Protein Producers Fall 2024 by Protein Producers

PROTEI N TM pro d ucers

FALL 2024

Advanced Diagnostics look deeper to so l ve tough herd health issues

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PROTEI N prod uce

2024 Volume 12 Issue 3

WELCOME

Welcome to the fall 2024 issue of Protein Producers. Fall is fast approaching. Weaning, grass yearlings, silage, harvest and all the events that get packed into this season are already started or about to occur.

Last fall, we were just coming off a hot summer that resulted in some heat-related health events. Then we had a difficult winter, and many calves were born in stressful weather events. No matter what challenges our industry is facing, we at PAC strive to provide up-to-date information and strategies to best mitigate current circumstances.

To that end, in April, PAC hosted Beef Summit meetings in Scott City, Kansas, and Kearney, Nebraska, featuring presentations on recent antimicrobial resistance research findings, gut health and its impact on health and performance outcomes, and more. In June, PAC and Midwest PMS teamed up again to provide leadership training to feedyard managers and team members. Attendees found the workshops in Kearney, Nebraska, and Garden City, Kansas, to have excellent content that was very applicable to their normal working days.

The services PAC provides, including veterinary consultation, stockmanship and horsemanship training, and field research and validation of new and existing technologies and animal health products, are better than ever. We continue to build our team with the best in the industry, and I am excited to see what the future holds for PAC and our clients.

This issue features articles on PAC’s new Certified Sampler program and cattle transport, a timely topic as we go into a busy travel season for cattle. The cow-calf section covers seasonal topics of weaning vaccinations, health considerations to maximize immunity, and supplemental vitamins and minerals for the cow herd. In the stocker section, Dr. Christine Navarre discusses parasite control.

We at PAC want to thank our clients and those in the beef industry as well as the consumer for reading this edition of Protein Producers. We wish you a successful fall, and please remember to be observant of your surroundings during a very busy time of year. Take time to visit and plan with your veterinarian about the upcoming season. Plans do not always work out, but having a plan often prevents a catastrophic failure.

God bless to you all!

Kip Lukasiewicz, DVM

Production Animal Consultation

Farwell, Nebraska

THANK YOU

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.

Fundamentals of Transitions in Leadership - Part 2 of 3

Internal Parasite Control in Stocker Cattle in the Age of Dewormer Resistance

New Diagnostic Sampling Program Being Implemented in Cattle Feeding Facilities

Evaluating Fitness for Transport DecisionsPreparation and Training Opportunities

Is Testing My Forage Worth the Effort?

Un Nuevo Programa de Muestreo Diagnostico Está Siendo Implementado en Instalaciones de Alimentación de Ganado

corrales de engorda corrales de engorda

Evaluación de Aptitud Física para la Toma de Decisiones de Transporte - Preparación y Oportunidades de Capacitación

CREATING TRUST: A KEY ELEMENT IN EFFECTIVE CATTLE HANDLING

By Tom Noffsinger, DVM, Production Animal Consultation

In the demanding world of ranching, where every decision can impact the health and productivity of your herd, mastering the art of stockmanship is more important than ever. Stockmanship at its core is about understanding and managing cattle behavior to promote a safe and efficient working environment. Ranchers know effective stockmanship is not just a set of techniques; it is a philosophy that prioritizes animal welfare and operational efficiency.

Good stockmanship can significantly reduce stress in cattle, leading to healthier animals and, ultimately, a more profitable operation. By building trust and using calm, controlled movements, ranchers can guide their cattle with minimal resistance, reducing the risk of injury to both animals and handlers. This trust-based approach not only enhances cattle well-being but also streamlines the daily tasks of sorting, moving, and handling livestock.

To delve deeper into the essential aspects of stockmanship, one must focus on position, distance, angle, speed, and most importantly, creating trust between you and your cattle.

When cattle first arrive at your feed yard, they are often anxious and disoriented. It is our job to guide them and make them feel at home. Establishing trust from the get-go is crucial. Trust reduces their anxiety, lowers cortisol release, and improves immune function, helping them acclimate faster to their new environment. This, in turn, promotes better health and productivity.

Proper handler position is complex and requires an

appreciation of cattle’s visual fields. Cattle’s sense of hearing, smell, and tactile all contribute to communication with the handler. This dynamic concept changes constantly as cattle become more familiar with our position and presence in the pen.

Good stockmen are always mindful of the space between you and the cattle. Too close, and they might feel threatened; too far, and they might not respond. Finding the right balance ensures they feel safe yet guided. Approach cattle at an angle where they can see you without feeling cornered. Cattle prefer to see their source of guidance and their destination simultaneously. They instinctively move in a half-circle around the handler, so position yourself where they can do this comfortably. It is important to move at a steady, calm pace. Quick, sudden movements can startle cattle, increasing their stress levels. Consistent and deliberate actions help build their confidence in you as a handler. Also, avoid standing still. Consistent and deliberate movements are instrumental in building trust and improving handling efficiency.

When greeting new cattle off a truck, it is essential to make your presence known in a non-threatening way. Stand where they can see you and slowly guide them towards the holding pen. Remember, cattle follow each other, so guide the leaders, and the rest will follow. In the holding pen, ensure they have access to water and feed. Walk through the pen and

let them get used to your presence. This is not just about moving them from one place to another; it is about building a relationship where they associate you with safety and resources.

When it is time to move cattle, whether to the processing barn or their home pen, always work from the front of the herd. Cattle prefer to follow a leader rather than being pushed from behind. Use small groups and guide the first few animals; they will lead the rest. Practice the rule of using two head to take ten head. This also relates to the processing barn as small drafts of cattle work best through the system. Bringing up too many cattle at once to the crowding facility at processing can lead to confusion and stress. Stockmen must guide cattle calmly and ensure that cattle can see a clear path forward. It is important to always be visible to cattle. Once the cattle start moving in the right direction, reduce the pressure and let them follow the flow.

After processing, pen riding in the first two weeks is critical to acclimating cattle. Pen riding is more than just checking on the cattle; it is about reinforcing the trust you have built. Create counterclockwise cattle motion initially with the cattle in the pen, then mix it up to ensure they are comfortable seeing you from all angles. Observe their behavior closely as happy, confident cattle will eat, drink, and rest better.

Effective cattle handling is an art that requires patience, understanding, and consistency. By focusing on distance, angle, speed, and building trust, you can significantly improve the well-being and productivity of your herd. Remember, the goal

is to create a calm, stress-free environment where cattle can thrive.

Thank you to those that have dedicated their lives to improving cattle care. Your efforts make a world of difference in our industry. Keep up the great work, and let’s continue to enhance cattle handling practices together.

Dr. Tom Noffsinger is a founding partner of Production Animal Consultation and an expert in low-stress animal handling and staff development. He received his DVM from Colorado State University and completed the Beef Production Management Series at the Great Plains Veterinary Education Center. He is a member of American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Tom has received multiple honors, including the 2001 AVC Consultant of the Year, the 1999 NVMA Distinguished Service Award, the 2008 AABP Merial Preventative Medicine Award for Beef, and the 2023 National BQA Educator of the Year. He and his wife Diane reside on their ranch outside beautiful Benkelman, Nebraska.

Invest in pregnancy detection to build herd profits and performance

“Every missed estrus basically costs you three weeks of weaning weight—so, about 40 to 50 pounds per calf,” says Dr. George Perry of the Texas A&M AgriLife Overton Research and Extension Center. Perry calls pregnancy checking with accurate results “essential.” “Animals born or bred earlier will calve earlier and stay in the herd longer. If we know the animals that breed and conceive early, we can focus on them as they continue to multiply in the herd.”

Pregnancy checks help you:

• Determine an average calving date to tighten the calving window for more efficient management.

• Identify the better breeders, who conceive and calve early, to improve herd reproductive efficiency.

• Provide important information for potential buyers.

• Detect problems quickly if you find low pregnancy rates

Only about 30% of smaller operations pregnancy check their cows, compared to almost 80% of larger operations.1 This may be because veterinarians are in short supply or can’t come at a convenient time. And smaller operations often can’t invest in expensive ultrasound equipment or training to do the checks themselves. Dr. Perry notes that easy-to-use blood-based pregnancy tests are now available that can be done on farm, without special equipment or training.

Blood samples can be drawn at anytime, whenever it’s convenient, and takes only a few minutes per cow. These cost-effective tests detect pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) that circulate in the cow’s bloodstream. PAGs are produced by the cow only in the presence of a placenta, making them a top-notch indicator of pregnancy.

“If

you have open cows in your herd,

they’re

costing you a lot of money.”

Dr. George Perry, Texas A&M AgriLife Overton Research and Extension Center.

IDEXX Alertys pregnancy tests are easy to perform and deliver accurate results quickly and consistently.

The IDEXX Alertys® pregnancy tests can be used as early as 28 days after breeding and can predict open animals with about 98% sensitivity. Depending on the type and quantity of tests, samples can be processed on site with results in minutes, sent to a private lab, or the IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services. IDEXX is the global leader in sample-based pregnancy tests, with millions of tests sold worldwide for any size operation, small or large.

Dr. Perry compared the IDEXX Alertys pregnancy tests to ultrasound and reports that the tests “were effective at accurately determining pregnancies >28 days after AI and were in extremely high agreement with transrectal ultrasonography.”

Alertys pregnancy tests are easy to perform, require no special training or equipment, and deliver accurate results quickly and consistently. Pregnancy checking is a key herd management tool that’s in reach for any operation.

Contact IDEXX today idexx.com/pregtest

5 CALF HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS TO MAXIMIZE IMMUNITY, DECREASE DISEASE

By Lacey Fahrmeier, DVM, Valley Vet Supply

Igrew up in the cow-calf sector, and the topic of calf health is very near and dear to my heart. We want to give calves the best chance possible to thrive and of course, survive, through the really critical neonatal calf period. Ranchers have so much invested in the genetics, and in the long process of getting that live calf on the ground, that we want to do everything we can to protect that investment.

Let’s look at how to give our young calves the best possible start this fall.

1. The foundation for a strong, healthy calf really starts with the dam. Her nutritional status is incredibly important. If cows are not in the body condition that we would like going into calving, that can affect the colostrum quality. Cows begin the colostrum production process about 60 days before calving, so ideally we would like to have the dam in at least a body condition score of 6 at that point.

2. Colostrum intake is the single most important preventative factor in assuring healthy calves. Calves are born with essentially no immunity of their own, so they are extremely vulnerable to infections when they hit the ground. Colostrum intake is of critical importance for young calves – providing some 95% of the antibodies a calf obtains, plus a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and energy. The colostrum received at birth protects newborn calves against infectious agents during the first few months of life. The benefits of good quality colostrum from the dam, and getting it into the calf in a timely manner, are super important.

