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Tyler Barlow, Assistant Extension Agent, Livestock and Forages – LSU AgCenter
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a major problem when discussing calf health. Studies show that 1 in 5
producers face challenges with pre-weaned calf health, particularly respiratory disease. Typically, anywhere
from 10-22 % of calves suffer from sickness or death directly caused from respiratory illnesses. Importantly,
the total direct economic cost of BRD in pre-weaned beef calves between 2011 and 2015 was estimated at $165
million
Causes of BRD
Bovine Respiratory Disease is more typically prevalent at two different time points prior to weaning. The first being
when the calves are around 14-20 days old. During this time, they can become immunocompromised due to a failure of
passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum. Poor colostrum quality or production may result from poor nutritional
management of the dam herself during pregnancy. The second time increased prevalence often occurs is around 100-
160 days of age. This usually coincides with the first working of calves (first round of vaccinations, castration, etc.) and
the natural decline of those maternal antibodies obtained through colostrum. Environmental factors such as cold
weather, drastic temperature changes, high humidity or wet conditions can also contribute to disease risk.
Stress is a major player when discussing BRD. When cattle experience stress, their bodies release hormones like
cortisol and catecholamine (i.e. adrenaline). Long-term or chronic stress can lead to having a significant lowered
immune response resulting in decreased average daily gain. To mitigate the impact of stress on pre- and post-weaned
calves, it is important to practice low stress weaning methods and management. Remember that weaning is one of the
top stressors during the beef cattle life cycle. Keeping calves in a familiar environment helps ease the transition, while
providing clean, well-drained pens with adequate forage minimizes disease risks. Fenceline weaning has been shown
to reduce stress and improve transition success. Preconditioning practices, such as introducing high-quality starter feed
or pasture access before weaning, can also be beneficial. Additionally, conducting necessary management procedures
like vaccination, castration, and dehorning a few weeks before weaning helps minimize stress during this critical period
Symptoms of BRD Calves that are infected with BRD typically show signs of fever (>103ºF), lethargy, cough, nasal discharge, and general respiratory distress. Although it’s easy to see the clinical signs, there are some challenges that come with the treatment of BRD in calves. For one, BRD is a multifactorial disease involving both viral and bacterial components. The cause of BRD could be due to a host of different bacteria and viruses, some of the most common being Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida for bacterial strands and BRSV and PI-3 for viral infection. Therefore, it is essential to visit with your veterinarian to establish a treatment plan when you first see signs of BRD. Prevention of BRD Equally important is the prevention of BRD. Prevention and control of Bovine Respiratory Disease should focus on decreasing external stressors that can contribute to lower immunity and potentially lower profits. Your local extension agent can help you to develop a low stress plan. Producers should work with their veterinarians for a vaccination protocol. Following these strategies mentioned above improves the likelihood of having healthy, more productive weaned calves.
References
Renaud, David, and Angel Abuelo. “Overview of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex - Respiratory System.” Merck Veterinary Manual, Oct. 2024,
www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/bovine-respiratory-disease-complex/overview-of-bovine-respiratory-disease-complex.
Snyder, Emily . “Pre-Weaning Respiratory Disease in Calves with Dr. Emily Snyder.” Apple Podcasts, 14 Apr.
2023, podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pre-weaning-respiratory-disease-in-calves-withdr/id1777801488?i=1000675616971. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Wang, Min, et al. “Cost of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Preweaned Calves on US Beef Cow–Calf Operations
(2011–2015).” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. 253, no. 5, Sept. 2018, pp. 624–631, https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.253.5.624.
Accessed 23 Oct. 2021.
Things are beginning to heat up around here! When the soil temperature reaches 65 degrees and the days reach into the 70's and beyond, Bermuda grass has broken dormancy. As will other summer weeds! In learning more about pastures, I have found that it is easier to kill small weeds than large, more mature ones! With that said it’s best to stay ahead of the weeds. For those of you seeing a bunch of buttercups in your pastures its probably best to bushhog them at this point as they will be fading out as things heat up. Mark your calendar for December to spray for those before they start flowering!! Around June 1, it may be a good idea to make a broadleaf application to kill any summer broadleaf that may be coming on. Another key tip that I have learned is thinking of nitrogen like gas in your gas tank. Just as you have to refill your gas in your vehicle, you should also plan to replenish nitrogen in the soil each year. April, June and early August are the ideal times for nitrogen replenishment. We do offer soil testing if you wanted to see what other soil adjustments, if any, may be needed so you are not wasting time and money on unnecessary fertilizer.
