Setting your herd up for success
The most efficient way to keep a cattle herd healthy is through daily prevention, as stopping disease before it starts is key to maintaining a farm running smoothly.
According to Gaylen Youngblood, the most critical step in preventing diseases in cattle is to keep their pens clean and dry, as this helps prevent pneumonia and other illnesses.
Youngblood, an 82-year-old retired cattle farmer from Southwest Arkansas, has over fifty years of experience managing herds, providing a valuable perspective on maintaining healthy livestock.
Maintaining a healthy herd requires careful attention to environmental conditions, as factors like moisture, mud, and standing water can directly impact animal health, stress levels, and the risk of disease.
“In any area where muddy areas or standing water exist, waterborne infections and stress will arise,” Youngblood said. “Research must also be conducted to understand that wet environments provide bacteria and parasites with a breeding ground.”
Arkansas County Extension Agent Johnny Gunsaulis agreed that sanitation plays a key role in disease prevention. He said keeping livestock in dry areas with good exposure to sunlight helps reduce bacterial growth and disease spread. He also emphasized that sanitation should not only occur when new animals arrive but should be consistent in practice on every farm.
Youngblood also said another significant factor in minimizing illness involves feeding the cattle a healthy diet. Cattle’s immune systems are strengthened and better equipped to battle diseases when they are fed mixes of minerals and grain.
“If you’re skimping on feed, you’re asking for challenges because a starving, malnourished herd is more likely to be picked over by diseases,” Youngblood said. “Starving your herd is just as bad as not vaccinating them.”
Vaccinations are also a huge necessity when it comes to keeping a herd alive. It is very crucial to work with a veterinarian to create a vaccination schedule that ensures your animals remain protected and the farm operates smoothly.
Gunsaulis added that timing is crucial to a vaccine’s effectiveness. He explained that young animals can experience complications from maternal antibodies passed down from their mothers, making it essential to schedule vaccinations and boosters early – before any potential disease exposure.
“Back in my day, most folks didn’t believe in vaccines for cattle. They learned the hard way when half their herd got wiped out,” Youngblood said.
It is also critical to focus on quarantining new livestock, which is a key biosecurity practice that helps prevent disease spread. New animals should be isolated for two to four weeks to allow time for observation, testing, and vaccination before joining the main herd. This precaution protects existing animals and reduces the risk of costly outbreaks
Keeping a herd healthy is not just about having luck. It is about being consistent, paying attention every day, and treating animals with care. When farmers focus on clean pens, good feed, proper vaccinations, and separating new animals, they set their herds up for success.
“Healthy cattle don’t just show up on the farm,” Youngblood. “Investing in your herd is not hard if you use your head to do everything with precision and honest work.”