We only have a short window where calves can absorb the antibodies from their dam right through that gut wall and then after that, we have gut closure at about 24 hours. The first six hours of life are especially important because that is when you can get the best absorption of those antibodies from the dam. If you are unsure about the calf’s colostrum intake being adequate for some reason (difficult birth, harsh weather, heifer with poor maternal instincts), it is a good idea to provide a colostrum replacer to ensure they get what they need for a solid start. Calves should have 300 grams of immunoglobulins (IgG) within those first six to eight hours to ensure full passive transfer of immunity. This is a higher level than previously recommended. Be sure you are using a colostrum replacer instead of a supplement, and check the bag to see how many grams of IgG are in each bag, so the calf gets the proper amount. I really cannot sufficiently underscore the importance of getting an adequate amount of colostrum into the calf in those first few hours of life.

3. Vaccinations against clostridial diseases benefit the cow and calf. The dam’s immune status greatly impacts the quality of her colostrum; the best way

to influence that is through her vaccination status. At preg-check, I have producers vaccinating cows for the clostridial diseases; of course it benefits the cow herself, but additionally, it enhances the colostrum she is producing. You really want to have scour prevention or clostridium vaccines in cows at least 60 days before calving. This will add value through higher antibody levels in that colostrum, helping ensure its quality. This is especially important in first-calf heifers that have not been exposed to as many pathogens, in their lives.

4. The environment that calves are born into is incredibly important. Trying to have those calves spread out and decreasing the pathogen load that they are exposed to is crucial. This way, when those calves hit the ground, they are not immediately exposed to such a high concentration of disease pathogens, especially the ones that cause scours. More mud and manure lead to greater contamination risk of the cow’s udder. Bacterial pathogens, such as E. coli , Salmonella and Johne’s, as well as rotavirus and coronavirus can be transmitted by the calf ingesting those disease particles while nursing or from the environment. That is why the proven “Sandhills Calving Method” works so well to help minimize disease exposure and illness. With this management strategy, at about three weeks into the calving season, you move those cows that have not calved yet to clean ground. Leave behind those cows and their calves from the first three weeks of the season. By moving the cows that have not calved yet to clean ground, this concept is replicating the cleanliness of that first three weeks of calving throughout the calving season. I know that logistically there are some challenges to implementing this system, such as access to water sources and shelter/working facilities. Being able to keep those groups separate is not always easy, but if you are facing a big outbreak of scours, that is the best solution.

5. Applying vaccines early in life helps give calves a solid start. We are finding out that calves can respond to and benefit from vaccines much earlier in life than we initially thought. Of course, the maternal antibodies that they receive from colostrum can block some of those vaccines. To maximize their effectiveness, it is really important to administer them as soon as possible following birth (ideally

before colostrum ingestion for oral scour vaccines).

I recommend, as soon as possible following birth, to administer Clostridium Type C & D vaccine (to combat the dreaded “overeating” or enterotoxemia), an intranasal respiratory vaccine,

and an oral scour vaccine if there has been a history of scours issues on that ranch. If you are concerned they are deficient on minerals, you could offer an injectable source of minerals as well.

Lacey Fahrmeier, DVM, is a graduate of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to her role on the Valley Vet Supply Technical Service veterinary team, Dr. Fahrmeier is a practicing veterinarian at a southern Montana veterinary clinic, serving animals small and large. She places special interest in large animal reproduction and bovine lameness. Recently appointed to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Veterinary Service, Dr. Fahrmeier represents the Private-Practice Predominantly Food Animal interests of the Association.

DIAGNOSING THE CAUSE OF LATE-TERM ABORTIONS

By Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM (Epidemiology), South Dakota State University

Reproduction drives the success of cow-calf operations. Reproductive success – in herds using natural breeding as well as those utilizing artificial breeding programsdepends upon a myriad of factors such as nutrition, genetics, and the environment.

Even when all those factors are optimally in place, reproductive failures can occur. In particular, pregnancy losses, whether occurring early in gestation or later, can have a stark effect on a cow-calf enterprise’s bottom line. When failures occur, diagnosing the cause can arm operators with information that could be used to prevent such problems from occurring during future breeding seasons.

Perhaps the most dramatic manifestation of bovine reproductive failure is that of abortions (miscarriages) of the late-term (older) fetus. Most livestock producers expect a certain degree of these abortions or stillbirths. It is generally accepted that a cattle operation will have 1-2% of “normal” pregnancy loss after several months of gestation. Once that threshold is observed, producers should consider seeking a diagnosis for the causes of these losses.

Unfortunately, it is often difficult even for veterinary diagnostic laboratories to pinpoint exactly what went wrong when abortions occur. For example, in over half of bovine abortion cases submitted to the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory from 20062022, no abnormalities were detected (Table 1), a phenomenon shared by other labs across the country. There are many reasons for this, such as that the infectious agents are often not detectable anymore by the time the fetus is

expelled, or stillborn calves were aborted due to abnormal presentation or twin pregnancies.

In the rest of the cases, something abnormal is found (Table 1). A frequent finding is inflammation in the placenta that may or may not be traced to a specific germ. The placenta in a pregnant animal is the gateway from the mother’s blood supply (carrying nutrients and oxygen, but possibly bacteria and viruses) to the fetus. If something affects that critical tissue, then the fetus may become starved from oxygen and die. When germs are found, they are often more environmental than contagious in nature, and very few cows experience problems. Lastly, sometimes infectious agents such as IBR, BVD, or leptospirosis are identified, for which effective vaccines are available.

So, what should a cattle producer do when late-term abortions are encountered? Start with your local veterinarian to discuss the details of your issue and whether there are similar problems in other neighboring herds. When the number of abortions in a group exceeds one or two, or over 1-2% of the herd, it is generally time to enlist the services of the diagnostic laboratory.

Diagnostic success is improved when appropriate samples are submitted promptly. While the following recommendations are likely sufficient for most veterinary diagnostic laboratories, your veterinarian should confirm

these with the lab they use. When possible, the entire fetus and placenta – chilled but not frozen – is the most desirable specimen. The placenta is of particular importance and should be included whenever possible. Significant microscopic changes and germ identification often stem from examining the placenta.

If it is not possible to submit the whole fetus, samples including the heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, skeletal muscle (tongue or diaphragm), fetal stomach fluid and fetal thoracic fluid or heart blood should be collected and sent.

It is also important to discuss with the veterinarian information pertinent to your herd and its losses so that can be shared with the laboratory as well. This information includes:

• Number of animals in the herd, including recent purchases or movements

• Number of abortions and previous diagnoses, if any

• Age and breed of dams

• Gestational age of abortions

• Pertinent treatment or vaccinations

Based on the results, your veterinarian will follow up and advise you on potential herd

management changes. If an environmental cause such as mold is identified, examining feed sources will help determine what feeds are contaminated. In addition, if infectious agents are found, implementing a sound pre-breeding vaccination program for next year’s heifers is a must, Cow vaccine boosters to prevent early and late-term abortions should also be considered. With reproduction, focusing on what we can control and diagnose is the key to helping avoid late-term pregnancy losses within our herds. For more information on reproductive losses, your local veterinarian is an important source of information, as well as extension and laboratory veterinarians in your state.

Russ Daly, DVM, MS, DACVPM (Epidemiology), is the Extension Veterinarian and a Professor in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, and State Public Health Veterinarian for the South Dakota Department of Health. Dr. Daly practiced for 15 years and was a partner in a mixed-animal veterinary practice in Montrose, SD, before joining the faculty at SDSU. The connections formed by Dr. Daly’s varied set of responsibilities – disseminating animal health information (gained through communications with practitioners, extension professionals, and laboratory diagnosticians), serving the public health community as a resource for zoonotic disease issues, organizing veterinary continuing education, and teaching undergraduate, professional, and graduate students – allow him to uniquely serve professionals and citizens as a resource on animal and public health issues in South Dakota.

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FALL PROCESSING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR WEANING-AGED CALVES

Help Them Down a Productive Path

By Tony Hawkins, DVM, Valley Vet Supply

And just like that, it is time for fall processing. Let’s look closely at what we will need to give our weaning-aged calves a leg-up in their next stage of life.

Vaccinations

For our weaning-aged calves, fall processing is a valuable time to vaccinate them to help build up their immunity. They are at risk for respiratory disease and also some clostridial diseases. So, we really need to protect their immune system and help offer as much support as we can.

The best time to vaccinate these cattle is actually prior to weaning, by about three to four weeks, if at all possible. That way, those vaccines kick in, and we have immunity already built up during the stressful time of weaning. During weaning, stress can add up from calves experiencing new surroundings, such as unfamiliar feed, new water sources, and commingling with different cattle – which increases exposure to harmful disease pathogens. Stress can compromise immune systems, making vaccinations all the more important.

For weaning-aged calves, you will want to vaccinate using:

1. A modified live 5-way vaccine, which will cover Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Types I & II, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza3 Virus (PI3). These are all critical viruses that create respiratory disease in calves. I prefer an injectable at this timeframe, the reason being that intranasal vaccines do not include BVD protection, which is an important virus we need to protect our calves against.

2. A Pasteurella vaccine, which protects against Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida . These are very common bacteria that can invade the lungs and cause severe pneumonia and respiratory disease. You can get these vaccines separately from your modified live injectables, or you can find a modified live injectable that has Pasteurella protection included. Many people prefer the convenience of having one shot to cover both.

3. A 7- or 8-way blackleg vaccine, depending on the part of the country you live in. Your veterinarian would be able to provide some information on which product would be better for your location to best protect calves from these clostridial diseases.

4. Those are the three big vaccines that really every operation can benefit from around weaning time. If you are banding bulls at this time, you do need to give a tetanus toxoid. Ideally, you will give two rounds with the second round being at the time of banding. Practically, for most operations, that is not possible. Many only give one tetanus at the time of banding and tend to get along okay, but there is still some risk there.

Implanting

An implant would be important for this

group of calves. Implants improve efficiency and profitability – increasing the animals’ growth by up to 20% and improving feed efficiency by up to 10%. The return on investment can be upwards of 10-1, so for every dollar you spend on an implant, you can get $10 back.

Here are a few tips when implanting.

• Ensure proper positioning. Implant the backside of the ear, in the middle-third. You can find diagrams online to help illustrate proper positioning.

• Implement low-stress cattle handling, which will reduce overcrowding and excess manure contamination of the head and ears.

• Prioritize sanitation and cleanliness to help minimize the risk of infection and ear abscesses, which can prevent the implant from working.

• Place a bucket nearby with disinfectant and a stiff brush, so you can gently clean the ear using disinfectant. Replace the solution after it becomes dirty.

