Many U.S. food companies have pledged to move to sourcing eggs raised in cage-free houses by 2025. Consumer demand has influenced many companies including the likes of Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks, Subway, etc., to make the commitment.

Newborn calves are at specific risk for neo-natal bovine diarrhea complex, otherwise known as scours.

A lot of livestock producers we meet tell us they are ready to build. Some say they have been for a long time. They have talked with family. They have set goals. They have reviewed personal assets. They have considered succession. They see a future in growing their operation.

Being equipped in a fire department in a fire protection district means two things: hardware and adequate training. Is your rural fire protection district or fire department firefighters properly trained to fight fires in special circumstances that include livestock?

You can never plan too much into the design of a facility to house your livestock – and especially for fire prevention. Roughly two-thirds of fatal barn fires occur from October to March, according to an October 2018 report from the Animal Welfare Institute, with 36.8% occurring in January through March.

Sometimes, producers get so focused on caring for their animals, they neglect their health, safety, or well-being. Even with the best intentions and layers of coveralls, jackets, gloves, etc., working with livestock is often unpredictable.

Cold stress can have dire consequences when calves three weeks old or younger experience temperatures below 59℉. Too much or too little ventilation and inadequate supply and temperature of nutrition provided are factors that exacerbate cold stress, especially in young calves.

A large amount of research has demonstrated quite convincingly that possessing high levels of self-efficacy acts to decrease people's potential for experiencing negative stress feelings by increasing their sense of being in control of the situations they encounter.