Protein Producers Spring 2025

PROTEIN

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SPRING 2025

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CATTLE Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Effects on reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined. Macrosyn has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Macrosyn should not be used in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product. ©2024 Bimeda Inc. All rights reserved. Macrosyn® is a trademark of Bimeda, Inc.

PROTEIN producers

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2025 Volume 13 Issue 1

SPONSORS Thank you to all sponsors for supporting PAC & Protein Producers.

Animal Health International Bimeda Daniels Manufacturing Co. Huvepharma Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health – North America Lallemand Animal Nutrition Novonesis Vaxxinova, US/Newport Laboratories Zinpro

FRONT COVER PHOTO CREDIT Thank you to Dr. Tom Covey for the photo from South Dakota.

EDITORIAL TEAM & PRODUCTION TEAM Brandi Bain Karla Jennings Keli Huddleston Israel Gomez

Heather Newell Lisa Taylor Jose Valles

spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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Rise and Shine Northeast Colorado Photo Credit: Chelsea Monheiser

We want to showcase unique photographs from our readers here!

Please submit your photographs to protein producers @ pacdvms.com

spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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WELCOME Spring has always been my favorite season of the year, primarily stemming from the welcoming of new life in the form of newborn calves. My preferred definition of spring is listed by Merriam-Webster: “A time or season of growth or development”. While this welcome is not intended to be another “New Year, New You” motivational article, I will risk being cliché and challenge all of us to seize opportunities to grow and develop.

More importantly, help your teammates and loved ones identify their opportunities and communicate your support. Often times, the opportunity to achieve greatly is accompanied by the fear of failure. As Thomas Edison put it, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

With the dawn of 2025, we have officially entered the second quarter of the century. Quarterly cadences or intervals are scattered all around us: financial reporting for publicly traded companies, sporting events, the publication strategy of this magazine, and many others.

While the beef industry does not necessarily operate in quarters, regardless of the denominator being months or years, I found it to be a thought-provoking exercise to reflect and look forward. If the beef industry were a single company, what would be the key highlights of the previous 25 years? What is our strategy and outlook from now through 2049? Will the rate of innovation for the next 25 years be similar to the rate of the previous 25 years? Innovation in beef production continues to expand beyond biological and pharmaceutical products into areas such as remote disease detection, point-of-care diagnostics, and individual animal growth performance and carcass value optimization tools. PAC respects how critical it is to evaluate the newest innovations in a timely manner to guide recommendations for early adoption or no adoption in order for our clients to maintain a competitive advantage.

Still, just as important as what is new is what will be preserved into the future. At PAC, the two things that always have been and always will be central to our mission are the cattle and the people involved with the cattle.

You will see this reinforced by the contributions of many PAC veterinarians and other contributing authors in this issue of Protein Producers.

Enjoy your reading!

Jacob Hagenmaier, DVM, PhD Production Animal Consultation Manhattan, Kansas

We want to thank the industry partners, publications and associations who have provided content to Protein Producers. Also, a big thank you to our readers for supporting us, offering content and helping us improve each issue. We could not do any of this without all of you!

Disclaimer: The views, opinions and information expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect Production Animal Consultation’s policy or position.

THE SICK PEN THE ONLY ONE YOU WANT EMPTY. Supplementing with CLOSTAT®, an active microbial, can result in a

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* Word, A.B., et al. (2022). The effect of supplementing CLOSTAT® 500 (Bacillus subtilis PB6) to yearling steers in a commercial feedyard on health, Salmonella spp. prevalence, feedlot growth performance and carcass characteristics. Translational Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txac131.

Healthy Cattle = Healthy Closeouts kemin.com/clostat-beef © Kemin Industries, Inc. and its group of companies 2024.

All rights reserved. ® ™ Trademarks of Kemin Industries, Inc., U.S.A.

contents SPRING 2025 6

Welcome

Jacob Hagenmaier, DVM, PhD

10

23

PAC Network Highlights Katy Wallace, DVM Levi Smith, DVM

14 45

Chuckles from Down Under

46

46 Parable Act Now! Limited Time Offer

50 The Pot Roast Grilled Picanha – aka Sirloin Cap, Rump Cap or Coulotte Steak

8

contents

ANIMAL STEWARDSHIP

10

What is a Stockman?

COW-CALF

24

14

Do Cattle Need Horns?

20 When Cattle Can't Stand

28 LEADERSHIP

24 Mastering Crucial Conversations: A Guide to Healthy Conflict

20

STOCKER

28 Differentiating Pasture Lameness in Beef Cattle

EN ESPAÑOL

38

liderazgo

Dominando Conversaciones Cruciales: Una Guía para un Conflicto Saludable

FEEDLOT

32

42

vaca-becerro

Cuando el Ganado No Puede Pararse

Fueling the Herd: The Science Behind the Rumen and Balanced Nutrition

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A N I M A L ST E WA R D S H I P

WHAT IS A STOCKMAN?

By Kip Lukasiewicz, DVM, Production Animal Consultation

A

s you can imagine, there are several definitions of what it means to be a stockman. The reason I ask this question is to serve as a subtle reminder to all of us in the industry. If we are to recruit others with no experience or knowledge, how do we best define and train upon the word “stockman”?

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Historically, the role of a stockman has been romanticized in literature and film as an independent, tough person with a deep connection to the land and animals they serve. It is about upholding the cultural legacy of rural life.

In the U.S. and Canada, a stockman is a skilled individual responsible for the daily care, management and herding of livestock. This term is synonymous with “cowboy” or “ranch hand” in many regions.

A stockman may also be defined as an expert in animal husbandry, someone who understands the biology, health and behavior of the animals in their care.

In a more modern sense, a stockman may use technology and management practices such as GPS tracking, EID tags and data software to manage the health and nutritional needs of livestock.

That being said, I have really described all individuals in our beef industry. Essentially, a stockman is a person who cares for the well-being of livestock, including cattle, horses, sheep and goats. A good stockman is a shepherd of the land and animals.

Historically, I describe a stockman as a person

12

cow-calf

who is tough and independent with a deep connection to the animals in their care. “Tough” is not defined as someone who encourages fights but as someone who can survive battles against weather, social stress and turmoil and be present for our stock no matter what.

A stockman is tough-minded, prepared for future challenges and organized.

In large operations, this means leading others to prepare stock for future endeavors or weather fronts.

Confined stock requires daily care with feed, water and environmental comfort. Today, that involves understanding large equipment such as feed trucks, loaders, tractors and track loaders.

Being independent means having the ability to think for the betterment of the animals in our care.

We see a need and are independent and brave enough to ask for and implement care when animals require it.

A deep connection means we are fully vested in our livestock. How many of us do this for the lifestyle?

I feel we do this because we care about the animals.

We have a deep understanding of the needs of our stock and recognize their true behavior.

Stockmen are people who study the behavior

of the animals they care for. They have a deep understanding of normal actions, which allows them to recognize when abnormal behavior appears. They care for the daily needs of their stock, ensuring hydration, proper nutrition and a high level of comfort seven days a week. They may incorporate further education on husbandry practices and utilize technology to improve the

care of animals.

In the next series on stockmanship, I will go in-depth on animal behavior to strengthen our knowledge and understanding. This will lead into training techniques and how to utilize these behaviors for herding and individual animal handling. Stay tuned for more in the future.

Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1999 from Kansas State University. He is the owner of Sandhills Cattle Consultants, Inc. and a partner with Production Animal Consultation, LLC. Dr. Kip’s primary focus is feedlot consulting, animal handling, and facility design.

Dr. Kip trained under the late Bud Williams and has worked and trained extensively with Dr. Tom Noffsinger utilizing Bud’s thoughts on low-stress cattle handling and caregiving. Dr. Kip along with Dr. Tom works and trains with over 20% of the US fed cattle industry and also travels to Canada training feedlot clients on low-stress cattle handling and caregiving. Dr. Kip resides in Farwell, Nebraska, with his wife, and they have two children. He is an active member of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, and American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

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C ow - C A L F DO CATTLE NEED HORNS?

