Rancher

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.”

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.

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

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?

Producers and Veterinarians Are Taking Back Agriculture’s Story Online

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:31:44 GMT

“In agriculture, if we don’t tell our story, someone else will, and they’re not telling it right,” says sixth-generation rancher Tucker Brown .

Most Americans have never set foot on a cattle operation, yet millions scroll past videos every day telling them how livestock are raised, what antibiotics do and whether beef belongs on their plate. Increasingly, that information isn’t coming from veterinarians or producers. It’s coming from influencers, activists and algorithm-fueled accounts that often get the facts wrong.

At the same time, consumer curiosity about animal welfare and food safety has never been higher. Nearly 70% of U.S. consumers say animal welfare is very important to their purchasing decisions. However, there exists a gap between what people think happens in cattle health and what is actually occurring on farms.

Meet the Experts: Real-Life Ranchers and Vets on Instagram

Ranchers Brown and Emma Coffman recently sat down at a Stockmanship and Stewardship event to discuss the importance of online advocacy, building trust and making an impact through educational content on social media.

Brown is a rancher at R.A. Brown ranch in Throckmorton, Texas. With nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram , he has been using his platform to educate, entertain and build trust with consumers for over seven years. Although admittedly, Brown’s purpose for posting shifted from his original intent.

“At first, it was just to help me sell more registered bulls,” he says. “But what ended up happening was there were more consumers watching my stuff than bull customers, and so, this trust was being built between consumers and myself and other ranchers.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tucker Brown (@tuckerbrownrab)

Coffman, the founder and owner of Double E Ranch Advocacy , is a first-generation agriculturalist. Her passion for public agricultural education began when she discovered just how much information was never communicated to consumers.

“When I started getting an interest in agriculture through 4-H and FFA, I had a lot of questions,” she says. “I realized there was a lot of what I thought was very simple, basic one-on-one information about how our food is grown and the labeling behind it that we weren’t talking about to consumers.”

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Both Brown and Coffman agree the people with mud on their boots and dirt on their hands from the farm should be the ones to answer consumer questions where their food comes from and how it’s grown.

Bovine veterinarian Dr. Erika Nagorske, who has amassed almost 17,000 followers on Instagram , takes a highly educational approach. She’ll often post about unique cases asking vet students for their diagnosis, following up with the answer a couple weeks later.

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“The reason why I keep doing it is the educational piece, especially for veterinary students. I love teaching vet students and I really like teaching producers who want the extra information,” Nagorske says. “Nobody wins if the vet doesn’t explain what they’re doing and what they’re thinking. It’s a teaching platform.”

Brown, Coffman and Nagorske view what they do as a way to increase public understanding of where their food comes from and the role of veterinarians in agriculture.

“In the ag space, it’s so hard. I think we always complain that nobody understands us,” Nagorske says. “I grew up in a city, fell in love with the industry, and I want to share it. If we don’t share it, we can’t complain that people don’t know.”

Getting Started: 4 Tips for Effective Ag Social Media

Are you thinking about sharing on social media? Coffman and Brown had the following recommendations:

Remember the why: Your goal should be in the front of your mind
Don’t worry about being polished: Being relatable is more important
Use your personality: People often connect with the human before the information
Keep it simple: Answer one question per post

“It’s really about trying to take complex subjects, bring it down to a baseline level and then build your advocacy off of that,” Coffman says. “And don’t be afraid to repeat yourself.”

In cattle production, there are a number of commonly asked questions. Coffman advises going back to these topics with varying approaches to get the message across. Further, there are a lot of everyday on-farm activities that consumers have never seen before. Above all, conveying the information in a way the audience will understand is most important.

Winning Trust: How to Handle Negative Comments Online

As with all social media, there is the potential for negative interactions. How you handle them can be very impactful.

“I always suggest that when you get a negative comment on what you’re sharing … to respond with facts rather than emotion,” Brown says. “It helps you look better, helps you be more relatable and more trustworthy to the 90% of watchers that will be silent.”

The goal isn’t to “win,” but to build trust, he says.

In the end, the public only sees what we share. Misinformation thrives in silence, not in the presence of experts. When agriculture professionals speak openly, transparently and compassionately on social media, the industry benefits.

“When we tell the truth, ranching wins,” Brown says. “That’s all you have to do. You don’t have to come up with a story. All you have to do is tell the truth.”

For these professionals, transparency means allowing the public to see the core values of their work, a view Nagorske summarizes by focusing on veterinarians’ dedication.

“I want them to take away the deep rooted passion that veterinarians have for animals. Even if it’s livestock. Even if the end goal is to consume them,” Nagorske says.

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 .

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.”

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.

Your Next Read: Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Putting People First During National Farm Safety and Health Week

Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Putting People First During National Farm Safety and Health Week

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:58:32 GMT

Farm Health and Safety Week is a chance to focus on something agriculture often overlooks: the health of the people who make it all possible. Veterinarians and producers alike pour their energy into the care of livestock, but the demands of the job can take a toll on both body and mind. Protecting your health is not selfish, it’s the foundation for sustaining your animals, your business and your community.

