If you wanted the industry to see your cattle, you loaded them and hauled them to wherever the industry happened to be standing, writes Andrew Hunt, sharing a 55-year history of National Dairy Cattle Congress, which opened in October 1910 in Waterloo, Iowa. Changing times, along with visionary dairy producers who recognized the need for a place where North America’s best … [Read more...]
Don’t trust your nose around manure gases
Research in deep-pit swine and beef facilities has documented rapid increases in hydrogen sulfide during agitation, especially when ventilation is inadequate. Sharing this article may save the life of a client, neighbor or someone in your community. Remind farmers and manure applicators that manure storage can create one of the most dangerous storage atmospheres on a farm, … [Read more...]
Planning for the inevitables. Review swine farm risk management plans now.
The question is not, “What will the market do?” It is, “Are we prepared for what the market could do?” Doug Groth, DVM, and Kim King from Carthage Systems discuss the importance of preparing for myriad variables in the pork business beyond a producer’s reach with the elements of a risk management plan. Source: Carthage Veterinary Service, Link. Risk management is not … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 1, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 24, 2026. Link. Most read posts from September 24th AHD Bulletin – Why job hopping is surging among Gen Zers. Link. Community outreach “stuffy style” Link. Malone: Role reversal. Link. BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. Link. FFA: Growing the future. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
FFA: Growing the future
Modern FFA programs are framing agriculture in familiar urban and suburban environments, writes Kristy Meyer. Students learn that agricultural careers can exist in stadiums, parks, school districts, golf courses, universities and professional sports facilities, in addition to traditional farm and ranch settings. Source: AgriLife, October 2026. Link. Leadership in FFA does … [Read more...]
BioSphere Essentials: Enzymes in animal nutrition. From mode of action to impact.
Discover how enzymes interact with specific substrates, how conditions within the digestive system influence their activity, and how differences between animals, diets and production systems can shape their impact during this Novonesis webinar at 4:00 p.m. CDT on September 30th. (Check your time zone against Copenhagen time.) How enzymes work and why substrate specificity … [Read more...]
Fall foresight: Seasonal preventive horse care
Nancy S. Loving, DVM, urges horse owners to prepare for cooler days ahead. She reviews steps to prepare the barn and meet horses’ needs before the weather turns bad. This includes completing a preventive care checklist that covers vaccines, worming, body condition scoring and hoof care. Commentary Nearly every animal owner study we see identifies communication from … [Read more...]
Reminder: Late season pasture fly control
As fall work progresses, animal health pros can help producers manage horn flies and face flies while reducing resistance development in the overwintering fly population. Many fly control products used in spring and early summer are at the end of their useful life, allowing fly populations to rapidly increase. Insecticide resistance in fly populations tends to develop in late … [Read more...]
Low-cost swine trailer wash and disinfection produced positive results
Commentary It is important to see the study results here in their context. Some abbreviated wash and disinfection is better than nothing The study focused on winter freezing conditions Only PEDv and Delta Co-V were detected; not PRRS or TGE The gold standard is to wash and disinfect a trailer, then dry it at 160°F and maintain that temperature for 10 … [Read more...]
How genetics and management are redefining modern sow productivity
If we manage today’s sow genetics with yesterday’s habits, we should not be surprised when born-alive numbers look strong but weaned-pig numbers do not keep pace, writes Rachel Johnson. Despite advanced genetics, facilities, nutrition and management, producers know far too much margin opportunity is still leaving the farrowing house in a dead bucket instead of on the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 24, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 17, 2026. Link.a Most read posts from September 17th AHD Bulletin – Malone: Leadership’s dark side. Link. Stop saying SORRY for who you are. Link. High school science students introduced to Fear Free. Link. Cat health care and deworming barn cats. Link. Credentials got you into the … [Read more...]
Cat health care and deworming barn cats
Cats are tough with hardy immune systems, writes Jon Geller, DVM, in this article from the Grist archives. Although written before Avian flu became a reality in the U.S., his guidance holds up today, considering the advancing status of cats. Commentary Call them barn cats, working cats, free-range, or semi-feral; whatever the label, but developing mutually beneficial … [Read more...]
Virtual coworking equine session groups growing into a professional community
Building from a four-person Google Meet group that grew into more than 1,000 members on Facebook, Women in Equine’s membership spans countries, riding disciplines, students, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs and early-career professionals. Founded by Jillian Blades-Rice, the network of horsewomen has enjoyed the opportunity to connect and grow their careers and businesses … [Read more...]
Milking goats in Alaska
The need and desire for local dairy products (milk, cheese, kefir, etc.) is present across the U.S., even in Alaska. Dairy goats provide a viable option for small-scale farms in all 50 states. Having resources to share, compare and contrast helps producers make decisions for their herds, regardless of size. Raising livestock looks different in Alaska than it does anywhere … [Read more...]
Reminder: Livestock vaccine care and management critical to fall run success
A successful vaccination program begins long before a needle ever enters a calf and yet every year we learn of situations where vaccines have not been handled correctly. Paige Madison shares the importance of vaccine selection, handling, storage, equipment readiness and recordkeeping as the fall run gets going. Source: BEEF, September 15, 2026. Link. Storage, transport and … [Read more...]
