Animal Health

The Kerr Center livestock program uses a whole-farm approach to herd health.

Difficulty in birthing causes many later problems

for both cow…

  • longer interval to next calf
  • reduced fertility

…and calf alike:

  • reduced immunity
  • slower weight gain

Early intervention with difficult births is key.

disease

Disease depends on both exposure and immunity.

To boost immunity:

  • reduce stress
  • supply adequate, quality forage
    and
    water
  • use vaccines properly

To reduce exposure:

  • keep it clean: facilities, water, animals, pastures
  • avoid crowding
  • prevent mingling with other farms’ animals

Detect problems early – monitor behavior and performance:

  • behavior on pasture: grazing? resting?
  • body condition scoring

Publications Related to Animal Health

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Heifer Management

This report covers heifer selection and nutrition, early puberty, target weight concept, proper feeding, breeding, calving difficulty, and bull selection.

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Herd Health Overview

This presentation includes a detailed discussion of vaccines, discusses managing both immunity levels and disease exposure, and addresses the effect of difficult births.

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Cattle Dentition

This is a handout by David Sparks, D.V.M., from the 2011 Healthy Soils, Healthy Livestock conference. It is a visual…
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Beef Cattle Assessment

This is a presentation by David Sparks, D.V.M., from the 2011 Healthy Soils, Healthy Livestock conference. It covers economic comparisons…
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