With winter around the corner, beef producers are working cattle, weaning calves and moving herds as harvest progresses. Two articles from the Angus Beef Bulletin refer to handling practices and animal husbandry. While we think cattle producers should know these things, handling clinics remain popular as in-person and online events Source: Training cattle for easy handling, … [Read more...]
Top livestock genetics closer to being available for all
Scientists have created cattle, goats and pigs that can serve as viable “surrogate sires,” male animals that produce sperm carrying only the genetic trains of donor animals. Published September 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this feat may speed available of desirable livestock characteristics and improve food production worldwide. The study is the … [Read more...]
Mortality is extremely complicated. So is sample size.
When conducting studies where mortality is an important outcome, let's revisit how we go about answering the question "how many?" The authors remind us that simply recognizing the limitations of our knowledge is a critical step. This leads us to their discussion on ultimately decreasing pig mortality. Some of their logic may help us better understand our current situation … [Read more...]
Tyson becomes first in U.S. to verify sustainable cattle production
The challenge of sustainability in our food supply chains requires taking care of people, the planet and animals. Many corporations are working to include sustainability as part of their corporate structures and responsibilities. Working with Where Food Comes From, the largest provider of certification and verification services to the food industry, Tyson will source cattle … [Read more...]
Stop zoning out in Zoom meetings
It is possible animal health pros are feeling Zoom-call fatigue. Sarah Gershman reminds us that being a participant requires focusing skills that are as important as it for call leaders to keep things directed. She explains how the Ringelmann Effect <link> is magnified on conference calls. The bigger the group, the less responsibility each individual feels to ensure … [Read more...]
Data owners face liability for data breach losses in cloud environs
Clint Latham, JD, outlines data breach liability, security measures required by law and the real costs of a cyberattack. He addresses data when using cloud PIMS, as well as local servers. Having effective breach management processes in place is key to mitigating a serious intrusion and reassuring clients.” – Clint Latham, JD Source: LuccaVet Blog, September 15, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Too many options
The information age has provided decision makers greater access to more information faster than ever before. While information is beneficial, too much of a good thing can create problems. This is where the concept of “strategic ignorance” can help decision makers succeed. Source: ideas.ted.com August 31, 2020. Link. If you’re serious about achieving goals and intentionally … [Read more...]
What have we learned from the 2020 pandemic?
“Don’t let a good crisis go to waste,” is an overused, but sometimes appropriate quote. Crises can reveal vulnerabilities in business that were otherwise hidden. These authors look at reinforcing those cracks before the next challenge emerges. The context is dairy. The value extends beyond a dairy setting. They share 15 lessons from their observations of the last few … [Read more...]
Webinar: Cowside calcium analysis and economics of subclinical hypocalcemia
Complimentary Commercial Content Deb Nickelson, DVM, invites you to attend a free webinar at 6:00 p.m., September 23, 2020. She and team her team will discuss the incidence and economics of subclinical hypocalcemia while sharing information about the development and practical use of a portable calcium analyzer for dairy cows. The analyzer was developed by Arkray Inc., a … [Read more...]
Eric Garcia joins The Bridge Club Happy Hour
The Bridge Club has hosted a virtual happy hour for industry persons on Fridays since early March. The group has grown through interactions with each other and sharing solutions to issues caused by Covid-19 restrictions, business developments and even some personal stuff. Eric Garcia will join The Bridge Club September 11, 2020 to share his perspectives on social media and … [Read more...]
VVCA post-summit reminders
Nearly a month has passed since the successful VVCA Veterinary Virtual Care Summit. It is easy to return to daily tasks and forget to use resources offered during conferences. Here are two reminders. View the dynamic content summit sponsors made available in the Summit's virtual marketplace! It's open for registered participants until November 15,2020. Link. The VVCA … [Read more...]
LuccaVet helps understand the importance of securing data
Commentary Every communication with Clint Latham, JD, seems filled with new information about his perspectives about the legal side of data security. In a blog post, he outlined items practice owners should consider, including jurisprudence considerations. The law calls for companies to implement and maintain reasonable security procedures” – Clint Latham, JD Source: … [Read more...]
The vet’s office; an economic bright spot in the U.S. health system
Animal hospitals appear to have pulled off something human hospitals have struggled to do: make patients feel comfortable seeking routine care, writes Sarah Kliff. Fueled by more comprehensive observation of pets while working from home and the massive wave of pet adoptions, volumes have taxed clinic teams nationwide. Source: New York Times, August 10, 2020. … [Read more...]
Facial, voice recognition coming soon to a farm near you
With accurate facial recognition technology for humans in almost 630 million facial recognition cameras throughout China, Chinese entrepreneurs see opportunity in applying the technology to livestock operations. Alibaba, China’s tech giant, is developing voice recognition technology for pigs to detect if they are in pain. Another company is working on an artificial intelligence … [Read more...]
Microchips that monitor temperature work, but not yet ready for primetime
The dairy industry has anxiously awaited a day when calves would pass through a gateway where RFID-enabled readers would record health metrics by individual animal. The technology exists and works to record temperature passively, but according to recent research the temperatures recorded do not yet correlate to traditional rectal temps. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, … [Read more...]
