Regional Roundup

While it is well understood that growth-promoting implants are an asset to the feedlot industry in terms of increased gains and feed efficiency, the use of implants in the cow-calf segment is often overlooked and blamed for negatively impacting quality grades.

The approach to ward off flies is multipronged and challenging. However, doing nothing can severely hinder productivity, profits and herd welfare. I’ve asked Dr. Nancy Hinkle, extension veterinary entomologist at the University of Georgia, to give her tips on horn fly control for the Southeast.

The length of the breeding season and the number of breeding seasons per year are questions that must be addressed by all cow-calf producers. While we talk about a breeding season, what we are really focused on is the resulting calving season.

Once again it is that time of year when our email inboxes and our mailboxes are full of bull sale catalogs. It is an exciting time of year as we are getting ready for or already calving, and we are starting to evaluate the genetics we are going to incorporate into our herds this coming year.

Calving season is in full swing for much of the region; hay supplies are tight; and we’re impatiently waiting for green grass to turn pairs out on. With a wet spring predicted, turnout may be delayed later than hoped for and may require extended stored feed delivery.

Reproductive failure in cattle can be very frustrating. Understanding some basic anatomy and principles of reproduction can help producers better communicate with their veterinarian and possibly prevent pregnancy loss.