Beef-on-dairy cattle and native beef animals often require different health and nutrition protocols when entering the feedlot. Knowing your cattle and their source can prevent a lot of headaches when in receiving and feeding.

Transporting dairy animals requires a careful and considerate approach to guarantee their welfare while adhering to industry standards. Here are some factors to consider before shipping a cull cow.

If you have ever tried to recall where you wrote down a cow’s tag number or decipher pen marks on the back of your hand after a long day of processing cattle, you know the frustrations of recordkeeping. Recordkeeping isn’t always the easiest task, but it plays an important role in informing management decisions.

Biosecurity must be seen as more than just a reactive measure – it’s the proactive backbone of a resilient beef operation. Integrating enhanced biosecurity practices into your daily routine not only protects against everyday animal health risks but also positions your operation to participate in the Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan during a significant disease outbreak, like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Collecting and recording cattle health and production data is a worthwhile endeavor, but even more important than where to store it is ensuring it’s of high quality. To meet this standard, it should be confirmed, useful and actionable for producers and experts alike to deliver the right information at the right time.

Reproductive efficiency is a key driver of profitability in a cow-calf operation, since females that don’t conceive still consume resources without producing a return. Several factors influence pregnancy outcomes, including animal health, nutrition, stress and adherence to estrus synchronization protocols.

It’s essential to recognize that biosecurity is not just about preventing major outbreaks; it’s also a practical, everyday approach to managing common animal health issues.

Selecting cattle that match the forage resources and environment of an operation is essential for long-term success. But how can producers identify and select animals that will maintain body condition throughout the grazing season?

Making sure the farm is financially organized could be a key to running a successful and sustainable operation. Unlike many other industries, farmers are faced with unique challenges such as fluctuating market prices, unpredictable weather and potentially volatile cash flows. Ensuring you are aware of the current financial position of the farm by creating accurate and timely reports can allow you to make quick decisions when necessary.