The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners and the American Dairy Goat Association invite veterinarians and veterinary students to attend the AASRP Continuing Education Program during the 2026 ADGA Annual Convention, October 10 and 11 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Source: American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, Facebook, August 31, 2026. Link. Expand … [Read more...]
Neospora didn’t disappear. Our discussions about it did.
Neospora caninum is the parasite that causes neosporosis in cattle and dogs. It is also the leading cause of abortion in cattle. It’s generational, persisting in a herd across generations through congenital transmission. Infected cows continually transfer the parasite to their daughters. It’s a thieving, never-ending gift that costs the U.S. beef and dairy industries $1.3 … [Read more...]
Updated publication helps beef producers develop growth implant strategy
Few technologies offer a greater return on investment for beef cattle than growth implants, and a newly updated publication from Iowa Beef Center can help producers with these management decisions. The new publication focuses on implant brand names, active ingredients, intended use and whether a re-implant option exists for cattle in the "growing beef cattle in a drylot" and … [Read more...]
Monitoring cow and bull body condition throughout the year
Because of year-to-year variation in forage quality and weather stress, body condition can have important year-to-year variation even when fed what appears to be the same diet, writes Bob Larson, DVM. His assertions for evaluating body condition at various times of the year can help producers evaluate the genetic base of their herd. It supplies evidence as to how well the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 3, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 27, 2026. Link. Most read posts from August 27th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Gen Z is rewiring the pet health experience through technology. Link. Malone: It’s all about trust. Link. Demonstration in the exam room can improve adherence. Link. Your humanity is your greatest exposure. Link. When … [Read more...]
When ‘good enough’ starts costing you
In this article, Brianne Skien establishes when to challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset. While the topic is swine production, the lessons apply to all animal health businesses. Skien writes there are good reasons we build systems around doing things the same way every day, BUT there is a difference between consistency and complacency. Consistency means we … [Read more...]
Split your barn or kennel network from your office network
Automatic feeders, cameras and climate controllers in the barn, kennels or other secondary locations often share the same network as the accounting software and email running in the office. One hacked device is all it takes to reach the operation's financial records. Splitting the secondary locations and office onto separate Wi-Fi networks, with a firewall between them, … [Read more...]
A separate water tank costs far less than losing cattle
Tanks and equipment that have been used to haul urea- or nitrate-based fertilizers should not be used to transport drinking water for cattle even if they have been thoroughly washed. Not a new problem, but it is one worth repeating. Veterinary toxicologists are again seeing cases of cattle deaths associated with water hauled in tanks or equipment previously used for … [Read more...]
Heifers: Keep some or not?
It’s weaning and shipping time in cattle country. With markets wavering slightly, Mexico opening up and a U.S. herd to rebuild, there has been considerable discussion of how to handle heifers*. Whether to retain or sell them is a long-term decision that depends on market conditions and the resources available on an operation. From the perspective of an animal health pro … [Read more...]
“Ask a Cowboy” panels set for Husker Harvest Days and Sunbelt Ag Expo
Stockmanship & Stewardship sessions give producers and veterinarians opportunities to interact with a panel of experts and ask questions about best management practices. Everyone can benefit from learning about cattle movement habits, top-notch facility design, and tips for training others who handle your cattle.” Source: NCBA. Link. Husker Harvest Days, September … [Read more...]
Manure identified as hotspot for antibiotic resistance genes
A 14-year analysis across 26 countries finds livestock manure is a major harbor of antibiotic resistance genes that could threaten human health. The research team examined more than 4,000 manure samples from pigs, chickens and cattle and found signs that efforts to reduce farm antibiotic use are paying off. Source: The Dairy Site, August 17, 2026. Link. What happens on … [Read more...]
Busy August for animal health pros ends in Kansas City
Complimentary By all reports from AVMA, Groomer Expo, SUPERZOO and the new WVC Nashville, animal health pros have renewed old contacts, made new ones, shared meals and beverages, and viewed the latest topics and products. Fetch KC takes place August 28 to 30 and the month is bookended by the KC Corridor’s 2026 Animal Health Summit August 31 to September 1. There’s still … [Read more...]
U.S. home to all top 10 North American pet food companies by 2025 revenue
All of the top 10 North American pet food companies in Petfood Industry’s Top Companies database are headquartered in the United States. Measured by 2025 revenue, the U.S. dominance reflects more than the size of the U.S. pet market, writes Tim Wall. U.S. manufacturers operate within an economy that combines large supplies of grains and animal proteins with extensive … [Read more...]
South Dakota cattle producers cope with ‘gut-wrenching’ losses from July heat wave
South Dakota cattle producers lost at least 2,000 head to heat stress last month. What made it lethal wasn't the daytime peak; it was consecutive days of heat and humidity with no wind and nights that never dropped. Griffin Cherry describes the effect on producers. Source: Griffin Cherry, LinkedIn, August 12, 2026. Link. Cattle don't die from the hottest hour of the day. … [Read more...]
Standing corn is an option for grazing
Drought is hard on crops but there can be some value derived from grazing standing corn, writes Aaron Berger. He discusses the economics and nutritional elements for producers to consider in drought-affected areas. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, August 5, 2026. Link. With a shortage of forage for grazing and hay, current market conditions for fertilizer and corn, along with … [Read more...]