The challenges of farming and veterinary work are not only physical. Stress, financial pressure, unpredictable weather, disease outbreaks and tough animal welfare decisions can all weigh heavily on the minds of both veterinarians and producers. Mental health is inseparable from physical health; stress increases fatigue, reduces immunity and makes injuries more likely.

Andi Davison, licensed veterinary technician and positive change agent with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, recognizes the importance of allowing yourself to focus on your own mental health

“We are very good at focusing on our patients and our clients and our communities and our farms and our agriculture because it matters, and it all depends on the veterinary professionals and producers that are out there in the field doing the things,” Davison says. “It’s really easy to forget how valuable we are as professionals to that equation. I really believe that starting with a mindset that gives us permission to see ourselves as a valuable contributor is critical.”

Veterinarian Isolation

One of the biggest mental challenges facing bovine veterinarians on a daily basis is isolation. Often you’re traveling alone from farm to farm without a co-worker to share the time with. It’s worth considering and checking in with yourself about what makes you feel best. Davison recommends using the drive between farms to employ some strategies for a mental reset. These strategies can differ based on your personality.

For an introvert, this could include inward reflection on your last visit, listening to a podcast, pulling over to meditate or jamming out to your favorite album; for an extrovert, this could include calling someone to chat.

“When you get to the next farm, you set that intention of: ‘Okay, I worked through that, I reflected on my first stop. I took that space in between, and now I’m going to show up at my next stop in a way that I want to,’” Davison suggests. “The great thing about it is that you can do it in between stops, in between calls, in between farms; fit it in where it works best for you as an individual.”

Let’s Talk About It

Breaking the stigma around mental health is essential. Open conversations help normalize seeking help, whether through a professional counselor, a trusted peer, or a community support group. Small steps also make a difference: staying connected socially, setting aside even short periods of time for rest or hobbies and recognizing when stress is becoming overwhelming.

Importantly, both veterinarians and producers are in a position to check in on each other. A simple question like “how are you holding up” can open the door to vital conversations.

“Something that allows food medicine to stand out a little bit from the other facets of veterinary medicine is that quite often, the producer and the veterinarian are on the same page because their goals are very similar,” Davison says. “Whether that relationship involves discussing mental health, I bet you it does in some and it doesn’t in others. But I would encourage that conversation because the goals are similar. They’re out there doing it day in and day out, just like the veterinarian is. I would imagine that is a critical conversation to be had.”

Making mental health a part of everyday farm and clinic conversations can go a long way.

A Culture of Health in Agriculture

It’s important to recognize that there are resources out there, there are communities you can join, and there are connections that can be made. Interaction with others can go a long way to improving your mental health.

Healthy people build healthy farms. By allowing yourself to care for your mental well-being, veterinarians and producers can create a more sustainable future for themselves and their communities. National Farm Safety and Health Week is not only a reminder of the risks of agricultural work, but also an opportunity to commit to better habits, stronger support systems, and a shared responsibility for health.

Your Next Read: Bulls, Gates and Risks: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Farm Safety

A Deworming Plan that Delivers

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:38:02 GMT

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

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

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

(Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.)

Diagnostics: Start With the Facts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Combination Treatment: Target Parasites in Different Ways

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

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

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

Figure 1: The three classes of dewormers.

(Boehringer Indelheim)

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

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

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

Refugia: Treat the Right Animals

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

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

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

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

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

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

Management: Strong Grazing Supports Stronger Control

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

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

Thomas adds that forage height matters.

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

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

Planning that Pays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Strategies to Improve Pregnancy Rates in Cow Herds

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:32:25 GMT

For many producers and veterinarians, it’s time to line up PG and ultrasound appointments to establish a pregnancy rate and sort off open cows. It can be a nerve-wracking day until it’s over — and even then ranchers may not be entirely satisfied with the outcome.

So, what can ranchers do if they aren’t satisfied with their herd’s pregnancy rates?

It’s beneficial to look at both an industry average and a herd average in these instances.

“If you have a 60 to 80 day breeding season and are over 90% for pregnancy rate, you are doing pretty well, according to previous North Dakota surveys,” says Lacey Quail, North Dakota State University extension livestock management specialist. “If you have a shorter breeding season, you can expect that percentage to be a little lower.”

Next, take a look at your herd records from previous years.

“If you get your PG or ultrasound results and aren’t happy, it implies you have previous records to compare it to,” Quail says. “We need to keep herd records so we can dig out something that might go under the radar and potentially cause profit loss.”

Fertility is multifactorial, which can sometimes make it challenging to pinpoint one specific cause.

She recommends producers start by asking themselves a series of questions to start narrowing down what may have caused lower pregnancy rates and where the problem occurred.

Several management questions producers can ask themselves to start to tease out the potential cause of lower pregnancy rates are:

Did you see cows cycling?
Did you see bulls mounting and breeding?
Did you see breeding activity at the beginning or end of the season?
Were the majority of open cows in one pasture or management group?
Are some of the open cows thinner than the rest of the group?
Were the majority of open cows of a certain age?
Did you experience a heat spell or other potential stressor?

