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October 9, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Few Facts on Cattle

If you are thinking of raising cows—or have just started to raise cows—there are many things you need to know. Today, we’re happy to discuss a few things you should know about your cattle.

  1. Cattle are social animals that make friends. In fact, most cattle chose to spend the majority of their time with two to four chosen cattle. They also tend to dislike some cattle, holding grudges for years. They also enjoy sleeping near their own families.
  2. If you are attempting to breed cattle, it is important to note that a cow’s gestation lasts for nine months.
  3. You’ve probably heard that cows are enraged by the color red. In fact, that isn’t true. Cows are red-green colorblind.
  4. Please don’t lead your cow upstairs if you have to follow the same steps down. While cattle are able to move upstairs, they can’t walk downstairs. Their knees simply don’t allow for that motion.
  5. When cows are treated well, they tend to produce more milk.
  6. A cow can live for twenty years or longer. However, most dairy cows do not live that long, and cows raised specifically for meat typically live until they are close to two years old.

If you are interested in learning more about your cattle please feel free to contact us. We’ll happily answer any questions you have.
September 30, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Common Cattle Breeds

Are you staring to raise cattle? Are you deciding what breed will best meet your needs? To help you make a good decision, we’re happy to give you some information on five of the most common breeds.

Holstein

This breed is usually fairly large, weighing about 1,500 pounds in maturity, and is typically used as a dairy cow. In fact, the average dairy production for a Holstein can be more than 17,000 pounds of milk and more than 600 pounds of butterfat a year.

Jersey

Known for large eyes, Jerseys also produce milk high in butterfat.  This breed is usually fairly small, weighing just about 1,000 pounds. Jerseys are typically excellent grazers and do better than many breeds in heat.

Guernsey

This breed is usually around 1,200 pounds in maturity. Guernseys are good for producing high-butterfat milk, but they still require less feed than some larger breeds.

Ayshire

This is another medium size cow, weighing close to 1,200 pounds. These are strong cattle that are able to adapt to most management styles. They usually forage well and do better under pasture conditions that many other dairy breeds.

Shorthorn

This breed is also a fairly average size, weighing about 1,100 pounds. These cows—which are almost always red—are a good option for a dairy cow. They also usually have a strong, healthy appearance.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you.
September 29, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Few Tips on Cattle Care

Are you new to handling cattle? Do you know how to safely handle cattle? If not, we’re excited to offer you a few pieces of advice. Cattle are large creatures, and with improper care, they can be dangerous. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to read on.

  • Keep your cattle calm. When cattle are alarmed, they can become excited and more dangerous. If your cattle seem agitated, we recommend waiting for approximately thirty minutes before attempting to work with them.
  • Please remember to use your voice. As you know, a cow’s eyes are on the side of their head, meaning they have limited depth perception. Furthermore, while they do have an impressive scope of vision, they still cannot see behind them. This means that it is easy to startle a cow when you approach it, which can be dangerous. Similarly, if you yell, you may spook your cow. When cows are spooked or scared, they tend to swing quickly to find the cause of the disturbance. This can lead to people being knocked over or even potentially trample.
  • Finally, make sure your facilities are constructed properly. By having proper facilities, you can increase your overall safety. Similarly, make sure any gates are locked and pins are securely closed.

If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are eager to hear from you soon.
September 16, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Water for Your Cattle

Obviously, your cattle need water, but did you know that it’s extremely important for your cattle to get enough water? In fact, if your cattle don’t have enough water, they won’t eat, and as their feed intake decreases, the animal will become dehydrated and their body functions may fail.  In fact, water plays a factor in all of your cattle’s physiological processes. If you are interested in learning more about how to water you cattle properly, please read on.

The amount of water your cattle will need will vary depending on several circumstances, including age, production cycle, and age. For example, many cows and bulls may need up to 20 gallons of water every day during summer months. If your cow is lactating, it will require more water than dry cows. Food also plays a factor. If cattle eat lush grass, they should only need less water, while cattle that graze on dry feed or hay require more water than average. Also, if it is hot, your cattle will need more water. We recommend giving your cattle a constant supply of water.

Aside from quantity, water quality is also very important. Granted, cattle do not necessarily need water that would be considered safe for humans to drink, but there are a few factors you should keep in mind. The water’s salinity (or salt that is dissolved in the water), hardness, pH level, and minerals such as sulfate and nitrate have an impact.

If you are interested in learning more about the amount or quality of water you should provide to your cattle, please feel free to contact us. We will gladly answer any questions you may have.
August 28, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

A Beginner’s Guide to Cattle Care

Are you thinking about raising cattle? Do you know where you should start? While the best way to learn how to deal with cattle is to work with then, there are a few places you can look to find a good start. We recommend speaking with someone experienced, reading livestock journals, and selecting the principles that can help you get started.  But to help you get started, we’re happy to offer you three important pieces of advice.

