Producers who use fescue in grazing pastures have growing concerns about the impact of fescue toxicosis on milk production, writes Carmen Burner. Tall fescue, a perennial grass, is found in 15 states. It is grown for benefits such as drought tolerance and resistance to various insects, viruses and fungal diseases. A fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum found in about … [Read more...]
7 common threads of top-producing dairies
Dairy production is competitive although competition is strongest when dairies work to increase their own production metrics. Karen Luchterhand, PhD, shared common actions from dairies that are getting the most from their cows including milking three times per day, prioritizing heat stress abatement and stall management. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 26, 2024. … [Read more...]
Managing horses on pasture
Animal health pros who work with cattle producers will find Curt Arens’ article topics familiar. Terms like stocking rate, overgrazing, rotational grazing and more apply to horse pasture and health management, too. He shares the whys and basic management tips to keep the pastures healthy through the growing season and, consequently, provide optimal grazing forages for … [Read more...]
Cost versus value 1 of 4 nutrition challenges with pet owners
Chyrle Bonk, DVM, PhD, identified pet owner awareness, time constraints, information overload and, especially, pet obesity among the nutrition challenges facing the veterinary and pet food industry. These likely play out in everyday conversations in veterinary hospitals and retailers alike. Source: PETFOOD Industry, April 25, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Crop residue grazing recommendations changing
Mary E. Drewnoski, PhD, shares how higher-yielding corn crops, with less downed corn, have changed the way beef specialists recommend crop residue stocking rates. She recommends producers think about fall grazing plans and stocking rates as they plant this year’s crop. The article includes an updated formula for stocking rate on corn ground. Source: Nebraska Farmer, April … [Read more...]
Cull cows more valuable than ever
Cull cow weight and cull cow price have always been keys to profitability for beef producers. Culls are often forgotten. Gene Johnston shares tips for getting more money for old cows. About 20% of the total revenue of a cow herd comes from cull animals.” - Patrick Linnell, CattleFax Source: Successful Farming, April 12, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: We noted Wayne Morgan's … [Read more...]
Comparison of beef calves in conventional or natural systems for backgrounding and finishing
A recent study in Applied Animal Science offers guidance for producers weighing how to manage beef calves and meet market demands. The results offer perspective on the trade-offs between backgrounding and finishing systems: Conventionally managed steers in the study had greater average daily weight gain and feed efficiency and reached their target finished weight faster, … [Read more...]
A calculator to determine colic risk in horses
EQUUS' 7-question survey can help determine a horse's chances of developing colic and provides ideas for what can be done to protect its health. The survey score will provide a rough estimate of colic risk and the content shares some management changes that may help reduce colic risks. Source: EQUUS, April 10, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Tools like this survey can improve the … [Read more...]
Essential nutrients cats need in their diets
We often hear, “a cat is not a small dog.” That phrase is especially meaningful when delivering the main things cats need in their diets. Rachel Giordano shares six vet-verified, nutrient essentials cats need in their diets, what they do and where they are found: Animal protein Fat Carbohydrates Water Vitamins Minerals Source: Catster, April 12, 2024. … [Read more...]
Chewy CEO on new technology in new veterinarian clinic care clinics (video)
Chewy CEO Sumit Singh discusses the launch of Chewy’s first veterinarian clinic, how it’ll help Chewy’s finances and more. He shares his perspective on veterinarian demand and matching DVM and customer experiences at scale. His comments about the effects of the pandemic on demand and the transition to e-commerce are notable. Animal healthcare is a new frontier . . . we’ve … [Read more...]
AAFP’s Spring into Feline Medicine eConference starts April 21st
The AAFP is bringing back its three-day virtual live CE event: Spring into Feline Medicine. Expert speakers will present a variety of feline topics in a live format with 13 RACE-approved CE credits over three days. The meeting days are on different days of the week to allow for flexibility in the schedule. Sessions will air live and will be available on-demand through … [Read more...]
whiskerDocs® announces second patent: Integrated animal health records
Processes outlined in a new patent can significantly improve providing health care for animals by leveraging advanced technologies in data analysis and machine learning. The systems and processes patent expands the assessment and management of pet health by utilizing new technology that supports personalized medicine, predictive modeling, early intervention and unique insights … [Read more...]
Insects on farm animal menus
Sharing her fascination for livestock innovations, Phibro’s Leah Dorman, DVM, writes about how insects may provide an alternate, sustainable protein source in livestock diets especially where soy is not easily grown. Source: Explore Animal Health, March 23, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: Dorman is referencing controlled and mass-scaled production of insects for protein. Hobby … [Read more...]
From mixed practice to swine specialist, Randy Jones, DVM (podcast)
Randy Jones, DVM, is an icon in swine practice and production. He shares his journey from a mixed veterinary practice to specializing in pigs, the pig industry’s evolution to specialization in farm management and veterinary roles. Source: Popular Pig Podcast, March 28, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Nebraska Range Short Course, NBLC Grazing School might offer DVMs time with clients
Commentary Quality time coupled with advancing learning could benefit DVMs and key clients. While fishing and golf might sound fun, the 2024 Nebraska Range Short Course combined with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Grazing School is an opportunity for veterinarians to participate alongside their producer clients. It’s something to consider especially if next-generation … [Read more...]
