Cattle HQ

The Different Vaccine Types and How They Work in the Animal

The use of vaccines is a common practice on cattle operations, however, there are different types, modes of action and label recommendations which can be confusing.  During this episode of Cattle HQ, Dr. Russ Daly answers the following questions to help producers navigate the world of vaccines:     

• How do the different types of vaccines (MLV vs. killed) work within the animal?
• What is the purpose of the booster vaccination?
• Why do we booster?
• When do we booster?

Host Robin Salverson, SDSU Extension Cow Calf Field Specialist. 

Dr. Russ Daly is the Extension Veterinarian and Professor in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department at SDSU. 

Reference factsheet: https://extension.sdstate.edu/sites/default/files/2021-09/P-00221.pdf

Spring Turnout and Branding Time Considerations

Spring time brings green grass and spring turnout for many cattle producers in South Dakota.  How we manage those calves at spring turn out can impact them for their lifetime. 

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson uses her personal experiences in the branding pen to ask Addie Womack and Dr. Russ Daly why BQA best management practices should be followed at spring turnout.   

• How do springtime vaccinations set up calves for success?
• At what age do calves respond to vaccinations?
• Why does the location of injection impact the calf and the meat?
• How many bottles of modified live vaccines (MLV) be mixed up at one time?
• What happens if you draw up the wrong vaccine into the syringe?
• How should intranasal vaccines be administered?
• Plus more will be answered during this episode.

Addie Womack is the SDSU Extension Livestock Production and Stewardship Field Specialist and the SD BQA Coordinator.  Dr. Russ Daly is the Extension Veterinarian and Professor in the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Department at SDSU. 

Keeping Cattle and Grass in Balance

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with her colleagues from SDSU Kaylee Wheeler, an Extension Range Field Specialist, and Dr. Krista Ehlert, an Assistant Professor and Extension Range Specialist.

While some parts of the state are picking up some moisture, many of us are still behind on moisture levels. The grass may be greening up and beginning to grow, but that doesn’t mean we can return to business as usual with our grazing plans. During this episode, Kaylee and Krista will share their insights on grazing management strategies and the importance of early spring moisture for the success of this grazing season. We also discussed resources available at extension.sdstate.edu for anyone to access to learn more about rangeland management during this uncertain time.

Behind the Herd with Totton Angus (Part 2)

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna finishes the conversation with Charlie Totton and Courtney Tyrrell from Totton Angus near Chamberlain, SD about the management strategies happening on the ranch.

Totton Angus focuses on breeding and maintaining a herd of moderate framed cows who utilize feed and their natural resources well. In this process, they have incorporated swath grazing and fence line weaning into their management equation. Additionally, the family has some interesting projects on the horizon from potentially hosting a South Dakota bird tour to conducting a prescribed burn. Tune in for words of wisdom from both Charlie and Courtney in the second part of Behind the Herd with Totton Angus.

Behind the Herd with Totton Angus (Part 1)

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down at the dinner table with Charlie Totton and Courtney Tyrrell from Totton Angus near Chamberlain, SD to chat about the management strategies happening on the ranch.

Totton Angus focuses on breeding and maintaining a herd of moderate framed cows who utilize feed and their natural resources well. In this process, they have incorporated swath grazing and fence line weaning into their management equation. Additionally, the family has some interesting ways of utilizing cut cedar trees for their herd. There is a lot to ruminate on from the first half of the conversation with Charlie and Courtney. This conversation will be continued in the next episode of Cattle HQ.

The Economic and Production Benefits of Artificial Insemination (AI) on the Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch

The Wilson family has been focused on having an elite cowherd since 1888 and the tradition continues with Jaclyn Wilson, the 5^th generation on the Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch.  The ranch located on the western edge of the Sandhills of Nebraska has been using artificial insemination (AI) for over 30 years to help accomplish their goals.  During this episode of Cattle HQ, listeners will hear Jaclyn share their story on the reasons why they have continued using AI as a reproductive tool including:

• The economic benefit of AI to the ranch.
• The improvement of overall reproductive management.
• Increased longevity of the cowherd.
• Incorporation of AI into their summer grazing management.
• How they have made using AI efficient on their operation.   

The Importance of Vitamin A in the Cow Herd

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson and Madison Kovarna explore the importance of Vitamin A to the cowherd, including the newborn calf from Dr. Hannah Speer. 

• How to build liver storage of vitamin A in the cow’s diet.
• How to build vitamin A in the colostrum.
• How vitamin A is transferred to the newborn calf.
• How vitamin A is regulated in the cow.

 

Dr. Hannah Speer is an assistant professor with Montana State University. 

Grazing Smart Following Dry Fall and Winter Seasons

SDSU Kaylee Wheeler, an Extension Range Field Specialist, and Dr. Krista Ehlert, an Assistant Professor and Extension Range Specialist.

Mother Nature’s facuet seemingly turned off in the fall of 2024 for a majority of South Dakota. Moisture has not been falling even as temperatures drop, and winter settles in across the state. Many producers are looking out over pastureland with extremely limited snow cover and low soil moisture. What does this mean for grazing this spring? During this episode, Kaylee and Krista will share their thoughts about planning ahead for the 2025 grazing season. Topics discussed include monitoring weather through the SD Mesonet system, questions to ask yourself when looking ahead, the value of snow cover for grassland plants, and so much more. It is never too early to start crafting a grazing plan!

Making Waves in Pasture Water Systems (Part 2)

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna finishes the conversation with Pete Bauman, a Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist, from SDSU Extension and Wayne Vincent from Common Sense Solar.

Pete and Wayne’s passion for water quality and developing alternative water sources shines in this episode. Water systems are not a one-size-fits-all and have many pieces that fit into the puzzle. In this second half of the alternative water source conversation, the trio dives deeper into water supply questions, working with above and in-ground piping, freezing and thawing concerns and more.

Making Waves in Pasture Water Systems (Part 1)

In this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna sits down with Pete Bauman, a SDSU Extension Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist, and Wayne Vincent from Common Sense Solar.

Water is the center point in being successful in any beef operation. This nutrient is vital for cattle survival and for these animals to reach production goals we set for them. During this episode, this trio will start a conversation on alternative watering systems. They will discuss Wayne and Pete’s passion in pushing the innovation limits of water systems, questions that Wayne commonly asks when designing systems, and the importance of providing high quality water to your livestock. This conversation will be continued in the next episode of Cattle HQ.