Bovine Services

California ranks in the top five states for all cattle and calf operations. With that said, we need to do our part in producing good quality, healthy beef to send out to feedlots and feed America. Creston Large Animal has the equipment to help you maintain health and be more productive as well.

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Herd Health & Analysis

Formulated Vaccination Schedule

Depending on what you're doing with your herd, this can make or break your operation. By developing a vaccination schedule, you will be spending a little now on preventative health and saving yourself from doctoring cattle all year long. The chance of picking up a virus could put a dent in your herd, or many of your cows could abort and you lose your entire profit for that year. We will help you be proactive and only vaccinate for the things that you need.

Mastitis & Milk Quality Assessment

Any cattle farm will need to decide how much udder health and milk quality they want to assure to maximize overall performance. Some farms want to do just the minimum legal standard, while others who want to be proactive notice maximized performance.

Cosmetic & Electric Dehorning

Dehorning cattle is the removal of the horns or the process of preventing horn growth. To dehorn there are several different methods. You can use chemical or hot-iron destroys the horn-producing cells of the horn bud. You can also surgically remove the horn bud and the horn-producing cells of the horn bud. Dehorning removes the horn and horn-producing tissue so that they will not grow back.

DNA Testing

Testing is done for simple traits such as coat color, horned/polled status, and recessive genetic defects. There is also parentage testing, which not only identifies pedigree integrity in the seed stock industry, but identifies problematic sires in commercial herds to protect your cattle.

Castration

This is a common procedure that should be decided at a fairly young age. The younger the bull, the less severe the procedure is. You can use an elastrator if the testicles are small enough; if they are too big they can be surgically removed.

Umbilical Hernia

These are usually diagnosed by a vet with a physical examination. They are easily reducible, not painful, and have no evidence of present infection. Hernias can be hereditary or can be from an umbilical infection that goes unnoticed.

Certificates of Veterinary Inspection

This plays a big role in preventing the spread of animal diseases across state lines. State agencies have created rules and regulations that govern the importation of livestock and other animals. It helps keep animals healthy and slows down bring new diseases in new areas. Creston Large Animal can help you with CVI to insure healthy transport.

Immunization Protocols

Having the proper vaccination schedule is crucial to cattle health. Your herd will be much more profitable and doctoring of cattle will be greatly lowered. If your cattle are exposed to anything, you should vaccinate to protect your animals.

Breeding Management & Reproduction

Breeding Soundness Exam

Cattle producers should seriously consider getting a breeding soundness exam (BSE). The examination is conducted on bulls prior to the breeding season to assess their reliability and capability as breeding animals. The cost of the test will vary, but it is usually under $50 and is arguably the best money cow-calf producers will spend on an annual basis. We sometimes try to save money by not spending it, but conducting a BSE is a prime example of how to save money in the long run by spending a little up front.

Semen Evaluation

The fertility of a bull is influenced by a number of things. If your planning on using your bull consistently it might be a good idea to get a semen evaluation done so you know how fertile he is, meaning how effective he is at getting cows pregnant. This can make your operation profitable or a losing battle. If you’re feeding an entire heard of cattle and you only get a few calves a year due to your bull sperm count being low he is the cause of your herd not being at a producing profitable level. Something so simple can make a huge difference.

Frozen Semen Storage

Frozen semen is a good option for breeding cattle. It is collected and then packaged in straws labeled with the bull’s name. After the straws are harvested and ready to store they are put in what’s called a semen tank. The tank is full of nitrogen which keeps the semen frozen. Straws are handled with straw tweezers. Protect fingers from nitrogen burns by wearing thin gloves.

Dystocia (difficult labor)

Calving difficulty is often called dystocia. It is the major cause of death loss in cow-calf operations. Dystocia can have a large economic impact on producers due to calf death, veterinary costs, decreased rebreeding efficiency, and injury or death to the cow. When all this is added up it can make a huge dent in an operation. Creston Large Animal can help you create a sound management program to lower the risk of dystocia and quickly recognize cattle experiencing dystocia is critical to cattle welfare and farm profitability.

Cesarian "C" Section

A cesarean is an incision made through the uterus in order to deliver the calf. C-sections are necessary in cattle when vaginal delivery is too difficult such as dystocia and is not progressing in the expected amount of time and therefore could endanger the life of the cow or the life of her calf. Your vet can do the procedure to protect your investment and for the health of your animals.