It’s The Ranch It Up Radio Show! Join Jeff Tigger Erhardt, Rebecca Wanner AKA BEC and their crew as they hear how feeding Farmatan to bred cows now can help prevent scours this upcoming calving season. Plus news, markets, updates, bred cow prices and lots more on this all-new episode of The Ranch It Up Radio Show. Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel.

Calving season is getting ready to start for many producers and for some others it is still a ways away yet. Regardless, we need to get a jump on scours and make sure each and every calf that hits the ground has the best chance of survival. A simple solution… FARMATAN from Imogene Ingredients.

Clostridia-Enterotoxemia

The most common form of Clostridium in cattle is caused by Clostridia perfringens. The gram-positive bacteria are a challenge due to its ability to form spores and lay dormant for long-periods of time. The bacteria reproduce by releasing spores into its environment (soil, feed, manure). The spores can even lay dormant in the animal’s intestine until opportunity presents itself. Infection takes place either through ingestion of spores or through an open wound. The most severe cases happen within the first month of a calf’s life, and can result in sudden death.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Bloody, Mucus Present, Bubbly
• Dehydrated
• Bloat
• Blindness

Prevention/Treatment: Prevention can be difficult due to the Clostridia spores being extremely durable and present almost everywhere. Complete cleanout and disinfection between calves is helpful, but not always effective. A good vaccination program will reduce clinical disease. The best method is to develop good gut health and the immune system of the calf. Farmatan has been shown to strengthen the intestinal wall, helping to prevent infection from taking hold.

Coccidiosis

Cattle are host to numerous species of Coccidia, a single-celled protozoal parasite. Infection and clinical symptoms can happen any time during a calf’s life, with the most severe reaction usually occurring between 3-6 weeks of age. The life-cycle of coccidia requires time to infect the intestine causing destruction of the mucosal and epithelial lining. The oocytes mature outside the host in warm, moist environments before being consumed, causing infection of a new host.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Watery, Bloody
• Depression
• Weight Loss

Prevention/Treatment: Prevention of Coccidiosis is possible by keeping young calves separate from older animals, providing clean water and feed, and dry conditions. Isolation of infected animals is key to preventing transmission. Keeping the pen dry is the most important step a farmer/rancher can take in preventing Coccidiosis. Treatment can have a good impact on reducing secondary disease, and speeding up recovery time. Farmatan has been shown to disrupt the reproductive cycle of Coccidia; and may help strengthen the intestinal wall to prevent infection, in both the cow and calf.

Coronavirus

Bovine Coronavirus is a ubiquitous, envelope-viral disease, causing respiratory and enteric infection. There are many serotypes for this virus, making it difficult to test for, and create a vaccine. Coronavirus can present as either diarrhea and/or respiratory illness; transmitted through nasal discharge and/or feces. Animal reservoirs continue to spread the disease, and make eradication almost impossible. Clinical disease will likely occur between days 10-14, and present for up to 4 days.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Watery
• Nasal Discharge
• Coughing

Prevention/Treatment: Prevention is difficult due to wild animals transmitting the disease. Keeping wild animals out of animal enclosures is essential. Isolation of infected animals is critical to preventing the spread of Coronavirus. Adequate colostrum intake, along with a good vaccination program will help prevent clinical disease. Learn more about the positive effects of Farmtan’s active ingredient on Coronavirus HERE.

Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium Parvum is a single-celled parasite responsible for causing infection in young calves. The infection takes place within the first four weeks of a calves’ life, afterwards immunity has developed within the calf. The parasite is either passed from the cow or spread through infected water sources.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Watery, Bloody, Mucus present
• Colic
• Depression

Prevention/Treatment: Good sanitary conditions, especially clean water is essential in preventing transmission of cryptosporidium. Isolation of sick calves will help reduce the effect on the overall herd. There is some good effect of calves given adequate colostrum, however this is likely helping by reducing other pathogenic loads rather than a direct effect on Cryptosporidium, itself. Farmatan fed prior to calving has been shown to disrupt the life-cycle and reduce transmission from the cow. The direct action of Farmatan on the parasite makes it an excellent choice for treating calves. Learn more about the positive effect of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.

