This Florida Farm Is Giving Sick Calves A Little TLC And Getting Them Ready For Market

A cattle operation in Florida has found success in taking the sickest calves for sale and transforming them into healthy animals ready for the feedlot.

Steve Yoder’s farm in Altha, Florida serves as a prime example of the upside stocker operations provide the market.

The high-risk calves are brought to his farm, where he says they are offered a little TLC. That begins with castration, vaccines, and deworming. The calves are then treated to Bermuda grass with supplements.

Once cattle are healthy and gaining weight, Yoder describes his animals as “bulletproof” and ready for finishing.
Programs like this often find success in areas where grass is plentiful and feeding costs can be cut down.

Related Stories
USMEF’s Jay Theiler discusses his leadership role in representing U.S. beef and pork and provides an update on this week’s conference in Indianapolis.
The Dairy Checkoff’s new approach to consumer marketing helps farmers bridge the gap between physical vs. digital touchpoints and deliver more end sales.
USDA released the November WASDE Report on Friday, the first supply-and-demand estimate to drop since September, just before the 43-day government shutdown.
Expanded aerial capacity strengthens the U.S.–Mexico buffer against screwworm, providing cattle producers with stronger protection heading into winter and reducing risk to herds along the southern tier.
The request follows pressure from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASIA), which called for a formal investigation into whether lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have cut into the U.S. market share.
The facility will increase the range of sterile fly release and bolster preparedness for New World Screwworm.

Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.