Urban chickens sometimes make eggs that have weak shells.Eggshells are a primary defense against food-source bacteria and an important indicator of chicken health. Kathy Shea Mormino explains the development of healthy, strong eggs and why a nighttime calcium source is necessary for strong egg development. . . . while building an eggshell a hen can use and replace the … [Read more...]
McDonald’s announces new antibiotic policy for beef
McDonald’s announced a policy to reduce the overall use of antibiotics important to human health. This applies across 85 percent of its global beef supply chain. The company is going to monitor antibiotic use in its top 10 beef sourcing markets and set reduction targets for medically important antibiotic use by the end of 2020. It is the first burger chain to announce a … [Read more...]
Late season rains increase risk for mycotoxins
The swine team at the University of Minnesota provides a review of mycotoxin risks in fed grains following late season rains and regional storage issues. Mycotoxins produced by fungi molds in grains are particularly problematic for swine, poultry and dairy cattle. Source: PORK, November 23, 2018. Link. Broken and damaged kernels are generally highest in mycotoxin … [Read more...]
Dog food: guidelines for how much and when
There is no universal dog feeding guide calculator, writes Melvin Peña. With more than half of U.S. dogs overweight or obese, it is important for dog owners to better understand some guidelines for how much to feed their four-legged friends. People have trouble making the distinction between need and desire for food . . . Source: Dogster, October 12, 2018. Link. Suggested … [Read more...]
Petco to stop selling cat, dog food with artificial ingredients
Petco, the second-largest U.S. pet retailer is going all-natural. To a point. Representatives for the chain say that by next May, cat and dog treats and food sold at its retail locations and online will contain no artificial flavors, preservatives and colors. Company officials believe healthier foods and snacks that replace items with artificial ingredients will make up more … [Read more...]
Feeding weed by-products to pigs
No! the pigs don’t get high but some say the market for legal cannabis by-products may add value to pork production. What I do taste is juicier pork, and a more resistant texture – there’s no mushiness involved.” Source: PORK, November 2, 2018. Link. Feeding byproducts of the legal marijuana industry is of interest to many in the pork industry,” says Anna Dilger, associate … [Read more...]
Assertively address the issue of fat cats
Felines are faring worse than their canine counterparts, with more than a 169 percent increase in overweight cats over the past 10 years, writes Rachel Beck, referencing 2016 Banfield data. She provides a body score card, tips and tricks for talking with cat owners about their cat’s weight. Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2018. Link. Prevention, demonstration, … [Read more...]
Fall leaves can be toxic to horses
As fall colors paint the countryside, remember that falling leaves can pose a potentially deadly threat to horses. Dr. Tania Cubitt reviews trees whose leaves are dangerous in this article sponsored by Standlee Forage. Source: Horse Network, October 10, 2018. Link. Do not dispose of your raked leaves into your pasture Also see: Red maple leaves dangerous for horses, Animal … [Read more...]
Read what fall vegetables are good for dogs
Melvin Peña reviews common fall vegetables and discusses their value and potential side effects when dogs eat them. Consider using this article in social media posts and seasonal e-newsletters. Source: Dogster, October 3, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Beef’s quality revolution featured
Consumer preference continues to drive innovation and quality in all food protein markets. Three papers from Drover’s review changes in how consumers buy beef, the impact of the national beef quality audits (NBQA) and how stockmanship helps shape consumer perceptions. Source: Drover’s. Meat, millennials, meal kits. Link. A generation of quality gains. Link. … [Read more...]
8 tips to determine trustworthy cat nutrition sites
The team at Catnip delivers common sense about feline nutrition websites and feline sites. They suggest eight questions to use to determine if a site is reputable and its information legitimate. They have also generated a list of the best of the best websites for nutrition information. <link> Source: Catnip, October 2018. Link. If the evidence on a site is presented … [Read more...]
Modern livestock production practices are environmentally friendly
A new study in published in Nature Sustainability shows that modern, high-yield agricultural practices that produce as much food on as little land as possible is good for the environment. Researchers associated with Cambridge University looked at the effects of Asian rice and European wheat cultivation, Latin American beef and European dairy production. They then measured the … [Read more...]
Multiple reports of mycotoxins in corn as harvest continues
With the weather issues of this growing season, news of mycotoxins is no surprise. The past week brought new reports of deoxynivalenol (DON), aflatoxin and fumonisin in corn, as well as the first report of zearalenone in corn silage, according to Neogen’s Monday Mycotoxin and Crop Report reported by Feedstuffs September 24. (link) Mycotoxins are produced by specific molds and … [Read more...]
Avoid toxic plant risks for livestock
Fall changes in plants, dryer conditions and a tendency to overgraze can put livestock at risk to consume toxic plants. Anna O'Brien reviews some common toxic plants to help livestock avoid: Milkweed Rhododendron/Azaleas/Mountain Laurel Pigweed Ragwort Foxglove White Snakeroot Cherry Trees Black Walnut Source: Hobby Farms, August 27, 2018. Link. … [Read more...]
Don’t ruin production with drought-stressed feed
The impact of this year’s drought conditions cover much of the country. It has reduced supplies of quality forage and grain. The practice of turning cows into fields to graze on total plants puts them at risk from the presence of aflatoxin, prussic acid or nitrate in the grazed crops. Aflatoxins are especially a threat to dairy farmers because they can render milk unsalable as … [Read more...]