By Brian M. Shoemake, DVM, MS, DACVIM – LAIM, Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

T

he simple answer to this question is no. Cattle do not need horns in the majority of modern production management environments, whether that be beef or dairy operations. The presence of horns in modern animal production systems poses more of a risk than a benefit. Some of those risks are being hazardous to the health and safety of workers, having a negative impact on the health and welfare of other animals, increasing labor related to handling and restraint for routine tasks, and decreasing overall system efficiency and productivity to name a few. spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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So Doc, if cattle do not need horns, how do you remove the horns from your cattle? There are several different methods. The easiest method is to utilize genetics in your favor, so horns will not grow on your animal. Specifically, utilizing a polled (non-horn-bearing) bull will produce calves that are polled as the lack of horns is a genetically dominant gene trait (see image 1). From a growth, development, and welfare perspective, this is the best overall option to not having horned cattle.

Other means of removing horns, particularly surgically, can cause stress, require healing, and can slow growth as the dehorning sites heal. When

Image 1 - Polled calf crop

trying to maximize efficiency, growth, and overall health of calves, the less stress and healing that must occur, the better off the calves will be.

Some concern about the merit of polled genetics has existed, the theory being that polled cattle would underperform compared to their horned counterparts. A study comparing the production traits of polled versus horned animals examined 18 years' worth of data (20002018) across eight common breeds of cattle that both polled and horned genetics exist. The findings of this study demonstrate that there is no difference in growth and performance metrics and that polled animals outperform horned cattle in certain metrics, especially later in life performance (Comparison of Genetic Merit for Weight and Meat Traits Between the Polled and Horned Cattle in Multiple Beef Breeds, Animals, 2021, 2/18/25).

Not only do polled animals perform as well or 16

cow-calf

Image 2 - This calf was disbudded using a hot iron. Prior to the procedure, the calf received a lidocaine nerve block. The tissue that produces the horn was cauterized or destroyed before it attached to the skull, preventing a horn from growing. After the procedure, an NSAID was administered. The calves at this operation rarely had any issues post dehorning, with most calves returning to feed quickly. better than their horned counterparts, feeding operations typically pay less for horned calves.

If genetically preventing horns is not a viable option for an operation, there are several techniques available to remove the horns. A general guideline for these methods is that the earlier they can be performed the better. Within the first couple of weeks of being born, the horn is not fully attached to the head. Therefore, the first method of managing horned animals is to disbud them. As the name implies, this procedure removes the tissue (horn bud) that the horn would grow from. This can be done either by hot iron, caustic paste, or a scoop instrument that either damages or removes the horn growth tissue (see image 2). Once the horn bud tissue attaches to the skull, we have shifted to truly having to dehorn an animal. Again, the earlier this procedure can be done in life, the better off everyone will be because early removal will help reduce damage to surrounding tissue, help reduce stress associated with the procedure, and decrease risk of complications or prevent illness associated with the procedure.

As cattle horns grow larger, they begin to connect to the sinus cavities of the skull. When dehorning is performed after these connections have been established, there may not be a viable

way to close the sinus. With the sinus cavity open, foreign objects such as dirt, insects, or other objects can enter the cavity, increasing the risk for infections and complications. There are various methods and devices available to accomplish dehorning-scoops, hot irons, bone wire, and caustic paste to name a few. Everyone has their preferred method for the various size horns they encounter and other environmental and management factors. All techniques have some degree of blood loss and require either a hot iron to cauterize the wounds, twisting the arterial blood supply with small hemostats, or application of a blood stop agent to reduce the amount of blood loss. As horn diameter increases, the amount of blood loss risk increases. In some locations, suturing the dehorning site closed is necessary to prevent contamination or fly infestations from becoming a problem after the procedure is performed. Closing the dehorning site can also help decrease blood loss. This increases the time, technical skill, and aseptic technique required to safely and effectively

perform the procedure and reduce the risk of complications.

So that is a brief overview of the how, risks, and a little bit of the why particularly at the cowcalf operation level. What are the implications once horned animals arrive at the feedlot?

When horned animals are received at feeding operations, the opportunity to remove these horns as early in life as possible is no longer possible. This phase of production is where horned animals can be particularly hazardous to other cattle and humans as the animals are living in closer proximity to each other. Other cattle can suffer significant injury by horned animals either accidentally or maliciously. Some wounds may be undetectable, others may be fatal, resulting in the loss of animal life and a valuable protein source. Wounds that occur late in the feeding period may only be fully appreciated post-harvest as bruising and discoloration that must be trimmed away causing potentially significant losses. Other wounds may be found when it is significantly too late to intervene, and

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euthanasia is the only viable option if the animal has not already succumbed to the injury.

When found and deemed treatable, repair of penetrating horn wounds costs time and resources (veterinary, financial, medicinal, etc.). Two resources that may be most significantly impacted by injury or illness are time and nutrition, key factors to feed conversion efficiency and financial opportunity.

Anytime cattle experience an injury or illness, part of the nutrition they ingest is placed towards repair and healing of tissues or clearing an infection. The fewer times we intentionally inflict a wound on cattle such as dehorning, the better off and more efficient the animals are as they dedicate their time and energy on feed towards the growth and production of protein (see image 3). As previously mentioned, there are various methods of dehorning. From a technique standpoint, some procedures are less detrimental overall to cattle compared to others.

One such study (Effects of Three Dehorning Techniques on Behavior and Wound Healing in Feedlot Cattle, Journal of Animal Science, 2014, pg. 2225-2229, 2/18/25) found that the use of constrictive bands was not only ineffective but also had the most prolonged pain. True mechanical removal of the horn had an immediate pain component that subsided quicker than constrictive bands.

Horns come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes just working with horned animals in the processing chutes is more difficult and time-consuming waiting on the animal to navigate their environment. Some headgate systems adapt well to horned animals coming through and not causing problems with restraint. Other systems seem to miss the animals entirely as they figure out how to use their horns to prevent appropriate restraint. There are certain settings or situations where horns are required for protection due to high predation in the environment (see images 4 and 5). For other breeds, their horns are the commodity being produced. However, these breeds are not typically great at producing a valuable protein source. For the producers in the business of providing a protein source efficiently, horns are a liability on the enterprise. Your local veterinarian can help sort the best method of dehorning your cattle. As well, your veterinarian can help develop a 18

cow-calf

Image 3 - Polled calves on feed.

Image 4 - Some cows might still need their horns.

Image 5 - This cow in central Africa might legitimately still need her horns to fend off predators. Predators can be a nuisance that need to be dealt to prevent losses.

pain management plan to get the calves back on feed faster and support the animal’s wellbeing.

• Things to Keep in Mind • Leverage genetics to your advantage. Use a polled bull so the horns never have a chance.

• If genetically dehorning is not an option, dehorning the calves as early in life

as possible can reduce the impact the procedure has on the health of the calf.

Do what you must in order to keep horns out of the feedlot. If they come in with horns, figure out the best method of dehorning and managing the animals afterward.

Brian Shoemake is a 2011 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Brian is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Food Animal Field Services at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in the Large Animal Teaching Hospital. He previously worked at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine where he completed his residency training in production medicine and food animal internal medicine. Brian and his wife, Catherine, enjoy time with family and the outdoors.

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C ow - C A L F WHEN CATTLE CAN’T STAND

By Meredyth Jones Cook, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Large Animal Consulting & Education

I

n nature, cattle and other grazing species exist at the bottom of the food chain and, as such, are at risk of predation if they appear ill or weak. From a survival standpoint, they are wired to try to appear healthy and fit until they simply cannot fake it anymore. For this reason, we must be alert to even the most minor signs of illness in order to initiate treatment early to increase the chance of treatment success.

Whether it is a feedlot steer or a commercial cow, we know that very severe illness or injury must be present for an animal to be unwilling or unable to stand. Anytime an animal is unable to rise, it is critically important that we make a correct diagnosis as soon as they are found and get proper treatment initiated.

Most of the causes of cattle not being able to stand fall into what veterinarians refer to as the “5 Ms of Down Cows”. These are categories of disease which help us to develop a list of possible causes and work through each one to determine the cause for a given case. The five Ms are: Mastitis, Metritis, Metabolic, Musculoskeletal and Mystery. Yes, you read that last one correctly!

1. Mastitis is an infection of the udder that, with certain bacteria present, releases toxins into the bloodstream making a cow severely ill. This generally occurs in the early days after calving.

These infections are so serious that antibiotics alone are not sufficient to effect a cure and often require aggressive treatment to save them. In these cases, the udder may be warm to hot to the touch and the skin reddened and progress to the udder being cold with a purple color.

2. Metritis is an infection of the uterus that, like mastitis, can have certain bacteria present that release toxins into the bloodstream causing severe illness. Also like mastitis, this typically occurs very soon after calving and requires more therapy than antibiotics alone. Metritis can often be detected by a brown or red, foul-smelling discharge from the cow’s vulva.