• In addition to cleaning any soiled ear, disinfect all sides of the needle, using a sponge soaked in a disinfectant (I recommend using chlorhexidine).

Deworming

For this age group, in the fall I prefer an oral drench dewormer, because it better controls parasites for this group based on some recent studies. Next spring, I would recommend a pour-on or an injectable because it gets those ectoparasites as well. Now, the newest thing for deworming cattle is to use combination deworming methods, where you give two different classes of dewormers at the same time, such as you might give both a pour-on and an oral drench. That is also a very effective combination to control parasites, lice, and flies.

We can use fecal samples to monitor for parasite load and measure how effective our deworming program is. It has been shown that it is actually much more accurate to monitor fecals in calves instead of cows, because it shows a more accurate representation of the parasite load in your pasture area. A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT)

would tell us how effective your dewormers are. Steps for an FECRT include:

1. Retrieve sample from a calf.

2. Deworm the calf.

3. Two weeks later, retrieve sample from the same calf.

4. Confirm results from your veterinarian. An effective deworming should show a 95% reduction in those egg counts.

With this information, along with insight from your veterinarian, I hope you feel wellprepared for fall processing. Stay tuned for more tips, and continue learning at ValleyVet.com.

Valley Vet Supply Technical Service Veterinarian, Tony Hawkins, DVM, attended Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he placed focus on mixed-animal practice. Before joining the Technical Service veterinarian team at Valley Vet Supply, Dr. Hawkins practiced veterinary medicine in Marysville, Kansas, where he was greatly involved in cattle health, including processing, obstetrical work, and servicing the local sale barn. He also is treasured by the community for his care of horses and pets, through wellness appointments and surgery.

THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF BEEF

COW NUTRITION IN HERD

PRODUCTIVITY

By Dave Rethorst, DVM, Beef Health Solutions and Production Animal Consultation

Beef cow nutrition and its impact on herd productivity has long intrigued me. Initially, like many, my primary focus was on protein, energy, and ensuring mineral availability. While we knew cow nutrition influenced calf performance and health, the main priority was getting cows bred back. However, groundbreaking work in fetal programming by researchers such as Ford, Funston, Mulliniks, Vonnahme, Cooke, and others since the early 2000s has shifted this perspective.

Fetal Programming and Nutrition

Research has shown that protein supplementation for cows grazing lowquality forage during late pregnancy significantly affects the feedyard and reproductive performance of the in-utero calf. Equally important is the impact of micronutrient supplementation (trace minerals and fat-soluble vitamins) during late pregnancy on the immune system function from birth to harvest. Gestational nutrition influences muscle and fat cell development, placental development, and organ development, including the heart. This means fetal programming affects the lifetime health and performance of the in-utero calf and is often referred to as the developmental origins of health and disease.

Case Study: The Power of Micronutrients

Consider a case involving a 400-cow commercial and seedstock herd with a 5-year history of scours at 10-12 days of age, affecting about 50% of the calves. Numerous pathogens had been incriminated and despite various treatment and prevention strategies, the issue persisted, along with a 4% death loss each year due to summer respiratory disease.

As we begin to try to understand this problem the first question is, “Why is this occurring?” Given the number of different pathogens that had been incriminated, the first possibility is that there is immunodysfunction in these young calves. The next question is “Why is immunodysfunction occurring?” Because of its immunosuppressive effects, the first possibility would be bovine viral diarrhea virus. Another possibility would be a micronutrient deficiency occurring in late gestation.

The Importance of Micronutrients

Key trace minerals such as copper, manganese, selenium, and zinc, along with vitamins A and E, play critical roles in neonatal physiological processes, including immune system function. Here is a closer look at their roles:

• Copper is vital for enzyme systems associated with energy metabolism, immune function, and reproduction and is involved in antioxidant defense. Deficiencies can reduce antibody formation, alter immune cell

function, and decrease cytokine formation. The reproductive effects of copper deficiency are observed as decreased conception rate, infertility, anestrus, and fetal resorption. Molybdenum, sulfur, iron, and selenium act as antagonists to the absorption of copper.

• Manganese is essential for enzyme systems impacting growth, bone development, and reproduction as well as playing a role as an antioxidant. Deficiencies can cause skeletal abnormalities, contracted tendons, and poor growth. Reproductive issues include cystic ovaries, silent heats, low conception rates, and testicular atrophy.

• Selenium is crucial for immune function, reproduction, and antioxidant enzyme support. Deficiencies can lead to white muscle disease; reduced growth rates, feed efficiency, and immune function; and reproductive performance issues. Areas of excessive selenium exist in the Great Plains, particularly in the Dakotas and northwest Kansas in addition to a few areas in the Flint Hills. This excess affects the immune system, musculoskeletal system, and reproductive system. It also acts as an antagonist to the absorption of copper and zinc.

• Zinc is involved in over 300 enzymes related to metabolism, growth, reproduction, and immune function in addition to epithelial health. Deficiencies can lead to reduced cellular and humoral immunity as well as impaired growth. Zinc, in conjunction with vitamin A, plays a role in the integrity of tight junctions in epithelial surfaces throughout the body including the respiratory tract, intestinal tract, testicle, uterus, and mammary gland. Zinc dependent enzyme systems are involved in the conversion of beta-carotene and retinyl to vitamin A in the intestinal mucosa.

• Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that serves as an antioxidant in addition to being involved in the immune system and reproduction. Deficiency is observed as reduced growth, humoral immunity, cellular immunity and reproductive performance. It is also associated with a high incidence of neonatal diarrhea. In synergy with zinc, it plays a role in tight junctions of essentially every epithelial surface in the body.

Reproductively, vitamin A is necessary for placental, testicular, and ovarian function. Abortion has been associated with this deficiency.

• Vitamin E is also a fat-soluble vitamin that has antioxidant activity. Deficiency of this vitamin will result in white muscle disease in addition to impaired immune response, weak calves, poor growth rates, and sudden death. Deficiencies of vitamin A and vitamin E can increase the expression of selenium deficiency because of the antioxidant activity of these vitamins.

Addressing Deficiencies and Improving Herd Health

In the case herd, a vitamin A deficiency was confirmed in a calf that was born blind. This served as an additional indicator of the possible cause of the issues in this herd. A herd plan was developed to evaluate trace mineral and vitamin A status in the cows when they came off of summer grass. Liver biopsies and serum analyses revealed that the cows were copper deficient and essentially

devoid of vitamin A. A custom mineral supplement was developed and provided to the cows beginning in early fall, with the results being transformative.

The next calving season saw only one calf treated for scours. Appearance, of both the cows and calves was significantly improved. There was no summer respiratory disease, and the calves were 75 pounds heavier at weaning. Financially, this resulted in an estimated additional gross income of $71,820, with additional mineral costs of $8,000, resulting in a net income increase of $63,820.

Discussion

The primary source of trace minerals for the fetus is the transfer of trace minerals from the dam to the fetus that occurs during the third trimester of gestation. This transfer provides the necessary trace minerals for optimal immune function the first 50-60 days of life and demonstrates the importance of adequate mineral supplementation during late gestation.

While very small amounts of the fat-soluble vitamins A and E cross the placenta, the primary source of these vitamins for the neonate is colostrum, illustrating the need for supplemental vitamin A and E during late pregnancy. Since these vitamins are fat-soluble, it is necessary to ensure adequate body condition during this time so there is adequate body fat to transport the vitamins. Recent work at the University of Nebraska demonstrated that vitamin A must be provided with 3-5 times the daily requirement in order to replete liver levels in cows that are devoid of the vitamin.

Points made by Dr. Jeffery Hall, former toxicologist at Utah State University, when

discussing summer respiratory disease in cow-calf operations include:

• Over a three-year period of time, a micronutrient deficiency was diagnosed in 93% of the summer respiratory cases that were investigated.

• In cases that were classified as having major deficiencies, the respiratory disease usually occurred shortly after two months of age, while in cases with deficiencies classified as minor, the outbreaks occurred at closer to four months of age.

Conclusion

Nutrition has been discussed as a risk factor in the occurrence of summer respiratory disease in cow-calf operations. Nutrition consists of big rocks, protein and energy, and little rocks, minerals and vitamins. Many times we concentrate on the big rocks and as long as a mineral supplement is provided, we assume that the little rocks are adequately addressed. This case study underscores the profound impact of proper micronutrient supplementation on beef cow herd health and productivity. By understanding and addressing micronutrient deficiencies, ranchers can enhance immune system functions, improve calf health, and achieve greater economic sustainability. It is about doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. This approach not only supports better stewardship but also creates substantial value in a ranching operation.

Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of resources that God has entrusted to one’s care.

A native of southwest Kansas, Dr. David Rethorst attended Kansas State University where he received his DVM in 1978. He spent 35 years in primarily beef cattle practice in south central Nebraska and northwest Kansas before accepting a position as the Director of Outreach for the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University in 2013. Returning to private practice in 2017, he is currently mentoring young veterinarians in three practices in addition to serving a clientele of beef producers. His preventative approach focuses on basic animal husbandry, especially nutrition in the cow herd, rather than more vaccine and more antibiotic.

FUNDAMENTALS OF TRANSITIONS IN LEADERSHIP PART 2 OF 3

In this article, we are going to continue our discussion of the monumentally important topic of transitions in leadership. In the last issue, I concluded with two action items for you. The first was to communicate to your people that you are thinking about the future beyond yourself. The second was to reflect on and record the principles and values that created the bedrock foundation of success for your operation or team.

By Nels Lindberg, DVM, Production Animal Consultation

To accomplish these two action items and set forth your vision, mission and values, you must hold intentional meetings with the team, family, or owners. Set a consistent meeting cadence, such as the first Monday of each month. These meetings will transition into business meetings, accountability meetings, growth meetings, and more. Increase the frequency of meetings if needed.

As you work through a transition in leadership, you are likely not only working “on” the business but also working “in” the business day to day. There will be times of friction and tension, brought on by differing opinions about what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, or both. There may also be real or perceived differences in work ethic, dedication, honesty, and transparency. Lack of clear, concise communication, leaders that have trouble letting go of decisions, and lack of patience also play a role in tense situations.

Regardless of the underlying cause, I have found three clear areas of opportunity that will help immensely in clearing up some of these points of friction. They are Honor, Yield, and Respect.

These three things go two ways, but I am going to talk about them primarily from the perspective of actions for the next generation to take.

1. Honor – Honor those who have come before you. They have incredible traits that have gotten you and the business to where it is. Honor them to their face and in groups. Respect the rank they have earned and what it took to get there. Ask them their story. It usually includes decades of blood, sweat, and tears you do not know about. They have a ton of wisdom they may not share unless you ask. Ask them these three questions:

• Tell me your story or your life journey. How did you get to this point?

• What are some things you would tell your younger self to do differently than you did?