Kibble size matters to dogs
New research reveals data contrary to common beliefs that smaller dogs prefer smaller kibble and larger breeds larger kibble. The research by AFB International was conducted to help customers make informed decisions about their dog food brands. . . . the research found small, mid-size and large dogs preferred large-size kibble to small-size kibble. Source: Petfood Industry, … [Read more...]
Reviews.com rates pet meal delivery services
Home delivery of dog food continues to grow. Dog owners can now get raw ingredient meal delivery services like their owners get pizza. The team at Reviews.com reviewed canine meal delivery services. They rated variables for customized meals that included: ordering experience, recipe variety, scheduling flexibility, packaging, instructions, ease of serving and … [Read more...]
The skinny on pet supplements
Jackie Brown investigates pet supplements and finds a lot of questions remain. While certain supplements can have a place in joint disease management, some veterinarians are concerned about how they might be perceived by pet owners. Source: Veterinary Practice News, August 23, 2018. Link. Sam Franklin, MS, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR, tells clients, “. . . if they can afford to … [Read more...]
Salmonella is helpful to poultry intestinal health
The consumer pressure to reduce or eliminate antibiotic use in poultry has resulted in an increase in intestinal disease, writes Charles L. Hofacre, DVM. In a recent US survey, veterinarians reported a significant increase in the number of broiler flocks that are experiencing intestinal disease associated with a higher incidence of coccidiosis. At the same time, the public … [Read more...]
Some vegetables are good for dogs
Vegetables can be a great addition to your dog’s diet if you stick to those that are safe and hand out an appropriate amount writes Wendy Newell. As omnivores, dogs can digest plants as well as meat. Source: Whole Dog Journal, August 13, 2018. Link. Newell discusses which vegetables are good and not good for dogs: Good: Leafy greens Root vegetables Stalks … [Read more...]
33 dos and don’ts for equine colic
“Any horse has the ability to experience colic,” states Dr. Michael N. Fugaro. “The disorder is indiscriminate of age, sex, breed, occupation, or environment.” The term “colic” refers to abdominal pain rather than a specific disorder. Conditions that commonly cause colic include gas, impaction, grain overload, sand ingestion, and parasite infection. Marcia King offers dos and … [Read more...]
Teaching calves to eat: 5 benefits of creep feeding
Calves encounter a variety of challenges throughout life. Cody Schneider offers perspectives on using creep feeding to help calves prepare for what’s next. He says there are five benefits: Post-weaning performance Fewer health problems post-weaning Control coccidiosis Increase weaning weight Insurance for consistency Much like preconditioning, creep feeding … [Read more...]
Opinion – Animal healthcare market trends and major industry players
Key points and trends in the press release from Global Market Insights, Inc. will interest animal health pros. It notes various growth drivers including: Growing trend of adopting pet animals Rising prevalence of food borne and zoonotic diseases Favorable government initiatives Rapidly increasing demand for animal protein in human food Technological … [Read more...]
Does free-range access really offer poultry a better lifestyle?
We’ve linked to a one-page summary that outlines key points from a new study, “Impact of Free-range Poultry Production Systems on Animal Health, Human Health, Productivity, Environment, Food Safety, and Animal Welfare Issues.” Management is key to optimizing animal welfare in any production system. Although many perceive free-range poultry production systems to be more animal … [Read more...]
Our pets are fat and getting fatter
Sixty percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs in the U.S. are overweight. In fact, the Association for Pet Obesity estimates that veterinarians now classify more than 100 million dogs and cats as overweight or obese. That is up from 80 million five years ago. Some pet owners fail to recognize the severity of the problem. Source: New York Times, August 2, 2018. (paywall) … [Read more...]
Focus on feline health: AVMA Special Report
Animal health pros focused on Feline urinary tract health and wellness will want to review this issue of the AVMA Animal Health Smartbrief. It begins with sponsored information from Royal Canin as the first in a series of reports. Cats are known for concealing signs of illness, so often the first sign of something amiss occurs in the litter box, or outside of it, as is … [Read more...]
6 signs of a healthy chicken
Happy and healthy chickens are confident, strong and productive. They should also exhibit the six characteristics noted here. If they don’t, improper nutrition may be the culprit. Source: Rural Marketing News, July 30, 2018. Link. “As you get to know your birds, you’ll learn their personalities and habits. Strong hens are confident, alert and strut their stuff,” says … [Read more...]
Help keep dog stress to a minimum
Dogs, like people, get stressed by a variety of experiences in their world, writes Sassafras Lowrey. She discusses stressors and options to address stressed dogs. Common reasons for a stressed dog: Changes in the home, which may include moving or home renovations. Introducing new people, like a roommate or a partner moving in, the addition of children such as the birth … [Read more...]
Experts share what human foods dogs can eat
As making homemade dog food becomes more common, ensuring dogs get balanced diets is important. Jennifer Berg, owner of Tribeca veterinary Wellness clinic and Debra Zoran, veterinary professor at Texas A&M University shared some human foods that are okay for dogs and ones to avoid. Source: Today, July 19, 2018. Link. “Fruits and vegetables can be included in a dog’s … [Read more...]
For healthier calves, cool dry cows
Karen Lally references a growing appreciation for the importance of cow cooling. We know of the impact of cooling on lactating cows as it is easy to measure in the milk tank. For dry cows, the real dangers of heat stress are not immediately visible. Source:Progressive Dairyman, July 9, 2018. Link. Cooling dry cows means cooling calves in utero, protecting your investment in … [Read more...]