A healthy herd is a profitable herd

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Healthy Herd Protocols

By Cheryl Kepes Nutrition and vaccinations are critical for overall health

The warmer weather may be sparking thoughts of spring cleaning and to-do lists. ommend looking for and cleaning off any manure piles on hay or silage. In addition, use While compiling a list of spring chores, how about developing a plan to build a water sources that limit fecal and urine contamination. healthier herd? Experts agree that an unhealthy herd is an unprofitable herd. Lucki- A consistent and thorough deworming program can go a long way to promoting good ly there are many ways farmers can get their herd moving on a healthier path. herd health. “The animal spends a lot of its energy on the biggest attacker it recognizes,”

First, producers should evaluate their herd health protocols. Gunsaulis said. “When there is a significant worm load, a lot of the

“I am all about preventative maintenance, taking care of them be- immune system is focused on that problem and the animal is more fore they have a problem,” Andy McCorkill, livestock field specialist Keep an eye out for susceptible to other diseases.” with the University of Missouri Extension, said. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” A good starting point is making sure a solid nutrition and mineral the toxin cycle in KY 31 Tall fescue It is essential to follow proper deworming protocols so that animals do not develop parasite resistance. Experts recommend following the labels in order to ensure the drugs are working at their maximum efficacy. program is in place. “We have to take care of our animals by the way that we feed them. Animals that look healthy are going to be more apt to be healthy,” n Toxins are concentrated in the seed heads in May through June. “Over the last few years, the typical veterinary recommendation has been to cut back on cattle to once or twice a year on deworming,” McCorkill said. “Some veterinarians will recommend using multiple McCorkill added. n Toxin levels will be high products with different modes of action so that we completely wipe

Farmers can protect the health of their herd by restricting the in the leaves in September out what parasite trouble we have each time,” McCorkill added. movement of animals coming and going from their operation. Keep through early November. Reducing stress is yet another way to maintain a healthy herd. Pronew animals separated from the rest of the herd until it’s established n If producers can delay ducers can start to reduce stress by focusing on the youngest animals the animals are not carrying any pathogens. grazing those fields of in their operations. “I like to be well on the road of having the calves

Vaccinations also play a significant role in promoting herd health. solid fescue during that vaccinated before I wean them, to ensure that they have that immuIt’s never too late to start or improve on a vaccination program. time, that will help on nity built up especially for respiratory diseases,” McCorkill shared.

“Vaccinations on healthy animals simply gives them a better chance animal stress. In addition, experts recommend castrating and dehorning calves as to fend off disease challenges,” Johnny Gunsaulis, county extension n Toxin levels drop early as possible to minimize stress. They also suggest fence line weanagent, U of A Division of Agriculture in Benton County, Ark., said. significantly after ing or calf weaners, which are put in the nose of the calf to prevent Gunsaulis added some producers may want to test for diseases such as Thanksgiving. them from nursing, to assist with the transition of weaning. Johne’s, Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and anaplasmosis. Since calves from first calf heifers don’t have the immunity that calves

Wildlife can carry diseases that impact a herd from a reproductive from older cows have, producers should plan to calve their heifers separate standpoint. Livestock can pick up leptospirosis (a disease that causes abortions in cattle) from the older cows. If possible, move them to a clean field just before they start calving and and other diseases that are spread through wildlife fecal matter and urine. Experts rec- then have fields to transition them to every two to three weeks throughout the calving season.

what do you say?

Why is efficiency important in agriculture operations?

“If you can be as efficient as possible, that’s the name of the game in farming. You want to keep your input costs down and that’s why some people can’t make it.”

Dennis Bailey Greene County, Mo.

“From a business standpoint, efficiency is important because it reduces time, energy and cost in producing something.”

Amy Mast Laclede County, Mo.

“Farming is labor intensive. I have learned that I can make more money per plant by increasing efficacy and bettering my infrastructure, which reduces my time involvement.”

Micah Kuenzle

Christian County, Mo.

“Your profit margins are so thin, so you have to be as efficient as possible to make a profit. You have to cut input costs down and save money where you can.”

Dustin Cook Dallas County, Mo.