3. Metabolic diseases include several conditions where the metabolic processes of the animal become so disturbed that their nervous system and muscles lack the function to enable them to stand. These can include low magnesium (grass or winter tetany), low potassium, low phosphorus, and protein-energy malnutrition. When consuming grass or diets that are low in magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, an animal’s muscles are not able to contract in a coordinated way and they become too weak to stand.

These deficiencies are easily corrected after a proper diagnosis and improvement in the diet. Protein-energy malnutrition occurs in animals on poor quality diets and is marked by a poor body condition score (Figure 1), often a hay belly, and significant weakness. This occurs most common in the winter due to dormant forage having lower nutritional value and poor digestibility. This condition is particularly prevalent in heifers in spring calving herds because they have the additional demands of growing themselves and

Figure 1 growing a late-term calf. Older cattle with poor teeth (Figure 2) are also at risk. Internal parasites can also contribute to this condition. Cases of protein-energy malnutrition are rarely successfully treated due to their severity at the time of diagnosis. It is critical that sufficient planning goes into feed stockpiling to maintain the mineral, energy and protein needs of all cattle throughout the year.

4. Musculoskeletal diseases include conditions of the musculoskeletal or nervous systems which impair the ability to stand. These could include fractures (usually of the spine or upper limbs), calving paralysis from a difficult calf delivery, a brain

Figure 2 abscess in a feedlot steer, or any other injury where there is direct damage to nerves or compression by nearby swelling. Some of these conditions may be manageable and result in recovery through the use of anti-inflammatory medications, but efforts should be made to identify conditions with a poor prognosis, like fractures, early in order to minimize the duration of pain.

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5. And then there is Mystery. Most of the time, a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian can identify one of the above causes in a case of a down cow. Occasionally, though, we just cannot identify the cause. In these cases, there are likely a combination of causes which are not easily defined that culminate in enough dysfunction in the body to result in severe weakness. These cases are frustrating to livestock owners and veterinarians alike, particularly when the animal is an “alert downer”, a cow that is eating, drinking and generally healthy-appearing otherwise.

So, what should you do if you have a down cow (or calf or bull) on your place?

1. Immediately roll her up onto her chest so she is sitting up and use hay bales or a vehicle to prop her up so that she is stable. Cattle laying on their side are unable to remove the gas from their rumen, causing bloat which can be rapidly fatal.

Laying flat also puts the full weight of the animal on the legs of the down side, causing muscle and nerve damage, significantly reducing their chance of recovery.

2. Call your veterinarian. With each day that a cow is down, the chances of her getting back up are significantly reduced. Getting a proper diagnosis and early treatment are the strongest predictors of success. On the other hand, if her illness or injury is irreversible, it is important to determine this early in order to be able to end her suffering. Letting her lay simply to see what happens rarely ends well and often results in a worsening of her condition.

3. Handle her gently. If she must be moved to another location, she should never be dragged by a limb or the head/neck, which can cause severe

injury. Rather, a sled can be fashioned out of a sheet of plywood or sheet metal, the cow rolled onto that, and the sled then pulled behind a vehicle.

4. Make fresh feed and water available at all times. Ensure that feed and water is within reach of the cow at all times and that pans are shallow enough to allow easy access throughout her treatment and recovery.

5. Adjust her position. While keeping her up on her chest, roll her slightly to the left and slightly to the right to give her legs on the down side a break.

This will help maintain circulation to the limbs and reduce muscle crush injury from her weight.

A down animal is probably the single most frustrating condition for which a ranch owner seeks a veterinarian’s advice. The size of cattle makes them difficult to manage and treat and, by remaining down, their weight causes further damage to muscles and nerves. No one wants a down animal and all of us who raise cattle hope it will never happen to us, but it likely will at some point. We should have plans in place for the steps we will take if we have an animal that can not stand on their own. We have a responsibility as their stewards to quickly identify the problem, handle them properly, and determine the most humane course of action in their management.

For more information on humane management of down cattle, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the national organization of cattle veterinarians, has developed a position statement on the care of non-ambulatory (down) cattle, which you can find here: htt ps: //a abp. org / R e sourc e s /A A BP_ Gui d e l ine s /nonambulatory2020.pdf

Dr. Meredyth Jones Cook received her veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University in 2002.

She entered private mixed-animal practice in Brandenburg, Kentucky, later completing a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine-Emphasis Food Animal and received a MS degree in Veterinary Biomedical Sciences at Oklahoma State University. She has taught food animal field services and internal medicine at Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. She owns Large Animal Consulting & Education, teaches part time for Texas Tech, and operates a ranch with her husband and 2 girls, raising beef and pork.

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PAC NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS . . . .

KATY WALLACE, DVM Sage Country Veterinary Service Burns, Oregon

Dr. Katy Wallace started Sage Country Veterinary Service 12 years ago in Harney County, Oregon, located in rural eastern Oregon where cows outnumber people 10 to 1. Harney County is large and diverse, encompassing forests, Steens Mountain, and the Alvord Desert. While the practice started as a mobile practice based out of her home, it has expanded to include an office and a barn.

The remoteness and low population density of the area may require traveling lots of miles for farm calls, but Dr. Wallace does not mind because she gets the opportunity to work with ranchers who share a passion for the beef industry. She loves that there is no “typical” day in mixed animal practice, with activities varying between preg checking, Bangs vaccinating, caring for horses and small animals, handling calving emergencies and kidding calls, and more.

Dr. Wallace always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian and encourages other veterinarians to consider rural practice. She shared, “In my opinion, rural veterinary practice is wonderful. The diversity of cases and the connection to clients are unparalleled.”

LEVI SMITH, DVM Genetic Visions Veterinary Services, LLC Newville, Pennsylvania Dr. Levi Smith is the owner and veterinarian of Genetic Visions Veterinary Services, based in Newville, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Smith purchased the practice from Dr. Jim Evans in 2017 after a three-year partnership.

By providing a wide range of reproductive services, Dr. Smith and his staff strive to be a one-stop shop for their clients. In addition to providing mobile embryo services via their mobile laboratory to producers in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, they also offer donor housing at their Newville facility for up to 40 head of females to provide conventional embryo transfer services or ovum pick-up with in vitro fertilization. By collaborating with local recipient herds, they enable their clients to purchase either a weaned embryo calf or a 90-day pregnant recipient. Each year, they transfer around 1800 fresh or frozen embryos and aspirate or flush around 600 donors.

Dr. Smith is passionate about using his veterinary practice to help the hard-working, humble people he works with in the beef industry. He shared, “I love the daily challenges with ‘problem donors’ and making my clients’ goals a reality with that newborn embryo calf.” spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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LEadership

MASTERING CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS: A GUIDE TO HEALTHY CONFLICT

W

e have talked about creating healthy conflict and having crucial conversations numerous times, and I continually find myself helping others navigate these challenges. Conflict is an inevitable part of daily life, whether you are in a leadership role or not. Your ability to handle, work through, and communicate effectively in these moments is a critical factor in your personal and professional growth.

By Nels Lindberg, DVM, Production Animal Consultation I, too, am constantly refining my approach because, like everyone else, I sometimes fall short.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I failed miserably in a staff meeting. My intention was to emphasize the importance of respecting our business’s history.

Instead, my passion got the best of me, and I ended up saying things I should not have—both in content and delivery.

Fortunately, my business partner, Dr. Ty, held me accountable, as any good partner should. This forced me to practice what I preach: taking full responsibility for my mistake, owning my poor choice of words, and apologizing to the team for any harm caused.

The root of my failure? Lack of preparation. I assumed I could handle the conversation on the fly, and it backfired. That experience prompted me to reflect, revisit the principles of crucial conversations, and commit to improving this vital leadership and relationship skill.

Rather than a traditional article, I have outlined a practical list of action steps you can reference anytime you need to prepare for a crucial conversation. Consider tearing out this page and keeping it handy as a quick guide. While not every point may apply to every situation, they serve as valuable reminders for different types of challenging discussions.

Crucial Conversation Action Steps • Prepare beforehand. o Gather your thoughts, insights, and discernment before engaging.

• Do not delay unnecessarily. o Take time to cool off if needed, but do not avoid the conversation. o If you have waited too long, acknowledge and apologize for the delay.

