What’s Your BVDV Risk?
Looking through a group of cattle, could you identify those that are infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)? Chances are you can’t.
BVDV is a disease with multiple clinical symptoms. There are three broad types of the disease (see sidebar). BVDV has been characterized as a stealth disease because it lurks in your cattle herd and causes incremental losses that add up over time
Increasing your calf crop by management, pregnancy testing, and breeding soundness examination of bulls
George Perry, Beef Reproduction and Management Specialist, SDSU Animal and Range Sciences Department, Russ Daly, Extension Veterinarian, SDSU Veterinary Science Department, and Tyler Melroe, Marshall County Extension livestock educator, South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service
Percent calf crop weaned is influenced more by management decisions than by any other single factor in a cow herd, and therefore can be a very important factor in annual returns for a cow-calf operation. Percent calf crop weaned is calculated by dividing the number of calves weaned by the total number of females exposed during the breeding season.
Simmer Down Your Cow Herd
A trait exhibited by a cow herd or individuals within a herd that saves time and money is referred to as a “convenience trait.” Examples are polledness, parasite resistance, heat tolerance and calving ease. Docility is another good example. Think about all the time and money flighty, aggressive animals cost us at gathering, working, sorting, calving, etc. You know the ones – they keep things stirred up in the pen; they are inclined to jump out or tear out, hurt themselves, other animals or you! There are at least three factors that can contribute to a cow’s bad attitude.
Angus Breeders Make Strides with Genes
The combination of scientific and technological advancements and the willingness of Angus producers to test their animals, along with efficient communication tools such as the Internet, have aided the American Angus Association® in its efforts to keep the membership informed a genetic defect.
Plan Ahead to Prevent Grazing Challenges on Spring Pastures
Stephen B. Blezinger, Ph.D., PAS
Cattlemen generally look forward to the spring of the year. Pasture forages typically begin growing rapidly producing large amounts of lush, green pasture. Unfortunately, given the drought conditions that many areas continue to experience, this is not the case everywhere, but many areas it is.
IBBA Hires Director of Commercial Marketing Programs
The International Brangus Breeders Association is pleased to announce that Grant R. Keenen will join the IBBA staff on March 31, 2009 as the new Director of Commercial Marketing Programs. Grant Keenen is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Agriculture, Food and Life Science program with a major in Agricultural Communications.
Q&A: What do the terms Short Solid (SS) and Short Term (ST) refer to?
Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science, Animal Science, University of Nebraska
A: Depending on the barn, “short term” could denote age or pregnancy status.
Short term could mean that they are in late pregnancy.