Our January 15th post <Link> included this metric, “By 2025, there will be over 1 billion people worldwide experiencing menopause.” The topic has come of age in the female-dominated veterinary profession where addressing menopause and perimenopause is an important priority that affects all team members. Liz Barton, MA, VetMB, MRCVS, MCIPR, is championing the need for … [Read more...]
WashU engineers make microwave-size bird flu detector amid outbreak
Providing hope on the bird flu front, Washington University engineers have built a sensor that can detect the presence of bird flu particles within minutes. The proof of concept mini fridge-size machine detects viral particles in the air using so-called “wet cyclone” technology. It sucks in air, spins it in liquid to trap particles and sends an alert when it detects the virus. … [Read more...]
Pork industry optimistic despite disease, labor challenges
Speaking at the Minnesota Pork Congress, Brett Kaysen shared pork producers have put a lot of emphasis on prevention and preparedness for foreign animal disease but don’t want to lose sight of endemic diseases that hurt profitability. Pigs are the easy part. The people are the challenge.” Source: The Farmer, March 4, 2025. Link. Image: USSCMC … [Read more...]
Stocker producers face a tougher market
Producers who background cattle have provided basic production value for the cattle industry. They grow calves and lightweight feeder cattle to increase size and weight prior to feedlot placement. Derrell Peel shares why the current cattle market will squeeze stockers as feeders take on lighter calves. He shares a future opportunity to background heifers and explains the … [Read more...]
Beef-dairy crossbreds often heartier than purebreds
In a first-of-its-kind study published in the Journal of Dairy Science, a team led by Penn State researchers determined that by the age of eight months, on average, the hybrid calves that recovered from pneumonia achieved similar average daily growth to calves that never had pneumonia. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, February 2025. Link. Study researchers reported that pneumonia … [Read more...]
Footbaths need routine attention, management
Taylor Leach reviews key management practices that help producers keep their footbaths operating efficiently. Footbath solutions need to be changed when 150 to 350 cows walk through them, depending on the level of dirt on hooves. She covers bath dimensions, solution types and depth, pH and treatment frequency. Source: Dairy Herd Management, February 27, 2025. … [Read more...]
Enhancing biosecurity is key to help prepare for foot-and-mouth disease
In a February seminar hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Julia Hermann, DVM, MS, DACVPM, beef cattle specialist with NCBA, told participants about the absolute need for proactive biosecurity measures to ensure cattle health and others in its economic sector. She said FMD, which affects cattle, goats, pigs and sheep is “the most contagious viral disease of … [Read more...]
Save a swamp. Sauté a nutria.
In an effort to curb growing populations of invasive species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a practical solution: Eat them. Nutria a large semiaquatic rodent whose population is increasing and disrupting marshland ecosystems, is the preferred menu item. Weighing 15 to 20 pounds each, they live along the Gulf Coast, in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeastern … [Read more...]
Mud is beneficial for horses’ hooves and skin? Yes or no?
Marcella Gruchalak curates various perspectives on mud, how much is too much, what else might be in the mud and what happens if mud remains on the horse too long. Source: Horse Nation, March 3, 2025. Link. Some mud is fine, but not in excess or for extended periods of time.” Also see: There’s nothing as helpful as picking out a horse’s feet daily, AHD Archives. … [Read more...]
U.S. heartworm risks increasing as mosquito populations, species more than double
One can imagine a forboding silence come over those listening to Susan Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, as she shared an update on the growing prevalence of heartworm disease in U.S. dogs. She urged veterinary teams to be diligent in educating clients and assertive with their recommendations, noting DVMs have more powerful preventatives than ever at their disposal. Source: DVM360, … [Read more...]
A cat is a cat, BUT, lifestyles, environments and their natures are a conundrum
Commentary Mara Watts’s article3 advocating for seasonal, proactive care and support for farmyard cats initiated thoughts and an investigation of the various categories of cats1 based on their lifestyles. Recent posts from animal health pros sought to identify and reduce barriers to the medicalization of cats, increase wellness efforts and improve veterinary care of pet cats … [Read more...]
U.S. releases first national One Health framework
The National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States represents a coordinated strategy by the federal government to confront diseases that spread between humans and animals and other One Health threats.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of … [Read more...]
Transboundary mosquito watch as JEV expands in Australia
Japanese encephalitis virus poses a serious viral threat to swine. Australian officials reported the first detections of JEV in animals in Queensland in July 2022. JEV is a flavivirus in the same family as West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Murray Valley encephalitis virus. Source: PORK, February 18, 2025. Link. JEV is spread by mosquitoes and causes … [Read more...]
Research estimates $90.50/hd ROI for carcass value of finishing cattle receiving FerAppease®
Complimentary Commercial Content Research published in the Translational Animal Science journal found significant benefits to average daily gain and carcass value among low-risk, yearling Angus steers who were treated with FerAppease® during initial processing at the research feedyard and again when re-implanted. mBAS, the active ingredient of FerAppease, is the synthetic … [Read more...]
Mitigating pregnancy loss in cow herds
Chloe Collins reviews management changes that can help mitigate calf loss. She shares multiple factors that create pregnancy or calf losses in utero and after the calf is born. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, February 20, 2025. Link. Decreasing calf loss can be a long-run effort, but it is worth every ounce of preparation and prevention.” - Chloe Collins … [Read more...]
