are resting in shaded areas such as building sides and vegetation. This short feeding time means producers often underestimate their stable fly burdens. While both flies affect pastured cattle, horn flies are not a problem in confined settings such as dairies and feedlots. This is because horn flies need fresh, undisturbed manure as a breeding site while stable flies can develop in any decaying plant matter such as hay bales, feed bunk spill over and decaying grass.

“Their populations can build rapidly and often exceed the economic injury level defined as 200 flies per animal,” Boxler adds about horn flies. “Once fly numbers surpass this threshold, cattle experience reduced weight gain and milk production due to fly-induced stress and altered grazing behavior.”

Step 2: Reduce Populations

Olds explains with either fly species, using non-insecticidal control methods is essential for slowing insecticide resistance. For horn flies, pasture burning in spring kills any flies overwintering, which can significantly reduce fly populations emerging as weather warms. A healthy dung beetle population will also significantly reduce your fly numbers for free.

“Dung beetles are very susceptible to macrocyclic lactones so avoid using injectable and pour-on avermectins (abamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin etc.),” Olds says.
Because horn flies die within hours of being removed from cattle, non-chemical walk-through traps can be effective if animals pass through it regularly.

Step 3: Eliminate Breeding Grounds

Round hay bales result in significant wastage, which when mixed into the manure-contaminated mud around bales provides a prime breeding site for stable flies.
Olds explains each round bale can produce 200,000 stable flies.

“Reducing hay waste and spreading/drying areas around finished bales is key to reducing stable fly numbers,” she says. “In feedlots, minimizing feed spillage and waste is critical to remove breeding sites for stable and house flies.”

Parasitoid wasps are available from multiple sellers and should be released around fly breeding sites. These are very effective if released before fly populations emerge and released repeatedly through the fly season.

Be careful using insecticides if using parasitoid wasps as they are very small and sensitive to these chemicals. Keeping vegetation surrounding pen areas short and exposed will remove sheltered resting areas, making life more difficult for the flies.

Step 4: Consider Chemical Control Options

Olds stresses chemical control options should be used as a supplement not the basis of a fly control program.

(Kansas State University)

“For horn flies, insecticidal ear tags are an effective method of control if correct rotation is used,” she adds. “Rotate the chemical class of your tag annually, in year one using pyrethroid-based products, year two use organophosphate-based products and year three use macrocyclic lactone tags. Repeating this three-year cycle will reduce the selection pressure on the fly populations, slowing down the spread of resistance.”

Olds also shares these tips for effective tagging: “Tag both ears and place the tag directly into the ear. For the tag to be effective, it must come into direct contact with the animal’s skin, which is greatly reduced when daisy chained.”

Little of the tag touches the body when attached to another tag.

(Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University)

She also instructs producers not to tag young calves and adds mature bulls with thick necks might not benefit from tagging unless the tag can touch the skin.

“Although the box may label products as effective for four to five months, field trials have shown that tags only remain effective for 90 to 100 days,” Olds says. “If possible, wait until fly populations are noticeable before tagging animals to get control over peak fly activity period. After 90 days, remove the tag to reduce the risk of insecticide resistance developing.”

(Neogen)

To increase coverage, pour-ons of the same chemical class as the ear tag can be used to increase coverage.

“Be aware that a macrocyclic lactone pour-on will impact dung beetle populations,” Olds says. “Make sure animals are dosed accurately according to weight and ensure head to tail coverage. Due to their low contact time with the host and preference for the legs, topical insecticidal treatments are generally not useful against stable flies.”

Spraying the legs can provide some relief, although it should be used sparingly as most sprays are pyrethroid-based, not allowing for effective annual rotation. Baits and premise sprays can be useful in controlling both house and stable flies, look for areas where flies are found resting such as building walls, fence posts and inside sheds and shelters.

Another option is feed through insect growth regulators (IGRs) to control horn fly. Olds says it is important cattle consume the correct amount, which can be difficult under free-choice conditions.

“Under-dosing will result in resistance developing over time, reducing product efficacy,” she says. “Although labeled for stable fly control also, when manure containing the IGR is diluted in the mud and hay, it is no longer effective.”

Often marketed as dung beetle safe, Olds says evaluations of these claims in most species have not been carried out, and their true impact remains unknown.

“Insecticide resistance to IGRs can and does happen; to slow this, rotate annually between Methoprene-based (Group 7A) and diflubenzuron-based products (Group 15),” she adds.

The Veterinary Entomology website , veterinaryentomology.org/vetpestx, provides a searchable database that can help producers select the right products. Producers can select from type of animal, insect and application method.

“For on-animal use, select the best product to allow an annual rotation between pyrethroid (Group 3A), organophosphate (Group 1B) and macrocyclic lactone (Group 6) groups,” Olds says.

Green also recommends using a multi-pronged approach to insect control. He says fly tags, IGR products, pour-ons, back rubbers and dust bags can help diminish the population.

“Both back rubbers and dust bags can be highly effective if managed correctly,” Green advises. “Keep in mind, when these are put out to withstand the elements, including moisture and rain, it’s key to keep the dust fresh or the oil recharged in your back rubbers. Otherwise, they will diminish in their ability to control flies quickly.”

Cammack stresses the importance of accurate dosing by the individual animal’s weight and following label guidelines.

To best control flies and insects on cattle operations, “the easy and effective way is the best way,” Green summarizes. “It’s up to you and with the help of your veterinarian to help create that combination.”

BQA at the Chute: 10 Tips for Spring Calf Processing

Mon, 04 May 2026 13:52:42 GMT

Spring calf processing is a critical window for establishing herd immunity, but its success depends entirely on the details. By following Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles, producers can maximize vaccine efficacy and protect carcass value through precise needle selection, proper injection site placement and strict adherence to the “one-hour rule” for modified-live vaccines.

“It will soon be time to process spring-born calves, which brings up the topic of best management practices and following BQA principles for all treatments,” says Chris Clark, Iowa State University Extension and outreach beef specialist, in a recent Growing Beef Newsletter. “The overall concepts are pretty simple, but it takes attention to detail to get the most out of each treatment and to ensure our product is as safe, wholesome and palatable as possible.”

Clark shares these 10 simple reminders for spring processing:

Follow label directions for all treatments, including injections, implants, pour-ons, insecticide ear tags, etc.
Administer all subcutaneous and intramuscular injections in front of the shoulder in the injection site triangle of the neck.
Select the appropriate needle diameter and length based on the weight of the animals being treated, viscosity of products being injected and routes of administration. Needles should be small enough to minimize tissue damage but large enough to prevent bending and breaking. The diameter should be appropriate for the viscosity of the product, and the length should be appropriate for the route of administration. For young calves weighing less than 300 pounds, 18-gauge needles are reasonable for most vaccines. For subcutaneous injections, ½ inch to ¾ inch needle length should work well, and for intramuscular injections, ¾ inch to 1 inch needle length should be appropriate. Keep in mind the greater the needle gauge, the smaller the diameter and vice versa.

Recommended needle size based on animal weight, viscosity of product and route of administration.
(BQA Field Guide)
Practice injection technique and pay attention to the angle of injection and the feel of the needle within the tissue. Subcutaneous injections should be applied at approximately 45 degrees to the body and intramuscular injections should be applied at approximately 90 degrees to the body. With experience, you can learn to feel whether you are in that subcutaneous space or whether you have entered the underlying muscle.
Change needles frequently. At a minimum, needles should be changed every 10 to 15 head. Additionally, a new needle should always be applied before refilling a syringe and any bent or burred needles should be immediately replaced.
For reusable syringes, clean well after each use by thoroughly rinsing with hot water. Refrain from using soaps and disinfectants because residues of these substances can damage vaccines and reduce vaccine efficacy.
Handle vaccines with care. When using modified live vaccines, mix only what you can use in an hour. Keep vaccines at steady, reasonable temperatures and take care to avoid freezing, excessive heat and exposure to UV light. Reconstitute modified live vaccines with sterile transfer needles and roll or invert gently to mix rather than shaking vigorously.
When possible, choose subcutaneous routes of administration over intramuscular routes. Some products are labeled to be given either way and when you have the choice, choose subcutaneous. Any insertion of a needle or injection of a substance into muscle tissue will cause tissue damage, potentially impacting the quality of that product.
Document complete processing/treatment records, including animal or group identification, treatment date, products administered, withdrawal times, earliest date animals would clear withdrawal times, dose administered, route of administration, name of person administering drugs and any prescription information.
Do not mix different vaccines or drugs in the same syringe or use a syringe to administer different products without washing in between. Try to place injections at least 4 inches apart from other injections to avoid product mixing/interaction within animal tissue.

Stop the Guesswork: Build a Targeted Parasite Plan

Mon, 04 May 2026 13:51:51 GMT

As grass greens up and cattle head back to pasture, many producers are “throwing darts in an open field” when it comes to parasite control, says Tennessee Hereford breeder Ryan Proffitt.

The real-world frustration of deworming programs is knowing if they are working, Proffitt says.

Norbrook Technical Services Veterinarian Megan Bollin explains fecal egg count testing, targeted treatment, concurrent deworming, maintaining refugia and smarter pasture management can turn parasite control guesswork into a targeted plan that protects herd health, preserves dewormer efficacy and ultimately adds pounds to the calf crop.

Both Bollin and Proffitt agree a pragmatic roadmap for modern parasite control is anchored in diagnostics, targeted treatment and strong relationships with veterinarians.

Bollin shares five practical strategies to get the most out of today’s dewormers and preserve them for tomorrow:

1. Sit Down with Your Vet.

She encourages producers to map out a herd‑specific internal and external parasite plan with diagnostics built in.

“Your local vet should be your key partner in designing a program that fits your parasites, climate and management style,” Bollin says.

2. Use the Right Product at the Right Time.

Use the correct class, correct dose and consider concurrent deworming when resistance is a known issue. Your local veterinarian can guide you on proper treatment timing to avoid wasting money.

3. Manage Pastures with Parasites in Mind.

Bollin says pasture management is as important as treatment. Pasture type, quality, topography and drainage should all be considered in your plan, knowing we can’t always do much to change them.

“Only about 10% of the parasite life cycle is in the animal; 90% is on pasture,” she says.

Larvae generally stay below 4” on the grass blade. She says it is important to avoid overgrazing pastures below this height and manage stocking density accordingly.

“When you get a big rain after a drought, the larvae that had been waiting in the manure pats can quickly become infective and significantly increase the risk of infection, especially in young calves,” she says.

4. Prioritize High-Risk Animals.

Calves, stockers, bulls and replacements should be prioritized with the strictest parasite control and monitoring programs.

“Calves, replacement heifers and bulls are typically heavier shedders and more susceptible to the effects of parasites than mature cows,” Bollin explains.

Proffitt notes that many producers historically concentrate on keeping mature cows dewormed while underestimating calves’ role as carriers.

“We don’t need to, and shouldn’t be, treating every animal like we always have,” Bollin adds. “That has gotten us in a pickle with resistance.”

5. Measure and Adjust Treatment.

Bollin says it is important to know where you started. Get a baseline fecal egg count, understand your resistance patterns and monitor the efficacy of your treatment program. So many variables change from year to year: climate, weather conditions, new animals and other stressors. It’s critical to routinely evaluate your deworming program and avoid blindly doing the same thing year after year.

(Proffitt Family)

Diagnostics Are Essential, Not Optional

Fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) are the most practical method we have to determine if dewormers are still working and at what level.

Bollin explains the process includes:

Collecting rectal fecal samples and recording identification.
Treating animals with product or products of choice.
Resampling the same animals by taking rectal fecal samples, 10 to 17 days later, depending on the drug or drugs used.

The lab will count how many eggs per gram are in that fecal sample. There will be a pretreatment and a posttreatment sample. Bollin says the goal should be greater than 95% reduction.

Proffitt argues FECRTs are worth the hassle.

“If we don’t have a game plan on what we’re doing and we’re just rushing,” he says. “What did we win at the end of the day if we don’t know what we’re doing?”

Proffitt says testing tells him which cows he can skip treating, which saves him money.

Bollin explains in many cases mature cows 3 years and older, shedding low levels of eggs, on a good plane of nutrition, with no other stressors or health concerns (including liver flukes), should not need to be dewormed.

“This supports ‘refugia’ — intentionally leaving low-risk animals untreated to slow resistance,” she explains. “Because they’re mature, they’ve got a competent immune system that can actually fight off these parasites by themselves without a dewormer.”

To reduce costs further, Bollin says producers can pool fecal samples from multiple cows into a single submission.

(Deb Gustafson)

Beating Parasite Resistance Starts at the Chute

Bollin says dewormer resistance, long documented in sheep and goats, is being seen more frequently in U.S. cattle herds.

She says overuse, underdosing and treating every animal regardless of need are major drivers in resistance.

“All of these deworming products, when they were originally approved, had very high levels of efficacy. We’re talking 99% and above,” Bollin explains. “As we’ve continually used these products, efficacy has been challenged because resistance has increased.”

If you’re using products that are no longer effective in your herd, you’re spending money on drugs that don’t work, and you’re not getting the production benefits. One way to restore efficacy when resistance is present is to use concurrent deworming.

Why Concurrent Deworming Matters

Bollin says concurrent deworming is using two dewormers from different classes at the same time. She stresses producers need to work with a veterinarian to avoid unknowingly pairing two products from the same class, which doesn’t provide the intended benefit.

She explains the benefits of concurrent deworming are:

· Higher overall efficacy when two partially effective products are combined. “Say you’ve got two products, for example, each with 70% efficacy. By using them together, you can raise your overall efficacy to levels exceeding 90%,” she says.

· Broader spectrum of parasite coverage.

· Models would suggest a slowing of resistance.

· Only sustainable long-term when used in conjunction with a refugia program. This means we don’t treat every animal. We want to keep a few “good” worms around that are still susceptible to the drug.

Bollin gives the example of pairing a benzimidazole, or a “white dewormer,” such as fenbendazole, albendazole or oxfendazole, with a macrocyclic lactone such as ivermectin, moxidectin or eprinomectin.

She emphasizes the industry unfortunately doesn’t have a lot of studies looking at this, but a study published in 2025 highlighted the benefits of concurrent treatment with fenbendazole in situations where resistance to macrocyclic lactones is likely.

Dung Beetles Are Valuable Allies

Dung beetles break up manure pats, exposing eggs and larvae to sunshine and dry conditions. Some dewormers are more compatible with dung beetle health.

“Two of the dewormers that are not harmful are moxidectin and fenbendazole,” Bollin says. “Those are two molecules that are generally safe for dung beetles, and those could be a good option to pair together.”

