Male bison must be quarantined for a year before they can be deemed free of brucellosis, which is feared by the livestock industry because it causes cattle to abort their offspring. More than half of Yellowstone bison are believed to have been exposed to the disease. Source: AgWeb, June 26, 2017. There has been no documented case of bison transmitting the disease to cattle … [Read more...]
Choose to thrive, not survive
I am consistently amused by the number articles focused on executive level leadership or women in leadership that have application throughout the ranks in an organization. This article is a good example. While written for executive women, it applies to both genders and across the entire spectrum of the organization. Source: Forbes, June 19, 2017. We have introduced … [Read more...]
Use your local megaphone
Representatives often hear their customers express, “I just wish my customers understood...” Nate Birt explains why letters to the editor can effectively educate consumers. Although you won’t reach everyone in print, newspaper editors often upload those letters to the internet, where you can share content you’ve written on your website or social media. Source: Top Producer, … [Read more...]
39?, 49? and counting? Quit lying, embrace your 60s.
Lesley Seymour faced her fears and announced to her world that she had turned 60 years old. She shares some fears and perspective that many animal health pros face or will face in the next few years. She says her research suggests the “60s” is the happiest decade, yet for many it represents an uncharted path and a definite change in career paradigms. Source: The Muse, June … [Read more...]
Treating a dog with a severe spinal injury
Most of us enjoy a story about passionate pet owners and their efforts to return an ill or injured pet as close to normal as possible. It takes heart, collaboration and effort from the pet owner, the veterinary staff and others. Enjoy this heartwarming story of Chuckie and those who have improved his quality of life. Source: Washington Post, June 13, 2017. Chuckie … [Read more...]
Millenials need to use the phone – to talk
It is commonly perceived that most millennials have mastered function on today’s smartphones, except for one. Using these phones to have a conversation seems like a foreign concept to many. Today’s communication technology offers several ways to bypass having conversations – conversations that could strengthen business relationships. Millenials or not – proper phone use is a … [Read more...]
Prevent reverse delegation
Reverse delegation happens when delegated tasks end up back in your bucket. Dan Rockwell offers 12 sentences to prevent this. Source: Leadership Freak, March 27, 2017. Why reverse delegation happens: You want to be helpful. Over-helpful leaders end up doing other people’s work for them. You don’t see it. Some employees are skillful at delegating work to their … [Read more...]
Kids and pigs at World Pork Expo (photo gallery)
Many expo attendees never see this side of the World Pork Expo. If you’ve never been in a hog barn at the expo, a state or local fair, this is a good way to experience some of the sights. The senses for sounds and smells are left out, but the action is truly a testament to the next generation of hog producers. We dare you not to smile! Source: National Hog Farmer, June … [Read more...]
Find the word that’s on the tip of your tongue
That term you’re searching for might be on the tip of your tongue, but most of the time, all you can do about it is stew until you either: a) have an epiphany, or b) use some nonsense word like whatchamacallit and move on. Source: Science of Us, June 12, 2017. Researchers refer to this “tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon” indicating it’s not quite as simple as just blanking out. … [Read more...]
Learn how each team member likes to work
As a manager, it helps to spend time up front connecting and creating a common language with your team. As members of the team change or current team members’ lives change, this exercise applies to seasoned managers, as well as new managers. Source: Harvard Business Review, May 30, 2017. When your team knows how you like to work and how you plan to manage them, they’re able … [Read more...]
Help employees be accountable
Almost every day the news brings us another story of some personal indiscretion that is ultimately blamed on someone else. “The dog ate my homework,” and “she hit me first,” are two childish examples. Yet, we now have adults abdicating responsibility for their own misadventures. Unfortunately, this lack of accountability is becoming more prevalent in our workplaces. Managing it … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo in full swing
World Pork Expo activities are underway at the Iowa State Fair Grounds, in Des Moines. More than 450 companies are exhibiting their products, innovations and ideas for 20,000 producers and pork professionals, including some 1,000 international guests. With more than 50 hospitality tents, the air is filled with smells of smoke and barbecue. Source: NPPC, June 4, 2017. Expo … [Read more...]
7 “what if” questions every rancher should ask
Burt Teichert offers challenging questions for producers to consider as they evaluate the profitability of their operations. Veterinarians and sales representatives can use these questions to work with producers to increase their cow herd values. Source: Beef, June 12, 2017. Here’s a sample of the seven questions Teichert offers: What if every replacement heifer was … [Read more...]
Antibody vs antigen. Tests: review the differences
Effect versus affect; blew versus blue; principle versus principal are among the terms that get confused at times. Add to that list antibody versus antigen for animal health pros. Claire L. Fellman, DVM, and Todd Archer, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Mississippi State University, answer the question, “What are the differences between antibody and antigen tests, and which test should I … [Read more...]
Views of U.S. moral values slip to 7-year lows
Gallup began surveying U.S. moral values in 2002. The views have slipped to their lowest point in the last seven years. Highlights from respondents include: 81% say state of moral values is "only fair" or "poor" 77% say the state of moral values is getting worse Views have been consistently negative, at least since 2002 Source: Gallup, May 22, 2017. No majority … [Read more...]
