This journal and others may intimidate us because they are, after all, scientific and require more than casual review. I’ve found using the Interpretive Summaries sort tool makes it easy to skim topics. From this issue we note the following abstracts: Associations between management practices and within-pen prevalence of calf diarrhea and respiratory disease on dairy farms … [Read more...]
Beef checkoff continues to enjoy strong approval
The most recent survey on the beef checkoff shows a higher percent of cattle producers approve of the program. often controversial, overall, beef producers are pleased with the performance of the checkoff, says Burt Rutherford, editor: 76% say the beef checkoff has contributed to a positive trend in beef demand 78% say the checkoff has value even when the economy is … [Read more...]
Stockmanship: natural talent or learned skill?
Raising livestock has become a skilled trade with the advent of more technology being deployed in livestock operations. Cheryl Day discusses the challenges and opportunities of training a new swine industry work force in the art of stockmanship. Source: National Hog Farmer, February 13, 2018. Looking at textbook definitions, animal husbandry is the science of breeding and … [Read more...]
50 best horse movies
It’s not always possible to go riding, so horse enthusiasts often watch horse movies. Many of these have captured imaginations and were catalysts for dreams. Source: Horse Network, 2014. See where your favorite movie(s) rank in this list. Here’s the top 5 of 50: War Horse Seabiscuit The Man from Snowy River Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron National … [Read more...]
2 toxic thoughts you accidentally think every day
We may not think we have a morning ritual, but we do. Guilty as charged! "I didn't get enough sleep." "I don't have enough time." Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money, says we unwittingly think those two scarcity themed thoughts every day, before we do or think about anything else. "Before we even sit up in bed, before our feet touch the floor, we're already … [Read more...]
Cats need to knead
Kneading is but one of the common, quirky behaviors of cats. It is a motion cats make by pushing in and out with their paws, alternating between right and left. Some cats knead with claws completely retracted, while others will extend their claws as they push in and retract as they pull back. It’s an instinctive behavior that likely helps calm the cat. It is important for … [Read more...]
Dog and cat behavior myths debunked
Amy L. Pike, DVM, and Jessey Scheip, LVT, tackle common misconceptions about our dog and cat behaviors that still are being propagated, despite scientific evidence to the contrary: Myth No. 1: The human needs to be dominant to the pet to maintain proper structure and obedience. Myth No. 2: Misinterpretation of body language Myth No. 3: Misunderstandings with … [Read more...]
Focus and passion fuel Lucky Dog show host’s success
The CBS Dream Team programming features six high-definition half-hours with pro-social messaging. Each show offers inspiring and educational messages on subjects that interest teenagers. The Lucky Dog host Brandon McMillan is an animal behaviorist whose training came from family lineage plus experience. Larue Palmer shares the interactions Pet Product News had when shadowing … [Read more...]
How dogs process people’s emotions
Karen London, PhD, updates information on how dogs process and respond to our emotions. Previous studies showed that dogs use different sides of the brain to process information, depending on the emotions involved. As we develop and advance Fear Free initiatives, this information can help evaluate how we interact with dogs. Source: The Bark, February … [Read more...]
Kindest Care for wildlife
Bonnie Chasteen offers tips for dealing with baby wildlife as spring births are just around the corner. She cautions people to be aware of what lives around you, to avoid drawing animals close to your home and to remember that your family can get sick when handling baby wildlife. This is basic information. Posting it on social media, in websites and in newsletters will … [Read more...]
Children, sandboxes, pin worms and pets
Here are the facts about the neighbors’ cats using the sandbox, even though my mother and grandmother told me differently: Human pinworms, such as Enterobius vermicularis are nonzoonotic intestinal parasitic worms of human hosts. Humans are considered to be the only hosts of E vermicularis; therefore, human pinworms cannot originate from pets or other animals and vice … [Read more...]
Men are afraid to mentor women
Adam Grant speaks to reality. In a survey just released by Lean In and SurveyMonkey, nearly half of male managers report being uncomfortable mentoring women, socializing with them, or working alone with them. In the wake of #MeToo, the number of men who are afraid to mentor women has tripled. Source: LinkedIn, February 6, 2018. Grant addresses what we can do about it … [Read more...]
Couples who work (podcast)
Two-career couples may be the modern norm, but they’re a relatively new one—a norm still under construction. In this episode of Women @ Work, three experts help paint a picture of what a truly supportive dual-career relationship looks like, and understand how to get relationships closer to that ideal. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 1, 2018. … [Read more...]
Farm deer in Pennsylvania breeding farm test positive for Chronic Wasting Disease
Disease monitoring in wildlife herds is critical to wildlife management and to identify potential zoonotic risks. New positive tests in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, represent the latest in 46 positives since 2012. Although Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious fatal disease among deer and elk, research suggests that humans, cattle and other domestic livestock are … [Read more...]
Oral health matters to pets’ quality of life (video)
In this Spark video, dental experts share perspectives and benefits of a focused dental care strategy for veterinary hospitals, animal owners and pets. There is consensus that oral health affects pets differently and why veterinary dentists believe radiographs are critical in dental treatment. Source: NAVC Spark, February 16, 2018. Oral health disease is probably the most … [Read more...]