Facility where researchers collect blood samples and weigh cattle before and after they are transported. Steers have painted numbers on their backs so their activity can be followed on camera.

(Stephanie Hansen)

Application Technique and Dosing Accuracy Matter

Bollin says accurate body weights, not visual estimates, are critical, explaining underdosing is a key driver of resistance.

“One of the biggest contributors to resistance is that we are just not giving them enough active ingredient,” she says. “If you don’t have scales, it is best to treat to the heaviest body weight in the group, so that you make sure that they’re all getting enough.”

She also stresses the importance of storing deworming products correctly.

“Leaving them by the chute in temperature swings can reduce efficacy,” she says.

Proffitt also reminds producers to read labels and understand rain windows with pour-ons and to avoid mud or manure on hides. Bollin notes that injectables can provide more certainty that the animal is getting the full dose, whereas oral drenches can be spit out and pour-ons can run off or be groomed off by penmates.

Both Bollin and Proffitt frame parasite control not as one more chore on an overloaded to-do list but rather as a strategic, data-driven opportunity to protect animal health, slow resistance and convert good management into pounds sold.

Your Next Read:

Determine Parasite Load and Follow With Treatment

Moving Bred Cows? This Hidden Risk Window Can Cost You Pregnancies

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:16:18 GMT

A four-hour truck ride might feel routine. The timing of that move, however, can quietly work against you if cows are newly bred. This was the topic of discussion between Kansas State animal health experts on a recent episode of “ BCI Cattle Chat .”

Transport stress during early pregnancy is a management risk that often goes unnoticed. The issue is not just whether to move cows, but when.

The Critical Window

Early pregnancy is not equally stable from day to day. Specific windows carry a higher likelihood of pregnancy loss, and one stands out above the rest.

“There are a couple of times in pregnancy where we lose more fetuses, and one of those is maternal recognition of pregnancy, about two weeks after conception. That time is a really critical time, we lose a fair number of pregnancies right around that time so I don’t want to do anything to stress an animal then, like putting them on a truck for four hours,” says Bob Larson, professor in production medicine at Kansas State University.

That 14-day time point is roughly when the embryo signals its presence to the dam. Disruptions during this period can increase the likelihood of pregnancy loss.

This is not the only vulnerable stage.

“Probably the most loss is during that first two weeks. The next most is over days 28 to 35, and still some out to day 50,” Larson explains.

Taken together, much of the first 50 days of gestation carries elevated risk, with peaks at key developmental milestones.

Why Transport is a Problem (Even When it Seems Minor)

It is easy to assume only long hauls pose a threat. Distance alone misses the bigger picture.

“A lot of the risk or stress really comes from the gathering and loading, and in some ways, it hardly matters how far they go,” Larson says.

From a physiological standpoint, stress is cumulative. Gathering cattle, sorting and handling, loading onto trailers, the ride itself, and unloading all contribute to the total stress load. Even short trips can stack multiple stressors into a narrow window, especially when handling is rushed or facilities are limiting.

Is There Any Safer Time to Move Them?

If cattle must be moved around breeding, one narrow window appears more forgiving.

“There is one period of time when the cow is pretty protected, and that’s actually during the first week of pregnancy. That early embryo is still up in the uterine tube and is pretty protected up there,” Larson says.

During this stage, the embryo has not yet entered the uterus, which may provide some buffer against external stressors. The window is limited. Moving cattle later increases the likelihood of overlapping with more vulnerable stages of pregnancy.

Trucking Versus Walking: Not All Movement is Equal

Not all movement carries the same level of risk, and the way cattle are handled can significantly influence outcomes. Lower-stress handling appears to reduce the overall impact of movement, particularly over short distances.

“If you’re talking about walking cows slowly under low-stress conditions, one, two, maybe three miles somewhere, you’re probably okay,” Jason Warner, cow-calf specialist at K-State, explains. “Cattle handling is always an important aspect. So it’s not just distance or just putting them on a trailer, it’s how. Acting calmly with not a lot of dogs, not a lot of yelling, just really calmly. That’s a key component.”

This highlights an important distinction: while short, low-pressure movement may be tolerated, trucking often concentrates multiple stressors into a short period. Gathering, sorting, loading, transport and unloading all stack together, increasing the total stress load on the animal.

Practical Takeaways: Managing Stress and Timing in Early Pregnancy

Across all scenarios, the same principle applies: Minimizing stress during early pregnancy is essential for maintaining fertility. Whether managing bull turnout, coordinating pasture moves or planning transport logistics, early gestation is a high-risk period where even routine decisions can have measurable reproductive consequences.

From a practical standpoint, timing and handling decisions should work together:

Avoid moving cows around day 14 post-breeding
- This is the highest-risk window for pregnancy loss
Exercise caution throughout the first 50 days
- Risk declines over time but remains elevated
Move earlier rather than later when possible
- The embryo may be more protected the first week post-breeding
Focus on handling, not just distance
- Stress from gathering and loading is a major contributor
Prioritize low-stress stockmanship
- Calm movement reduces overall physiological strain

Transporting bred cows is not automatically a problem, but poor timing can be.

When moves overlap with early pregnancy, especially around the timing of maternal recognition, the cost may show up later as open cows and a stretched calving window. Management decisions made during this period carry more weight than they might appear.

The key question remains simple: Are you moving cows at a time when the pregnancy can handle it?

Using the D.A.R.T. Method to Identify Smoke-Stressed Calves

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:27:31 GMT

Wildfires occurring in western and central Nebraska mirror a broader trend of increasing wildfire frequency and magnitude across the western U.S. While the immediate impacts of wildfire are devastating to beef production and rural communities, the effects of wildfire smoke may also pose risks to both human and animal health.

“In the weeks and months following a wildfire event, producers should remain vigilant and monitor calves for signs of respiratory disease or illness,” explains Brock Ortner, Nebraska extension livestock system educator .

Combustion of biomass during wildfires produces carbon dioxide and water vapor but also generates ash, a mixture of inorganic compounds. Of particular concern is ultrafine particulate matter (less than 2.5 microns), which can travel deep into the lung alveoli and enter the bloodstream. In humans, these particles have been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.

Limited research has examined wildfire smoke exposure in cattle. However, work conducted by Ranches and others (2021) in a small group of Simmental × Jersey calves reported increased concentrations of cortisol, an indicator of stress, following exposure to smoke from a wildfire approximately 10 miles away from the study site. In the same study, concentrations of ceruloplasmin, a marker of systemic inflammation, were elevated following the wildfire event. Antibodies including IgM and IgA were also increased, suggesting activation of the immune system.

Physiological stress and inflammation can negatively affect cattle performance and immune function. When immune defenses are compromised, calves may become more susceptible to respiratory pathogens. In the development of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), opportunistic bacterial pathogens — including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis — are normally present at low levels in healthy calves. However, when viral infection or physiological stress suppresses immune function, these bacteria can proliferate in the respiratory tract, leading to morbidity, reduced performance and potentially death.

Because stressors, such as wildfire smoke, may increase disease susceptibility, monitoring calves closely for early signs of illness is important. One practical approach is the D.A.R.T. method, which helps producers identify calves that may require further evaluation.

D — Depression:
Observe calf posture and behavior. Droopy ears or head carriage, lethargy, increased time spent lying down and separation from pasture mates may indicate illness. Because cattle are prey animals and tend to hide sickness, subtle behavioral differences may only become apparent after calves become accustomed to your presence.

A — Appetite:
Reduced appetite — whether at the feed bunk or during nursing—can indicate a health challenge. On pasture, reduced gut fill relative to herdmates may also signal decreased intake.

R — Respiration:
Healthy cattle typically take 10 to 30 breaths per minute. Increased respiratory rate, shallow breathing, or abnormal sounds such as coughing or raspy breathing may indicate respiratory disease. Nasal discharge or excessive eye secretions may also accompany illness.

T — Temperature:
Rectal temperatures of approximately 103.5 to 104.0 degrees Fahrenheit or greater are indicative of fever and warrant further attention.

Early detection and treatment of sick calves improve the likelihood of recovery and helps reduce performance losses associated with respiratory disease. Extra vigilance and responsiveness may mitigate negative health outcomes in the weeks and months following wildfire smoke exposure.

Your Next Read:
Tips for Care Following Wildfire

How Will U.S. Producers Maintain Business when New World Screwworm Invades?

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:59:32 GMT

With animal disease, prevention and preparation beat panic. Since New World screwworm (NWS) was last eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, the tools and infrastructure to deal with foreign animal disease have dramatically changed.

Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas animal health commissioner and state veterinarian, during the recent Kansas State University Cattlemen’s Day gave an update on how Kansas and other states are preparing for NWS. The approach is designed to keep producers in business, keep cattle and products moving, and manage NWS in a way that protects both herds and markets.

He says the U.S. animal health officials along with USDA are planning a multistate, coordinated response that aims for consistency across state borders.

Smith summarizes the industry’s preparation to tackle NWS is like a three-legged stool. U.S. producers will be able to maintain business when NWS invades through surveillance, treatment and movement controls.

Surveillance: Eyes on Animals

The first leg of the stool is surveillance. He stresses early detection depends heavily on producers and veterinarians watching animals closely and reporting anything suspicious.

Smith emphasizes they would rather over investigate than miss a case.

“We want to make sure that we err on the side of having to say no on many occasions, versus saying, ‘Yep, this is what we got.’ Eyes on animals is going to be key.”

He was clear this should feel like partnership, not policing.

“They don’t want it to look like Big Brother coming over your shoulder,” he explains. “I hope we want to get this thing quickly.”

Smith explains that once a positive premises is identified, surveillance becomes structured around zones. The infested premises sit at the center, surrounded by an infested zone, an adjacent surveillance zone and a broader fly surveillance area.

The infested zone is 12.4 miles in radius from the infested premises. In this zone, there will be frequent on‑animal checks for wounds and larvae, plus enhanced monitoring in surrounding zones using fly traps and animal observation. The adjacent surveillance zone is another 12.4 miles radius and then there will be a fly surveillance area — an 124-mile radius from the infested premises.

Smith says movements out of the infested zone will require visual inspection for wounds and systemic treatment, including a treatment window of three to 14 days before movement plus a documented certificate of veterinary inspection.

He says the current Kansas response plan aligns with USDA’s playbook and neighboring states’ plans while taking into account specific needs of the Kansas livestock industry.

He stresses the playbook will continue to evolve, and state-by-state implementation may vary, but he says the “zone approach” will be utilized by all states.

Treatment: Limited Tools, Use Strategically

The second leg is treatment. Smith says that after decades without large domestic outbreaks, labeled options are limited.

From the fact that we haven’t had this new tool in our nation, in a large-spread outbreak since the 60s, we don’t have a lot of treatments out there that are labeled for this organism.”

To date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four products for large animals:

He cautions, “The goal is not to go out there and just habitually treat your animals just in case. We want to make sure that we’re utilizing these [products] responsibly. There’s not an unlimited supply out there, and so we want to make sure that it’s available for us when we do need it.”

On a positive premises, Smith says treatment will be mandatory and systematic.

“There will be a quarantine placed on that premises. We’re also going to require a certain level of treatment on that premises,” he explains.

There will be protocols for daily mortality disposal, so carcasses don’t become breeding sites.

“The last thing you want to do is bury an animal that has larvae and has the ability to advance.”

He says treatment is also tied to movement out of infested zones, with most animals needing prophylactic treatment before leaving.

Movement Controls: Targeted, Not Statewide Shutdowns

The third leg is movement control, designed to be precise rather than broad-brush. Smith stresses NWS is an infestation, not an infection , emphasizing it is not a systemic disease problem, but an infestation that still demands strong controls.

He says there will be movement restrictions if a premises falls into an infested region. To move animals out of that zone, there will be steps to follow but movement will not be completely shut down.

He explains some exceptions exist:

Animals moving directly to slaughter can go without pre‑movement treatment, but those animals have to be hanging on the rail within 72 hours.
Baby dairy calves must be treated but can move right away if treatment and navel care are documented.

He says Kansas is also coordinating with neighboring states to create “synergistic” rules, especially for cattle from higher‑risk states such as Texas. Cattle entering Kansas from recognized infested zones will face inspection, treatment requirements and at least 14 days in drylot containment on arrival.

NWS is Not a Food Safety Issue

Smith reassures producers and consumers that NWS is not a meat safety threat.

“This is not a food safety issue,” he says. “If an animal is presented to slaughter, it has a screwworm wound then it has the ability to be trimmed. That carcass will not be condemned. There are no restrictions on any inspected product for food safety reasons.”

Smith summarizes underpinning all three legs is a commitment to dynamic planning and continuity. He notes a revised USDA playbook is forthcoming and that “plans will be a little bit dynamic” as they learn more.

The core message for producers is clear: watch your cattle, report early, use treatments wisely and expect targeted movement controls — not blanket shutdowns — if NWS crosses the border.

USDA Announces Sterile Fly Production Facility Construction Contract

USDA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced March 9 a construction contract with Mortenson Construction to build a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas.

This facility is a key component in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ sweeping 5-prong strategy to fight NWS. USACE is partnering with USDA and will provide oversight for the contract, design, engineering and construction of the facility.

“The Army Corps of Engineers is an essential partner in bringing this facility to life and further highlights the Trump Administration’s government-wide effort to fight the New World Screwworm threat in Mexico,” Rollins says. “The Army Corps is the best in the business and their engineering expertise and proven track record in delivering complex projects will help ensure we can build a modern, resilient facility that protects American agriculture from invasive pests for decades to come. This first-of-its-kind facility on U.S. soil will ensure we are not reliant on other countries for sterile flies.”

A sterile fly production facility is a specialized biosecure complex where NWS flies are raised and sterilized using irradiation and then released into targeted areas.

USDA currently produces about 100 million sterile flies per week at the COPEG facility in Panama and disperses them within and just north of affected areas in Mexico. In addition to the COPEG facility in Panama, USDA invested $21 million to support Mexico’s renovation of an existing fruit fly facility in Metapa , which will double NWS production capacity once complete.

With ongoing support from APHIS technical experts, Mexico anticipates sterile fly production will begin at this facility in summer 2026. The new facility at Moore Air Base will be the only U.S.-based sterile fly production facility and will work in tandem with facilities in Panama and Mexico to help eradicate the pest and protect American agriculture.

USDA and USACE will break ground on this new facility later this spring, after initial planning and development meetings with the new contractor. By November 2027, the production facility at Moore Air Base is expected to reach its initial goal of producing 100 million sterile flies per week. After that, construction will continue at the facility to increase production with the long-term goal of producing 300 million sterile flies per week.

