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...]
One in 30 U.S. dogs test positive for Lyme
Valley Vet Supply’s Aimee Elyse Robinson reminds dog owners of the risks of Lyme disease, especially those that live and play in less manicured outdoor environments. The places dogs love to explore are the most likely environs for them to encounter ticks. These include farms, acreages and large urban green spaces. Consider this article for social media or newsletters, … [Read more...]
The stages of heat-related illness in sporting dogs
Complimentary Sponsored Content When a dog exercises, its body generates excessive physiological heat that causes its body temperature to rise beyond the normal core body temperature ranges between 99.5°F to 102.5°F. The Eukanuba staff has put together charts to address the three stages of heat-related illness in active dogs: heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 22, 2024
Improving employee exit experiences, fawn response in pets, reigniting the startup spark, Morgan Stanley predicts pet services will anchor continued spending growth, catering to traveling pets and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 22, 2024. Link. NOTE: The FLOW Business conference housing deadline is August 19th. Current ticket prices are good through August 25th. … [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...]
From bias to equity: unconscious filters prevent us from unbiased views
We all have filters that can prevent us from seeing the world unbiasedly, writes Sara Taylor, author of Thinking at the Speed of Bias. She shares that regardless of whether our actions are effective or not, whether they are biased or not, whether our decisions are equitable or not, they all originate with our unconscious filters. Taylor says that 85 percent of us cannot … [Read more...]
Toxic leadership
A good leader inspires, motivates, and guides their team towards success, writes Craig Wallace, KCAHC’s 2024 Iron Paw Award Recipient. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, July 2, 2024. Link. “The effects of toxic leadership can be profound for any collective effort potentially destroying an enterprise…” INSIGHT: Courage and action are required individually and by the organization. … [Read more...]
Veterinarians as pet care influencers are on a more crowded stage
There’s no question that veterinarians remain queens of the hill regarding authority on pet care, writes David Sprinkle. However, other sources of information are gaining ground among millennials and Gen Zers as specialty pet shops and the internet have gained influence in recent years. Source: PETFOOD Industry, June 26, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Sharing cases can create confusion
Sarah Wolff, BVM&S, provides two strategic approaches to manage client experiences when more than one veterinarian can service a client. “Worst-case scenarios occur when colleagues have conflicting approaches and clients are caught in the middle.” Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2024. Link. Wolff shares the benefits and drawbacks of a) clinician-bonded strategies and b) … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 17, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the July 11th AHD Bulletin – Meeting customer expectations starts with employees. Link. Updated fluid therapy guidelines from AAHA. Link. Addressing common nutrition misperceptions. Link. ================================== The rise of pet product … [Read more...]
University of Illinois student focused on improving vet mental health
Justin Chiu, a University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign senior, is seeking ways to help clients better understand the challenges veterinarians, techs, receptionists, and other veterinary professionals face. The animal sciences major shared his appreciation for support animals and how his work in a vet clinic has shown him the need for mental health support for veterinary pros … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – July 15, 2024
Trends in grooming, using AI to analyze dog barks, link building in SEO, safety training important for insurance, GlobalVetLink’s new Pet Travel Concierge Service and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, July 15, 2024. Link. Note: Coffee with Carmen set for today, July 18th on Facebook Live at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Sami Engle will be providing Pet Travel Updates: Perspectives … [Read more...]
Morris Animal Foundation, Nestlé Purina PetCare to collaborate to advance care of aging dogs
A new collaboration between Morris Animal Foundation and Nestlé Purina anticipates being another step in the journey to unlock the potential of nutrition to enhance dog health and well-being through science. The collaboration will focus on deepening the scientific understanding of key areas impacting senior dogs, including healthy aging, longevity, body condition and … [Read more...]
Royal Canin and American Kennel Club renew multi-year agreement to sponsor the AKC National Championship
A five-year renewal of its multi-year agreement ensures Royal Canin will serve as the title and exclusive pet food sponsor of the AKC National Championship, the largest dog show in North America featuring thousands of dogs competing for the coveted title of America’s National Champion. The sponsorship will extend across several AKC programs as well. Source: PETFOOD Industry, … [Read more...]
Embark Veterinary announces 3 new tests for copper toxicosis
Breeders of Labradors and Dobermans can now test their dogs’ DNA to make informed decisions for ongoing breeding programs to reduce the risk of copper toxicosis in progeny. Dogs affected with copper toxicosis have difficulty excreting excess copper from their liver, which allows copper to build up until the liver eventually begins to fail. Source: Embark Veterinary Inc, July … [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...]
Facing declining interest in vet practice ownership
Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, shares her top four stumbling blocks to practice ownership in the article here positioned as a rebuttal to an article in The Atlantic <Link>. She writes about forces that affect the makeup of veterinary professional attitudes that alter attitudes toward entrepreneurship and, therefore, practice ownership. Regarding decreased aspirational … [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...]
Palace of Versailles to host 2024 Paris Equestrian Olympics (video)
Kim MacMillan shares the history of the Palace of Versailles located south of Paris where the 2024 Equestrian Olympics will take place. The venue is sure to provide visitors, participants and TV viewers a breathtaking backdrop to the events. Source: Horse Illustrated, July 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Overcoming head shyness improves safety for horses, handlers
Horses can be head or ear shy for reasons such as preexisting pain or fear. Ruling out physical issues is the first course of action. Katie Narvarra shares how trainer Shawna Karrasch addresses head shyness in this article. Head shyness can be difficult to address and often puts horse and handler at risk.” Source: The Horse, July 4, 2024. Link. True systematic desensitization … [Read more...]
Treating guinea pig health problems
Adrienne Kruzer, BS, RVT, LVT, shares common guinea pig diseases along with signs, treatment and ways to prevent guinea pigs from getting sick. Source: The Spruce Pets, June 12, 2024. Link. … [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...]