Create success when you disagree
Whether you are a frontline person, supervisor or middle manager, sometimes you get a decision handed down with which you do not agree. What you do at that point says a great deal about you and your ultimate success or failure. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 9 2018. To convince yourself of the decision, put yourself in the shoes of someone who believes deeply in … [Read more...]
Exotic baby animals need unique milk formulations
Animal health pros who care for exotic animals will appreciate the efforts described here. Milk for each species is unique. The team at Wombaroo in Australia is developing powdered milk formulas for exotic baby animals, including lions, kangaroos, koalas and pandas. It is one of few organizations conducting research in this area. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: Colorado no longer requires import entry permit for GlobalVetLINK customers
KUDOS to GlobalVetLink (GVL) and the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) – Animal Health Division for their successful collaboration to integrate record-keeping platforms to streamline paper trails and data entry for livestock entering Colorado. The integration migrates data from the GVL system directly into USAHERDS in real time. It allows for efficient and accurate … [Read more...]
Update your LinkedIn pages yearly
William Arruda, cofounder of CareerBlast, advises updating your LinkedIn page annually. December or now, his seven most important recommendations still apply: Update your photo. Revise your summary. Update your current experience entry. Add multimedia. Record accomplishments. Evaluate your groups. Make your contacts current. Source: Forbes, December … [Read more...]
Use criticism to your advantage
Honest feedback is one of the more valuable tools we have for self-improvement. Yet, it is a catch-22, according to Mel Robbins. Researchers from the University of Michigan and the Gottman Institute concluded that in order to keep a relationship or work team performing well, five or six positive interactions were needed for each criticism or negative interaction. Source: … [Read more...]
A case for micro-leading
Micromanagers are not helpful in the long run, says Steve Keating. But, his perspective changes when it comes to developing new or inexperienced team members. Keating proposes a new term: micro-leading. It is simply closely supervising someone for their own development and learning. Leaders must also understand that good judgment comes from experience. If your people lack that … [Read more...]
Vaccine or vaccine failure?
It’s hard to put a price tag on preventing an animal from suffering, says Cheryl Day, National Hog Farmer editor, in her comments about the February issue. Her team has collected a series about vaccination and herd health that is worth review, regardless of what species dominates your time. These articles include: What would the world be like if we didn’t vaccinate pigs? … [Read more...]
Survey shines light on pork industry’s biosecurity investment
A new survey study from Iowa State University (ISU) reveals the challenges of biosecure swine production and the variations of adoption of biosecure measures. It also highlights opportunities to help increase biosecurity measures. For animal health pros, the challenges in these results further underscore the themes of compliance across all species. Specifically, note the … [Read more...]
Don’t let urgency take over importance
Given the number of interruptions animal health pros face daily, it is important to regularly return to this topic. An urgent item is a task that cries out for immediate attention. Important tasks are those that, once done, will add value for the long-term. Important tasks move you forward. Source: Entrepreneur, February 6, 2018. It's easy to let the urgent overtake the … [Read more...]
A case for washing dishes
Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates both say that handling dinnerware is part of their daily routine. I agree. Here's why you should consider it: More (and better) ideas could flow as you rinse It keeps you humble You remember that helping even in small ways is still helping Source: Inc., November 2017. Small acts of service, such as washing the dishes, remind you that you … [Read more...]
How good breeders raise puppies
Fearless puppies don’t just pop out of their dam, say hello to the world and settle into biddable dogs. Linda Rehkopf shares her approach to raising puppies that grow into happy, confident dogs. Breeders and puppy owners alike will value this information. Source: Fear Free Happy Homes, January 30, 2018. Starting with a sire and dam that were both calm confident adults at … [Read more...]
Signs of a sick dog
Dog Breeds Center recently surfaced as another media source targeting animal owners. Mark Reed offers dog owners some signs that a dog might be sick. The tips are logical and the images represent situations well. Consider this resource for social media posts and website content. Source: Dog Breeds Center. All of these symptoms and any sudden behavioral change require an … [Read more...]
Horse personalities affect training and riding
Horses can display traits that qualify them as social, aloof, fearful and challenging. In addition to noting specific temperament traits that best match an individual horse, it is important to notice how loudly or quietly (aggressively or passively) the horse displays his personality. The more aggressive the personality traits are, the more they become a factor in the training … [Read more...]
Incorporating equine learning principles in the veterinary practice
To help veterinary team members reduce fear and problem behaviors while promoting positive veterinary care, Robin Foster, PhD, CAAB, CHBC, described behavior modification techniques based on principles of equine learning at the 2017 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention. Incorporating learning principles into equine practice all starts with addressing the … [Read more...]
Protect cats from fleas
From the black plague during the 14th century to now, fleas have caused much grief. As summer approaches, it is important to reinforce flea control in indoor and outdoor cats. This article descrives flea control evolution, infection, modern control methods and products. Animal health pros who interact with cat owners will appreciate this straightforward discussion of feline … [Read more...]