Featured

MicroBasics and the Power of Immune and Gut Microbiome Technology

Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving world, ensuring food safety has become an increasingly crucial priority. The consumption of safe and healthy food is vital for the well-being of individuals and the overall health of communities. A company that has emerged as a leader in this domain is MicroBasics, harnessing the power of immune and gut […]

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Dairy Distinction

Coming Soon: Pocket Ranch and Creamery

Joey Bingham grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Gooding, Idaho. He is married to his high school sweetheart and has four beautiful children. The couple chose to leave Gooding to further their education in Boise. Although Joey was eager to return to the farm and his hometown, his wife, having lived most of […]

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Dairy Distinction

Interview with Cody Turner of Wild Cow Commodities and Turner Dairy

Cody Turner was just a Southern Idaho farm boy. Although just a farm boy, he had big dreams for the impact he would make in agriculture and in the dairy industry. Cody may have grown up on a farm, but he started from scratch to build what he has today. Early on he changed his […]

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Beef Distinction

Immune Importance: Beef Cattle

The immune system is a vital component of the overall health and well-being of all animals, including beef cattle. A strong and healthy immune system is essential for preventing and combating infectious diseases and optimizing animal productivity and profitability.   Infectious Disease Beef cattle are susceptible to a wide range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic […]

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Calf Distinction

The Art of Nature, Built on Science- Calf Distinction

Calf Distinction is a brand that creates innovative and science-backed products designed to promote the health and growth of young calves. Our products are a combination of the art of nature and the latest scientific advancements in the field of animal health and nutrition. This unique combination sets us apart from our competitors and makes […]

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Dairy Distinction

Immune Importance: Dairy Cows

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from harmful pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In dairy cows, a strong and healthy immune system is essential for maintaining good health, preventing disease, and optimizing milk production.   Infectious Disease Dairy cows are […]

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Featured

How to get the Most out of Attending a Conference

One of the best places to get continued education is a conference! This week Brooke Vanderloop of the AVA Group Inc. shares some tips about how she gets the most out of attending a conference and how she applies her new knowledge when she gets back home.   When attending a conference what is the best […]

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Beef Distinction

Views of a Veterinarian- Dr. Trevor Stapelman, D.V.M.

A veterinarian-client relationship is of utmost importance when it comes to establishing animal health protocols. This week Dr. Trevor Stapelman, DVM shares his viewpoint on common practices to maximize health and productivity in beef herds. Trevor grew up in the Mini-Cassia area of the Magic Valley of Idaho and graduated from Minico High School. He […]

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Beef Distinction

Digestive Disorders in Feedlot Cattle

Digestive disorders are a relatively small occurrence in feedlots when compared to respiratory problems. Respiratory disease accounts for approximately 80% of illness in feedyards compared to digestive disorders affecting only about 5% of feedyard animals. Although only affecting a small percentage of animals, digestive disease can be a significant problem. Diarrhea caused by digestive illness […]

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Featured

Welcome to MicroBasics, Justin Reid!

It is with great excitement that we introduce our Director of Sales, Justin Reid. With over a few decades of experience in the sales industry, Justin is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and building strong customer relationships. Justin is from Folsom, California and graduated from U.C Davis with […]

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Featured

Feed Safety and Hygeine with Katie Raver

Food safety is definitely something we think about when preparing food for humans, but do we take the same measures we would in preparing food for our animals as we would for ourselves? Katie Raver from Rock River labs elaborates why feed hygiene practices are important for our livestock and how we can monitor them […]

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Beef Distinction, Dairy Distinction

Use Your 5 Senses When Walking Cattle

Cattle can’t tell you what is going on with them. As you walk the pen use your 5 senses to identify any animals that might not be feeling well, find those that are in heat, and observe how the pen interacts as a group.   SIGHT Cattle are prey animals and will do their best […]

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Dairy Distinction

Cost of Dairy Disease

Although income over feed costs is a very important number in evaluating herd profitability, it is not the only measure of profitability that producers, nutritionists, and veterinarians should be evaluating. Health issues have a huge impact on cow performance, which affects current profits and the future value of the cow. Disease influences profitability both directly […]

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Calf Distinction

Calf Distinction Timeline- The Path to Health

The gut microbiome is the Inside story to long term health of the calf. It is home to trillions of microbes, both good and bad, that impact calf health. A balanced microbiome is highly populated and diverse, keeps pathogens in check, aids in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Neonatal calves are highly susceptible to enteric […]

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Technology

The Biome Cycle with Brett Reed

The soil food web is made up of fungi and bacteria, which are preyed upon by protozoa, nematodes, micro-arthropods, and other larger organisms we also group in our microbiome. There are numerous amounts of species for each of these creatures. The population and ratio of microbes within the soil will vary greatly from ratio to […]

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Dairy Distinction, Technology

Not all Direct Fed Microbials are Created Equal

Cow Biology is COMPLEX. A SYMBIOTIC blend of additives is Paramount. The importance of the symbiotic relationship between the digestive system and the immune system cannot be overstated! As the largest immune organ in the body, the gut plays a major role in whole body immunity. Therefore, establishing a healthy gut translates to increased immunity. IMMUNOMETABOLISM is how the immune […]

