Research shows that calves experience pain from disbudding and dehorning, so including pain management is critical to their health. It’s up to producers, but veterinarians need to educate them about the importance of pain management. Source: The Bullvine, March 15, 2021. Link. Every farm should have a standard operating procedure for these animal health practices, so that … [Read more...]
Jan Pol, DVM: 5 tips for hobby farmers to keep farm animals healthy
Nat Geo WILD’s Incredible Dr. Pol shares tips for hobby farmers. His perspective is multi-species and the tips focus on preventing health issues using vaccines, cleanliness and reducing animal interactions with new or wild animals. Source: Hobby Farms, January/February 2021. Link. The Incredible Dr. Pol is now in its 17th season on Nat Geo WILD <link>. … [Read more...]
Understanding beef implants
Let’s review. Growth-promoting implants in beef cattle production are used to increase muscle accretion and market weight by increasing daily gain and feed efficiency. Implants must meet stringent requirements to be deemed safe for consumers and animals. Implants have a minuscule effect on hormone content of beef.” Source: Progressive Cattle, March 8, 2021. Link. Implanted … [Read more...]
Simmons. Animal health is a game changer
Jeffrey Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco, says we aren’t going to eat our way out of climate change with plant-based foods. He emphasizes that animal health is a game changer, not just for the well-being of animals, but for society to obtain a stable environment, clean water, clean air and high-quality food. Source: LinkedIn, Elanco, March 11, 2021. (video) Link. Our … [Read more...]
Study shows test results for PI BVDV calves not affected by age
Detection of persistently infected animals is an important control measure for bovine viral diarrhea virus, but persistence of maternal antibodies are thought to result in false-negative test results. New study findings suggest that testing for PI calves can be undertaken at any age. Source: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, March 5, 2021. (abstract only) Link. … [Read more...]
Managing parasite resistance; ‘set it and forget it’ no more
Ron Popeil popularized the 'set it and forget it' phrase in TV infomercials. The phrase could have been used to describe parasite control methods from past decades. Cattlemen and those who work with and educate them can no longer trust a one-and-done parasite control plan. Not unlike antibiotics, our industry needs to use parasite control products judiciously as a component … [Read more...]
Drafting heifer contracts that stick
Many handshake agreements have blown up over misunderstandings on what was said or what was agreed upon. Penn State University dairy Extension specialists recommend a full contract that sets a comprehensive fee for the grower to raise heifers for a specific length of time. Well-written legal contracts protect both parties in a business relationship by laying out the terms and … [Read more...]
Will removing dairy cows help stop climate change?
Researchers from Virginia Tech and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently tested this hypothesis: Eliminate U.S. dairy cows and you’ll lessen climate issues. They found that if the dairy herd were somehow removed from the U.S., greenhouse gas emissions would only be reduced by about 0.7 percent. Milk production contributes approximately 1.3 percent of all U.S. GHG … [Read more...]
Knock out ketosis
Ketosis contributes to wide ranging losses. A single case of ketosis costs dairy producers an average of $298. The most common metabolic disease in cattle, two common, differing etiologies of early lactation ketosis are in play: the animal’s inability to adapt to an early lactation energy deficit – one to two weeks limited energy intake – three to six weeks The use … [Read more...]
All segments of industry should agree – cruelty, neglect are NEVER acceptable
This blog post by Temple Grandin, PhD, MS, Colorado State University animal welfare specialist, is worth your time, no matter which segment of the industry you represent. It is time for us all to agree on these issues. Animal welfare and neglect are important considerations for all animal health pros regardless of the animal species involved.” It needs to be made very clear … [Read more...]
Use data to drive commercial herds of the future
Complimentary Content from recent NEOGEN® Table Talk NEOGEN’s genomics team recently led an expert discussion aimed at educating producers about the benefits of Igenity® Enhanced, a data management tool designed to promote genetic predictions to improve herds for generations. Source: NEOGEN®. Link. This is an opt-in event at no charge. The Table Talk speakers cover: … [Read more...]
Frozen ground? Jacket the calves.
A commonly used rule of thumb is to put jackets on dairy calves as another level of protection when the ground is frozen. They help insulate them from winter temperature swings at least until their rumens develop and generate heat from fermentation activities. Source: The Bullvine, March 1, 2021. Link. Calf jackets are most useful for calves under 3 weeks of age and … [Read more...]
3 tips to prevent clostridial diseases on dairies
Mark van der List, DVM, shares information that refreshes our understanding of clostridial diseases. These insidious bacteria are opportunistic and may lie dormant for years before showing up usually in the form of a dead animal. van der list shares three key management practices to help combat the clostridial nemeses: Vaccination Maternal antibodies for calves … [Read more...]
Are farmers teaching cows bad habits?
It could be that slug feeding methods are forcing dairy cattle to eat too much too quickly causing a negative impact on the rumen environment. Management plays a role in feed bunk behavior, as farmers don’t have to just think about what feed animals consume, but also the manner in which they eat it. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 25, 20212. Link. Factors to consider when … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the heifers when managing mastitis
Heifers can be forgotten on the dairy farm. They live away from the main farm where they are not cleaned and bedded as often as the milking herd. This can cause huge mastitis issues when they become a productive member of the milking string. The author presents the easiest ways to control the spread of contagious mastitis bacteria to calves and heifers and shares tips to … [Read more...]
