Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) strategies have historically been managed state by state. The fatal prion disease is now in 26 states and continues to spread. So far, fears it could cross species barriers to affect livestock or humans have not come to fruition. It has not been found in animals other than deer, elk and other cervids. Recently, a multidisciplininary team of … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2019
Goats can’t safely eat everything
You may think goats can eat nearly everything. Katherine Drovdahl, MA, CA, CR, CEIT, DipHlr, QTP, tells us differently. Knowing what to feed goats involves education. Even good plants can develop into a dangerous toxic condition called enterotoxemia if goats overeat on any plant they are not used to. She shares a few common toxic plants and suggests consulting a local … [Read more...]
Heed OSHA heat stress requirements for dairies
Dairymen always worry about cows dropping milk production because of the heat, but may forget to keep workers cool, as well. Anna-Lisa Laca shares the Cal/OSHA rules for helping employees avoid heat stress when the temperature exceeds 80° F. Source: Milk, July 16, 2019. Link. Remember: When temperatures exceed 95 degrees, employers must implement "high heat" procedures, … [Read more...]
3 Vs drive U.S. chicken purchases
Versatility, value and variety are just a few of the categories that chicken ticks the box for in consumers’ eyes, according to new research presented at the 2019 Chicken Marketing Summit. Of course, taste is important for chicken and all meat buyers. However, it was less important to consumers of plant-based products. Lots of interesting protein stats, plus protein industry … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim introduces BVDVTracker.com
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an ongoing challenge facing the cattle industry. The virus often goes undiagnosed and the consequences are severe. To help producers address the challenges BI launched BVDVTracker.com. The website’s mission is to support veterinarians, producers and industry professionals in the control of BVDV. Source: Drovers, July 16, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Where’s the beef?
Greg Henderson shares shares the top 25 counties and some individual county metrics to help us understand the population dynamics in cow country. Source: Drovers, July 4, 2019. Link. Nebraska, with 1.9 million beef cows, the fourth-largest state by beef cow numbers, is home to the nation’s top four beef counties. Texas is America’s top beef cow state. Missouri is the … [Read more...]
Lack of understanding of livestock production driving trends
According to market intelligence firm IRI, 57 percent of U.S. consumers are motivated to purchase products based on factors within social strategy and cultural alignment. Animal welfare certifications on packaging and companies that promote responsible production are moving rapidly to capitalize on the growing influence of millennial and Gen Z purchasing power. For … [Read more...]
China approves use of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s African swine fever diagnostic workflow
China has approved Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PCR-based workflow to detect, monitor and help limit the spread of African swine fever (ASF). PCR is the preferred ASF testing method there. It allows for earlier detection of the virus compared to other diagnostic methods. The Thermo Fisher ASF workflow passed stringent validation protocol carried out by China’s Ministry of … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the horses’ salt
Like shade and fresh water, salt is essential for horses, especially in hot weather. Salt is lost via their sweat and if it’s not replenished, an electrolyte imbalance may develop, leading to low blood pressure or even neurological or cardiovascular problems. This is good to use in social media, newsletters and discussions with horse owners. Source: EQUUS, July 25, 2019. … [Read more...]
Select the perfect horse shampoo
Fair and show season is well underway. Add challenging weather and it is likely that horses may experience skin issues. Eliza R. L. McGraw offers savvy considerations for horse shampoos and bathing. The article is a good resource for use in social media, newsletters and with horse owners seeking the best product for their animals. Source: EQUUS, April 25, 2005. Link. … [Read more...]
The scoop on Insulin Lispro in cats
Insulin Lispro has been tested successfully in dogs as an alternative to regular insulin. Insulin lispro is a new-generation, short-acting insulin that is more rapidly absorbed in humans following subcutaneous injection and contributes to improved diabetic control when compared to regular insulin. Andrew Bugbee, DVM, DACVIM, reviews results of a cat trial where lispro and … [Read more...]
Pay attention to arthritic dogs’ diets
Arden Moore shares information from two veterinarians that will help some dogs with arthritis. Both agree that keeping dogs trim is a top priority. Food heals or harms . . . what and how much you put in a dog’s food bowl does impact the dog’s quality of life.” Source: Dogster, July 8, 2019. Link. Jean Hofve, DVM, identifies these five safe “arthritis-fighting” foods: … [Read more...]
Pig ears recalled
Lennox Intl Inc. voluntarily recalled its Natural Pig ears because they may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to an FDA posting. The recalled products affected were shipped to nationwide distributors and/or retail stores from May 1 to July 3, 2019. Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products . . … [Read more...]
Cancer, yards and pets
Weed killer and other common lawn maintenance chemicals are dangerous for family pets. According to a study from Tufts University, bladder cancer, convulsions and other conditions have been linked to exposure to insecticides and fertilizers. It is important to educate owners about potential dangers in their yards. Source: St George News (via NAVTA Animal Health Bi-Weekly), … [Read more...]
Lyme disease, an unlikely bioweapon
Recent public communications fueled talk of lyme disease being a bioweapon that escaped or was placed into ticks. Ticks can indeed carry infectious agents that could be used as biological weapons but there has been no release of the Lyme disease agent or any other onto American soil, accidental or otherwise, by the military, writes Sam R. Telford III, ScD. Source: The … [Read more...]