Quail says, “Fertility is like a domino train. You are waiting for the last domino to fall, but the train may have fallen off track a long time ago in a different room.”

Once you answer the above questions, be mindful of the following missed opportunities.

“On the bull side, make sure you are having full breeding soundness exams completed by a veterinarian and take into account social hierarchy when putting together breeding groups,” Quail says.

After that, it’s important to remember breeding activity.

“A big missed opportunity is not taking the time to observe breeding behavior in your herd,” Quail says. “We want to evaluate if cows are cycling, and if bulls have the libido to seek, mount and breed. Noticing issues early can save a great deal of loss.”

Don’t just stop at noting activity in general. When did the activity happen?

“Take a closer look at when cows are getting pregnant, and not just if they are getting pregnant,” Quail says. “This can have a big impact on overall productivity and profitability.”

Nutrition also can’t be overlooked.

She says, “In many cases, cows calving early might reach peak lactation and breeding season before growing forages can support all their nutrient requirements. Keeping females in adequate body condition going into and out of the breeding season is going to go a long way toward overall pregnancy rate.”

Environmental stressors can’t entirely be avoided, but they can be mitigated.

“Another missed opportunity is fine tuning environments to reduce stress,” Quail says. “We can’t control the heat, but we can control to some degree how far cows and bulls have to walk to access water.”

Ranchers shouldn’t feel like they have to go through this process alone. They can reach out to specialists, veterinarians and their nutritionists for help.

“Consulting with a veterinarian regardless of your pregnancy rate is a good thing to do,” Quail says. “Some records to be aware of and share with your vet are differences in pregnancy rate and calving rate as well as any co-mingling with neighboring cattle.”

May your pregnancy rates be favorable this fall. But if not, remember to start with herd records and basic questions to help get to the cause.

You can listen to the full conversation on the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast .

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

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:15:09 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vaccination and Health Management

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

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

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

Nutrition and Growth Patterns

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

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

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

Reproductive Assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Biosecurity Considerations

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

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

Economics and Sustainability

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

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

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

Bull Tests Positive for Brucellosis: Herd Quarantined and Investigation Continues

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:09:19 GMT

On Friday, August 15, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) received confirmation that an animal from a Beaverhead County herd within Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA) tested positive for brucellosis.

According to a press release , the herd has been placed under quarantine pending the completion of an epidemiological investigation.

The positive bull was identified as a brucellosis suspect during required testing at a livestock market in late July. The animal was euthanized and taken for necropsy at the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory where tissues were collected and sent to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, for confirmatory testing. NVSL was able to grow the Brucella abortus organism from one of the lymph nodes collected from the animal.

The disease investigation will include testing and tracing of animal contacts and movements to ensure the disease is not present in other livestock herds. MDOL will work with the affected operation to minimize the impact of this diagnosis by conducting a tailored and focused investigation.

Montana’s Designated Surveillance Area (DSA)

(Montana Department of Livestock)

Montana’s DSA exists due to the risk of disease spillover from infected wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). Program testing requirements help ensure cases of brucellosis in livestock are detected before animals leave the DSA. Successful early detection provides confidence to Montana’s trading partners that any Montana cattle they may receive are brucellosis free. Brucellosis causes reproductive issues in livestock including abortions, still births and neonatal mortalities.

“While detections of brucellosis are a hardship on operations, this detection is still a reflection of the success of our state brucellosis program,” says Dr. Brenee Peterson, MDOL veterinarian. “Through the work of DSA producers and local veterinarians, we continue to detect the disease early and prevent the export of a brucellosis-infected animal to one of our trading partners.”

Previous Brucellosis Detection

This herd is the 14^th brucellosis-affected herd confirmed in Montana since the implementation of the DSA in 2010. The most recent detection was within the DSA in Madison County in April 2023. While the source of infection for this latest infected bull has not yet been determined, DNA genotyping and epidemiological investigations have concluded the previous 13 infections came from wild elk. Prior investigations have also confirmed brucellosis has not spread to neighboring herds through fence-line contact.

What is Brucellosis?

According to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (AHIS) brucellosis (also known as contagious abortion or Bang’s disease) is a costly disease of livestock and wildlife. It is caused by a group of bacteria in the genus Brucella. The disease has significant consequences for animal health, public health and international trade.

Brucellosis occurs mainly in cattle, bison and swine, but can affect other animals (cervids, goats, sheep and horses) as well as people.

In cattle and bison, the bacteria of concern is Brucella abortus. It has been present in the U.S. since the 1930s. A longstanding national eradication program mostly eliminated the disease in U.S. cattle. Today, only occasional spillover cases occur in cattle and other livestock near the GYA. Wild bison and elk in the GYA are the last remaining reservoir of this disease in the U.S.

According to the APHIS website , when signs do appear, they’re most obvious in pregnant animals. Here’s what to look for:

Abortion (usually at five to seven months of pregnancy)
Birth of weak, unhealthy calves
Decreased milk production
Weight loss
Poor conception rates or infertility
Retained afterbirths with resulting uterine infections
Enlarged, arthritic joints (occasionally)

“Appearance alone isn’t an effective way to detect brucellosis,” according to the website. “Infected animals may appear healthy, even during pregnancy. However, they can still harbor and spread infectious bacteria and serve as dangerous sources of infection.”