• What have been two or three of your biggest mistakes in life and business?

Honor is due! And showing honor to them with drastically increase their respect for you.

2. Yield – Yield to them when needed. You may think you know how you should move forward in a certain situation, but ask your elders, “What do you think?” Dr. Ty Brunswig, my partner in the vet clinic, has mastered this. Even when he thinks he knows the path forward, he routinely asks me, “What do you think, Nels?” This does two things. First, he shows respect to me, the senior owner of the practice. Second, as he will tell you, many times my response gives him knowledge he did not have and perspective he had not considered. Could he have moved forward without yielding and asking, “What do you think?” Yes! Instead, by yielding, he arrived at what was best for the vet clinic. This can also go both ways. All generations and all people should be asking “What do you think?” for the greater good of the business, family, or organization. Many people do not like to do this though, because they think they lose control of the decision-making process. In essence, they do, but they lose control for the greater good of the business.

3. Respect – Respect must be infused and acted upon every single day in every single relationship we hold. For clarity, one definition of respect is “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.” 1 Another definition of respect is “due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.” ¹ Regardless of abilities, qualities, or achievements, respect must be shown 100% of the time. It is in times of stress, conflict, and disagreement that we often disrespect others

with our actions, words, and body language. The younger generation must be respectful of the hard work the older generation has put in, and the older generation must be respectful of the different ideas and thoughts the younger generation may hold. The older generation must accept the fact that they are not immortal and need to let go of some things. The younger generation must show respect to the older generation through extreme patience.

In parts one and two of this article series, we have discussed several action items for all parties to take. You can ask the questions posed in this article of each other in your next regularly scheduled business meeting or throughout the course of dayto-day business and life. Ask the questions, take notes, and embrace others’ perspectives so that you can preserve the bedrock foundational values and traditions of the incredible operation you have built!

We will wrap up this series in the next issue with a discussion of boundaries, defining roles, governance, and outside help. This series is all about transitions in leadership, ownership, decision making, control, and power. I hope to give you a basic understanding, some starting points, and a rough roadmap to do some crucial legacy planning. I want to help you dive in and make this happen, not just for you but also for the business or team you have poured your blood, sweat, and tears into. Plan the dive, dive the plan!

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.

1. Oxford English Dictionary

INTERNAL PARASITE CONTROL IN STOCKER CATTLE IN THE AGE OF DEWORMER RESISTANCE

By Christine B. Navarre, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM (LA), Louisiana State University

effective control of internal parasites is crucial for maintaining health and productivity in stocker cattle. Parasites rob growing cattle of important nutrients required for weight gain and may alter immune function, which can impact disease resistance and vaccine response. There are increasing reports of parasite resistance to our current dewormers with no new products in the pipeline. Consequently, parasite control plans need to be developed that balance short-term profitability with long-term sustainability. This can be achieved by leveraging a combination of diagnostics and key management interventions to better utilize dewormers and minimize the impacts of parasites.

Resistance and Refugia

An unintended consequence of traditional practices and decades of using the same dewormers is selection of parasites carrying resistant genes at higher rates compared to parasites carrying susceptible genes, which are called refugia. When an entire grazing cohort is dewormed, we remove all of the refugia and are only left with resistant parasites to contaminate pastures. The next group of calves that grazes this pasture will be exposed to a higher level of resistant parasites resulting in diminished efficacy of our dewormers. By leaving a portion of the cohort untreated, we reserve some refugia and slow the buildup of resistant parasites on pasture. Furthermore, the implementation of refugia allows us to maintain a susceptible population of parasites and preserves the efficacy of our dewormers. Incorporating a strategy to maintain some refugia is a key component to sustainability of parasite control programs.

Quantifying Resistance

Each operation should evaluate the level of resistance in the cattle they acquire by performing fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT). Fecal samples are taken from 15-20 calves in a group at the first deworming and again in 2-3 weeks to see how well the dewormers decrease parasite egg counts. The results help estimate the level of refugia needed to slow down the development of resistance.

Refugia Programs

Refugia programs are very operation specific and require some detailed knowledge of the operation and ongoing surveillance to manage in the long term. The herd veterinarian can help with the details, but below are some of the key principles to understand.

Cattle Source

Stocker operators have little control over the level of dewormer resistance in the cattle they purchase as it is dictated by practices at the cow-calf level. Resistance in cattle from multiple sources will be less predictable and will necessitate more diagnostics. Resistance in cattle that come from known sources will be more predictable year to year. This provides an opportunity to work with source ranches to manage resistance, which may prove mutually beneficial.

Pasture System

Terminal calves grazing non-permanent pasture (ex. wheat pasture) is very low risk for carryover of resistant parasites from year to year. Consequently, having refugia is unnecessary and all calves in the grazing cohort may be dewormed.

Calves grazing permanent pasture systems with

little to no rest should be considered high risk for parasites in general, and for buildup of resistance. Incorporating some refugia by refraining from treating a small portion of the group may slow the development of resistance over time. Pastures that are already highly contaminated with resistant parasites may need to be left fallow or used for hay to decrease the parasite load before starting fresh with a refugia program.

Rotational grazing is not a predictable or reliable way to control parasites. Rotational grazing schedules are based on grass species, stocking density, climate and weather and do not always follow a set schedule. The level of parasite contamination on pasture is based on the same factors and is very difficult to predict. Grass should be managed for the long-term sustainability of the pasture and to provide the best nutrition to calves.

Treatment Strategies

A selective non-treatment strategy is appropriate for calves grazing permanent pasture systems, or heifers grazing non-permanent pasture that are destined to go back to the cow-calf sector. Selective non-treatment involves not deworming a percentage of cattle (usually 10-30%). The percentage is based on FECRT results with consideration of other stressors (illness, adverse weather, etc.). Selection of cattle to leave untreated is by weight (do not treat the heaviest) or randomly in very uniform groups. Studies to date show little impact on overall performance, but each operation should evaluate their results.

The decision on which dewormers to use is beyond the scope of this discussion, but consideration must be given to combination treatment, administering

two dewormers from different drug classes at the same time. This tactic should afford better efficacy and therefore performance. In permanent pasture systems, incorporating combination treatment with a refugia-based program should slow down resistance.

Immune System Management

The effects of parasites can be mitigated with good nutrition, especially protein. A comprehensive nutritional plan including vitamins and trace minerals are essential to overall health.

Parasites exacerbate the effects of other stressors (weaning, transportation, other diseases, etc.) and in

turn these stressors exacerbate the effects of parasites. Properly managing other stressors will help mitigate the effects of parasites.

In Summary

This era of increasing resistance to dewormers necessitates an increased level of diagnostics and planning to develop sound parasite control programs. Regular consultation with a veterinarian can provide tailored recommendations and ongoing adjustments to maximize both short-term profitability and long-term sustainability.

Dr. Christine Navarre received her DVM from Louisiana State University in 1990. Following graduation, she worked in a private mixed animal practice in Sulphur Springs, TX before going to Texas A & M for a large animal internal medicine residency and Master’s degree. Dr. Navarre joined the Food Animal Section at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital where she spent 11 years providing clinical service and teaching of food animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Navarre is currently Extension Veterinarian and Professor with the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and School of Animal Sciences. She serves the State of Louisiana by providing continuing education and herd disease investigation services to livestock producers, extension agents and veterinarians, and as state BQA coordinator. She is a Past President of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

Stabilize Rumen pH, Improve Rumen Function

LactiproNXT ® and LactiproFLX® Uses

Shor ten the step up to ﬁnishing diet

Terminal processing

Hospital use

Receiving cattle

Cull cow feeding

Crop residue grazing

NEW DIAGNOSTIC SAMPLING PROGRAM

BEING IMPLEMENTED IN CATTLE FEEDING FACILITIES

Asignificant advancement in cattle health management is on the horizon with the introduction of the Certified Sampler program, developed by Production Animal Consultation (PAC). This program is designed to train feedlot personnel on techniques for obtaining proper samples, ensuring accurate diagnosis and improving the overall health, performance, and profitability of cattle.

“This program will help our team detect early disease, so we are better prepared to help our customers achieve better cattle performance. By detecting disease sooner, we ensure healthier cattle and sustainable practices within our facilities.”

- Francisco Rodriquez, High Choice Feeders Yard 2

The Certified Sampler program is a comprehensive, day-long training session conducted at participating feedlots. It combines classroom education with bilingual video demonstrations, followed by practical hands-on training in the processing barn and during necropsy sessions, all led by PAC veterinarians and trainers. The morning session covers ante-mortem sample collection, such as nasal swabs, blood samples, and ear notches for disease surveillance. The afternoon session delves into necropsy techniques, gross pathology common to feedlot cattle, and tissue sampling. The training concludes with instruction on proper sample preparation and safe transportation to diagnostic laboratories.

Dr. Taw Fredrickson emphasizes the program’s impact: “Implementation of this program gives timely and precise health assessments which will advance our disease management strategies and elevate our animal health in the short term. In the long term, the PAC group is able to provide the most current recommendations and advancements which reflect our commitment to industry-leading practices and sustainable livestock management.”

Francisco Rodriguez, manager at High Choice Feeders Yard 2 and program participant, adds, “This program will help our team detect early disease, so we are better prepared to help our customers achieve better cattle performance. By detecting disease sooner, we ensure healthier cattle and sustainable practices within our facilities.”

The Certified Sampler program is inspired by a similar initiative in the swine industry. The Certified

Swine Sample Collector project, initiated by Iowa State University, trains on-site personnel to sample during foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks. This approach ensures timely sample collection without requiring external personnel to enter potentially contaminated sites. While PAC’s program for beef cattle could also support Secure Beef FAD sampling, its primary focus is on diagnosing common diseases affecting feedlot cattle daily.

The program is a collaborative effort with the veterinary diagnostic laboratories at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University. Dr. Dustin Loy, director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Veterinary Diagnostic Center, highlights the importance of timely sample collection: “One of the largest challenges in cattle diagnostics is the timely collection of proper samples to be submitted to a laboratory for testing. Having highly-trained personnel that are already heavily engaged with animal health collect and submit those samples immediately allows for more prompt treatment and informed implementation of mitigation measures. Early identification and rapid response to diseases are key to ensuring healthy cattle.”

PAC’s extensive feedlot database, which has tracked animal health and performance for over two decades, will be instrumental in this initiative. By correlating surveillance and diagnostic samples with individual cattle and lot-level data, PAC aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of disease impacts and identify potential disease management interventions. One such future intervention could involve the use of prescription vaccines. Medgene, a vaccine company

based in Brookings, SD, is a natural partner for this initiative. Medgene’s technology enables the development of prescription vaccines tailored to current field strains of pathogens. Dr. Gary Bosch, Medgene’s Executive Vice President, notes, “We are pleased with our partnership with PAC and excited to support their industry-leading Certified Sampler program. Bioinformatics represent the engine in our prescription platform vaccine technology. Certified Sampler represents the fuel to ensure that the vaccines we provide to the veterinary community are timely and relevant, as opposed to vaccines based

on viruses that occurred years ago that have long since mutated beyond effective treatments.”

