Treating calf scours requires more than a one-approach-fits-all treatment plan. Keith Poulsen asserts that the source of calf scours changes over time. He cites three main causes of calf scours and presents the importance of diagnostics to sort out whether the cause is a bacteria, virus or parasite. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 10, 2019. Link. Poulsen identifies these … [Read more...]
75 things you didn’t know about beef
Whether you’re an old cowhand or have never seen a live cow, you’ll enjoy this list of 75 things about beef. Compiled by the Noble Research Institute in celebration of its 75th anniversary, you’ll be amazed at how beef positively affects our daily lives. Source: Noble Research Institute, October 9, 2020. Link. Since 1945, the Noble Research Institute has supported farmers … [Read more...]
Cows put their own calcium into milk – more than half of mature cows have subclinical hypocalcemia
The demand for calcium from cows to enrich colostrum is highest at calving. This is because cows are literally drawing from their own calcium stores to put the mineral into the milk. The result is often a negative calcium balance that occurs before the mechanisms to pull calcium from the cow’s skeletal system get activated. Calcium homeostasis is fragile around calving time. … [Read more...]
Cattle and corn stalks
U.S. farmers have harvested over half of their corn and three-fourths of their soybeans, according to the October 19 USDA crop progress report. For dairy and beef operators this means the ability to supplement waning pasture grasses with corn stalks. But, there are considerations before turning the cattle into the stalks according to Aaron Berger, a University of Nebraska … [Read more...]
Farm women face extra risks
More than 30 percent of U.S. farm operators are women, and there are many more performing daily farm tasks. Lindley Reilly, DVM, shares four areas where women could be at a heightened risk for injury and should take appropriate precautions: Equipment Animals Hormones Mental health Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, October 5, 2020. Link. Safety should be a part of … [Read more...]
But I have corn to harvest
Complimentary Content This beef producers’ excuse resonates across the corn belt this time of year when approached by livestock veterinarians wanting to schedule herd work, “. . . but I have corn to harvest!” W. Mark Hilton, DVM, PAS, DABVP, shares his experiences with delayed cattle work and the economics of working cattle ahead of harvest. The best day of the year to own … [Read more...]
Calves: Start them off right
How calves are fed and managed can affect their lifelong health and productivity. The Dairy Herd editors cover four early life areas to help calves now and throughout their lives: Tips to improve colostrum What to provide for calves so they can perform Keep scours down when feeding volumes go up Feeding transition milk; another tool in the toolbox Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
Resiliency trumps size on smaller dairies
Sometimes bigger is not better. That is one conclusion that can be drawn from a recent University of Minnesota study of small- to medium-sized dairies. The study data set combined animal health, production and farm financial data to help dairy farms create more financially sustainable operations. Financial resiliency was defined using the adjusted net farm income ratio. … [Read more...]
Cattle might be secret weapon in fight against wildfires
University of California Cooperative Extension researchers are evaluating how much fine fuel like grasses and other plants known to start fires cattle eat and how their feeding behavior may affect flame activity. There is more to learn, but it this preliminary study shows cattle may be valuable in reducing fire risk. . . . without cattle grazing, there would be hundreds to … [Read more...]
Speaking of nasal swabs, moove over
Bovine respiratory disease researchers are diligently working to reduce diagnosis time for the variety of pathogens involved with the disease. Current test results can take days to be returned. Purdue University researchers are seeking to shorten that time to about 30 minutes. Bovine respiratory disease can be triggered by a number of bacteria and viruses, making treatment … [Read more...]
Warm beer = bad vaccine?
Monitoring the performance of refrigeration units is critical to vaccines and pharmaceuticals labeled for temperature control. Older units may develop inconsistent temperature zones with items freezing in one area and getting too warm in another. The context for the article is dairy, but almost any veterinary clinic or on-farm drug storage area can have the issues shared in … [Read more...]
Handling cattle the right way
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...]
