Inflammation is a complex biological response triggered by the immune system in response to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, tissue injury, or stress. In mammals, including beef cattle, understanding the inflammatory response is of utmost importance as it can have significant implications for health, productivity, and overall well-being.

While most ectoparasites may take a break for the winter, it is important not to let your guard down because some parasites like mites and lice prefer the cooler time of the year.

Utilizing omega-6 fatty acids as a management strategy to mitigate early embryonic loss, a major cause of reproductive and economic losses to the U.S. beef industry, is the focus of a new project led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research researchers.

During the transition period, cows experience three main physiological challenges: (1) a drop in dry matter intake (DMI) and an increase in nutrient demands, predisposing cows to mobilize fat tissue and enter a negative energy balance, (2) immunosuppression and (3) systemic inflammation.

While mitigating heat stress with proper cow cooling lays the foundation, recent research shows that properly supplying essential nutrients to dairy cows, specifically EPA/DHA omega-3s, may be just as important in tempering inflammation and helping cows be more resilient through immune challenges.