Apogee Animal Health, Inc.

Dystocia, or difficult birth, is a concern for every livestock producer. A little preparation can help you feel prepared to handle even the most difficult of births on your farm. Once kidding or lambing has started, it is important to monitor for progress. Once a water bag is visible, feet should appear within 30 minutes. Once feet are visible, progress should continue with the first lamb or kid being delivered within an additional 15 to 30 minutes. If a ewe or doe has been p

Calving season can be one of the most labor intensive, but also most rewarding parts of a cattleman’s year. Once the calf is born, proper environment, nutrition, and health are important considerations. Early observation, and intervention, if needed, can help set up calves for a lifetime of good health.   Environment:   Ensuring the calf is born into a warm, clean environment significantly reduces health complications such as scours in the first weeks of life. Reducing mud an

Mud may not be on your radar during single-digit temperatures, but it should be. When the temperatures warm up, the frozen ground is going to get soft. If we add in some spring rains, things will change and just 4–8 inches of mud (pastern deep) can reduce feed efficiency by up to 13%. Why? Cattle eat less because they visit the bunk less More energy is burned walking through mud Wet hair coats increase maintenance needs by 2% for every degree below 30°F This “mud tax” applies

For beef producers, maximizing reproductive efficiency is a cornerstone of profitable cattle operations. One of the most influential factors in achieving high pregnancy rates is adequate nutrition. Body condition scoring is a practical management tool that assesses the amount of fat reserves on a cow and allow us to gauge whether they are receiving the appropriate amount of nutrition. Understanding and managing BCS can make a significant difference in reproductive performance

As weather cools and cattle are more confined, lice can become an issue. We don’t see this external parasite during the summer months because cattle are often spread out and have shorter hair coats, deterring these animal specific insects. However, with declining temperatures comes longer haircoats and cattle congregating in dry lots and other areas to help stay warm. Signs of lice in cattle include scratching and hair loss, which can become significant. Balding areas such as

Preconditioning your calves pays, no matter what their destination is; whether you are planning to sell weaned calves, retain ownership through feeding, or keep replacement stock. Weaning can be one of the most stressful times in a calf’s life and a cattleman’s year, but a small amount of planning can go a long way. Proper care and nutrition during this time can result in a lifetime of health for cattle, increased rate of gain during the weaning period, and decreased death lo

Mastitis. It’s the number one disease on dairy farms. As a dairy producer, you know that. As veterinarians, we also know that, and that’s...

Breeding soundness exams (BSE) before ram or buck turnout can prevent headaches and save money in the long run. There are many things...

It’s warming up and grass season is upon us. Producers are almost as eager as the cows themselves for the day of pasture turnout. A...

Dystocia, or difficult birth, is a concern for every cow/calf producer during calving season. Despite following best practices such as...