Over 200 species of hoofed mammals roam and pasture on every continent except Antarctica. Their numbers are staggering. Sheep and goats each claim populations over 1 billion. Cattle number 940 million with pigs close behind at 780 million. And there are also approximately 60 million horses worldwide. Hoofed animals, however, are a minority compared to [...]
Internal parasites can wreak havoc on your herd. That’s why an effective deworming program is an essential cornerstone of your herd health plan. Strategic deworming starts with understanding the life cycle of these pesky parasites and the effects they can have on cattle. How cattle get parasites It's important to understand that a parasite lives two [...]
As the calving season approaches, the anticipation mounts for cow-calf producers gearing up for the springtime birthing rush. With nearly three-quarters of U.S. calves entering the world during this period of abundant forage, warming temperatures, and nurturing mother cows, it's the quintessential season for new beginnings on the farm. Preparing for this pivotal time isn't [...]
Freemartin heifer is a condition that all cattlemen should be familiar with. It is a condition that leads to infertility, and it occurs when a heifer calf is born twin to a bull calf. Essentially, a freemartin heifer is a cow that has an improperly developed reproductive tract, making it incapable of becoming pregnant. This [...]
“This past spring calving season, DuraZyme Paste for Calves saved a calf for us. A cow calved a heifer calf… so we thought. When we went out to check cows, we only saw one calf with her and just figured that was her only calf. The next day when checking cows, we noticed another calf [...]
The arrival of warmer weather means an increased risk of pinkeye in your herd. Pinkeye, or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common eye disease seen in cattle around the world. This frustrating infection is not only costly, but it's labor intensive and can spread through your herd quickly if not treated in a timely [...]
Anaplasmosis is a prevalent tick-borne disease of cattle worldwide and a major obstacle to profitable beef production in the U.S. It is estimated that introduction of anaplasmosis into a previously naïve herd can result in a 3.6% reduction in calf crop, a 30% increase in cull rate and a 30% mortality rate in clinically infected [...]
Sponsored Content By Grant Crawford, Ph.D., Cattle Technical Services, Merck Animal Health Deworming is no longer a set-it-and-forget-it management step. With antiparasitic resistance on the rise, cattle producers should take steps to evaluate effectiveness of their deworming programs - and adjust internal parasite control strategies accordingly. Successful deworming should result in a 90% or greater [...]
Having a completely healthy herd of livestock doesn't just happen on its own, it requires time and proper care. Vaccinations are an important key to proper animal care and herd health. To protect your animals against diseases, it is not only important to vaccinate at the right time, but with the right product. To ensure [...]
Every year, millions of cattle are transported from point A to point B. Transportation will likely be the most stressful event a cow will face in their lifetime. As producers, it is our job to follow best management practices to provide the best animal care and welfare as possible. Reducing stress on livestock during handling [...]
