Castration is the simple process of removing a bull's ability to reproduce. A castrated bull is commonly referred to as a steer. Why would you want to castrate a bull? To promote a quality cattle herd, we can't have just any and every bull breeding with our cows. For starters, breeding of closely related animals can cause genetic problems related to … [Read more...] about Why, When and How to Castrate Bulls
How to Get a Cow Back in the Pasture
Sometimes I have nightmares about fences down, cows getting out, and chasing cows around trying to get them back in the pasture. The first few times cattle got out on our farm were pretty stressful. It doesn't happen as often these days, but a cow or calf still does get out now and then. We've learned over the years that these problems can be minimized, and when they happen, it … [Read more...] about How to Get a Cow Back in the Pasture
Why Do You Need to Pull Calves?
The other day I noticed an ad from a major vet supply company encouraging folks to stock up on calf pullers, since calving season was near on many cattle operations in the U.S. It was an interesting reminder that here on our small farm, we haven't had to pull a calf in years. What's calf pulling, why do calves need to be pulled, and how can it be prevented? Let's … [Read more...] about Why Do You Need to Pull Calves?
Does Clover Kill Cattle?
Clover is an excellent forage for beef cattle as it contains very high nutritional value. The high amount of crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) makes it an excellent food source that promotes cattle health and weight gain. But too much clover can be a bad thing for cattle. In certain situations, YES, clover can kill cattle because it causes them to bloat, and … [Read more...] about Does Clover Kill Cattle?
What to Do if a Cow Charges You
We've had a small herd of beef cattle for nearly a decade now, and I've never been seriously injured by one. In fact, I can only remember a single incident where things came close to getting serious, and it wasn't really the cow's fault. But for folks less familiar with cattle, the question comes up: what do I do if a cow or bull charges me? From folks who have experience … [Read more...] about What to Do if a Cow Charges You