• Ask for permission to have the conversation. o This fosters openness instead of defensiveness. spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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•

• •

•

•

•

26

Lead with questions. o Try “Help me understand…” or “Can you tell me more?” o Ask, “What can I do to improve the situation?”

Manage emotions—both yours and theirs.

Stick to facts and what is best for the team. o Avoid hearsay, personal agendas, or trying to “win”.

Address performance, not the person. o Keep it professional. Critique actions, not character.

Focus on solutions, not past mistakes. o Rehashing old issues will not move things forward.

Stay composed—never get defensive. o Reacting emotionally rarely leads to a productive outcome.

leadership

•

•

•

•

• •

Let go of the need to “win.” o Prioritize what is best for the team, organization, or relationship.

Take responsibility for your role. o Apologize when necessary. This builds respect.

Be fair, respectful, and professional. o If you do not show respect, you will not earn it in return.

Ensure mutual understanding. o Ask, “Can you summarize what we just discussed?” to confirm alignment. o Remember: To be unclear is to be unkind.

Clarify next steps, actions, and timeframes. o This sets clear expectations for success.

Schedule a follow-up check-in. o This ensures accountability and continued progress.

•

Gauge fairness. o Ask, “Do you think this is fair?” If they disagree, clarify or reassess. o When people perceive fairness, they are more likely to follow through.

The Cost of Failed Conversations Poorly handled conversations lead to setbacks, distrust, disunity, and lost momentum, all of which undermine leadership. The only way to improve is through intentional study, preparation, and practice.

Keep this guide in your desk, planner, or workspace as a reminder before engaging in tough discussions. I know I will!

Dr. Nels Lindberg is a people coach, team coach, business coach, and keynote speaker, available virtually or in person. If you have any interest in these opportunities, please reach out to his office at 620-792-1265 and visit with his right-hand lady, Jill.

STO C K E R DIFFERENTIATING PASTURE LAMENESS IN BEEF CATTLE

D

By A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, MS, Kansas State University

uring the summer grazing months, many producers run into issues with lame cattle. The effects of lameness may show itself by decreased fertility, weight loss, decreased performance, and increased labor and medicine costs.

It has been estimated that 88-92% of lameness in cattle stems from the foot. Several issues could be the culprit, but we will review some of the common causes and the key differences between the clinical signs. It is a good idea to contact your local veterinarian to create a treatment plan for these conditions prior to the grazing season.

Lameness with Swelling The first way to determine the cause of lameness is to observe obvious swelling. The swelling most commonly affects the lower limb, indicating the area of inflammation just above the hoof. It is important to distinguish if the swelling is symmetrical (equal on both sides of the foot), or asymmetrical (only affecting one side). Swelling may also be noticed affecting single or multiple joints in both calves and cows.

Footrot is a common disease process that occurs

in pasture cattle. Footrot is a bacterial infection of the foot that manifests itself with symmetric swelling encompassing the lower limb just above the hooves.

Upon closer inspection, producers will notice a crack in the skin between the hooves and a foul pungent odor. Thankfully, there are several approved and highly efficacious injectable antibiotic treatments available, and treatment is typically very rewarding when treated in the early stages of the disease. With delayed or late treatment of cases, however, deeper structures of spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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the foot (tendons, joints, even bone) may become involved. Delayed treatment often requires extended therapy and leads to increased cull rates from the herd.

It is always important to closely inspect symmetric swelling cases in the pasture settings. Wire, bale wrap, or other foreign bodies can wrap around and entrap the lower foot causing very similar symptoms as footrot. If the swelling has a well demarcated line horizontally across the foot, further investigation in warranted. The entrapping foreign body must be removed.

Single sided or asymmetric swelling of the foot often indicates a more serious condition in cattle.

This type of clinical sign is often the result of deep structure issues. Puncture wounds, sole abscesses, or chronic infections can cause single sided joint, bone, or tendon infections. Extensive footwork on a tilt table or under sedation is often indicated in these cases. Contact your veterinarian when these cases are identified.

Single or multiple joint swelling with lameness can also be observed in pasture settings. In calves, this is often the result of septic arthritis. This is a bacterial infection of the joints. In very young calves, it can be the sequela of naval ill, or from bacteria that get into the blood stream. It is not uncommon to see this condition a week to 10 days following a bout of respiratory disease with some pathogens as well.

Even with appropriate treatment, the inflammation in the joint often takes several weeks to resorb back into the body. Joint swelling in mature animals can also occur. Many times, this is a result of an orthopedic break down. Torn cruciate ligaments in the stifles of breeding bulls or hock damage from riding activity

are examples of these conditions. Consult with your veterinarian for potential treatment or course of action if these situations occur.

Lameness with No Noticeable Swelling Obvious lameness to one or more limbs with no noticeable swelling can often be challenging to diagnose appropriately. One of these conditions is called hairy heel warts, also known as digital dermatitis, or strawberry footrot. These animals often display obvious lameness and will attempt to walk on the “tippy toe” of the foot. Upon closer observation you will notice wart like growths or bright red scab lesions below the dewclaws and above the heel bulbs of the foot. Topical treatment with an astringent or antibacterial solution is warranted for this condition.

The last condition we see more commonly in newly arrived stocker calves is called toe tip necrosis (toe abscesses). These animals often appear with shifting lameness of the back legs. They will usually stand in strange orientations to protect and get pressure off the of the damaged toe. The rear, outside hooves are most often affected. Treatment of these consists of picking up the feet and using hoof testers to confirm the condition. Then the toes are slightly opened with hoof nippers to release the pressure. Without opening the toes, healing will not occur.

Lameness can be challenging to diagnose in field situation, but understanding the subtle differences will help with proper and timely treatment. Visit with your veterinarian about treatment plans as well as any non-responsive lameness issues. Further diagnostics and treatment may be indicated.

Dr. A.J. Tarpoff works with and serves the beef industry in every aspect of production from pasture to plate. He attended Kansas State University earning his B.S. from the Animal Sciences and Industry department, followed by his D.V.M. and M.S. degrees from the College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation in 2012, he practiced feedlot production medicine in Alberta, Canada. In 2016 he returned to the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University and currently serves as an Associate Professor and the Beef Extension Veterinarian.

A.J. has a 70% extension, 20% research, and 10% teaching appointment. He works closely with producers, practicing veterinarians, and members of industry to bring relevant extension and education that improves cattle health and the productivity of the beef industry.

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F E E D LOT FUELING THE HERD: THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE RUMEN AND BALANCED NUTRITION

By Jessica Sperber, PhD, and Galen Erickson, PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

C

attle are ruminant animals, meaning they have a specialized digestive system designed for digesting fibrous plant material efficiently. The rumen contains microbes that ferment or partially digest feed after it is consumed and plays a crucial role in breaking down complex carbohydrates into nutrients that the animal can absorb and use for growth, milk production and overall health. Understanding how the rumen functions and the necessity of a balanced diet is essential for maintaining cattle health and maximizing productivity. spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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The Structure and Function of the Rumen The ruminant animal has four compartments located before the small intestine: the rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. The rumen, often called the "fermentation vat," is the largest compartment and serves as the primary site for microbial fermentation. The rumen is home to a diverse population of microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa and fungi. These microbes produce enzymes that digest cellulose and hemicellulose, components of plant cell walls that cattle and nonruminants cannot 34

feedlot

digest on their own. The fermentation process results in the production of volatile fatty acids, primarily acetate, propionate and butyrate, which serve as the main energy source for the animal and allow cattle to acquire energy from grass or fiber.

Rumen motility is essential for mixing digesta, promoting microbial action and eructating gas produced during ruminal fermentation. Cattle regurgitate and rechew their food, a process known as cud chewing, to reduce particle size and enhance microbial access to

feedstuff substrates. Rechewing increases saliva production and adds bicarbonate that is present in saliva. Bicarbonate acts as a buffer in the rumen to help neutralize ruminal pH or the acids being naturally produced by the microbes during fermentation. The rumen operates optimally at a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. If ruminal pH drops below 5.6 due to excessive fermentation of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, such as starches from grains, acidosis can occur. Acidosis can lead to reduced appetite, reduced fiber digestion, bloat, diarrhea and, in severe cases, death.

