Understanding Biosecurity on the Ranch
Biosecurity is more than just a buzzword in the cattle industry—it's a critical aspect of how we run Silo Springs Ranch. Ensuring the health and safety of our herd is our top priority, and it’s something we take very seriously. While there are plenty of articles out there aiming to scare folks about the food supply, we believe in taking a proactive, balanced approach to biosecurity.
Why Biosecurity Matters
When you’re in the cow business, you quickly learn that healthy animals mean a healthy operation. Biosecurity isn't just about protecting our animals from diseases; it’s about maintaining a thriving environment where they can grow and develop naturally. This is especially important for our bottle babies, who are still developing their immune systems and are more vulnerable to illnesses.
Our Approach to Biosecurity
At Silo Springs Ranch, biosecurity is integrated into our daily operations. While we don’t have a closed herd (meaning we do bring in new animals from time to time), we have quarantine procedures in place to ensure all new arrivals are healthy before they join the rest of the herd. This quarantine period allows us to monitor the newcomers for any signs of illness and ensures that they don’t pose a risk to the existing herd.
For our bottle babies, extra precautions are taken. Their milk is stored indoors, and their water sources are covered to prevent contamination. As for the big cows, they have access to natural streams and fresh well water, providing them with clean and safe hydration options.
Vaccination and Herd Health
All of our cows are under the vigilant care of Arlin, who oversees their vaccination program. We understand that there’s a lot of concern around newer vaccination technologies, such as mRNA vaccines, but rest assured, we stick to tried-and-true methods. For example, we vaccinate our calves against "black leg," a disease that’s prevalent in our area and has unfortunately affected some of our farmer friends. This vaccination is crucial because once "black leg" infects an animal, it’s incurable.
We vaccinate our calves when they’re young, ensuring that the vaccine is well out of their system by the time they reach harvest age. This is just another step we take to ensure that our cattle are healthy and that the meat we provide to our customers is safe and of the highest quality.
Daily Monitoring and Care
Part of biosecurity is simply knowing your herd. We see our cows every day, and that daily interaction allows us to quickly spot any changes in their behavior or health. Whether it’s a slight limp, a change in appetite, or any other subtle sign, we can be on it immediately. This constant vigilance is key to maintaining a healthy herd and is just another reason why biosecurity is a natural part of life at Silo Springs Ranch.
Conclusion
At Silo Springs Ranch, biosecurity isn’t just a protocol—it’s a philosophy. It’s about creating an environment where our cows can thrive, and our customers can feel confident about the meat they’re bringing home to their families. By taking these steps, we ensure that our herd stays healthy, our operations remain sustainable, and our customers enjoy the best quality beef available.
If you’re curious about our practices or want to learn more about how we run things at Silo Springs Ranch, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to chat!