As we move into hay season, you may want to consider forage testing that way moving into next fall you can better prepare for calculating supplementation needs. As you put up your hay, make note of the pasture it was taken from and location of storage. Different areas of pasture and different cuttings may produce different nutrient levels. Be mindful of this when forage testing. I have a forage probe and would be willing to help take samples with you!
Those pesky stable and horn flies may be an issue starting this time of year. Flies cost beef producers $1-2 million each year based on decreased efficiency in cattle and treatment of flies. Some environmental factors that could help with fly control are sanitizing feeding areas and removing old hay piles from the winter feeding season that offers the perfect breeding grounds for flies. Rotating pastures is also an environmental control method to provide cattle with a fresh, clean grazing space. A Chemical control method or combination of methods could be used in fly control such as: dust bags, pour-ons, pesticide in a vet tech gun (for cattle that may be harder to pen), back rubs can be strung out in areas cattle pass through frequently, bullets can be hung on the ends of the back rubs for faces and other harder to reach areas, insecticide tags (can last 2-4 month depending on type), IGR type mineral or lick tubs, and some dewormers offer a few months of relief. Fewer flies lead to healthier and happier cattle who become more efficient and productive.
Fire Ants are another very tiny, but pesky creature in pastures this time of year. Broadcast treatment is possible but can get expensive. Let me know if you are interested in doing this and I can provide more information. Usually it is best to do in the fall and spring. For spot treating mounds, the following products are recommended by sprinkling on the top of the mounds: Amdro, Esteem, Extinguish, or Extinguish Plus. There are some liquid products that can be used around barn or working equipment but are not labeled for pasture use.
Forward Planning:
About: Leilah has been in 4-H and exhibiting cattle for 9 years. Her and her family run a herd of purebred Santa Gertrudis and Star 5 cattle as well as a few crossbreds. We are constantly growing our herd with better genetics, and bloodlines to better the quality of our herd, through buying as well as raising new calves. We also hope to in the future be able to give children interested in showing a chance to be part of an amazing livestock showing community.
Favorite thing about showing: Meeting new friends and making memories that will last a lifetime time.
Greatest lessons learned through showing: Showing animals has taught me both responsibility and leadership as well as how to conquer hard times from losing animals as well as feeling defeated due to being beat.
Recommendations for younger showman: Enjoy every moment of it and remember there is always someone watching that looks up to you so always be the best you can be for the future of the livestock show industry. Leilah would like to say “thank you to everyone from my parents and family to other parents and families as well as my 4-H agents. Thank you for all helping me to grow and be the person I am today, and always being there to help if needed
About their Farm: Circle T Enterprises was established in 1985 with two head of commercial angus cattle to build upon. As the farm grew, half were bred to brahman bulls and the other to angus. In 1992, Mr. Randy and Mrs. Debbie’s son, K.C., started showing so he started getting into registered angus and artificial insemination to improve herd genetics for show prospects. When the F1 Select heifer sale began, Mr. Randy committed his F1 heifers each year and now sells them to other producers as replacements. All of their F1s are Certified or Golden Certified.
About Mr. Randy: Mr. Randy is married to Mrs. Debbie Toups with two children, the late Dr. K.C. and Randi Lyn Toups. He has been very involved and volunteered many hours of service to the Louisiana and Lafourche Cattleman’s Associations, the Lafourche 4-H program, and much more! Many former FFA members, like myself, or Nicholls Alumni may recognize Mr. Randy as he ran the Nicholls farm from 1999-2009. He managed 80 head of angus there while also managing his family farm. Many FFA judging events were hosted by Mr. Randy at the Nicholls farm over the years.
A Little Lagniappe: Mr. Randy recalls his best years of
producing cattle were 2014 and 2024. When he sold cattle in
2014 a fella told him to take a picture of that check because he
would never see another like it. That is until 2024. Mr. Randy
said that raising cattle is hard to do part-time. As most have
experienced, things normally happen at the most inopportune
times. You “got to want to do it!”
