But the calf needs it right away!  By Gilda V. Bryant Photos by Troy Walz, University of Nebraska One of nature’s miracles is colostrum, also known as ‘first milk.’ Chock full of the mother cow’s immunoglobulins or antibodies, it gives the newborn calf passive immunity to diseases, like scours or respiratory disease. Calves receiving adequate amounts of quality colostrum have fewer illnesses, and they are more productive. Helping cows and heifers develop the best possible colostrum requires cow herd management and a mineral supplementation program. Colostrum produced by the dam provides e ..read more

Terryn’s Ranchwear Review Lots of boots were made for walkin’ but it takes a special kind of boot to be made for ranching and another kind to be made for ranching in the mud. They have to be comfortable as well as able to withstand the use and abuse we put them through. And just not any ol’ boot will fit that bill, amiright?  I’ve been wearing BOGS since way back in my feed yard days — I wear the Classic Tall 4-H women’s style. And aside from their comfort, what I love very most about this style is that for every pair sold, BOGS gives $5 to 4-H programs that promote outdoor education. In ..read more

Cattle producers today have many tools for controlling parasites, but must use them properly or the parasites tend to develop resistance. By Heather Smith Thomas The main thing is to have a good parasite control management plan each year. Work closely with your veterinarian. PC: Steve Hiebert / Shutterstock   Dr. Joe Gillespie, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, says it’s important to understand the risks.  “This is the first step in determining how to do a better job of managing, and reducing the chance for parasite resistance.” The advice he gives producers regarding resistan ..read more

A major component is to have your critters in good nutritional health  By Heather Smith Thomas Preventing disease and keeping cattle healthy is the goal of every stockman. The key to accomplishing this goal involves developing a preventative herd health plan, which includes biosecurity as well as a vaccination program. This usually involves a valid veterinary client-patient relationship (VCPR) and documentation of the vaccines you use and when you use them, according to Thomas B. Hairgrove, DVM, DABVP, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Specialist at Texas A&M University. Heather Smith Th ..read more

A Texas peek into a complex topic By Jade Currid Photos by Bud Force Regular vaccinations are an essential part of preventative care for our equine partners to remain healthy, active, and performing at their best whether they are at home on the ranch or away at an event. Dr. Canaday said he understands the business decisions that ranchers have to make concerning their cattle and horses. Dr. Leslie Easterwood, who serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of the Equine Community Practice Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University, discusses the basics of core and ri ..read more

Working Horses and Cowboys Shine at the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Story and photos by Jade Currid Each year, the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Snaffle Bit Futurity showcases the all-around prowess of cow horses and the sheer determination and grit of their riders through challenging herd work, rein work, and fence work events. The 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity presented by Metallic Cat, held October 7th through October 23rd, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, continued the event’s legacy of serving as a powerful testament to the cow horse industry ..read more

Sponsored Content Solving your heavy-duty hydraulic feedlot squeeze chute problem  BY DANA CHARBAN  When it comes time to choose a new hydraulic cattle squeeze chute for your operation,the options are endless, which brings to surface two key questions:  What is the best hydraulic squeeze chute?  What hydraulic squeeze chute can actually stand up to high volume operations with little to no downtime? Unfortunately for producers, many in the cattle industry tends to be behind the game on innovation and product improvements. So the chute you are looking at may be no d ..read more

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Sizzling tips for electric and high tensile fence By Terryn Drieling High tensile fence and portable electric (hot) fence – both can provide affordable, low-maintenance alternatives to barbed wire, wood, or continuous fence. The keyword there is “can” – just because you build it doesn’t mean it will be low maintenance or that your cost savings will translate to value. WR rounded up some tips to help ensure your portable hot fences and high tensile fences are successful. Pointers for Portable Electric Fence Train your stock. Because portable hot fence serves as a psychologica ..read more

Check out this outstanding new national beef educational center at the U of Missouri By Jaime Pullman “I teach at vet workshops across the country and what we’ve seen is funding challenges that have extension programs struggling to keep the wheels on the bus. They’re trying to maintain services with less funding and staff,” says Dr. David Patterson, a state Beef Extension Specialist with the Department of Animal Sciences at University of Missouri. According to Dr. Patterson, the beef industry is faced with several challenges. These include a general reluctance to adopt new technology ..read more