Low-Stress Handling Isn’t Just for Livestock

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:59:40 GMT

We spend years learning how to move cattle properly.

We study flight zones. We talk about pressure and release. We redesign facilities so animals can flow instead of fight. We debate crowd tubs like they’re moral issues.

Then we walk into the clinic and bark at a technician before coffee.

Ashley Nicholls, founder of Reach Agriculture Strategies, has a way of making a room laugh before he makes it uncomfortable. When speaking on low-stress handling, he starts in familiar territory: prey behavior, blind spots, comfort zones. But he doesn’t stay there.

“We understand [cattle] are prey animals,” Nicholls says. “They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And their priority is survival.”

Then he pivots.

“Employees. Team members. Colleagues. They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And at the end of the day, their priority is survival — it’s just workplace survival,” he says.

The room got a little bit quieter after that.

Flight Zones Aren’t Just Physical

In livestock handling, we read the pen before we apply pressure. We look for heads up, animals bunching, tension in the group. We understand what looks calm may only be a snapshot.

Nicholls reminds us this is the same with people: we may only ever get a snapshot. We don’t see what’s happening off screen — exhaustion, financial stress, family strain, imposter syndrome. Yet we respond as if the visible moment is the whole story.

Even simple gestures can make a big difference.

“Something as simple as starting with ‘good morning’ just opens a channel of communication,” he says.

In barns, we know better than to storm in loudly. The same applies for spaces with coworkers.

Communication: It’s Not the Words

Nicholls references the 55-38-7 rule of communication: 55% body language, 38% tone and pitch and 7% actual words.

“In other words, 93% of what we’re doing is completely non-verbal,” he explains.

This is an important consideration. You can ask a perfectly reasonable question and still raise the stress in a room if your arms are crossed, your voice is clipped, you’re standing too close or you’re not making eye contact. The words may be neutral, but it’s all in the delivery.

Nicholls points out cattle feel pressure long before they process anything else. Humans do, too. We scan posture, pace and tone for signals of safety.

“If I climb over the fence and I land in the pen and I’m big and loud,” he says, “All of a sudden the cattle are holding up on the backside of the pen — I probably did that.”

If the room feels tense, it’s worth assessing the energy you brought in with you.

Pressure and Release

Low-stress handling depends on timing. Apply pressure, get movement. Release pressure, allow the animal to settle. Teams are no different.

Nichols demonstrates this with a deceptively simple exercise: A group is asked to lower a lightweight pole to the ground while each person keeps two fingers supporting it. What should be easy becomes surprisingly difficult. The harder individuals try to correct it on their own touch, the higher the pole floats.

When communication is inconsistent or unclear, people push against each other instead of working together. Pressure escalates, frustration builds and the task stalls.

In livestock handling, we’d change our angle or soften the cue. In workplaces, we tend to repeat ourselves louder.

Are You Crowding the Tub?

Nicholls calls the crowd tub “the most poorly named piece of equipment in beef.”

The mistake? We crowd it.

Cattle need room to circle back toward the exit. If you pack the tub tight, they can’t move their feet. They can’t think. They lock up.

“If we take away their ability to make decisions, they also don’t have the ability to improve,” Nicholls explains.

Micromanagement works the same way.

Hover long enough and people stop taking initiative. Correct every move and they stop experimenting. Remove decision-making and growth stalls.

In livestock systems, we intentionally design spaces that allow movement. In workplaces, we sometimes build invisible walls.

Space to Mess Up

Nicholls is blunt about this part. Teams need space to mess up — and space to fix it.

Agriculture often sends mixed signals. We say we want initiative. We say we want ownership. Then we add, “Check with me first.”

He jokes about “seagull leaders” — the ones who hover overhead, swoop in to criticize or “steal your chips,” then disappear.

That approach creates anxiety, not development.

In ranching, you set the gate before you ride out. You create the conditions for success before you ask for performance. The same principle applies to onboarding staff, explaining expectations and clarifying the why.

Clarity reduces stress, autonomy builds confidence and release allows learning.

Low Stress Shouldn’t Stop at the Gate

Low-stress livestock handling changed how we think about welfare and productivity. It works because it respects biology and behavior. It acknowledges that fear blocks learning and pressure without relief creates chaos.

Humans operate under the same principles.

The uncomfortable question Nichols leaves behind is simple: if we’re willing to treat livestock with patience, intentional movement and respect for their stress thresholds, why wouldn’t we treat our teams the same way?

Low-stress handling shouldn’t stop at the gate.

Zoetis to Acquire Neogen’s Animal Genomics Business

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:52:23 GMT

Today, Neogen Corporation , an innovative leader in food safety solutions, announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its global genomics business to Zoetis Inc. , the world’s leading animal health company, for $160 million, subject to customary closing adjustments.

Neogen’s planned divestiture, which had been previously announced, was part of the company’s portfolio review strategy to simplify the business and focus on core strategic markets.

“Neogen’s genomics business ( GeneSeek ) has been a pioneer in advanced DNA testing for livestock and has set a high standard for innovation across the livestock sector, with globally recognized solutions spanning genomic prediction, herd improvement and data integration,” says Tom Schultz, Neogen head of commercial global genomics."We’re excited to build on that foundation in our future with Zoetis and to continue advancing tools that strengthen animal health, performance and overall profitability. Customers can expect a thoughtful transition and continued excellent service,”

According to a Zoetis release , “This acquisition aligns directly with Zoetis’ strategy to drive future livestock innovation through genomics, reinforcing its commitment to livestock producers worldwide and advancing its precision animal health portfolio. By integrating Neogen’s genomic technologies and data solutions, Zoetis is expanding its capabilities to deliver predictive insights, individualized care and greater value to customers across major livestock and companion animal species.”

Neogen’s genomics business serves customers in more than 120 countries through its five laboratories in the U.S., Brazil, Australia, China and the United Kingdom, as well as an office location in Canada. The business leverages a comprehensive genotyping platform of fixed array and sequencing technologies, as well as software solutions that empower customers to make informed and data-driven decisions. The business is a leader in U.S. beef and dairy genomics , and its cutting-edge technologies enable highly accurate, scalable genetic testing and deeper insights into animal health, productivity and sustainability.

“This transaction is part of the company’s strategic portfolio review and allows the company to accelerate de-leveraging and improve profitability going forward,” says Mike Nassif, Neogen’s chief executive officer and president. “Furthermore, this deal allows us to focus in areas where the company has the most significant competitive advantage and further leverage our core capabilities in food and animal safety. We are committed to a smooth transition for customers, employees and other stakeholders, and believe the business is well positioned to thrive under Zoetis’ ownership.”

GeneSeek has been a pioneer in advanced DNA testing for livestock and companion animal industries, leveraging a global presence to deliver highly accurate, data-driven insights that contribute to improved animal performance and health, as well as profitability, in the beef, dairy and other industries. Through the flagship Igenity and GGP portfolio and rapid turnaround times, the business offers returns-focused genomic tools and globally recognized standards in genomic prediction to accelerate herd improvement and enable genomics trait screening. Supported by the Encompass platform for genomic data integration and strategic partnerships advancing DNA-backed traceability, GeneSeek is committed to continued innovation and scientific excellence.

“We’re excited to build on our innovative genomics portfolio offerings in our future with Zoetis and to continue advancing tools that strengthen overall animal health, performance, and profitability,” Schultz says. “At Zoetis, genomics becomes a core part of a company fully dedicated to animal health. Zoetis brings deep scientific capabilities, operational scale, and a long-term commitment to genetics and data.”

Jamie Brannan, Zoetis chief commercial officer, adds, “The addition of Neogen’s genomics business strengthens our commitment to advancing animal health through innovation, data and technology. As we continue to grow our leading innovative solutions in Precision Animal Health, this acquisition brings complementary capabilities that expand predictive insights and individualized care, enabling us to deliver added value to customers. Together, we are shaping the future of animal health, empowering customers with the tools they need to support healthier animals and sustainable livestock production globally.”

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the first half of the company’s 2027 fiscal year, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions. The net proceeds from the transaction are expected to be used primarily for debt reduction. The Neogen genomics business generated approximately $90 million in sales during fiscal year 2025.

“At the time of the announcement, nothing will change,” Schultz explains. “Our customers’ contacts and ordering processes remain the same — products, services and support also remain the same. Customers can expect a thoughtful transition, continued service continuity, and future benefits from Zoetis’ focus in the business. Any changes will be communicated well in advance.”

Zoetis says it is committed to a seamless integration, supporting continuity for colleagues and customers, and building on Neogen’s legacy of innovation in genomics.

After the Fire: The Need for Feed, Fence and Prayers

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:19:00 GMT

Wildfires plagued the Plains last week from southern Kansas into Oklahoma and Texas. Hundreds of thousands of acres of grass are now burned to sand.

The Ranger Road Fire, which started in Oklahoma and made its way into southern Kansas, to date has burned more than 283,000 acres and is 65% contained as of Monday morning, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry .

The Oklahoma Forestry Services reports moderated fire weather over dormant fuels resulted in a downtick in wildfire activity over the weekend, allowing firefighters to improve the containment of recent large fires.

“Conditions also supported opportunity to execute burn plans for prescribed fires,” the report says. “If you engaged in prescribed burning, controlled burns or pile burns over the weekend, please ensure that fire perimeters are mopped up and secured ahead of increasing fire weather concerns Tuesday through the remainder of the week.”

Read more about how strong winds, above-average warmth and months of worsening dryness created a “perfect recipe”

for wildfires across the Southern Plains, scorching pasture and farmland — with little moisture relief in the forecast:

Why the Southern Plains Became a ‘Perfect Recipe’ for Wildfire

The wildfires have left a path of heartbreak and devastation. From the loss of livestock and homes, barns and shops to pastures and fence, the damage is hard to fathom.

Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur visited Oklahoma producers impacted by the wildfires on Thursday. “Please pray for our farmers and ranchers and our first responders who continue to battle challenging fires and weather,” she says.

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

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Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur

Dr. Randall Spare, Ashland Veterinary Center Inc., says nine years after the losses resulting from the Starbuck Wildfire — still the largest, most extensive wildfire in Kansas history — many of the same ranchers have been affected by the Ranger Road Fire.

Spare explains the wildfire was unstoppable with little farmland or breaks to get ahead of the fire plus the extreme wind. The fire started near Beaver, Okla., at 11 a.m., and he reports many ranchers in the path were moving cattle by noon. He says the highest losses occurred where there were no nearby wheat fields or safe pasture alternatives for the cattle.

“When you have contiguous grass for 90 miles, and the fire line was 90 miles long, from Beaver, Okla. to Protection, Kan., and it was moving 70 miles an hour, it’s hard to get in front of it,” he says.

He also explains because of the good moisture in 2025 and good stewardship of the land, there was a lot of tall, dense forage to fuel the fire.

“Many of the best stewards — those who don’t overgraze and stockpile grass for calving and drought management — actually experienced some of the worst damage,” he explains. “Because they’ve done a good job of managing their grass and have forage to eat in the spring of the year before the growing season starts to calve on, they experienced some of the greatest damage.”

Spare says the Ranger Road Fire took the same path as the Starbuck Fire, but it did not burn as many acres in Kansas — about one-third less in comparison.

“The good thing is it did not go north of Ashland. It’s five miles south of Ashland before it starts and not near the acreage burned,” he summarizes. “Since it isn’t like the Starbuck Fire, we have an opportunity as neighbors to help neighbors, whereas before we couldn’t do that because we were all affected.”

He predicts producers in Kansas lost 1,000 to 1,100 head. He adds there will continue to be more loss as producers evaluate cattle condition.

“One of the biggest damage is feet,” he explains. “The walls of their hooves start to fall off due to the fire. And sometimes that doesn’t show up for five days.”

How Can You Help?

According to Reuters , other fires have burned thousands more acres in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

In agriculture, community is strong. When one producer hurts we all feel it and, if possible, we step up and help our neighbors in need. Along with prayers, Spare adds the immediate needs are:

Hay
Money (financial support)

In response to producers offering help, Spare shares a list of ways others can support ranchers recovering from the wildfires on social media, including lessons learned from the Starbuck Fire.

“I would like to share what we learned from the Starbuck Fire that, hopefully, will be helpful as you consider making decisions about how to help,” he writes.

Fencing supplies: “After the Starbuck Fire, we learned that if federal funds are used to rebuild and replace fences, the construction requirements to access those funds are very specific regarding type of wire, posts, etc. While the generosity of those giving nine years ago was remarkable, we were limited in how much of the donated resources actually could be used simply because federal loss recovery funds needed to be used, and the donated fencing supplies didn’t meet government specifications.”
Money: “Today, money is the most precious resource and in the greatest need. Many of the ranching operations affected need time to truly assess their losses. Some are finding cattle they first thought to be lost, alive and safe. Others are experiencing the opposite and unfortunately are seeing the losses increase.”
Available pasture and grassland: “If you have pasture available either short term or long term, please reach out to Ashland Community Foundation, Kansas Livestock Association or Ashland Veterinary Center,” he suggests.
Hay: There are designated drop off locations ready to accept loads of hay.

Multiple organizations have stepped up and are organizing supplies and assistance.

• Kansas Livestock Association. KLA is helping connect those wishing to donate with the most suitable drop location. If you’re hoping to donate goods including livestock feed or hay, you can contact KLA at (785) 273-5115, or visit this website . On KLA’s Facebook page you can find posts from feedlots that are offering pen space to wildfire victims.

• The Ashland Community Foundation. ACF is accepting monetary donations to help those affected by the fires in their community. To donate, please visit the ACF website and select “Become A Partner” in the dropdown. Donations are also being accepted at Stockgrowers State Bank or can be mailed to ACF at P.O. Box 276, Ashland, KS 67831.

• Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation. OCF has established a relief fund to help cattle producers who have been affected. As the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the fire relief fund at the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation will distribute 100% of received funds to affected cattle producers. You can give online or make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation with “Fire Relief” in the memo line and mail to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148.

• Beaver County Stockyards and Beaver County OSU Extension office. For those willing to donate feed or hay to the Beaver County, Okla., area, visit the Stockyards website or the Extension office website .

• Beaneighbor.org . The Oklahoma Healthcare Authority, provides access to local support including financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help. Search for aid in your area at Beaneighbor.org.

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry reminds the public to use caution before bringing hay to northwest Oklahoma to prevent the spread of invasive fire ants. Find out if your county is under quarantine for fire ants on the USDA website

Fire Weather is Not Over: Stay Prepared

The Kansas Forest Service reminds producers there are still months of fire season to come.

