Division of Extension
Ensuring cattle health through vaccinations, disease prevention, and biosecurity measures to protect against pathogens and pests.
Green is my favorite color. Green tree buds, lawns, and pastures signal that winter is finally over. It’s very tempting to turn young stock out onto newly green pasture. We are tired of indoor feeding and cleaning, and we have fieldwork and other chores to attend to. However, tempting as it is to open the pasture gate, first remember these worm management steps.
The importance of colostrum is no secret to dairy and livestock producers. Unlike many other species, the placenta of cattle prevents the transfer of antibodies from the dam to the calf in the uterus. Instead, calves must rely on colostrum, the cow’s first milk, to pass antibodies from dam to calf.
Producers can take steps to minimize the risk of a disease outbreak on their livestock premises. When beef producers increase biosecurity measures to decrease the likelihood of foreign animal diseases, they are also taking steps to reduce exposure to and disease losses from more common endemic diseases such as bovine viral diarrhea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, mycoplasma, Johne’s disease, shipping fever, trichomoniasis, warts and ringworm.
Veterinarians are a great resource when establishing a vaccination plan on your farm. A heifer’s destination might lead to different immunity goals depending on if they become replacements or head to a feedlot.
During the dark and cold of winter, it can be uplifting to think about the new season just around the corner. Spring represents new growth and renewal. The same is true of calving season for our beef operations. While in practice our beef calving seasons vary greatly in timing from farm to farm, it’s always […]
As spring calving wraps up, it’s time to turn our attention toward breeding season.UW-Madison Extension offers tips for cow-calf producers to implement breeding soundness exams on their bulls.
UW-Madison Extension provides information to help herd managers understand the complex relationship between parasitic worms and cattle, enabling them to couple best practices in pasture management with the strategic use of deworming products.
UW-Madison Extension provides tips on controlling horn and face flies.
This article was originally published in Wisconsin Agriculturist Most beef farmers are familiar with the onslaught of lice during the winter. It is a common fact that lice populations on cattle peak during the winter months. But what are lice? Lice are small, flat-bodied insects with legs modified for grasping hairs. These creatures are dependent […]
This article was originally published in Wisconsin Agriculturist Magazine Bulls have the greatest impact on a herd’s genetic progress. Deciding to keep a bull for another breeding season warrants protection of this investment to ensure he is in optimal condition when returned to the cowherd. In order to protect your bull investment, implement a plan […]
