Education Commons^™

G00-1411 Biosecurity Basics For Cattle Operations And Good Management Practices (Gmp) For Controlling Infectious Diseases, Marilyn Buhman, Grant Dewell, Dicky D. Griffin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide introduces cattle producers to the concept of biosecurity and provides practical management recommendations for preventing and/or containing infectious disease.

Biosecurity

The goal of biosecurity is to stop transmission of disease-causing agents by preventing, minimizing or controlling cross-contamination of body fluids (feces, urine, saliva, etc.) between animals, animals to feed and animals to equipment that may directly or indirectly contact animals. Biosecurity management practices are designed to prevent the spread of disease by minimizing the movement of biologic organisms and their vectors (viruses, bacteria, rodents, flies, etc.) onto and within your operation. Biosecurity can be very difficult to maintain …

Helping Dairy Producers Reduce The Scc, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Practicing veterinarians are in an excellent position to help dairy producers recognize and deal with the problem of elevated somatic cell counts (SCC). Yet they are seldom asked to assist. A high SCC is an indication of chronic, subclinical mastitis in the herd and is also an indication of significant economic losses.

Abortion In Cattle, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Abortion is the premature expulsion of the fetus from the dam and usually occurs because the fetus has died in-utero. If death occurs at 1-2 months of gestation, it is usually termed “early embryonic death.”

Nf99-403 Livestock Waste Management Act (Revised March 2001), J. David Aiken

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Livestock Waste Management Act requires all livestock operations with 300 animal units or more to be inspected by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine whether livestock wastes contaminate surface or ground water. This NebFact discusses the following parts of the Livestock Waste Management Act: Act (how cited); Terms (defined); Livestock operation, exemption, livestock waste control facility, permit, restriction; Construction permit or operating permit (when required), livestock waste control facilities, classification, restrictions; Section (how construed); Cold water class A streams (designation); Permit (acknowledgment required); Livestock operation (request inspection, when, fees, department, duties); Permits (duration, modification); Permit (application …

Mp99-40 The Economics And Control Of Insects Affecting Beef Cattle In Nebraska (Northern Great Plains), John B. Campbell, Gustave D. Thomas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Livestock insect control should be considered an integral part of an efficient beef herd health program.

This extension circular discusses the behavior and control of these major insect parasites of range and pasture cattle in Nebraska: stable fly, horn fly, face fly, cattle grubs, cattle lice, cattle scabies, horse and deer flies, mosquito, black fly, and biting midges (gnats).

G99-1393 Grazing Alfalfa, Jerry D. Volesky, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Grazing alfalfa may be a cost efficient means of harvest for some producers. This NebGuide explores alfalfa and alfalfa/grass options, varieties and stand establishment, and grazing and bloat management.

Alfalfa is the most productive and versatile forage legume grown in Nebraska. Cutting for hay or silage has been the traditional method of harvest, but many opportunities and options exist for grazing. With current technology and proper management, beef gain can exceed 1,000 pounds per acre with acceptable stand persistence.

Nf99-401 Nebraska Competitive Livestock Markets Act, J. David Aiken

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact offers the text of the Nebraska Competitive Livestock Markets Act.

G99-1394 Feeding Program: Quality Control Checklist, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Use this check list to ensure that your feeding program is effective and profitable.

The following guidelines will help assure that your herd's feeding environment is optimal for maximum feed intake, milk production and cow comfort.

G98-1351 Proper Injection Procedures For Cattle, Dicky D. Griffin, David R. Smith, Dale M. Grotelueschen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes methods to maximize the effectiveness of injectable medications for cattle, while minimizing potential risks for the animal, the operator and the consumer. The key elements to giving proper injections are knowing why, when, where and how injectable medications should be used. Medications are commonly given to cattle as part of regular husbandry practices to improve health, control disease or increase productivity. Medications may be given by injection, by mouth (orally) or through the skin as a pour-on (topically). Injections are commonly given into the muscle (intramuscularly, or IM), under the skin (subcutaneously, or SC) or into the …

G98-1353 Fed Cattle Pricing, Dillon M. Feuz, Ted C. Schroeder, Clement E. Ward

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses pricing alternatives for fed cattle, including live weight, dressed weight and grid pricing. Pricing fed cattle is becoming more complex, requiring more time to evaluate pricing alternatives and marketing cattle. Is there one best pricing method? How are live weight, dressed weight, and grid or formula prices related? This NebGuide will provide answers to these and other questions about fed cattle pricing.

G98-1352 Issues To Consider When Selling Cattle On A Grid Or Formula, Dillon M. Feuz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses issues and problems associated with matching cattle to the appropriate market.

Recently there has been a much greater emphasis on improving the quality and consistency of beef. Cattle producers, breed associations, feed suppliers and beef packers have initiated value based pricing methods. Grid pricing, formula pricing, and strategic alliances are examples of these new value based pricing methods. While these pricing methods may differ substantially in the carcass and management traits they seek to reward or penalize, they all have one common feature: price is established on each individual animal.

The goals of the new pricing methods …

Ec98-278 Grazing Crop Residues, Richard J. Rasby, Roger Selley, Terry Klopfenstein

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraska has an abundance of crop residue available for late fall and winter grazing. However, several factors prevent the grazing of many fields, including the location of fields in relation to the cattle, the lack of shelter or appropriate fencing and water availability. Despite these limitations, residue grazing is an important resource to many cattle operations, primarily as either a winter feed resource for maintaining the breeding herd or putting weight on cull cows. Calves weaned in the fall can also be wintered on cornstalks if appropriate supplementation is used.

