We share how you can prevent scours this calving season, but you have to act now! We have the latest news, market recaps, horse for sale, ranch channel listings and lots more on this all new episode of the Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.
EPISODE 216 DETAILS
Prevent Scours This Upcoming Calving Season Plus Cattle Industry News
How To Prevent Calf Scours: Feed Farmatan
Feed Farmatan To Prevent Scours This Calving Season
Calving season is getting ready to start for many producers and for some others it is still a ways away yet. Regardless, we need to get a jump on scours and make sure each and every calf that hits the ground has the best chance of survival. A simple solution… FARMATAN from Imogene Ingredients.
WHAT CAUSES SCOURS IN BEEF CATTLE/CALVES
Clostridia-Enterotoxemia
The most common form of Clostridium in cattle is caused by Clostridia perfringens. The gram-positive bacteria are a challenge due to its ability to form spores and lay dormant for long-periods of time. The bacteria reproduce by releasing spores into its environment (soil, feed, manure). The spores can even lay dormant in the animal’s intestine until opportunity presents itself. Infection takes place either through ingestion of spores or through an open wound. The most severe cases happen within the first month of a calf’s life, and can result in sudden death.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Bloody, Mucus Present, Bubbly
- Dehydrated
- Bloat
- Blindness
Prevention/Treatment: Prevention can be difficult due to the Clostridia spores being extremely durable and present almost everywhere. Complete cleanout and disinfection between calves is helpful, but not always effective. A good vaccination program will reduce clinical disease. The best method is to develop good gut health and the immune system of the calf. Farmatan has been shown to strengthen the intestinal wall, helping to prevent infection from taking hold.
Coccidiosis
Cattle are host to numerous species of Coccidia, a single-celled protozoal parasite. Infection and clinical symptoms can happen any time during a calf’s life, with the most severe reaction usually occurring between 3-6 weeks of age. The life-cycle of coccidia requires time to infect the intestine causing destruction of the mucosal and epithelial lining. The oocytes mature outside the host in warm, moist environments before being consumed, causing infection of a new host.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Watery, Bloody
- Depression
- Weight Loss
Prevention/Treatment: Prevention of Coccidiosis is possible by keeping young calves separate from older animals, providing clean water and feed, and dry conditions. Isolation of infected animals is key to preventing transmission. Keeping the pen dry is the most important step a farmer/rancher can take in preventing Coccidiosis. Treatment can have a good impact on reducing secondary disease, and speeding up recovery time. Farmatan has been shown to disrupt the reproductive cycle of Coccidia; and may help strengthen the intestinal wall to prevent infection, in both the cow and calf.
Coronavirus
Bovine Coronavirus is a ubiquitous, envelope-viral disease, causing respiratory and enteric infection. There are many serotypes for this virus, making it difficult to test for, and create a vaccine. Coronavirus can present as either diarrhea and/or respiratory illness; transmitted through nasal discharge and/or feces. Animal reservoirs continue to spread the disease, and make eradication almost impossible. Clinical disease will likely occur between days 10-14, and present for up to 4 days.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Watery
- Nasal Discharge
- Coughing
Prevention/Treatment: Prevention is difficult due to wild animals transmitting the disease. Keeping wild animals out of animal enclosures is essential. Isolation of infected animals is critical to preventing the spread of Coronavirus. Adequate colostrum intake, along with a good vaccination program will help prevent clinical disease. Learn more about the positive effects of Farmtan’s active ingredient on Coronavirus HERE.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium Parvum is a single-celled parasite responsible for causing infection in young calves. The infection takes place within the first four weeks of a calves’ life, afterwards immunity has developed within the calf. The parasite is either passed from the cow or spread through infected water sources.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Watery, Bloody, Mucus present
- Colic
- Depression
Prevention/Treatment: Good sanitary conditions, especially clean water is essential in preventing transmission of cryptosporidium. Isolation of sick calves will help reduce the effect on the overall herd. There is some good effect of calves given adequate colostrum, however this is likely helping by reducing other pathogenic loads rather than a direct effect on Cryptosporidium, itself. Farmatan fed prior to calving has been shown to disrupt the life-cycle and reduce transmission from the cow. The direct action of Farmatan on the parasite makes it an excellent choice for treating calves. Learn more about the positive effect of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.