CattleFax CEO shares beef industry outlook
Occasionally, it is important to revisit how we got to where we are. Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, shared similar perspectives at this year's virtual Feeding Quality Forum. “It’s not been a straight line,” he said. On the global stage, the U.S. is the top beef and poultry producer, and third in pork, dominating meat trade overall. The reason, he said, is because the lion’s … [Read more...]
Don’t kiss the calves.
We’ve featured more than a few posts about not kissing chickens. The same caution applies to calves. According to Jeff Bender, DVM, MS, DACVPM, the Centers for Disease Control reported 59 disease outbreaks tied to animal contact in 2017. Of these, 25 were linked to farm livestock and 15 to poultry. Source: Dairy Herd Management, September 14, 2020. Link. The zoonotic … [Read more...]
Clouds of mosquitoes killing livestock, deer in Louisianna
Exhausted from constant moving, bleeding under their skin and anemic from swarming mosquito bites, horses, cattle and deer across southwest Louisiana are dying from mosquito bites. The swarms are part of the aftermath of hurricane Laura. Source: Huffington Post, September 11, 2020. Link. Luckily for humans, the species of mosquitoes that are swarming don’t transmit human … [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...]
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...]
Dairy workers need to be wearing gloves and aspirin increases milk production
It is increasingly important to implement good hygiene on farms. Mastitis caused by contagious bacteria on a farm is hard to cure and results in loss of milk production and money. Being proactive in preventing new mastitis infections now will help to decrease the chance of an outbreak. The opening subhead on this article says it all! Wearing gloves is a very simple management … [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...]
Rare case of fading elk syndrome found in central Iowa
Fading elk syndrome has long been associated with wapiti-type red deer hybrids farmed in New Zealand. The authors report on a case of naturally-acquired fading elk syndrome in a herd of 34 elk (Cervus elaphus) in Ames, Iowa, at the National Animal Disease Center. Fading elk syndrome, or chronic ill-thrift of elk, is a disease associated with abomasal parasitism with Ostertagia … [Read more...]
Milk alternatives are missing a lot
“There’s a lot of things you’re missing out on if you’re not drinking milk,” said Yvonne Greer, a registered dietitian who recently shared her views on alternative milk beverages. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, August 24, 2020. Link. Coconut milk and almond milk . . . don’t have enough protein. So, if you’re substituting that to children, they’re not getting the same things they … [Read more...]
Check out the top 21 value-added beef programs
Value-added beef marketing programs can be divided into two categories, consumer-based programs and calf-based programs. Consumer programs provide animals that fit specific criteria while calf-based programs focus on procurement of specific value requirements. These programs help increase beef quality, while producers remain more engaged in the total marketing process. Jamie … [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...]
Pain management for livestock gets closer (video)
Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) is the only pain medication labeled for use in livestock, yet companion animals experience most medical procedures with the use of short- and long-term pain management medications. Getting FDA approval for pain medications for livestock is complex because of rules intended to keep drug residues out of the food supply. Kansas State University … [Read more...]
Lameness prevention starts in the heifer pen
At least two of the “famous five” causes of lameness; foot rot, digital dermatitis (DD), sole ulcers, white line lesions and toe lesions can have their origins in the heifer lot, according to Nigel Cook. Heel warts and toe lesions can start early. Providing the right environment early in life will help to prevent the hoof diseases and mechanical issues that can otherwise … [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...]
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...]
Hutches can contribute to calves’ heat stress
Producers who raise preweaned dairy calves frequently use calf hutches. For all their advantages, their lack of climate control makes heat stress monitoring and prevention important. Jud Heinrichs and Colleen Jones write about how high temperatures, excessive humidity and the sun take a toll on calves. Air movement, moisture, hair coat, bedding and rumination activity are … [Read more...]
Identify what pasture plants are poisonous to cattle (slide show)
There are many plants that can cause illness, death, abortion, birth defects, metabolic disorders, photosensitization and other problems in cattle, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Her slide show includes photos of plants cattle producers should look for. Source: BEEF, March 2020. Link. … [Read more...]