Producers or owners who suspect an animal disease should contact their veterinarian to evaluate the animal or herd.

Heifer Economics: Calculating Replacement Costs in Today's Market

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:54:39 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(CattleFax)

Keeping Replacements vs. Buying Bred Heifers

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

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

What Should Bred Heifers Be Worth?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tetanus: A Storm Aftermath Problem for Animals

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:40:49 GMT

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

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

What causes Tetanus?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you treat and prevent it?

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

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

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

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

Why Bull Rest Matters: Time to Prepare for the Next Breeding Season

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:03:32 GMT

While spring breeding season is wrapping up, and bulls are pulled from pastures it’s not time to ignore the key to your breeding program.

Kansas State University veterinarians Brad White and Todd Gunderson, and beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster say rest and proper nutrition are essential for helping bulls recover and prepare for the next breeding season.

During a recent “ BCI Cattle Chat ” podcast, the experts discussed the importance of a comprehensive approach to bull management.

“A bull may lose anywhere from 100 lb. to 200 lb. of bodyweight during a breeding season,” Gunderson says. “He’s going to need at least a couple of months to recover body condition and complete spermatogenesis (a process of sperm cell development).”

The experts recommended an approach to bull management that considers:

Reproductive health assessment
Gunderson says simply moving a bull from one breeding pasture to another without proper preparation could compromise his performance.
A key recommendation was conducting a breeding soundness exam before the next breeding season. While a previous exam might have shown positive results, the bull’s reproductive health can change significantly during a breeding season. Sperm structure and motility can develop defects that might impact fertility. Therefore, Gunderson suggested reevaluating the bull’s reproductive health to ensure optimal breeding potential.
Nutritional supplementation
The nutritional strategy varies depending on the forage environment. White highlights the importance of proactive management. Producers must anticipate nutritional needs and supplement accordingly considering the specific forage resources available.
Body condition monitoring
Simply monitoring body condition score is insufficient, as it represents a lagging indicator.
“We typically want bulls in a body condition score of 6 when turning them out for breeding,” Lancaster adds. “If he’s losing 100 lb. to 200 lb., he’ll likely drop to a body condition score of 5, (so) producers need to plan supplement strategies based on their forage resources.”
Forage resource evaluation
The experts emphasize bulls require strategic nutritional support, whether on warm- or cool-season grasses, to ensure optimal fertility and performance in subsequent breeding seasons.
They add each operation looks different based on forage resources and other regional conditions, but it’s important to care for bulls even when they are not covering cows.

The discussion underscored several critical management principles:
- Biological recovery time is essential for bull fertility
- Reproductive health should be professionally assessed periodically
- Nutritional strategies must be tailored to specific environmental conditions
- Proactive management prevents potential breeding performance issues

To learn more about bull management practices, preweaning calf management and preparing for fall processing, listen to the full episode of “Cattle Chat” online.

Your Next Read: Is It Time to Pull Bulls?

Where Animals, Data and Decisions Meet

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:04:02 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding zoonotic diseases

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

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

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

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

Risks to health and economy

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

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

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

Prevention: From barnyard to boardroom

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

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

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

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

The Role of NBAF and K-State

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

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

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

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

Looking to the Future

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taking Stock For Disasters: Developing A Large Animal Preparedness Plan

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:41:05 GMT

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

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

The Threat Of Wind, Water And Wildfires

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methods of large animal identification include:

Microchipping
Ear tags
Plastic neck bands
Branding
Tattoos

Thinking Ahead

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

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

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

Emergency Kit Preparation

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

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

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

Additional emergency kit materials include:

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

Pre- And Post-Disaster Resources

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

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

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

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

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

Theileria and the Asian Longhorned Tick: What Beef Producers Need to Know

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:56:39 GMT

The Asian longhorned tick (ALHT) poses a serious threat to cattle health. ALHTs carry Theileria, which is a protozoan parasite that infects red and white blood cells. It can lead to anemia and, in some cases, death.

In the U.S., ALHT was first detected in New Jersey in 2017. Since then, it has spread to more than 20 states. With the recent discovery of ALHT in southeast Iowa , the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association hosted a webinar lead by Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, who explained the tick and pathogen background, its potential impacts, best practices for prevention, as well as caring and treatment strategies.

“This was always a when, not an if,” Olds explains. “You did absolutely nothing wrong. If you have the tick or the pathogen, this was an inevitable thing.”

What We Know about ALHT and Theileria

Biologically, the ALHT is a three-host tick, meaning each life stage — larva, nymph and adult — feeds on a different host. Olds says unlike other tick species, it can reproduce asexually, with all adult ticks being females capable of laying eggs without mating. This characteristic allows for rapid population growth, as a single tick can potentially establish an entire population.

Once an animal is infected with Theileria, it becomes a chronic carrier for life, with the potential to relapse during high-stress periods. The pathogen replicates in red blood cells, causing anemia and a range of symptoms including loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and respiratory issues.

