With larger litters and limited teat capacity, many producers have increased interest in management strategies such as split suckling and teat optimization, writes Abigail Jenkins, PhD. Sharing modern research trial perspectives, she notes there was no improvement in growth performance and inconsistent effects on mortality when split suckling was practiced. Teat loading … [Read more...]
Cows have routines, too
Circadian rhythm research shows that behavioral data contains insights beyond reproduction and health alerts. Understanding how cows structure their day may help dairies implement better management systems that work with cows’ biological clocks. The analysis of more than a decade of cow behavior data showed examples of strong circadian rhythms, or predictable 24-hour cycles … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 19, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 12, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 12, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Imposter syndrome (video). Link. Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals. Link. 2026: What’s next in the pet business? Link. Livestock care during wildfire season. Link. Webinar TODAY!: The Untapped Feline Patient: … [Read more...]
Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals
Commentary Don’t let the cowboy hat and big beard fool you. Ashley Nicholls is an Australian turned Canadian and 2026 Nuffield Scholar <Link>. He says the ways we’ve learned to work with animals may be the missing framework for team cohesion and communication. The concept of low-stress people handling Nicholls promotes is based on the work of Temple Grandin, a renowned … [Read more...]
Shoeing the road horse
Complimentary The American Farriers Journal shares insights from hoof-care professionals to help the horses that run the roads in the new Shoeing the Road Horse report. Offered free as a downloadable PDF <Link>, it can also be found in the AHD library at the link below. Source: American Farriers Journal, March 2026. Link. Images: Link. … [Read more...]
Vaccination time: spring check-ups for horses
While a standard vaccination program for all horses does not exist, spring vaccinations are an important component of ensuring horses’ immune systems are optimized during the highest risk period for disease exposure. According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners vaccination guidelines, the five core vaccinations that all horses need include: West Nile virus, … [Read more...]
Livestock care during wildfire season
Benjamin Franklin’s warning, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is relevant for cattle producers as wildfire season has already begun <Link>. Dean Ruhl offers tips for handling animals before a fire and caring for them afterward in this article. He reminds us that preparation is key. Maintaining property, like mowing fencelines and creating fire breaks, is … [Read more...]
Beware the mud
Justin Waggoner, PhD, shares how muddy conditions change how cattle gain: 4 to 8 inches of mud reduces gain by approximately 14 percent 12 to 24 inches of mud reduces gain by approximately 25 percent He calculates that for every four days cattle have to slog through hock-deep mud, producers will need to add another day and 20 pounds of dry matter feed to reach finish … [Read more...]
Barn monitoring could reduce insurance risks
Commercial Content Distynct and Pledge Insurance Advisors announced a joint program designed to reward livestock customers who invest in barn monitoring and proactive risk reduction. The program recognizes the role continuous monitoring plays in reducing the risk of catastrophic livestock losses and improving long-term operational resilience. Source: Feedstuffs, March 3, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 12, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 5, 2026. Link. Most read posts from March 5, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Scoring system reveals parasites affect equine skin, coat condition. Link. Practicing radical acceptance. Link. Short online programs for overcoming depression led to improvements. Link. You are in charge. Link. Review: The … [Read more...]
GPS collars transformed goat grazing into a stress-free, eco-friendly moneymaker
This story adds to other posts featuring the use of goats as an alternative for controlling weeds and overgrowth <Link>. In this article, Mindy Ward features Margaret Chamas, who has added virtual fencing as a management tool to her goat leasing service. Chamas rents out goats for brush control on properties that include city parks, conservation areas and private … [Read more...]
Theileria orientalis is moving westward, now in 60 Missouri counties
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is the primary vector for Theileria orientalis ikeda, and it transmits the organism through its saliva while feeding on cattle. This disease has been reported in multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West … [Read more...]
Failing forward: Why swine vets look at obstacles as opportunities
Learning from failure and not avoiding it was the context of the 2026 American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Jennifer Shrike captures the various perspectives of speakers in this article. Many of the comments could be applied to other species, such as: “Don’t be afraid to fail because of uncertainty; it’s always present. It’s not about getting it … [Read more...]
PAC Beef Summits planned for April
Complimentary, Commercial Bringing producers and veterinarians into a room for half a day for joint benefit has value and two opportunities are coming soon. The PAC Beef Summit is where feedyard professionals, veterinarians and industry leaders come together for real conversations and forward-thinking solutions. PAC personnel say these are more than meetings. They’re … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 5, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 26, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 26, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Most common Gen Z, Gen Alpha terms now circulating in workplaces. Link. Is staffing eroding customer experience? Link. Designing the visit before the patient arrives. Link. Decision goals. Link. Start NOW to reduce … [Read more...]
