Roots & Ridge Report

With the days growing shorter and a chill creeping into the mornings, there's no doubt that October has arrived in full force. Whether you're knee deep in harvest or wrapping things up, here's to wishing you safe travels across the fields, steady yields, and a smooth end to the season.

For those with livestock, fall work is likely shifting into high gear, calves are being weaned, pens are filling up, and the sounds of animals settling in for the cooler months are echoing through the yard. It’s a busy time, finishing up those last minute projects before the cold really sets in. But there's something comforting about the familiar rhythm of fall on the farm.

And for our gardeners, the season brings its own kind of hustle, pulling the last of the vegetables, clearing out beds, and tucking things in for winter. Whether you're harvesting the final tomatoes or planting garlic for next year, it's a satisfying close to another growing season.

In this October Roots to Ridge Newsletter, we’re shining a spotlight on some local experts in veterinary science. Dr. Fred Mansfield gives great information on Bovine Respiratory Disease in addition to some helpful article from University of Minnesota Extension and a variety of other news sources.

There will be a Land/Rent workshop for Pipestone and Murray County coming up on Tuesday, November 25th at 9:30 a.m This year, it will be held via Zoom instead of in person. You can join from wherever you are, or come join us at a watch party held in the Slayton 4-H Building! Sign up below

Matti Boomgaarden- Extension Educator

boomg022@umn.edu

MC:507-836-1143

PC::507-825-1193

As we roll through October, harvest is in full swing and moisture continues to be a challenge. High humidity and frequent rain have created conditions that call for extra attention to bale quality, storage, and animal health. Earlier this summer fellow University of Minnesota Extension Educator Troy Salzer, called me and gave me some valuable information for the coming season about the best ways to ensure producers are utilizing their forages to the best of their ability for their livestock.

Moisture meters are reading around 17%, but many are still baled at 18–19%. This small increase, combined with high humidity, means bales may not go through the natural "sweat" process that typically helps expel excess moisture. Without that, there's a higher risk for mold and spoilage.

This year, mold in bales is more prevalent, and it’s more important than ever to inspect bale color and odor. While black and white molds are generally not dangerous, fluorescent molds are concerning and may signal yeast or bacteria presence. Testing is advised, especially if you're feeding sensitive animals like horses or breeding livestock. Remember: mold and yeast are different tests from standard forage analysis.

Much of the hay was rained on and dried later than usual, which can reduce nutrient content. Forage testing is essential to understand the chemical and physical characteristics of your hay or silage this year. Key things to evaluate: color, odor, mold, and yeast/bacteria levels. These are especially important for livestock with sensitive respiratory systems or in the middle of reproduction.

Though by now, nearly all corn silage is bagged or covered, be aware if soils got mixed in during truck dumping, this can introduce toxins. Using a high-quality inoculant is crucial. Inoculants with beneficial bacteria speed up fermentation, remove oxygen faster, and help reduce toxin risks in addition to less spoilage, more stabilized feed, reducing surface rot, weeping, and shrinkage.

Toxins are common in grains that didn’t fully mature or dried down quickly. These crops remain high in carbohydrates, giving bacteria a food source. While large ruminants can handle some toxin load, monogastrics (like pigs and horses) are much more susceptible. Even small ruminants need limited exposure due to their limited intake volume. If you see signs of toxins or yeast in your feed some steps to product your livestock are to, reduce intake of the feedstuffs, blend with high-quality forages, feed dusty or moldy bales outdoors in open air, and stand bales on end to avoid direct contact with mold spores. Take extra caution with bred livestock as some bacteria affect hormone production and interfere with gestation.

This season brings unique challenges, but with a little extra attention to moisture levels, mold, and testing, you can maintain feed quality and protect animal health. If you're unsure about your forage quality, reach out for testing before it reaches your animals.

By: Matti Boomgaarden

Pipestone and Murray County Ag Production Systems Extension Educator

Controlling bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in beef cattle requires a multifaceted preventative approach, emphasizing immune support and stress reduction. Implementing robust management practices is essential, including the use of comprehensive vaccination protocols targeting key respiratory pathogens such as IBR, BVDV, and BRSV—ideally administered before

stressful periods like weaning or transport. Early castration, dehorning, and branding should be performed well before weaning to reduce cumulative stress, and low-stress handling techniques, such as fence line weaning and gentle processing, play a crucial role in minimizing immune suppression.

A second pillar of BRD control is tailored management around high-risk events such as feedlot arrival. Metaphylactic antibiotic treatments may be warranted in high-risk groups, but their application should be balanced with responsible diagnostic criteria to avoid overuse and resistance. Monitoring cattle for early signs of disease, tracking health and performance metrics, and promptly isolating affected individuals helps contain outbreaks and minimize losses. Nutrition strategies that support immune function, such as supplementation with trace minerals, can bolster recovery rates and overall herd performance, yielding both economic and health benefits for producers. By integrating these practices, producers can effectively limit BRD-related morbidity and mortality while optimizing cattle growth and market readiness.

Contact the Veterinary Team at Windy Ridge Vet Clinic at 507-825-3336 with any questions about vaccination or treatment recommendations.

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