The partnership between PAC, veterinary diagnosticians, feedlot operators, and Medgene is already yielding results. Samples from certified samplers in feedlots across Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Iowa are flowing into regional diagnostic laboratories. Over the next five years, this initiative will enhance understanding of pathogen impacts and improve cattle health, performance, and profitability.

PAC INTERN HIGHLIGHTS . . . .

CLAYTON STEVENSON I

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Clayton Stevenson is a junior at West Texas A&M University majoring in animal science. Growing up on a feedlot in west Texas, he felt like a major in animal science was a natural fit and would allow him to contribute to the fed beef industry. After graduation in May 2026, Clayton plans to go on to obtain a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition with the goal of being a consulting nutritionist.

Clayton chose to complete a summer internship with PAC to gain firsthand experience with feedyard veterinary consultants. Clayton’s favorite part of the summer was meeting the PAC veterinarians and getting to travel to and experience feedyard operations in regions other than Texas.

Clayton calls Earth, Texas, home, where his family operates a small feedyard. In his spare time, he likes to go fishing.

KENNEDY

HOLSTEIN I

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Kennedy Holstein is a junior at Kansas State University studying animal sciences and industry. After graduating in May of 2026, Kennedy plans to find a career in the feedlot industry.

Kennedy loves the cattle feeding business, and completing a summer internship with PAC gave her an opportunity to stay connected and continue learning. Traveling to feedyards, connecting with managers and personnel, and diving into the history of the feedyards were highlights of her summer. Kennedy enjoyed learning from and sharing common interests and passions with PAC veterinarians and staff while having an unforgettable summer experience.

Growing up, Kennedy was involved in her family’s feeder-stocker and grain operation near Scott City, Kansas, fostering the passion she has for agriculture and the feedlot industry. When she is not busy working in the field or helping with the cattle operation, she enjoys riding horses and checking cattle, going for a run with her dog, listening to AC/DC, and spending time with friends and family.

EVALUATING FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT DECISIONS

Preparation and Training Opportunities

By Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff

Cattle health is closely monitored in each sector of the beef and dairy industries and continuous improvement is expected from within and outside of the industries. Fitness for transport is an important concept that applies to all cattle stages, from calves to feeders to cull cows and bulls. This live animal evaluation is critical to deciding whether an animal is able to withstand the rigors of transport, including standing for long periods of time in variable weather. The most visible aspect of the cattle industry is when cattle are moved across the country on wheels every day. Each stakeholder, from the cattle owner to the transporter, should strive for responsible transport decisions.

The 2022 National Beef Quality Audit shows that cattle, beef or dairy, are transported at least once and up to six times during their lifetime, so ensuring the health and welfare of these animals at each transport opportunity is a great responsibility. Trips to the auction market, the next pasture, backgrounding or finishing feedyards, and others are each an opportunity to improve animal welfare through transportation and fitness for transport decisions. The Beef Checkofffunded Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) program was designed for guidance on these topics. The following are a few important aspects to consider when determining whether cattle are fit for transport.

Evaluate cattle history

Violative residues are created when animals are slaughtered before the labeled withdrawal period on the medication label. It is important to always check treatment records and confirm animals have cleared drug withdrawal times before transporting to sale or slaughter. Never ship an animal you do not think can withstand the rigors of transport or marketing. This includes not shipping extremely emaciated animals (Body Condition Score 2 or less on either beef or dairy scale) or cattle with lameness score of 3 or more (according to North American Meat Institute scale of 1-4). Having a plan for caring for or humanely euthanizing a non-ambulatory animal should be part of your protocol since these animals cannot be slaughtered.

Prep the cattle

It is important to provide cattle access to water up until they load onto the trailer as it improves health in the short term and upon arrival. A modest meal within 24 hours prior to transport, especially trips longer than four hours, has also been shown to improve cattle response during travel and at the destination. This is especially important for younger calves who are more prone to dehydration in hot weather. Duration of transport can have significant animal welfare outcomes and preparing cattle for the trip can improve response to transport stressors. In addition, cattle may have multiple segments of their trip, so ensuring cattle can handle all legs of the trip is an important consideration when deciding to ship that animal.

Watch the weather

During warmer months, temperature and humidity can burden or improve the transport process. Pre-trip planning can help ensure cattle are loaded or unloaded in a cooler part of the day. Pay close attention to the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI;https://beef.unl. edu/beefwatch/heat-stress-handling-cattle-throughhigh-heat-humidity-indexes) to determine the risk of

moving or working cattle during hotter weather. Another consideration for younger and smaller cattle is they will need different loading densities vs. older cattle in warmer weather. For instance, high loading densities can cause limited airflow and bruising. Airflow is especially important for cattle welfare so if the trailer or cattle pot is unable to move or waiting in line, driving around to increase air circulation in the trailer is one option.

Move cattle slowly

Animal handling is an integral piece to cattle health, especially during transportation events. Moving animals in a low-stress, gentle, and quiet manner reduces stress on the cattle during and after transport, reducing the risk of a heat stress event. Using acceptable handling tools such as flags or sorting sticks as an extension of yourself when needed can improve the efficiency of cattle movement. Cattle prods should not be routinely used and only used in specific circumstances. Any kind of abuse is not tolerated, including overuse of cattle prods. These practices also reduce the risk of cattle going down at the plant or auction market and product defects such as dark cutters, bruising, and wasted product.

Be proactive in culling decisions

Many cull cows and bulls are culled due to a decrease in productivity and illness such as lameness. Fed animals are railed for similar reasons. When cattle are culled proactively, these animals are in a comparatively healthier state with a slightly higher body condition and have less risk of becoming lame or going down on the trailer. Producers are encouraged to work to cull animals earlier in the disease process like cancer eye or pneumonia or lameness, as long as drug withdrawal times are met, so animals can

safely make it to their final destination without the risk of being condemned. Proactive culling can improve the welfare of the animal in addition to having a better product. NCBA created the Right Way. Right Time. A guide to cull cow management handout using results from the most recent audit results. Producers and veterinarians can use this resource to evaluate their cull cattle management strategies and improve decision making with fitness for transport decisions. Train workers to understand when animals should be humanely euthanized rather than being shipped, as an animal should not make a long transport journey only to go down on the trailer or at the plant and be euthanized then.

Conduct self-assessments

Even with experienced cattle producers and drivers, complacency can sink in when performance is not evaluated. Work with a herd veterinarian, extension agent, or BQA state coordinator to conduct a self-assessment on essential skills such as humane cattle stockmanship or facility management. Each operation has the responsibility to train their employees in cattle behavior and handling to

improve cattle welfare, human safety, and work efficiency. BQA provides a solid foundation for cattle producers and their teams so the ‘why’ is understood for quality cattle care. Continuous improvement through consistent training only improves cattle care, human safety, and the final product.

Fitness for transport decisions influence both animal and human safety which can be adapted and improved based on the operation’s goals, workforce, and facilities. Production Animal Consultation veterinarians have long recognized the value in employee training and oneon-one handling demonstrations and how it improves cattle care. Other workshops such as Stockmanship & Stewardship provide live animal handling demonstrations for professional drivers, farmers, and ranchers to improve their stockmanship skills. Upcoming events can be found at www.stockmanshipandstewardship.org. The BQAT program provides guidance on fitness for transport for animals in addition to providing preparation steps to ensure safe trips for transporters. More information on BQAT’s guidelines and the certification course can be found at www.bqa.org.

Dr. Julia Herman serves as the Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. She has spent time in private practice in Kansas, teaching livestock medicine in the Colorado State University Veterinary Medicine program, and currently leads education development and veterinary outreach for the Producer Education team and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Her focuses include improving animal health and welfare, biosecurity, and employee education. She represents NCBA on cattle health and welfare advisory committees for national veterinary organizations and agricultural groups. Julia earned her DVM (2015) and MS (2013) from Colorado State University and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.

PAC INTERN HIGHLIGHTS . . . .

JACY ROSE I

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Jacy Rose is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in both animal sciences and industry and agricultural communications and journalism. She was drawn to these majors because she enjoyed learning about how production systems vary between species, and she believes you must thoroughly understand agriculture to be a proficient ag communicator. After graduating this December, Jacy plans to work in ag marketing.

Jacy first learned about PAC through K-State’s Feedlot Bootcamp. She saw the innovative approach that PAC was taking to improve the feedyard industry today and in the future, and she wanted to experience that firsthand while also getting to be part of the solution through a summer internship. Jacy’s favorite part of the internship was getting to make new connections. She enjoyed the feedyard visits and getting to interact oneon-one with feedyard managers.

Jacy spends her summers helping as the fourth generation on her family’s farm and ranch near Scott City, Kansas, where they have a stocker and feed grain operation. In her free time, Jacy enjoys working on projects for her leather business.

HEATH KEISER I

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA – LINCOLN

Heath Keiser is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a degree in animal science and minor in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program. Heath started veterinary school this fall through the PPVM partnership with the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and Iowa State University. After completion of veterinary school, he plans to become a food animal veterinarian in either practice or consultation with the desire to work with animals and the people that care for them to benefit the health and life of the animals and help caretakers understand best practices when caring for production livestock.

Heath’s favorite part of his summer internship with PAC was getting to travel to different feedlots and meet all the incredible people in the industry. He was also able to spend time with the PAC veterinarians to learn more about their experiences and why they chose to work in the beef industry

Heath hails from Gothenburg, Nebraska, where he is the fourth generation on a row-crop, feedlot, and cow-calf operation, which has given him a frontrow seat to the agriculture industry and the passion it brings out in the people involved. In his free time, Heath enjoys spending time with family, working with their show cattle operation, playing with the family dogs, and being outdoors.

IS TESTING MY FORAGE WORTH THE EFFORT?

By Jaymelynn Farney, PhD, Kansas State University

The common adage “If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it” is especially true in feeding livestock species. This article might seem fairly commonplace, however, a large number of people either do not test their feed ingredients, or capture insufficient or incorrect results. There are several different reasons to test feeds and the timing of testing these feed ingredients becomes very important.

The first and primary reason to test feeds is to quantify nutrient levels of feedstuffs. These results are then used to determine recommended amounts of energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber to be able to meet specific operational goals.

