Commentary We’re all selling something although not all of it goes onto an invoice. Perhaps it is seeking a raise or better hours, an extra day of PTO, trading for a new car, finding qualified buyers for the last three puppies out of a litter, getting support for a service club event or helping our child sell the last two cases of cookies, we’re all selling … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 3, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 27th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – 6 signs YOU are the bully at work. Link. 12 plants and herbs that naturally repel mosquitoes. Link. Goal setting made easy. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
New antibiotic regulation shines a light on the need for veterinarians
It has been almost 60 days since USDA’s GFI #263 rule on over-the-counter antibiotics was implemented. The key elements are establishing a VCPR and obtaining a prescription. Courtney Love interviewed two veterinarians to see how the rules change has impacted their practices noting the need for rural veterinarians. Source: Successful Farming, July 28, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Livestock producers reminded to protect against anthrax
Two confirmed cases of anthrax in North Dakota are a reminder to livestock producers to take action to protect their animals from the disease, especially in areas with a history of the disease. Effective anthrax vaccines are readily available, but it takes about a week for immunity to be established and must be administered annually for continued protection. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
One of these bees is not like the others
A well-known Sesame Street tune comes to mind when reviewing Tod Oder’s article on the types of bees in the U.S. While animal health pros have more responsibility in the treatment of disease in honey bees, there are many more types of bees to consider. Drought conditions are hard on pollinator populations, too. I saw four types in my own backyard this last weekend drinking … [Read more...]
Equine network debuts brand for new horse owners
The Equine Network announced My New Horse for equestrians just getting into horse ownership or riding. Partners Kent (aka Kent Feeds) and W.F. Young assert the brand will deliver a community and resources to new horse persons at the beginning stages of ownership. The website will feature content created by industry experts, Kent nutritionists and editors of respected … [Read more...]
Livestock guard dogs growing in popularity
Livestock guard dogs are an increasingly popular tool in livestock management, writes Terri Queck-Matzie. Most weigh more than 100 pounds and are bred to live outside with livestock and not as a pet for people’s homes. Anatolian shepherds, Akbash, Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, and Central Asian shepherds are breeds recognized by the AKC. Source: Successful Farming, July 11, 2023. … [Read more...]
Taking a vacation improves your well-being. Here’s how.
The bottom line is that employees and employers benefit mentally, physically and spiritually from vacation. Making sure your people and you regularly take time off is key to creating a more sustainable workplace with healthier, happier employees, writes Rebecca Zucker. . . . every year more than half of Americans give up paid time off . . .” Source: Harvard Business Review, … [Read more...]
How to confront someone at work
Hot days certainly take a toll on our bodies, but they can also test our tempers <Link>. . . . hot and especially humid weather is known to be associated with increases in aggression and violence, as well as a lower general mood.” Weather aside, conflicts in the office are inevitable, and the only option is to deal with them, BUT do so in a positive, professional way. … [Read more...]
Employers share employees need training on how to behave in the office
From eye contact to empathy, business leaders shared concerns about employee business behaviors in a survey conducted by ResumeBuilder.com. The results show that employees need refreshers on how to do such things as hold workplace conversations, dress appropriately, take lunch breaks and even make eye contact. Some employers are now offering etiquette classes. Being … [Read more...]
Telehealth can benefit small private practices
Erica Jain shares reasons small medical practices can benefit from telehealth technologies. These benefits also apply to veterinary practices. Telehealth technologies level the playing field between large and small medical practices.” – Erick Jain Source: Medical Economics, July 27, 2023. Link. Jain asserts telehealth services help: Overcome staff shortages Streamline … [Read more...]
Will the avian flu fly in and splash down this fall?
It is NOT too early to work with poultry producers to increase avian flu biosecurity measures and surveillance. How much the disease will impact U.S. poultry this coming fall has not been predicted to date but it is always good to be prepared.” The BirdCast estimates 109 million birds are already on the move (a map image is shown in the Worth a Glance section). Additional … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 27, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 20th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 20th AHD Bulletin – Straight talk about veterinary workforce issues. Link. Filtering is a critical skill. Link. Best joint supplements for dogs. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Will animals at your county fair launch the next pandemic?
Since 2011, there have been more confirmed human cases of swine flu in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, according to the article linked here. Most have come from agricultural shows and fairs. Dr. Andrew Bowman, a molecular epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, and his colleagues have documented the dangers and looked for ways to make pig shows safer. He says … [Read more...]
4 things to bring ROI to cattle operations
Animal health pros who work with or call on cattle producers benefit from understanding how producers make money. Wesley Tucker explains how to use herd income generated from drought-induced downsizing to consider making strategic investments in forages, fence or water, irrigation, feed storage and handling in lieu of paying higher taxes. Source: MissouriRuralist, July 24, … [Read more...]
Cattle report shows no herd rebuilding in sight
Commentary Beef may be what’s for dinner, but the beef replacement heifer inventory is the lowest in 50 years. For animal health pros working with beef producers, this is not a budgetary forecast disaster. There is a long-standing segment of the market that avoids the use of vaccines and preventatives. Now is the time to help producers optimize the value of each living … [Read more...]
