Schedule Released for Jim Schumacher Memorial Livestock Day

The annual Jim Schumacher Memorial Livestock Day will be February 1 at the Great Northern Lodge Room. It will start at 11 am. Topic will cover the impacts to our cattle herds the last few years of drought and how producers will get antibiotics from your veterinarian.

The schedule is as follows:

11 a.m. - Scour Vaccination Protocol

Dr. “JP” Pollreisz is a Managing Veterinarian in Zoetis’ Beef Technical Services division. With 31 years of experience in the industry, his primary focuses are the prevention and control of Bovine Respiratory Disease, and integrated health and performance management from ranch to feed yard finishing. Getting the calf off to the correct start through colostrum uptake and scours prevention is the first step in preventing and controlling BRD and making sure calves reach the feed yard.

12 noon - Lunch Sponsored by the Malta Chamber and Agriculture.

1:00 p.m. - Physiological issues during calving (Dr. Bobbi Knudsen)

Drought, poor water quality, and the cold/wind are the extreme environmental conditions affecting our cattle this year. All these factors will hinder the quality of colostrum the dam will produce. We will discuss how to optimize the health of a calf, considering these conditions, with adequate colostrum management as well as the cause and prevention of grass tetany in the spring.

2:00 p.m. - Feed Prescription (Dr. Ann Johnson)

What Producers need to know about changes to purchasing animal pharmaceuticals coming in June 2023. Producer will need a veterinary prescription for all antibiotics.

3:00 p.m. - Water development options during drought - Dusty Emond has invested in some portable water tanks and pumping systems to use in reservoir systems. He will discuss the applications, cost, and items that has assisted him during the current drought.

4:00 p.m. - Johne's Disease (Dr. Rick Levesque)

Johne's Disease is a contagious, chronic, and usually fatal infection that affects primarily the small intestine of ruminants, cattle. Knowing the signs and the impacts from the spread of infected animals is important in the absence of any other control option.

For more information call the Extension Office at 406-654-2543.