Detecting transition cow problems
Overall production problems can usually be traced back to a cow’s dry/transition period. Virginia A. Ishler says it is helpful to know if that is really the issue before solving the problem. She shares information from the DHIA 202 summary report to help determine if a problem is occurring related to transition. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 8, 2020. Link. If two out … [Read more...]
Effects of a mastitis treatment strategy with or without on-farm testing
We respect the assessment of hands-on experience in real daily farm settings that was part of this study. We’ve shared an excerpt of the summary verbatim. Using on-farm tests in farmers' decision-making process resulted in more treatments in accordance with the etiology of mastitis than without on-farm testing. A diagnosis and treatment strategy with on-farm testing is … [Read more...]
Biting, sucking lice thrive in winter
Lice thrive in winter. Their survival and transmission is further enhanced by factors such as long haircoats and huddling behavior, writes Meredyth Jones DVM, MS, DACVIM. She writes about winter conditions, infestation, reduced weight gain, products and treatments. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, February 19, 2021. Link. Lice spread via direct contact between animals but are … [Read more...]
The way we breed dairy cows is setting them up for extinction
Ninety-nine percent of dairy bulls can be traced back to one of two bulls, both born in the 1960s. This means among all the male Holsteins in the country, there are just two Y chromosomes. The females are not much more genetically diverse, shares Chad Dechow, PhD, who cited the inherent risks of long-term genetic homogeneity. Source: The Bullvine, February 8, 2021. … [Read more...]
Knowing why a cow is culled is important
Think about it! Was the cow culled voluntarily or non-voluntarily? While both affect cull rate calculations, voluntary is a proactive decision; non-voluntary is a reactive decision. There are opportunities for herd management improvements that increase potential revenue and profits In the nuances. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 30, 2021. Link. Evaluating the … [Read more...]
Racing colostrum’s ticking clock
Calving season is here. Colostrum must be a top priority. We learn more each year about this important and beneficial compound. The ability to absorb antibodies steadily declines over the first few hours of life. The old rule of thumb is that calves must ingest colostrum within the first 24 hours of life, but actually, the percent of antibodies absorbed decreases dramatically … [Read more...]
Dogs load bucking bulls in the open
This is how one cattle rancher loads bucking bulls. He never leaves his horse, nor uses a corral; just an open trailer and four, well-trained cattle dogs. Put your own twist on this as you please and enjoy! Source: Mel’s video of the day. Link. … [Read more...]
Overtime pay for dairies is closer than you think
Dairy farming is not a 40-hour per week job, but with labor laws becoming more restrictive, employers may have to treat it as such. Dairy personnel must keep cows healthy, but the economics of overtime or additional workers will likely have dairy owners between a rock and a hard place. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 4, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: For dairy veterinarians and … [Read more...]
Reducing digital dermatitis starts with hygiene, hygiene, hygiene
Jamie Sullivan discusses how to create an effective digital dermatitis control plan to keep this endemic spirochete bacteria at bay. He focuses on four key elements of reducing incidence: Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene Nutrition Dry cow and transition cow footbath Walk heifer pens: Source: Progressive Dairy, January 19, 2021. Link. Understand how the bacteria … [Read more...]
Treating deadly acute enterotoxemia in baby calves
Recognizing the symptoms and acting fast is usually the only way save a calf when toxins take over its gut. Heather Smith Thomas writes about this fatal condition and the urgency required to save a calf before it goes into shock. A calf may die of scours and dehydration with a viral intestinal disease, but some bacteria produce deadly toxins that affect the calf more … [Read more...]
3rd version of the Masters of Beef Advocacy NextGen launched
You don’t have to raise cattle to help answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle. MBA NextGen can arm you with the information you need to be a strong advocate for the beef community and communicate with interested consumers. Source: Beefitswhatsfordinner.com, January 13, 2021. Link. MBA NextGen consists of five self-guided online lessons, open to everyone, and at … [Read more...]
Gene editing technology could soon be common practice for beef cattle industry
Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association, spoke about gene editing as one of the advanced technologies to enhance beef cattle during an interview broadcast on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network < link >. He believes this technology will be good for animal agriculture and could soon be a common practice for the beef cattle seedstock … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health launches intranasal BRD vaccine for calves at 1 week of age or older
Complimentary Commercial Content Merck Animal Health has announced that Bovilis® Nasalgen® 3-PMH is now available to veterinarians and cattle producers to protect cattle from five of the most common pneumonia causing viral and bacterial pathogens. Approved for use in dairy and beef cattle, this is the first intranasal vaccine effective in providing early, broad-spectrum … [Read more...]
Cut seasons short for more profits
Jordan Thomas tackles human nature’s influence on the cow-calf operation. He says the focus on calf numbers likely keeps cows in the herd that don’t belong. Extended calving and hay-feeding seasons are a symptom of this tendency. Long hay-feeding seasons and long calving seasons are really just manifestations of the same fundamental problem” - Source: BEEF, January 2020. … [Read more...]
Milk filters, teat dips really matter
In order to help prevent infection to dairy cows, dairy pros must address cleanliness practices in barns and parlors. Greg Strait, Penn State extension educator, addressed milk filters as an indicator then emphasized teat dipping, cow prep, cleanliness of free stalls, and cleanliness of bedded pack and more during a recent discussion. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 11, … [Read more...]