Kimball Sioux Nation Ag

02/20/2025

02/20/2025

Dr. Rochelle Reddig joins host Jill Funke on the Sioux Nation Podcast today to discuss the increasing popularity of medical laser treatment in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Rochelle Reddig joins host Jill Funke on the Sioux Nation Podcast today to discuss the increasing popularity of medical laser treatment in veterinary

02/19/2025

Calving season reminder: don’t forget the half hitch when applying OB chains to calf legs!

Place the loop above the fetlock and a half-hitch below the fetlock joint, with the connecting chain on the top of the leg.

The double loop distributes pressure from the chain and avoids excessive pressure at any one location (which would occur with a single loop).

02/19/2025

What are the alternatives to zinc in the piglet diet?

In 2022, the use of zinc oxide at pharmacological levels (2,000 ppm or higher) was banned across the European Union. France preempted that with their own ban

02/18/2025

Keep this in mind as those babies are hitting the ground!

02/18/2025

Calving season is here folks, so it’s time to think about calf resuscitation! Calves may need help to get started for a variety of reasons.

Remember, calves should start breathing within 30 seconds of birth. They should be able to move their head within 3 minutes and sit up within 5 minutes.

After 20 mins calves should be attempting to stand and be up within an hour. Make sure they start to nurse within 2 hours (if they don't, you should give them extra colostrum!)

If a calf fails to do any of these things or exhibits signs of distress (such as irregular or labored breathing, a swollen tongue or head, or blue-tinged mucous membranes), immediate intervention may be necessary. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 605-778-6373.

02/18/2025

In case you missed it the first time, this short read is still a great reminder that small investments made at the right time can mean healthy profits in the end.

Vaccination is the easiest way to prevent the symptoms of a disease. While the bird will still get sick, it will overcome the infection without mortality and

02/17/2025

Mastitis can be a lot for dairy or beef producers to overcome. In case you missed it previously, Sioux Nation Ag Center’s Dr. Jenn Malkus gives us great insights on the program today.

Mastitis doesn't have to turn into a larger problem

02/17/2025

Kimball Sioux Nation is is proud to celebrate National FFA Week! FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

This week is a time to share the story of what FFA is and how FFA is preparing future leaders through agricultural education.

02/15/2025

Lameness is frustrating and hard to manage. In case you missed it last year, we are sharing this article again to help you set up your flock for success.

Finish lameness is caused by multiple factors - learn how to work with your veterinarian to position your flock for success.

02/14/2025

Many livestock issues result from feed-related concerns. On this Throwback Thursday, we are looking at how following sound nutritional practices can help prevent disease and save us time, effort, and money.

As we head into lambing and kidding season, it’s a perfect time to discuss all the wonderful issues we can face when feeding sheep and goats. I am not a

02/13/2025

It's the calving season, and it's a great time to re-air this episode of the Sioux Nation Podcast, in which Merck Animal Health veterinarian Dr. Brent Meyer shares his expertise on neonatal calf vaccination.

There is an art to vaccinating calves

02/12/2025

Can cows use snow ❄ as a water source?

The short answer - yes! However, we would not recommend relying on snow as the only water source.

Some Canadian data from the 80's found that energy requirements did not increase when cattle were consuming snow as the water source. Another study in Montana found that 65% of the cows drank water daily when snow was available, while the remainder visited the water source every 2 or 3 days.

Here are some tips if temporarily using snow as a water source:

➡ Clean snow is key. Trampled or dirty snow will deter consumption. Additionally, windblown or ice-covered snow can be challenging for cattle to consume.

➡ Monitor feed intake as it can indicate if cattle are consuming enough water. Dry matter intake and water consumption are linked. If intake drops, insufficient water access may be the culprit.

➡ Expect intake patterns to change. Rather than only consuming water once or twice a day after eating, cattle utilizing snow may alternate more often between consuming feed and water. This can cause cattle to take longer to clean up feed.

➡ Along with eating patterns shifting, cattle behavior may change so that there is more wandering while looking for clean snow to consume. This can put extra pressure on fences or cause more cattle to walk on ice-covered ponds and streams.

To read more about winter water needs of the cow herd and considerations for snow as a water source, check out this article https://mailchi.mp/iastate/growing-beef-newsletter-february-2024.