– Haley Shoemaker, OSU Extension AGNR Educator, Columbiana and Mahoning Counties

While I’m not sure the “if you’re cold, they’re cold – bring your animals inside” concept originated with cattle in mind, cold snaps like we’re experiencing now tend to bring out the misconception that keeping cattle sheltered is synonymous with keeping cattle warm. In reality, cattle are designed with the capability to endure the winter’s cold, as long as we as producers provide them with the necessary means to keep their metabolic processes running and keep cold stress at bay.

Give Your Cattle the Tools They Need

Out of the Wind
You’ve probably caught yourself before stating that “if it weren’t for the wind, it wouldn’t feel so cold”, and the same goes for cattle.  In bouts of extreme weather, access to a windbreak can determine whether Continue reading Cattle in a Cold Snap →

– Dean Kreager, Licking County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

A few years ago, I used to smile a little when my wife complained that our house was too cold at 64°. Now I find myself sneaking over to the thermostat and bumping it up a couple degrees. It is easy for us to know when we are cold but how do we know when livestock are cold? In some situations, it is easy to see, such as if they are hunched up and shivering. Often it is hard to tell when they are cold. Their comfort range is not the same as ours.

Research has shown that below a certain point, our grazing animals will increase their metabolism to produce heat. This maintains body functions such as rumination and keeps the animal comfortable. To meet the needs of increased metabolism, the animal will consume more feed. How much extra feed they can consume is related to the Continue reading Adjusting for Cold Weather →

– Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist, retired

Factors that create stress during the winter months are cold, wind, snow, rain and mud. The primary effect on animals is due to temperature. All these factors alter the maintenance energy requirement of livestock. Maintenance requirement can be defined, as the nutrients required for keeping an animal in a state of balance so that body substance is neither gained or lost. An interesting thing to note is that while energy requirements increase, protein requirements remain the same.

Some published sources contain nutrient requirements for beef cattle that include guidelines for adjusting rations during winter weather. Even without published sources, competent livestock producers realize the need for more feed during cold weather. Make sure that Continue reading Cold Stress and Beef Cows →

– Lawton Stewart, Ph.D., Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia

Are your cattle getting enough Vitamin A this winter?

Vitamins are a unique dietary component for beef cattle and are categorized into two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Bacteria in the rumen synthesize water-soluble vitamins (e.g. B12, thiamin, niacin). Therefore, supplementation is generally not needed as long as the rumen if functioning properly. This leaves the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). Of these, Vitamin A is considered the most important when feeding cattle.

What is Vitamin A and why is it important?
Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a compound that is essential for growth, reproduction, maintenance of body tissue, and bone development. Technically, Vitamin A is not . . .

Continue reading When should we be concerned about Vitamin A supplementation?

– Dr. Michelle Arnold – DVM, MPH UK Ruminant Extension Veterinarian

Heart and lungs from a cow with heart failure due to ionophore toxicosis. The lungs have a wet appearance compatible with pulmonary edema. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Janes, UKVDL.

Ionophores – what are they and why are they used?
Ionophores are feed additives utilized in the beef industry since 1975 as growth promoting agents and for control of coccidiosis. The approved ionophores for use in cattle in the US include monensin (Rumensin® – Elanco Animal Health; Monovet®90 – Huvepharma), lasalocid (Bovatec® – Zoetis) and laidlomycin propionate (Cattlyst® – Zoetis). Although all ionophores act similarly, this article will focus primarily on monensin as far more information is available due to its longstanding and widespread use in the beef industry.

Technically, monensin is a “monovalent carboxylic polyether ionophore antibiotic” produced by the fungus Streptomyces cinnamonensis. Ionophores are so named because they carry (the Latin root “phor” means carry) “ions” across normally impervious biological membranes, leading to disruption of normal cellular functions and cell death. When properly fed, ionophores beneficially alter the normal rumen microflora (bacteria, protozoa and fungi), resulting in increased efficiency of energy metabolism and improved nitrogen metabolism. In addition, monensin changes the ratio of volatile fatty acids in the rumen, increasing propionic acid production and reducing butyric and acetic acids, a change that ultimately provides more energy through increased production of glucose. Monensin is specifically labeled in beef cattle for 1) improved feed efficiency in mature beef cattle and cattle fed in confinement for slaughter; 2) increased rate of weight gain in stockers, feeders and replacement heifers; and 3) the prevention and control of coccidiosis in all classes of cattle (except veal calves) caused by Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii. In addition to its label claims, feeding monensin to cattle is known to Continue reading Ionophore Toxicosis in Beef Cattle – Frequently Asked Questions →