Jamie T. Rodriguez, County Executive Director, USDA FSA
Applying for Farm Storage Facility Loans The Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program provides low-interest financing to help you build or upgrade storage facilities and to purchase portable (new or used) structures, equipment and storage and handling trucks. Eligible commodities include corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, oats, peanuts, wheat, barley, minor oilseeds harvested as whole grain, pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas and dry peas), hay, honey, renewable biomass, fruits, nuts and vegetables for cold storage facilities, controlled atmosphere storage, floriculture, hops, malted small grains, maple sap, maple syrup, rye, milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, meat and poultry (unprocessed), eggs, and aquaculture (excluding systems that maintain live animals through uptake and discharge of water). Qualified facilities include grain bins, hay barns and cold storage facilities for eligible commodities. Loans up to $50,000 can be secured by a promissory note/security agreement, loans between $50,000 and $100,000 may require additional security, and loans exceeding $100,000 require additional security. You do not need to demonstrate the lack of commercial credit availability to apply. The loans are designed to assist a diverse range of farming operations, including small and mid-sized businesses, new farmers, operations supplying local food and farmers markets, non-traditional farm products, and underserved producers. For more information, contact your Lafourche-Assumption-Terrebonne/St. John-St. Charles County USDA Service Center at 985-446-6293 or visit fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.
hese are interest rates for April:
Leandro O. Vieira II, PhD, Assistant Professor & Soil Fertility Specialist – LSU AgCenter
As soon as the weather starts warming up again, we will be thinking about applying some kind of fertilizer to our pastures. But why should we test our soil beforehand? Think of a soil test as a routine medical exam for your pasture. The soil test can prevent a series of problems, such as a decline in forage growth, quality and persistence. But first of all, what is soil test? A soil test involves a series of analyses to measure soil acidity (pH) and nutrient availability to plants. At the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSU AgCenter) Soil Testing Lab, the basic test provides readings for pH and plant availability concentrations of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, copper, and zinc. Nitrogen recommendations are based on forage type and management. While sodium is not a nutrient for plants, high levels can challenge forage growth. The most important value in a soil test report is pH. A pH below 7.0 indicates acidity, while a pH above 7.0 indicates alkalinity. Most forages grow best in slightly acidic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 (Figure 1). However, some forages may require pH ranges outside the 5.5-6.5 to properly grow. Soil pH is crucial because it will dictate the plant availability of elements in the soil. Among those elements are the nutrients, elements that the plants cannot properly function without it, and toxic elements that can impair plant growth, such as aluminum.
Soils with a pH below the recommended range will strongly hold plant macronutrients, reducing its availability (Figure 2). Macronutrients are nutrients that are needed in large quantities by plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. Conversely, low pH increases the availability of most micronutrients, which can lead to toxicity. Micronutrients are nutrients that are needed in lower amounts by plants: zinc, boron, copper, manganese, iron, molybdenum, nickel and chloride. Since they are needed in small amounts by plants, there is a fine line between sufficiency and toxicity.
On the other hand, soils with a pH above the recommended for the forage of interest will hold plant micronutrients and reduce its availability (Figure 2). This can potentially cause micronutrient deficiency. However, a high pH will not necessarily result in higher availability of macronutrients. Some macronutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, will also have their availability reduced on high pH soils. Long story short, an ideal pH for the forage of interest will result in a maximized macro and micronutrient availability. This will directly impact in the growth, development and persistence of the desired forages. Additionally, it will reduce the amount of nutrients that need to be applied resulting in lower expenses for fertilizers.
After adjusting soil pH, the next step is to address specific nutrient levels. Soil test reports classify nutrient
levels as very low, low, medium, high, or very high. High levels typically mean no additional fertilizer is
needed, while low levels indicate a need for supplementation.
In summary, the soil test is the best way to access possible nutrient deficiencies and excessive acidity or
alkalinity. In addition, resources can be spent elsewhere in case less fertilizer is needed. The LSU
AgCenter Soil Testing Lab, located at 125 M.B. Sturgis Hall on the main campus in Baton Rouge, provides
soil analysis and interpretation for a small fee:
(https://www.lsuagcenter.com/portals/our_offices/departments/spess/servicelabs/soil_testing_lab).