There are some ingredients we feed to animals that have fairly consistent nutrient compositions on a dry matter basis, such as grains, but can still be highly variable in the actual dry matter mix of the feed. Forages on the other hand are essential to test for nutrient composition. When looking at a bale of hay, you cannot “guess” how much nutrients are included and it is instrumental when feeding cow-calf pairs, dairy cows, growing steers and heifers; in general, any class of animal whose diet consists of greater than 50% as forage.

So, how do we sample forages? This is actually a hard question to answer because it will be different for each operation. Figure 1 highlights some guidelines for sampling different hay depending on source.

When to sample forages: The answer will depend on what you are needing information about and how you plan to use it. In general, testing forages within a few weeks of feeding is ideal, especially for nutrient composition, but you may have instances in which you would like to test more than once. And for high-moisture feeds there is a need to sample for dry matter regularly.

In instances when you are worried about toxic compounds such as nitrates, there are several sampling time periods. For the operation that is harvesting and feeding the potentially high nitrate hay, testing prior to harvest may be beneficial.

Generally, cow-calf operations are more likely to test prior to harvest as they do not have as much equipment to easily dilute the nitrates to a safe feeding level. When testing for nitrates prior to harvest, I recommend collecting at least 10 plants from around the field. After collecting the plants, cut them into top 1/3, middle 1/3, and bottom 1/3 samples. Chop each of those segments into smaller ones to be able to put in as much as possible of the plants into a gallon sealable plastic bag that you can then send to the laboratory. When results are returned, the producer can then estimate cutting height to make forage the safest. To minimize “sampling error” of exacerbated nitrates, do not collect samples early in the morning, when they will have highest nitrates; do not collect samples on cool, cloudy days; do not collect samples within three days of drought breaking rain; and do not collect samples within two weeks of a nitrogen fertilization event. All of these will give higher nitrate numbers than you might expect when actually baling. It takes about a week from collection until you get your results back, so plan accordingly.

On the other hand, if you have the capability to dilute concerning nitrate hays and feed, then wait to sample hay until after it is placed into a bale. Then sample 10% of the hay lot. For round bales, use a hay probe and sample in the middle of the bale going in from the side. For square bales, sample from the ends. Remember, practice SAFE sampling techniques. Hay bales that are stacked can shift and fall on the person collecting samples. It is the safest to sample single bales before stacking, but

• Sample at least 10% of hay bales

• Ideally sample by field and store by field in identifiable “lots”

• Use hay probe

• Sample 20% of bales per trailer

• Round bales, unload and sample from side

• Square bales, sample from ends

• Composite samples by seller and type, then submit for analysis

• Ideally, store those in identifiable “lots”

• Weekly composited sample

• As loader scoops to feed, use a small container to grab a minimum of 3 “scoops” and store in gallon plastic sealable bag in freezer until analysis

Figure 1: Examples of how and when to sample different hays

if measuring a stacked hay group, make sure it is secured and you can protect yourself.

If your nitrate forage is going to be made into silage, wait to sample that silage for nitrates after it has fermented; at least Three weeks, but longer is better. Literature shows that nitrates in properly ensiled silage can be decreased 30-50%, so waiting until after the process is completed provides a better understanding of the forage’s nitrate concentration. Additionally, waiting until after the silage has fermented to test for nutrient composition is also a more accurate representation of nutrients. The first week of feeding silage is a good time to collect nutrient composition results. To sample silage, the recommendation is to use a loader to scoop the feed, then use another container (hand shovel, hand-feed scoop, etc.) to grab at least three scoops from the loader bucket. Then place that into a sealable plastic bag and freeze. Do this at least three times during the week and composite that week’s samples to send to lab for analysis. For nutrient purposes, this can be done the first week of feeding with minimal issues for the animals. If very worried about nitrates, then complete this a few weeks prior to feeding.

When to sample high moisture feeds: The recommendation is to sample weekly for dry matter. Dry matter determinations do not have to be completed by a registered laboratory; they can be done at home. Using a three-week rolling average of dry matter is important to help meet dry matter intake goals for your diet. Moisture can play a large role in underfeeding or even overfeeding cattle. In a backgrounding example, if you are feeding 650-pound steers a diet that consists of 50% corn silage, if you assumed it was 35% dry matter but it actually tests at 30% dry matter, you have overfed

those calves by 4.5 pounds as-fed silage a day. If you are feeding 100 head of steers, that is 450 pounds extra silage a day, and for a month, 13,500 pounds extra. This has impacts on your pocketbook, inventory management, and marketing. These cattle will probably have a greater gain than predicted, but if they were pre-contracted, they could take some discounts at the end of the feeding period for being too heavy. Overall, not knowing what the dry matter of the feed is leads to inefficiencies in your production system.

When to test by-product feeds: Every delivery of by-product feeds should be tested for nutrient composition, if they did not come delivered with one. By-product feed ingredients are highly variable within manufacturing plants, substrates for manufacturing, etc.

One last point – do not fall into the trap of only being concerned about one thing. For example, if you are only worried about nitrates, do not just send a sample in to measure only nitrates. It takes time and effort to collect a good sample, so take advantage of the fact that a sample can be used to measure a multitude of nutrients. Nutritionists balance diets for ALL animals based on dry matter, energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins. Other important measurements that help in dialing down the accuracy of feeding include measures of fiber components, starch, fermentation effectiveness (practically in silages), and digestibility estimates, to name a few. Many commercial laboratories have “packages” that provide a wide array of nutrient results.

So, is it worth the time and expense to sample you feed? YES! You not only can improve efficiency of production, but in instances of toxic compounds, can save pregnancies and lives.

Jaymelynn Farney grew up in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where her family had a cowcalf operation. Jaymelynn was very active in 4-H and FFA and because of this after graduating high school she went to El Dorado, KS, to be a member of the livestock judging team at Butler Community College. She completed her A.S. in agriculture degree and then continued her education at Kansas State University in Animal Science. Jaymelynn then went to Oklahoma State University to complete her M.S. in Ruminant Nutrition with an emphasis on receiving calf management. She then returned to Kansas State University to complete her PhD in Ruminant Nutrition, using the dairy cow as the model for how inflammation impacts production. Jaymelynn is focusing her applied research programs on dealing with issues pertaining to cattle producers. She works in the areas of forage management (perennial and annual forages), heifer development programs, stocker management systems, and nutrition. Jaymelynn is using her extension appointment to provide producers with knowledge of new technologies, feeds, and management strategies to improve efficiency of production in beef production systems. Jaymelynn lives in southeast Kansas with her husband, Garet, and works at the Southeast Agricultural Research Center in Parsons.

de Engorda

UN NUEVO PROGRAMA DE MUESTREO DIAGNOSTICO ESTÁ SIENDO IMPLEMENTADO EN INSTALACIONES DE

ALIMENTACIÓN DE GANADO

Un avance significativo en el manejo de la salud del ganado está en el horizonte con la introducción del programa Certified Sampler, desarrollado por Production Animal Consultation (PAC). Este programa está diseñado para capacitar al personal de las operaciones de corrales de engorda sobre técnicas para obtener muestras adecuadas, asegurando un diagnóstico preciso y mejorando la salud general, el rendimiento y la rentabilidad del ganado.

“Este programa ayudará a nuestro equipo a detectar enfermedades en etapa temprana, de modo que estemos mejor preparados para ayudar a nuestros clientes a lograr un mejor rendimiento del ganado. Al detectar enfermedades más temprano, garantizamos un ganado más sano y prácticas sustentables dentro de nuestras instalaciones.”

- Francisco Rodriquez, High Choice Feeders Yard 2

El programa Certified Sampler es una sesión de capacitación completa de un día de duración que se lleva a cabo en las operaciones de corrales de engorda participantes. Es una combinación de formación presencial con demostraciones en video bilingües, seguida por una capacitación practica en las instalaciones de procesamiento de ganado y durante las sesiones de necropsia, todo dirigido por veterinarios y capacitadores de PAC. La sesión de la mañana cubre la colección de muestras ante mortem, hisopos nasales, muestras de sangre y muescas de oreja para la vigilancia de enfermedades. La sesión de la tarde profundiza en las técnicas de necropsia, patología macroscópica común en el ganado de engorda y muestreo de tejidos.

La capacitación concluye con instrucciones sobre la preparación adecuada de muestras y el transporte seguro a los laboratorios de diagnóstico.

El Dr. Taw Fredrickson enfatiza el impacto del programa: “La implementación de este programa proporciona evaluaciones de salud oportunas y precisas que harán avanzar nuestras estrategias de manejo de enfermedades y mejorarán nuestra salud animal a corto plazo. A largo plazo, el grupo de PAC puede proporcionar las recomendaciones y avances más actuales que reflejan nuestro compromiso con las practicas lideres de la industria y el manejo ganadero sustentable.”

Francisco Rodriguez, gerente de High Choice Feeders Yard 2 y participante del programa, agrega, “Este programa ayudará a nuestro equipo a detectar enfermedades en etapa temprana, de modo que estemos mejor preparados para ayudar a nuestros clientes a lograr un mejor rendimiento del ganado. Al detectar enfermedades más temprano, garantizamos un ganado más sano y prácticas sustentables dentro de nuestras instalaciones.”

El programa Certified Sampler se inspira en una iniciativa similar en la industria porcina. El proyecto Certified Swine Sample Collector, iniciado por la Universidad Estatal de Iowa, capacita al personal en sitio para tomar muestras durante brotes de enfermedades exóticas de animales (FAD, por sus siglas en ingles). Este enfoque asegura la colección oportuna de muestras sin necesidad de que personal externo ingrese a sitios potencialmente contaminados. Si bien el programa de PAC para ganado de carne también podría respaldar el muestreo de Secure Beef FAD, su enfoque principal es el diagnostico de enfermedades comunes que afectan diariamente al ganado de corrales de engorda.

El programa es un esfuerzo colaborativo con los laboratorios de diagnóstico veterinario de la Universidad de Nebraska-Lincoln y la Universidad Estatal de Iowa. El Dr. Dustin Loy, director del Centro de Diagnóstico Veterinario de la Universidad de Nebraska-

Lincoln, destaca la importancia de la colección oportuna de muestras: “Uno de los mayores desafíos en el diagnóstico del ganado es la colección oportuna de muestras adecuadas para ser enviadas a un laboratorio para su análisis. Tener personal altamente capacitado que ya esté muy comprometido con la salud animal que colecte y envíe esas muestras inmediatamente permite un tratamiento más rápido y una implementación informada de medidas de mitigación. La identificación temprana y la respuesta rápida a las enfermedades son clave para garantizar un ganado sano.”

La extensa base de datos de operaciones de corrales de engorda de PAC, que ha rastreado la salud y el rendimiento de los animales durante más de dos décadas, será fundamental en esta iniciativa. Al correlacionar las muestras de vigilancia y diagnóstico con datos de ganado individual y a nivel de lote, PAC tiene como objetivo proporcionar una comprensión integral de los impactos de las enfermedades e identificar posibles intervenciones de manejo de enfermedades.

