Our recent post about the Flehman response in cats led me to further investigate the pheromone topic. Googling produced several references on semiochemicals and their use in insect control. Most important was information provided by AHD sponsor, Ceva Animal Health, which helps clarify some of the confusion about pheromones and pheromone products: Pheromones are naturally … [Read more...]
Bridge Club gains momentum
No playing cards are needed to be part of this club. Participants join from their desks, living rooms and kitchen tables using their computers and cell phones. The venue replicates the roundtable discussions familiar to animal health pros at conventions and meetings. The Bridge Club has attracted interest and support from community partners. Dr. Dani McVety recently shared … [Read more...]
7 powerful things you should always be able to say about yourself
There are elements within ourselves that can either sabotage our success or lead us to greatness, shares Lolly Daskal. Whatever your role or aspirations in leadership, you should always be able to look at yourself in the mirror and voice these statements as truth, she writes. I am confident. I trust my intuition. I am honest. I am courageous. I am … [Read more...]
Dairy calves are naturally optimistic or pessimistic
Some calves are inherently optimistic or pessimistic, as are humans, a University of British Columbia study has found. The study also assessed fearfulness through standard personality tests and found that it and pessimism are closely related. Source: Science Daily, February 18, 2018. Sometimes we are tempted to see only the herd, even though this herd consists of different … [Read more...]
Study proves that dogs are good judges of character
A study recently published in the journal, “Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews,” found that dogs can tell when someone is being rude or mean to another person. Like humans, dogs then use this information to decide how to treat people. Source: Simplemost. Dogs in the study reacted negatively to humans who refused to help their owners. “We discovered for the first time … [Read more...]
Be a good coworker. Do more than say hello
As the workplace becomes increasingly social, coworker relationships are important to build a productive workplace. Michael Volkmann offers five ways to be a become a better coworker: Really get to know the new guy/gal Follow through Show gratitude Invest in spending time together Respect boundaries Source: Life Hacker, February 27, 2018. At the end of the … [Read more...]
Feral cattle creating issues in California national monument
Sand to Snow National Monument lies approximately 50 miles north, northwest of Palm Springs, California, and about 50 miles east of San Bernardino, California. Rising from desert lowlands, its mountainous high desert and cascading streams create panoramic views, tranquility and solitude. But, recent visitors have been surprised by members of a herd of 150 feral cattle that are … [Read more...]
Size doesn’t matter; pigs are still pigs
Sara Brown addresses the teacup, or miniature pig fad. Some people bought the pets, not realizing that miniature pigs can grow to be 40 lbs. to 300 lbs. And they still have natural pig instincts. Rooting and raiding cabinets were just two examples of pig behavior for which people weren’t prepared. Source: Pork, February 27, 2018. The Humane Society of Missouri is asking … [Read more...]
4 habits help you learn new skills
Mike Kehoe has seen the effects of learning and development on career mobility. He has also seen what leads people to let it fall by the wayside. He found that four crucial habits can make a tremendous difference: Focus on emerging skills Get synchronous Implement learning immediately Set a golden benchmark Source: Harvard Business Review, January 31, 2018. I … [Read more...]
Raise the cull line to match the falling milk price
If a cow cannot pay for her own feed, then there is no return to your land or crop enterprise. A cow should also be paying for her own replacement. Jim VanDerlinde challenges the majority on culling decisions and explains his rationale. He shares a quick, user-friendly template to find the culling sweet spot for a dairy. Source: Progressive Dairyman, February 22, 2018. The … [Read more...]
The price is not always right
“If you don’t know the difference between margin and mark-up,” says Daniel Truffini, “Your revenue might be taking a hit. Don’t let anyone tell your otherwise, it’s all about the margin at the end of the day.” Trufinni makes the cost compared to. value distinction and offers three formulas to help animal health pros calculate them. Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, … [Read more...]
Inconvenient truth: sterilization increases dog obesity
Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, addresses our decades-old position on sterilization and the inconvenient truth that dog sterilization leads to fatter dogs. Agree or disagree, this is content that animal health pros need to read, discuss and consider. Source: Veterinary Practice News, February 16, 2018. Khuly asserts that health and overpopulation are two separate issues and need … [Read more...]
Speaking of smells
Fun results from research. While exploring semiochemicals , Kirk discovered references identifying smells humans find most pleasant or repulsive. Jacob Shelton’s list is designed to sort by age, sex and region. For example, cinnamon rolls are ranked in the top five in any U.S. region but are ranked 18th internationally. Source: The best smells in the world, … [Read more...]
Stop talking and listen
The best way to sway others is not to tell them your answer, but to arrive at an answer — together. Listening is the key pathway to go from your idea to our idea. Listening reshapes the idea as needed, and ultimately creates the kind of shared ownership that is needed for any idea to become a new reality. Source: Harvard Business Review, February 6, 2018. To listen is to … [Read more...]
Latest topics from Journal of Dairy Science
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
The Bridge Club: virtual value
Gifted Leaders founder and VetPartners President Dr. Jeff Thoren hosted an engaging Bridge Club virtual conversation, “Mind Full or Mindful? Maintaining a Peaceful Presence in a Hectic World,” February 19th. Thoren offered his go-to resources and getting-started recommendations. For those who stayed for the after-party discussion, participants revealed some terrific … [Read more...]
KC Animal Health Corridor continuing workforce development efforts
A 2015 study predicting a shortage in skilled labor for manufacturing jobs spurred Kansas City area manufacturers to begin developing meaningful workforce solutions. Since then, the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor has worked alongside industry executives to close skill gaps affecting the global animal health industry. One tool KCAHC developed is ExploreKCCareers.com. It … [Read more...]
AVMA, Merck collaborate on veterinarian mental health study
Veterinarians younger than 45 years old are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, according to a new survey conducted in collaboration with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Merck Animal Health. According to the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study, younger veterinarians are more affected by the financial and emotional stresses of … [Read more...]
The underdog strategy may make you a winner
Victimhood is a popular excuse these days for being unhappy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Certainly, there are people with greater advantages than you. This simply means you need to work smarter and harder to achieve your version of success and now there is a strategy that will enhance your chances of success. Source: Women@Forbes, February 6 2018. Have the courage to … [Read more...]