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Monitor cattle for signs of respiratory issues

An extension beef educator says the fluctuation in temperatures, from bitterly cold to milder conditions, puts cattle at an increased risk for respiratory infections. Purdue University’s Ron Lemenager tells Brownfield producers will need to monitor herds in the coming weeks following Winter Storm Elliott. “I would be on the lookout for cattle that just don’t feel quite right,” he says.  “Kind of what one of my old friends used to call ADRs, Ain’t Doing Right kind of cattle, you know.”

Bovine respiratory disease, or BRD, is one of the costliest diseases for US cattle producers. 

“Maybe I’d be a little bit more vigilant about monitoring how the animals look and make sure that they’re alert and look like they’re feeling good,” Lemenager says. “Chewing their cud and those kinds of things.”

He says younger, smaller replacement heifers and calves have a higher risk for infection in these weather conditions.

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