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Featured

Core Values, Mental Health, and Sustainable Farms

This week I am excited to be summarizing an interview I did with someone who I consider a very good friend and mentor! His name is Bob Hostetler. Over the span of his career Bob has worked as a Dairy Nutritionist and a Life Coach.  Bob got his start working with Milk Products, and overtime […]

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Calf Distinction, Dairy Distinction

Early Life Microbial Colonization and Effects on Immunity

In the calf world we talk a lot about average daily gain and the effects that better gains early on in life have on lifetime production. Although gains early on in life are important and do affect productivity, much of the growth and development affecting lifetime productivity may be taking place in utero, even before […]

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Featured, Technology

The Cost of an Activated Immune System

The Immune System is a complex network that protects the body from foreign invaders. Do not underestimate the importance of maintaining a strong and healthy immune system. Every second of everyday animals, birds and aquaculture wage a silent war against billions of viruses, bacteria, pathogens and parasites. This system is made up of different organs, cells, and […]

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Beef Distinction, Dairy Distinction, Featured

Welcome to the Team – Lauren Woloohojian

MicroBasics has a new team member! We are excited to welcome Lauren Woloohojian to our team! Lauren’s work experience includes ranch management, producer relations for Danone NA, and technical sales. She will be serving dairy and beef customers in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a little more about her. Q. Lauren, where are you from? […]

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Beef Distinction, Calf Distinction, Featured

TomaHawk iL Zn Trial- The Healthy and Natural Feeding of Cattle

The selection of natural feed additives for calves is growing. Traditionally, ionophores and medicated feed additives appealed to calf growers in an attempt to increase efficiency, growth, and to ward off disease. More recently, as we have learned more about the Gut MicroBiome and its impact on animal performance- prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics technologies are now being […]

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Technology

Probiotics – What’s all the fuss?

Probiotics have become quite a hot topic as we discover more about each different strain and their role in the microbiome. There is still much to learn, but here is a little about what we know now. ROLE OF PROBIOTICS Stabilize rumen fermentation Promote lactic acid production Mitigate negative effects of stress on the gut […]

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Technology

Beta-glucans – What are they?

Beta-glucans are a type of polysaccharide, meaning they are made of a chain of simple sugar molecules. They can be found in the cell walls of microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, lichens, seaweed, various plants, and yeast.   PREBIOTIC EFFECT Beta-glucans are a prebiotic, meaning that they are indigestible to the animal, but are used […]

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Beef Distinction, Calf Distinction, Dairy Distinction

Yeast and Yeast Derivatives – What’s the difference?

Yeast and yeast derivatives have been demonstrated to have a wide range of immune enhancing benefits. It can be confusing trying to differentiate what kind of yeast is included in a feed product and understanding what it does. Let’s discuss this a little further in depth! Whole-Live Yeast: single celled fungi. Improved oxygen utilization in the […]

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Calf Distinction, Dairy Distinction

Farm to Table- Ray Robinson (High Desert Milk)

Recently, as input costs have skyrocketed, more and more producers are turning to marketing their own product to consumers. While marketing a consumable product is not feasible for everyone, it can be an opportunity for some. This week we will get to hear a few words of wisdom from Ray Robinson, as he shares some […]

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Calf Distinction

Setting Calves and Employees up for Success – Thoughts from Brooke Vanderloop, AVA Group Inc.

Preventing Illness To prevent illness in the calves the maternity pen is the end all be all and is especially when group housing calves. Also, good ventilation, and supporting gut health to prevent things like scours and secondary infections and respiratory disease. I feel like, especially in a calf barn situation, you need to have […]

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Calf Ranch Employees Featured

Dealing with Labor Shortages

The current labor shortage has been a challenge for many industries, including agriculture. Many factors have contributed to this shortage including impaired immigrant migration, an aging population, and the migration of younger generations to the cities. This week we will discuss some strategies for overcoming labor shortages.   Simplify When there just isn’t enough help […]

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Featured

Find your Niche

Hello, my name is Mariah Gull. This week I get to introduce myself, and give you a little insight on how I found my niche in calf and heifer management and came to write the blog here on the Calf Distinction website! Although all of my grandparents came from farming backgrounds, I did not grow […]

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Calf Distinction, Dairy Distinction

Fresh Cow Health

Calving is a stressful event for both the cow and the calf. Management practices that minimize stress and support immune function are crucial during this event. The first few days postpartum are the most critical days in the life of a dairy cow. Proper nutrition and management during this time is important to maintain immunity, […]

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Featured

Surveillance Calf- Neonatal Gut Health

Early identification and treatment of disease will increase the chances of survival for the young calf. Train employees to quickly pick up on signs that a calf is not feeling well. Depression, lethargy, not eating, elevated body temperature, ocular or nasal discharge, head tilt, and scours are some common signs a calf may not be doing […]

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