Opinion If you’ve not read this recent account of rabies exposures, please do so. We still have gaps in rabies management and prevention. . . . only 39 states mandate rabies vaccination for dogs; 11 states have no statewide legal requirement for rabies vaccination of any species. Feline rabies vaccination is required in 34 states, and vaccination of ferrets is required in … [Read more...]
Flies: Nature’s nuisance, costly pests
Just 200 horn flies start to hurt cattle production. It is not unusual to find 3,000 flies per cow, writes Curt Arens. Fly prevention is one of the basic animal stewardship practices. Horn flies can suck as much as a gallon of blood per month per cow. Face flies feed on proteins from the eyes often becoming vectors for pinkeye. Stable flies are just a plain nuisance. They feed … [Read more...]
Decision: Creep feed calves or not?
Discussing benefits versus the returns from creep feeding calves, David Lalman, PhD, says in most cases, the value of added weight gain will not cover the added feed, labor and equipment costs. Calf weaning weights can be increased anywhere from about 20 to 80 pounds by creep feeding, but for the most part don’t generate additional returns. Lalman also shared creep feeding … [Read more...]
Cows’ stomachs could hold the key to recycling plastic
Harvesting fresh rumen liquid from a slaughterhouse Australian researchers incubated it with samples of three types of plastic in powder and film form: polyethylene terephthalate which is the type of plastic that’s used in soda bottles, food packaging, and synthetic fabrics polyethylene furanoate, a biodegradable plastic that’s common in compostable plastic bags; and … [Read more...]
Cattle save premature babies
A lot of useful products come from cattle beyond the beef. By far one of the most amazing is that their pulmonary surfactant is used to save premature infants lives. Everything but the Moo is collected at slaughter - nothing is wasted” Source: Farmer Girl, Facebook, July 12, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Who, what, when where and why of calcium supplementation
Complimentary Sponsored Content Calving sets off a series of events in a cow’s body that impacts her entire system, including a steep spike in calcium demand due to colostrum production. Most second- and greater-lactation cows cannot maintain adequate calcium levels after calving, which often triggers clinical hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, or subclinical … [Read more...]
The facts about bovine leukemia virus
Bovine leukemia virus is an “oncogenic retrovirus” common in cattle throughout the U.S. Cattle infected with BLV have the disease known to veterinarians as enzootic bovine leukosis or EBL, but it is most often referred to as leukosis. Michelle Arnold, DVM DABVP, says BLV indirectly allows other disease conditions to flourish, and until recently, recognition of its importance … [Read more...]
Scouring calves still need milk
Calves must maintain adequate fluid and nutrient consumption while dealing with diarrhea. Jesse Goff, DVM, reminded producers, “If you withhold milk from the calf, the calf starves. He says there is no scientific evidence supporting this common practice. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, July 5, 2021. Link: Scouring calves still need milk. Goff also suggested feeding calves smaller … [Read more...]
8 strategies to reduce dry period mastitis to improve reproductive efficiency (video)
Eight dry cow prevention strategies can help reduce the risk that new intermammary infections will develop post-calving, which, in turn, helps keep milk flowing on the dairy and improves reproductive efficiency. Dairy cows are most susceptible to new intramammary infections (IMIs) during the dry period.” - Brian Miller, DVM, Merck Animal Health Source: Progressive Dairy, June … [Read more...]
Historical perspective on drought consequences
The drought conditions in the western U.S. are a daily topic as new high temperatures are recorded, and water and forage resources are being consumed. Greg Henderson shares how drought affected cow herd numbers a decade ago. Source: Drovers, June/July 2021. Link. Drought forces cattle producers to cull their herds. Evidence is mounting that this drought-induced cycle could … [Read more...]
Experimental vaccine cocktail protects cattle from Johne’s disease
Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed an experimental vaccine that protects cattle from the bacterium that causes Johne’s disease. The chronic intestinal disorder is most prevalent in dairy herds and costs the U.S. industry more than $220 million in losses each year. Source: Morning Ag Clips, June 28, 2021. Link. Trials with dairy calves, detailed in the … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 24, 2021
Last week’s most read post(s) – two posts tied for most-read Confidence requires a PLAN, Source: AHD, June 15, 2021. Link. Udder conformation, increasing concerns for farmers, Source: AHD, June 15, 2021. Link. Vaccine workshop leads veterinarians in foot-and-mouth disease planning Source: Feedstuffs, June 17, 2021. Link. The vaccine exercise was part of … [Read more...]
Summer feed spoilage – something to consider for any animal
Amber Friedrichsen shares approaches to packing, inoculating, sealing and removing feedstuffs during hot summer weather. She focused on stored forages in this article. Heat considerations are applicable to feed for any animal as they can absorb moisture and deteriorate in the heat.” – Kirk Augustine Starchy forages, such as silage, are susceptible to aerobic instability. Wet … [Read more...]
Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome: silent, deadly in cows
Details surrounding Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome, including contributing factors, continue to be a mystery. Considered an emerging, highly fatal intestinal disease of adult cows, HBS is a growing concern to dairy producers, veterinarians and nutritionists. It is also known as the sudden death disease of dairy cattle. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 21, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Colorado Supreme Court rejects animal cruelty initiative
It is not over yet, but the Colorado Supreme Court on Monday rejected a ballot initiative that would have extended the state’s animal cruelty laws to cover livestock and poultry. The current law has an exception for animals raised on farms and ranches, as long as their owners follow accepted animal husbandry practices. The proposal would have added cows, pigs, chicken and … [Read more...]