Olds says while the first year of exposure can be challenging, long-term production impacts are typically minimal. The key is to approach the situation with knowledge, preparedness and a calm, strategic mindset.

She stresses that just because a cow herd does not have the symptoms doesn’t mean it doesn’t have Theileria. It just means that if an animal was infected, it didn’t develop the disease.

She reports mortality rates due to Theileria range from 5% to 20%. With the highest mortality when pathogen is first introduced — the outbreak. An animal can have a relapse of disease, often during high stress or immune compromising events.

She explains the high-risk animals are young (under 6 months), pregnant animals, stressed animals and any naïve animal moving into an area with previous outbreaks.

Best Practices for Prevention

Olds notes the pathogen can spread through tick bites and through shared veterinary needles. She says her team is currently researching the role of biting flies in transmission.

She stresses the importance of maintaining animal health and reducing stress to prevent disease outbreaks.

“Keep animals happy and healthy. Stress does weird things to immune responses,” she adds.

According to Olds these strategies can help control AHLT:

Burning pastures
Keeping grass short
Careful use of insecticides
Pasture rotation
Ear tags and pour-ons

(Data: Oklahoma State University; Tick Photo: J.A. Cammack)

Real-World Experience

Veterinarians John Currin and Austin Williams share their firsthand experiences with ALHT and Theileria.

Currin serves as associate professor and production management medicine with the VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He says in his area more than 90% of the herds are infected and many don’t know they’re infected.

“The tick epidemiology is — I’ll use a scientific term — weird,” he says.

He explains as the disease became endemic in Virginia, its clinical presentation changed. While it initially affected adult pregnant cows, it now more commonly impacts 2-month-old calves in spring calving herds.

“There is no in utero spread of this organism, so every calf starts naïve,” Currin says.

Approximately 80% of calves in infected herds become positive by 3 months of age, though most do not show severe clinical signs.

He adds contrary to initial concerns the Theileria appears to have minimal impact on cattle in a feedlot. Currin says research found no significant differences in weight gain between negative and positive cattle.

He stresses the primary concern is for cow-calf operations bringing naive animals into infected areas.

Currin shares these key points about Theileria:

99% of herds will experience minimal problems
Most infected animals show no significant clinical signs
The disease primarily causes anemia
There’s no direct treatment available
Positive tests are now almost meaningless in endemic areas

Williams serves producers in northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri.

“I think it’s been here longer than we recognize and it’s more widespread than what we realize it too,” he says. “I would say some states have it that don’t know they have it.”

In Williams’ area he has seen the tick infestation become widespread. The key challenges he’s witnessed is the difficulty of managing the tick population and the potential for secondary health issues in infected cattle.

He recommends individual herd management strategies, including regular checks, treatment plans and potentially moving infected herds to different pastures.

Treatment Strategies

There are currently no labeled treatments for the disease or a definitive cure. Typically, treatment focuses on secondary issues and providing basic care.

Avoid mass injecting ivermectin, as it can cause resistance and harm beneficial insects like dung beetles.

“Please don’t just mass inject everybody with ivermectin because you’re worried about the Asian longhorned tick,” Olds says.

Vaccine Developed

Medgene has developed a tick vaccine that is designed to work on multiple tick species, including ALHT. Veterinarians can purchase directly from Medgene. The vaccine requires two initial doses, followed by yearly booster shots.

Williams says he’s had clients use the vaccine this year, and he’s hopeful about the vaccine’s potential and is waiting for more research from the University of Arkansas to provide concrete data on its effectiveness.

Gary Bosch, Medgene executive vice president, says animals should be vaccinated before they encounter ticks.

“In the Southern U.S. where ticks are a year-round problem, early vaccination is especially crucial because the Asian longhorned tick can overwhelm an animal very quickly,” he says.

Industry Impacts

Olds says the goal is to achieve “endemic stability” — when most animals are exposed early and develop lifelong immunity with minimal disease symptoms.

She emphasizes the need to remove the stigma associated with the tick or pathogen presence, noting that infection is an inevitable part of agricultural reality. Producers should focus on proactive testing, management and community support.

To prepare for and to deal with Theileria, Olds recommends producers:

Establish a good relationship with a veterinarian
Conduct regular herd testing
Maintain low-stress environments
Implement careful tick control measures
Share information and support each other as a community

Her final advice is to be vigilant but not panicked.

“Producers should view the Asian longhorned tick as a manageable challenge rather than a catastrophic threat,” she summarizes. “By working together, maintaining animal health and implementing smart management strategies, the agricultural community can effectively navigate this emerging issue.”

Your Next Read: Beef Producers Be Aware: Dangerous Asian Longhorned Tick Continues Migrating West

Step-by-Step Weaning: How to Choose the Best Method

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:01:12 GMT

Weaning is a stressful time — stressful on calves, cows and producers.

Weaning can have a major impact on a calf’s short and long-term health, growth performance and economic returns. Minimizing weaning stress should improve calf health and weight gain.