Una de esas intervenciones futuras podría implicar el uso de vacunas recetadas. Medgene, una empresa de vacunas con sede en Brookings, SD, en un socio natural para esta iniciativa. La tecnología de Medgene permite el

desarrollo de vacunas de prescripción adaptadas a las cepas actuales de patógenos. El Dr. Gary Bosch, vicepresidente ejecutivo de Medgene, señala, “Estamos satisfechos con nuestra asociación con PAC y entusiasmados de respaldar su programa Certified Sampler líder en la industria. La bioinformática representa el motor en nuestra plataforma de prescripción de tecnología de vacunas. El programa Certidfied Sampler representa el combustible para asegurar que las vacunas que proporcionamos a la comunidad veterinaria sean oportunas y relevantes, a diferencia de las vacunas basadas en virus que surgieron hace años y que hace tiempo que mutaron más allá de los tratamientos efectivos.”

La asociación entre PAC, diagnosticadores veterinarios, operadores de corrales de engorda y Medgene ya está dando resultados. Muestras de tomadores de muestras certificados en operaciones de corrales de engorda de Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado y Iowa están llegando a los laboratorios de diagnóstico regionales. Durante los próximos cinco años, esta iniciativa mejorara la comprensión de los impactos de los patógenos y mejorara la salud, el rendimiento y la rentabilidad del ganado.

PAC INTERN HIGHLIGHTS . . . .

KACYN KESSINGER I

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Kacyn Kessinger is a senior studying animal science with a minor in biology at West Texas A&M University. Kacyn started his studies as a pre-med major but quickly returned to his roots and decided to switch his major to an agricultural focus. After graduation in spring 2025, Kacyn plans to return home to his family’s cow-calf operation while seeking a career in the beef industry.

Kacyn became interested in an internship with PAC after he saw the posting shared by industry leaders and had personal conversations with PAC veterinarian Dr. Doug Ford. When asked about his favorite part of working with PAC, Kacyn noted the connections he made with beef industry leaders and PAC veterinarians and staff. Kacyn also felt that the knowledge he gained and learning opportunities he participated in were invaluable.

Kacyn is from Akron, Colorado, where his family operates a feedyard and cow-calf operation. Kacyn credits his upbringing, coupled with his experiences at West Texas A&M, for his interest in and passion for the beef industry in many forms. When not busy on the ranch, he enjoys helping his sister and cousins with 4-H projects, fishing, and exploring the Colorado mountains.

Corrales de Engorda

EVALUACIÓN DE APTITUD FÍSICA PARA LA

TOMA DE DECISIONES DE TRANSPORTE

Preparación y Oportunidades de Capacitación

Escrito por Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM, NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff

La salud del ganado se monitorea de cerca en cada sector de la industria de la carne y la industria lechera y se espera una mejora continua desde dentro y fuera de las industrias. La aptitud física para el transporte es un concepto importante que aplica para todas las etapas del ganado, desde terneros hasta ganado para engorda hasta vacas y toros de desecho. Esta evaluación de animales vivos es fundamental para decidir si un animal es capaz de soportar los rigores del transporte, incluyendo permanecer de pie durante largos períodos de tiempo en condiciones climáticas variables. El aspecto más visible de la industria ganadera es cuando el ganado es transportado sobre ruedas a través del país todos los días. Cada parte interesada, desde el propietario del ganado hasta el transportista, debe esforzarse para tomar decisiones de transporte responsables.

La Auditoría Nacional de la Calidad de la Carne del 2022 muestra que el ganado, de carne o lechero, es transportado por lo menos una vez y hasta seis veces a lo largo de su vida, de manera que asegurando la salud y el bienestar de estos animales en cada oportunidad de transporte es una gran responsabilidad. Los viajes al mercado de subasta, al siguiente pastizal, a los centros de acopio u operaciones de corrales de engorda, entre otros, son cada uno una oportunidad para mejorar el bienestar animal a través del transporte y la aptitud física para las decisiones de transporte. El programa Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Carne Transporte (BQAT, por sus siglas en ingles), financiado por el programa Beef Checkoff, fue diseñado como orientación de estos temas. Los siguientes son algunos aspectos importantes para considerar al determinar si el ganado es apto para el transporte.

Evaluar el historial del ganado

Los residuos violatorios son creados cuando los animales son sacrificados antes del periodo de retiro indicado en la etiqueta del medicamento. Es importante verificar siempre los registros de tratamiento y confirmar que los animales hayan cumplido los tiempos de retiro del medicamento antes de transportarlos para la venta o para ser sacrificados. Nunca envíe un animal que no crea que pueda soportar los rigores del transporte o la comercialización. Esto incluye no enviar animales extremadamente demacrados (puntuación de condición corporal de 2 o menos en la escala de ganado de carne o lechero) o ganado con una puntuación de cojera de 3 o más (según la escala del 1 al 4 del Instituto de la Carne de América del Norte). Tener un plan para cuidar o eutanizar humanamente a un animal no ambulatorio debe ser parte de su protocolo, ya que estos animales no pueden ser sacrificados.

Preparar el ganado

Es importante proveerle al ganado acceso al agua hasta que lo carguen en el remolque, ya que esto mejora la salud a corto plazo y al momento de su llegada. También se ha demostrado que una alimentación modesta dentro de las 24 horas previas al transporte, especialmente en viajes de más de cuatro horas, mejora la respuesta del ganado durante el viaje y en el lugar de destino. Esto es especialmente importante para los terneros más jóvenes que son más propensos a deshidratarse en clima caluroso. La duración del transporte puede tener importantes resultados en el bienestar animal y preparar al ganado para el viaje puede mejorar la respuesta a los factores estresantes del transporte. Además, el ganado puede tener

múltiples segmentos de su viaje, por lo que asegurarse de que el ganado pueda con todas las etapas del viaje es una consideración importante al decidir enviar un animal.

Observe el clima

Durante los meses más calurosos, la temperatura y la humedad pueden agobiar o mejorar el proceso del transporte. La planificación previa al viaje puede ayudar a garantizar que el ganado se cargue o descargue durante el momento más fresco del día. Preste mucha atención al Índice de Temperatura y Humedad (THI, por sus siglas en inglés; https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/ heat-stress-handling-cattle-through-high-heathumidity-indexes) para determinar el riesgo de mover o trabajar el ganado durante el clima más caluroso. Otra consideración para el ganado más joven y pequeño es que necesitarán diferentes densidades de carga en comparación con el ganado más viejo en climas más calurosos. Por ejemplo, las altas densidades de carga pueden causar un flujo de aire limitado y moretones. El flujo de aire es especialmente importante para el bienestar del ganado, en caso de que el remolque no pueda moverse o esté en la fila de espera, conducir alrededor para aumentar la circulación de aire en el remolque sería una opción.

Mover el ganado lentamente

El manejo de los animales es una parte integral para la salud del ganado, especialmente durante los eventos de transporte. Mover a los animales de manera de bajo estrés, suave y silenciosa reduce el estrés del ganado durante y después del transporte, lo cual reduce el riesgo de un evento de estrés calórico. Usar herramientas de manejo aceptables, como banderas o varillas de clasificación, como una extensión de uno mismo cuando sea necesario, puede mejorar la eficiencia del movimiento del ganado. Las chicharras eléctricas no deben usarse de manera rutinaria y solo deben utilizarse en circunstancias específicas. No se tolera ningún tipo de abuso, incluso el uso excesivo de chicharras eléctricas. Estas prácticas también reducen el riesgo de que el ganado se caiga en la planta empacadora o en el mercado de subasta, al igual que los defectos de producto, como los cortes oscuros, moretones y producto desperdiciado.

Sea proactivo en las decisiones de desecho

Muchas vacas y toros de desecho son desechados debido a una disminución en productividad y enfermedades como la cojera. Los animales alimentados son desechados por razones similares. Cuando el ganado se desecha de manera

proactiva, estos animales se encuentran en un estado comparativamente más saludable con una condición corporal ligeramente mejor y tienen menos riesgo de quedar cojos o caerse en el remolque. Se alienta a los productores a trabajar para desechar animales en etapas más tempranas del proceso de enfermedades como cáncer de ojo, neumonía o cojera, siempre y cuando se cumplan los tiempos de retiro de los medicamentos, para que los animales puedan llegar de manera segura a su destino final sin el riesgo de ser condenados. El desecho proactivo puede mejorar el bienestar del animal además de tener un mejor producto. La Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos de Carne (NCBA, por sus siglas en inglés) creo Forma Correcta. Momento Correcto. Una guía para el manejo de vacas de desecho (Right Way. Right Time. A guide to cull cow management) un folleto que utiliza los resultados de las auditorías más recientes. Los productores y los veterinarios pueden utilizar este recurso para evaluar sus estrategias de manejo de ganado de desecho y mejorar la toma de decisiones con aptitud física para las decisiones de transporte. Capacite a los trabajadores para que comprendan cuando los animales deben ser eutanizados humanamente en lugar de ser enviados, ya que un animal no debe hacer un largo trayecto de transporte solo para caerse en el remolque o en la planta empacadora y luego ser eutanizado.

Realice autoevaluaciones

Incluso en el caso de productores de ganado y conductores experimentados, la complacencia puede hacer sentido cuando no se evalúa el rendimiento. Trabaje con un veterinario de hato, un agente de extensión o un coordinador estatal de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Carne (BQA, por sus siglas en inglés) para realizar una autoevaluación de habilidades

esenciales como la crianza humana de ganado y el manejo de instalaciones. Cada operación tiene la responsabilidad de capacitar a sus empleados sobre el comportamiento y manejo del ganado para mejorar el bienestar del ganado, la seguridad humana y la eficiencia laboral. El Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Carne proporciona una base sólida para los productores ganaderos y sus equipos para que se comprenda el “por que” del cuidado de calidad del ganado. La mejora continua a través de una capacitación constante solo mejora el cuidado del ganado, la seguridad humana y el producto final.

Las decisiones de aptitud física para el transporte influyen en la seguridad tanto de los animales como de las personas, cuales pueden adaptarse y mejorarse en función a los objetivos, la fuerza laboral y las instalaciones de la empresa. Los veterinarios de Production Animal Consultation han reconocido desde hace mucho tiempo el valor de la capacitación de los empleados y las demostraciones de manejo personalizadas y cómo esto mejora el cuidado del ganado. Otros talleres como La Crianza y La Administración (Stockmanship & Stewardship) ofrecen demostraciones de manejo de animales en vivo para conductores profesionales, agricultores y ganaderos para mejorar sus habilidades ganaderas. Los próximos eventos se pueden encontrar en www. stockmanshipandstewardship.org. El programa del Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Carne Transporte (BQAT, por sus siglas en inglés) proporciona orientación sobre la aptitud física para el transporte de animales, además de proporcionar pasos de preparación para garantizar viajes seguros para los transportistas. Puede encontrar más información sobre las directrices de BQAT y el curso de certificación en www.bqa.org.

