Working Ranch April/May 2025

Make Your Mark

remove oil and dandruff. Younger animals have thinner hides, taking less branding time. Olson says the dry ice/alcohol mixture takes 30-40 seconds per character for eight- to 18-month-old animals. For cattle 18-24 months old, it takes 45 to 50 seconds per character, and for mature or Hereford-influenced animals with

takes half the time. Most producers restrain the animal, shaving where the brand will appear, and wash the shaved area with denatured alcohol to

is too hot and will produce a blotted [or unreadable] mark.” Apply a hot branding iron for three to four seconds. Olson recommends placing the brand on the animal, rock ing it top to bottom and side to side, and then removing it. Hot branding irons wear with repeated heating and cooling. Olson uses hot irons for up to five seasons, then gets a new one. Manufacturers make freeze brands with bronze or copper alloy, which the operator cools with dry ice and dena tured alcohol. Often messy, operators must correctly measure ingredients, which lowers the temperature to a specific point to last a reasonable amount of time while working cattle. Some producers use liquid nitrogen; it is less messy, no mixing is involved, and it is colder. It takes an average of 30 seconds to apply a dry ice and alcohol freeze brand. A freeze brand cooled with liquid nitrogen usually

Topical product works to Calm The RED Flag Alert

By Tim O’Byrne

B randing is confusing for calves, of course, because their secure pastoral environment is turned into chaos in just a few hours. When that happens, a calf’s perception of a threat elevates to the extreme, resulting in higher levels of cortisol, epinephrine and other stimulants being released into the bloodstream, essentially putting the calf on RED alert. Applying FerAppease topically to the calf, 5 mm at the poll and 5 mm

across the skin above the muzzle, brings the calf’s perceived threat level down significantly. The active ingredient of FerAppease is a synthetic analogue of the Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance (mBAS). Secreted by the mammary glands or skin of a lactating animal, this substance occurs naturally and works well to eliminate stress in beef cattle. Go to https://ferappease.com/ and watch some of their informative videos.

it’s nutritionally engineered.

FlaxLic ® is carefully formulated to fill nutrient gaps with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins, and minerals that support maintenance, growth, and reproduction. High levels of ALA from flaxseed promote hormone balance, cell integrity, recovery, and immune health, making it especially beneficial for bulls and breeding females. FlaxLic is not just another tub. It’s Nutritionally Engineered ® for optimal performance.

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INJAT3 - WORKING RANCH BEEF - April/May 2025 - 4 color - 7” x 4.875” - 4c 52 I APRIL / MAY 2025 WORKING RANCH audited readers run 21 million head of beef cattle.