predispose cattle to respiratory infections may also contribute to greater susceptibility to inhaled partic- ulate matter. For example, cattle also have a longer trachea and bronchi, increasing pathogen retention time in the respiratory tract. Inhalation of wildfire smoke increases the susceptibility of the respiratory system to microorganisms that contribute to disease. Daily reassessment of livestock is necessary.” Other Problems This article addresses smoke inhalation. There are other problems, such as skin burns and damaged feet that require care. Severely burned animals may go into shock, requiring treatment or even euthanasia to prevent further suffering. These and a myriad of other problems require intense care. Poor appetite and inability to chew, gut impaction or other digestive tract disorders can happen when the head and face are burned. Feed may need to be soaked to encourage eating. Injuries can happen during escape, secondary to burns. One memory I will always hold is when, as a thir- tysomething mom with two children, the pasture adjoining our farmstead was ablaze, the fire headed toward the buildings at an amazing speed. Flames from the grass were unbelievably tall. Standing on the yard, I turned to see some man I had never seen in my life. He had arrived ready to fight the fire armed with
a rake. It struck me as very odd. Sometime later, he disappeared. I didn’t see him arrive or leave. Who was this guy? Our farmstead survived in its entirety, despite terrible conditions. Do you believe in angels? Bale yards, like this one in South Dakota, are an irreplaceable part of every cattle operation. They are also, unfortunately, a magnet for lightning strikes. Most bale yards are dispersed in widely scattered areas to reduce the risk of losing large amounts of feed when conditions are dry. Many South Dakota ranches keep their own fire trucks to help mitigate the risks of wildfires. | Photo courtesy Robyn Goddard
CALF'S FEATURED LADY By Patti Wilson | Contributing Editor
C assidy Cage is on a mission. A freshly earned master’s degree and an internship with Zoetis have propelled her into a job with the pharmaceutical company, the kind that makes you enjoy getting up in the morning. A native of the Texas Panhandle, Cage was raised on a fifth-gen- eration family ranch. It’s a way of life she has always wanted to follow. She has an exceptionally close relationship with her dad, Jay, and grandfather, J.D. The family owns pastureland in the Kansas Flint Hills where they run yearling steers on grass. The nine-hour windshield time between the two locations, sitting between her two elders, fostered a great deal of insight, affection and opportunity to soak in a lot of wisdom. This is where “checking the steers” takes on a whole new dimension. Choosing college was easy for Cage. Spending time on the Kansas ranch, she grew to love the area and obtained a bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University. Remaining at K-State, she completed her MBA in May 2024. Her internship with Zoetis included livestock product marketing, leading to her present position as beef parasiticides marketing manager for Zoetis products Valcor, Dectomax and Valbazen. Cage under-
stands the impor- tance of parasite management in cattle, recognizing its impact on health, productivity and profitability. She also values the continu- ous advancement of dewormers to com- bat resistance and support sustainable livestock manage- ment. She’s excited about the
Cassidy Cage
opportunities ahead for Zoetis and the continued growth of its business. Cage is feeling confident in her role and the direction her career is taking. As she looks to the future, she remains deeply committed to driving success and feels fortunate to work for a company that continues to make remarkable strides in the industry.
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CALF News
www.calfnews.net
June | July 2025
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