Recent research from multiple labs suggests some of the most expensive stressors cows experience are the ones we don’t see.

We’ve made it through a tough winter, and calving season is winding down. If you’re like me, you’ve been looking forward to spring. It’s almost time to turn cows out on lush, green pastures as we start pondering the mating decisions for the breeding season. But as you know, our herd is entering the most critical nutritional point of the production cycle.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Although Benjamin Franklin was referring to fire prevention when he wrote that phrase, the same phrase can have literal implications when it comes to saving pounds through scours prevention in calves.

A calf’s gut is a blank slate at birth, but bacterial microbes quickly establish themselves within the first weeks of life. During this narrow window, the calf’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract is rapidly colonized by bacteria from equipment, colostrum and bedding – both beneficial as well as harmful.

Few seasons on the ranch inspire more optimism than calving time. With calf prices at historic highs, every live and healthy calf represents not just an animal, but a major financial asset.

In the dynamic world of animal nutrition, the challenges facing livestock production are no longer just about maximizing output. Today, producers must navigate a complex web of sustainability goals, regulatory constraints, consumer expectations and animal welfare concerns.

If a cow does not get bred, she does not have a calf. That fact alone makes reproduction the number one driver of profitability in a cow-calf operation. But the conversation should not stop there.

Dried distillers grains are not just industrial residues. Their unique composition, low in starch but rich in fiber, protein and yeast-derived bioactive, positions them as promising candidates for functional postbiotic foods.

We’ve made it through another breeding season, and the constant hot temperatures are in full swing. The “dog days of summer” not only take a toll on your mood, but also become a consistent stressor to the cow herd.

Feed additives containing phytogenic compounds have the potential to greatly improve the efficiency of cattle’s digestive tract, leading to better health and growth.