Many livestock economists have demonstrated over the years that there is a premium in the marketplace for uniform lots of calves. For further proof, just watch what happens at the local auction market when it comes to selling feeder cattle and then tune in to one of the online video auctions and compare prices.

To me, there is no job more enjoyable than working a pen of cattle with a team of stockmen that I call friends. There are many places across the country where processing day is as much a community event as it is a cattle management task that just needs to be completed.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds in Idaho, New Mexico (two cases) and Ohio this week.

Manure needs to be on the forefront of the farm management’s team mind, not the back. That being said, in the best interest of the operation, should manure be handled in-house or should a custom applicator be hired? There are several factors to consider when making this decision.

Dr. Marissa Hake is a practicing calf veterinarian from northwest Ohio. She obtained her undergraduate degree in animal sciences from Michigan State in 2011 and continued there to finish her master’s in public health (MPH) and doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM) in 2015.