Dull hair coat ?

[Stocker Steve]

Most of our cows have haired up and shiny, but I have two BA cows with a short dull hair coat. They are purchased cows that I estimate are about 10 years old. I know one bred back late. Do you see this as a potential sign of age, or are there other things to look for?

 

[Supa Dexta]

Mineral and fescue consumption are usually the top 2 considerations. Then again some cows can eat and live just like the rest of the herd and still come up short.

 

[ClinchValley]

Hair on the shoulder rust/red colored? How was their coat this past warm season?

 

[Stocker Steve]

Dusty dull black hair coat, not the copper deficient rusty tinge.
We are not in the fescue belt.
One of the two has a dirty tail. Could be a digestive issue?

 

[gizmom]

I usually give them another dose of wormer.

Gizmom

 

[Stocker Steve]

I usually give them another dose of wormer.

Gizmom

Good tip.

Last winter I had some purchased heifers from two sources that did not look right. They had been poured so I tried Safeguard wormer pellets. One group improved noticeably. The other seemed to be higher maintenance genetics than I was used to.

 

[ClinchValley]

The pellets did work ok would you say?

 

[Stocker Steve]

Costly, but much more effective than pour on for worms. Does not work on lice.