Mati Abner, a Howe, Texas, high school student has shown livestock since third grade. This year, she wanted her friends with special needs to be able to show as well. So, she petitioned the Texoma Livestock Exposition and Livestock Show board. Her dream came true. Source: KXII, February 27, 2017. After more than 70 years in Texoma, this week will feature the expo’s first … [Read more...]
I love you – the farm/ranch way
“I love you” may not be heard a lot by farm or ranch kids. Jenni Latzke with the High Plains Journal demonstrates why in her latest column. Source: High Plains Journal, February 20, 2017. To be fair, there’s not a lot of time for flowery words and overt display of affection. No one pauses mid-3 a.m. calf-pulling to look over at his spouse and say, "Margaret, you sure look … [Read more...]
Do you know your livestock breeds?
Here’s a fun test from the folks at Ag Daily. Find out if you know your livestock breeds as well as you think you do. Source: Ag Daily, February 23, 2017. Can you tell the difference between a Chester White and a Berkshire pig? Or spot which herd is Simmental and which one is Limousin cattle? INSIGHTS: If you want to get a full view of livestock breeds around the world, … [Read more...]
Police, vet team save puppy from heroin overdose
Police in Carrollton, Texas, found a four-month old Chihuahua mix in dire straights in a car at a Home Depot. After officers caught a man and woman allegedly switching price tags, the suspects told police they had a dog in their car. Police found Lucky, yes, that’s his name, in the floorboard in bad shape. Source: Carrollton Leader, WFAA, Huffington Post, February 21, … [Read more...]
Latinos have changed our game
Latinos are key players when it comes to food product purchasing power, including dairy products. They also play strong roles when it comes to pet store spending. They’re willing to spend for food. Data from the HIS Global Insight Groups reveals Hispanics spent $103 billion on food at home. This is expected to grow 35 percent over the next five years, compared to 20 percent … [Read more...]
More rain means more mosquitoes
Californians have welcomed rains of late. Early results of it likely mean more mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Standing water and warm weather create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce. This raises concerns about the potential of West Nile Virus infections in humans and animals. Source: KPCC, February 21, 2017. The situation with mosquitos and … [Read more...]
Get ready for calving season
Calving season is here. It’s stressful for producers, mamas and babies alike. Kevin Gould with the Michigan State University Extension Service, provides a good overview of supplies that are needed and a link to a handy calving fact sheet. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, February 20, 2017. To start, inventory supply needs to happen prior to the calving season and then the … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin added to the National Women’s Hall of Fame
Temple Grandin, Colorado State University and animal sciences professor and world-renowned spokesperson for autism, has been named to the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is one of only 10 women to receive the honor this year. Source: Colorado State University, February 10, 2017. A professor of animal sciences for more than 20 years, Grandin has made enormous … [Read more...]
Hot car temperatures kill pets
Lest you think it’s too cool to worry about pets left in parked cars, think again. Police in Palm Springs, California, report that a dog left inside a car for more than three hours there, died of heat exhaustion February 5 – a 70°-day. Yet, his body temperature reached 104°. The dog’s owner was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. Source: KESQ, February 6, 2017 There … [Read more...]
Animals get first-class treatment at JFK
It doesn’t qualify as an airport lounge, but the new ARK at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City provides top-flight services to animals travelling by air. Racebrook, the company backing the project, partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the New York State Department of Agriculture, to build the world’s first privately owned … [Read more...]
Sheep Yoda makes heart surgery history
Yoda, a therapy sheep at the Ranch Hand Rescue Counseling Center and Animal Sanctuary, has made history by undergoing Patent Ductus Arteriosus ligation. Sometimes observed in humans after birth, PDA is a heart problem in which the ductus arteriosus blood vessel remains open, which allows blood to recirculate into the lungs. Surgical repair has been done on children, dogs and … [Read more...]
Addicts using pets and vets to get their fix
Hydrocodone, Ketamine, Tramadol and Valium are opioids that some pet owners are trying to get for themselves by causing or not treating pet injuries or illnesses. Authorities are unsure how widespread the practice is. Veterinarians believe it to be a small problem. Source: Washington Post, January 23, 2017 (limited free views). John de Jong, former chairman of the board of … [Read more...]
IT security still important in the office, farm and home
More than one AHD contributor has shared the importance of IT security. Whether in a practice, on the farm or at home, it is a necessity. Bryant Gill, assistant farm director at Wisconsin Farm Report Radio, recently interviewed Mark Eich with the accounting firm Clifton Larson Allen. they spoke about the increasing need for effective cyber protection. The nine-minute interview … [Read more...]
Protect dairy cows’ teats during winter
Though winter is in full swing and a winter management plan for udder health should be in place, revisiting best practices is never out of place. Skin that is flaking and chapping increases risks of infections. Paula Mercadante, DeLaval solution manager for herd health, offers solid udder health reminders in this article, complete with a chart about wind chill effect on teat … [Read more...]
Top 10 BEEF articles in 2016
Looking backwards is most valuable when it helps you focus forward. The top 10 list featured in this article reflects the continual need for practical solutions, as well as basic education. The review of metrics is also an eye-opener for animal health pros at all levels. Source: Beef, December 29, 2016. Here are a few facts from the digital world of Beef. In 2016, over 2.3 … [Read more...]
