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Vaccinations and antibiotics and hormone implants are three very different things. The three act in very different ways. "Natural" beef generally means no antibiotics nor implants. Vaccinations are a different matter altogether. Jim

We vaccinate our children why not our calves? My vet comes twice a year on a schedule. First time is about June 1 when calves are about 4 weeks old. We run the herd thru the corral and chute for weights, pour, most bull calves are cut, calves get ear tags and whatever shots my vet recommends...

Does your rub arrangement leave enough room for the cattle to pass completely under the rub? I use the same rubs with the cloth flypps hanging down and don't have problems with belly flies if you keep the rub well oiled and hanging low enough. I find a heavy rain will make the rub less...

I went to a linear measurement of cattle meeting this winter and there extra teats were said to be a sign of a good cow even though only four are functional. Jim

Having cattle that develop a bit of a sweet tooth makes it a lot easier to handle them when necessary. Much better to have them come to you than to try chasing them around. Get them to want ot come where you want them to come. I use sweet feed as a treat, usually no more than 3 or 4 lb per time...

Hi Jeanne. Yes, I have the spring steer and heifer calves grazing standing corn now. Last summer was not a good one for corn. I usually would not have retained heifer calves grazing corn. There is not as much grain out there as normal but a lot of fodder. I'm trying to stretch my hay. A bit of...

I'll try to answer your questions: Jerry Huth sends his sale bulls to an independent testing facility in Iowa for gains testing before his sale. There I assume they are fed a normal finishing type ration for measurements. Prior to that Jerry raises them on grass. He has more information on his...

I would guess they are both about 1100 lb in June at bull-in day. Jerry's bull may be a little heavier but not much. He raises his registered bulls on and for grass with very little grain if any. He does put his bulls on a gain test but they are not fattened for the sale as many sale bulls are...

This is an interesting thread with a couple divergent opinions from different areas of the country and different sides of the industry. FWIW, in my small herd I use a combination of a purchased 14-15 mo old virgin registered bull and a home raised virgin bull of the about the same age. I...

my wife might like the sound of the nice blankie and warm chocolate.... ;-)

As you can probably tell, this is kind of a hot button for me. It snowed a bit today, temperature supposed to be around 15 degrees F tonight. Just an introduction to winter in Wisconsin. I walked down the hill to check on my weaning calves. I took a picture of my cows' favorite winter...

My Herefords in SW WI never have a roof over their heads until they get on the trailer to the processor or sale barn. They do have access to the woods where they can get out of the wind. I have seen treeless areas in the Dakotas where folks provide some sort of man-made windbreak for their...

Have they had mineral available? Could be some mineral deficiency. Seems like if your grass is gone you need to put out some hay or something for them to eat or get help to move them. Jim

5 oz Permectrin II in a 2.5 gal can then fill with diesel fuel seems to work for me. this year have needed to re douse the rub more often than usual. Jim

I've had good luck with 4 or 5 oz Permectrin II in 2.5 gal diesel and pour it from a gas can. The sprayer just did not get enough on to soak it especially a new one which may hold a gallon the first time. I use the "flypps" also - cloth strips tied to the rub that hang down to get their face etc...

I agree with medicine woman's comment about diesel fuel. I have had very good luck with rubs doused with a permectrin II and diesel mix. I know several folks who have had Lyme disease in the last year. Not good. Takes a long time and a lot of medication to get over it. Comes in several forms...

Sorry to hear about your experience. I have only a few years of experience with cattle. My vet comes to my corral in May and cuts the March/April born calves. There has not been a problem with any of them so far. There was one calf I was thinking of saving as a bull but changed my mind and had...

Sounds like you have a good farm manager! ;-) Jim

I put the bull in in June and my vet preg checks by palpation in early November. He has not missed one yet. I still remember the look on his face when he called one cow "open" and I said "are you sure?" His look told me the answer. These are 4-5 months bred and been with the bull continuously...

I have very good luck with the diesel/Permectrin mix but on a rub rather than spraying them. Here is a picture of my rub hanging across the lane to the waterer in the background. Jim