It’s a new year, which brings new opportunities for you to improve the health and productivity of your beef herd.

Why do some calves survive the rigors of being born in cold, wet weather while others in the same situation die of hypothermia? Good mothers make a difference, but research shows that calves’ survival depends on brown fat.

Nutritional inadequacies and digestive disorders in beef cattle can result in poor animal health, lowered production and even animal losses.

For the vast majority of cow-calf producers, this time of year is scored with the chorus of freshly weaned calves. The majority of our focus right now is directed toward weaning strategies, alleviating stress, vaccination protocols, nutrient management and marketing of the 2020 calf crop – and rightfully so.