Home > Crops & Livestock > Livestock > Animal Health > Beef Cattle > Winter Hazards for Louisiana Beef Cattle [Image: cowboy on horseback gathering Brahman cattle] This two-part series describes the potential disease problems that may arise in the winter in beef cattle because of shortages of grazing and stored forages, and it offers solutions to help prevent these problems. Four Parts of a Herd Health Program [Image: black beef heifers ] This fact sheet describes the four parts of a herd health program for beef cattle: Nutrition, deworming, vaccinations and biosecurity. Cowherd Management - Castration [Image: Grazing cows] Beef cattle producers seeking to maximize profits in their cow-calf production systems can increase income from their calves by castrating male calves. This edition of the Bayou Beef Tips newsletter contains important information on cowherd management, specifically the methods of castration which are surgical, emasculatome, elastrator, and should you castrate early or delay. Aflatoxins in Feeds Is there an absolutely safe level? The answer is probably no. For beef cows, including pregnant cows, a maximum of 100 ppb in the total diet appears to be a practical answer.  more articles... Health Care Topics for 4-H and FFA Beef Show Cattle The following lists health problems and issues specific to show cattle, but It is not intended to be a complete discussion of the topics presented. Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses in animals are most effective when a veterinarian is able to see the environment in which the animals are kept, discuss the diet and physically examine them. Poisonous Plants for Louisiana Livestock in the Fall [Image: Senna occidentalis] Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVD) of Cattle [Image: brahman bull standing in pasture] BVD is a viral disease of cattle that can cause clinical disease and subclinical production losses. This article discusses the common signs of this disease and how to manage it. Anaplasmosis in Cattle [Image: Anaplasma Organism in a Red Blood Cell of a cow] Anaplasmosis is characterized by anemia, which is caused by the destruction of the red blood cells by Anaplasma marginale, a blood parasite, transmitted to beef and dairy cattle by insects. The Anaplasmosis vaccine is made, produced and available by LSU Veterinary Science retired faculty, and a royalty is paid to the LSU AgCenter. If you have questions about Anaplasmosis or the availability of the vaccine, please call 1-800-308-5242. Keeping Show Animals Healthy [Image: girl brushing show pig] This article discusses common diseases in show animals and how to prevent them. Hurricane Aftermath Can Present Potential Livestock Disease Problems Cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep surviving Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious diseases and toxicities, according to a veterinarian with the LSU AgCenter. Photosensitization in Cattle and Horses Photosensitization, also known as photodermatitis, occurs when the liver is unable to excrete a metabolite of chlorophyll from forages the animal has eaten. The metabolite accumulates in the skin and is activated by sunlight. The reaction yields free radicals that "burn" the skin. Anthrax in Louisiana [Image: Horse with swelling] Anthrax in livestock and horses is described. Topics discussed include: A brief history of the disease, persistance of spores in soil, clinical signs, what to do if anthrax suspected, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control. Important Fly Pests of Louisiana Beef Cattle [Image: Important Fly Pests of Louisiana Beef Cattle] The blood-sucking fly pests of Louisiana beef cattle include the horn fly, stable fly and many species of tabanids. By understanding the biology and life cycle of each pest, producers will be better able to devise more effective fly control programs. This publication explains how, in most cases, an integrated approach, whereby more than one control method is used, will prove more effective for long-term fly control. Health Conditions Common to Show Animals [Image: Cover view of PDF] A brief review of the common health problems that can afflict cattle, sheep and pigs. Symptoms and treatments are described, but this is not meant to be a treatment guide. (PDF Format Only) More...