Audubon is introducing a certification program to benefit ranchers and grassland birds. The Audubon Conservation Ranching program links consumers to beef produced on farms that provide good grassland bird habitat. The goal is a profitable program for cattle ranchers. It also helps reverse steep population declines during the past half century by grassland birds, such as … [Read more...]
Flood resources now available
A new pamphlet for preparing, responding and recovered from flooding is now available from the University of California’s vet school. You can get it here. A second pamphlet deals more with dairy farms and evacuations due to flooding. Get it here. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 8, 2017. Following one of the wettest seasons on record in California, the University of … [Read more...]
Flying cowboys help save cattle from Harvey
Helicopters and their pilots, long used to round up cattle on sprawling ranches, have been hard at work since Hurricane Harvey hit Southeast Texas August 25. This article features Ryan Ashcraft, a helicopter pilot who has been helping rescue cattle in since the storm let up. Ten percent of the Texas cowherd is in the 54 counties declared disaster areas. Source: New York … [Read more...]
10 myths about farming to remember when you buy groceries
For those of us not actively engaged in farming and ranching, Jenna Gallegos, a plant biologist, offers important clarifications for pervasive myths about agriculture. Source: Washington Post, July 2, 2017 (paywall). Most farms are corporate-owned. This myth is probably the most pervasive on the list. It is also the furthest off-base. Nearly 99 percent of U.S. farms are … [Read more...]
Farmers, harvesters, communities hurt by tough wheat harvest
It’s not all roses for animal health pros who live and work in wheat country. Mix fire, drought, low wheat acres and severe storms and you get one of the toughest wheat harvests in recent memory. Custom wheat harvester Tracy Zeorian tells it like it is for them, their customers and the communities that are their temporary homes during harvest. Source: High Plains Journal’s … [Read more...]
Heat stress brings lasting impacts in dairy cows for years
Heat stress in dairy cows is a timely topic. Recent research coupled with dairy producer experiences show impacts on the milking cows’ milk production, as well as a developing calf inside a heat-stressed dry cow. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 21, 2017. A phenomenon called fetal programming means the DNA of the calf born from a dam who was heat stressed is permanently … [Read more...]
Virtual farm tour increase understanding of how farms work
These videos about swine production are a must-see for all animal health pros. It is easy to get behind in our understanding of how today’s producers work. Consider linking to these virtual tours in blog posts, clinic websites, newsletters and social media. Source: Pork, June 26, 2017. The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has been sharing a one-of-a-kind … [Read more...]
Speaking of BS, New York lawsuit is a pile of poo
It took researchers from Cornell to tell the real story of how much manure cows actually create. The comparisons also expose a paradigm that requires land mass to dispose of bovine waste that does not exist for human waste. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, June 26, 2017. A lawsuit filed against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation claimed that a herd of 200 … [Read more...]
First the fires then snow: Kansas in distress
Recent blizzards have potentially devastated the western Kansas wheat crop. This is significant because Kansas grew one of every five bushels of U.S. wheat last year. Its farmers specialize in winter wheat, which is planted in the fall, goes dormant during the winter and sprouts again in the spring. Winter wheat accounts for two thirds, or more, of the U.S. crop each … [Read more...]
Be aware of the causes of bloating
Spring pastures are greening up. Cattle grazing these lush grasses, especially immature legumes, are susceptible to bloat. It can occur in as little as 15 minutes or nearly two days after grazing. It can also be painfully deadly. Experts from Purdue University’s agronomy and animal sciences departments offer 10 tips to help avoid bloat, as well as a video showing how to tube a … [Read more...]
Major issues facing agriculture
Leaders from U.S. trade associations shared their groups’ most pressing priorities for 2017. Their list includes topics that relate to human safety and life quality. Source: AgriMarketing, January/February 2017, page 24-28. There are always a number of important issues to consider ahead of any year, but 2017 seems to have lots of unknowns. More importantly, the questions … [Read more...]
Worst day of my life
We mention the wildfires in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas elsewhere in this week’s update. Kylene Scott’s firsthand perspective brings bitter reality to that post. Source: High Plains Journal, March 7, 2017. A family friend alerted him to the fire in Clark County very near the Scott farm after we’d returned home from burying my dad yesterday. . . One cow is bawling … [Read more...]
Relief fund started for cattlemen in burn areas
A relief fund has been set up by the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation to help cattleman affected by wildfires in the state. The need will only grow as wildfires continue to burn there and in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. Source: Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, March 7, 2017. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation and put “Fire Relief” in the memo line and … [Read more...]
Bedding, bugs and teats
In spite of solid progress to lower somatic cell counts on dairies, many farms continue to struggle with clinical mastitis. In fact, clinical rates of mastitis have nearly doubled over the last two decades, from about 13 cases per 100 cows to 24, says Pam Ruegg. Cow-to-cow mastitis spread is not the core challenge today. Rather, herds must now deal with bacteria that live and … [Read more...]
I love you – the farm/ranch way
“I love you” may not be heard a lot by farm or ranch kids. Jenni Latzke with the High Plains Journal demonstrates why in her latest column. Source: High Plains Journal, February 20, 2017. To be fair, there’s not a lot of time for flowery words and overt display of affection. No one pauses mid-3 a.m. calf-pulling to look over at his spouse and say, "Margaret, you sure look … [Read more...]
