Timely Cattle Tips for January

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service)

Spring-Calving Cow Herd

Start cows on the high magnesium mineral supplement soon.  Consider protein supplementation if hay is less than 10% crude protein.  If cows are thin, begin energy (grain) supplementation now.

Consider vaccinating the cows to help prevent calf scours.

Get ready for calving season.  See that all equipment and materials are ready, including obstetrical equipment, record forms or booklets, ear tags, scales for obtaining birthweights, etc.

Prepare a calving area where assistance can be provided easily if needed.  Purchase ear tags for calves and number them ahead of time if possible.  Plan for enough labor to watch/assist during the calving period.

Control Winter Pests of Cattle: Lice

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

(Montana State University Extension)

It has been a cold start to the week and making sure our livestock are adequately cared for in these cold temperatures is a concern for all livestock producers.

In addition to being mindful of feeding high quality forages and supplemental grain to provide energy and keeping waterers flowing, we should also take a look at another pest of winter:  lice.

Lice are cold-loving pests that can spread when animals bunch together in response to frigid temperatures.

Reduce potential lice problems on cattle by keeping new animals separate from our herd until you have given them a thorough louse treatment, generally two applications of a contact insecticide.

Cold Stress & Newborn Calves

Source:
Michelle Arnold, DVM, DABVP (Food Animal)
Ruminant Extension Veterinarian
University of Kentucky

(Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications)

As the weather is predicted to be bitter cold over the next two days, producers should take extra care of newborn calves to ensure their survival.

A calf's body temperature often falls below normal due to a slow birth (dystocia) followed by delayed standing and nursing.  Returning the calf's core body temperature to normal (100 degrees F for newborn calves) is the immediate concern, then maintaining that core temperature is of secondary concern.