Being present is truly important. We are all running around in this crazy life, with crazy schedules, kids, work, self-care and fun. We run through our to-dos, zip through our achievements and hurry around the routines. Source: Lander Company, April 6, 2020. Link. The coolest new way I just discovered was tattoos!! Not real ones but safe, temporary ones. Now, every time I … [Read more...]
Getting outside from inside and more
Explore is a unique multimedia curator and home of the world’s largest live nature network. In addition to more than 250 original films and 30,000 photographs, there are countless live feeds. We can see puppies in a whelping room in Maryland, cat rescues in Los Angeles and eagles on their nest in northeast Iowa. You will find these feeds interesting, a welcome distraction or … [Read more...]
10,000 steps a day is B.S., say experts
Social distancing efforts restrict some from hitting their daily steps goals. New research shows you can walk less and still rake in the health benefits. Here’s the information, so you can determine what’s right for you. Source: Prevention, April 3, 2020. Link. 7,500 is the lowest number of steps with the highest level of health benefits, making it an ideal daily goal. Any … [Read more...]
Nubian goats, America’s favorite dairy breed (includes video)
Small ruminants are gaining in popularity with commercial producers and hobbyists. Goats are favorites for 4-H projects, as well. Nubian goat milk is especially suited to cheese production. Nubians are also considered a good meat goat. Tamsin Cooper shares the history and profiles today’s Nubian dual-purpose goats. Source: Backyard Goats, April 4, 2020. Link. Most Nubians … [Read more...]
Feed pets for optimal dental health
One of the most important ways to improve dental health is to feed dogs and cats the correct diet writes Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT. She reviews the effects diets have on dental health and addressing some erroneous beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, the consumption of dry food does not provide enough mechanical abrasion to prevent the development of plaque and dental … [Read more...]
Before I die
Most of us don’t think about death, except in times of crisis and we are living in one of those times. The Covid-19 pandemic is a reminder that we can die at any time. Source: Purpose Unlimited. Link. It’s hard to not think about death when we are bombarded with daily updates of the coronavirus death toll. But what better time for each of us to consider what we are doing … [Read more...]
Crisis management and leadership
Addressing the urgent needs of the present is the work of management. You need to make immediate choices and allocate resources. The pace is fast, and actions are decisive. Leading, by contrast, involves guiding people to the best possible eventual outcome over this arc of time. Your focus needs to be on what is likely to come next and readying to meet it. Source: Harvard … [Read more...]
What scientists know about immunity and the novel coronavirus
It is too early to tell how well humans will mount effective antibodies, writes Katherine J. Wu. She shares information on challenges to immune development, viral replication and antigenic drift. If nothing else, her article is a decent review of virology and the challenges of protection. Source: Smithsonian, March 30, 2020. Link. Complicating matters further is the biology … [Read more...]
Coronavirus on its way
Just because you’ve not seen it yet, doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods. If you’re in the wait and see group, this resource may change your mind. With few geographic exceptions, coronavirus is on the way to your location. Disease modelers at the University of Texas at Austin simulated the spread of the outbreak in every United States county to determine the most likely … [Read more...]
Calculus was invented during a school break
Unless you hated advanced mathematics, Cal Newport’s post about a productive school break is good news. He shares the history of a 23-year-old Isaac Newton retreating from school in 1666 due to the black plague. It was during that break that Newton invented calculus. Who knows what kids and parents at home might create together? Source: Cal Newton, March 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Digitization affects our happiness, health, and wisdom
Food for thought Technologies fueling our media consumption are outpacing the rate of scientific inquiry, making real or verifiable effects hard to understand and perhaps harder study appropriately, share these authors. They express concerns and assert a call to action to establish new disciplines about media. American adults now spend over 11 hours per day listening to, … [Read more...]
Opinion – Meditate on the go to relieve stress
After seven minutes in a prompt tree and on-hold time, the on-hold message suggested I try the company’s website. I hung up and surfed the website for the answer to my question. Twenty-five minutes later, I was back on hold waiting for a live person. During that hold time, I stumbled on this meditate on-the-go article. Like the 15 second TV spots by CALM, Avik Chanda shares … [Read more...]
The 7 Habits of highly effective salespeople
Steven Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, inspired a huge audience in the 1990s. During that period, Randy Illig learned how the 7 Habits thinking applied to salespersons. He shares how the 7 Habits can help achieve greater sales effectiveness. With how we engage with customers in turmoil, focusing on basics can help maintain account … [Read more...]
Battling bacteria with their natural enemy: a virus
Not all viruses create pandemic consequences. Lacey Newlin shares the progress on using bacteriophages to attack bacteria and the possibility of phages as antibiotic alternatives. . . . about half of the bacteria on this planet are killed by bacteriophages every two days.” - Hari Shankar Kotturi, PhD. Source: High Plains Journal, March 20, 2020. Link. Divya Jaroni, PhD, whose … [Read more...]
Pork Checkoff adjustments seek to improve trust and value
Reflecting the changes in pig production in the last 20 years, the Pork Checkoff program is undergoing a transformational shift. In rebuilding the checkoff program, the National Pork Board is putting a laser beam-like focus on the priorities and things that matter the most to our industry: trust and value. Source: PORK, March 5, 2020. Link. David Newman, president of the … [Read more...]