More rain means more mosquitoes
Californians have welcomed rains of late. Early results of it likely mean more mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Standing water and warm weather create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce. This raises concerns about the potential of West Nile Virus infections in humans and animals. Source: KPCC, February 21, 2017. The situation with mosquitos and … [Read more...]
Bumblebees will return
Jeff Whitworth, Kansas State University associate professor of entomology, said bumblebees are not headed for extinction. Bee declines have been attributed to a variety of factors, including parasites, pesticides and urbanization, as well as fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. Source: Feedstuffs, January 27, 2017. Whitworth predicted that bee populations will continue to … [Read more...]
Hay, plastic bale netting is not roughage
According to Melissa Koesler, Extension director for Garvin County, Oklahoma, a large percentage of producers now use plastic wrapping for hay instead of biodegradable sisal twine. Some of them leave the material in their pastures when feeding, or they grind or shred bales with the bale net in place. Koesler encourages producers to remove plastic netting or twine from bales and … [Read more...]
Science, micro-bugs and dirt
Animal health pros will appreciate this AgProfessional’s Readers’ Choice 2016 product of the year even if they never use it directly. Consider the pressure on GMOs and traditional methods of antibiotic use. Now look at what science can do to dirt to make it more nutrient rich for crops. Source: Ag Pro, January 30, 2017. Focusing on microbials for soil health is still a … [Read more...]
Editorial – They say we don’t care
Critics and non-agricultural lobbyists often criticize animal health pros for not caring about the environment, odors or greenhouse gases. This article flies in the faces of such critics. Source: WATTAgNet, January 20, 2017. Perdue Farms has expanded its $68 million investment in nutrient recycling on the Delmarva Peninsula with the addition of a $12 million capital … [Read more...]
2016 beef stats available in one spot
Ever wonder where’s the beef? This infographic has information galore on the status of the beef herd rebound, production stats, sales prices, trades, exports and more. Source: Progressive Cattleman, January 2017. Overall cattle inventory hit 91.9 million head, a jump of 2.1 million head, or 2.4 percent more than 2015. The U.S. total beef cow inventory also jumped just more … [Read more...]
New NCBA president brings ambition
Incoming National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Craig Uden brings a history of industry involvement and passion to his new position. He discusses the changes to the beef production business including trade, sustainability and market volatility. Source: Beef, January 2017, page 6. Talking about seeing big picture, Uden said, "I think our key thing is information. We … [Read more...]
Respiratory disease part of cold weather aftermath
Cold temperatures often bring an increase in sick calves. There are physiologic reasons why it increases the risk of respiratory disease. This should prompt caretakers to further tune in more to the health of their calves. Early detection and treatment is important to calves’ immediate health as well as to long-term production. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 14, … [Read more...]
Producers turning to vaccines, biosecurity
A Brakke study conducted among beef, dairy, swine and poultry producers in late 2016 found that vaccination protocols and improved sanitation were the top two strategies for 70 percent or more of all producers in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics. Source: WattAgNet.com, January 12, 2017, (partial access). The study found that, among the changes in feed … [Read more...]
Dr. Scott Dee discusses antimicrobial resistance
A recent CDC report that listed the most worrisome threats associated with antibiotic resistance did not implicate livestock, veterinarian Scott Dee says. Veterinarians, producers and others in the food industry are nevertheless working to improve stewardship of antimicrobials. Source: Pork Network, January 9, 2017 via AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief. Research to better … [Read more...]
Hay, its winter!
Mike Rankin writes about feeding hay, the challenges, strategies and opportunities during these winter months. Winter chores are a survival game, but don’t lose sight of what’s going on during the hay-feeding ritual, he says. One of the tasks associated with bale feeding is removing the bale-binding material, be it net wrap, plastic twine or sisal twine. Source: Hay and … [Read more...]
Wild pigs still rock agriculture
Wild pigs cause $1.5 million in damage in the U.S. according to 2013 USDA estimates. Jack Mayer is currently working on a project for the agency to estimate overall wild pig numbers. He places the U.S. wild pig population at 6.3 million, with a possible range of 4 million to 11 million. Source: Pork Network, November 30, 2016. The cost of wild pig damage to the agriculture … [Read more...]
17 days left to become VFD compliant
Despite tremendous educational efforts, many producers and veterinarians remain unclear on the details about using medicated feeds for prevention, control and treatment of disease in their herds effective January 1, 2017. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, December 5, 2016. FDA officials have indicated their enforcement activities will focus on education during the initial months … [Read more...]
Opinion – Antibiotics: man vs. animal
Staying neutral about the antibiotic resistance issue is difficult for those of us who have observed how slow adoption hurts the acceptance of proven animal health protocols. According to Rick Bergman, executive director for the Center for Consumer Freedom, physicians now frequently reach for “big gun or last resort” antibiotics, which likely contributes to antibiotic … [Read more...]
It’s the fans — no pun intended
Ventilation is a critical component to the health of a swine herd. As veterinarians and representatives working with swine productions personnel, consider the importance of discussing ventilation and filtration as part of the herd health strategies. Source: National Hog Farmer, September 23, 2016. Barry Kerkaert, veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services in Minnesota, … [Read more...]