Colostrum tips poster available
To ensure adequate absorption of critical antibodies, calves must get colostrum within the first 24 hours of life. Sooner is better than later. Christopher Clark, DVM, and Patrick Gunn, PhD, Iowa State University Extension specialists, have created a handy poster on the important substance. Source: Progressive Cattleman, December 23, 2016 and in the January 2017 print … [Read more...]
Pets help people manage mental illness
Anyone who owns a pet knows how it can help us weather rough times. This may be even more so for those with serious mental illness. A United Kingdom study found that some people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder say pets help them manage their condition more than anything else. The study was published December 9 in the journal BMC Psychiatry. Source: NPR Shots, December … [Read more...]
Male champions foster gender parity, increased profitability
Though women make up 51.5 percent of all managers, fewer of them than men rise to the executive level. According to the Harvard Business Review, having a male sponsor helps level the playing field for women. These male champions have learned that gender inclusiveness means both men and women should advance women’s leadership. Plus, gender parity is associated with improved … [Read more...]
Malware got his hospital data. He fought back.
Veterinarian Phillips Raclyn is a hospital owner and self-described computer geek. His crew had backup after backup after backup. Then the thinkable happened. His system was hacked with ransomware. From individual machines, all the way to backups, including the external hard drive, every file had been encrypted. Fortunately, Raclyn was allowed to pay a negotiated ransom and got … [Read more...]
A picture is worth 1,000 words
National Geographic just released its 52 best images of the year. They’re worth seeing. Source: National Geographic, December 2016. Here’s a gallery of National Geographic’s 52 best images of the year . . . … [Read more...]
Keep pets safe this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a week from today. It’s a great holiday, but it can also present hazards for pets. AVMA offers home, party and travel advice that’s ready to go in clinic counter material, blogs and newsletters. Source: AVMA. Holiday food needs to be kept away from pets, and pet owners who travel need to either transport their pets safely or find safe accommodations for them … [Read more...]
VFD point-of-sale tool available
The veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect January 1, 2017. Owners of smaller livestock operations, or those who keep food animals as pets, may not have established relationships with veterinarians. Farm Foundation, NFP and the Animal Health Institute have partnered to develop a point-of-sale tool that retailers can use to help customers understand the VFD. It is … [Read more...]
New canine blood bank to serve DFW metroplex
When dogs undergo surgery or get hurt in accidents, they sometimes need emergency transfusions. Canine Blood Heroes is opening its first Texas location. It will operate from the Animal Emergency Hospital of North Texas in Grapevine. Once stocked, the facility will serve animal hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Source: pressreader, November 12, 2016 and Dallas Morning … [Read more...]
Know which products need a VFD before time runs out
The veterinary feed directive (VFD) takes effect January 1, 2017. Here’s a handy list of products affected by the new rule compiled by the National Pork Board and the University of Wisconsin. Source: AGDAILY, November 10, 2016. A VFD can only be issued from a licensed veterinarian, based on a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, before a producer may use feeds … [Read more...]
Documentary gets personal with Washington dairies
Milk Men is the title of a new documentary released by Portland State University Professor Jan Haaken. It takes a deep look at how the dairy industry has changes from the perspectives of small and large dairy producers. The trailer and movie can be viewed online now. Source: Progressive Dairyman, October 28, 2016. From a 100-cow organic dairy and a 2,400-cow dairy in … [Read more...]
Mobile, tablets conquer desktops, laptops
And, that just happened. Last month was the first time more web pages were viewed on mobile and tablet devices than laptop and desktop machines. Source: Quartz, November 1, 2016. And, while the global smartphone market is slowing, manufacturers are still shipping about as many smartphones in a quarter as computer makers send out desktops and laptops in a year, and it’s … [Read more...]
High times for pets a-comin’
Pets in states where marijuana use has become legal are getting high. Accidental consumption is generating some pretty lofty veterinary bills, too. Plus, veterinarians are increasingly concerned about the potency of today’s edibles, many of which contain highly concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol. Source: Washington Post, October 28, 2016. In the year after pot became legal … [Read more...]
Livestock aren’t destroying the planet
We hear it and read it all the time – that agriculture and livestock production are destroying the planet because of all the greenhouses gases they produce. This is simply not true. Michelle Miller, aka Farm Babe, puts livestock production in perspective in this post. Source: AGDAILY, October 25, 2016. When you compare the 8 percent greenhouse gas figure of agriculture to … [Read more...]
How the VFD applies to anaplasmosis
Anasplasmois is caused by Anaplasmo marginale, a blood parasite. The parasite is transferred between animals by blood contamination, often caused by blood-sucking insects. It is common in the South and in some parts of the country, clinical anaplasmosis can occur year-round. The new Veterinary Feed Directive allows for treatment. Source: Progressive Cattleman, November, … [Read more...]
Dogs dig pot, dude
Voters in eight states are voting on various forms of marijuana legalization next month. No matter your position, keep your pets in mind. Veterinarians are seeing more dogs suffering from highs from marijuana smoke and edibles. It’s not pretty, either. Source: The Boston Globe, October 21, 2016. 'With the increase in all these recreation products, we saw the number of … [Read more...]