This story adds to other posts featuring the use of goats as an alternative for controlling weeds and overgrowth <Link>. In this article, Mindy Ward features Margaret Chamas, who has added virtual fencing as a management tool to her goat leasing service. Chamas rents out goats for brush control on properties that include city parks, conservation areas and private … [Read more...]
Theileria orientalis is moving westward, now in 60 Missouri counties
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is the primary vector for Theileria orientalis ikeda, and it transmits the organism through its saliva while feeding on cattle. This disease has been reported in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West … [Read more...]
Failing forward: Why swine vets look at obstacles as opportunities
Learning from failure and not avoiding it was the context of the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Jennifer Shrike captures the various perspectives of speakers in this article. Many of the comments could be applied to other species, such as: “Don’t be afraid to fail because of uncertainty; it’s always present. It’s not about getting it … [Read more...]
PAC Beef Summits planned for April
Complimentary, Commercial Bringing producers and veterinarians into a room for half a day for joint benefit has value and two opportunities are coming soon. The PAC Beef Summit is where feedyard professionals, veterinarians and industry leaders come together for real conversations and forward-thinking solutions. PAC personnel say these are more than meetings. They’re … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 5, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 26, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 26, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Most common Gen Z, Gen Alpha terms now circulating in workplaces. Link. Is staffing eroding customer experience? Link. Designing the visit before the patient arrives. Link. Decision goals. Link. Start NOW to reduce … [Read more...]
Filly or colt? How a mare’s age may influence the gender of her offspring
A study from Brazil suggests a possible correlation between a mare’s age and the gender of her offspring. Analysis of the combined data showed that mares older than 15 were more likely to deliver fillies than were younger mares. On the other hand, the age of the sire seemed to have only a minor effect on gender ratios. Source: EQUUS, December 1, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Mobile coops, aka chicken tractors, make sense
With Easter chick eggs soon to be in incubators, backyard poultry raisers will value the chicken tractor potential. Mobile coops provide flexibility, healthier yards and easier management, making them a smart choice for raising chickens. Reducing clean-up is a major benefit. Consider this article for poultry raisers new and old. Source: Acreage Life. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Avian flu outbreak crisis in Pennsylvania; snow geese blamed, bovine spillover concerns
Top ag officials in Pennsylvania are calling the current avian flu outbreak unprecedented and “a crisis.” More than 7 million birds from 11 commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, since early February. Wild birds, including snow geese that are overwintering in the area, are believed to be the source of … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Keeping noses and ears warm
Commercial Content We learn something new almost every day. In a short Facebook conversation, an industry colleague shared this photo of cows and their calves. Somehow, the existence of ear and face protectors had not hit my radar. Ear muffs for calves; what a great idea. Ensuring the comfort and protection of calves’ tender, damp ears is a top priority in Arctic cold, … [Read more...]
Management practices affect the genetic diversity of influenza in weaning piglets
Although Influenza A virus diversity has been well documented, there is limited information on how farm management practices influence the diversity of IAV. A study presented at the 2025 Leman Swine Conference evaluated the association between herd-level management practices and the genetic diversity of IAV in weaning piglets. This study provides field-based evidence that … [Read more...]
Don’t hurry to grass
As spring comes and grass greens up, the main consideration is to limit herds from setting back the pastures for the rest of the growing season by nipping off all the short growth, writes Elizabeth Picking. This is excellent advice animal health pros can deliver to producers. She suggests using a sacrifice pasture, stored feed and hay to protect the rest of the pastures and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 25, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Avoiding difficult conversations. Link. Yes, they really do make TV for cats and dogs. Link. Oral care at home helps pets stay healthy. Link. Command respect with your voice. Link. Most employees see their jobs as … [Read more...]
FDA issues emergency use authorizations for drugs to treat New World Screwworm in dogs and cats
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two Emergency Use Authorizations: one for NexGard (afoxolaner) chewable tablets for the treatment of New World screwworm infestations (myiasis) in dogs, and the second for NexGard COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) for the treatment of NWS myiasis in cats. These EUAs will be effective until they are … [Read more...]
Lubbock Feeders set to close
Citing the restrictions on importing Mexican cattle because of potential New World Screwworm presence, Clint Peck shares the upcoming closing of Lubbock Feeders, a 50,000-head custom cattle feeding operation near Lubbock, Texas. Source: BEEF, February 22, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Review: Q&A on leptospirosis; urban risk, missed vaccines and diagnostic mistakes
This Q&A by Jane Sykes, BVSc, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD, MPH, MBA, FNAP, is a good review for all animal health pros. Keep in mind that leptospirosis is zoonotic. She discusses how urban environment, social conditions and vaccination gaps have been reshaping how and where veterinarians encounter leptospirosis. Her references to rodents are also important for disease prevention … [Read more...]
Review: Pigeon fever cases on the rise in the U.S.