La Dra. Julia Herman se desempeña como Veterinaria Especialista en Ganado de Carne en la Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos de Carne. Ha trabajado en práctica privada en el estado Kansas, enseñando medicina ganadera en el programa Medicina Veterinaria de la Universidad Estatal de Colorado, y actualmente lidera el desarrollo educativo y la divulgación veterinaria para el equipo de Educación de Productores y el programa de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Carne (BQA, por sus siglas en inglés). Sus enfoques incluyen mejorar la salud y el bienestar animal, la bioseguridad y la educación de los empleados. La Dra. Julia representa a la NCBA en comités asesores de salud y bienestar del ganado para organizaciones veterinarias nacionales y grupos agrícolas. La Dra. Julia obtuvo su Doctorado en Medicina Veterinaria (DVM, por sus siglas en inglés) (2015) y su Maestría (2013) en la Universidad Estatal de Colorado y es diplomada del Colegio Americano de Medicina Veterinaria Preventiva.

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CHUCKLES FROM DOWN UNDER . . . .

Four worms were placed in four separate test tubes:

1st in beer

2nd in wine

3rd in whiskey

4th in mineral water

The next day the teacher shows the results:

The 1st worm in beer, dead.

The 2nd in wine, dead.

The 3rd in whiskey, dead.

The 4th in mineral water, alive and healthy.

The teacher asks the class, “What do we learn from this experiment?”

And a child responds, “Whoever drinks beer, wine and whiskey does not have worms!”

Keep on smiling!

Warm Regards, Jane Sullivan

Parable FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

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

Father’s Day, that special day set aside to recognize, celebrate, or remember the proverbial man of the house. I was blessed to have one of the most exceptional fathers ever. A humble, simple man: quiet, confident, grounded, with unshakable honor and core values. A man’s man who could fix about anything and I mean anything! My dad was a product of the Great Depression, a veteran of WW II and a country kid with an impeccable work ethic.

Born of humble roots, he knew the value of a dollar and loyalty were a hallmark of his core. Foremost, he was totally engaged and devoted to the protection and advancement of his family and friends. The foundation behind his protection and personal development plan was dedication, commitment, consistency, truth, honor, education, boundaries, and discipline.

In retrospect the two principles I cherish and remember the most were the regimented discipline and NO meant NO (consistency). I never realized effective constructive discipline could be so complex, diverse, and creative. In my early years, standing alone in the corner, no dessert, or a single swat to the seat of the pants was standard operating procedure. At some point in my adolescence there was a major shift in decorum. My pending sentencing morphed into either hardcore child labor, solitary confinement (grounding) for periods of a day or two up to life, and sometimes confiscating the keys to the family car. Discipline was always swift, consistent, and included one or all of the above strategies depending on the severity of my teenage rebellion.

I learned if you identified just how far to push matters, there were always tell-tale warnings of the impending doom, including, but not limited to, the “Don’t make me stop this car, young man” or the “Keep it up, buster, and I’m going to back hand you into the middle of next week.” Dad’s backhand was not as devastating as Marshall Matt Dillion’s but would certainly get your attention! Those two statements were always dependable signals that meant time to pump the brakes and consider the consequences.

With time my brother and I ultimately became masters of discernment in this adventurous cat and mouse game of how far to push our luck. Unfortunately, once in a while in a weak dare devil moment, we would push the wrong button, not knowing the wheels were about to come off right before our very eyes. Then came those dreaded words no child in his right mind ever wants to hear, “You boys just wait til’ your father gets home.” That “oh shoot” moment when you had stepped dangerously out of bounds into the quicksand of desperation. I do not know what was worse, a day of pondering

our impending sentence or execution of the guilty verdict.

Looking back, I felt sorry for Dad, I am sure the last thing he wanted to do after an exhausting day was to come home and “beat the boys.” Eventually the beatings stopped, and a new strategy mutated into the “Do you know how disappointed your mother and I are in you boys?” This was the worst punishment ever, but it worked every time. Somehow the tears, shame, conviction and guilt of those hearings made us the men we are today. Personally, I was in favor of bringing back the “beatin’s.”

Today I look back with joy, humor, and fond memories of our priceless journey. It was all good and perfectly orchestrated for our personal path of development. Unfortunately, in today’s society divorce is an epidemic, and the lack of fatherhood and leadership are destroying our society and country. Mothers do not make good fathers and fathers do not make good mothers. We are living in a faithless age where personal feelings have become the moral compass and rudder guiding our world.

Obviously, the tactics my parents brought to the table would probably be unacceptable by today’s crazy spoiled standards. I am so proud and grateful that I had parents that certainly were not perfect but were totally committed to our continual success and prosperity. One of my biggest regrets is that I cannot tell them, one last time, how much I appreciated their consistent, constant honing and love.

The Old Testament commands us to honor our mothers and fathers, with the promise that “it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (Exodus 20:12). The future of our country and the security of our freedom is dependent on love and a moral foundation that flows beyond us. It is all rooted in God “Father to the Fatherless.” Biblical names for God, help us understand Him in more detail. EL SHADDAI (God Almighty), ADONAI (Lord), YAHWEH-JIREH (the Lord will provide), YAHWEHRAPHA (the Lord who heals), YAHWEH-SHALOM (the Lord of peace).

The world needs a true leader, a leader who teaches through his perfect word, a leader who teaches discipline, self-control, forgiveness, and love tempered with grace. A Father who is not angry, abusive, or absent. A Father who is never early,

never late, but always on time. A Father of wisdom, leadership, and instruction. A Father who heals broken hearts, shapes lives, and forever holds us close. A perfect Father. So, when I step over the line, I do not have to dread the words “Wait until your father gets home!” He is always home, changing my heart, lifting my head, and teaching me through his word. Heavenly Father, “Happy Father’s Day! and Thanks.”

Digging Deeper

The importance of a father in the development and future success of a child cannot be overstated. Statistics regarding the dismal future of children raised by indifferent fathers or abusive fathers and children from fatherless homes are overwhelming to ponder. The fallout and pain inflicted by the lack or absence of a father in the home can be extensive and likely irreversible. Violence, crime, incarceration, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, suicide, poverty, and behavioral disorders are common outcomes for the children of not only absent fathers, but those we might classify as defective or flawed in one way or another.

In today’s society, responsible, consistent, moral and mature fathers grounded with foundational unshakable core values seem to be in short supply. The lack of commitment, discipline, accountability and respect on the part of many fathers has opened a flood gate of confusion regarding the importance or even the value of a father.

What is needed to help us with this father discussion is a measuring tool or list of standards by which to fairly evaluate. Not surprisingly, this master fatherhood resource and guidebook can be dependably found in the Bible.

Most everyone reading this has probably heard the term “Father God” or “Heavenly Father”. For those who frequently use these terms or speak to God in prayer addressing Him in this manner, we have Jesus to thank for this understanding. Throughout the New Testament and specifically in the four Gospels, Jesus consistently refers to God as his Father. “For prior to Jesus, no one — not in Judaism or in any other religious tradition —

Testament inferences to God as father, but Jesus showed us the reality and the way to having God as our authentic personal Father.

The reality of having the holy, all-powerful, everpresent, all-knowing God as a personal heavenly Father is difficult and nearly incomprehensible to grasp. Part of the difficulty in comprehending God as our “Father” lies simply in the mystery and vastness of God Himself. However, a closer to home limitation on understanding, appreciation and love of God comes from comparing experiences with our own earthly fathers and transferring them to the Heavenly Father. If you had an absent father, an abusive father, an authoritarian father, a passive father and so forth, it is easy or natural to pass this view and experience of fatherhood onto your relationship with God as a Father.

On the other hand, what if you had a great dad? Pastor John Piper makes the point that we should never limit our understanding of the fatherhood of God to the experience with our own father, no matter how good or how bad he was.

In Matthew 7:11 Jesus states; “So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.”

Note that one of the key points here from Jesus’ quote is that even the best fathers on earth are

“evil”. The best fathers on earth are still sinners and fall way short, especially when compared to the one true Father.*

One way or another, everyone has a flawed earthly father. The “I had a bad father” excuse or blame for your own sinful behavior and unbelief in God only serves to keep you in a prison of your own making. Forever separated from the guidance, love, discipline, protection, approval, and joy that we all deeply desire and yet can only be fulfilled and experienced in a relationship with EL SHADDAI, also known to those who belong to Him as Heavenly Father.

*https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-call-him-father

1 Corinthians 8:6 (NASB) yet for us there is only one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him;

Psalm 68:5 (NLT) Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy.

1 John 3:1-2 (NASB) See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

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.

SANDWICHES

By Annie Boyd, The Gingham Apron

Prep time: 2 mins

THE POT ROAST CROCK POT ITALIAN BEEF

Cook time: 6 hours Serves: serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 beef roast

• ½ jar of pepperoncinis (reserve a few for topping, optional)

• ½ c. of the juice from the pepperoncinis

• 1 packet Italian Salad Dressing seasoning

• Hoagie buns

• Mozzarella cheese for topping, optional

Directions

Step 1:

Place the roast in a crockpot. Place the pepperoncinis on top of the roast, and pour the juice around the bottom. Pour the Italian seasoning packet on top of the roast.

Step 2:

Cook on low for 6-8 hours (or overnight).

Step 3:

Shred the meat with two forks.

Step 4:

Make sandwiches with the hoagie buns, topping with additional pepperoncinis and cheese if desired. Pop under the broiler for about 3 minutes if you would like a toasty, melty sandwich.

Step 5:

Serve with the broth to dip sandwich.

The Gingham Apron is comprised of five women from one Midwest farm family whose passion is cultivating relationships in their everyday lives. Denise Herrick, center, is the mother and mother-in-law of the other four members of the group. Herrick has been an Iowa farm wife for 46 years. Jenny Herrick, Molly Herrick, and Shelby Herrick (left to right) currently live on their own farms, while, Annie Boyd, Denise’s oldest daughter, lives in California where she homeschools her five children. They love to find new ways to celebrate everyday life together. They have a blog and website, theginghamapron.com, where they share how to plan family gatherings, try new recipes, take care of their homes, and educate kids. They cherish their beautiful family farm, time spent with their family, and most of all- their faith in Jesus Christ.

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

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SANDWICHES

THE POT ROAST CROCK POT ITALIAN BEEF

Ingredients

Directions

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