“As firefighters continue to mop up or extinguish hot spots along miles of fire line, recovery begins for the communities most impacted by recent wildfires,” the agency says. “Many wildfire managers are already preparing for the next round of fire weather.”

While recovery and readiness are happening at the same time, the forest service share these two tips:

Learn how to prepare your home and property for a wildfire. Proper preparation can help your home withstand a wildfire.
Have a plan when the wildfire is heading toward your home or property.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has a Fires & Wildfires website dedicated to providing resources to help prepare for and survive wildfires.

A Note to Survivors

Spare says his message to producers who are recovering from the wildfires is to:

Think beyond today. Plan not only for immediate survival but for summer grazing and next winter’s feed. Recognize that hay now is also about having feed later, since grass is gone.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “If you are struggling, reach out to a trusted friend and accept neighbor and outside assistance,” he stresses.

Spare summarizes producers from his area are deeply appreciative and humbled by people from across the country who helped nine years ago and are helping again now, even to the point that local folks feel “almost embarrassed” it happened again.

“But it is life, and we’re going to trust God and go on,” he says.

Your Next Read: Tips for Care Following Wildfire

Does Supplementing Bred Heifers Increase Calving Difficulty?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:27:46 GMT

Producers are often told supplementing bred heifers with protein prior to calving increases calf birth weight and leads to greater calving difficulty.

According to Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension beef cattle nutrition specialist, nutrition of bred heifers during gestation does have lasting consequences for both the calf and the future productivity of the cow.

“Decades of research clearly demonstrate that maternal undernutrition during pregnancy negatively influences not only the cow’s reproductive performance, but also immune transfer, calf survival, weaning weight and post-weaning performance,” he says.

Research conducted in the 1970s at OSU compared productivity of heifers managed to achieve either adequate or obese body condition from 12 months through 5 years of age. At first calving, 58% of the obese heifers required calving assistance, compared with only 8% of heifers at adequate body condition. These data are the basis for current recommendations that heifers calve at a body condition score (BCS) of approximately 6, but not reach a fleshy (BCS 7) or obese (BCS 8) condition.

Energy and protein supply during late gestation can influence calf birth weight, Beck summarizes. Research by Corah and colleagues published in 1975 demonstrated heifers restricted to 65% of energy requirements during the final 100 days of gestation produced calves approximately 4.4 lb. lighter at birth. However, these calves experienced greater neonatal mortality and reduced weaning rates compared with calves from adequately fed dams. Importantly, lighter birth weight was not associated with reduced calving difficulty, illustrating how undernutrition compromises calf viability rather than preventing dystocia.

“Restricting nutrients prior to calving weakens both the cow and the calf, increasing calving difficulty and reducing calf survival,” Beck summarizes.

Kansas State University’s Jaymelynn Farney says restricting heifer diet in the last trimester can result in potentially lower quality and quantity of colostrum , reduced absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum potentially driven by weaker calves that were slower to nurse, an increase in calf scours and a reduction in overall weaning weights.

Birth weight responses to precalving supplementation are highly variable. Beck evaluated changes in calf birth weight reported from 24 studies evaluating late-gestation supplementation.

“The average increase in calf birth weight was only 3 lb., with responses ranging from a 3 lb. decrease to a 10 lb. increase,” he reports. “The largest increases occurred when high levels (approximately 5 lb. per day) of energy-dense supplements were fed.”

Fifteen of these studies also reported subsequent pregnancy rates. Although variable, the average pregnancy rate of unsupplemented cows was 86%, compared with 92% for cows supplemented during late gestation, with the greatest response observed in first-calf heifers.

Excessive energy intake during late gestation partitions more nutrients toward fetal growth, resulting in larger calves. When coupled with excess fat deposition in the pelvic region, this increases the risk of dystocia. Thus, excessive energy, rather than protein supplementation alone, is the primary contributor to increased calving difficulty in many heifer programs.

Ensuring bred heifers meet — rather than greatly exceed — energy and protein requirements, promoting moderate BCS gain during mid and late gestation and strategically supplementing key nutrients improves calf survival, preweaning growth, immune function and long-term reproductive performance without increasing calving difficulty.

“Avoiding maternal undernutrition remains one of the most consistent strategies for improving whole-herd productivity and profitability,” Beck summarizes.

What Causes Calving Difficulty?

Farney says there are multiple reasons calving difficulty can occur, which may include the calf being too big, pelvis too small, abnormal presentation, lack of uterine contractions, fatigue or twins.

“Abnormal presentations cannot be eliminated by genetic selection or nutritional management, so be prepared for these scenarios a minimum of three weeks before your first calf is expected,” says Farney, a beef systems specialist.

Calf birth weight is often blamed as the sole culprit of calving issues.

“Calf birth weight can be affected by several factors — genetics, gestation length and, to an extent, dam nutrition,” Farney summarizes. “High calving ease sires typically have a shortened gestation length, hence the reason that most of those calves are a bit lighter in weight.”

She says on average, calves will gain between 1.5 lb. to 2 lb. of body weight in late gestation. For example, if the average gestation length is 283 days and a calf is born a week early, it will often weigh 10 lb. to 14 lb. less.

She adds dams that experience cold stress in the last trimester may have calves that are heavier in weight.

“Typically birth weights are greater for calves born in the spring or winter as compared to fall-born counterparts,” she says. “A Nebraska study that evaluated six years of data found for each 1° F lower than the average winter temperature (December through February) calf birth weight increased 1 lb.”

The increase in birth weight is most likely due to the needed increase in nutrient flux through supplementation to offset cold stress events.

“Now you might think, it is a cold winter and I do not want to deal with calving problems, so I will just make that cow survive on the same diet she has been on and not account for added maintenance requirements due to cold stress,” Farney says. “That thought will lead to a plethora of other issues that can extend through that calf’s entire productive life.”

She stresses it is important to appropriately balance a diet for first-calf heifers.

“Don’t starve the calving difficulty out of your heifers,” Farney summarizes. “These heifers need appropriate energy to help with the birthing process or they will quit on you as they just run out of steam going through parturition. Additionally, the calves need enough energy to quickly get up and nurse, and if dam energy is restricted, calves will be lethargic. Proteins are essential for colostrum quality, which has major lifetime effects on that calf.”

Your Next Read: Feeding at Dusk: How Does This Affect Calving Times?

Cattle Injection Guide: Best Practices for Needles, Syringes and Sites

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:58:35 GMT

Proper injection technique is a cornerstone of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). Dr. Dan Thomson, Production Animal Consultation (PAC) veterinarian, recently shared expert insights on “ DocTalk ” regarding how to perform “ordinary tasks extraordinarily well” to ensure animal health and carcass quality.

What are the three types of cattle injections?

There are three primary methods for administering medicine to cattle. Following label instructions is critical, as changing the method — moving from SubQ to IM — can alter FDA-approved withdrawal times.

Subcutaneous (SubQ): The most common method. Medicine is deposited between the skin and the muscle lining. BQA limit: No more than 10 cc per site.
Intramuscular (IM): The injection goes through the skin directly into the muscle.
Intravenous (IV): Medicine is injected directly into the bloodstream, usually via the jugular vein.

Needle Selection Chart: Gauge and Length

The correct needle size depends on the administration method and the weight of the animal. A smaller needle reduces pain but limits the volume of fluid that can be pushed quickly.

Injection Type	Needle Gauge	Needle Length
Subcutaneous (SubQ)	18-16 gauge	0.5 to 0.75 inch
Intramuscular (IM)	20-16 gauge	0.75 to 1.0 inch
Intravenous (IV)	18-14 gauge	1.0 to 1.5 inch

“Obviously, the smaller the needle, the less pain, but the less volume that can be pushed through at one time,” Thomson explains.

Where is the best injection site for cattle?

According to Thomson, to protect high-value meat cuts, all injections should be given in the “injection triangle” on the animal’s neck. This area is bordered by the nuchal ligament, the neck vertebrae and the slope of the shoulder.

IM Technique: Administer the needle perpendicular to the neck.
SubQ Technique: Administer at a 45-degree angle.

“Before I inject, I always move the syringe to make sure it’s at that subcutaneous spot,” Thomson advises. “If I have caught the fascia or if I’ve caught that muscle, the end of the needle won’t move. But if it’s under the skin and it wiggles a little, I can be assured that I’m in the SubQ area.”

Safety and Hygiene Rules

The 10-Head Rule: Change needles every 10 injections to prevent causing cattle pain from burred needles tearing the hide.
“If I give five to one animal in a 50 mL administration, I’m only going to work on two animals before I change that needle,” Thomson explains.
No Tenting: Use a one-handed technique for SubQ injections. Do not “tent” the skin with your free hand to avoid accidental self-injection.
Zero Contamination: Never put a used needle back into a multidose bottle. This prevents manure and bacteria from contaminating the entire supply.
Thomson explains a new needle or disposable syringe should be used to draw the product to not contaminate the bottle, even when it is an antibiotic. Injection site abscesses can come from even the smallest speck of manure contaminating a medicine bottle.
The “Faster” Myth: Research shows IV injections only enter the system 20 to 40 minutes faster than IM or SubQ. For urgent issues, always consult a veterinarian rather than switching administration methods yourself.

How to Clean and Maintain Syringes

Thomson explains for large doses or multiple administrations, a pistol grip syringe is more efficient. When only one dose or a small dose is given, a disposable syringe is sufficient.

He suggests these strategies for cleaning:

Disposable Syringes: Do not reuse or clean; dispose of after a single-product use.
Pistol Grip Syringes: Clean the exterior of all manure and debris. To sterilize, use hot water flushes, boiling or the microwave method — fill syringe with water, wrap in five to 10 layers of wet paper towels and microwave for 4 to 5 minutes. After they are cleaned, allow them to dry thoroughly and store in a plastic bag or a dust-free area.

Thomson adds, whenever in doubt about a practice, always consult your local veterinarian.

“Do ordinary things extraordinarily well to have a great, healthy, sustainable cow herd,” he summarizes.

Are Record Carcass Weights Pushing the Supply Chain to Its Limit?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:04:00 GMT

Has the beef industry hit the tipping point when the unintended consequences of animal size outweigh the benefits? Industry leaders say rising carcass weights have boosted beef supply and efficiency, but they have also increased bruising, mobility issues, heat stress and economic risk.

Kevin Good, CattleFax vice president of market analysis, says carcass weights the last two years have gone up by 52 lb., with carcasses now averaging 975-990 lb.

“That’s an offset of 2 million head harvested,” he explains.

While the added weight has helped fill the supply gap due to the reduced cow herd and fewer cattle on feed, Jessica Lancaster, NCBA senior director of product quality and safety research, says these huge incremental shifts in carcass weight can certainly cause challenges.

Lancaster was a guest on “AgriTalk” Thursday, discussing carcass size research as well as foreign object research results.

Shown is the “Bigger Cattle, Bigger Decisions: Managing Health and Welfare as Cattle Size Increases” panel including: Lily Edwards-Calloway, Colorado State University associate professor of animal science; Scott Pohlman, Cargill director of beef supply chain sustainability; and AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University Extension veterinarian.

(Angie Stump Denton)

Today’s Bigger Animals Are Testing Transport and Plant Limits

The Cattlemen’s College session “Bigger Cattle, Bigger Decisions: Managing Health and Welfare as Cattle Size Increases” featured industry experts Scott Pohlman, Cargill director of beef supply chain sustainability; Lily Edwards-Calloway, Colorado State University associate professor of animal science; and AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University Extension veterinarian.

From longer days on feed to tougher transport and processing, the panelists discussed how a more efficient, heavier animal can strain welfare, infrastructure and profitability. They all agree proactive management and research are critical to dealing with the rising carcass weights.

Here are some key takeaways from their conversation:

1. Structural Shift: Fewer Cows, Bigger Cattle

Pohlman says the U.S. cow herd is at its lowest level since the Roosevelt administration.

Feedlots have compensated by adding days on feed and pushing carcass weights sharply higher — approaching 975-990 lb. — resulting in similar total beef supply with fewer animals but much larger individuals.

2. Efficiency Gains Are Real, and So Are the Risks

According to Tarpoff, the larger, heavier cattle and longer feeding periods have improved overall efficiency: more beef with fewer animals, less total feed and water per pound of beef. This has helped “backfill” lost production from the smaller cow herd.

However, longer time in the system means:

Higher probability of adverse outcomes.
Rising death loss and greater economic risk per head, because each animal is more valuable.

3. Welfare: Tipping Point Concerns Around Size

Welfare is framed around biological functioning: growth, health and reproduction, the ability to express normal behavior and the freedom from discomfort, fear and distress.

Edwards-Calloway says there is a particular concern for animals at the extremes of the size bell curve, whose welfare can be “pretty compromised.”

The industry must proactively address welfare challenges associated with larger cattle to maintain consumer trust. Edwards-Calloway says if consumers think the industry knew about a welfare problem and didn’t act, that’s seen as worse than making an honest mistake and fixing it.

4. Transport and Packing Plants: Systems Not Built for Today’s Cattle

Edwards-Calloway explains transporting from feedlot to packing plant is still one of the most stressful phases, even with best practices.

Research has often controlled for size rather than explicitly asking how large size affects outcomes. She says evidence suggests larger‑frame cattle have more traumatic events and bruising on certain trailer types.

Not all fed cattle are fit for transport; there’s a call for mobility scoring at loading, not just at the plant, she adds.

Pohlman says the frequency of bruising in the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit was the highest on record, with major/critical bruises increasing. He stresses the economic impact is significant at about $110 million from loin bruises alone.

He also says mobility scores at arrival have worsened.

Processing facilities built decades ago are struggling to accommodate today’s larger cattle. Plants are having to modify pen densities, single-file alleyways, restrainer sizes, intervention cabinets and even re-engineer rail systems to handle the increased weight and size of modern cattle carcasses.

5. Heat Stress, Dark Cutting and Seasonal Losses

Heat stress represents a more than $650 million annual loss to the industry, with heavy, near-slaughter cattle at highest risk. Larger animals have increased difficulty with thermoregulation, making heat-stress management increasingly critical as cattle weights continue to rise.

Tarpoff says summer heat correlates with higher dark‑cutting rates, causing additional carcass‑value loss.

6. Call to Action: Upgrade Infrastructure and Management for a ‘Different Animal’

Today’s cattle are heavier, bigger‑framed and take up more space per head than 10 to 20 years ago. Now is the time to reinvest in infrastructure: pens, water systems, shade and heat‑stress mitigation, transport equipment and plant modifications.

Tarpoff says the industry needs to be nimble enough to make individual outcome decisions because every animal is a bigger financial and reputational stake.