First discovered in California in 1915, cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are showing up in areas where it was once unknown. The external subcutaneous abscessation that frequently occurs in the pectoral region or ventral abdomen resembles a pigeon’s breast which is the only association pigeons have with the disease. Also known as dryland distemper or false strangles, … [Read more...]
Carrying capacity versus stocking rate
According to reports from CattleCon 2026, producers are considering keeping heifers or buying cows to increase their herds and meet beef demand. For animal health pros working closely with producers, carrying capacity becomes an important consideration. Laura Brenner’s article is a good reference to help producers make the critical calculations to prevent overgrazing. … [Read more...]
Putting video analytics to use on the dairy
Purdue’s Jacquelyn Boerman, PhD, sees video analytics as a powerful addition to feeding cows more precisely and monitoring them 24/7. She explained how a top-view camera was deployed by researchers and predicts applications can be tailored to nutritionists, including cow identification, body weight estimation, feed management and daily feed intake. The research was funded by … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy calves challenge replacement heifer market
Commentary The current status of beef-on-dairy presents a golden opportunity* for dairy veterinary teams and animal health pros. A focus on keeping calves healthy from the minute they drop should be met with less resistance in today’s market. Consider the benefits of dairy veterinarians collaborating with nutritionists, manufacturers and suppliers to maximize the health of … [Read more...]
Review: Cattle injection guide: Best practices for needles, syringes and sites
Proper injection technique is a cornerstone of Beef Quality Assurance, writes Lillian Hulse. Her article summarizes expert insights from a Doc Talk episode featuring Dan Thompson, DVM. They are presented as a guide covering: a) injection types, b) needle selection, c) best injection sites for cattle, d) safety and hygiene rules, and e) cleaning and maintaining … [Read more...]
AVMA’s new resource strengthens biosecurity practices, advances One Health
AVMA’s new biosecurity webpage brings together trusted guidance and tools to help prevent and control infectious diseases across a range of animal species and settings. The newly launched webpage <Link> was developed in direct response to AVMA member requests. Source: AVMA, February 4, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Well done! The webpage provides foundational information … [Read more...]
Sterile fly dispersal facility completed in Texas
Noted as a significant achievement in the fight against New World Screwworm, the USDA announced the completion of a U.S.-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas. This facility expands USDA’s ability to disperse sterile flies along the border and into the United States, if necessary. Source: USDA, February 9, 2026. Link. This sterile fly dispersal facility is … [Read more...]
CattleCon 2026 breaks attendance record, NCBA sets policy priorities
A record of more than 9,400 cattle producers and industry stakeholders attended CattleCon 2026, the annual cattle industry convention and trade show, last week in Nashville, Tennessee. During the event, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced its 2026 policy priorities. Source: NCBA, February 2, 2026. Link. The organization will advance regulatory reform, animal … [Read more...]
Equine circadian rhythms and the effects of lighting
Karen Elizabeth Baril’s article here provides an in-depth follow-up to a July 2025 post <Link>. She focuses on circadian rhythms which affect every cell in the horse's body. Modern management routines and competition schedules play havoc with lighting and can disrupt a horse's circadian rhythm and may contribute to undesirable behaviors. Baril’s circadian-friendly … [Read more...]
Farrier shares: signs, symptoms, treatment options, anticipated outcomes of thrush
Includes Commercial Content David Hallock is well acquainted with thrush and explains there are several opportunities for it to become prevalent and persistent. The article is complete with photos and guidance for farriers and horse owners that veterinary teams may find useful. Treating the thrush should result in a big, healthy, clean and open frog. Consistent cleaning … [Read more...]
Review: Feeding pregnant cows to improve daytime calving
Feeding cows late afternoon or evening has been shown to move more calving times to between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. This management practice is known as the Konefal feeding system, writes Maddy Krueger. It is believed calving can be triggered by low rumen pressure. Rumen contractions increase in frequency after feeding, causing increased rumen pressure which declines by … [Read more...]
Review: Know your dewormers
In the U.S., name‑brand and generic dewormers fall into four anthelmintic drug classes: avermectins (macrocyclic lactones), benzimidazoles, imidazothiazoles and sulfonamide derivatives, each with its own distinct molecular structure that harms parasites in different ways. Sandy Stuttgen, DVM, reviews the drug classes, their activity against parasites, potential resistance … [Read more...]
New PRRS strain moving fast through Indiana, Ohio swine facilities
A new strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus is plaguing pig farmers in Ohio and Indiana. PRRS 1-10-4 L1C.5.35 is moving fast through barns and is more aggressive than other strains. These pigs still get very sick very quickly and get very quiet when this PRRS strain hits, according to Bethany Heitkamp, DVM. The most unusual thing she is seeing is … [Read more...]
Syngenta, Ducks Unlimited to scale regenerative seed production across Midwest
This is a promising pilot program! By integrating cover crops with seed corn production, the approach offers a model for accelerating resilience and environmental benefits across privately managed lands in the Midwest. For animal health pros working closely with producers who graze crop stubble, the added forage is important to evaluate as part of the herd management … [Read more...]