The yearly pattern in hog prices is largely driven by the yearly pattern in pork production, writes Ron Plain. He shares an overview of hog prices on the farm, in the futures and at retail. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 22, 2024. Link. Weekly pork production is lowest in the summer and highest in the winter. “Lower costs contributed far more to profits than higher hog … [Read more...]
The cure for high prices could be high prices in beef cattle market
Market data suggests beef producers should brace for significant expansion in cow numbers in 2026. Wesley Tucker provides a historical perspective and reviews beef market and herd number projections in the coming years. Source: Missouri Ruralist, July 22, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Fresh salmon? Of course, we’re in Nebraska.
Most Atlantic salmon consumers encounter are farmed, and Nebraska aquafarmers Mimi and Kiel VanderVeen are projecting 1,000 pounds of fish weekly from their Central Plains operation by year-end. They also grow seven varieties of lettuce produced within the aquaponic system. Source: Nebraska Farmer, July 22, 2024. Link. Photo by Mimi VanderVeen … [Read more...]
Grain not the only cause of laminitis in horses
Pasture-associated laminitis is the most reported laminitis in the U.S. It results from excessive consumption of grass that is high in nonstructural carbohydrates, which are starches and sugars. Curt Arens shares the importance of proper hoof care and good grazing management to mitigate several common hoof issues in equine, including laminitis and founder. Source: Dakota … [Read more...]
Training dogs to not attack chickens
The “leave it” command is critical to managing safe dog poultry interactions, shares The Dog Expert, Carolyn Georgariou. Leave it works on more than chickens and is much more humane than the old-style method shown in the photo. Source: Backyard Poultry, February 26, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Staggering mountain lion confirmed as first North American case of rustrela virus
Rustrela virus is marked by animals staggering, having trouble walking or behaving abnormally. The disease is found in domestic cats, rodents and other animals in Europe. The case began in May 2023 and has now been confirmed in the Colorado mountain lion. For most veterinarians, Rustrela virus would not be on a differential diagnosis list if a companion cat presented with … [Read more...]
How eliminating “just” from relationships improves connection
Small moments often have a big impact on those around us, even if they were no big deal for us. Kristin Hendrix writes about downplaying, which is taking something we’ve done and making it out to be nothing. She provides an interesting perspective worth considering when someone expresses gratitude over one of our actions. Source: Leadership Vitae, June 13, 2024. … [Read more...]
Smart ways to handle too much business
Tom Seeko, CExP, provides good food for thought for veterinary practices and other pet services businesses in this article. He discusses options for addressing the challenge of too much business or the alternative of the status quo. “Choices . . . most of the stress that veterinary professionals experience is due to the demands and unclear expectations they put on themselves … [Read more...]
SBA’s Working Capital Pilot program for small businesses launched
A Small Business Association pilot program that offers a new line of credit with greater flexibility than a long-term loan was announced on June 6th <Link>. The article below explains the intent and we’ve included a link to the most recent SBA information. The pilot is touted as engineered to meet the needs of modern small businesses. Sources: White House … [Read more...]
Don’t let cattle drink this pond water
No producer wants to think about hauling water in the summer. Yet, harmful algal blooms are a potential risk in freshwater ponds and streams this time of the year. They are primarily caused by cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. Mindy Ward shares what the NRCS and CDC advise if animals are exposed to cyanobacteria and ways to reduce risks. Source: Missouri … [Read more...]
Battling flies this summer
Last week we provided tips to help manage flies in facilities <Link>. In this article, Bob Larson, DVM, asserts fly control strategies need to be flexible and may need to be changed. He discusses unique characteristics of the four common flies that pester cattle: horn flies, face flies, stable flies and horse flies. Source: Drovers, July 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Study finds each Beef Checkoff dollar returns $13.41
Statistics uncovered by an independent study indicate the goal to increase beef demand in the U.S. and worldwide is being achieved while providing producers and importers with an excellent return on their national Checkoff investments. Source: BEEF, July 10, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Boost beef-on-dairy calf value with good health records
With the beef-on-dairy market booming, dairy farmers using a beef-on-dairy program must seize every opportunity to market their crossbred calves effectively, writes Taylor Leach. This means ensuring the highest health and nutrition standards, plus maintaining detailed health and vaccination records. She shares what is important and what should be recorded. Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
Biosecurity planning for secure beef supply
Foot and mouth disease fears have driven transdisciplinary approaches to biosecurity across livestock industry segments. The current issues with high-path avian influenza in dairy cattle underscores the importance of biosecurity planning as it is the leading protection against diseases. The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program proactively established … [Read more...]
Handling the threat of ticks
While animal health pros may discuss the same topic multiple times daily, individual animal owners may only hear about the risks from mosquitoes, fleas and ticks once or twice a year and ignore the topic in their online streams or feeds. Dana Kneese, DVM, reminds us that animal owners need to know the types of ticks and what diseases they carry and understand the basics of … [Read more...]