Focus on heifers to improve reproduction success, costs
The main reproduction challenge on dairies now lies in the heifer herd, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Paul M. Fricke, PhD. He said, “Now that we’re raising fewer heifers, it’s more important to be better with them.” Fricke believes attention to reproduction is an important element in lowering the cost to raise a heifer to calving. Source: Hoard’s … [Read more...]
Veterinarian discusses cannabinoid use in horses (audio recording)
Holistic veterinarian Joyce Harman, DVM, shares where hemp-derived cannabinoids may have benefits in horses. She indicates horse owners have found CBD products help to calm horses and show promise for treating chronic pain in them. Therapies incorporating CBD may be beneficial for treating a variety of equine conditions but Harmon says it is currently most often used to … [Read more...]
Excess weight NOT a foregone conclusion with feline spays, neuters
Kitten season is routinely followed by decisions about spaying and neutering, including future concerns about weight gain. The loss of sex hormones when a cat’s ovaries or testicles are removed can make it less likely to engage in physical activity and therefore less likely to burn as many calories moving around. The author calls the spay or neuter a nutritional inflection … [Read more...]
Sneezing in cats
News of cats contracting avian flu may have clients more sensitized when their cat sneezes. Many prevalent viruses and bacteria generate symptoms that are consistent across multiple infectious agents. The warming of spring plants and trees also exposes cats to allergens. We’re sharing an article about sneezing in cats and an avian flu information sheet regarding cats from … [Read more...]
Curbing gas with perennial grass
The Paris Agreement commitments to global emissions-reduction targets has elevated the discussion of methane production from cows <Link>. While some claim inaction from the livestock segment, a Minnesota study of forages contradicts those claims. Perennial forages are often praised for their ability to capture atmospheric carbon and sequester it in the soil. Now a … [Read more...]
Free-ranging chickens by the season
There’s little doubt the Easter holiday brought new chickens into backyards and acreages. Often these forays into chicken keeping happen with weak plans for keeping the birds healthy and safe. In the article below, the author writes about free-range foraging benefits, identifies where to be cautious and how seasons may change the approach. Source: Hobby Farms. … [Read more...]
Questions remain about cats’ primordial pouches
Located on the lower belly, the primordial pouch sags and sways as cat trot about but this body part’s purpose remains largely obscure. Researchers have distilled theories to three potential purposes: A protective layer of skin Extra skin that gives them extra leeway to twist and turn midair to right themselves or let their torso extend fully allowing for more rapid … [Read more...]
Technology, sustainability and new food formats topped trends at Global Pet Expo
Sharing his perspectives from the Global Pet Expo, Mark Kalaygian says product innovations seemed to reflect three key areas: technology, sustainability and new food formats. Source: Pet Business, April 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – April 1, 2024
Millennials with pets finding challenges, Chewy opening physical spaces, industry experts seeking more oversight of pet food, FabFitFun acquires PetCo’s PupBox, Veterinary surgeon appeals to breeders of brachycephalic dogs and more . . . Source: IBPSA Fast Bites, April 1, 2024. Link. Adam Christman, DVM, MBA has been selected as the keynote speaker for the 2024 IBPSA Flow … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 28, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 21, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the March 21st AHD Bulletin – AAFP updates position statements on the responsible breeding and indoor/outdoor lifestyle of cats. Link. Silent communication. Link. No excuses to skip prevention with cash cattle markets nearing historic highs. Link. … [Read more...]
Properly prepared beef is safe to eat; HPAI is not a food safety threat
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USDA food safety experts, properly prepared beef is safe to eat,” said Meat Institute’s Julie Anna Potts. Source: Drovers, March 25, 2024. Link. HPAI cannot be transmitted to humans by eating <properly prepared> meat or poultry products.” … [Read more...]
HPAI confirmed in Texas, Kansas dairy cows
Unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The USDA said that affected dairy cows do not appear to be transmitting the virus to other cattle within the same herd. Source: … [Read more...]
Poll: Reading horse feed tags
A recent poll asked readers about their confidence when reading and interpreting the nutritional information on a horse feed tag. While only 221 persons participated, about 26 percent indicated they were not very confident or not at all confident. A majority of 42.5 percent said they were somewhat confident. The article reminded us of Austin Davis’ article on demystifying … [Read more...]
Study: Even a short round of common antibiotics can change the equine gut microbiome
A new study from the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky showed the effect of antimicrobials on equine gut microbes. The study begins addressing the growing recognition of the susceptibility of the equine gut microbiota to antibiotic-induced disturbances, which can lead to adverse, and occasionally severe, consequences. Source: Equine Science Update, … [Read more...]
Ernie Ward, DVM, talks pet obesity and prevention
The increasing number of overweight and obese pets is far more complex than people offering too much table food and the effects on life quality, longevity and health. Ernie Ward, president of The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, and Steve Dale, program host, discuss treating obesity as a disease, spay/neuter timing and the efforts addressing body conditioning. The … [Read more...]