Hauling water is an expense that cannot be supported for long. There is also the risk of having weaker cows bog down and die before they are discovered. When water supplies are depleted it is time to liquidate. Minimize exposure to increased health risks by reducing access to stagnant watering areas. Accomplish this by culling early and allowing cows to maintain condition on standing forage.
Thin cows are more susceptible to pathogens and parasites.
To take advantage of natural immunity and ability to withstand pathogens and parasites, cows must be in good physical condition. By taking advantage of nature's little perks, health management practices can be kept to a minimum. The last thing a ranch needs is to battle a health problem in the middle of a drought. Health Management Continue to protect cows and calves against clostridial diseases such as blackleg. As cattle graze on shorter and shorter forage the chance of picking up soil born pathogens increase.