  1. Please make sure your cattle have a clean, plentiful water supply. Cows tend to drink about twelve gallons of water every day. During the winter, you may want to use a tank heater to prevent your water from freezing. Also, you may place copper sulfate in your water if you notice algae growing.
  2. Some people believe that is extremely important to build a shed or barn for their cattle, but all you really need is a windbreak. In reality, most cattle need no shelter at all. However, if you decide that a shelter is important, please make sure there are no drafts. If there are drafts, your shelter may hold moisture that can lead to health problems.
  3. Remember to provide your cattle with high-quality hay. Alfalfa is generally considered the best hay. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive. However, if you decide to use alfalfa, please mix in timothy or other types of grass to protect your cattle from bloating.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon!
August 20, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Protect Your Cattle from Flies

Keeping cattle healthy and strong can be a difficult task for any rancher. And as many will tell you, flies are an increasingly difficult problem to manage around your herd. Flies can cause a range of health problems for cattle, including pink eye, over-biting and various diseases. Today our team is going to give your some helpful tips you can consider using to help protect your cattle from flies.

1. Using fly tags

Fly tags contain a high concentration of insecticide and are extremely helpful in controlling fly populations. These tags should be placed when you notice each cow has a significant amount of flies surrounding it, typically around 200 flies. An ideal time to place the tags is when you are leading the cattle through the chutes as well as give any vaccinations to calves.

Remember to remove the tags every 3-5 months, to ensure they are working properly and reduce the amount of insecticide that the cattle are exposed to.

2. Dust bags/cattle rubs

Dust bags or rubs, are an economical approach to controlling face and horn flies. It’s important to place the dust bag or cattle rub in a place where your cattle can see it, making sure it’s charged constantly with insecticide.

3. Sprays

This method can be effective for ranchers who have cattle grazing in small areas throughout the year. If your cattle graze in a larger area, this may be a more time consuming method of fly prevention.

No matter what method you use, it’s important you have a system that helps control and manage your herd effectively. To learn more about gates, chutes or systems, please contact our office today at [phone]!
July 24, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Raising Sheep for Beginners: What You Should Know

Managing livestock can be quite the task, especially if you aren’t sure where to start or what you need to consider. If you are new to raising sheep, don’t worry. We are going to give you three essential things you can do to ensure you have a successful business and flock.

Feeding your flock a balanced diet

Like any other animal, your herd is going to need to be fed regularly. Sheep particularly have a larger stomach chamber, requiring a healthy and bountiful diet. Sheep that maintain a diet of dry hay and grain will need more water incorporated into their diet than those that don’t.

Generally you’ll want to feed your sheep grains and forbs. Forbs are similar to weeds that are covered in clover and alfalfa. If you’re on a budget, grass and shrubs are also a great option.

Shelter your sheep

Your adult sheep generally can cope with different types of weather, but having a place for them to take shelter, dry out and escape harsh winds or sun can give you healthy sheep for the future. Make sure your shelter has a soft bedding to absorb water or urine.

Take proper care of your sheep

Your sheep constantly need to be cared for. Make sure your herd is vaccinated regularly. Periodically trim the hooves of your sheep to prevent lameness.

When looking for the right equipment to run and manage your sheep, consider D-S Livestock Equipment. From feeders to handling systems, we have you covered. Give a call today at [phone]!
July 15, 2015 BY
IN Livestock Equipment News

Your Guide to Livestock Equipment: Goats

If you are new to livestock equipment, you may need to know a thing or two about the essential equipment pieces to help make your goat business run properly. Here at D-S Livestock Equipment, we are prepared to give you an in-depth look at basic equipment pieces you will need to run a successful business.

Feeders

Like any other animal, it is important to feed your goats. There are several different types of feeders out on the market, from bale feeders, hay baskets, to troughs. Our recommendation would be a combination feeder, where you have the ability to feed your goats hay and grain in one equipment piece.

Located in an area that rains a lot? Not a problem, there are several feeders that offer protection from the outside elements.

Handling Systems

Handling systems can go from very basic to extremely complex. Depending on the size of your business, you will want to choose a system that is right for you. These systems contain components that will allow you to sort, deworm, inspect or tag your goats without harming the animal or you.

Weighing

Weighing your goats is important for your business because it helps record the health of each goat. When you know the weight of a goat, you have the ability to calculate medication dosage, balance food rations and monitor any weight gain.

Work Tables

Having work table is essential for your goat business. Many times it can be difficult to handle, flip and keep a livestock animal still. We provide work table and station options for you so you don’t have to worry about that. Most work tables will secure the animal upright, allowing the goat to be flipped without any complications.

So no matter what your decision is, it is important to always have the safety of you and your animals in mind. Please give a call at [phone] today! We will make sure you have the best for your business.

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