Improving cull cow decisions
Our perceptions of cull cows are not always representative of their value as they leave the herd. It is better to consider them dairy market cows versus cull cows <Link>. Cull cow weight and price remain a primary factor in managing herd profitability. Maureen Hansen covers five factors to consider when culling cows. She includes economic and animal health elements that … [Read more...]
Creating the vet-friendly horse barn
Barb Crabbe, DVM, shares what it takes to have great working conditions for veterinarians and farriers to make it easier for them to provide top-notch care for your horse. The article is a good one to share with clients to set some expectations. For many horse owners, a few adjustments in their barn or stable can make a DVM’s dream visit come true. Source: Horse and Rider, … [Read more...]
Thoughts on communicating with people outside of your normal industry segment
Emily Eilers addresses the challenges of communicating the farm and food story with consumers while facing the narratives inherent when only two percent of the U.S. population grows our food. Source: Nebraska Farmer, February 19, 2025. Link. Commentary Eiler’s article caused me to think about the number of social media posts I saw from cow-calf producers during the … [Read more...]
READ THIS FIRST! 2025 World Nature Photography Award winners announced.
From amazement to education to Zen, it’s all in the latest collection of photos from entrants around the globe. Take them all in before you start reading about the latest topics in our industry. Relax and see the beauty of feathers, vibrancy of lanternflies and simplistic combined beauty and ugliness of a guinea. From animals on land to those in the sea and even us, these … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 20, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 13, 2024. Link. Most read posts from February 13, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Managing hypothermia for newborn calves. Link. Building talent through delegation. Link. How multitasking drains your brain. Link. New guidelines set for degrees in infection prevention. Link. Time to review vaccine … [Read more...]
Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) joins Zoetis cattle anti-infective portfolio
Zoetis recently acquired the marketing rights for Loncor® 300 (florfenicol) from Elanco giving producers another option to treat BRD. Loncor 300 adds a fourth class of antibiotic to Zoetis’ cattle anti-infective portfolio. Source: BEEF, February 13, 2025. Link. Loncor 300 (florfenicol) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic active against many Gram-negative and Gram-positive … [Read more...]
Cowhides count
Clint Peck reminds us that cattle hides are still a valuable product, especially in high-volume packing plants. He says hides represent 15.5 percent of the per head byproduct credit. China, Italy and South Korea are the world's largest importers of cattle hides and skins, accounting for 65 percent of global imports. Leather upholstery in auto production and other transportation … [Read more...]
Milking camels a niche market
Niche markets in livestock production offer intrigue and opportunities to producers willing to learn and take risks. Camels were imported to the American West in the 1850s as pack animals and have garnered interest since <Link>. In this article, Steve Pastis shares the story of three U.S. dairy farmers filling a niche market by milking camels. Source: Progressive … [Read more...]
Varroa mites, public enemy No.1 to bees
Reducing the destruction to bee colonies caused by Varroa destructor mites is a priority for beekeepers worldwide, but research reveals that improper timing of various treatments could cause more harm than good. Source: Earth.com, February 10, 2025. Link. A common mistake among beekeepers is applying treatment too early or too late in the season. If treatment occurs too … [Read more...]
Know the phases of chicken development to help raise a healthy flock
Chickens go through three basic phases of growth: starter, grower and layer. Kalyn Waters makes general information about each group easy to share with chicken owners. Source: University of Florida Extension, February 14, 2014. Link. The Starter Phase begins at hatching and lasts until a chick is five to six weeks old. Starting them . . . 18 percent protein provides the … [Read more...]
There’s nothing as helpful as picking out a horse’s feet every day
Daily hoof checks are the cornerstone of wintertime hoof care. Mud, snow, ice and substrate materials combine to make it difficult for horses to walk, often leading to shoe loss. Craig Lesser, DVM, CF, shares a variety of issues horse owners may encounter if routine hoof care is ignored. Source: The Paulick Report, February 18, 2025. Link. INSIGHTS: This is a good … [Read more...]
Applying facial recognition to animal stewardship and production
Fascinating! Scientists worldwide are turning to AI to decipher the facial expressions of animals, from sheep to horses to cats and dogs. Some have already developed faster and more accurate algorithms for recognizing signs of pain and distress than the most attentive humans. In this article, the authors share several examples of how AI is being developed to observe animals and … [Read more...]
Most usable natural remedies in veterinary practice
Natural remedies can offer benefits, but they should complement traditional veterinary care, not replace it. The author shares five natural remedies that can enhance treatment options: Milk thistle for liver support Chamomile for digestive relief Echinacea for immune support Probiotics for gut health Turmeric for inflammation Source: IVC Journal, February … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 13, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 6, 2024. Link. Most read posts from February 6, 2025 AHD Bulletin - High prevalence of veterinary drugs in birds’ nest materials. Link. Your comfort zone. Link. S. Equestrian Federation board adds to the prohibited substances list. Link. ================================= Budweiser won the … [Read more...]
New guidelines set for degrees in infection prevention
Infection preventionists work to prevent healthcare-associated infections across myriad healthcare settings. They isolate sources of infections to develop and implement evidence-based practices to prevent and contain the spread of dangerous organisms. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) released the Curriculum Guidelines for … [Read more...]