He encourages the industry to consider welfare investments — comfort, health, mobility and heat mitigation — as economic investments with real returns in performance and risk reduction.

Tarpoff stresses that now is the time to adapt systems to the realities of larger cattle so the industry can keep delivering high‑quality, efficient beef without eroding welfare or consumer trust.

Zoetis Launches First Commercial BRD Genetic Predictions to Help Build More Resilient Beef Herds

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:34:06 GMT

Zoetis Inc. today announced the launch of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) genetic predictions in INHERIT^® Select for commercial cow-calf operations and as an upgrade to its INHERIT Connect test for seedstock. This marks the first time that cattle producers can select replacement females and evaluate sires based on genetic predictions for BRD health and survival.

BRD costs the beef industry nearly $1 billion each year due to calf and production losses and increased treatment expenses. Until now, producers had no way to evaluate and select for the genetics that influence calf BRD health and survival after weaning.

“This is a breakthrough for the beef industry,” says Brett Bristol, head of Zoetis Precision Animal Health. “For the first time, producers can make selection and breeding decisions based on Genomic Expected Progeny Differences for BRD health and survival, in addition to production traits. Long-term, this innovation is expected to have meaningful economic impacts on commercial cow/calf producers and downstream backgrounders and feeders.”

Genetics That Compound Over Time

As the rebuilding of the U.S. cow herd begins and replacement costs are at historic highs, producers are looking for ways to build cow herds that last longer, raise healthier calves and deliver predictable value. Genetic advancement from testing and selection compounds over time; the breeding decisions made today influence future herd health and productivity.

INHERIT Select and INHERIT Connect with the BRD Upgrade include three BRD genetic predictions in the form of Genomic expected progeny differences (GEPDs):

BRD Health (BRDH) GEPD: Predicts genetic differences in the likelihood that calves (progeny) will stay healthy after weaning without requiring treatment for BRD. Higher BRDH and lower percent rank are better.
BRD Survival (BRDS) GEPD: Predicts genetic differences in the likelihood that calves (progeny) will survive from arrival for backgrounding to harvest without dying from BRD. Higher BRDS and lower percent rank are better.
$BRD Economic Index: Combines BRDH and BRDS into a single dollar value that estimates revenue impact per calf (progeny). Higher $BRD and lower rank are better.

These predictions are based on feedlot health and performance data from a commercially representative population of more than 50,000 head of cattle across North America. These phenotypes, along with continual genetic data additions, are updated weekly and included in the Zoetis Multi-Breed Genetic Evaluation.

Select Replacements That Build Healthier Calf Crops

“GEPDs for BRD and $BRD bridge an economically important gap in current beef genetic evaluations,” says Kent Andersen, Zoetis Precision Animal Health
director of beef technical services. “BRD predictions give us a way to select for post-weaning BRDH and BRDS and related economic impact that we couldn’t before. That matters when used along with predictions for maternal, feedlot, carcass and adaptability traits, and simplified via economic indexes.”

With BRD genetic predictions in INHERIT Select, commercial cow-calf producers can:

Select replacement heifers with stronger genetic potential across all major economically important traits to set the stage for healthier and more productive calf crops.
Identify and invest in genetics for greater profit potential and less health risk that compounds over time.

Using the population of more than 440,000 commercial animals tested using INHERIT^®, researchers compared the top versus bottom 25th percentile rank based on GEPDs for BRDH, BRDS and $BRD. The comparison shows progeny of the top 25th percentile that are genetically:

25% more likely to stay healthy and not require treatment for BRD from feedlot arrival to harvest
14% more likely to survive and not die from BRD from feedlot arrival to harvest
$12 per calf advantage in net return from combined genetics for BRDH and BRDS

Evaluate Bulls for BRD Health Genetics

For seedstock, the INHERIT Connect + BRD Upgrade provides a powerful way to evaluate bull batteries and potentially differentiate sale bulls based on BRD GEPDs and $BRD.

With the INHERIT Connect + BRD Upgrade, producers can:

Potentially differentiate sale bulls with BRD predictions that benefit commercial buyers and downstream backgrounders and feeders
Evaluate A.I. sires and bull batteries to benchmark genetic merit for BRD and identify favorable and unfavorable outliers
Document genetic merit for BRDH and BRDS and position future calf crops for premium prices

When comparing bulls tested using INHERIT Connect + BRD Upgrade, bulls in the top 25th percentile rank for $BRD have a $1200 predicted advantage over bulls in the bottom 25th percentile rank, assuming they sire 100 calves during their lifetime.

Producers can contact their Zoetis Genetics representative or visit beefgenetics.com to learn more and get started with testing.

Rebuilding the Herd From the Cow Up

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:25:42 GMT

In cow-calf systems, many of the factors that determine productivity, fertility and longevity are set long before a replacement heifer ever enters the breeding pasture. The biological foundation of the cow is shaped in utero through the interaction of genetics, nutrition and environmental conditions. Those early influences follow her for life.

This was the topic of discussion during a joint presentation by Ron Scott, director of beef technical innovation at Purina, and George Parry, research professor of beef cattle reproductive physiology at Texas A&M, during CattleCon.

“We’re talking about rebuilding the cow herd, how it’s going to impact future replacement health,” began Scott, speaking on the epigenetics of heifer development. “The biggest thing we need to remember is that life really shapes the animal. It’s the environment, it’s the nutrition, it’s the genetics. All of that comes together to impact how that animal is going to perform.”

Reproductive traits offer a clear example of how the environment affects performance. While genetics matter, reproductive performance becomes less heritable as animals age because management and environment increasingly shape outcomes. Traits measured early, such as ovarian follicle number or age at puberty, are more strongly tied to inherent potential because outside influences have not yet accumulated.

Identical genetics alone do not guarantee identical performance. Animals with the same genetic makeup can diverge dramatically depending on how their genetic potential is expressed. That process begins before birth.

Fetal Development Sets Reproductive Capacity

“For that first month of life, that embryo lives totally on what’s being secreted into the environment. It’s not attached to the uterus to draw the nutrients it needs,” Parry explains. “It’s really dependent on what we’re supplying it. So what happens when we change that supply?”

Nutritional changes around breeding and early pregnancy can affect embryo survival, developmental rate and long-term function. Even when embryos survive short-term nutritional restriction, their development may already be altered.

Speaking about recent research, Parry emphasized the importance of a constant nutrient supply.

“If we drop nutritional supply at AI for as short as six days, we impact the stage of embryo development. We impact embryo quality,” he says.

One of the most critical developmental outcomes affected during gestation is ovarian reserve. Germ cells migrate and form the future ovary early in pregnancy, and the population of follicles expands and then declines before birth.

“The ovarian reserve that follows that ovary of your future replacement heifer is really impacted while that calf is in utero,” Parry says.

The number of follicles a heifer carries into life — the foundation of her reproductive capacity — is largely determined before she is born.

Importantly, these changes are not obvious at birth. Calves may look identical at birth and weaning, yet differ significantly later in reproductive performance. Heifers that experienced more favorable fetal nutrition are more likely to calve earlier in their first season, a difference that compounds across their lifetime.

Early Conception Compounds Herd Profitability

Heifers that conceive and calve early tend to remain earlier in subsequent breeding seasons. Over time, this translates into more calves, more total pounds weaned and longer productive lives. Each missed estrous cycle pushes a cow later in the calving season, resulting in lighter calves and increasing the likelihood of eventual culling.

This also impacts the bottom line.

“At $4 calves, every heat cycle you miss is worth $150”, Scott says.

Late conception often becomes a repeating pattern rather than a one-time event. Once cows fall behind, it is difficult to move them forward without intervention. Over multiple years, this drift erodes herd productivity and profitability.

Nutrition Must Be Consistent, Not Reactive

One of the strongest drivers of developmental programming is consistent maternal nutrition. Cows prioritize nutrients toward maintenance and survival first, followed by growth and lactation. Reproduction falls lower on that hierarchy. When nutrients are limited, reproductive processes and fetal development may be compromised.

“Think about consistent nutrition. That’s how you optimize,” Scott says.

Body condition score is the most practical indicator of nutritional adequacy. Gradual weight loss is difficult to detect visually, especially when cows are observed daily. Regular body condition scoring and documentation are essential for identifying trends before they become biologically costly.

Stress compounds nutritional effects. Cold weather, poor forage conditions, social pressure or environmental stressors add to the nutrient demands placed on the cow. Nutrition cannot fully offset stress, but inadequate nutrition magnifies its impact.

Heifers Require Different Management

First-calf heifers face unique challenges. They are still growing while simultaneously lactating and preparing to breed again. Treating them nutritionally like mature cows often leads to lower body condition, delayed cycling and late conception.

“Rethink heifer management. Focus on first service because of selection and conception. We need to optimize field programming,” Scott advises.

Managing heifers as a distinct group separate from mature cows allows nutrition and management to better match physiological demand. Without this adjustment, even genetically superior heifers are at risk of early failure.

Key Considerations When Selecting Replacement Heifers

Selecting replacements based solely on size or appearance at weaning overlooks critical developmental signals. Both Parry and Scott agree effective replacement selection should consider:

Calving timing: Heifers born early in the calving season are more likely to conceive early and remain productive longer
Developmental history: Maternal nutrition and stress exposure during gestation influence lifetime fertility
Growth pattern: Consistent, adequate growth is more important than compensatory gain
Body condition at breeding: Heifers must enter breeding with sufficient reserves to support cycling and conception
Reproductive readiness: Reproductive tract maturity provides insight into breeding potential
Longevity potential: Early-conceiving heifers are more likely to stay in the herd and repay development costs

Longevity is a Management Outcome

“To break even and realize the benefits of fetal programming, cows need to remain in the herd. It really starts with heifer development,” Scott says.

Longevity is not accidental. It reflects the cumulative effects of early development, nutrition, reproductive success and stress management. Developmental programming establishes the foundation, but realizing that potential requires keeping cows healthy, fertile and in the herd long enough to return value.

Putting the cow first — starting before birth — shifts herd improvement from short-term correction to long-term strategy. When early development is supported and replacement selection reinforces those advantages, productivity and profitability follow.

Winter Herd Health: Optimizing Cow-Calf Vaccination for Spring Success

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:12:31 GMT

Winter often brings renewed focus on vaccination — not because disease risk suddenly appears, but because management decisions make it more visible. Calving preparations, breeding plans, housing changes and closer observation of cattle prompt producers to ask a familiar question: Are we covered on vaccines?

It’s a reasonable place to start, but not where effective planning ends. Vaccines are a critical part of herd health, yet their success depends on how well they align with animal condition, management practices and disease risk. On a recent episode of “ Cattlemen and Veterinarians ,” Dr. Jason Banta of Texas A&M spoke on the opportunity for veterinarians to reframe vaccination as strategy, not just product choice.

The Role of Vaccination in Herd Health Programs

“The vaccine protocol is going to vary a little bit depending on the risk level of the operation and where you’re located, but I do think there are some core vaccines that all cow-calf producers probably need to think about including in their operations,” Banta says.

These include clostridial vaccines that protect against pathogens that persist in the environment and viral respiratory vaccines that play a key role in reducing clinical disease, reproductive loss and downstream performance impacts.

“Spores from those clostridial organisms are in the environment, and so our animals are typically always exposed to that,” Banta says. “When we think about clostridial vaccines, we’ll see either a seven way clostridial vaccine, an eight way clostridial vaccine or a nine way clostridial vaccine. It’s important to read the label to see exactly what’s in there.”

Usually, the difference between a seven- and eight-way vaccine is coverage for Clostridium hemolyticum, which causes redwater disease. The nine-way vaccine often includes tetanus, which may or may not be relevant to an operation.

Banta also emphasizes the importance of vaccinating the cows along with the calves, as antibodies can be passed on in the colostrum. This is especially important when it comes to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and bovine viral diarrhea as these can cause reproductive losses.

Geographic Threats are Important for Herd Vaccine Plans

“One that we deal with in my area is lepto, so that’s a routine pathogen that we vaccinate for,” Banta says. “It’s important because it causes reproductive losses in the cow herd, but it can also cause the death of younger calves.”

Above all, Banta encourages open discourse between producer and veterinarian to discuss which vaccines are most relevant to their operation, noting that these could change over time.

“As a minimum, I would think about the clustered organisms and then the viral respiratory organisms, and then if you need lepto or anything else, that would be a herd specific situation,” Banta says.

Vaccine recommendations are most effective when matched to the conditions cattle will face, not simply the diseases producers want to avoid.

Immune response is reduced in cattle experiencing nutritional deficiencies, stress or concurrent disease. Winter conditions — changes in forage quality, weather stress and closer confinement — can amplify those challenges.

Strategic Planning for Spring Herd Health

As winter management transitions into spring preparations, the goal shifts from maintaining the status quo to building a foundation for the upcoming production cycle. While Banta’s advice provides a technical road map of core versus situational vaccines, the true value lies in timing and execution. Winter provides a window for producers and veterinarians to conduct a herd health audit together.

To ensure your vaccination strategy is effective, consider these key pillars of a winter health audit:

Assess nutritional status: Verify that cattle have the energy and mineral reserves necessary to mount a robust immune response.
Review regional risks: Discuss whether local pressures require specific additions to the core protocol.
Evaluate management stress: Identify environmental challenges or handling practices that could compromise the efficacy of the health program.
Audit records and timing: Review previous disease challenges to ensure the timing of vaccine protocols align with the herd’s peak periods of risk.

Ultimately, a general vaccination schedule is a starting point, but a strategic plan is a competitive advantage. By focusing on the why and the when during the winter months, you ensure the investment in animal health yields the highest possible return when the spring calving season arrives.

3 Nutritional Questions to Consider Prior to Calving

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:45:05 GMT

Supplying adequate nutrition to the cow is critical during the 60 days prior to calving and immediately after calving.

“Beef cattle can turn high fiber forages and food by-product residuals into protein food at a very effective rate,” says John Comerford, Pennsylvania State University professor emiritus of animal science, in a recent extension article . “For the cow herd, there is seldom a period during the year when the cow cannot meet her nutritional needs with reasonable quality grass, hay or stored forages. The exception for these nutritional needs is for the 60 days prior to calving and immediately after calving.”

Why Is There a Nutritional Challenge Prior To and After Calving?

Comford explains there are three major reasons why cows are challenged prior to and right after calving:

The initiation of lactation
The return to a fertile reproductive state
The production of colostrum

He adds the cow’s age has an impact on these factors, and younger cows have more critical nutritional needs.