The reticulum and omasum have less impact on digestion but assist with moving feed through the tract to the true stomach, the abomasum. The abomasum is similar to monogastric stomachs in that acid is produced to begin the chemical breakdown of feed before it enters the intestines. The intestines are where cattle digest protein and remaining energy from the diet. Cattle get a large portion of their protein requirement from digesting microbes that were growing and multiplying in the rumen. Cattle can flourish on high-forage diets because of the energy released by microbes during fermentation and the protein that cattle digest in the form of microbes in the intestine.

Cattle have an additional opportunity to accrue energy from fiber that is digested in the large intestine, similar to other livestock species.

There are subtle differences between cattle and other livestock in the enzymes that are produced during digestion, but in general, the intestinal tract is very similar to nonruminants in design.

Components of a Balanced Diet for Beef Cattle Formulating diets that provide energy, protein, minerals and vitamins is important for maintaining rumen function and ensuring proper growth, reproduction and milk production in cattle. A well-formulated diet provides the necessary nutrients in appropriate proportions.

Water is the most essential nutrient for life, and cattle performance and productivity hinge on access to clean and adequate water. Water intake drives dry matter intake. The general recommendation for water is 1 to 2 gallons per 100 pounds of body weight but increases during heat stress events. During winter conditions,

cattle require 5 gallons per day, and that can increase to 10 gallons per day during summer conditions.

Energy is a critical dietary component for cattle, especially in high-production animals like feedlot finishing cattle or dairy cows.

Energy comes from carbohydrates like fiber and starch, which are fermented into volatile fatty acids, or can be provided by fat or oil.

Grains that are high in starch, such as corn or wheat, ferment rapidly in the rumen and provide a quick source of energy for the animal.

Forages such as corn silage, alfalfa, grass or crop residues may provide adequate energy for growing calves or cows, although the cost on an energy basis compared to grains is more expensive. Excessive grain intake can lead to ruminal acidosis and digestive disorders and highlights the importance of managed grain adaptation programs when starting cattle in feedyards. Even during the feedlot finishing period, providing a minimal amount of forage helps maintain rumination, rumen pH and minimizes risk for acidosis. The inclusion of forage can vary depending on fiber content of the forage, and in general, providing 5 to 7% fiber from roughage on a dry matter basis in the diet can reduce opportunity for ruminal upset. Fiber, primarily from forages like hay, silage and pasture grasses, is essential for stimulating rumen activity and maintaining rumen pH. Feedstuffs and supplements contain varying levels of crude protein. Crude protein can be broken down into rumen degradable protein, which supports microbial growth and fermentation, and rumen undegradable protein, referred to as a bypass protein as it bypasses the rumen and is absorbed in the intestines for direct animal use. In general, roughages are higher in rumen degradable protein content, and grains and distillers grains are higher in rumen undegradable protein content. Supplying adequate rumen undegradable protein to younger and growing animals is critical for muscle development.

Essential minerals and vitamins support numerous physiological functions, including digestion, reproduction and immune system health. Macrominerals refer to any mineral that is fed in gram quantities or as a percent of diet dry matter, and microminerals refer to minerals fed in milligram or parts per million quantities. spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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Mineral and vitamin requirements vary based on stage of production and feedstuffs offered to the animal. Macrominerals critical for cattle include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium and sulfur. Microminerals critical for cattle and vital for enzyme function and metabolic processes include copper, zinc, selenium and iodine. Vitamins A and E must be provided in the diet for cattle housed outside, and vitamin D is commonly provided in diets as well. The rumen microbes can synthesize water-soluble vitamins, including B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin K. Cattle nutritional needs vary based on their production stage: • Growing calves: Require high-protein diets to support muscle and bone development.

• Lactating cows: Need increased energy and protein to sustain milk production.

• Finishing cattle: Require energy-dense diets for rapid weight gain, but a careful balance of roughage and fiber is necessary to prevent acidosis.

• Dry cows: Should receive maintenance diets with controlled energy levels to prevent excessive fat accumulation before calving.

Failure to provide a balanced diet can lead to numerous health issues, including: • Acidosis: Resulting from excessive grain intake and low fiber.

• Bloat: Caused by the buildup of gas in the rumen due to diet imbalances.

• Ketosis: Occurs in lactating cows due to insufficient energy intake.

• Poor growth and reproductive issues: Resulting from protein or mineral deficiencies.

Understanding how the rumen functions and the importance of a balanced diet in cattle is crucial for optimizing health and productivity.

The rumen's microbial ecosystem relies on a steady supply of water, energy, protein, fiber and minerals to function effectively. By maintaining a balanced diet that meets the nutritional requirements of cattle at different life stages, producers can ensure higher productivity and improved herd health. Proper nutrition not only benefits the animals but also enhances profitability and sustainability in livestock production.

Dr. Jessica Sperber was raised on her family’s 4th generation cow-calf and grain operation located in Alberta, Canada. Jessica attained her master’s degree from West Texas A&M University specialized in meat science, and Ph.D. in feedlot nutrition from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jessica joined the Department of Animal Science at UNL in November of 2022 as an Extension Assistant Professor and Feedlot Specialist. Her areas of interest include nutritional management strategies, technologies that improve cattle production efficiency, and carcass changes over the feeding period.

Dr. Galen Erickson holds the Nebraska Cattle Industry Professor of Animal Science professorship in the Department of Animal Science at the University of NebraskaLincoln and is a Professor and Beef Feedlot Extension Specialist. Research and extension activities focus on beef cattle production and nutrition, particularly cattle nutrition of growing and fattening beef cattle.

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L i d e r a zg o

DOMINANDO CONVERSACIONES CRUCIALES: UNA GUÍA PARA UN CONFLICTO SALUDABLE

H

emos hablado sobre cómo crear conflictos saludables y tener conversaciones cruciales en numerosas ocasiones, y yo continuamente me encuentro ayudando a otros a navegar estos desafíos. El conflicto es una parte inevitable de la vida diaria, así ocupe usted un puesto de liderazgo o no. Su capacidad para manejar, trabajar y comunicarse de manera efectiva en estos momentos es un factor crítico en su crecimiento personal y profesional.

Escrito por Nels Lindberg, DVM, Production Animal Consultation Yo también, estoy perfeccionando constantemente mi enfoque porque, al igual que todos los demás, a veces me quedo corto. Hace solo un par de semanas, fracase estrepitosamente en una reunión de personal. Mi intención era enfatizar la importancia de respetar la historia de nuestra empresa. En cambio, mi pasión se apodero de mí y termine diciendo cosas que no debería haber dicho, tanto en el contenido como en la forma en la que las dije.

Afortunadamente, mi socio, el Dr. Ty, me exigió responsabilidad, como debería hacerlo cualquier buen socio. Esto me obligó a practicar lo que predico: asumir toda la responsabilidad de mi error, reconocer mi mala elección de palabras y disculparme con el equipo por cualquier daño causado. ¿La raíz de mi fracaso? Falta de preparación.

Supuse que podía manejar la conversación sobre la marcha, y resulto contraproducente. Esa experiencia me impulsó a reflexionar, a revisar

los principios de las conversaciones cruciales y a comprometerme a mejorar esta habilidad vital de liderazgo y relaciones.

En lugar de un artículo tradicional, he esbozado una lista práctica de pasos de acción que puede consultar en cualquier momento que necesite prepararse para una conversación crucial.

Considere arrancar esta página y tenerla a la mano como una guía rápida. Aunque no todos los puntos aplican para todas las situaciones, estos sirven como valiosos recordatorios para diferentes tipos de discusiones desafiantes.

Pasos de Acción para una Conversación Crucial • Prepárese de antemano. o Reúna sus pensamientos, ideas y discernimiento antes de comenzar.

• No se demores innecesariamente. o Tome tiempo para calmarse si es necesario, pero no evite la conversación.

spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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•

•

• •

•

•

Si ha esperado demasiado, reconozca y discúlpese por el retraso.

Pida permiso para tener la conversación. o Esto fomenta la apertura en lugar de la actitud defensiva.

Comience con preguntas. o Intente con “Ayúdame a entender..." o "¿Podrías contarme más?" o Pregunte, "¿Qué puedo hacer para mejorar la situación?"

Maneje las emociones, tanto las suyas como las de los demás.

Aténgase a los hechos y a lo que es mejor para el equipo. o Evite los rumores, las agendas personales o tratar de "ganar".

Aborde el rendimiento, no la persona. o Mantenga todo de manera profesional.

Critique las acciones, no el carácter.

Concéntrese en las soluciones, no en los errores del pasado. o Volver a discutir viejos problemas no hará que las cosas avancen.