NAVTA board votes in favor of veterinary nurse credential change
Vet technician no more. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) board of directors announced the formation of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative Coalition to pursue legislative amendments in all states to establish the credential of registered veterinary nurse (RVN). The board approved the action to unite the profession under a single title, … [Read more...]
Consumer misconceptions affect animal welfare
Recent Packaged Facts survey data reveals that 58 percent of consumers are more concerned about food animal welfare now than they were in previous years. Lack of understanding, combined with a desire to provide humane treatment for food animals, have led to shifts in consumer demand for meat, poultry, egg and other related products. The common assumption is organic standards … [Read more...]
Larger dairy herds have a size advantage
Carl Zulauf evaluated USDA’s cost-of-production data to estimate the price to produce 100 pounds of milk among different herd sizes. It’s not fair to say that big farms are bad and small farms are good, or that farms milking more cows are better than those with fewer cows. What we can say, though, is that on average, larger herds are able to produce milk less expensively than … [Read more...]
Any smartphone or laptop can catch fire
BE WARNED! Lithium ion batteries are statistically quite safe, and fires are rare — but they store a large amount of energy in a very small space, so the danger is real. How you use and recharge devices that contain lithium ion batteries could have a significant impact on fire risks. Source: Bottomline Personal, May 1, 2017. Advice from the National Fire Protection … [Read more...]
What is a product recall?
The regulatory affairs group at Henry Schein Animal Health explain product recalls, various recall levels and processes required to complete them. Veterinary clinic staff members with fewer than five years’ experience will appreciate this overview. Source: Animal Health Solution, 2Q2017, page 22. A product recall occurs when a manufacturer, or the FDA determines that an … [Read more...]
Increased client compliance rewards for patients and practices
Dr. Karen Felstad, Gary Glassman, Dr. Marsha Heinke and Fritz Wood are featured in this 12th article of a series generated from the Henry Schein Animal Health 2016 Solutions Workshop. They discuss the elements of customer compliance and the need for a team plan. Source: Animal Health Solution, 2Q2017, page 8. When you have a plan, a way to measure it, activities to support … [Read more...]
Feline hyperthyroidism reaching epidemic levels
When Dr. Mark Peterson started veterinary school in 1972, feline hyperthyroidism didn’t seem to exist. He treats nothing else today. This article traces the beginnings of research into the condition, to the treatment and to the links it may have to our own health. Source: New York Times Magazine, May 16, 2017 (paywall). A steady drumbeat of research links the strange feline … [Read more...]
Arrogance or insecurity?
Are those flare-ups of smug self-righteousness your mind’s attempt to spare you from feeling vulnerable? Most of the time, arrogance is used to cover the fear that we’re not really worthy, that we don’t measure up, writes Ted Leonhardt. It’s fear turned upside down and masquerading as superiority. It isn’t too hard to see, but in practice, it can be tough to correct. Source: … [Read more...]
DECISION: write emails with military precision
By adopting military email etiquette, you will introduce a kernel of clarity to your correspondence and that of your colleagues and clients. Kabir Sehgal learned how to structure emails to maximize a mission’s chances for success while in military service. He now successfully applies the same techniques in a corporate setting. Source: Harvard Business Review, November 22, … [Read more...]
Join the veterinary well-being community
Knowing the mental health stressors within the veterinary profession, the AVMA has gathered and created resources to help measure compassion satisfaction, compassion stress and compassion fatigue, and identify areas where to focus on self-care. In addition to personal wellness tools, it also offers a self-assessment tool and training to identify and help at-risk … [Read more...]
Enterococcus sp.: 450 million years to become a super bug
It’s a tale of evolution. Scientists estimate that Enterococcus originated about 425 million to 500 million years ago, around the time when animals first moved from the ocean to land. The dangerous bacteria might have originated from an ancestor that lived in the guts of the first animals to walk on land, according to a new study. Source: Live Science, May 11, 2017. The … [Read more...]
Corporate medicine, discussing big-medicine benefits
See what a group of animal health professionals told Firstline editors about the pros and cons of corporate medicine. Choices, choices, choices! Source: Firstline, May 3, 2017. DVM360 editors created a panel made up of regular contributors, new faces and industry veterans, who together create a spectrum of voices that represent the many angles of this issue. They wanted to … [Read more...]
How Facebook affects your happiness
The Journal of Epidemiology recently published a study that supports the growing pile of evidence to suggest that Facebook use may be linked to unhappiness. The result: Facebook use was significantly correlated with declines in overall well-being over the years, as well as the more specific categories of physical health, mental health and life satisfaction. But wait, there’s … [Read more...]
Multi-dog household research in progress
The dynamics in multi-dog households is different in every home, but rarely studied. Most research tests dogs in a laboratory and looks at interactions between animals that don’t know each other. This will be interesting to watch. Source: Science Daily, April 24, 2017. Canisius College professors Christy Hoffman and Malini Suchak decided to take a different approach in … [Read more...]
Pets on the go
This commercial post is thought provoking for any animal health pro challenged to service an increasingly mobile pet population. A recent study reveals some behaviors among pet owners that present new opportunities for reaching pets and their owners. Source: Trone Brand Energy, May 4, 2017. Pet parents are on the go, but still want to spend as much time as possible with … [Read more...]