Lawton Stewart, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant dean for extension, and Uttam Saha, UGA Agricultural & Environmental Services Lab (AESL) program coordinator, explain there are three nutritional questions producers should consider as calving season approaches — depending on forage availability and quality.

Does restricting feed in the last trimester decrease calf birth weights?
Do you need more protein to go with hay?
Are you underestimating crude protein and overestimating energy?

Does Restricting Feed in the Last Trimester Decrease Calf Birth Weights?

Stewart and Saha say yes, feed restriction will decrease birth weights. The problem is that birth weight is not the only thing it will affect.

Recent research has focused on fetal programming . Fetal programming is the concept that maternal stimuli or insults during fetal development have long-term effects on the offspring.

One of the most critical aspects of fetal programming involves the adequate nutrition, or lack thereof, of the dam. Research has shown minimal impact on calf birth weights; however, the restricted nutrition during the last trimester decreased weaning weights, finishing weights and hot carcass weights.

Additionally, research from Nebraska indicates heifers from nutritionally restricted cows reached puberty 14 days later than those with proper nutrition.

Do You Need More Protein to Go with Your Hay?

Stewart and Saha say possibly, however, protein is only half of the equation.

Figure 1: The nutrient requirement of a mature brood cow through a 365-day calving interval.

(UGA)

From April 1 to Oct. 1 of 2025, 773 bermudagrass hay samples were submitted to the UGA lab. The mean crude protein (CP) and energy (TDN) value was 11.1% and 55.7%, respectively. The illustration above represents the CP and TDN requirements of a brood cow throughout the production year. As cows enter the final trimester, their CP requirement is exceeded by the average bermudagrass sample, but the energy requirement falls short. More importantly, as they calve, enter peak lactation and the breeding season, the CP requirement is met, but the TDN falls tremendously short.

Do Producers Underestimate Crude Protein and Overestimate Energy?

Stewart and Saha say there is a tendency for producers to underestimate crude protein and overestimate energy.

“The cheapest money you will ever spend in a beef cattle operation is a forage test, guaranteed,” Saha says.

He explains a great illustration of this happened recently during the UGA Master Cattlemen’s Program. As part of the program, a free forage test was offered to participants along with a survey to estimate what producers thought the quality of the hay was prior to testing. This survey showed 83% of producers were underestimating the protein of their hay compared to the actual. This would result in purchasing a protein supplement when not needed.

For energy, 50% overestimated the level, resulting in depriving needed energy during late gestation and early lactation. In addition to the previously discussed fetal programming issues, this could also cause delayed breeding.

Figure 2: Actual example of over estimating energy.

(UGA)

An example of overestimation of energy is illustrated the example above. The overestimation could likely result in breeding being delayed 42 days. The resulting loss in weaning weight could easily reach 80 lb., leading to an approximate $280 decrease in value per calf.

“Through forage testing, the producer would know to feed 4 lb./day of a supplement such as corn gluten feed. Based on a 25-cow herd, this could easily return $6,325 above cost. That is a no-brainer,” Saha explains.

Brood cow nutrition is a crucial part of a beef cattle operation. Between fetal programming and maintaining the proper calving interval, it is imperative for producers to pay close attention to the nutrients available in their forages, and if they meet the requirements of their herd.

Your Next Read:
Ensuring Quality and Nutrition: Three Easy Steps For Forage Analysis
9 Tips to Ensure Calving Season Success
Your Calving Prep Starts Here: The Essential Checklist

How Important is Colostrum?

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:50:41 GMT

A make-or-break moment for the future potential of a calf is within hours of them being born . Receiving colostrum — the first milk produced by a cow after birth that is rich in antibodies, energy, vitamins and minerals that the calf cannot obtain before birth — is essential to a calf’s future.

South Dakota State University Extension beef specialist Julie Walker says the timing of colostrum consumption in calves is critical.

“At birth they should receive at least 5% of the calf’s body weight,” Walker says. “After 24 hours, the calf’s intestine tract cannot absorb the antibodies intact.”

If the calf does not receive colostrum, Walker says you could see an increase in risk of disease, making them more susceptible to pneumonia, sours, septicemia and joint issues.

“Since they lack passive immunity without colostrum, they might be a poor doing calf,” she adds. “This can be seen later in their life. When everything goes right, calves receive colostrum from nursing on the cow.”

North Carolina State University beef Extension veterinarian Tomas Gonzalez agrees that in a normal birth, the calf should be on its feet within about an hour and nursing the cow on its own soon after.

“Most beef operations rely on this natural nursing, and when the cow has good maternal behavior and weather conditions are favorable, this approach works well,” Gonzalez says. “Still, having a colostrum management plan available as a backup is critical, as not every calf nurses adequately in the first few hours.”

Colostrum Replacement

Having a replacement plan prepared before calving helps producers manage abnormal situations quickly and effectively. Walker and Gonzales agree there are three options to replace colostrum: milking the dam to collect the colostrum, colostrum from another cow or commercially available products.

“If a newborn calf is not nursing, the first step is to milk the dam and feed her colostrum to the calf using a bottle or an esophageal feeder [after proper training by your veterinarian],” Gonzales explains. “If this is not possible, colostrum [not milk] from another healthy, properly vaccinated cow in the herd can be used.”

Walker adds that you want to only obtain colostrum from healthy cows, preferably in their third lactation.

“If you have the opportunity to pick the cow you would collect colostrum from, ideally it would be a cow in its third lactation or greater, since this would provide higher-quality colostrum than two-year-old cows,” she says. “It can be difficult to get colostrum from beef cows, so some producers may work with a local dairy producer to get colostrum and freeze it until needed.”

The third option when neither of the above is available is a colostrum replacer. Gonzales says to be sure it is a true replacer, at least 100 g IgG per dose, and not just a supplement. While colostrum replacer is not the same as colostrum from a cow, it can sometimes be the only option and is better than not receiving anything.

“When it is needed, it provides immunoglobulin that helps with passive immunity coverage,” Walker says. “Follow the label when preparing the replacer and get it into the calf as soon as possible. Our best substitute is milking another cow in the same herd, but if you can’t get that, a colostrum milk replacer or substitute is certainly the way to go, and there’s producers that will just keep that on hand just in case they need that.”

Tips For Calving Season

It is often hard to tell if a calf has nursed or not, especially on an older cow. Gonzales recommends watching every newborn long enough to see it stand and actually latch onto the teat. If it hasn’t been nursed within 1 to 2 hours of birth, then step in.

Another tip he shares is to record problem calvings and assisted colostrum feedings. This helps make cull decisions down the road and better prepare for future calving.

Have a colostrum plan before the first calf is born and keep a basic calving kit ready to be prepared before a problem occurs. He says to be sure to identify your high-risk calves, use records to spot problems and work with your veterinarian closely.

“During the calving season , remember that colostrum management is critical to giving calves a strong start and preventing avoidable losses,” Gonzales says.

Your Next Reads:
Your Calving Prep Starts Here: The Essential Checklist
What You Should Know About the 3 Stages of Calving
9 Tips to Ensure Calving Season Success

7 Steps for Assessing Calf Abortions

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 14:28:44 GMT

This time of year, the last thing cattle producers want to find when checking cows is an aborted fetus.

Bob Larson, Kansas State University veterinarian, says there are multiple potential causes for abortion. Neospora is a common infectious cause of abortion, transmitted both vertically (from mother to fetus) and horizontally (via feed contaminated by canine feces). Other possibilities include viral diseases, such as IBR or BVD, and feed-related issues like moldy hay or listeria.

Larson and fellow K-State veterinarian Brad White recently discussed a case on the “Bovine Science with BCI” podcast in which a rancher with a couple hundred cows found an aborted fetus in their pasture. The producer wanted to know what to do next.

Larson and White suggest these seven steps when finding an aborted fetus:

1. Gather initial information

Identify which animal aborted. This includes determining age and status in herd: heifer or mature cow, new addition or long-term member.
Look for physical signs like retained placentas.

“One of my first questions is I’ve got to kind of figure out who, who is aborting, as in, what kind of describes the animal that’s aborting age? Is it a new addition to the herd? Is it’s a cow that’s been in the herd a long time? Those are the types of questions,” Larson explains.

White says it is important to investigate the fetus to try to determine fetal age.

In the case presented, the rancher says no one was claiming the fetus and they could not determine the mother.

2. Collect samples promptly

Recover the aborted fetus and, if possible, the placenta, as both provide crucial diagnostic tissue.
Collect a range of fetal tissues: lung, liver, kidney, brain, and consider additional fluids such as abomasal and follicular fluid.
Store fresh and fixed samples or freeze if not sending immediately.

Larson says collecting the aborted fetus (and placenta, if available) for diagnostic sampling is essential. The placenta is considered a highly valuable diagnostic tissue, but various tissues from the fetus (lung, liver, kidney, brain, etc.) can also be analyzed.

He suggests samples should be collected and stored (e.g., frozen) after first finding the first abortion but not necessarily sent to a lab immediately. If additional abortions occur, the value of sending samples for diagnosis increases.

The value of testing and taking action also increases with more cases.

“Hold on submitting samples for testing after the first abortion — consider sending if a second or third case occurs,” Larson says. “A single abortion may not signal a herd problem.”

3. Assess the herd environment and feeding practices

Understand what the cows are eating — hay, silage or supplements — and any recent changes or feed quality concerns like moldy hay or exposure to silage.

4. Interpret sampling results and rule-outs

If diagnostic testing is performed, interpret both positive and negative findings in the context of herd health and history.

Larson explains detecting Neospora in the fetus increases suspicion but does not confirm it as the immediate cause of the abortion; context and other risk factors must be considered. A negative result for Neospora lowers its likelihood as the cause.

5. Monitor for additional cases

Observe the herd closely. Larson stresses monitoring for additional cases is important.

6. Review herd management and biosecurity

Evaluate animal movement in and out of the herd, introduction of new cattle and biosecurity protocols.
Plan possible future interventions based on patterns or risk factors identified.

Long-term recommendations center on reviewing herd biosecurity, feeding practices and potential exposure risks. Identifying the signalment (age, breed, source) of affected animals helps target preventive measures.

7. Act based on findings and herd impact

Avoid unnecessary interventions unless cluster or patterns emerge. This includes palpating the herd or collecting serology.
Record findings and actions.
Consult with veterinary diagnostic labs or experts as needed.

Larson stresses immediate aggressive intervention is unlikely to affect the outcome of an ongoing abortion event, but understanding causes aids in future prevention and management.

“I can’t really think of a situation where having information today would change the outcome,” Larson says in response to getting in the entire herd and palpating after finding one fetus.

White summarizes these steps help ensure a logical, evidence-based approach to diagnosing and managing cattle abortions.

Your Next Read: Is There an Optimum Cow Size?

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 .

Your Next Reads:
Next Step in the Screwworm Fight: USDA Announces Opening of Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Tampico, Mexico
The Smell You’ll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm

Nightly Battles and Big Losses: Ranchers Demand Reform as Wolves Continue to Wreak Havoc

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:42:52 GMT

It’s hard to fathom: 92 confirmed or probable kills of cattle by three wolves during one season (April to October 2025) in the Sierra Valley. For ranchers, it’s more than economical loss — the emotional toll of dealing with wolves targeting their livestock and livelihoods is real.

Reintroduction and management of wolves in Sierra County, Calif., has led to significant challenges. The community, led by officials such as Paul Roen, has been actively pushing for updated management protocols, enhanced deterrence measures and better support from state and federal agencies to address the escalating wolf-livestock conflict.

Roen, a Sierra County supervisor (similar to a county commissioner) and rancher, explains it’s more than a livestock issue; it is a human safety issue.

“These wolves were not bothered by humans whatsoever. I mean, they were not acting like wild animals at all,” he says in reference to the wolves killing cattle earlier this year.

Rick Roberti, California Cattlemen’s Association president and a cattle rancher in Sierra Valley, adds: “For every confirmed kill you find, there’s probably four to six others. The wolves had gotten so used to eating cattle they didn’t hardly even look at a deer if they could find one.”

Roen and Roberti both stress the wolves have no fear of humans, with frequent sightings near homes and barns.

The severity of the attacks led Roen and other local officials to declare a state of emergency, drawing statewide and media attention. Despite the efforts of ranchers and local authorities — including constant night patrols, protective measures and deployment of technology like drones — wolf predation persisted. The community also engaged with state and federal resources, including a Strike Force sent by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to document the losses and explore possible intervention .

The program, designed to prevent livestock attacks on ranching properties in the heavily impacted Sierra Valley, deployed more than 18,000 staff hours across 114 days, engaging in 95 hazing events that helped to prevent an even greater loss in cattle deaths.

Eighteen Sierra Valley ranches enrolled in the program. CDFW staff also assisted ranches in evaluating the use of wolf-deterring fladry and ensuring livestock carcasses are correctly disposed to avoid attracting scavenging wolves. Additionally, the program helped facilitate depredation investigations, enabling ranchers to access compensation through CDFW’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program .

Following the unprecedented level of livestock attacks across the Sierra Valley, CDFW, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), took the step of lethally removing four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack.

“This action follows months of intensive non-lethal management efforts to reduce livestock loss and is grounded in the best available science and understanding of wolf biology,” according to the press release.

Roen says progress dealing with the wolf issue came with federal involvement and local law enforcement support. He says when the sheriff got involved , people woke up in Sacramento.

Read more about how sheriff departments from seven California counties united to oppose environmental polices they believe threaten ranchers and farmers.

Not Just California

The gray wolf is on the federal endangered species list except in the Northern Rocky Mountain region of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, the eastern one-third of Oregon, Washington and north-central Utah. In Minnesota, the gray wolf is considered threatened. Because of these protections, killing a wolf in the states where it’s protected is illegal, even if it’s seen killing livestock.

Luke Morgan, Lightning Bolt Cattle Company general manager, has been dealing with wolves since 2011 when they first came to Oregon. Morgan manages 2,500 mother cows on multiple locations in Oregon and Washington using both public and private lands.

A pack of wolves that live on one of the Lightning Bolt ranches in western Oregon have been causing havoc the past couple years. According to Morgan, the wolves killed more than 25 head of livestock from mid-October to mid-November.

He says the wolves prey the weak-minded: “Whatever can’t take the pressure … the ones that will break and run.”

(CDFW)

Cattle producer Amy Anderson Fitzpatrick says her family has also been dealing with wolves since 2011. They raise cattle in southern Oregon during the grazing season (May to December), then move the herd to winter in Northern California. The base ranch, called Rancheria Ranch, is in the mountains of Oregon and is a mix of owned land and permitted grazing. The operation includes commercial cow herd plus some yearlings.

