Posts by Krista Gideon

Hay season is upon us and there are common questions that can be answered by our livestock auction to help you bale quality hay. How long does hay dry before baling? Because it takes about three days of good weather to cure hay after mowing, time your cutting around the most reliable weather forecast available.…

Mud creates a variety of problems in cattle. Newborn calves born in or near muddy areas can be chilled by it, trapped in it, or sickened by the pathogens in it. Most calves that die from the pathogens in mud haven’t had their colostrum yet nor have they developed any immunity. It’s imperative to closely…

Trichomoniasis is commonly referred to as trich. This is found in the reproductive tract of cows and bulls. Infected cattle can lead to major losses due to infertility, low pregnancy rates, an extended calving season, and abortions. It can be very costly to eradicate from a herd. Trich is transmitted from an infected bull to…

Calf scours is one of the most costly diseases in the beef cattle industry. Fall calving herds have the advantage. With the help of the hot, late summer/early fall sunshine, the buildup and spread of the pathogens that cause calf diarrhea are reduced. However, whether you have spring or fall calving cows (or both), there…

Our family and many others in our county and surrounding counties have participated in the BQA program. We are always looking for a way to add value to our personal cattle and always want to sell a quality product to the next person in line. If the buyer has good luck feeding our calves, he’s…

Consumers in the beef industry are wanting to know more about where their food comes from and how it was raised. They have been seeking transparency on where their food is grown and produced, even looking for labels that indicate USA labeling and farm management practices. Labels also include descriptions such as antibiotic free and…

Our mail at the barn is currently overflowing with bull sale announcements, flyers and magazines. Although going through all the data can be a bit overwhelming, purchasing the right bull to enhance the quality of your herd is a decision that cannot be dismissed quickly and comes with quite a reward. There are a few…

A common question among producers is the best time to castrate. Recently, Kansas State University did a study that showed bulls castrated at an average of 3 months of age weighed 2 pounds more at 7.5 months of age than the bull calves in the same study.  At 7.5 months of age the bulls were…

Two weeks ago a major winter storm extended across the middle of the country. Heavy snow hit parts of the feedlot country across eastern Colorado, Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, and southern Iowa. Much of Nebraska was spared the worst of the snow but rain has created wet, sloppy conditions in many places. This will impact cattle…

Animal handling, in general, should benefit the farmer and the animal. Safety for both is essential. At Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction, we also want to positively contribute to the welfare of your animal. Here we highlight common hazards and how to make changes to ensure safety on the farm. Common Cattle Hazards Accidents with beef cattle…