“Weaning can be approached many different ways depending on what facilities are available,” says Jason Warner, Kansas State University extension cow-calf specialist.

Four beef cattle extension specialists chime in on weaning methods, including the pros and cons of each option.

“Everybody’s got an opinion,” says Ron Lemenager, Purdue University beef specialist. “I don’t think it’s a one option fits all.”

He also encourages producers to minimize any additional stressful events at weaning time, such as castration, dehorning, vaccinating, physical separation or transportation.

“While we can’t eliminate all stresses, castration, dehorning and the first round of vaccinations can be done preweaning in many situations to reduce weaning stress,” he says.

The three weaning methods discussed by the specialists include:

Fence-line weaning.
Calves and cows are separated by a fence but can still see each other. Fence-line weaning is considered a low-stress method because calves can still see, hear and smell their mothers, which helps reduce the psychological stress of separation. This method helps calves settle down faster.

“Fence-line weaning is ideal if the facilities are available,” says Megan Van Emon, Montana State University extension beef cattle specialist.

John Hall, University of Idaho extension beef specialist, agrees.

“When you’re set up for it and used to it, my preference is fence-line weaning. We’ve gotten along very well with it over the years at the research station here. Those calves do settle down more easily,” Hall says.

Warner says fence-line weaning requires good fences and the ability to gather and separate cows and calves that rejoin each other.

“Many producers often remove calves from their dams, leave the cows on pasture and then place the calves in pens or feeding traps,” Warner says. “If producers do the opposite — take cows to the pens and leave the calves on pasture — then it is generally best to keep a few older, trainer cows with the calves during the initial weaning period to help reduce stress. Nutrition is key during this time period regardless of the approach used.”

There are pros and cons of putting the cows or the calves in the lot. If the lot is dusty, it might be a better option for the cows, due to health concerns. Ideally, it would be a grass lot, not dirt.

“Putting the calves in a lot gives an opportunity to really keep a close eye on those calves,” Lemenager says. “I can get them into the handling facility if I need to — a lot easier than if I’ve got to move them off of pasture.”
Nursing prevention tools.
Devices, such as nose flaps or clips, can be placed in a calf’s nose to prevent nursing while allowing them to remain with their mothers. This is also considered a low-stress weaning option.

Lemenager explains his apprehension with the nose flaps are the lesions they create.

Both Hall and Van Emon say nose flaps help reduce anxiety at separation but require additional labor to put in and remove.

“There’s been some research done on nose flaps that seems to have positive benefits if you’re trying to early wean,” Hall explains. “But it is a whole different level of stress for the rancher and cattle to get those animals up, put the nose flaps in, and then take them out at weaning time.”
Abrupt weaning.
This method is the complete separation of calves from cows. This can be separating and taking straight to the sale barn or it can be to a completely different location owned by the rancher.

“Here in the West, we tend to wean straight onto a truck and into the sale barn,” Van Emon says.

This method can be the most stressful on the calf if they go straight from a pasture setting with mom to a new location they do not know and are subjected to a new concentrate diet and water source.

Lemenager’s preference is abrupt weaning with his personal cow herd. He moves the calves nine miles away from their moms to be weaned and backgrounded. He says with this method, the cows and calves cannot hear each other and the bawling is done in three days.

He gets the calves used to eating with a pre-weaning creep feed and drinking out of a water tank. At weaning, the creep feeder moves with the calves in a grassy lot with shade and easy access to both a water tank and an automatic waterer along the perimeter fence.

Hall says asking calves to transition from pasture to a dry lot setting with a feed bunk and from creek water to a water tank can be stressful and hard to understand. If possible, allow the calves access and train them to feed bunks and water tanks before weaning.

He encourages producers to choose the weaning method they are most comfortable with, that works for their specific ranch and fits their facilities, labor and management style.

“Don’t try a new method during a challenging weaning year,” he summarizes. “The goal is to reduce stress as much as possible for both cows and calves.”

Your Next Read: When Is the Best Time to Wean?

There’s a Lot of Info in That Little TSU

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:06:26 GMT

“The sky’s the limit if you have that sample,” says Jim Butcher, a Simmental seedstock producer from Lewistown, Mont.

He’s talking about all the things you can learn about the genetic potential of your cattle that is contained in a tissue sampling unit (TSU). The genomic information you get from each sample can, collectively and individually, help you more quickly move your herd’s genetic progress forward in an intentional, science-assisted direction.

There’s lots of info in that little vial.

(Allflex)

For commercial cow-calf producers, submitting the DNA sample in a TSU will return a scoresheet on each animal ‘s genetic merit for different indexes and specific traits, says Leoma Donsbach, owner and founder of Data Genie, LLC.

She calls herself a data accountant, helping customers attach the data on their operation to their record-keeping system. She says almost all her customers use TSUs to collect DNA and obtain genomic data.

Genomics are becoming more and more popular with commercial beef producers, she says.

“For replacement females, the ability to have a snapshot of that female’s genetic potential leads to increased confidence in keeping that heifer. You can say, ‘This heifer is more likely to be here until age six or seven by looking at her stayability metrics.’”