E-Coli

Escherichia Coli is a bacterial infection that affects calves within the first week of their life. The bacteria colonize in the lower intestine and produce a toxin. The toxin causes excessive secretion of fluids. The zoonotic disease has special importance in food safety and human health. Colostrum and natural immunity are often not sufficient in preventing infection in cases of high bacterial concentrations.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Creamy, Yellow
• Abdominal Pains
• Fever
• Vomiting

Prevention/Treatment: The best prevention methods for E. Coli include: clean water, dry bedding/environment, isolation of infected animals, and vaccination. Treatment with antibiotics and oral fluids have great benefits in reducing clinical symptoms of the disease. Farmatan has been shown to reduce bacterial load and help prevent infection. Learn more about the positive effects of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus in calves is caused by a virus belonging to the Reoviridae family, as a non-envelope RNA virus. Rotavirus is thought to be the most common cause of neonatal diarrhea in calves. The virus tends to affect calves between the age of 1-day-old up to a month, with most cases presenting within the first week of life. Shedding and reinfection can happen in older calves and cows. Clinical symptoms are rarely present after the first month of life; older animals tend to either be carriers or asymptomatic. The majority of herds have some level present, with transmission likely happening during or shortly after birth.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Pale Yellow, Bloody
• Dehydrated
• Dull calves
• Reluctant to drink

Prevention/Treatment: The ideal scenario is to prevent infection through, sanitary facilities (calving barn), outdoor calf housing, and a good vaccination program. Colostrum will provide much needed antibodies, protecting the calf before their immune system is fully developed to combat the disease. Farmatan fed prior to calving can help reduce the pathogen load of the cow, reducing the likelihood of transmission. Farmatan supplemented in the milk has been shown to decrease the virus’ ability to cause infection and clinical disease. The best treatment for calves already presenting clinical disease is to administer oral fluids/electrolytes to rehydrate the calf. Learn more about the positive effect of Farmatan’s active ingredient HERE.

Salmonella

Salmonella infection of cattle is caused by a variety of species within the family. While the disease is uncommon in cattle with little effect on calf health, it has massive implications for human health and food safety. The bacteria spreads through direct contact or contaminated feed & water. This disease is highly regulated by the USDA. The most severe cases of salmonella affect calves between the ages of 7-10 days old.

Clinical Signs

• Diarrhea - Bloody (flakes of slough tissue), Watery, Mucus present
• Lethargic
• Fever

Prevention/Treatment: Prevention is always the best option: provide clean water, feed, and bedding. Isolate infected animals, ensure adequate colostrum intake, and develop a vaccination program with your veterinarian. Treatment with antibiotics and fluids (oral or intravenous) greatly increases the survival rate of calves infected with Salmonella. Farmatan has been shown to help reduce the likelihood of infection by protecting the gut, and reduce recovery time of infected animals.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IMOGENE INGREDIENTS PRODUCTS

Paul Mitchell & Paul Martin on RFD TV Rural America Live!

WATCH: https://vimeo.com/759549430/bd063fcc1f

Beef production by major global producers is expected to remain sluggish next year, according to analysts at the Dutch financial services cooperative Rabobank.

The recent contraction in beef production is expected to affect major producers in Brazil, Canada and the United States, with New Zealand being likely to see the sharpest percentage drop in beef production, the Rabobank report predicted. Several issues are contributing to the 2025 decline and the expected drop next year, especially in light of limited cattle herds ready for slaughter in both the United States and Brazil, the report added. The long-term contraction of available cattle is being blamed for significant price hikes for retail beef in the last few years, Rabobank noted.

Canada is experiencing a tighter pattern that has resulted in a decline of 41,000 metric tons of beef available for export in 2025 versus levels in 2024, according to the report. Canadian beef output in 2026 is expected to be “more limited” compared with this year for reasons also being experienced south of the Canadian border in terms of the available cattle herd.

