Eighty percent of Internet traffic comes from people streaming videos. As video has exploded, so have the tools to create and share them. Have you got your video game plan down? Falcon.io’s Maxwell Gollin shares pro tips on eight video formats. Source: Falcon.io. August 13, 2019. Link. With live video, "build anticipation by leading into something you’ll … [Read more...]
CAPC Top Ten Cities Report for the month of August
The Top Ten Cities report for August 2019 shows the cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests: Orange, CA Paul, MN Fontana, CA Cleveland, OH Omaha, NE Syracuse, NY Milwaukee, WI Tacoma, WA San Jose, CA Cary, NC Source: CAPC, September 10, 2019. Link. Although these cities are broadly disseminated across the United … [Read more...]
Three possible pathways for African swine fever to enter US
How easy is it for African swine fever (ASF) to enter the U.S.? Patrick Webb, DVM and National Pork Board director of swine health Programs, explains three ways it can enter. Dr. Scott Dee’s studies on feed ingredients coming in from China are discussed, as well as the important role diagnostics play in trying to rule in or rule out a foreign animal disease. Source: The Pig … [Read more...]
Rumen soup, a jigsaw of cow gut microbes
Agricultural Research Service scientists and their cooperators are using high tech tools to better understand the microbial "soup" of the cow's rumen. The rumen is the first of four stomach chambers where tough plant fibers are turned into nutrients and energy. Derek Bickhart, a research microbiologist, estimates there are more than 30,000 species of rumen-dwelling organisms. … [Read more...]
Boosting immunity in cattle may mean more productivity
Barry Bradford with Kansas State University presented new information from his study of immunometabolism at the American Society of Animal Scientists in July. He researched inflammatory responses during times of stress, especially those that impact on liver health. The interactions between normal organ function and the immune system are becoming much tighter than we used to … [Read more...]
VHMA to gather in Arizona (includes video)
Veterinary hospital managers will meet in Glendale, Arizona, for the 2019 VHMA Annual Meeting and Conference, September 26 through 28. The theme, Embracing the Future of Veterinary Management, will focus on education, innovation and technology. VHMA 2019...it's all about embracing the future of best practices to ensure that individuals and practices thrive. < video link … [Read more...]
E-Commerce Summit features speakers from Chewy, Nestle-Purina
Ornel Cotera from Chewy and Thomas Schwarztrauber from Nestlé Purina North America lead a list of speakers that highlight the value of the E-Commerce Summit that will take place September 17 and 18 in Kansas City, MO. The summit is designed for senior executives, national account and channel teams from animal health manufacturers, distributors, hospital consolidators and … [Read more...]
New product awards showcased at SuperZoo by WPA
Revamping the New Product Showcase Award categories, the WPA named a winner in each of seven categories: Innovative (never-before-seen solutions) Lifestyle (products designed to improve pets’ health and well-being) Shelf Appeal (packaging that stands out and clearly conveys the product’s benefits) Point of Purchase (in-store displays that grab shoppers’ … [Read more...]
Billions being spent on convenience services, including pets
Americans love convenience services. A recent Finder.com survey shows a massive increase in spending across convenience categories. Although fewer reported spending on pet services, 29 percent of Americans spent $50.8 billion per year on pet services such as dog walking and grooming. This averages $703 per person, according to survey findings. Source: Pet Product News, … [Read more...]
475 attend Animal Health Investment Forum
Early and mid-stage companies seeking to develop new solutions and technologies for animals met last Tuesday for the Animal Health Investment Forum < link >. Eleven companies were selected to share their innovations involving biotechnologies, long-acting options, digital technology and devices to improve animal care. The Innovation Award for the best presentation went to … [Read more...]
Realistically unplugging
Rashan Dixon, a senior business systems analyst at Microsoft, says being plugged in at all hours comes with a cost. Our addiction to technology can be so overwhelming that it jeopardizes everything from our health to our relationships, even our careers and businesses. He shares five reasons he distanced himself from technology: Tech increased the amount of stress and … [Read more...]
When dentals cause back pain (includes video)
Dental procedures can place extensive stress and strain on the bodies and minds of veterinary team members. These may lead to musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain. Poor posture and improper ergonomics cause repetitive strains that begin with nerve compression and inflammation. Over time they manifest trauma with accompanying aches, pains and fatigue. Veterinarians and … [Read more...]
The search for the ideal starter stem cell
Stem cell therapies continue to advance. The holy grail, however, is to be able to regenerate failing organs and tissues. Tobias Deuse, MD, and his research group believe they now know why some transplanted cells are rejected. He believes the solution is to engineer stem cells lacking any immune features. Source: The Conversation, August 19, 2019. Link. INSIGHTS: Animal … [Read more...]
How-to videos educate dairy personnel
A series of how-to videos from Dairy Herd Management is available to help educate dairy personnel about key practices. Titles include: Culture to achieve a bacteriological cure Identify cows with mastitis Protect the cow after milking Properly attach milking units Prepare a cow for milking Get anovular cows pregnant Pay attention to injection … [Read more...]
E-Commerce Summit reconvenes in KC
Following the success of its 2018 inaugural gathering, NAVC Media will host the second annual E-Commerce Summit at The Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri, September 17-18, 2019. The dynamic two-day conference will focus on changing consumer dynamics, retail trends, blending channels, emerging care models and best practices affecting business strategy. Source: … [Read more...]
