The 2024 Farm Journal State of the Dairy Industry Report highlights a sector poised for growth, adaptability and new opportunities. By fostering strong relationships, innovating profit streams and securing generational continuity, the dairy industry stands on the cusp of a promising future, writes Karen Bohnert. She shares four key insights: Embracing a growth mindset … [Read more...]
Open-source veterinary carbon calculator now available for use in the U.S.
A new tool is now available to help calculate greenhouse gas emissions are produced at a veterinary clinic. The Veterinary Carbon Accounting for Local Clinics tool is a U.S.–focused, open-access resource developed through a collaboration between Colorado State University Impact MBA students and the Veterinary Sustainability Alliance. There is mounting pressure on businesses to … [Read more...]
Webinar: 2024 Therapeutic Update and year-in-review
Consider this webinar to get the latest therapeutic updates as Clinician’s Brief and Plumb’s Pro authors recap which drugs debuted in 2024 and how to use them. Source: Clinician’s Brief. Link. Webinar is available on demand. Registration required. RACE approved (1 credit hour) INSIGHTS: This offering would be good preparation for animal health sales/marketing pros ahead … [Read more...]
A strategic foresight parable
Leaders today face a world defined by rapid technological innovation, market volatility, global interconnectedness and workforce transformation. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 26, 2024. Link. Tactical plans without strategic foresight solve nothing.” INSIGHTS: Inspire others with a clear vision; empower others with purpose; lead others with humility and courage. … [Read more...]
Preventing antimicrobial resistance in horses
Diane E. Rice shares what equine veterinarians are doing and suggesting to improve antimicrobial stewardship and avoid improper antibiotic use. J. Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl., ACVIM, and Wendy Vaala, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, provide three commitments for horse owners that will impact AMR in a positive way: Do all you can to prevent disease and, therefore, antibiotic use … [Read more...]
CBD 101: Common cannabis “cures” for your canine
Commentary This online article, full of commercial references, is another example of what-they’re- reading-content being proliferated at breakneck speed. We believe it is important for animal health pros to see content like this, which could potentially mislead pet owners. To the author’s credit, cannabis with THC and CBD are differentiated and disclaimer language is also … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – December 3, 2024
Colorado considering a new rule to require rabies vaccination for imported pets, NYC Council passes bill to prohibit sale of dogs, cats from unlicensed locations including backyard breeders, avoiding charity scams, selling pet play time and more . . . Note the members-only opportunities available in December. Source: IBPSA, December 3, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
First factory farm ban passes in Berkeley, California
Mostly symbolic, Measure DD’s passing in the city of Berkeley, California, may spur similar policies elsewhere in the United States. Advocates say large livestock facilities produce immense amounts of waste that can pollute water and spread disease, adding to human health risks. Source: Agricultural Dive, November 14, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: A review of the city of Berkeley … [Read more...]
Rendering: Every part has a purpose
The parts of animals we don’t eat provide many benefits. NARA has a new informative video for the young, the old, those in the livestock business and those who’ve never touched it. Thanks to Sharla Ishmael, editor of NARA’s Render magazine, for sharing. Source: North American Renderers Association, November 2024. Link. (animated video, 4:00 min) … [Read more...]
BQA practices now saturate every phase of the beef industry
Today, approximately 85 percent of U.S. beef comes from BQA-certified producers, writes Clint Peck. He shares the history of capturing the value, challenges and opportunities BQA certification presents. We noted the comments about involving smaller producers and the need for continuously educating cattle producers about best practices. Source: BEEF, October 18, 2024. … [Read more...]
50th Leaman Conference. What the experts had to say.
It’s been two months since the 50th annual Leman Swine Conference. Those who attended likely left with three or four action items. Now, let’s revisit some of the comments made by experts to refresh our intentions and focus on making a difference. Topics include biosecurity compliance, managing influenza, continuing to fight PRRSV and environmental effects of concentrated animal … [Read more...]
Updated APHIS rule for EID now in effect
Jennifer M. Latzke’s article is a reminder about APHIS’s updated traceability rule that went into effect November 5th. The rule, which amends the previous 2013 rule, now requires ear tags to be both visually and electronically readable for sexually intact cattle that are 18 months of age or older, rodeo and exhibition cattle, and dairy cattle moving interstate. Cattle that … [Read more...]
Can people be ‘inoculated’ against misinformation?
Commentary Since our inaugural AHD Bulletin in 2015, we have curated content for animal health pros, including published information at all levels, with consumer-facing media being part of it. The growing amount of misinformation creates tremendous costs in our lives and industry. Once out in the public, incorrect information requires a lot of time and effort to correct, not … [Read more...]
The nonprofit veterinarian shortage: Who will care for the pets most in need?
Statewide studies suggest that shelters and nonprofit clinics have been especially hard hit by the veterinary workforce shortage. A study sought to determine the effect of this shortage on veterinary care provided at two types of public practice: veterinary care for cats and dogs housed temporarily in animal sheltering organizations veterinary clinics aimed at … [Read more...]
Consumer-facing article touts over-the-counter drugs safe for dogs
Commentary The article linked here represents a disturbing trend in animal advice pieces featured in all types of today’s media. Chelsea Huckabay asserts that four OTC drugs featured in it are safe for dogs. To our knowledge, Huckabay is not a veterinarian, and there is no indication that a veterinarian edited this article. We reached out to our colleague and AHD … [Read more...]