Gen Z decoded
Leah Halverson, owner of Ten Acre Marketing, offers one of the more succinct descriptions of a Gen Zer in her latest blog entry. By living the power of her 14-year-old niece who DoorDashed a Wendy’s lemonade “because I wanted one,” Halverson’s astonishment and realization of the gutsiness of Gen Z offers a wakeup call to any of us serving this market segment. Source: 11th … [Read more...]
Teach new technology to older employees
Older workers shouldn’t be dismissed because they lack tech savvy. They need to be educated to become tech savvy which allows them to simultaneously exploit the knowledge of experiences and new skills. Baby boomers may be reluctant to dive into digital tools. But they should be encouraged, because they still have so much to offer.” Nick Candito Source: Entrepreneur, July 12, … [Read more...]
Rust, dust are not good retail looks
Brian Conrad, CVPM, does not advocate veterinary clinics try to copy or be like the box stores. Veterinary hospitals are about education and deliberate, methodical recommendations, while big box stores focus on product choices and other options. Conrad says it is important is to showcase what you have to offer regardless of how much space is dedicated to retail … [Read more...]
Lead change
You can meet resistance with resistance, but the winner only gets a loser who remembers it forever. Given that the objective of sales leadership is to obtain wholehearted customers for a given course of action, you need to create a whole new mindset when it comes to managing resistance and answering objections. Source: Vet-Advantage, Livestock Edition, Summer/Fall 2019. … [Read more...]
Context is everything!
If you are part of creating a transaction in any way, this post is for you. David Brock focuses on those with sales in their title, but each of us influences customer choices. He reminds us that each person’s hopes, fears, dreams and challenges are unique to them and the situation they face at a point in time. The magic of great sales people is their ability to connect, to … [Read more...]
How fireflies glow and why (includes video)
Professor Clyde Sorenson is an expert who does research on, and teaches about, the ecology and biology of insects. He and other entomologists have identified 170 or more species of the bioluminescent beetles commonly known as lightning bugs or fireflies. Fireflies produce light in special organs in their abdomens by combining a chemical called luciferin, enzymes called … [Read more...]
Decade-long study highlights the merits of 4-H for personal youth development
Amanda Radke summarizes key takeaways fom a 10-year study conducted by Tufts University evaluating the effectiveness of various youth programs. The study revealed that 4-H youth are: four times more likely to give back to their communities two times more likely to make healthier choices two times more likely to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering … [Read more...]
Mares and the challenges of heat cycles
David Ramey, DVM offers two articles to address heat in mares. Part 1 describes how the heat cycle works. Part 2 discusses many of the different treatments that people use to try to keep their mare’s heat cycle under control. Folks try to keep mares from coming into heat in any number of ways, some of which work, and many of which don’t . . .but still get used. Source: Help! … [Read more...]
Prepare for chicken emergencies
Persons who own chickens inevitably have chicken emergencies. Unexpected illness or injury is part of raising chickens.. Ana Hotling offers five preparatory steps to help minimize owner panic so that the bird gets the best treatment. Have a hospital pen Designate a quiet space Have a vet’s phone number; one who is ready to help with chickens Keep disposable … [Read more...]
Weaning basics keep calves healthy
Heather Smith Thomas is bringing a series of articles about ranch management basics to help educate those new to the beef industry and dust off the knowledge of long ime cattle producers. These basics are especially important as we seek to gain value from preconditioning programs. She reviews two lower-stress weaning methods: fence-line weaning and nose flaps. There are many … [Read more...]
Black vultures perplex cattlemen, sometimes kill newborn animals
Missouri cattlemen have drawn attention to a little known predatory behavior of black headed buzzards (aka Black Vulture). Even Audubon describes the perplexing behavior in their description of the bird, “. . . May kill and eat young of some birds, sea turtles; sometimes eats newborn young of larger mammals.” < link > The black vultures hang out primarily during calving … [Read more...]
Activity monitors pay on dairy operation
Using neck collar activity monitors to measure individual cows’ activity plus rumination has paid for Hardscrabble Dairy in Wisconsin. Instead of blanket health or reproductive protocols for all cows, producers can treat and breed each cow at the best time for it. Dairies can find considerable savings in health costs and labor with payback in less than 24 months. Source: … [Read more...]
CRISPR may add more humaneness to the livestock industry
Alison Van Eenennaam’s research may revolutionize how we select for preferable traits of livestock. The University of California – Davis animal scientist is using the gene editing process known as CRISPR < link > for a series of experiments, including helping cows deliver more male offspring. She sees her research as making changes in animals faster than producers can. … [Read more...]
Dogs benefit from a balanced microbiome
Audrey Cook, DVM, reviews the importance of a dog’s gut microbiome and the consequences when it becomes imbalanced or altered. This is good information for social media posts, newsletters and websites. Source: The BARK, July 2019. Link. Dysbiosis occurs when a healthy microbiome becomes disrupted. . . . disruptors include many medications, particularly antibiotics; … [Read more...]
Beyond fireworks, be aware of noises that scare dogs
When fear and discomfort go unchecked, they can turn into trauma. Thunderstorms, travel, vet visits and even the banging of garbage trucks elicit nervousness, trembling and cowering from dogs who are noise sensitive. We list two resources for addressing noise sensitivity. Source: Veterinary Medicine, June 29, 2019. Link. Barbara Sherman, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, DACAW recently … [Read more...]