Pasture, rangeland, forage insurance: Trends, takeaways, and sign-up
Buying precipitation insurance for hay production on sub-irrigated meadows and irrigated perennial forages often doesn’t come to mind for many producers. Still, producers will value veterinary teams, nutritionists and suppliers who can share a basic understanding of how Pasture, Rangeland and Forage insurance works. PRF insurance offers the option to help offset the risk of … [Read more...]
Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes
Livestock being used intentionally used for wildfire control is gaining federal attention as severe wildfire seasons push firefighters and public land budgets to the brink. Rangeland scientists who study how to effectively use livestock grazing to manage wildfire fuels and invasive plants see the potential and explain some limitations. The content here focuses on the USDA … [Read more...]
59th World Dairy Expo taking shape in Madison, Wisconsin
More than 50,000 people are expected to attend this year’s World Dairy Expo. The theme is “Opening New Doors for Dairy.” Youth contests begin on September 26th, followed by the Dairy Cattle Show running from September 27th through October 2nd. More than 450 exhibitors and 225 sponsors anchor the trade show and education sessions September 29th through October 2nd. Source: … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 17, 2026
Most read posts from September 10th AHD Bulletin – Vertical integration is driving up patient costs, study finds. Link. Minimize costs by maximizing value. Link. The obedience fallacy. Link. We’re all talking less. That’s not good. Link. The late-game respiratory disease that’s costing feedlots big money. Also see: Good Rx saves on pet prescriptions, … [Read more...]
The late-game respiratory disease that’s costing feedlots big money
With no vaccine or silver bullet to cure it, acute (or atypical) interstitial pneumonia is one of the most frustrating respiratory problems feedlots face. It usually strikes late in the feeding period in high-performing cattle and can carry a case fatality rate of 70 to 100 percent. Angie Stump Denton shares seven facts beef producers should know about AIP: AIP comes on … [Read more...]
“The worm ate our time.” Inside Mexico’s efforts to outbreed a flesh-eating fly.
Mexico is battling its worst New World screwworm outbreak in decades. Cases have topped 34,000 head across nearly all Mexican states and halted cattle imports to the U.S. until a phased reopening began last month. Even as authorities bring re-eradication efforts to full speed, ranchers must check all their animals daily. This article offers an in-country snapshot of the … [Read more...]
8 new equine West Nile virus cases confirmed
Eight new equine West Nile virus cases have been reported to the Equine Disease Communication Center. They are located in California, Colorado, Montana, Wisconsin and Utah. Source: The Horse, September 8, 2026. Link. West Nile virus is transmitted to horses via bites from infected mosquitoes. In addition to vaccinations, owners should work to reduce mosquito population and … [Read more...]
Preparing beef-on-dairy calves for transport
Management decisions made before transport had a far greater influence on calf health and survival than transport duration itself, according to a retrospective study. The message wasn’t that transport doesn’t matter. Rather, it showed that successful transport begins long before loading day. Transport success can be improved by viewing the journey as the final step in a much … [Read more...]
Horse owners need to rethink bug season this year
Complimentary Content In a year defined by weather volatility, expanding tick ranges and an emerging threat crossing U.S. borders for the first time in decades, horse owners can’t rely on last year’s assumptions to protect their horses this season. Now is the time to review vector control strategies and update horses’ core vaccinations. Source: Merck Animal Health, … [Read more...]
Small ruminant education, networking opportunity
The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the American Dairy Goat Association invite veterinarians and veterinary students to attend the AASRP Continuing Education Program during the 2026 ADGA Annual Convention, October 10 and 11 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Source: American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, Facebook, August 31, 2026. Link. Expand … [Read more...]
Neospora didn’t disappear. Our discussions about it did.
Neospora caninum is the parasite that causes neosporosis in cattle and dogs. It is also the leading cause of abortion in cattle. It’s generational, persisting in a herd across generations through congenital transmission. Infected cows continually transfer the parasite to their daughters. It’s a thieving, never-ending gift that costs the U.S. beef and dairy industries $1.3 … [Read more...]
Updated publication helps beef producers develop growth implant strategy
Few technologies offer a greater return on investment for beef cattle than growth implants, and a newly updated publication from Iowa Beef Center can help producers with these management decisions. The new publication focuses on implant brand names, active ingredients, intended use and whether a re-implant option exists for cattle in the "growing beef cattle in a drylot" and … [Read more...]
Monitoring cow and bull body condition throughout the year
Because of year-to-year variation in forage quality and weather stress, body condition can have important year-to-year variation even when fed what appears to be the same diet, writes Bob Larson, DVM. His assertions for evaluating body condition at various times of the year can help producers evaluate the genetic base of their herd. It supplies evidence as to how well the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 3, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 27, 2026. Link. Most read posts from August 27th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Gen Z is rewiring the pet health experience through technology. Link. Malone: It’s all about trust. Link. Demonstration in the exam room can improve adherence. Link. Your humanity is your greatest exposure. Link. When … [Read more...]
When ‘good enough’ starts costing you
In this article, Brianne Skien establishes when to challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. While the topic is swine production, the lessons apply to all animal health businesses. Skien writes there are good reasons we build systems around doing things the same way every day, BUT there is a difference between consistency and complacency. Consistency means we … [Read more...]