Filly or colt? How a mare’s age may influence the gender of her offspring
A study from Brazil suggests a possible correlation between a mare’s age and the gender of her offspring. Analysis of the combined data showed that mares older than 15 were more likely to deliver fillies than were younger mares. On the other hand, the age of the sire seemed to have only a minor effect on gender ratios. Source: EQUUS, December 1, 2026. Link. Image: … [Read more...]
Mobile coops, aka chicken tractors, make sense
With Easter chick eggs soon to be in incubators, backyard poultry raisers will value the chicken tractor potential. Mobile coops provide flexibility, healthier yards and easier management, making them a smart choice for raising chickens. Reducing clean-up is a major benefit. Consider this article for poultry raisers new and old. Source: Acreage Life. Link. Image: Link. … [Read more...]
Avian flu outbreak crisis in Pennsylvania; snow geese blamed, bovine spillover concerns
Top ag officials in Pennsylvania are calling the current avian flu outbreak unprecedented and “a crisis.” More than 7 million birds from 11 commercial flocks and nine backyard flocks have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, or H5N1, since early February. Wild birds, including snow geese that are overwintering in the area, are believed to be the source of … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Keeping noses and ears warm
Commercial Content We learn something new almost every day. In a short Facebook conversation, an industry colleague shared this photo of cows and their calves. Somehow, the existence of ear and face protectors had not hit my radar. Ear muffs for calves; what a great idea. Ensuring the comfort and protection of calves’ tender, damp ears is a top priority in Arctic cold, … [Read more...]
Management practices affect the genetic diversity of influenza in weaning piglets
Although Influenza A virus diversity has been well documented, there is limited information on how farm management practices influence the diversity of IAV. A study presented at the 2025 Leman Swine Conference evaluated the association between herd-level management practices and the genetic diversity of IAV in weaning piglets. This study provides field-based evidence that … [Read more...]
Don’t hurry to grass
As spring comes and grass greens up, the main consideration is to limit herds from setting back the pastures for the rest of the growing season by nipping off all the short growth, writes Elizabeth Picking. This is excellent advice animal health pros can deliver to producers. She suggests using a sacrifice pasture, stored feed and hay to protect the rest of the pastures and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 25, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 19, 2026. Link. Most read posts from February 19, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Avoiding difficult conversations. Link. Yes, they really do make TV for cats and dogs. Link. Oral care at home helps pets stay healthy. Link. Command respect with your voice. Link. Most employees see their jobs as … [Read more...]
FDA issues emergency use authorizations for drugs to treat New World Screwworm in dogs and cats
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued two Emergency Use Authorizations: one for NexGard (afoxolaner) chewable tablets for the treatment of New World screwworm infestations (myiasis) in dogs, and the second for NexGard COMBO (esafoxolaner, eprinomectin, and praziquantel topical solution) for the treatment of NWS myiasis in cats. These EUAs will be effective until they are … [Read more...]
Lubbock Feeders set to close
Citing the restrictions on importing Mexican cattle because of potential New World Screwworm presence, Clint Peck shares the upcoming closing of Lubbock Feeders, a 50,000-head custom cattle feeding operation near Lubbock, Texas. Source: BEEF, February 22, 2026. Link. … [Read more...]
Review: Q&A on leptospirosis; urban risk, missed vaccines and diagnostic mistakes
This Q&A by Jane Sykes, BVSc, DACVIM (SAIM), PhD, MPH, MBA, FNAP, is a good review for all animal health pros. Keep in mind that leptospirosis is zoonotic. She discusses how urban environment, social conditions and vaccination gaps have been reshaping how and where veterinarians encounter leptospirosis. Her references to rodents are also important for disease prevention … [Read more...]
Review: Pigeon fever cases on the rise in the U.S.
First discovered in California in 1915, cases of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis are showing up in areas where it was once unknown. The external subcutaneous abscessation that frequently occurs in the pectoral region or ventral abdomen resembles a pigeon’s breast which is the only association pigeons have with the disease. Also known as dryland distemper or false strangles, … [Read more...]
Carrying capacity versus stocking rate
According to reports from CattleCon 2026, producers are considering keeping heifers or buying cows to increase their herds and meet beef demand. For animal health pros working closely with producers, carrying capacity becomes an important consideration. Laura Brenner’s article is a good reference to help producers make the critical calculations to prevent overgrazing. … [Read more...]
Putting video analytics to use on the dairy
Purdue’s Jacquelyn Boerman, PhD, sees video analytics as a powerful addition to feeding cows more precisely and monitoring them 24/7. She explained how a top-view camera was deployed by researchers and predicts applications can be tailored to nutritionists, including cow identification, body weight estimation, feed management and daily feed intake. The research was funded by … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy calves challenge replacement heifer market
Commentary The current status of beef-on-dairy presents a golden opportunity* for dairy veterinary teams and animal health pros. A focus on keeping calves healthy from the minute they drop should be met with less resistance in today’s market. Consider the benefits of dairy veterinarians collaborating with nutritionists, manufacturers and suppliers to maximize the health of … [Read more...]