Alfalfa hay linked to photosensitivity in horses
The type of hay a horse eats can influence his susceptibility to photic reactions. St. John’s wort, buckwheat and other plants have been found to contain compounds that can cause photosensitive reactions. Research published in 2016 from the University of California–Davis confirms that alfalfa hay can induce primary photosensitive reactions in horses, although the exact … [Read more...]
Heat exhaustion versus heat stroke in horses (podcast)
Jeanette "Jay" Mero, DVM, outlines the clinical signs of heat exhaustion and stroke in horses in these editions of the podcast. Consider sharing the podcasts with animal owners on social media and in newsletters now as horses are being transported to field activities, local fairs and shows or for rodeo events. Source: Ask the Horse Podcast, July 20, 2119. Link. (2:00) This … [Read more...]
12 plants and herbs that naturally repel mosquitoes
If the dry weather has burned out some landscape flowers, consider adding plants that repel mosquitoes ahead of the late summer and early fall biting frenzy. End-of-season discounts are generally available on remaining plants as fall approaches. . . . a lavender plant smells a whole lot nicer than a bottle of bug spray.” Source: Country Living, April 3, 2023. … [Read more...]
Petco, Lowe’s in-store strategy updated, now nationwide
Following a three-state proof of concept, Petco and Lowe's are taking their in-store partnership nationwide with plans to offer pet products at almost 300 Lowe's home-improvement stores by the end of the year. Part of Lowe’s rural strategy, the in-store Petco sections will offer a wide range of pet products, from nutrition and supplies to medications, and even veterinary … [Read more...]
Summer driving tips and reminders (video)
A large percentage of animal health pros are on the road in territories or commuting to and from work. Especially during this heat wave, it is a good time to review summer driving safety tips. A little planning and some safety checks might spare you from dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or worse, a crash. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. … [Read more...]
6 signs YOU are the bully at work
Almost 80 million U.S. workers are affected by bullying each year. According to a 2021 Workplace Bullying Institute survey, 65 percent of bullies have a higher career rank than their targets. Imagine the problems we could solve if more leaders were self-aware, writes Megan Carle. She shares six signs it could be YOU! #6: People don’t respect you . . . they fear you, and you’re … [Read more...]
What employers need to know about the new I-9 form
Citizenship and Immigration Services has a new Form I-9 that employers should use beginning on August 1 when it will be available to download. It has been streamlined. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule that allows the agency to create a framework under which employers can implement alternative document examination procedures, such as … [Read more...]
Customer trust in supply chains overestimated
Commentary Last week we urged veterinary clinics to consider adjusting their quantities on hand and reorder points ahead of the possibility of a UPS strike <Link>. While the strike appears to have been averted <Link>, our assertions were based on information similar to that shared in this article. Many of the Covid-19 pandemic-era supply chain challenges remain … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 20, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 13th, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from July 13th AHD Bulletin – A new federal pregnancy law is now in effect; what HR needs to know. Link. States outlaw noncompete agreements. Link. You’re capable of courage. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Veterinarians, nutritionists find value when working together
Swine production practices have advanced considerably in the last two decades. The historical large divide between veterinarians and nutritionists is progressively closing. AMVC swine veterinarian, Jason Hocker, and swine nutritionist, Trey Kellner, shared perspectives on finding value at the intersection of veterinary medicine and swine nutrition in pork production during the … [Read more...]
Iowa Pork Industry Center seasonal ventilation checklists now available
Regardless of the size of a hog building, following a regular process for maintaining ventilation systems can pay big economic dividends. New summer and winter checklists are available to help guide and remind people in charge of maintenance and ventilation of necessary tasks and inspections. Keeping a printed checklist that stays in the barn can be a useful tool to facilitate … [Read more...]
The bovine nasal fungal community and associations with bovine respiratory disease
Commentary Consider the end of a cow’s nose. Picture what it encounters throughout the day. A variety of environmental conditions exist when cows inhale dirt, pond water, silage, grasses, baled hay, another cows’ behind, cow manure, wildlife feces and so on. Effective identification and treatment of bovine respiratory disease is an ongoing health and economic issue for … [Read more...]
Strategies to keep coworkers from being a meeting hog
Karin Hurt shares ideas for addressing team members who dominate meetings. She suggests enlisting the talker to help draw out those who don’t speak up. Source: Asking for a Friend, July 12, 2023. Link. Also see: How to help your team member speak up in meetings, Asking for a Friend, May 11, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
New anxiety unlocked: Ticks can ‘fly’
Ticks can’t jump. But using the forces of static electricity, sometimes, the arachnids can soar through the air, a new study says. The scientists found the ticks could launch through the air when exposed to both positive and negative charges, suggesting that these natural forces overwhelm whichever charge the tick has on its own body.” Source: National Geographic, July 11, … [Read more...]