Click here to view as a pdf: Give Your Beef Calves A Strong Start

By Erik Brettingen, B.S.

The stress caused by weaning decreases a calf’s immune function and makes them more vulnerable to disease. For many years it has been common practice to give medicated feeds, pellets, or additives around the time of weaning to decrease the incidence of disease. Treating with these medicated feeds can be expensive, counterproductive to rumen function, and now requires a veterinary prescription due to the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). Crystal Creek® formulates products that have natural ingredients proven to support calves during the stress of weaning and do not require the need for a VFD. Crystal Pellets^™ and Heifer Pride^™ are two products that can help give your beef calves a strong start.

Ask The Vet / Ask The Nutritionist

“We see sporadic outbreaks of ringworm in our livestock and can’t seem to get rid of it. What exactly causes ringworm and how can we prevent it?”

-Puzzled in Pennsylvania

There are many producers across the nation who experience bouts of ringworm and struggle to get rid of it. Ringworm is caused by a contagious fungus called Trichophyton verrucosum. This fungus spreads easily throughout groups of livestock, especially those housed indoors. The spores multiply and spread rapidly, and can be picked up anywhere in the environment. Once an animal comes into contact with the spores, they irritate the skin and cause an infection.

Reducing Feed Waste Can Return Big $

Click here to view as a pdf: Reducing Feed Waste Can Return Big Dollars

By Teresa Marker, B.S.

Farmers are always looking for ways to improve their bottom line. One aspect that can easily be overlooked is feed loss due to issues in fermentation, storage, feedout or bunk management. This article provides ideas to help reduce feed waste that can improve a farm’s profitability.

Hygiene Protocols For Successful Calf Raising

Click here to view as a pdf: Hygiene Protocols For Successful Calf Raising

By Erik Brettingen, B.S.

Every calf raiser knows that keeping calves healthy is neither simple nor easy. When a calf’s exposure to pathogens “outweighs” its immune resources, the results are clinical illness. One of the keys to keeping calves healthy is reducing disease causing pathogens at their source using proper hygiene procedures.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Feedstuffs

Click here to view as a pdf: Getting The Most Out Of Your Feedstuffs

By Teresa Marker, B.S.

Dairy producers spend a lot of time, energy and money to grow, harvest and store quality feedstuffs that will be used to feed their livestock. Optimizing those feedstuffs by feeding a balanced ration will make the rumen more consistent and provide a stable environment for rumen microbes to grow which will help improve herd performance, productivity and profitability. Evaluating silage management, TMR mixing and bunk management on the farm are all useful areas that can be evaluated to help maximize the full potential of homegrown feedstuffs.

Beef Up Your Mineral Feeding Program

Click here to view as a pdf: Beef Up Your Mineral Feeding Program

Are Your Cows Getting What They Need in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy?

By Erik Brettingen, B.S.

Limiting or decreasing the amount of mineral provided to beef cattle is a common practice to save money throughout the year for some beef producers. If a cow is shorted the vitamins and minerals needed during the third trimester of pregnancy, it will negatively affect the health of the cow and her calf. The third trimester is a critical time, with 75% of the calf’s total weight gain occurring over these three months¹.

Maintaining Your Pasture To Maximize Feed Quality

Click here to view as a pdf:Maintaining Your Pasture To Maximize Feed Quality

By Erik Brettingen, B.S.

Pasture is a high quality, cost-effective feed that many producers rely heavily on during the summer months. Because pasture is such a crucial feed, it is important to manage it during vulnerable times to make the most efficient use of it when it is growing. Implementation of fall and spring pasture management practices can make a noticeable difference in pasture quality and in your pocketbook during the grazing season.

Evaluating Dry Matter Intake From Pastures

Click here to read as a pdf: Evaluating Dry Matter Intake From Pastures

By Erik Brettingen, B.S.

Many producers we work with at Crystal Creek® utilize pasture as a valuable feedstuff in their ration during the grazing season. Pasture is a cost effective feed that provides great nutrition, supports rumen microbes, promotes animal health, and improves the profitability of many operations when utilized properly. While pasture as a feed can be very beneficial, it has one downfall. It is difficult to measure the dry matter intake (DMI) of your animals when they are on pasture. Dry matter intake is a crucial piece of information for nutritionists when balancing a ration. A balanced ration is essential for optimal production, reproduction, animal health and ultimately profitability.

Ask the Vet / Ask the Nutritionist

Click here to view as a pdf: Ask The Vet Ask The Nutritionist

“Every winter we have a number of animals who come in with chapped or cracked teats. We would like to prevent this but we don’t know how? Is there anything we can use to keep the cold weather from wrecking our cow’s teats?”

~ Chapped in Michigan ~

By Lorrie Meister, CVT

Winter poses many challenges for cattle and producers in general. Here at Crystal Creek^® we have a number of products to help you prevent some of the most common problems seen with winter udder care.

Are You and Your Cows Ready for Summer

Click here to view as a pdf: Are You And Your Cows Ready For Summer

By Teresa Marker, B.S.

It is hard to believe summer is just around the corner. Spring is a great time to prepare your animals for the challenges of summer. Below are some tips and strategies that will help your herd maintain its production and keep components up in the heat of the summer.