Colloidal Silver Not Approved For Treating Animals, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

FDA has received reports that products containing colloidal silver are being promoted for use in the treatment of mastitis and other serious disease conditions of dairy cattle, as well as for various conditions of companion animals. For example, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine has received reports from the Agency's regional milk specialists and State inspectors that colloidal silver products have been found on some dairy farms.

Understanding Bull Breeding Soundness Exams, Clell Bagley, Craig Burrell

All Current Publications

Controversy still exists about Breeding Soundness Examinations (BSE) and what they can and cannot do. At times they are not used because of a lack of understanding of their value while at other times they are used with unrealistic expectations. First, BSE is performed to identify bulls with reduced fertility not just to find those which are sterile. Very few bulls are sterile but a significant percent have reduced fertility.

Preventing Calf Losses, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Many beef producers and practicing veterinarians noted there were higher than normal calf death losses during the 1993 calving season. We were especially aware of the increased losses here in the western states, but there were also heavy losses in the midwest and east, so the problem was very widespread.

Clinical Trials With Copper Supplementation, Clell Bagley, Norris Stenquist, Dennis Worwood

All Current Publications

Copper deficiency has been diagnosed in beef cattle herds in many areas of the intermountain west. Copper supplements are not widely used, even though several products are available. It is difficult to correct a deficiency because too much copper can result in copper toxicity or poisoning. Toxicity is less a hazard with cattle than with sheep, but it is still a problem to guard against. Periodic monitoring of the herd’s copper status is essential for proper supplementation.

Weaning Calves Successfully, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

The production loss and death loss of calves at weaning is second only to the losses at calving. Weaning is a very stressful time and bovine respiratory disease (pneumonia, shipping fever, etc.) is a common problem. Coccidiosis and other digestive problems, such as acidosis, (grain overload) are also common.

Yew Had Better Watch Out!, Clell Bagley, Kip Panter

All Current Publications

If you see clippings from ornamental, evergreen shrubs that someone has dumped where cattle, horses, sheep, etc., can eat them, you had better move the plants or the animals. If you don’t, expect some dead animals.

Controlling Coliform Mastitis, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Coliform mastitis is usually considered as an acute disease although some milder forms and even chronic cases do occur. It is caused by the bacterial organism Escherichia coli, hence the name, coliform. Other, related organisms, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae, are also often called “coliforms.”

Staph Mastitis: Herd Control Program, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is a major problem for some dairy herds. It causes high Somatic Cell Counts (SCC), reduces milk quality, and may cause a loss of milk market. It limits milk production for the herd, reduces efficiency, and continues to spread to other cows.

Internal Parasites, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Internal parasites and how they affect animals.

Ammonia Toxicity In A Herd Of Beef Cattle, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

A Utah producer lost 22 out of 50 head of cows in May, due to ammonia toxicity. He used a liquid fertilizer tank to haul water to the cattle. He had done this for two years previously, and with washing out thoroughly, there had been no problem. But this time some fertilizer was evidently left in, mixed with the water and resulted in the toxicosis.

Preparing Bulls For The Breeding Season, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

With proper care prior to and during the breeding season, cattlemen can increase the breeding capacity of bulls. Breeding soundness evaluations and trichomoniasis testing are tools which can aid a herd manager as he makes critical decisions for next year’s calf crop.

Copper Deficiency In Utah, Clell Bagley, Norris Stenquist, Dennis Worwood

All Current Publications

Copper deficiency has been diagnosed in a number of Utah cattle herds, yet few producers use copper supplements. Cattle deficient in the element can suffer significant production losses. Producers need to balance both the effects and the costs of copper supplements. Too much copper can cause copper toxicity or poisoning. And adding copper may not be economical if animals are only marginally deficient. Further, the deficiency may occur only on specific feeds or pastures, correcting itself when cattle are moved.

Disease Resistance In Cattle, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

The ability of cattle to resist the many disease processes to which they are exposed is truly amazing. And yet, when several adverse factors combine, this resistance can be overcome and result in a herd disaster which is just as amazing. This discussion will be broken down into four major areas. But it is the combined functioning of all four areas that actually provides disease resistance.

Calf Scours Simplified, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Virtually stacks of material have been written about calf scours and yet it remains as one of the major problems for beef calves. Enough is now known that we should be able to prevent or at least control the great majority of scours outbreak problems.

Infectious Cattle Diseases And Vaccines, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Vaccines are available for 20 to 30 infectious diseases of cattle. With the various brand names and different combinations available, the choice of vaccines can become very complicated. Calves vaccinated under 6 months of age should generally be re-vaccinated again after that age to provide a longer lasting immunity.

Weak Calf Syndrome Or Bvd Fetal Infection, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

A serious health problem of newborn calves was recognized 20 years ago and termed “weak calf syndrome”(WCS). The Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) virus was often isolated from affected calves and from these herds. In recent years, veterinarians have again been looking at the effects of the BVD virus on the fetus.

Management For Weaning Healthy, Marketable Calves, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Weaning is an extremely stressful time for beef calves and involves the potential for severe economic loss. The most common problems usually involve respiratory and/or digestive diseases. Weaned calves should be retained for 3–6 weeks after weaning.

Mastitis Prevention Program, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

A great deal of money and effort have been expended over the years to find methods for control of mastitis in dairy cows. Both European and U.S. workers have developed programs of prevention that are very similar. These preventive programs require implementation of the seven basic procedures outlined below. It has been shown repeatedly that this programs works.