Category: Cattle

When preparing cattle for a stock show, their coat is of primary importance. It’s the most prominent feature and will catch the judge’s eye first. So how do you maintain a healthy layer of seasonal cattle hair all year long? Grooming cattle for a show requires more than just brushing to produce a dazzling gleam. Here are five tips for dealing with seasonal cattle hair to help you take home the prize. Learn about the hair growing cycle How fast

 There may be a variety of reasons as to why you want to sort cattle on your ranch. It is a form of cattle handling that is considered an art form. By understanding a few cattle basics, you can be more successful when it comes to sorting your cattle and being a better handler. While you don’t have to be an animal behavior specialist, it is important to understand herd behavior, overall motivation, response to pressure and noise, and more

The importance of integrating safe and effective practices when cattle herding has been established for years, but more recently, the emphasis on using techniques that minimize stress for the animals has come to the forefront. There are five effective simple ways to reduce stress when handling cattle which also have the potential to lead to a more efficient business model, as stress created during handling will lead to increased secretion of stress related hormones which has been shown to lower

Separating calves from their mothers is one of the most stressful periods of their lives, yet is necessary for important reasons. The good news is: there are simple techniques and strategies ranchers can use to ease this transition, which saves money for ranchers and stress for the animals and workers alike. In this regard, let’s examine some simple tips for sorting cows from calves during the weaning process. Why Weaning is Necessary The work cycle of a ranch revolves around

Processing and working with cattle is made much easier when a rancher’s cattle handling facility is designed well. The size and type of facility depends on the operation in question, yet each will have some common design elements involved. Let’s explore this topic more by discussing low-cost cattle handling facility design. Purposeful Design Cattle handling facilities are designed with the purpose of moving the animals into a squeeze chute or for loading them into a truck; either way, they consist

Raising cows for slaughter or sale is undeniably profitable, but it’s also a delicate process. This is especially true when it comes to weaning and preparing your calves for market. Separating calves from their mothers is a very stressful experience for the calves that can lead to more than just pacing and bawling. The stress from weaning can cause your calves to lose weight, get sick, and die from cattle illnesses either during weaning or when they commingle with calves

Calf scours sometimes referred to as enteritis (inflammation of the intestines), doesn’t refer to a specific disease. It’s a symptom – diarrhea – that is associated with a variety of diseases that occur within the first month of a calf’s life. Diarrhea makes it difficult for a calf’s body to absorb water. Considering a calf’s body is about 70% water when it’s born, scours can quickly cause dehydration, triggering electrolyte (sodium and potassium) loss, acidosis (acid buildup), and even death.

If you are thinking of raising cattle as a career or for some part-time income, you’ll need to learn how to herd cattle on horseback. This may sound intimidating on the surface, but what it really requires is the right attitude, some basic knowledge, and the proper livestock tools and equipment. Here are four tips that can help you handle cattle easily and safely. But before you start read more about cattle behavior and handling here.  1. Have the Right

Calf diarrhea (scours) is not only deadly, but it’s incredibly costly. Calf scours is the leading cause of death among calves under 30 days of age. This deadly disorder is the cause of more financial losses to cow-calf producers than any other health condition. Here is what you need to know about calf scours, including steps that you can take to prevent this costly condition from affecting your herd. What is Calf Scours? Calf scours isn’t a single disease. Rather it is

You may not think that technology and ranching go hand in hand, but things have changed drastically in the world of cowhands over the past few decades and that includes new technology in animal production. While you’ll still find wide open spaces and plenty of dust to satisfy your inner cattle rustler, the truth is that agricultural technology is giving ranchers the edge that they may have been lacking. Here are just a few of the ways that technology is

If you’re serious about raising livestock, and handling cattle, you’re going to need the right tools. Raising and having livestock can help you bring in income and save on some monthly bills, but there is an investment involved to get started and keep your operation running. Here are just eight essential tools for cattlemen so that you can get your operation up to speed. But before you start sorting cattle be sure to read our article about cattle behavior and