Say, for example, you’ve done your visual appraisal and picked 50 heifers as potential replacements, but you only need to keep 40. Visually, those heifers are very similar. But genetically, they could be very different, depending on what genes they received from their parents.

That’s where the TSUs and the genomic data they provide come in. First, test all 50 replacement candidates.

“Then breed them and find out which ones are bred,” she says. Even if everything went right, that still leaves some extras. “You can go back and use the genomic data to select the traits you want and/or use a maternal or terminal index to make those final decisions. You use it like comparing genomically enhanced EPDs when buying bulls.”

Beyond replacement selection, you can extrapolate the DNA data on your heifers when marketing your steers, she says. “On average, your steers will have similar genetics to your heifers. That information may add to their sale price.”

Then There Are The Bulls

Just like heifers, bulls can be full siblings and still be remarkably different in their genetic makeup.

“We’re great phenotype collectors of birth weights, weaning weights, all that,” Butcher says. “But you really don’t know what you have until you know what genes that particular animal picked up.”

When seedstock producers send in a TSU, they get back genomically enhanced EPDs. That, Butcher says, allows him to supply more accurate information about young bulls for his customers and help them make the best bull-buying decisions they can within their budget.

Indeed, not every bull is suited for every ranch. Studying the genomically enhanced EPDs gives you greater confidence in the true genetic potential of young bulls.

“You lessen the probabilities that you’re buying an animal that won’t help you move your program forward,” Butcher says.

Your Next Read: Building the Next Generation Cow Herd Using Genomic Testing

When Is the Best Time to Wean?

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:05:10 GMT

If conditions warrant, now might be the time to start thinking about weaning for spring calving herds. But weaning strategies are not one plan fits all, and what your neighbor does might not be the best decision for your herd.

The average suggested weaning age is 205 days. Four beef cattle extension specialists discuss the factors to consider if early weaning is the best option.

“Early weaning can be one of the most effective management strategies from both a grass/forage and cow nutrition standpoint,” says Jason Warner, Kansas State University extension cow-calf specialist.

According to Ron Lemenager, Purdue University beef specialist, the earliest recommended age for weaning a beef calf is between 60 days to 80 days, with 70 days being a common benchmark to ensure calves have a functioning rumen.

“When you wean at less than 70 days of age, the chances of having that calf turn out to be a little, potbellied orphan-looking calf goes up,” he says.

Warner adds weaning 60-to-90-day-old calves requires good, tight facilities to keep them in and feed bunks and watering troughs that the calves can reach.

Lemenager explains the decision to early wean is based on two things:

Feed resources: the kind of quality and quantity of feed.
Body condition of the cows.

John Hall, University of Idaho extension beef specialist, says there are two age ranges for early weaning. Very early weaning is weaning calves at 90 days prior to the breeding season. Producers can use this strategy to try and induce cycles in thin cows. He says calves weaned this early will require a unique management plan.

He describes early weaning as when the calf is between 150 days to 180 days of age.

“The nice thing about that 5-month-old calf is it’s only getting about 30% of its nutrition from the dam,” Hall explains. “So, making the switch when the calf is already used to eating a lot of forage is ideal.”

Megan Van Emon, Montana State University extension beef cattle specialist, encourages producers to plan to make sure the weaning process — no matter how the age of calf — goes smoothly.

“The earlier you can make the decision, the better,” she says. “Not only for the producer, but also for those calves to be prepared.”

Four Factors to Consider

The specialists share these points to aid in your early weaning decision:

Pasture and Forage Conditions
Drought is the primary trigger for early weaning. All four specialists encourage producers to assess pasture conditions, rainfall patterns and forage availability. If pastures are short and producers are concerned about overgrazing, then early weaning should be considered.

“In times of reduced forage availability — primarily drought — early weaning should be considered as a method to preserve the forage base by removing the forage demand from the calf and also reducing forage intake by the cow,” Warner says.

Van Emon explains the “take half, leave half” grazing principle becomes difficult when grass is only 3" to 4" tall, emphasizing the need to leave enough root reserves for future grazing.

Most of the research data suggests that for every two to two-and-a-half days that a calf is weaned, there is one more day of available forage for grazing for the dry cow.

“We can conservatively save or extend our forage resources by a third,” Lemenager explains. “Cow forage intake goes down and calf consumption of forage is eliminated in that grazing environment.”
Cow Body Condition
Hall says if cows are at a body condition score (BCS) 4 or lower by mid-summer, they’re in nutritional trouble and it’s likely their calves are not doing well in terms of growth rate either.

Early weaning removes the lactation demands, which will allow the cow to start regaining condition before winter. Lemenager also suggests early weaning can help reduce winter supplementation needs.

Lemenager and his family also have a cow herd in Indiana. They typically wean at about 6 months of age.

“That gives me an extra month of cows being able to pick up some body condition before the winter,” he explains.