Since 2019, Fitzpatrick says at least 24 cattle deaths have been attributed to wolves, though actual losses are likely higher due to unconfirmed cases in the rugged terrain.

“I have learned far more about wolves and their behavior than I could ever imagine. Wolves kill for food, yes, but they also kill to hone their skills, teach their young and for fun. We have witnessed wolves literally bumping livestock bedded down to get them up and running to chase them,” Fitzpatrick says. “We’ve been dealing with it for about 14 years. … The earlier pack, the Rogue Pack, would hit Fort Klamath hard in the summer months when there was an abundance of yearling cattle, then in the fall they’d come over the hill to Rancheria and hit us. Now we deal with what is known as this Grouse Ridge Pack, which seems to just like to hang out at the ranch and hit our permit country in the summertime.”

Fitzpatrick says they previously anticipated up to five losses per year from cattle turned out on the range as a cost of doing business. With the increase in wolf population, the ranch tallied between 35 and 40 mostly weaned calves during the 2024 season.

The Rogue Pack would kill livestock as sport and not consume the animals. However, the current, larger pack tends to consume more carcasses, further complicating verification.

In Wisconsin over the past 12 months, wolf attacks on livestock have increased. According to the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), there have been 62 livestock depredation incidents in 2025 — 45 killed and 17 confirmed harassments — all of which are either livestock or pets. That’s nearly double the number of incidents reported just three years ago.

According to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau : “Wisconsin’s wolf population has rebounded from extinction to an undeniable conservation success. But lately, it feels more like a horror story than a success story.”

Read more about how ranchers say they are willing to deal with wolves if they will return to their natural habitat:
Wolves Are Not Going Away: Ranchers Push for Practical Management Tools

(Paul Roen)

Financial Loss is Real

Herd-level effects beyond death loss include lower conception rates, 50 lb. to 75 lb. weaning weight declines and cow herd fear. Wolves have changed cattle behavior significantly.

Fitzpatrick says the presence of wolves has caused observable stress and aggression in the cattle, leading to behavioral changes, abortions and decreased weaning weights.

“Wolves actively harass resting cattle, preventing them from relaxing or thriving,” she says.

Morgan says herd experience more vulnerability during calving season. He points out calves and protective dams are high-risk with wolf attacks leading to increasing accidental calf deaths and stress-related herd disruptions.

Research by Tina Saitone, a University of California-Davis professor and cooperative Extension specialist in livestock and rangeland economics, found one wolf can cause up to $162,000 in annual financial loss .

Compensation is Available But Falls Short

Compensation frameworks exist but often lack speed and scope and require confirmations that are often unfeasible. Morgan says there’s not even close to enough funds in the pool to cover all the losses.

“There is money appropriated in California, but we’re just having a hard time getting it,” Roberti adds. “Most have been waiting since April.”

All four producers say depredations are significantly undercounted compared with real losses due to terrain, investigation lags and evidence requirements. A shared frustration is the fact if an animal is nearly completely consumed, the investigators can’t find the evidence it was a wolf attack and thus, it does not count as a wolf depredation.

Emotional Toll is Substantial

For cattle producers impacted by wolves, it’s more than the financial toll; it’s the human factor, the stress incurred.

“Financial-wise, it’s huge. It’s astronomical, if you really dig into it, but the mental capacity it takes from us and the people who work for us is huge,” Morgan says. “The emotional toll we have to go through just watching and observing cattle, and we spend every day we possibly can trying to keep these animals alive.

“There’s nothing pretty about the way [wolves] kill animals,” he continues. “For us to go out and find them or have to deal with that, it’s huge emotionally.”

Fitzpatrick explains the losses due to wolves have deeply affected her dad.

“My dad is 81 years old, and I have never seen him so depressed,” she explains. “He’s not the same; he’s lost the fight. It’s like we’ve lost. How do you put a price tag on that?”

Dealing with wolves it is a safety issue as well, Roberti adds. As producers stay up all night checking on and protecting their cattle. Fitzpatrick agrees, summarizing the stressful steps she takes to check cattle, noting she now avoids certain tasks due to the increased risks to herself and her dogs.

Documenting the events in Sierra County, Roen says he hopes their experiences can be used as a road map for others. He plans to share plans, forms and training materials with ranchers facing similar threats.

“We created different plans and trainings we will allow everybody to plagiarize,” he says.

Your Next Read:
Wolves Are Not Going Away: Ranchers Push for Practical Management Tools

The Cost of Coexistence With Wolves

Don’t Let Winter’s Cold Open the Door to BRD

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:30:14 GMT

Winter weather isn’t just tough on producers — it’s tough on cattle, too.

“There are reasons why we see more BRD challenges in cold and damp conditions,” says Nathan Meyer, DVM, Ph.D., Boehringer Ingelheim (BI). “It really comes down to stress. When animals are stressed, they’re less able to fight off infections as effectively as they would under more ideal conditions.”

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the costliest disease impacting U.S. beef cattle. The brisk winter months are the perfect time to reevaluate management practices to improve animal health, comfort and BRD control.

Prioritize Husbandry During Winter

Good animal husbandry is a crucial component of cold stress management.

“Muddy, cold and wet conditions can really draw heat out of an animal,” Meyer. says. “Not only does mud make it harder for cattle to stay warm, but it also increases their nutrient needs, because it takes more energy just to move around, eat and drink.”

When cattle are putting a lot of energy toward staying warm, they become more susceptible to disease challenges. Windbreaks, plenty of quality bedding and clean, dry areas can minimize the impact of the damp and cold temperatures.

Maintaining appropriate stocking density can also reduce the risk of disease spread. BRD is a communicable disease, and is easily transmitted from animal to animal. Giving animals the room they need slows down fast-spreading illness and keeps animals more comfortable.

Support Cattle Through Nutrition

Providing a balanced diet that meets or exceeds nutritional requirements is critical during extremely cold conditions. Nutritional support keeps animals warm, and also supports their overall health and immune function.

For every degree below an animal’s lower critical temperature (LCT) — the lowest temperature they can comfortably experience — their energy requirements increase by 1%. Depending upon body condition score and thickness of winter coat, cattle may have an LCT around 18 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Providing extra feed and ample bedding during a storm or cold snap will set cattle up to better handle the added stress.

Access to sufficient quantities of clean water is one critical nutritional component to keep in mind.

“Keep an eye on recharge rates, and break ice when necessary,” Meyer says. “Testing water periodically is also important to ensure there are no high levels of minerals or harmful bacteria.”

The importance of monitoring both water quantity and quality cannot be underestimated, as deficiencies in either can compromise cattle health.

Detect BRD Early for Best Treatment Outcomes

Even with the best prevention and husbandry measures in place, BRD can sometimes bypass defenses. When it does, early detection and treatment intervention is essential to minimizing long-term lung damage and production setbacks.

To minimize long-term lung damage and the production setbacks of BRD, look for early signs of illness in your cattle: depression, low appetite, abnormal respiration and high body temperature.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

“I’m a fan of the DART acronym when it comes to identifying early signs of sick cattle,” Meyer. explains. “Depression, low Appetite, abnormal Respiration and high body Temperature are key indicators caretakers should watch for.”

Correctly identifying sick cattle within a group can require a trained and experienced eye. He encourages managers to provide routine training for employees, to help them recognize signs of illness and evaluate whether BRD treatment is needed.

“The sooner we can intervene against BRD, the more likely we are to have successful treatment,” Meyer says.

He notes that not all antibiotics are created equal, and that producers should collaborate with their veterinarians to select products tailored to their herds’ needs. Meyer recommends choosing a fast-acting, long-lasting antibiotic with broad pathogen coverage to effectively combat BRD infections.

“Working with your veterinarian to establish a health plan is vital,” Meyer summarizes. “They bring valuable insights from working with multiple operations, and have access to the latest research to help tailor effective strategies for your herd.”

How Data, Genomics and Collaboration Are Transforming Cattle Genetics and Herd Profitability

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:50:11 GMT

Avoiding the pitfalls of the past, Marty Ropp and his team at Allied Genetic Resources (AGR) integrate science, service and transparency to advance genetic potential across the beef supply chain.

Ropp was the featured guest in “ The Future of Beef Show ” podcast, episode 14 .

Ropp and the podcast hosts explore the evolution and future directions of genetic improvement in the beef industry. He shares his unique journey from swine to beef genetics, emphasizing the critical role that data, technology and customer collaboration play in driving progress and profitability for ranchers and the broader supply chain.

Raised in the pig genetics industry, his formative years included education at Bethel College, Kansas State University and the University of Missouri, where he earned a master’s in pig genetics. In 1998, a pivotal year for the pork industry when market collapse forced many out of business, Ropp transitioned into beef genetics, thanks in large part to Jerry Lipsey, former American Simmental Association (ASA) CEO. Ropp says his 12 years at ASA set the stage for his founding AGR in 2010.

Lessons Learned

The 1998 crisis in pork is a foundational lesson for Ropp. He describes how the industry’s failure to adopt technology, gather and apply data, and engage with customers led to widespread business failures. Many pig genetics providers focused on tradition and appearance, neglecting scientific data and market signals — ultimately opening the door for larger, technology-driven players who could deliver what the market needed.

He says this experience shaped his determination to avoid repeating those mistakes.

“This is not sustainable, and it won’t last, and then it didn’t,” Ropp explains. “And so, I’ve been trying to apply that thought process to what I do in the beef industry ever since.”

What is AGR?

AGR is a member-owned company designed to be a full-service genetic provider for the beef industry, offering services and products that help ranchers and cattle producers improve genetics, collect and apply data, and ultimately increase the profitability and value of their herds. The company combines seedstock, feeder calf marketing, genomics and data services under one umbrella, with an emphasis on actionable genetics, customer support and continuous innovation.

He explains he started AGR because he saw critical gaps in the genetics industry.

“The idea that genetics providers needed to do more than just what they were doing, which was making what they wanted to make, and marketing them as the best genetics in the world — they needed to build closer relationships with their customers, and ultimately become part of the food business, part of the supply chain,” Ropp says.

AGR’s core mission is to increase the total value across the beef industry through better genetics, rather than simply re-distributing existing value among producers and stakeholders.

“Our program is designed to add to that pie, take cost out and add income,” Ropp summarizes. “Anything like being more involved with systems farther down chain, try to get more value from the genetics that we’ve produced and our customers make — anything like that has to be in our future plan.”

Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:

1. Data and technology drive progress. The future of cattle breeding relies on rigorous genetic evaluations, genomic testing and using data to improve both profitability and sustainability for ranchers and producers.

“We 100% believe in the genetic and genetic evaluation of data and genomic evaluation — 100% use that data to prove sires move forward as fast as they can on the back end. Then the feedback has to come,” Ropp says. “That data-driven genetic improvement for the future is what we need, and that’s how we stay engaged.”

2. Customer relationships and service. AGR emphasizes close, long-term relationships with customers, helping them through customized genetic evaluation, actionable recommendations and support services extending beyond seedstock sales.

3. Value creation through data. Collecting and utilizing high-quality commercial and seedstock data is critical. However, data’s value depends on creating actionable insights that directly improve breeding decisions and market outcomes, rather than simply accumulating or selling raw data.

“The data is necessary and valuable,” Ropp says. “But again, if you can’t feed that into a system that pays for improvement down chain, then that data is only valuable from a cost reduction ... and not really from an industry participation standpoint.”

4. Genomics for all sectors. While genomics is standard among seedstock producers, new efforts like the Right Bull program are bringing actionable, simplified genomics solutions to commercial producers, even in group-managed operations.

“Investment in genomics by itself does not drive any profitability; those genomics have to be used in tools and actionable tools that you can take advantage of immediately,” he says.

For more about the Right Bull program: Avoid Costly Bull Mistakes: Genomic Solutions for Smarter Ranching

5. Feedback loops and incentives. Effective genetic improvement requires a feedback loop where improvements lead to measurable value for the commercial producer: higher calf prices better conception rates, incentivizing continued participation.

6. Industry collaboration and partnerships. AGR and its divisions actively work with both members and non-owners, as well as with technology companies, breed associations and other stakeholders to advance genetic progress across the beef industry.

Ropp sees a need for more comprehensive commercial data, better feedback loops and systems that translate genetic progress into tangible rewards for producers. He advocates continuous innovation — using new technologies, transparent service models and collaborative partnerships to ensure that genetic improvements benefit the entire industry, not just a select few.

Check out the podcast to learn more about Ropp’s strategy of fusing technology, data and expert service to deliver actionable solutions helping ranchers achieve sustainable profitability and industry resilience.

When Is the Best Time for Lice Control Application?

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:04:48 GMT

Lice are a common problem that can cause economic losses, reduce weight gain and lead to a general unhealthy appearance.

“When I hear the word ‘lice,’ two pictures always come to mind; one is me as a kid, lined up with my friends on a cold Idaho morning, waiting for the school nurse to tell us we couldn’t share hats anymore,” says Kirk Ramsey, DVM and Neogen professional services veterinarian. “The other is my cows in winter, rubbing themselves raw against the feed wagon while I beg them to move so I can finish chores in the snow.”

Different scenes, same reminder: As long as mammals have existed, so have lice.

“The reality is that when it comes to lice, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” Ramsey says.

Application Timing and Best Practices

Timing lice control is what makes prevention difficult. One of the most common wintertime complaints cattle veterinarians receive is asking why cattle still have lice even though they were treated the last time they were worked.

“Most spring calving herds do all their herd work in the fall. This means cattle are vaccinated, checked for pregnancy, wormed, and often lice prevention is applied in October or November,” Ramsey explains. “The problem with that logic is that, in many parts of the country, very few lice will be present at that time, and it may be a month or two until the weather deteriorates enough for lice to really be a problem. To reduce risk and create control measures, understanding the life cycle of lice and targeting application times are paramount.”

To achieve seasonlong control, Ramsey says you have to break the life cycle. If treatment is completed too early in the fall, it’s possible only adult lice will be eliminated, not the eggs they laid.

“Producers will not have that seasonlong effect because the life cycle was not broken,” Ramsey says. “Where you will really find success is using a product labeled for lice that has an insect growth regulator (IGR) to help break the life cycle of the louse.”

Selecting a formula that includes an IGR, such as diflubenzuron — which disrupts nymph maturity — minimizes handling time and labor costs.

He adds, “It’s key to note here that most products include an adulticide, which treats adults, but the adulticide will not affect nymphs or eggs.”

When selecting an insecticide, be sure to consider its active ingredients and mode of action.

“It is important to also consider that insecticide resistance may be present in ectoparasite populations in various geographic locations, so a chemical control strategy that rotates between classes of insecticides is recommended,” Ramsey says.

