Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance

All Beef Herd Health and Quality Assurance Content

cows and calves separated by a fence

Low-Stress Weaning

Low-stress weaning methods, such as fenceline weaning and two-step weaning, can reduce calf stress and potentially improve health and performance.

A cattle trailer.

Livestock Emergency Response Planning (LERP)

The scene of an accident is not the place to build your team!

Left: Small group of cattle in a bud box pen. Right: Cattle gathered in a round tub structure.

Bud Box vs. Round Tub Systems

Cattle working systems have evolved, giving producers more options than ever before. Two of the most popular designs today are the bud box and the round tub.

Producers working cattle in a holding pen.

What Cattle Working Facilities Are the Best?

Research is continually being conducted to better understand cattle behaviors and develop working facilities that work with them. Learn some basic aspects of working facilities so you can design a system that best fits your operation.

Black angus calf resting in a pen.

What the Research Says About Pain Control at Castration

Pain management at castration is a topic that will continue to come up as we focus on animal welfare. Research is being done to determine what pain management strategy works best for the castration of beef bulls.

Black angus cow with calf in a well-kept cattle pen.

Are Ionophores the Key for Managing Coccidiosis in Calves?

Ionophores are feed additives commonly used in cattle diets to increase feed efficiency and growth.

A veterinarian and producer observing a group of animals in a facility.

Bangs Vaccine and Talking to Your Veterinarian

As spring arrives, many cattlemen have selected their replacement heifers for breeding and should be considering pre-breeding and brucellosis vaccination in their replacement females as soon as possible to set them up for a successful breeding season.

Three woody plants. From left: Ponderosa pine tree, chokecherry bush and greasewood.

Poisonous Plants on Rangelands: Woody Species

Several woody plant species that are poisonous to livestock are found throughout South Dakota rangelands, including ponderosa pine, chokecherry, greasewood and broom snakeweed.

Urea supplement in a feed scoop.

Considerations of Urea Use in Cattle Rations

In beef cattle nutrition, it is important to understand how protein is used along with the various protein sources available for diets. Urea is an example of a non-protein nitrogen source that can be used in diets in certain situations.

several cattle standing and sitting by a windbreak

Cold Weather Management Options

Winter weather conditions impact cattle as well as the cattle producers. Cold temperatures combined with wind creates more stress and increased management to achieve similar animal performance.