Van Emon says research predicts for every two weeks earlier you wean, a cow will gain about a tenth of a body condition score.
Feed Resources Available for Newly Weaned Calves
It is important to have high-quality feed available for early weaned calves, as they require better nutrition for continued growth. Hall recommends producers work with a nutrition consultant or other extension specialist to create a nutrition plan for the newly weaned calves.
Facilities and Labor
Early weaning requires appropriate facilities with secure fencing and can require additional labor. Van Emon encourages producers to consider if they have the resources available to manage early weaning effectively.

Hall reminds producers the primary goal of early weaning is to maintain or improve cow condition and stretch limited forage supplies while supporting calf growth.

By carefully evaluating the factors suggested by the extension specialists and implementing proper management strategies, you can make early weaning a successful part of your operation when conditions warrant the strategy.

Your Next Read: Step-by-Step Weaning: How to Choose the Best Method

3 Livestock Skin Concerns to Watch For This Summer

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:11:02 GMT

Most livestock species have thicker skin than humans, but it’s still vulnerable to harsh summer conditions. Sun exposure, bacterial infections and increased activity of parasite-carrying insects can all take a toll on livestock skin.

Each year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) receives samples that reveal how sweltering summers affect livestock health. It’s essential to act promptly to prevent skin irritation from becoming painful and causing serious harm.

Effective diagnostic testing, paired with veterinary care, can help guide treatment and protect both animals and producers’ livelihoods.

Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP, veterinary pathologist at TVMDL, explains three common summer skin conditions to watch for in warm weather.

Photosensitization: Severe sunburn caused by toxic plants

Just like humans, animals can experience a fiery reaction to summer rays.

Photosensitization is a serious skin condition in cattle caused by a hazardous combination of certain plants and ultraviolet light.

(Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory)

“Effects of photosensitization are like a really severe sunburn,” Edwards says. “Livestock owners might see signs of redness, swelling and ulceration. Usually, the skin will start sloughing off, and it’s very uncomfortable for the animals.”

Primary photosensitization occurs when livestock become overly sensitive to sunlight after eating toxic plants containing the photosensitizing agent, phylloerythrin. The harmful compounds are concentrated in the skin, making it more susceptible to the sun’s rays.

“Burns are usually found on areas with less hair or pigmentation, like the nose or around the eyes,” Edwards says. “Lighter colored animals in general are usually more susceptible to burns.”

Secondary or hepatogenous photosensitization is the most common form of skin disorder. The prefix “hepato” comes from the Greek word “hepar,” meaning “liver.”

This form of photosensitization is caused by liver damage. Liver damage may result from a range of conditions, one of which is the consumption of toxic plants. When the liver fails to break down and eliminate substances like phylloerythrin, they begin to build up in the blood, increasing photosensitivity and causing the skin to react severely to sunlight.

In severe cases of photosensitization, skin, ear, lip and udder tissues may die and peel away. And secondary bacterial infections often occur after skin sloughing, leading to additional health concerns and delayed healing.

Furthermore, if livestock continue to consume toxic plants, liver damage could worsen and lead to death.

What to do if livestock show signs of sunburn or peeling:

Move affected animals to shade immediately.
Contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and care.
Remove liver-damaging and phototoxic plants such as Bishop’s weed and Largeleaf lantana from pastures.

To learn how to identify harmful plants, read Toxic Plants of Texas, written by veterinary and toxicology experts from The Texas A&M University System .

Rain rot: Crusty skin infections after wet weather

Rain rot , a disease caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis, is a skin infection that typically develops when pasture animals spend long hours in rainy conditions. Prolonged moisture softens the skin, allowing bacteria to enter — even without visible wounds.

Rain rot may appear to be a minor skin irritation at first, but it can quickly worsen without proper care.

Rain rot signs include:

Crusty, matted hair and patchy hair loss, typically starting on animals’ backs or around their feet.
Sores along the back or lower legs.
Raw, pink or bleeding skin in severe cases.

A lack of veterinary attention could lead to secondary infections that extend into the bloodstream or organs. Consult your veterinarian to speed up healing, ease discomfort and even prevent death.

Summer sores: Fly-transmitted wounds that won’t heal

Summer sores , or cutaneous habronemiasis, are open wounds that won’t heal. They’re caused by parasitic worms transmitted by flies — especially as fly activity increases during the summer. An immature habronema worm enters the body through the bite of a fly, specifically, by a housefly or stable fly .

Signs of summer sores include:

Red, round wounds that won’t heal.
Sores near eyes, lips or existing wounds.
Inflammation and intense itching, caused by the worm burrowing inside the skin.

“The flies are attracted to areas where there’s moisture,” Edwards says. “They bite around the eyes, lips and especially where there are wounds or damaged skin.”

To protect livestock, owners should consider fly control in barns and pastures. They should also consult their veterinarian as soon as signs are spotted because summer sores don’t heal on their own. Without proper treatment, sores may become larger and more painful, usually leading to reduced mobility and a decline in overall health.

Healthy herds with expert support

Protecting livestock skin during the summer is essential to keeping animals healthy and productive. By staying alert to early signs of skin problems and working closely with veterinarians and diagnostic labs like TVMDL, livestock owners can prevent minor irritations from turning into serious, costly issues. With proper care and management, animals can stay comfortable and healthy during the summer.

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