Breaking the Life Cycle of Lice

The key to breaking the life cycle is to first understand how lice develop. First, you have eggs — also referred to as nits — which develop into nymphs within 10 to 20 days, which then transform into adults.

Adults live from two to six weeks, with the female laying 30 to 60 eggs in their lifetime. It may not seem like that massive of a number, but it is a decent number when you’re considering that this is just from one female, and you are never just going to have only one in an infestation.

Signs of Lice

Clinical signs of lice in cattle can include intense itching, patchy and flaky skin, hair loss, lethargy, decreased gain and weight loss.

“Cattle can also get to the point of anemia, when they become very ill looking, and their hair coat will look very poor,” Ramsey explains. “One study from the University of Nebraska, as well as other studies, indicates heavy lice populations may reduce weight gain by as much as 0.21 lb. per day.”

Types of Lice

Ramsey explains there are two types of lice: the sucking louse and the chewing louse.

“In its simplest form, chewing lice feed off skin debris and hair, to some extent, which causes itching,” he explains. “Sucking lice feed on blood, causing anemia and pathogen transmission. The sucking louse can be a biological vector for diseases like Anaplasmosis or Theileria.”

Lice can be present on the skin surface at the base of the hair; they also have a predilection for the face, neck, shoulders, back and tailhead of the animal.

To learn more about lice prevention and control, visit your local veterinarian or visit Neogen.com .

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.

How Three Ranches are Using Horses Today

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:28:37 GMT

The use of horses on the ranch is a tool that continues to be essential on many ranches today. Though it is a time-honored tradition for many, it is also how large ranches with diverse terrain manage daily cattle operations.

Horses are used in a variety of ways depending on the location and size of the ranch. At K4 Ranch, located 35 miles north of Prescott, Ariz., horses are used daily on their nearly 1 million acres where they manage cattle. In business since 1941, horses have been a staple to their functionality resulting in the addition of raising quarter horses.

“We raise a large number of horses to be used primarily for ranch work and secondly our production sale, The Legacy Ranch Horse Sale,” says Sarah Kieckhefer of K4 Ranches. “It is very important to us to raise performance horses that we use first and foremost as ranch horses for a solid foundation before we go into the arena or for breeding.”

Using horses to check and gather cattle is typically their only option with the rugged terrain.

“We use horses for everything involving cattle,” Kieckhefer says. “Our country in Arizona and California is rough terrain with mountains and ravines so motorized vehicles just don’t work.”

Their Diamond A Ranch, a division of K4 Ranch is the largest ranch in Arizona, running their largest number of cows and employs a large crew with seasonal cowboys and eight camps with full-time cowboys. They also have ranches in California and Oklahoma that they run cows and stocker cattle on.

“On our large ranches with rough or brushy terrain, a good horse can go where a pickup, ATV or side-by-side can’t,” Kieckhefer explains. “Horses can cover long distances, cross canyons and handle steep or rocky country, and a horse allows you to move quietly, ease cattle along and reduce stress, which leads to fewer wrecks and better weight retention.”

(Courtesy of Poss Angus)

Gathering and Sorting

Poss Angus, a registered Angus operation in Scotia, Neb., uses horses to gather, sort and pull heats during the breeding season. In the summer months they doctor and gather cattle on grass.

“Most of our pastures are rough clay hills with ponds and trees, so having a horse to get to where the cows are is definitely necessary,” says Nathan Poss, head cowboy. “Ninety percent of the time, if there is cattle work being done of any kind, there is a horse or two being saddled.”

Poss Angus manages roughly 800 head with a bull sale every February and occasionally a female sale in the fall.

“I don’t typically use a horse in the picture pen but always to video bulls,” Poss adds. “By using a horse in the video pen, it is easier to move the bulls back and forth across the pen. Videoing can also turn into a long couple days, so it’s nice to have a young horse putting in the steps instead of me.”

Poss’ main responsibilities are the health and care of the cattle, including feeding, doctoring, calving and processing.

“I enjoy taking the ranch work and utilizing it to make young horses better through the work. Another great benefit in my mind is when working cattle horseback, the cattle gain respect for you and your horse, over time I feel like those cattle work and handle much easier,” Poss explains. “In my opinion, if it comes down to catching a single animal, a horse must be used. By using a horse instead of a four-wheeler, it keeps the environment quiet, and you can always go the same pace as the animal to help steer them in the direction you need to go. Four wheelers and rangers are also used very heavily on our ranch. Quickly moving a group to another pasture, tagging, putting out salt and mineral, those are all equivalent times to use a four-wheeler or ranger.”

(Courtesy of The Pitchfork Ranch)

Branding and Moving

The Pitchfork Ranch in Meeteetse, Wyo., uses horses heavily during branding seasons and moving cattle on and off mountain pasture. Primarily a commercial cow-calf operation focused on pounds of beef produced per acre, they also retain some cattle every year for their beef program that sells directly to consumers.

Their cattle have to thrive at elevation and harsh winters, then range calve in the spring. The Pitchfork Ranch also hosts an annual ranch horse sale in the spring.

“We use horses in all of our cattle work. In the spring we calve in an 8,000-acre pasture where we then pair cattle out into our branding groups,” says Lindsey Anson, who manages The Pitchfork Ranch. “We head and heel calves at branding and then start working our way up country where cattle summer at 10,000' elevation in the Absaroka range. In the fall as cattle come off the mountain, they are then paired out again horseback into contemporary sex groups until we ship in the first half of November.”

Similar to K4 Ranch and Poss Angus, using horses is often because of the terrain.

“Our terrain also doesn’t allow for the use of motorized vehicles very often so the work has to be done on a horse. Part of our summer range is also in a wilderness area where we still have to pack in salt and mineral horseback,” Anson explains. “Our cattle seem to handle better horseback. In the subtleties of reading cattle, you can make minor adjustments on horseback that you aren’t able to do with something motorized.”

Harness the Full Potential of Your BRD Vaccine with the Right Adjuvant

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:24:54 GMT

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the greatest threats to young calves, and gaining protection through vaccines isn’t always straightforward. Maternal antibodies, passed through colostrum, can block some vaccines from boosting immunity. The key to overcoming that hurdle? Choosing a vaccine with the right adjuvant.

Maternal Antibodies Can Interfere with Vaccines

“Years ago, vaccine response was so variable in young calves,” says Curt Vlietstra, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “At the time, we didn’t know if their immune system simply wasn’t ready, or if there was a problem with the vaccines. With the research we have now, we understand that the majority of interference comes from maternal antibodies that are still present in the calf at the time of vaccination.”

Passed down from the cow via colostrum, maternal antibodies are not only a calf’s first line of defense against disease, but they also have the tendency to neutralize vaccines.

Those maternal antibodies naturally wane when the calf is between 2 and 6 months of age. As this maternal immunity dwindles, vaccination becomes critical in boosting and building calf immunity. The largest challenge in bridging these two forms of immunity is timing. Chris Chase, DVM, Professor, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, says finding a vaccine with the right adjuvant can eliminate this guessing game.

Adjuvants Are Critical to Capturing Immunity in Young Calves

Adjuvants — although often overlooked — can determine whether a calf successfully develops a robust, lasting immune response, or remains vulnerable to BRD pressure. They work by drawing immune cells to the injection site, and helping the calf’s body recognize and remember the vaccine. Some adjuvants also slow the release of the vaccine, giving the immune system more time to respond.

“With the types of adjuvants we have now, we can get strong, long-lasting immune responses, even in calves with maternal antibodies,” Chase shares. “Although, just because a vaccine label says ‘adjuvanted’ doesn’t mean it offers the protection we need. It’s important that we ask what kind of adjuvant it is and what it’s proven to do.”

Over the last few decades, peer-reviewed studies and fieldwork have shown that Pyramid ^® vaccines can succeed, even in the face of maternal immunity, thanks to its unique adjuvant, Metasim^®. Specifically designed to address the challenges of early calfhood vaccination, the dual-phase technology of the Metasim adjuvant can stimulate a balanced, robust immune response in calves as young as 30 days of age.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

“Historically, it was accepted as fact that maternal antibodies would block the injectable vaccine,” Vlietstra says. “Now we know Metasim works alongside the preexisting antibodies, not against them.”

Systemic Immunity Builds Long-Lasting Protection

Another key factor in vaccine selection is delivery method. For a time, intranasal vaccines were thought to be the only effective option to protect young calves against BRD. While intranasal vaccines can offer local immunity for calves at risk of BRD exposure soon after birth, some may miss the opportunity to stimulate robust, systemic immunity.

While local immunity helps block infection right where it starts (which is usually in the respiratory tract with BRD), systemic immunity is what builds broad, long-lasting protection, by training the calf’s entire immune system to respond.

When calves encounter BRD pathogens weeks or even months after vaccination, a strong systemic immune response helps them recognize and fight off infection more effectively, reducing severity of disease and its long-term impact on health and performance.

“In some ways, we’ve become very reliant on intranasals,” Vlietstra notes . “I’ve seen protocols that say, ‘This calf may not respond to an injectable, so let’s give another intranasal.’ That choice ends up potentially delaying systemic protection.”

Injectable vaccines with the right adjuvant have been proven to stimulate both local immunity in the respiratory tract, and systemic immunity that circulates in the bloodstream.

Even the Best Vaccine Needs Correct Timing and Care

“There are plenty of producers and veterinarians who have firsthand experience of vaccines not working,” Vlietstra says. “If we’re not seeing results, it’s time to evaluate how we’re using the product and when.”

It’s common to schedule vaccination alongside other times calves are being worked, like weaning or transportation. While this may save labor and time up front, vaccinating calves during other stressful events can limit immune response.

“If cattle have had a long truck ride, ideally, we’d let them unload and rest for 24 to 48 hours before we vaccinate,” Chase explains. “I know not all operations have the resources to do this due to labor constraints, but water and rest time after a stressful event will set cattle up for a better immune response.”

To get the most of any vaccination program, good animal handling, husbandry and biosecurity protocols play a role in preventing and controlling BRD. By staying on top of health management and using products according to label, vaccines are more likely to capture desired results.

“The world’s best vaccine is not going to overcome overwhelming challenges,” Chase stresses.

The needs of every herd are different. Working closely with a veterinarian is key to finding success tailored to your cattle and operation.

Bulls, Gates and Risks: A Veterinarian's Guide to Farm Safety

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:58:13 GMT

Farm safety isn’t about one-time actions, but a comprehensive strategy involving equipment, technique, awareness and continuous learning. While farm safety articles or presentations are not “sexy” or exciting, they are important to minimize risk and create safer working environments.

John Currin, Virginia Tech Extension veterinarian, says: “No matter how long we’ve done this, we can always learn to do things better. Be open and don’t think you know everything.”

Currin points out bulls, gates and loading are key risks producers should understand.
Bulls — no matter how gentle they are — should be handled with care.

“Always be careful around bulls and thoughtful around them,” Currin says. “As you move multiple bulls from a big field to a smaller field or a pen, they’re eventually going to get to a point where they’re going to start fighting.”

He emphasizes most bulls don’t intentionally try to harm humans. They move quickly, tend to be larger in size and can accidentally injure people.

Currin also advises careful and deliberate gate handling in a trailer or working facility.

“I hate seeing people throw gates at cattle, because oftentimes they will kick the gate and send it back much harder and faster than it was beforehand,” he explains.

One of the most dangerous scenarios he highlights is cattle loading.

“I have seen more injuries and even heard about a few deaths from loading cattle,” he says.

Specific risks include:

Cattle pushing back through gates
Gates being kicked back at handlers
Rapid, unpredictable animal movements

Currin shares these six tips for cattle producers to consider:

1. Invest in Proper Facilities
- Have appropriate infrastructure for your herd size.
- Essential equipment, like head gates, are non-negotiable.
He says: “If you own two cows and no head gate, you should sell one cow and buy a head gate.”
- Upgrade facilities to reduce handling stress and improve safety.
“If you should or need to do something to cattle, and you’re not doing it because your facilities make you concerned or worried, your facilities need upgrades,” he explains.
- Good facilities can improve cattle behavior and safety.
“I think bad facilities can make good cattle wild, and good facilities can make wild cattle better,” he says.

2. Practice Low-Stress Cattle Handling
- Move cattle calmly and deliberately.
- Understand animal behavior.
- Avoid sudden movements or aggressive actions.
- Train handlers to work smoothly with animals.

3. Be Extremely Cautious With Bulls and Loading
- Bulls can be unpredictable during movement.
- Loading cattle is a high-risk activity.
- Never throw gates or make sudden movements.
- Always anticipate potential aggressive behaviors.
- Move slowly and deliberately.

4. Properly Handle and Dispose of Medical Supplies
- Use puncture-proof containers for needles and consider safety of downstream waste handlers.
“The people that may be down the chain handling those needles don’t know whether they had been in a cow or whether they’ve been in a person,” he explains.
- Follow label instructions.
- Be especially careful with organophosphate products.
- Wear appropriate protective gear.

K-State Extension veterinarian AJ Tarpoff agrees with Currin regarding the importance of properly disposing of needles and surgical blades used for cattle.

“Loose needles thrown in the trash present health and safety risks for those in your operation and beyond,” Tarpoff says. “Having a designated sharps container on the ranch is an essential tool. A heavy-duty plastic sharps container can be purchased, or an empty laundry detergent bottle, or similar heavy-plastic, puncture-resistant container can have a second life as a sharps container.”

He says beverage containers, aluminum cans, coffee cans with snap on lids, glass jars, plastic bags or plastic milk jugs should not be used as sharps containers.

“If using a repurposed container, make sure to save the lid so that it can be replaced when not being actively used, or for final disposal,” he adds. “Label the repurposed container so it is not mistakenly placed in recycling.”

5. Continuously Learn and Anticipate Problems
- Never assume you know everything.
- Attend training and extension meetings.
- Learn from experienced professionals.
- Anticipate potential problem scenarios.

6. Communicate and Stay Aware
- Always have someone aware of your location when working alone. Inform others about your cattle handling plans.
- Share knowledge about problematic animals with all handlers.
- Maintain situational awareness during cattle work.
- Create a communication protocol for farm safety.

Tarpoff also stresses the importance of proper handling and administration of cattle-health products . He suggests reading all labels and package inserts and be sure to refrigerate if necessary.

“Use Beef Quality Assurance techniques and guidelines suggested by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,” Tarpoff reminds producers.

Currin’s overarching safety philosophy is anticipation.

“Anticipate where problems might occur. Try to work around that [to] help keep you out of a bad situation,” he advises.

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