Make uncomfortable the norm
It seems as if we’re stuck inside the movie, Contagion, and are far from seeing the credits roll. Take heart in that what’s happening in the world now is not a new movie, but a re-release. Our challenge comes in how we approach life when the movie is over. Because life is changing quickly and will change again. Source: Purpose Unlimited, Link. Life is a continuous … [Read more...]
Scary Times Success Manual can help you now
Transforming current anxieties and fear into strategic growth, progress, and achievement is the objective for this manual from Dan Sullivan. The 10 strategies he shares can support your creative thinking, communications, and actions as you navigate the months ahead. Feel free to share widely at his request. We believe there is something in his 10 strategies for … [Read more...]
Swine disease management and COVID-19
THANK YOU, Jennifer Shike and Cassandra Jones, PhD, for sharing the challenges of managing swine PEDV and PRRS in the context of our current COVID-19 pandemic. Jones believes suppression should be the strategy. “Even then, we’re looking at June or July as peak of this thing, and 8X more critical care beds needed than we have available.” Cassandra Jones, PhD, Kansas State … [Read more...]
3 Steps to Make Your Teams More Effective
Transformational coach Kerri Balliet offers three steps to improve your coach-approach leadership and increase employee efficiency. Ask 'why' as many times as it takes to get to a root reason behind a behavior or action. Be a non-judgmental coach, to support their teams' insights without judgment and shame. Teach your players to look for patterns. Source: Target … [Read more...]
Laughing at yourself tied to great leaders, reduces anxiety
The coronavirus has pushed our society into new territory. Being comfortable and confident enough that you can laugh at yourself builds trust within a team and with customers. This ability may bring your team closer. It may also alleviate some of the anxiety associated with chasing unattainable perfection, especially in these times. Source: Inc, November 29, 2018. Link. Anne … [Read more...]
Recalibrate: Thrive to survive.
Sixty days ago, we were discussing how to thrive in a competitive industry. Now, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need ways to survive. Thankfully, the thrive model has application in a survival environment. It just needs to be recalibrated. Source: Vet-Advantage, February 2020. Link. What are their aspirations? Objectives? Every practice owner is not necessarily … [Read more...]
Cowcohol – a “wheyle” of a good idea
Leave it to entrepreneurial, small-herd dairy producers and an assistant professor of distilled spirits, AKA a guy with the most fabulous job on the planet, to create a novel way to use whey, the byproduct of cheesemaking. Todd Koch, owner of TMK Creamery in Oregon, now ferments his whey and makes a vodka-like liquor they call “Cowcohol.” The dairy is overwhelmed by … [Read more...]
Isolation, distancing and PPE protocols ‘old hat’ to livestock production
It is easy to marvel at how under-appreciated, yet familiar and expected biosecurity is to the livestock community: Swine producers learned to shower in and shower out of facilities years ago as part of their efforts to reduce swine disease and stop massive death losses due to farm-to-farm fomite exchanges < link > Progressive dairies manage mastitis incidence … [Read more...]
Mules make excellent moms for equine embryo transfer
New research found pregnancies in mares and mules were strikingly similar, with comparable ultrasound findings. Despite their inability to reproduce naturally mules make amazing surrogate dams. Source: The Horse, March 15, 2020. Link. “Mules can host the embryo of a mare, gestate normally, produce a good amount of milk, and have an incredible maternal instinct and ability,” … [Read more...]
New releases on EQUUS film channel
Got a horse person home from school? The EQUUS film channel offers lots of films covering many topics for horse people - after chores are done. You will need to subscribe after a 7-day trial period. Link. Source: Horse Network. March 20, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Fomite control: you, me, us, them, plus where they have been
Fomite: fo-mite Noun (plural fomites) (medicine, epidemiology). def: An inanimate object capable of carrying infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites), and thus passively enabling their transmission between hosts. < link > Media coverage, though sometimes raucous, is a necessary tool to help communicate the importance of the need for societal … [Read more...]
Pet grooming businesses deemed non-essential. Need some extra help?
Original content Groomers have been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, animal shelters, pet supply retailers and veterinary clinics may need temporary help during this crisis. Groomers could provide temporary support to help receive animals from owners’ cars, infection control processes, bath prepping, home deliveries and more. These animal health professionals … [Read more...]
BabelBark/BabelVet® announces free support to transition to telehealth
Complimentary Sponsored Content Fueled by shelter-in-place orders and social distancing recommendations, medical professionals are turning to telehealth platforms to maintain client-patient interactions and screen to determine if a physical visit is needed. Telehealth in today’s COVID-19 context is relatively new. Vertical integration is a mainstay of platforms in general, … [Read more...]
Stay resilient in challenging times: webinar for veterinarians and vet teams
Complimentary Sponsored Content Resilience experts, Sandy Asch and Joy Fuhrman DVM, MBA, CPA, have combined forces to present a four-part webinar. Focusing on resiliency, the speakers share ways to rise above panic, fear and worry. Learn methods to weather life and business storms with grace so you stay whole and emerge on the other side stronger, wiser and more … [Read more...]
Self-deprecating humor is a positive leadership trait
Emotional intelligence has been deemed a more powerful predictor of a person's success than his or her intelligence. The reason boils down to the simple fact that human relationships are at the very fabric of business. Being able to better understand, connect, empathize, and negotiate with others is crucial in the personal ladder climb. Source: Inc., November 29, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]