•

o

•

•

•

•

40

•

liderazgo

Mantenga la calma - nunca se ponga a la defensiva. o Reaccionar emocionalmente rara vez conduce a un resultado productivo.

Deje a un lado la necesidad de "ganar". o De prioridad a lo que es mejor para el equipo, la organización o la relación.

Asuma la responsabilidad de su papel. o Discúlpese cuando sea necesario. Esto genera respeto.

Sea justo, respetuoso y profesional. o Si no muestra respeto, no lo ganará a cambio.

Asegure el entendimiento mutuo. o Pregunte: "¿Podrían resumir lo que acabamos de discutir?" para confirmar la alineación. o Recuerde: Ser poco claro, es ser desagradable.

Clarifique los próximos pasos, acciones y plazos. o Esto establece expectativas claras para el éxito.

•

•

Programe una cita de seguimiento. o Esto asegura la responsabilidad y el progreso continuo.

Mida la equidad. o Pregunte: "¿Creen que esto es justo?". Si no están de acuerdo, aclare o reevalúe. o Cuando las personas perciben equidad, es más probable que actúen de acuerdo con sus actos.

El Costo de las Conversaciones Fallidas Las conversaciones mal manejadas conducen a contratiempos, desconfianza, desunión y pérdida de impulso -- todo lo cual debilita el liderazgo. La única manera de mejorar es a través del estudio, la preparación y la práctica intencional. Mantenga esta guía en su escritorio, agenda o espacio de trabajo como recordatorio antes de participar en discusiones difíciles. ¡Yo lo haré!

Dr. Nels Lindberg es coach de personas, coach de equipos, coach de negocios y orador principal, disponible virtualmente o en persona. Si tiene algún interés sobre estas oportunidades, por favor comuníquese con su oficina al 620-792-1265 y hable con su mano derecha, la señora Jill.

Superior Placement Solutions offers professional employee recruitment services for operations involved in the beef, dairy and pork industries.

For more information, please contact Jose A. Valles, MS jose.valles@superiorps.net 785-317-8055

Vac a - B e c e r ro

CUANDO EL GANADO NO PUEDE PARARSE Escrito por Meredyth Jones Cook DVM, MS, DACVIM, Large Animal Consulting & Education

E

En la naturaleza, el ganado y otras especies de pastoreo existen en la parte inferior de la cadena alimentaria y, como tales, corren el riesgo de ser depredados si se muestran enfermos o débiles. Desde el punto de vista de supervivencia, están programados para intentar mostrarse saludables y en forma hasta que simplemente ya no pueden fingir más. Por esta razón, debemos estar alerta incluso a las señales más leves de enfermedad para iniciar un tratamiento temprano y aumentar las posibilidades de éxito del tratamiento.

Ya sea un novillo de engorda o una vaca comercial, sabemos que una enfermedad o lesión muy grave debe estar presente para que un animal no quiera o pueda pararse. Siempre que un animal no puede levantarse, es sumamente importante que realicemos un diagnóstico correcto tan pronto como lo encontremos para iniciar el tratamiento adecuado.

La mayoría de las causas por las que el ganado no puede levantarse se incluyen en lo que los veterinarios le llaman las “5 Ms de vacas caídas”.

Estas son categorías de enfermedades que nos ayudan a desarrollar una lista de posibles causas y trabajar a través de cada una de ellas para determinar la causa de un caso dado. Las 5 Ms son; Mastitis, Metritis, Metabólico, Musculoesquelético y Misterio. ¡Si, has leído bien la última!

1. La mastitis es una infección de la ubre que, con la presencia de ciertas bacterias, libera toxinas en el torrente sanguíneo asiendo que la vaca se enferme gravemente. Esto generalmente ocurre en los primeros días después del parto. Estas infecciones son tan graves que los antibióticos por sí solos no son suficientes para efectuar una cura y, a menudo, requieren un tratamiento agresivo para salvarlas. En estos casos, la ubre puede estar caliente al tacto y la piel enrojecida y progresa a volverse la ubre fría y de color morado.

2. La metritis es una infección del útero que, al igual que la mastitis, puede tener ciertas bacterias presentes que liberan toxinas en el torrente sanguíneo causando una enfermedad grave. Al igual que la mastitis, suele ocurrir poco después del parto y requiere terapia adicional aparte de solamente antibióticos. La metritis a menudo suele detectarse por una secreción de color marrón o rojisa y de mal olor de la vulva de la vaca..

3. Las enfermedades metabólicas incluyen varias condiciones en las que los procesos metabólicos del animal se alteran tanto que su sistema nervioso y sus músculos carecen de la función que les permite ponerse de pie. Estas pueden incluir niveles bajos de magnesio (por pasto o tetania de invierno), potasio, fosforo y malnutrición proteicoenergética. Cuando se consume pasto o dietas bajas en magnesio, potasio y fosforo los músculos de un animal no pueden contraerse de manera coordinada y se vuelven demasiado débiles para ponerse de pie.

Estas deficiencias se corrigen fácilmente tras un diagnóstico adecuado y una mejora en la dieta. La malnutrición proteico-energética ocurre en animales con dietas de baja calidad y se caracteriza por una baja puntación de condición corporal (figura 1), a menudo, una panza de heno y debilidad significative.

Figura 1 Esto ocurre con mayor frecuencia en el invierno debido a que el forraje inactivo tiene un menor valor nutricional y una digestibilidad deficiente.

Esta condición es particularmente prevalente en vaquillas en hatos con parición en primavera, debido a que tienen las demandas adicionales de su propio crecimiento y la crianza de un ternero de termino avanzado. El ganado mayor con mala dentadura también corre riesgo (figura 2). Los parásitos internos también pueden contribuir a esta condición.

Los casos de malnutrición proteico-energética rara vez se tratan con éxito debido a su gravedad al momento del diagnóstico. Es fundamental planificar

Figura 2 adecuadamente el almacenamiento de alimentos para satisfacer las necesidades de minerales, energía y proteínas de todo el ganado durante todo el año.

4. Las enfermedades musculoesqueléticas incluyen condiciones del sistema musculoesquelético o nervioso que afectan la capacidad para ponerse de pie. Estas pueden incluir fracturas (generalmente de la columna vertebral o las extremidades superiores), parálisis por parto debido a un parto difícil, un spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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absceso cerebral en un novillo de engorda o cualquier otra lesión en la que exista daño directo a los nervios o compresión por inflamación cercana. Algunas de estas condiciones pueden ser manejables y resultar en la recuperación mediante el uso de medicamentos antiinflamatorios, pero se deben realizar esfuerzos para identificar de manera temprana las condiciones con un mal pronóstico, como las fracturas, para minimizar la duración del dolor.

5. Y luego está el misterio. En la mayoría de los casos, una evaluación minuciosa por parte de un veterinario puede identificar una de las causas anteriores en el caso de una vaca caída. A veces, sin embargo, simplemente no podemos identificar la causa. En estos casos, es probable que exista una combinación de causas difíciles de definir que culminan en una disfunción suficiente en el cuerpo provocando una debilidad grave. Estos casos son frustrantes tanto para los propietarios de ganado como para los veterinarios, especialmente cuando el animal es un “caído alerta’, una vaca que come, bebe y, en general, parece estar saludable.

Entonces, ¿qué debe hacer si tiene una vaca (ternero o toro) caída en su propiedad?

1. Inmediatamente, colóquela pecho abajo para que quede sentada y utilice pacas de heno o un vehículo para apoyarla y estabilizarla.

El ganado que esta echado de lado no puede eliminar el gas del rumen, causando timpanismo que puede ser rápidamente mortal. Estar acostado completamente de lado también pone todo el peso del animal sobre las extremidades del lado inferior, causando daño a los músculos y nervios, reduciendo significativamente sus posibilidades de recuperación.

2. Llame a su veterinario. Por cada día que una vaca permanece caída, las posibilidades de que pueda levantarse se reducen significativamente.

Obtener un diagnóstico adecuado y un tratamiento temprano son los predictores más fuertes de éxito. Por otro lado, si su enfermedad o lesión es irreversible, es importante determinarlo a tiempo para poder poner fin a su sufrimiento.

Dejarla acostada simplemente para ver qué sucede rara vez termina bien y a menudo resulta en un

empeoramiento de su condición.

3. Manéjela con cuidado. Si es necesario trasladarla a otro lugar, nunca debe de ser arrastrada de una extremidad o de la cabeza/ cuello, debido a que puede causar lesiones graves.