Opinion – Transforming business; what and why
Animal health businesses have traditionally grown with a more-better-faster mindset. We’ve integrated computer, telephone and internet advancements to extend existing brick and mortar platforms. Now, a new generation of boundary-breaking entrepreneurs are following disruptive models that turn the way we traditionally ran businesses on its head, writes Rebecca Livesey. They … [Read more...]
8 tips for Facebook business pages
Make the most of your business presence on Facebook. The site is evolving quickly. It now treats business pages as mini-websites. If you invest the time to understand the complexity of business pages, you can increase exposure and grow your business. This list can help keep owners and site managers on track. Source: Park Marketing Link. Facebook is the most popular search … [Read more...]
Commercial content from AAHA NEWStat
We captured recent commercially sponsored content below as featured in the newly reformatted AAHA NEWStat. Source: AAHA NEWStat. Link. Pet diabetes and the role of insulin pens, Merck Animal Health, 8/1/2019. Link. The evolution of pain management in pets brings better options for relief, CareCredit, 8/1/2019. Link. Pet owner compliance a barrier to heartworm … [Read more...]
IPPC report does not say, “eat less meat” (includes video)
Recent media buzz (see second source below) claimed the newest Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPPC) suggested consumers eat less meat in order to curb climate change. The report < link > focused on land use and land use change, it didn’t tell consumers to eat less meat. Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis, says by focusing on eating less meat, consumers are being … [Read more...]
Today is Check the Chip Day!
To remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and to keep registration information up to date, AVMA and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created “Check the Chip Day.” Heather Loenser, DVM, shared these top reasons to microchip pets: • You’ll improve your chance of being reunited with your pet • It’s quick • It’s inexpensive • It helps provide proof of … [Read more...]
New technology holds promise for monitoring sows
Advancements in technologies are sometimes blamed for taking jobs. But in the U.S. swine market, monitoring sow health prior to farrowing is a 24/7 business that often doesn’t get done. Now, new technologies in precision livestock farming may help by monitoring sows’ individual behavior. Source: National Hog Farmer, August 6, 2019. Link. Technology in the farrowing room will … [Read more...]
Zoetis, CSU launch Incubator Research Lab targeting biotherapeutics for cattle
Zoetis and Colorado State University have agreed to establish a research lab that will be used to help develop alternatiives to antibiotics for food-producing animals. Ray Goodrich, professor and executive director of the Infectious Disease Research Center says, “Our agreement with Zoetis represents the beginning of an era of collaboration, cooperation and innovation between … [Read more...]
Differing views create Lyme wars
Endemic or not in any geography is no longer easy to define. It seems the medical community is at odds with its approach to diagnosis and treatment. Parallel to the human discussion is the ongoing debate about vaccinating dogs. These two articles are helpful resources for making decisions about Lyme prevention, treatment as well as addressing animal owner questions. One thing … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim introduces BVDVTracker.com
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an ongoing challenge facing the cattle industry. The virus often goes undiagnosed and the consequences are severe. To help producers address the challenges BI launched BVDVTracker.com. The website’s mission is to support veterinarians, producers and industry professionals in the control of BVDV. Source: Drovers, July 16, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
China approves use of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s African swine fever diagnostic workflow
China has approved Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PCR-based workflow to detect, monitor and help limit the spread of African swine fever (ASF). PCR is the preferred ASF testing method there. It allows for earlier detection of the virus compared to other diagnostic methods. The Thermo Fisher ASF workflow passed stringent validation protocol carried out by China’s Ministry of … [Read more...]
Gen Z decoded
Leah Halverson, owner of Ten Acre Marketing, offers one of the more succinct descriptions of a Gen Zer in her latest blog entry. By living the power of her 14-year-old niece who DoorDashed a Wendy’s lemonade “because I wanted one,” Halverson’s astonishment and realization of the gutsiness of Gen Z offers a wakeup call to any of us serving this market segment. Source: 11th … [Read more...]
Teach new technology to older employees
Older workers shouldn’t be dismissed because they lack tech savvy. They need to be educated to become tech savvy which allows them to simultaneously exploit the knowledge of experiences and new skills. Baby boomers may be reluctant to dive into digital tools. But they should be encouraged, because they still have so much to offer.” Nick Candito Source: Entrepreneur, July 12, … [Read more...]
Activity monitors pay on dairy operation
Using neck collar activity monitors to measure individual cows’ activity plus rumination has paid for Hardscrabble Dairy in Wisconsin. Instead of blanket health or reproductive protocols for all cows, producers can treat and breed each cow at the best time for it. Dairies can find considerable savings in health costs and labor with payback in less than 24 months. Source: … [Read more...]
CRISPR may add more humaneness to the livestock industry
Alison Van Eenennaam’s research may revolutionize how we select for preferable traits of livestock. The University of California – Davis animal scientist is using the gene editing process known as CRISPR < link > for a series of experiments, including helping cows deliver more male offspring. She sees her research as making changes in animals faster than producers can. … [Read more...]
Assessing fat in colostrum
Kudos to the lab researchers who are digging into all the benefits of colostrum instead of just valuing colostrum by the level of colostral immunoglobulins. By studying herd data and a small test group they have concluded that fat, not protein, represents the primary energy source the cow packages into colostrum for the calf. The term fat broadly encompasses related compounds … [Read more...]