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A Long Term Commitment to Quality Livestock
Letter from President/CEO Steve Schram
This issue of Bovine Health Watch focuses on several important challenges facing cattle producers today – BVDV prevention and control, reducing the stress of weaning, marketing your calves for additional profit, and using animal identification to help improve your bottom line. As always, our goal is to provide up-to-date information that is timely and valuable to the management of your operation. We are sure you will find this issue of Bovine Health Watch all of that and more. (read more)
For BVD Control An Integrated Approach is Essential
It’s been more than 60 years since the enteric disease of cattle characterized by outbreaks of diarrhea and erosive lesions of the digestive tract was identified and named bovine viral diarrhea (BVD). This disease is now known to be caused by a virus called bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). While advancements have been made in identifying and controlling the disease over the past six decades, there is still much to be done in the battle against BVD virus. In late January 2009, the 4th U.S. BVDV Symposium was held in Phoenix, Ariz., to spotlight research and control efforts among the scientific community, veterinarians, and producers. (
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Which Animals to Test and When(read article)
Keeping BVD at Bay
Metador Ranches in Eureka, KS - Matador Ranches has cow-calf and stocker operations in Texas, Montana, and Kansas. Manager James Palmer relayed that they have been testing for BVD in their Kansas operation since 2004. He said a drop in conception rates, increased abortions, and respiratory problems in calves have indicated over the years that there has been a herd-health issue. They’ve incurred losses due to these health issues, and Palmer confirmed: “It’s expensive.”
To combat BVD, Matador Ranches is now testing its calf crop, purchased yearlings, and the cow herd as needed, and vaccinating cows and calves. (read more)
Rishel Angus in North Platte, NE - Bill Rishel shared that BVD control really is part of a whole-herd biosecurity program. As an Angus breeder he said, “If you only look at controlling BVD, it’s a lot like single-trait selection.” He relayed that while BVD may be a problem, there can also be other herd health and nutritional issues. The bottom line is that altogether they can add up to make a major impact on profitability. (read more)
Hougen Ranch In Mellstone, MT - Montana rancher Tom Hougen shared that he was caught off guard by BVD. After battling several sick calves postweaning on his commercial cow-calf operation in the fall of 2002, a year later he finally tested his herd and confirmed that BVD was the culprit. He had not previously been vaccinating or testing for BVD.In the six years since, Hougen has worked with his veterinarian to implement a control plan for his herd. He now annually vaccinates cows and calves against BVD – and if any suspect or dead calves are found they are tested. He estimates that the BVD infection in his herd cost about $25,000 in lost animals and performance. (read more)
New Online Model Calculates BVD Risk (read article)
How can you bring biosecurity to your beef operation?
Click here to find out! Russ Daly, South Dakota State University Extension veterinarian, says, foremost, a vaccination program alone will not protect a herd from all the diseases that may be encountered.
The Montana BVD-PI Herd Biosecurity Project
The 2009 Montana BVD-PI Herd Biosecurity Project continues efforts begun in 2006 by Montana State University (MSU) in conjunction with the Montana Stockgrowers Association. The focus is to assist ranchers in adopting an array of biosecurity practices that will prevent transmission of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus within cattle breeding herds. (read more)
Fenceline Weaning - A Healthier Way to Break the Bond
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Weaning calves from cows nose-to-nose reduces calf stress and sets the stage for post-weaning health and performance.
One weaning practice that continues to gain favor with both researchers and producers is fenceline-weaning, a management system in which calves and cows are separated but can still see, hear, and smell one another. (read more)
Plan Ahead For Weaning (Read article)
Generic Drugs are Just as Effective
In a previous issue of Bovine Health Watch we published an article discussing generic pharmaceuticals, the approval process, and how they compare in potency and effectiveness. But with the current economic environment, and the investment you make for these products, our editors believe it is important to once again mention the key points about generic products and the performance you can expect. Keeping these points in mind could provide significant cost savings for your operation. (read more)
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Livestock ID: Measure What Matters and track Profitability
The use of an ear tag to identify a beef animal’s origin is not mandated By Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements – the Farm Bill says that COOL cannot mandate the use of identification. But there are still many reasons why livestock producers shouldconsider using these devices in their herd management systems.
“Animal identification continues to be one of the least expensive and most valuable additions to an animal,” comments Scott Holt, associate national sales manager for global livestock identification leader Allflex USA. “Genetics, proper nutrition, vaccinations, deworming, etc., are all important, but your identification protocol may make you more money and simplify management more than any other expense you have,” he says. (read more)
Are You Ready for Reality?
There is a new reality in the feeder-calf market: calves that are “black” and “have had all their shots” may not be enough to fill the consumer-minded bill. There are fundamental, irreversible changes occurring in the beef industry. The value added market is heading upward, while the commodity market is flat or heading downward. The cattle market is rationalizing, and breeders of above-average cattle will prosper because of it. (read more)