Cattle HQ

The Journey to a More Drought Resilient Ranch

During this episode hosted by Robin Salverson and Madison Kovarna, listeners will learn about Dugan Bad Warrior’s journey to a more drought resilient ranch.

The Zuya Sica Ranch is located north of Dupree, SD along the Moreau River.  In 2016, Dugan’s journey began from running on large pastures to shifting his paradigm to soil health and managed grazing.  His journey is not over, he continues to educate himself so his ranch continues to the next generation.

Stockmanship and Stewardship

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Madison Kovarna shares information about an upcoming event being presented by Addie Stamps, SDSU Extension Livestock Production and Stewardship Field Specialist call the Stockmanship and Stewardship Conference.  

Listen to learn more about the conference as well as details on when it's being held.

Incorporating Sexed Semen into a Commercial Beef Herd

During this episode of Cattle HQ, Robin Salverson explores the opportunity of using sexed semen in a commercial herd by implementing the 60:40 program with Kenny Wells with ABS Global. Commercial beef cattle producers can leverage genetic potential by implementing sexed semen into their AI breeding program. 

Listen to learn more about how sexed semen can fit into your beef herd. 

Kenny Wells is the ABS Beef Genetic Program Development Lead

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.