Survey sheds light on small-scale swine farms
A University of Minnesota Center for Animal Health and Food Safety survey sought to understand more about the unique challenges and needs of small-scale pig farmers in California, Minnesota and Texas. The emphasis was on gaining an understanding of their pig health management and disease preparedness. Notably, less than 50 percent had a premises identification number, very … [Read more...]
MSHMP and SDRS; complementary programs for a similar purpose
Kudos to Cesar A. Corzo, University of Minnesota; Quyen Le, Daniel Linhares and Giovani Trevisan, Iowa State University, for this clarifying article. It helps with the alphabet soup that is part of swine research and management, and in this case, where perceived redundancies are actually synergistic. The authors share that the U.S. swine industry benefits from two nationally … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 20, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 13, 2026. Link. Most read posts from August 13th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – When pain changes more than movement. Link. Emotionally intelligent leaders consistently exhibit 6 habits. Link. Malone: AI in your hospital? Link. Role of the veterinary nurse in Spectrum of Care. Link. 7 ways … [Read more...]
Thermal image-based approach to mastitis detection in Holstein dairy cattle
A study examining whether thermal images taken from cow udders during milking can be used to detect mastitis using AI produced promising results. The consistent performance of the model to distinguish between healthy and mastitis-affected udders showed that it could reliably analyze new data without overfitting. These results indicate that thermal imaging combined with AI is … [Read more...]
Dry-off deserves a bigger role in transition cow management
Dry-off is more than the end of one lactation; it is the first major biological event of the next one. Challenging the dairy industry’s long-held assumptions, Erminio Trevisi, MS, PhD, asserts dry-off transition deserves the same attention as calving because it marks the first stage of the next transition period. Trevisi’s research findings suggest dry-off does not reset the … [Read more...]
Bull fertility begins long before puberty
Research over the past two decades suggests one of the most influential periods in a bull’s reproductive life occurs during the first few months after birth, when endocrine signals are programming how the testes will develop for the rest of the animal’s life. Andrea Bedford shares key takeaways from The Bovine Vet Podcast featuring John Kastelic, DVM, MS, PhD, who explained … [Read more...]
CLiK™ Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) Wound Spray receives FDA Emergency Use Authorization
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for CLiK Extra (dicyclanil topical suspension) wound spray for application on or around wounds to prevent infestations of New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae (myiasis) in sheep, cattle, goats, swine and camelids, as well as captive … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 13, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 6, 2026. Link. þ Most read posts from August 6th, 2026 AHD Bulletin – The 23-hour horse: What confinement costs. Link. 30 studies show vegan dog and cat food generally well digested. Link. Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture. Link. Malone: It’s the journey, not the destination. … [Read more...]
The art of immunomodulation in beef cattle
Sponsor Content Immunomodulation, or modifying the immune response, is an emerging area of focus in beef nutrition and health management. Targeted biosolutions may help beef cattle thrive. This Novonesis webinar will explore the connection between the gut and the immune system and provide evidence-based insights into how Bacillus probiotics may help support cattle through … [Read more...]
Summer pinkeye: A frustrating foe on pasture
Matt Hill, DVM, PhD, is quoted in this article saying, “Pinkeye IS a multifactorial disease; it’s not a simple case of ‘this pathogen equals this disease.’ Hill and Laura Meier, DVM, agree that fly load and subsequent corneal damage are major factors that precede Moraxella sp. infections. Hill believes pinkeye tends to follow a cyclical pattern, with severe outbreaks often … [Read more...]
Optimize, don’t maximize: rethinking cow longevity
Cow longevity has become intertwined with conversations around sustainability, profitability and animal welfare. Since every cow will eventually leave the herd, the real question is whether she has reached the point where replacement makes biological and economic sense. The article will support herd improvement discussions with producers. Working to reduce transition … [Read more...]
U.S. finds scrapie for first time in 5 years
APHIS has confirmed classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered at a facility in Oregon. This confirmed detection could push the earliest possible date for national scrapie-free status to approximately 2033. Source: Feedstuffs, August 3, 2026. Link. Classical scrapie is a fatal, degenerative prion disease of sheep and goats. Also see: National Scrapie Eradication Program, … [Read more...]
Finding the $1,300 herdsire gap in the alphabet soup
Geneticist Murray Hunt, MS, has shaped many of the production measurements in dairy production. In this article, he shares how using subindexes can explain how a bull can be well below average on the traits that empty stalls and still ride his components to a 96th-percentile lifetime profit index. That’s the whole blind spot in one line since health and welfare carry just eight … [Read more...]
August cow-calf checklist: protecting the herd’s bottom line
Each month, cow-calf producers face management tasks related to seasonal and production goals. Kansas State University Extension cow-calf specialist Jason Warner summarizes the top 10 management practices for producers to check off their to-do lists in August. Source: Drovers, July 31, 2026. Link. INSIGHTS: Warner’s article provides veterinary teams with reasons to call … [Read more...]
Don’t just measure sow longevity. Measure what drives it
Commercial references Some swine operations overlook early factors influencing whether a sow ever reaches her full productive potential. Zinpro’s Lucas Rodrigues, PhD, believes operations benefit from paying closer attention to claw health information as a KPI because it helps provide a more complete management picture. Rodrigues notes that while claw lesions develop … [Read more...]