Más bien, se puede hacer un trineo con una hoja de triplay o una hoja de lámina, rodar la vaca sobre ella y luego tirar el trineo con un vehículo.

4. Proporcione alimento y agua fresca en todo momento. Asegúrese de que el alimento y el agua estén al alcance de la vaca en todo momento y que los comederos sean lo suficientemente poco profundos para facilitar el acceso durante su tratamiento y recuperación.

5. Ajuste su posición. Mientras la mantiene erguida sobre su pecho, es bueno rodarla ligeramente hacia la izquierda y hacia la derecha para darle a sus extremidades del lado inferior un descanso. Esto ayudará a mantener la circulación hacia las extremidades y reducirá las lesiones por aplastamiento muscular causadas por su peso.

Un animal caído es probablemente la condición más frustrante por la que el dueño de un rancho busca el consejo de un veterinario. El tamaño del ganado dificulta su manejo y tratamiento, y al permanecer caido, su peso causa más daño a los músculos y nervios. Nadie quiere un animal caído y todos los que criamos ganado esperamos que nunca nos pase, pero probablemente sucederá en algún momento.

Debemos tener planes establecidos sobre las medidas que tomaremos si tenemos un animal que no puede ponerse de pie por sí mismo. Como sus administradores, tenemos la responsabilidad de identificar rápidamente el problema, manejarlos adecuadamente y determinar el curso de acción más humano sobre su manejo.

Para obtener más información sobre el manejo humanitario del ganado caído, la Asociación Americana de Practicantes en Bovinos (AABP, por sus siglas en ingles), la organización nacional de veterinaries de ganado, ha desarrollado una declaración de posición sobre el ganado no ambulatorio (caído), que puede encontrar aquí: htt ps: //a abp. org / R e sourc e s /A A BP_ Gui d e l ine s /nonambulatory2020.pdf

La Dra. Meredyth Jones Cook recibió su título de veterinaria en la Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma en el 2002. Ingreso a la práctica privada de grandes y pequeñas especies en Brandenburg, Kentucky, donde posteriormente completo una residencia en Medicina Interna en Grandes Especies con Énfasis en Animales de Producción y recibió una maestría en Ciencias Biomédicas Veterinarias en la Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma. Ha impartido clases de servicios de campo para animales de producción y medicina interna en la Universidad Estatal de Kansas, Texas A&M y la Universidad Estatal de Oklahoma. Es propietaria de Large Animal Consulting & Education, imparte clases a tiempo parcial en Texas Tech y opera un rancho junto con su esposo y sus dos hijas, donde crian ganado de carne y cerdos.

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vaca-becerro

CHUCKLES FROM DOWN UNDER . . . .

Benefits of a Good Vocabulary I recently called an old engineering buddy of mine and asked what he was working on these days.

He replied he was working on “aqua-thermal treatment of ceramics, aluminum, and steel under a constrained environment.”

I was impressed until, upon further inquiry, I learned that he was washing dishes with hot water under his wife's supervision.

Paddy says to Mick, “I found this pen, is it yours?”

Mick replies, “I don't know, give it here.”

He then tries it and says, “Yes, it is.”

Paddy asks, “How do you know?”

Mick replies, “That's my handwriting.”

Keep on smiling!

Warm Regards, Jane Sullivan

with Dr. Dan Thomson

Mondays @ 4:30 PM/ET

REBROADCAST TIMES FRIDAYS @ 6:00 AM/ET SATURDAYS @ 7:30 AM/ET

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By Doug Ford, DVM, Production Animal Consultation, & Greg Quakenbush, DVM, Geissler Corp.

F

all, that mystical season of change. Cool, brisk, frosty mornings and warm, radiant, sunlit afternoons. Sandhill cranes headed south, brilliant colors, the scent of change in the air, bawling calves and, for some, the back-to-school blues.

Fall used to be my season of conflict, always torn between the magic of the season and the torture of incarceration in a classroom well into my late 20s. Fortunately, my investment of discipline, dedication, and pain has birthed opportunity, and now I can savor every guilt-free fall for the rest of my life.

It is a special time of the year that reunites old friends, that time of the year to gather the herd, check a mouth or two, preg check, back pour and vaccinate. Weaning calves, a special day off from school for the harder-core ranch kids and, for many, payday. A time of the year to stop at noon, take a break, talk about the summer and share a meal. The cuisine of the day is usually chili and cinnamon rolls. Runny chili, gumbo chili, tomato soup chili, spicy chili, no meat chili, deer chili, Auntie Pearl’s Boer goat chili, chili with beans, no bean chili, chili with sour cream, chili with cheese or chili with onions on the side. Hot, cold or room temperature, with or without crackers. The preferred daily special for about two months solid! By mid-December, I am always a little embarrassed when the cook says, “What’s the matter, Doc? Aren’t you hungry?” I just smile and have another bite or two. Usually

by New Years, I have fully recovered from whatever gastrointestinal toxin chili pepper and cinnamon creates.

Working facilities and cow temperament vary from herd to herd but are all part of the fall experience. Some days are unbelievably smooth and streamlined, and others are the days God will unexpectedly slip in a life lesson on poise and patience.

As it turns out, one of those lessons would come my way on a glorious November Saturday morning this past year. We were pregnancy checking a herd that we have worked every fall for the past 30 years. Traditionally the cows flow well through the facility, but this year every third or fourth cow would enter the chute, drop to her knees in prayer position and worship a bit. With a little encouragement, sometimes using non-stockmanship techniques, they would eventually stand, be processed and calmly exit the chute. Frustrated at one point, the owner abruptly blurted, “Why are these dirty sons of a gun all praying this morning? It’s not even Sunday, Christmas or Easter!”

If you have never had the opportunity to spend a day chute side, you would not understand, but you have a lot of personal quality deep thought time. In one of those introspective moments, the owner’s question ignited a tsunami of internal dialogue. “Am I guilty as charged? I pray, sure I do. I read my Bible, sure I do. Are my oftenfeeble, fleeting efforts pleasing to the Lord?

Sure they are, aren’t they, Lord?”

Unfortunately, many of us shoot a prayer skyward on Sunday, pray in a crisis, pray in desperation when we need an instant miracle

or pray for material things. Discipline and dedication are hallmarks of most individuals who are successful and moving forward in today’s workforce. The two key principles are forged together on our journey to prosperity and success. But what about the most important realm, the spiritual realm? Are our dedication and focus being prioritized in the wrong kingdom?

The Bible commands us to pray without ceasing and to spend time continuously in his presence, not just when it is convenient.

Relationship and prayer should be our constant priority, our joy, not a job!

I often reflect on a teenage learning moment that has taken many years to gain clarity. Back in the day, I was a self-professed genius, an allknowing, bulletproof, pimple-popping 16-yearold too self-absorbed to even think about what really mattered in life. One day, my dad asked me to take a short trip with him to pick up parts. I remember well my dismissive attitude and almost contempt for his offer, “Why would I want to do that when I could spend time doing my more important matters or even spend time with my forever life-long best friends here on earth?” Today, a little too late, I understand what I perceived as anger on my dad’s part was deep, heartfelt hurt, rejection and disappointment because I dismissed his generous offer. Today I realize that all he wanted was to spend quality time with his child. I realize that every moment does not have to be a special day at the amusement park, a big business deal, a graduation or a vacation in the Bahamas.

The truly special moments often are found in that run to the parts store with our Heavenly Father. It may be carrying on a deep conversation or time just spent in total silence. Sometimes it is a big life-changing lesson or sometimes it is time spent just hanging out with “DAD” for the day. Do not be fooled, every opportunity and precious moment here on Earth has an expiration date.

Lesson learned, Lord: If it matters to me, it matters to You! Thank you, Lord. Thank you for clarity. Thank you for your Son. Digging Deeper Imagine a rope stretched across the length of the United States, enough distance that you cannot see the end of it. Now imagine that the first 8 to 10 inches of that rope is wrapped with red tape. That very short, miniscule, red-taped section of the rope serves to represent your life spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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here on earth, a snippet of time generally 60 to 90 years. The remainder of the rope represents the rest of your life, your life in eternity.

What does eternity have to do with anything?

Are you living for the “here and now”, or are you “paying it forward”, living with an eternity mindset? I think most have a skewed perspective regarding “forever.” James 4:14 states: Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

The verse from James is not an isolated verse.

