Cattle Management

Implementing a practical calving system

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Cow-calf producers often rely on calving systems shaped by their own experience or from the trusted advice of respected peers within the industry. These approaches can be highly individual and reflect a wide range of influencing factors, including regional climate conditions, herd size, available facilities and management goals.

Assisting with backward calvings: Identification, preparation and intervention

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Most calves are born as nature intended, but some are determined to enter the world facing the wrong direction. For these occasional events, it’s critical to understand the anatomical and timing challenges presented.

Helping cattle feeders transition to cloud-based data management

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Prepping the pairs for pasture

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The calendar never lies. While it may feel like New Year’s celebrations have scarcely fizzled, the calf crop is on the ground, the winter feed supply is dwindling, and patches of green grass are beckoning.

Weak calf syndrome: The obstacle that shouldn’t exist

scottfritz@vet.k-state.edu — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Weak calf syndrome is exactly as it sounds; newborn calves are born weak, fail to thrive and often never get up to nurse. This is not a new phenomenon, and the industry has been combating it for decades.

The first 48 hours

russell.daly@sdstate.edu — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The first 24 to 48 hours of a calf’s life can spell the difference between a calf that thrives and grows with minimal intervention on our part and a calf that always seems to be behind the eight ball, lagging behind its herdmates and requiring more care and treatment to keep it going.

Calving season cocktails

bethr@iastate.edu — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Feedlot management strategies to combat winter weather

jsperber2@unl.edu — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The winter months and routinely low air temperatures present unique challenges for feedlot cattle, particularly in terms of maintaining health and productivity. Cold temperatures, fluctuating weather conditions and increased feed requirements can induce stress in cattle and result in health complications.

‘It was like magic': Low-stress cattle handling and not-to-miss tips

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Low-stress handling is a stockmanship practice that incorporates the understanding of the herd’s natural behaviors as it relates to movement and more positive management.

Steps to halt zoonotic disease transmission

aaron.yoder@unmc.edu — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Zoonotic diseases – also known as zoonoses – are caused by germs that spread between animals and people. No matter where people come into contact with animals, harmful germs are sometimes carried by animals.

Preparing for winter calving: 6 tips every rancher should know

kaydence.michalsky@arrowquip.com — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:46:56 -0500

A well-prepared calving area with proper equipment that emphasizes safety and accessibility, ensuring proper cattle nutrition and having a solid emergency plan with detailed records to fall back on will serve you well.

The threat is real: Cow attacks during calving season

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

To work safely around cattle, handlers must understand how to read their behavior and take advantage of natural behaviors.

Colostrum: The ‘superfood’ for calves

shannonw@uidaho.edu — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Colostrum is the “superfood” for calves, but it isn’t new. It has been around since the first cow calved. It was vitally important then, and it still is today.

Preparing for the upcoming calving season

megan.vanemon@montana.edu — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

As we roll into the new year, one thing is on almost every rancher’s mind: calving season. For those who calve in January and February, the rapid changes in temperature may play a role in calf sickness and growth.

Rotavirus in calves: What is causing the problem and how do we address it?

randal.shirbroun@vaxxinova.com — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Many cow-calf producers can relate to the frustration and challenges associated with scours, or diarrhea in baby calves. The typical and very reasonable questions to ask would include, “What is causing the problem?” and “How do we address it?”

Veterinarians offer advice on resuscitating newborn calves

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 13:23:36 -0500

After a hard birth, some calves are dull or even unconscious from oxygen shortage and fail to start breathing. But there are things producers can do to help calves start breathing.