Cultivated meat, microbial protein enter the pet food conversation
The potential for alternative proteins is gaining steam as cultivated meat and other novel proteins begin appearing as actualities in pet food formulas, rather than as hypotheticals, writes Lisa Cleaver. Source: PETFOOD Industry, July 2024. Link. With increasing pressure on the supply chain of animal-derived protein ingredients, <cultivated products> differentiate the … [Read more...]
The long reach of rat poisons
Supertoxic rodenticides are building up inside unintended targets, including birds, mammals, insects and potentially our pets. While the full scope of the rodenticide problem remains elusive, scientists want to understand the damage and limit it. Recent research suggests second-generation compounds that may remain in tissues for nearly a year are more widespread in food webs … [Read more...]
Help save Monarch butterflies
We saw a sign like this one recently. It led to uncovering Lynn Coulter’s article on the importance of planting pollinator-friendly plants and Monarch waystations. Many veterinary hospitals and pet services locations have areas large enough to include a pollinator focus in landscape maintenance, so we’re sharing this information. Source: HGTV. Link. Monarch Watch recommends … [Read more...]
Zoonotic web exposes complexity of disease transmission
As humans, animals, and wildlife coexist, there’s a lot to consider, including the zoonotic risks of cross-species disease transfers. This article provides a comprehensive picture of naturally occurring zoonotic interactions, sure to expand how animal health pros view zoonotic transmissions and risk management. A major challenge for the One Health community is quantifying … [Read more...]
Facility tips to help manage the impact of flies on cattle
Sponsored Content Got flies? Choosing fly control products is important, but proper facilities management along with product rotation and application are even more crucial for effectively controlling fly populations. Note: The management tips shared here also apply to anywhere flies and animals exist such as kennels, animal shelters, stables and backyard poultry … [Read more...]
Keep the colostrum coming
New research studies suggest there are health and developmental benefits to feeding calves colostrum or transition milk well beyond the first day of life, writes Maureen Hanson. She shares an overview of study results focused on extending colostrum feeding and the merits of feeding transition milk. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 8, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Preconditioning: Worth the input or not?
Cindy Mansfield’s surprising article title made me read her review of the value cattle producers receive when committing the time, effort and expense to pre-condition their cattle. She reviews the economics, importance of vaccination, timelines and benefits to a producer’s reputation as advantages from preconditioning. Source: Progressive Cattle, July 4, 2024. Link. Also … [Read more...]
Could we eliminate PEDV from the U.S. swine population?
The U.S. swine industry has effectively been able to attack PEDV. Herds are getting cleaned faster thanks to the progressive mindset of producers, pig production companies, their teams and practitioners. The declining prevalence has swine scientists and industry leaders considering whether the pathogen can be eradicated. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Panel of DVMs discusses the greatest swine disease challenge in 2024
Outlining surprises and challenges facing pork producers and their veterinarians, Jennifer Shike shares responses from practicing swine veterinarians. PRRS remains the greatest challenge and it underscores the importance of biosecurity and prevention strategies. No biosecurity measure is too small to implement . . . but they take repetitive discipline and everyday management … [Read more...]
Poultry basics and diets for veterinary teams
The increased number of suburban and metro backyard flocks present challenges for companion animal practices. Keeping chickens, ducks and geese healthy goes beyond production animal paradigms as the birds are often considered pets. Veterinary teams will benefit from the upcoming VetFolio basics webinar and the article on poultry diets linked here. Sources: The science … [Read more...]
Meat goat demand continues to rise
About 90 percent of the U.S. goat inventory is raised for meat and herds average 20 animals. Goats can be found in urban, suburban and rural areas. They are an excellent biological tool to graze land that is overgrown or has the potential for wildfire. Although the overall number of meat goats has decreased over the last several years, demand for the meat continues to … [Read more...]
Reading the vast, varied signs of equine gastric ulcer syndrome
Commercial References included It has been said that equine veterinary medicine is often more an art than science. While neither can be separated from the other, the gastric ulcer signs a horse might show are highly variable between individuals and might even change within an individual over time. Natalie DeFee Mendik, MA shares the behavioral, diagnostic and treatment … [Read more...]
Pet-safe, DIY and dangerous baits for rats, mice
Beth Turner, DVM, shares comprehensive information about controlling rodents, the risks and different types of bait and control methods. Her article is a good resource to share with pet owners who may be experiencing rodent issues. Source: Preventive Vet, July 5, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Majority of U.S. women struggle to prioritize health
Results from an April 2024 survey show women in the U.S. find it tough to make their own health a top priority. The findings are disturbing considering the high percentage of women graduating from veterinary schools and veterinary technician programs. Younger women and mothers with children under 18 are more likely to struggle to prioritize their own health. Survey results … [Read more...]
Avian flu updates
Staying abreast of the latest on high-path avian flu is time-consuming and often confusing. Multiple media sources share information along a rapidly progressing timeline of discovery, opinions and responses. We aggregated some of the more recent updates at these links. Sources: Detections of HPAI in livestock, USDA, July 9, 2024. Link. The most current information and … [Read more...]