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(con’t from pg 10) …Protect your herd. // 5. If vaccination history is unknown then you need to let them acclimate at home before vaccinating with a killed Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) product with fetal protection, like Cattlemaster® Gold FP. It is critical to observe a six-week quarantine period before commingling with your established herd, Kesterson says. The greatest risk is bringing in a BVD persistently infected animal that could put the established herd at risk. A testing strategy for BVD would be money well spent. “The ideal situation is to quarantine until calves are born and offspring is tested BVD free, then you can commingle without worry,” Kesterson says. “But if you can’t keep them separate, it elevates the importance of a robust modified-live prebreeding vaccination program in the resident cowherd.” One last reminder from Kesterson is that as cows are commingled, cows often succumb to respiratory disease. “One of the first things we think when a dead cow appears in the pasture is poisoning,” Kesterson explains. “Necropsies are critical to make sure the cause of death. Mature cows are masters at hiding the symptoms.” He encourages producers to be realistic and to take common-sense steps to protect their existing herds as they introduce cattle from outside sources. A realistic approach is important too when it comes to pasture management, Ingram says. “You can’t decide one day to add a bunch of cattle if your forage base isn’t ready,” he says. “Pasture recovery takes time. Over stocking only exacerbates the problem, from a pasture and herd health point of view.” (con’t from pg 11) Regardless of cattle prices… // Although the Carters set lofty goals for their cattle, they say reaching those heights must fall within the bounds of sound land stewardship. As the 2022 national winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award (read about their efforts elsewhere in this issue ), Carter Cattle Company, LLC, is staying true to that commitment. “We believe in a holistic view,” Carter says. “Our primary goal is to grow more, better-quality grass so that we can increase stocking rates, raise healthier cattle and wean heavier calves. The other benefits are less runoff, less erosion, better wildlife, and more organic material to help the soil retain nutrients and hold more moisture. It’s all a system, and we think you must look at the entire system.” (con’t from pg 29) Weed Control Success Story // Despite his success, Gossett cautions his program won’t work everywhere. Soil type matters. In his case, marginal soils suit cattle perfectly. “Sandy soil is non-negotiable in this type of program. If you stocked 1,800 pounds of beef per acre on different soils, you’d be out of business the first time it rained.” Staying in business, Gossett says, requires flexibility — like buying 184 cow-calf pairs in spring 2023 when the price of all-natural calves didn’t pencil out — and adapting to conditions. “It takes a lot of money to grow this grass, between fertilizer and weed control and irrigation and labor,” he notes. “The way we offset that is through pounds of beef and, with the all-naturals, the incentive of a premium at the end.”
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Views from the Field 01 Good farm dogs are worth their weight in gold. Tripp says he would rather be worth his weight in treats. // Photo submitted by Will Carter, Carter Cattle Company 02 Pricklypear cactus can be an undesirable species in pastures, but we sometimes can let them slide for the sake of a beautiful Texas view. // Photo submitted by Corteva Agriscience Range & Pasture Specialist Tanner Chancelor 03–04 Healthy forage in this Texas pasture also makes the perfect hiding spot for calves. Can you find the critter? An integrated pasture management program on this Oklahoma rangeland ensures sustainability for the future. // Photo submitted by Corteva Agriscience Range & Pasture Specialist Dillon DeMuth 05 We can almost hear this picture. Cattle munching softly on some quality forage — what could be better? // Photo captured not far outside Kansas City, Missouri 06 Deep in the heart of Texas, there’s no brush for rabbits to rush around. // Photo submitted by Byron Gossett, Gossett Ranch
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