References:

https://meatingplace.com/slower-beef-production-trend-to-continue-in-2026-rabobank/?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_cid=1103020073&utm_campaign=MTGMCD251201004&utm_date=20251201-1300

There’s a new way for producers and other stakeholders to track the fight against the New World Screwworm — a parasite that threatens live cattle herds.

The USDA has launched a dedicated website with up-to-date information on the spread of the screwworm, which so far has been confined to cattle in several Mexican states near the U.S. border. The site includes resources for livestock producers, veterinarians, animal-health officials, wildlife experts, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.

Reports of the pest in Mexican cattle prompted the U.S. to halt cattle imports from Mexico back in May. USDA also committed $21 million to boost sterile fly production in Mexico as part of its response.

The new website pulls together information from multiple federal partners, including the FDA, the Department of Energy, Homeland Security, the EPA, and the State Department.

Reference:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

Have you noticed any black nightshade in your corn stalks that you are grazing or plan to graze? If these fields have too much black nightshade, be careful — it might be toxic.

Black nightshade is common in many corn fields in the fall, especially those that had hail damage in the summer or any situation where the corn canopy became thin or open. It usually isn’t a problem, but if the density of nightshade is very high, there is the potential that it could poison livestock. Almost all livestock, including cattle, sheep, swine, horses and poultry are susceptible.

Black nightshade plants average about two feet in height and have simple alternating leaves. In the fall, berries are green and become black as the plant matures. All plant parts contain some of the toxin and the concentration increases as plants mature, except in the berries. Freezing temperatures will not reduce the toxicity.

It is very difficult to determine exactly how much black nightshade is risky. Guidelines say that a cow would need to consume three to four pounds of fresh black nightshade to be at risk of being poisoned. These guidelines, though, are considered conservative since there is little data on the actual toxicity of nightshade plants.

Fortunately, even though nightshade plants remain green fairly late into the fall, cattle usually don’t appear to seek out nightshade plants to graze. However, green plants of nightshade might become tempting toward the end of a field’s grazing period when there is less grain, husks or leaves to consume.

References:

https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/nightshade-in-corn-residue-grazing-could-be-toxic

Paul Mitchell – Imogene Ingredients

https://www.imogeneingredients.com/

Follow on Facebook: @FarmatanUSA

Kirk Donsbach – Financial Analyst at StoneX
https://www.stonex.com/
Follow on Facebook: @StoneXGroupInc

Shaye Wanner – Host of Casual Cattle Conversation
https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/
Follow on Facebook: @cattleconvos

Have questions or feedback? Feel free to reach out via:

• Call/Text: 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420
• Email: [email protected]
• Follow us: Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow
• YouTube: Subscribe to Ranch It Up Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RanchItUp

Catch all episodes of the Ranch It Up Podcast available on all major podcasting platforms.

Ranching, farming, and the Western lifestyle are at the heart of everything we do. Tigger & BEC bring you exclusive insights from the world of working ranches, cattle farming, and sustainable beef production.

Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner (BEC) and their mission to promote the Western way of life at Tigger and BEC.

https://tiggerandbec.com/

For additional information on industry trends, products, and services, check out these trusted resources:

Allied Genetic Resources: https://alliedgeneticresources.com/

American Gelbvieh Association: https://gelbvieh.org/

Axiota Animal Health: https://axiota.com/multimin-campaign-landing-page/

Imogene Ingredients: https://www.imogeneingredients.com/

Jorgensen Land & Cattle: https://jorgensenfarms.com/#/?ranchchannel=view

Medora Boot: https://medoraboot.com/

RFD-TV: https://www.rfdtv.com/

Rural Radio Network: https://www.ruralradio147.com/

Superior Livestock Auctions: https://superiorlivestock.com/

Transova Genetics: https://transova.com/

Westway Feed Products: https://westwayfeed.com/

Wrangler: https://www.wrangler.com/

Wulf Cattle: https://www.wulfcattle.com/