The Bible speaks extensively about the brevity of our life. Here is a parallel verse from Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT): “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered — how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”

The reality is our days are numbered. Every second of our mortal life should now carry new meaning and significance. Our “expiration date” is real, and it is coming faster than most

Eareckson Tada, a Christian author, advocate, and artist, has experienced the difficulty of life. Joni, who has been a quadriplegic for 60 years since a diving accident at 17, knows and understands the impact of a life that has a heavenly mindset and focus. Joni shares: “When a Christian realizes his citizenship is in heaven, he begins acting as a responsible citizen of earth. He invests wisely in relationships because he knows they’re eternal.

His conversations, goals and motives become pure and honest because he realizes these will have a bearing on everlasting reward. …

He gives generously of time, money, and talent because he’s laying up treasure for eternity.

He spreads the good news of Christ because he longs to fill heaven’s ranks with his friends and neighbors. All this serves the pilgrim well not only in heaven, but on earth; for it serves everyone around him.”

It is hard to imagine that one would read Joni’s perspective and experience and then say, “Not interested,” and move on. Unfortunately,

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.

- C.S. Lewis

of us realize. Would your priorities and focus change if you knew that you only had a month before the end of the runway? How would you change your focus on priorities regarding work?

How about relationships? Might we begin to tell others “I love you” with more frequency and greater intensity? Are there broken human fences that need to be reconciled? Would things that frustrate you become almost insignificant?

Would your prayers and relationship with your heavenly father now become the reality and have the priority that you always wanted them to have?

I assume that most reading this would agree that knowing the number of our days would make a difference in what we deem truly important, especially regarding our relationships. So why don’t we do it? The answer is simple. Most do not have an eternal perspective. We might say we do, but the reality shows heavy if not exclusive investment in the “here and now”. A “me, my, I” centered life.

How might our lives be changed if our perspective regarding eternity was a priority? Joni 48

parable

that will be the response of too many. It is also not hard to envision someone being deeply touched and inspired by her words, yet in the end, nothing changes. Why? One answer to this “why” question might lie in a story that my 19-year-old grandson recently shared with me. In this parable, there was a field full of people with a wooden fence down the middle. The people were instructed to go on one side if they were with Jesus or to go to the other side if they were with Satan. One individual “blacked out” and when he woke up, everyone was gone. He then saw Satan approach and instruct him, “Come with me.” The man emphatically responded, “No, I did not choose you! I was on the fence.” Satan replied, “I own the fence.”

This parable shared with me by my grandson has a somewhat equivalent verse in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT), Jesus sends a message to the church at Laodicea and says to them: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither

hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

In some Bible versions, the term “spit” is translated as “vomit”. Thus, a lukewarm faith, lukewarm obedience, lukewarm relationship that essentially says “whatever” is firmly and

absolutely rejected by Christ. So much for trying to ride or straddle the fence. Mediocrity in living out our spiritual lives is a perilous position.

Psalm 90:12 (NLT) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Matthew 6:20-21 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Colossians 3:1-2 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Doug Ford, DVM is the owner of Beaver Creek Veterinary Clinic in Brush, Colorado.

Doug earned his DVM degree from Colorado State University. Brush, Colorado has been his home since graduating from Colorado State. Doug’s practice has been remarkably diverse over 40 years of veterinary medicine. Dogs, cats, cow-calf, feedlot, two sale barns, and spaying thousands of heifers for grass. The last 20 years of practice has been 50% large western dairies and 50% beef cattle (spaying, cow-calf, and feedlots). In 2005, Doug was given the privilege to become one of the six founding members of PAC. Doug and his wife Jan ranch in their “spare” time. They are also heavily involved in a wetlands development project on the South Platte River near Snyder, Colorado. Doug’s dad used to say, “Get your grades up. Do you want to grow up to be a ditch digger?” Doug had no idea how much fun it would be to play in the dirt with dozers and track hoes. He feels truly blessed and believes that the best days are yet to come.

Greg Quakenbush, DVM is a 1978 graduate of Colorado State University and spent 16 years in large animal practice in Porterville, California. For 19 years, Dr. Q worked for Zoetis (Pfizer) and was Director of the US Cattle Technical Services team. Since 2013, Dr. Q has worked with the Geissler Corporation assisting in the development of new veterinary diagnostic technologies.

Dr. Q enjoys Bible study, shooting sports, fly-fishing, and being a part-time farmer growing citrus and nuts in the central valley of California. spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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T H E P OT R OA ST

GRILLED PICANHA A.K.A. SIRLOIN CAP, RUMP CAP OR COULOTTE STEAK If you are here reading, you know about ribeye, NY strips, and filet mignons. They are all popular and widely recognized for good reason, but If you were to ask us what is at the top of our list of favorite steaks to grill that are not widely known, Picanha would be #1. It is the perfect combination of tender beef and buttery fat, and is best with minimal seasoning and a good sear on a hot grill. It is a true griller’s steak, made popular in Brazilian steakhouses and starting to get more and more popular in the U.S. SO WHAT IS PICANHA EXACTLY? Well, it is part of the Sirloin and comes from the very top of the cow’s rear and is covered in a fat cap and that fat cap is what makes this piece of meat so sought after, making it one of the most flavorful cuts on the whole cow. Picanha generally comes as a triangular shaped roast that is about 3 lbs. It can be cooked whole but is most often cut into 1-inch-thick steaks.

Picanha is incredibly rich and is great on its own but can also be enjoyed with a homemade chimichurri to help balance out the richness. Here is a quick and easy homemade chimichurri that goes great with Picanha, but also any other grilled steak!

Chimichurri Ingredients •

½ cup olive oil

•

½ cup chopped parsley or ½ cup chopped cilantro or a 50/50 blend of the 2

•

4 cloves garlic – peeled and chopped

•

1/2 shallot – peeled and chopped

•

1 teaspoon dried oregano

•

2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (less if you don’t want heat)

•

¼ cup red wine vinegar

•

1 teaspoon salt

•

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Instructions Step 1: Prep the steaks. If you get a whole roast, one of the best ways to prepare it at home is by cutting the roast into 1-inch-thick steaks. Start by identifying the direction the grains of meat run and cut your steaks WITH the grain. The reason for this is as you eat, you will end up cutting each bite AGAINST the grain. This will ensure each bite is tender when it is served.

Step 2: Prep the Chimichurri. Mix all ingredients (minus the steaks) in a food processor or by pulsing in a blender.

You want it to be semi-chunky so do not over blend. Add more olive oil if thinner consistency is desired.

Season each steak with a good amount of salt or chimichurri. Most Picanha fanatics will tell you that anything besides salt is unnecessary and that the flavor of the beef can speak for itself.

Step 3: Grill time. Grill over high heat for 6-8 minutes until medium rare or 1-2 minutes longer for medium. Because it is such a lean cut, it will toughen up fast if you cook it beyond medium. Plan on 135 degrees internal temp with a meat thermometer for medium-rare or 140-145 for medium.

One thing that is important is to ensure the fat cap is rendered and tender. If it has not rendered properly, it will have an unpleasant chew to it. I like to start by grilling with the fat cap directly over the bed of charcoal. As it starts to render, you will know because the fat rendering off will create a flame. At that point, lay your steaks on their side to char for 2-3 minutes on each side. Be careful with flare ups which can happen quick from the rendering fat cap drippings. You can cover with your lid if needed to smother a flare up or use tongs to pull the steaks off briefly, then place them back on the grate once the flare up has receded.

Once you have a good char on all sides of the steak, use a meat probe to check the internal temperature, and if it is not done, you can continue grilling while rotating the steak every minute, or move the steak to the indirect side of the grill to finish.

Once steaks hit a 135-140 internal temperature, pull off the heat and let rest for about 5 minutes. This is an important step that allows for the juices to redistribute and for the meat to relax.

Folsom Farms All of our cattle are homegrown on our farm in scenic Rexburg, Idaho. JD is a cattle veterinarian by trade and he and his team are caring for these animals from conception to product delivery.

The humane treatment of our herd is of the utmost importance to us. Every measure is taken to ensure the health and wellbeing of the animals, each being selected for genetic excellence. www.folsomfarmbeef.com

If you have a recipe that you would like to feature in The Pot Roast section of Protein Producers, email us a protein.producers@pacdvms.com spring 2025 | pacdvms.com

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Production Animal Consultation 10023 NW US HWY 24 Silver Lake, KS 66539 www.pacdvms.com

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