Calving in the winter and early spring can be a challenge due to bad weather conditions and mud.Scouring calves at this time of year can also be a big concern for some operations.

Nebraska is known for two things: cattle and corn. In this Midwestern state, these two commodities rule, and there are very few places in Nebraska one can go without seeing these items.

The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association will tip a hat to the past 100 years and strengthen its ties for the future at their 100th Anniversary Celebration & Mid-Year Convention, June 20-22, 2013 in Baker City. The theme of the event is, “100 Years OCA – The Brand That Lasts.” “It is only fitting to return to the area of the state that created the association 100 years ago,” said Curtis Martin, president of the association.

Vets Plus, Inc., manufacturer of animal health and nutrition products, has relocated to a newly renovated location at 302 Cedar Falls Road, Menomonie, Wisconsin. The facility combines the manufacturing and offices under one roof, in a space totaling over 55,000 square feet.

Around 10 years ago, employees at Carrousel Farms noticed spikes of scours among their 700 spring-born calves.

Americans love wrecks. This explains the popularity of demolition derbies, the Three Stooges, professional bull riders, NASCAR and Hollywood marriages. In the auction business, we too have our share of wrecks. When auctioneers use the term, it refers to a sale that’s so bad no one will get paid. A typical auction wreck was the time we had a horse sale at an auction market and one of the consignors decided to ride his horse into the auction ring rather than lead it in like everyone else was doing.

I’ve had occasion to rub shoulders with influential people in the cattle business at all levels. I see them at state cattlemen’s meetings or serving on the Beef Board, at bull sales, giving speeches, expounding on political, economic or international subjects and people are listening to them! They may be elected by their peers, sought after for fiscal contributions, knowledge or heritage, or honored for their service to the industry. Their opinion matters. I have watched these influential men and women operate. They make decisions that ripple through our industry and affect many thousands of us.

The old management adage “If you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it” holds true for many beef production traits. It is especially true for dystocia or calving difficulty.

As most cows are now out on stalks or winter pasture and in the stage where they don’t require much labor other than feeding supplement and/or hay and making sure they have access to open water, now is the time to begin planning for the calving season.

Calf losses due to cold can result from both severely frostbitten parts as well as from freezing to death or hypothermia.