Education Commons^™

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.

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.

Health Programs Which Improve The Marketability Of Calves, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

The “winds of change” have the potential to drastically change the marketing of beef calves in the next few years. Economic pressures may force greater conformity in the way cow-calf producers manage and prepare their calves for market. Those who are slow to conform may be at a disadvantage for marketing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Drug Use In Food Animals, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Producers should be aware that there are four ways to legally obtain and use antibiotics and other drugs in food animals. The first, and most common source, is over the counter (OTC) drugs, labeled for specific uses.

Toxic Contaminants In Harvested Forage, Clell Bagley

All Current Publications

Harvested forages are vitally important and commonly used for beef production. But contamination can occur which results in reduced forage quality and palatability or may even result in animal illness and death. Outlined below are some of the common problems that should be considered.

Ec97-277 Minerals And Vitamins For Beef Cows, Richard J. Rasby, Dennis R. Brink, Ivan G. Rush, Don C. Adams

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Introduction

Mineral supplementation programs range from elaborate, cafeteria-style delivery systems to simple white salt blocks put out periodically by producers. The reason for this diversity: little applicable research available for producers to evaluate mineral supplement programs. There is a need of information regarding mineral composition and availability from various feedstuffs (i.e. pasture grasses, hays, by-products, etc.) and the possible interactions between minerals in the digestive system. Also lacking is a data base to establish accurate estimates of mineral requirements for beef cattle.

Assessing the consequence of mineral deficiencies in the cow, calf or stocker animal is difficult because slightly lowered …

G97-1342 Feeding Value Of Alfalfa Hay And Alfalfa Silage, Terry L. Mader, Todd Milton, Ivan G. Rush, Bruce Anderson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses the feeding value of alfalfa under different harvesting, storage and feeding methods, as compared to other protein sources.

In Nebraska, alfalfa is used primarily as a protein source. However, for cow-calf producers it can sometimes be an economical energy source, depending on the prevailing price of feed grains and other sources of energy.

Alfalfa is generally harvested as dry hay or as silage (65 percent moisture). Ensiling at 45 to 55 percent moisture is also common, particularly if the alfalfa is stored in an upright oxygen-limiting structure. Regardless of harvesting and storage methods, some dry matter and …

G97-1315 Composting Manure And Other Organic Residues, Bahman Eghball

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Composting is becoming more common in Nebraska because of the many advantages it offers. This NebGuide provides information on the composting process and its management and related issues.

The Composting Process

Composting is the aerobic decomposition of manure or other organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range (104-149°F). The composted material is odorless, fine-textured, and low-moisture and can be bagged and sold for use in gardens, or nurseries or used as fertilizer on cropland with little odor or fly breeding potential. Composting improves the handling characteristics of any organic residue by reducing its volume and weight. Composting can kill pathogens …

G97-1313 Designing Preventive Health Management Programs For Cattle Producers, Dicky D. Griffin, Louis Perino, Gary Rupp, Eddie Hamilton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The NebGuide details recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program.

This NebGuide presents two flow sheets which detail the recommendations for a beef cattle herd immunization program: the Calf through Weaning Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet and the Heifers, Cows and Bulls Preventive Health Management Flow Sheet. While this NebGuide emphasizes the procedures conducted on cattle at each cattle handling opportunity, it is very important to note the role a high quality nutritional program plays in building a total herd health program. You are encouraged to work with a qualified beef cattle nutritionist and your veterinarian when developing your …