10 most common warning signs of cancer in cats
Gerald S. Post, DVM, MEM, DACVIM (oncology), says early detection is key to effective discovery and treatment of feline cancer. He shares potential warning signs worthy of sharing with clients. While not a diagnosis, one of these signs is a call to action for cat owners to see a veterinarian. Source: Modern Cat. Link. INSIGHTS: Enumerated lists are well read by clients … [Read more...]
Wildfire smoke can affect healthy lungs
Meteorologists predict the smoke from wildfires could potentially affect air quality in one-third of the western and midwestern states. A combination of high temperatures and elevated levels of particles from fires can affect even healthy lungs. For someone with lung damage or respiratory illness, moderate levels of smoke particulate can exacerbate respiratory problems, writes … [Read more...]
Rising mobile use among women is a concern
Working parents have been some of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to media reports, more than 50 percent of working parents are without childcare, and one in five said either they or their partner are considering leaving the workforce to care for their children. Women are reporting a 70 percent increase in mobile device usage compared to pre-pandemic and … [Read more...]
Self-care tips for coping with crisis fatigue (includes video)
Nicole Spector shares seven ways to cope with crisis fatigue, which is an effect of unrelenting stress. “Crisis fatigue is when a stressful incident becomes enduring or chronic,” Eric Zillmer, clinical psychologist, says. “The reason for this is that humans are not equipped to deal with extensive periods of stress over long periods of time. Our defensive systems are designed to … [Read more...]
Mayo Clinic leader speaks out on effect of Covid-19
Human medicine and animal medicine approaches have become more amalgamated than ever before. Covid-19 restrictions have similar effects on any business that historically required customers to enter a brick and mortar location to be provided services. Gianrico Farrugia, president and CEO of the Mayo Clinic, discusses how Covid-19 spurred rapid transformation there and issues … [Read more...]
Stall size affects dairy cow rest
Like us, if a cow’s bed is not the right size, her ability to rest is negatively affected. Resting time is critical to optimizing milk production. Katelyn Allen shares information about stall size, stall use index and other factors for cow comfort. Design the stalls for the largest cow in the group or the stalls will determine the largest cow in the group eventually” – Dan … [Read more...]
Scientists reveal pheromones are key to harmonious pet relationships
Researchers discovered using dog and cat pheromones could be key to a happy household where both are living. Relationship challenges between a new pet and an existing pet is one of the main reasons for cats and dogs get taken to shelters for rehoming. Thought to be the first research of its kind, the results suggest that using the dog-appeasing pheromones had a more … [Read more...]
VVCA inaugural summit sets the stage for virtual care
Congratulations to the Veterinary Virtual Care Association team on their successful Virtual Care Summit, which took place August 18. Concurrent with the summit, the organization launched an updated website <link>. A substantial set of educational options were offered. They included compelling speakers and animal health pros experienced in hands-off virtual medical care … [Read more...]
Work-life balance gives way to work-life integration
Companies all over the world are realizing that working from home is not only more efficient, but more suitable for the wants and needs of today’s workers, writes Matt Klassen. He shares two big changes we can expect to see in the future: Businesses will embrace flexibility Automation will be increasingly essential Source: Fast Company, August 16, 2020. Link. Company … [Read more...]
Business air travel is evolving
There is much conjecture, yet limited consensus about what air travel will look like in the next normal. Natasha Frost discussed the evolution of business travel with leaders in the travel industry, covering safety, costs and the efficiencies of digital communications. Flying seems to have lower transmission rates than inside dining or religious services, among other ‘risky’ … [Read more...]
Birds and beef have a lot in common (video)
“The era of big conservation is over,” says Audubon’s Marshall Johnson. “It’s up to us to drive the outcomes for the next 100 years.” He explains the importance of cattle, grasslands and cattle ranchers participating in Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Initiative to conserve ecosystems and sustainability. Their efforts are third-party verified to bear Audubon’s “grazed on … [Read more...]
Understanding pinkeye; a laboratory overview
Commentary including sponsored content from Addison Biological Laboratory. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a common eye disease cattle producers hate treating. Routinely transmitted by flies, pinkeye’s frequently observed pathogens are Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi and bovine herpesvirus type 1 … [Read more...]
3rd annual NAVC Media E-Commerce+ Summit to be (appropriately) virtual
Complimentary commercial content This year’s NAVC E-Commerce+ Summit will take place virtually September 22nd and 23rd. The speaker lineup will examine where our industry is headed, and how generational expectation differences continue to change the landscape. The conference will help you prepare for future developments. Topics include: How pets have transformed … [Read more...]
ASFV quickly detected by new cell line
A way to detect the presence of African swine fever virus minimizes the need for samples from live animals and provides easier access to labs needed to diagnose the virus. Developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the new cell line can be continuously replicated and frozen to create cells for future use. The new cell line is commercially available. Source: The Pig … [Read more...]
More than 2000 registered for VVCA live event
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association (VVCA) is hosting it’s first online summit August 18th. It offers 5.5 hours of free education to veterinarians, technicians, and others interested in elevating the level of care they provide to animals. The notice lists the speakers presenting the continuing education. Source: VVCA media release, August 5, 2020. Link. We are thrilled … [Read more...]