E Coli
Escherichia Coli is a bacterial infection that affects calves within the first week of their life. The bacteria colonize in the lower intestine and produce a toxin. The toxin causes excessive secretion of fluids. The zoonotic disease has special importance in food safety and human health. Colostrum and natural immunity are often not sufficient in preventing infection in cases of high bacterial concentrations.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Creamy, Yellow
- Abdominal Pains
- Fever
- Vomiting
Prevention/Treatment: The best prevention methods for E. Coli include: clean water, dry bedding/environment, isolation of infected animals, and vaccination. Treatment with antibiotics and oral fluids have great benefits in reducing clinical symptoms of the disease. Farmatan has been shown to reduce bacterial load and help prevent infection. Learn more about the positive effects of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.
Rotavirus
Rotavirus in calves is caused by a virus belonging to the Reoviridae family, as a non-envelope RNA virus. Rotavirus is thought to be the most common cause of neonatal diarrhea in calves. The virus tends to affect calves between the age of 1-day-old up to a month, with most cases presenting within the first week of life. Shedding and reinfection can happen in older calves and cows. Clinical symptoms are rarely present after the first month of life; older animals tend to either be carriers or asymptomatic. The majority of herds have some level present, with transmission likely happening during or shortly after birth.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Pale Yellow, Bloody
- Dehydrated
- Dull calves
- Reluctant to drink
Prevention/Treatment: The ideal scenario is to prevent infection through, sanitary facilities (calving barn), outdoor calf housing, and a good vaccination program. Colostrum will provide much needed antibodies, protecting the calf before their immune system is fully developed to combat the disease. Farmatan fed prior to calving can help reduce the pathogen load of the cow, reducing the likelihood of transmission. Farmatan supplemented in the milk has been shown to decrease the virus’ ability to cause infection and clinical disease. The best treatment for calves already presenting clinical disease is to administer oral fluids/electrolytes to rehydrate the calf. Learn more about the positive effect of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.
Salmonella
Salmonella infection of cattle is caused by a variety of species within the family. While the disease is uncommon in cattle with little effect on calf health, it has massive implications for human health and food safety. The bacteria spreads through direct contact or contaminated feed & water. This disease is highly regulated by the USDA. The most severe cases of salmonella affect calves between the ages of 7-10 days old.
Clinical Signs
- Diarrhea – Bloody (flakes of slough tissue), Watery, Mucus present
- Lethargic
- Fever
Prevention/Treatment: Prevention is always the best option: provide clean water, feed, and bedding. Isolate infected animals, ensure adequate colostrum intake, and develop a vaccination program with your veterinarian. Treatment with antibiotics and fluids (oral or intravenous) greatly increases the survival rate of calves infected with Salmonella. Farmatan has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of infection by protecting the gut, and reduce recovery time of infected animals.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IMOGENE INGREDIENTS PRODUCTS
Paul Mitchell & Paul Martin on RFD TV Rural America Live!
Cattle Industry News
USDA Gives Bleak Timeline For Mexico Cattle Restrictions
According to MeatingPlace.Com, the USDA has confirmed there will be no holiday gifts for Mexican cattle producers this year.
Earlier this month, APHIS restricted all Mexican animal commodity imports following the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a cow in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Mexico’s chief veterinary officer alerted USDA in late November.
Dr. Rosemary Sifford, the agency’s chief veterinary officers, stated to media that APHIS’s restrictions will “likely” remain in place through the holidays, with “full resumption of live animal movements” after incremental changes in early 2025. She went on to say that while the U.S. continues to work very closely with Mexico and has agreed to protocols, it will take some time to implement these due to multiple steps needed to resume trade.
Additionally, USDA announced $165 million in emergency funding to protect U.S. livestock from NWS, which are fly larvae that infest living tissue and cause infection.
Canada Plans For U.S. Trade War
Canada’s federal and state governments are planning measures in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with provincial leaders to discuss retaliatory actions.
Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said after the meeting that “a number of premiers spoke out strongly in favour of a robust Canadian response to unjustified tariffs.”
