Animal Clinic & Pharmacy

03/17/2026

As firefighters, first responders, and volunteers continue to work towards resolution of the fires that have devastated our local communities, the Animal Clinic reminds those with affected animals to be diligent in detecting exposure and to continue to document damage/loss.

Smoke inhalation can be quite variable with some animals experiencing immediate signs post-exposure and others developing illness days to weeks after contact. Animals that appear normal today are NOT entirely safe especially as high winds and dry weather continue to create poor air quality. The respiratory damage that takes place additionally increases susceptibility to bacterial and viral infection alongside immune suppression. Contact injury and burns are also not one size fits all. Tissue that may initially seem unaffected can declare itself as diseased as time goes on.

To our livestock producers, please reach out directly to the clinic regarding implementation of treatment protocols and disease mitigation. New avenues for compensation and disaster relief are becoming known each day so stay on the lookout for opportunities. PLEASE DOCUMENT YOUR LOSSES AND PRACTICES MOVING FORWARD. Livestock, land, fencing, feed, medication use, etc. The more information collected the higher likelihood of relief being available both short and long term.

Listed below are several resources for both disaster response and contacts for local offices such as FSA. Indemnity programs may be available to offer payment in the event of livestock loss. Those needing veterinary affidavits for insurance purposes please contact the clinic. Producers in need of feed, fencing materials, volunteer help, or otherwise can contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550.

nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources
https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
fsa.usda.gov/disaster

We continue to pray for our clients, our friends, and the entirety of western NE as this event transpires. Thank you to our first responders who have given the entirety of their effort for days on end. Please do not hesitate to reach out for any of your animal needs.

-The Animal Clinic Team

12/20/2024

2024 Preg Season in Review

Overall, pregnancy rates have improved when compared to last year. Geographically, our data is comprised primarily of Garden, Keith, Arthur, Grant, Perkins, Deuel, Cheyenne, and Morril counties. We are 4% higher on average than in 2023. Most of the open females have once again been 3-year-olds and old cows in poor body condition. We attribute this to a mild winter and strong grass this summer.

Tips and Tricks and Challenges

Rebreeding success of 1st calf heifers is highly correlated to heifer development.

Tips for heifer development

1. Select replacement heifers from the first 21 days of the calving season.

2. Goal: Heifers weigh 55-65% of mature body weight at breeding. Do not overfeed. I challenge ranchers to weigh their cows. The days of 1200lb cows are long gone.

3. Breed Heifers 2-4 weeks before the cows.
o Pregnancy lasts 283 days. 365-283= 82 days from calving to breeding to maintain yearly calving interval.
o Post calving interval on first calf heifers 80-100 days (longer if thin)
o Heifers must calve before the cows in order to be cycling at the start of their second breeding season.
o To expect 90% of first calf heifers to be cycling by the 21st day of the breeding season requires that heifers are bred to calve 0-40 days prior to the start of mature cows calving season

4. Manage heifers separately from mature cows to monitor BCS.

Bred Cows are more valuable than open cows.

Have you considered leaving your bulls in longer and selling late breds?
Ex: Bulls in May 1 for a 60 day breeding season. Leave your bull in for 90 days and pull him August 1st. We need 40 days post pulling the bull to age the pregnancies. If we preg check on September 10th we would cut anything that is 70 days or later into the “open pen”.

Scheduling is imperative for this to be successful. Please reach out with more questions.

07/24/2024

Come down to Animal Clinic & Pharmacy and show us your best dance moves as we get footloose at the Keith County Fair. Feel free to take a picture rocking with us and post it in the comments.

03/05/2024

Relief is on the way for Nebraska's production animal veterinary shortage.

Attention high school seniors. Application deadline is quickly approaching.

Governor Jim Pillen was sworn in as Nebraska’s 41st Governor on January 5, 2023. He enters office with the goal of protecting, training, and keeping our kids in Nebraska, cutting taxes, growing agriculture, and defending our commonsense, conservative values.

02/14/2024

For your last minute Valentine’s Day card needs. Happy Valentine’s Day from the Animal Clinic. Thank you Oklahoma CattleWomen

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas to all from the Animal Clinic & Pharmacy! Santa’s reindeer checked out with a clean bill of health and are ready for flight!

12/12/2023

2023 Preg Season in Review

Heifers
Over 1500 head Tested
Average Pregnancy Rate: 81.39%
Open Rate: 18.61%
Days in breeding season: 61.3

Cows
Over 10,000 head Tested
Average Pregnancy Rate: 85.5%
Open Rate: 14.5%
Days in breeding season: 84.9

Overall, pregnancy rates have been down across the region. We are seeing pregnancy rates about 5-8% lower than last year with most open females being the older cows and 3 year old's in thin body condition. We are attributing the decreased conception to the harsh winter and the heavy fly burden this summer. We believe bulls were unable to find cows in standing heat when they were mobbed tightly avoiding flies.

Herds that came out of winter in a BCS of 6 or above with good fly control seemed to perform at an open rate of 5-9%.

Many herds were unable to pull bulls and had many late pregnancies outside their designated breeding period. These cows were still considered bred, however, they should have truly been classified as an open which would have reduced our conception rates even further.

Average Head Worked Per Hour:
Heifers: 45.25
Cows: 77.1

Top Performer: 191.8 per hour

Disclaimers: The Data published here reflects the cattle that Dr. Lemmel checked. It is our goal to include Drs. Perlinger and Fannings data in subsequent years.

11/29/2023

Update: Owner has been located

Intact male dog was brought into Animal Clinic & Pharmacy. Canine was found running on highway 30 with another dog. Unknown owner. If this is your dog please contact us at 308-284-2182.

08/11/2023

“Welcome to Heaven Cowboy, your entry fees have been paid.”

On June 21, 2023, the lives of many were forever changed when Terrel Vineyard was called home to Heaven far too soon. Terrel rode for the brand and we honored to know him and love him.

This filly was hand picked by Craig and will be auctioned off to help raise money for Terrels family.

Information on the auction:
We will hold a silent auction on this filly. Bidding is to take place on this original post.

Bidding will begin today 8-3-23 and end on 8-10-23 at 8pm MT.

This filly is halter broke and will be ready for pick up mid September.

If you don’t wish to bid but want to donate please private message us!

Thank You all in advance❤️

07/24/2023

Thank you Nebraska State Patrol for sharing Ferdinand. Thank you for all you do to keep our roads safe.

📍Ogallala
In case you didn’t Moooo….. It’s County Fair Season!

07/19/2023

Once in a lifetime opportunity for a great cause

Your Pick of Van Newkirk Herefords entire 2023 Registered heifer crop, (260 to choose from) plus Free delivery anywhere in the continental US. (All Proceeds will go to Terrel Vineyard’s wife-Stacy & little girls.)
Van Newkirk’s have never offered a pick of their females-Don’t miss this one time opportunity.
Auction: Tuesday Aug 15th 8-10am (will get a more precise time)
Western Video Market Cheyenne Wy also on Dish
Must Pre Register at wvmcattle. com or 530-347-3793
Bid line # 877-822-8853
Feel free to call Joe, Kolby or Matt
Joe cell 308-778-6049
Kolby 308-778-6230
Matt 308-458-7455