Understanding summer pneumonia and pinkeye
Arnold Nagely, DVM, and Ray Shultz, DVM, are more likely to be associated with their veterinary supply business, Valley Vet Supply, than as practitioners. Both doctors spent years in veterinary practice before expanding their retail clinic business into the OTC catalog offerings known today. Nagely and Shultz discuss summer, or pasture pneumonia ,which infects calves as … [Read more...]
Udder conformation, increasing concerns for farmers
Opinion, including Complimentary Commercial Content Dairy cows are expected to last 10 seasons. But New Zealand dairy producers are culling cows that should have been in their prime. Their udders simply aren’t holding up. Udders are blowing out, and some cows have had poor suspensory ligaments which became evident when they got a bit of age, shared producer Reg … [Read more...]
Dry cows need shade to thrive, increase lifetime production
When talking about environmental impact in dairies, most would think about carbon footprint or water quality. However, a University of Florida study determined it is most ideal to cool dry cows during the entire dry period to prevent milk loss. The same should be provided for bred heifers. Researchers found reduced dry matter intakes pre-calving and weaker immunity pre- and … [Read more...]
Know how much water cattle need
Sometimes a picture puts things into perspective. This one does when it comes to how much water cows and calves need. Share and discuss water resources with producers to support health and prevention strategies. Drought and hot summer days are coming quickly. Source: BEEF, June 7, 2021. Link. All the grass in world means nothing without water. … [Read more...]
Scoring hair shedding traits in beef cow selection
Selecting for cows that shed effectively is crucial to dealing with summer heat stress. It is so important that the American Angus Association is interested in developing expected progeny difference (EPD) values. This may seem to be a silly thing to do, but hair shedding is a moderately heritable trait.” – Edon Cole, University of Missouri Extension livestock … [Read more...]
Hay! Got any?
Pasture and range conditions are historically poor for this time of year because of ongoing drought west of the Mississippi River. Nearly 70 percent of hay produced, and 76 percent of the nation’s beef cow herd is located in this region. Further, producers expect to harvest the smallest amount of hay in more than a century. Unless there is some drought relief soon . . . expect … [Read more...]
Female veterinarians say gender disparity remains an uphill battle
Meg Mueller, DVM, says one of the biggest challenges females face in large animal practices is the issue of working with strong and powerful patients who are much of the time in non-clinical, less than ideal settings. Clients’ perceptions that they can't handle the job doesn’t help Source: Wisconsin State Farmer, June 2, 2021. Link. This article is part of a series entitled … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 3, 2021
Last week’s most read posts – these two posts tied for most read These 8 expressions can make you sound insensitive at work: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Flexible workforces in veterinary practices might include aging boomers: Source: Animal Health Digest, May 25, 2021. Link. Best dog bones for tough chewers Source: Puppies and Pooches, … [Read more...]
Feed or sell cull cows? (with video)
Beef and dairy producers need decision support when deciding to feed or sell cull cows. Steve Boyles, PhD, presents the considerations necessary for making the decision to feed cull cows and sell them into a more profitable time slot. Source: BEEF, May 27, 2021. Link. You Tube video. Link. Non-fed beef makes up approximately 25 percent of all beef consumed in the … [Read more...]
Proper antibiotic use improves producer savings and dairy industry image
Complimentary Commercial Content included Consumer demand for dairy products was up last year. Sending positive messages to consumers about U.S. milk production is key to maintaining this demand, says Linda Tikofsky, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. She stresses that being more thoughtful about antibiotic use is also necessary in preserving it as an important tool for the long … [Read more...]
Dairy herds need to be vaccinated for leptospirosis
Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia are working together to inform dairy producers of the risks from leptospirosis. They developed a biosecurity tool to assist dairy farmers create a farm biosecurity plan tailored to their farm. An integrated approach to prevent leptospirosis should consider: vaccinating the whole herd (following directions on the vaccine label) … [Read more...]
Spring ahead of summer flies
Removing breeding material is the foundation of fly control, says Roger Moon, entomologist. And spring is the time to get ahead of the fly population. If flies gain a foothold on the dairy, animals and their caretakers will pay the price as the summer wears on. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 13, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Now is a great time to remind producers how to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – May 20, 2021
Last week’s top post Why constant learners all embrace the 5-hour rule Source: Animal Health Digest, May 11, 2021. Link. University of Minnesota researchers develop novel, field-deployable test for CWD Source: University of Minnesota, April 19, 2021. Link. The team is striving for a test that could be set-up at individual stations … [Read more...]
Target these goals for dairy steers
Dairy and crossbred steers are no longer thought of as subquality meat. However, there are some nuances to ensure quality. Daniel Schaefer, PhD, is quoted in this article from the May Hoard’s Dairyman webinar, “Capturing full value for Holstein and crossbred steers.” The ideal Holstein steer is the kind of steer that, in the right conditions, is both a dairy steer harvester … [Read more...]
Summer pneumonia is a concern in calves
Calves that struggled early and failed to get significant passive transfer of immunity through colostrum are eventually susceptible to pathogens that can cause respiratory disease. Mixing, sorting and some weather events create stressful conditions that may trigger an outbreak of summer pneumonia in nursing calves. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, May 12, 2021. Link. Vaccination … [Read more...]