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.

Phytogenics means “derived from plants.” Specifically, secondary metabolites from plants have been proven, to some extent, to improve animal health or growth. How, exactly?

A vaccination program is one part of a comprehensive disease control and prevention program. However, keeping pathogens from entering the herd is always preferred over protection that comes in a bottle.

As calving season progresses, we hear of miracle remedies that will get an unthrifty calf up to snuff in no time. Whether oral or injectable, it’s good to understand what the active ingredient in the “cocktail” is that may – or may not – give the calf a boost.

Not all milk replacers are the same. Sure, they differ by protein source, level of protein/fat and any medications or additives included. But milk replacers also differ on how well they support gut health and protect overall calf health. While you probably have a favorite milk replacer, new research shows that adding IgY, the avian equivalent of IgG (immunoglobulin G found in colostrum), can make a good milk replacer even better.

“Do you have good luck when it comes to raising calves?” That’s a question you have likely been asked, but when it comes to preventing scours and ensuring calf health, it takes more than luck!

The immune system is the body’s military. It is tasked with being able to recognize pathogenic invaders that have entered the body and eliminate them as quickly as possible.

Ranchers have so much invested in the genetics and in the long process of getting that live calf on the ground that we want to do everything we can to protect that investment. Let’s look at how to give our young calves the best possible start.