Spring Cattle Care 101
Spring is here and we know that because our calves are hitting the ground left and right. In addition to spring signaling calving season for some, it also means it's time to start thinking about spring cattle care for the rest of your herd and what you need to do to be prepared as the weather warms up. Below are some tips on spring cattle care to help ensure your herd remains healthy as the weather changes and as you move through calving season.
Assess General Herd Health
The first step in spring cattle care is assessing the general health of your herd. While I am sure you have been keeping a close eye on body condition scores throughout the winter, take the extra time to visually inspect your cattle and look for any signs of illness or injury. In particular, pay attention to any changes in weight, coat condition, or behavior. If you do spot any issues, it's best to address them as soon as possible to prevent further complications. A great example is that we always have a heck of a time with winter lice in our area, so make sure your cattle are fully recovered from anything that you may have been dealing with through the cold months as you prepare for spring.
Spring Cattle Vaccination Protocol
Once your cattle have been assessed for health, it's time to start thinking about vaccinations. Vaccinations are one of the most important steps in spring cattle care and are essential for disease prevention. Vaccines help to protect your herd from a wide variety of dangerous and potentially fatal diseases. Every herd is different, so work with your local veterinarian to know what vaccines would be best for your operation. Basic Vaccines that all cattle should receive:
5-way viral respiratory vaccine
7-way clostridial vaccine
Cattle Nutrition
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it's time to start thinking about nutrition and pasture management. Make sure your pastures are well-maintained and that your cattle have access to plenty of fresh, high-quality feed and hay. Something to keep in mind when moving cattle from dry hay back to forage (if they’ve been off pasture), is that a transition to high-moisture, low fiber forage too quickly can result in increased passage rates and diarrhea. Slowly remove hay from the diet while adapting back to fresh pasture. Also, be sure to provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your herd.
Deworming Your Cattle
Finally, spring is a great time to make sure your herd is properly dewormed. Deworming in practice is really simple, BUT there are actually a lot of considerations that go into an effective program. We only have a few deworming products in our toolbox and we also know RESISTANCE IS REAL!! Deworming programs should be tailored to your farm and in a way that reduces the risk of resistance.
4 Pillars of Deworming
Diagnostics - effective parasite control programs use ongoing surveillance and diagnostic testing
Combination Treatment - Using a white dewormer and an endectocide in a deworming program will help target the parasites in different ways and may reduce the amount of parasites that survive
Refugia - By not treating a portion of the herd you can help reduce resistance (usually about 10% of your older, healthy cows are left untreated)
Management - Increase herd immunity through proper nutrition and decreasing stress by managing forage heights, rotating pastures and managing stocking density
As always, consult with your local veterinarian to determine the best spring care protocol for your particular herd.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure your cattle remain healthy and productive throughout the year. Make sure to join our newsletter for upcoming news, announcements for merch and more!