Listen or watch The Bridge Club’s 2024 Veterinary Medicine Legislative Review
For those who missed the conversation reviewing 2024 legislative action and challenges, you can listen or watch the virtual event and learn how legislation affects the future of veterinary medicine. Speakers from the Animal Policy Group share they tracked more than 2,300 bills in 2024 and expect more in 2025. Source: The Bridge Club, November 8, 2024. Listen: … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health announces FDA approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks
Complimentary Commercial Content The approval of SAFE-GUARD® AQUASOL (fenbendazole oral suspension) for use in backyard chicken flocks makes it the only FDA-approved chicken dewormer designed for home use. The product will be available in a 3 mL presentation at fleet and dealer retail outlets beginning in January 2025. Source: Merck Animal Health, November 13, 2024. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 7, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 31, 2024. Link. Most read posts from the October 31st AHD Bulletin – First case of H5N1 in swine found in Oregon backyard farm. Link. Infection control, prevention and biosecurity. Is your plan current? Link. Bringing value. Link. ===================================== Cloned ferret gives … [Read more...]
Help livestock and farm customers get funds they deserve
When natural or man-made disasters strike, USDA programs can help rebuild herds, infrastructure, buildings and crops. However, they can be hard to access for average producers. Enter Crop Disaster Recovery, a grant acquisition firm that helps farmers obtain funding from disaster recovery programs and grants through USDA. Source: FarmFutures, September 25, 2024. Link. “We … [Read more...]
Weaning calves. Art or science?
There are some basic principles and practices that will give calves the best chance at navigating the weaning process, writes Zeb Gray. Whether done abruptly or gradually, he recommends producers define what their goals are beyond just separating cow and calf in the weaning process. He emphasizes the importance of a veterinary relationship considering any new antibiotic … [Read more...]
IBPSA Fast Bites – November 4, 2024
Gen Z driving pet care market, groomer shares how he gets animals to relax, records of California’s underground puppy market to be saved, stunning growth projected in grooming market, cat welcomes owner home after being alone 3 days and more . . . Source: IBPSA, November 4, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
The A to Z Startup Guide. Navigating the complexities of the animal health market.
Complimentary Commercial Content Stephens and Associates (aka S&A) invited me to review their startup guide. I found it to be a good resource for entrepreneurs and investors looking to positively impact the animal health industry. Given that many current animal health businesses struggle to plan beyond three years and the continuing perceived market demands for … [Read more...]
Insights into the reasons pet owners surrender their pets to shelters
Updates to the AAHA website make the newly published 2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines for Small Animal Practice more accessible to veterinarians and animal health pros. A community approach can begin to improve healthcare access by mobilizing all available resources within it. Emily Singler shares efforts to quantify why pet owners surrender pets to shelters and the … [Read more...]
FDA: Aspirin use in dairy cattle and other food animals is now prohibited
Citing HPAI infections in dairies, drug residue risks and concerns about protocol drift, the FDA has reversed its stance on using aspirin, which was never approved for use in cattle. Protocol drift is a real thing . . . there are approved drugs with labeled indications, those should be our first line of treatment.” - Alison Vander Plaats, DVM Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, October … [Read more...]
Study shows dead animal disposal practices can put swine farms at PRRS risk
“When it comes to dead animal handling, we know what we should do, but we aren’t able to do it adequately,” shared Igor Paploski, PhD, referencing discoveries from a study evaluating dead animal disposal practices and the associated risk of PRRS. The article offers tips for producers to minimize the risk of disease spread from dead animal handling practices. Farms that perform … [Read more...]
Cattle traceability rule set to take effect November 5th
Cattle ranchers and dairy farmers will be required to use electronic identification for their cows in certain cases under a disease traceability rule set to take effect November 5, 2024. Producers have long expressed concerns about cost and data privacy. In May, Congress approved $15 million to help producers comply with the rule and farms can receive electronic tags for free … [Read more...]
Vet Techs play critical role in pet healthcare
Commentary Celebrating veterinary technicians during National Veterinary Technician Week is important for individual and team morale. Handshakes, pizza lunches and bagels aside, animal-owning clients need help understanding the roles these experienced and educated animal healthcare professionals provide in a clinic or telehealth setting. Consider sharing the ASPCA® Pet … [Read more...]
FDA Safety Communication update: Evaluating plastic syringes made in China for potential device failures
In its August 16th update, the FDA recommendations have not changed. It recommends the following: Use syringes not manufactured in China, if possible. At this time, glass syringes, pre-filled syringes, or syringes used for topical purposes are not included. If you only have syringes manufactured in China, then continue to use them as needed until you are able to use … [Read more...]
The Bridge Club discussion of challenges, solutions for veterinary technicians
In a virtual conversation, The Bridge Club facilitated a lively discussion about what is an age old topic of using veterinary technicians fully, defining their roles, legal issues and working toward more national governance. Catherine Haskins and Shannon Norwalk, RVT, welcomed Sam Geiling, CVT, Becky Mosser, RVT, and Mark Cushing, JD, to share perspectives and opportunities in … [Read more...]
Federal bill seeks to expand HSA, FSA eligibility to include veterinary care expenses
The People and Animal Well-being (PAW) Act aims to support pet owners by making veterinary care more affordable under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Source: Veterinary Practice News, September 17, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]