The primary concern of every producer is the health of their animals. Cattle producers know that the animal's appetite is an indicator of good health.
Sometimes, maintaining a good appetite in your cattle is easier said than done.
Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy appetite in your cattle.
Cattle that are not on preventative vaccines are subject to a wide variety of illnesses. Unhealthy cattle have a hard time keeping weight which results in a poor feed conversion ratio.
Not only is this bad for your cattle's health and appearance, it can be more expensive to feed sick animals.
If you don't have a vaccination protocol in place for treating and preventing illnesses then you should speak with your vet about the right vaccinations for your situation and for diseases that are prevalent in your area.
Clean water is often an overlooked step in maintaining appetite and weight in cattle. Providing clean water increases feed intake. In addition to making sure the water is fresh, clean, and not frozen over, establishing a water quality program can improve the health of your cattle.
Untreated water can introduce certain risks to your cattle's health. It's not uncommon for ground or well water to contain heavy concentrations of manganese, lead, iron, copper, zinc, sodium, nitrates, nitrites, and sulfates. Better water quality leads to your cattle drinking more which improves absorption of nutrients and better digestion.
At VPSI, we've paired with Assist NPS to help livestock producers identify harmful water impurities and improve their water quality.
Contact us if you're interested in finding out how Assist NPS can improve the health of your cattle and livestock.
If your cattle have been dropping weight, particularly if the weight loss came on suddenly, then there could be an underlying health problem. Pay attention to your cattle and look for any signs of illness, loss of appetite, or dropped weight.
For example, some respiratory diseases can cause weight loss. If you notice changes in your animals' health then it's best to involve your vet as soon as possible before the problem gets worse.
Your cattle become accustomed to the type of feed you provide. Not only do they prefer a routine in their feeding time, but changes in feed can cause your animals to lose their appetite.
Make sure that the feed you are providing isn't moldy or stale. Good storage practices can help eliminate issues with the quality of feed.
Introduce any changes in feed gradually. If you're transitioning your cattle from pasture to a penned feeding situation the change in diet should be handled slowly.
Keeping a clean environment for your cattle will also help prevent the spread of diseases that reduce feed intake. Make sure to consistently remove soiled bedding, disinfect surfaces and holding pens, and have a rodenticide rotation in place to keep rodents from spreading disease in your facility.
Animals that are healthy and comfortable will typically have a better appetite than those that aren't.
For more tips on keeping your farm biosecure check out our Biosecurity Resource page.
Feeding a quality calf milk replacer offers many benefits to your calves. It can result in higher growth rates among other advantages.
However, to maximize these benefits you need to make sure you are correctly mixing the milk replacer. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your milk replacer.
Producers that fail to remove the net wrap from their round bales could be causing serious problems for themselves and their herd in the future.
Net wrap refers to the wrapping or string that binds hay together. Round bales are commonly fed to cattle and the net wrap that keeps them together comes in different materials.
It doesn't matter what type of wrap is used or whether the hay bales are fed whole or after grinding, many producers leave the wrap on.
At Veterinary and Poultry Supply, Inc. (VPSI) we understand the value of the 4-H program and have been fortunate to be able to contribute to our local fair. This year, we sponsored several club events and shows, including the Elkhart County 4-H Poultry Club.
Caitlyn Andrews
Author