Herd Health

Greg Goudreau speaks with a haste in his voice and an appreciation for the quick sale, as you might expect from the owner of the Navasota Livestock Auction in Texas.

Immune and nutritional status, as well as management of newly received cattle, influence their adaptability to the feedlot environment.

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (“pinkeye”) has been a problem for cattle producers for more than 100 years. It is a highly contagious ocular disease that results in serious monetary losses for cattle producers.

Come weaning time, there’s a seemingly never-ending house of horrors awaiting young calves.

But rather than ghosts and goblins, weaned calves face frightening new surroundings. This can include unfamiliar feed, new water sources, exposure to different cattle and harmful pathogens, and increased stress. Without proper care, sending a recently weaned calf into the next segment of the cattle industry is like sending a toddler into a haunted house alone.

Antimicrobial resistance has received much attention in recent years, as human and animal health officials work to understand the issue.

Joe Don Pogue of Sulphur Springs, Texas, started his career as an auctioneer in 1975, two years prior to his high school graduation. He is part owner of Sulphur Springs Livestock & Dairy Auction and has been in the cattle business for over 40 years.