In a social media post last month, Trump accused Canada and Mexico of allowing drugs and illegal immigrants into the United States and vowed to slap a 25% tariff on imports from both neighbors immediately on taking office on Jan. 20. Such an act would contradict the 2020 US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a modest update of the preceding North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump signed during his previous term in the White House.
Low U.S. Beef Inventory Argues Against Tariffs
A former Canadian Cattle Association president Dave Solverson has urged farmers north of the border to utilize their relationships with fellow beef producers to try to counter US President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs.
Solverson said with herds in both countries at their smallest in many decades, extending possible 25% tariffs on Canadian imports makes little sense in the beef business. He said sales of Canadian stock to U.S. packers and feedlot operators are an important source to fill in increasing production gaps especially in northern states, according to Solverson, who led the Canadian Cattle Association from 2014-16.
Solverson recalled that the community of North American beef producers forged alliances a decade ago to oppose mandatory country-of-origin labelling. Those coalitions with both state and national producer groups “really proved beneficial for both sides,” he said. Canadian farmers were able to convince their U.S. counterparts “about how important it was that they could top up their pens with a good group of Canadian cattle.”
Questions About USDA’s Electronic EID Requirements Answered
There are still lots of questions about USDA’s Electronic EID requirements and if you are confused don’t worry you are not alone. Merck Animal Health has fielded many questions about the new electronic (EID) rules for livestock moving across state lines. As a leading provider of EID tags and readers through their AllFlex Brand, Merck Animal Health is helping support cattle producers in their decision-making with expertise and solutions. As part of that effort, Merck Animal Health has provided some clarity to the tagging system. We have all of those links and easy to follow information HERE.
King Ranch Institute For Ranch Management Accepting Applicants for 2025
Wanting to make a change this upcoming year? Well, we all do. The King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) offers the premier Master of Science in Ranch Management degree. They prepare those with a passion for ranching for the next step in their career as ranch business managers.
Their master’s degree program offers a unique multidisciplinary approach to ranch management. They teach students how to manage ranches, but also how to progressively think their way to success and innovation for the industry. The King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management curriculum sharpens students’ skills and knowledge in the areas of animal science, wildlife science, range science, business, accounting, finance, and leadership. External learning opportunities include summer internships at ranches across the United States, projects that focus on real issues facing partnering ranches, and workshops with industry professionals that cover a variety of ranch-related topics.
The King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management is seeking applicants for 2025 that have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years’ work experience in ranching. If you’re ready to take the next step and earn a Master’s degree and fast forward your management career, They encourage you to apply. Click HERE for more information.
Christmas Gift Ideas For That Hard To Shop For Person
Great handmade items along with Ranch It Up swag and merch can be found online HERE!
RanchChannel.Com Now Has The Futures Markets & New Listings
Futures Markets
RanchChannel.com now has futures markets at your fingertips! Feeder Cattle, Live Cattle, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Soybean Oil, Milk Class IV, and Ethanol. Information is provided by DTN and market information may be delayed by as much as 10 minutes. Click Here for more information!
UPCOMING SALES & EVENTS
Ressler Land & Cattle: January 11, 2025
Spruce Hill Ranch: February 6, 2025
Prairie Hills Gelbvieh: February 8, 2025
Wasem Red Angus: February 20, 2025
Vollmer Angus Ranch: April 1, 2025
Jorgensen Land & Cattle: April 21, 2025
World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale: May 15 – 18, 2025
BULL SALE REPORT & RESULTS
Eichacker Simmentals & JK Angus
Leland Red Angus & Koester Red Angus
U2 Ranch
Four Hill Farm North Country Angus Alliance
Jorgensen Land & Cattle Motherlode Sale
Jorgensen Land & Cattle, Legends Of The Fall Bull Sale
FEATURING
Paul Mitchell
Imogene Ingredients
https://www.imogeneingredients.com/
Kirk Donsbach: Stone X Financial
Mark Vanzee
Livestock Market, Equine Market, Auction Time
https://www.livestockmarket.com/
Shaye Koester
Casual Cattle Conversation
https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/
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