Working Ranch Magazine January/February 2025

ALEXIS WAGONER

The Stalwart Ranches in south Texas run 3,400 Angus mama cows with Brangus influence.

FLOURISHING MICROFLORA Several natural products help pre vent scours. For instance, probiotics are living microorganisms that boost microflora. They create “competitive exclusion,” allowing higher popula tions of beneficial bacteria to crowd out harmful bacteria. Probiotics sup press some of the disease-prevalent bacteria in the gut. However, probiotics are living cells that usually contain a single strain or, at most, a few strains to work on detrimental bacteria. “The cow gut microbiome contains millions, if not billions, of different strains of micro flora,” Cassidy reports. “[With probi otics], you’re just adding one [or a few] strains, hoping it’s the right one.” Prebiotics, such as MOS, are non living cells manufactured in manage able products, such as pellets or range cubes. Cassidy says, “They bind to pathogens so they are expelled with out harming the animal. When com bined with a prebiotic like Amaferm® (with dried Aspergillus oryzae ), it stimulates the good bacteria in the

microbiome, and it’s a one-two punch for improved health. You’ll maximize the animal’s health and performance, both critical for the bottom line.” When added to feeds, MOS binds harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella , preventing them from attaching to the intestinal lining, and preventing diarrhea. Cassady recommends producers take a pro active strategy. “Think about scours well before they occur. I take a year round approach to scour prevention in my herd. I fortify my cows and heif ers with a good vitamin and mineral program that improves the immune system and gut-enhancing prebiot ics, such as MOS. When [microflora] that fight bacteria are reinforced with prebiotics, management is easier. You have an internal insurance policy. “Currently, we’re in the era of increased feeder calf prices,” Cassady concludes. “Think about scours and the implications of death loss. Any treatment is a worthwhile investment when animals are so valuable.” Clint Roof, DVM, Assistant Professor

minerals stabilize the mother’s nutri tion status. “The calf’s scours are gone in 48 hours,” Cawley observes. When calves develop scours, Cawley treats them with an enroflox acin microbial. “It knocks them out of the GAP Program, but we have to treat sick calves,” he explains. “As we drive through the pasture and spot a calf that needs doctoring, we use a dart gun, shooting an antibiotic in the neck. This is much easier on cattle because we’re not gathering, roping, or separating calves from their dams. There’s less stress for everyone.” Chris Cassady, PhD, Technical Sales Field Manager for BioZyme, Inc.®, says preventative management is the best approach to prevent scours. “Medications often change the good bugs in the gut,” Cassady explains. “That’s important because the rumen and small intestine’s microflora com pose over 70% of the immune sys tem. Since the rumen functions with microflora, why not boost the micro biome so it does its job and defends the animal?”

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