Commentary including sponsored content from Addison Biological Laboratory. Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pinkeye, is a common eye disease cattle producers hate treating. Routinely transmitted by flies, pinkeye’s frequently observed pathogens are Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi, Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma bovoculi and bovine herpesvirus type 1 … [Read more...]
Feed cows when THEY want to eat
Isaac Salfer, PhD, says our tendencies to avoid summer feeding times in the heat of the day are not consistent with natural biological rhythms and eating patterns of dairy cows. He says night feedings are not a best practice and to avoid feeding after 3:00 p.m. Cows have this strong biological drive to not eat at night” - Isaac Salfer, Ph.D. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, August … [Read more...]
Body condition score still impacts reproduction success
Okay, we know this right? Paul Fricke and Milo Wiltbank reemphasized the BCS story at a recent, virtual Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference. According to the article, success with artificial insemination is so high that when conception rates decline, the tendency is to adjust the AI protocols. The data shows BCS is the first place to look. We have good … [Read more...]
Rev up replacement heifers
Patsy Houghton, president and general manager of Heartland Cattle Co., McCook, Nebraska, gave advice for developing heifers in fall 2020, spring 2021 and beyond in a recent Angus University webinar. She offered seven challenges to help commercial cattlemen improve their replacement heifers: Place selection pressure on fertility Enhance your calf crop value Improve … [Read more...]
Preg-check beef cows early
Identifying reproductive issues, managing input costs, more efficient culling along various preg-checking methods are presented in this article. Producers have a variety of options for managing nonpregnant cows and heifers.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2020. Link. Current cattle markets, weather outlooks and feed availability are all factors that should be … [Read more...]
5 steps to decrease somatic cell counts (infographic)
Like you and me, cows are physically more stressed when it is hot. Somatic cell counts in milking dairy cows are a signal to dairy producers that an immune response is occurring. Add the influence of stress hormones and changes in cow behavior, the result is often an increase in environmental mastitis. It’s important to keep stalls clean, provide good fly control and provide … [Read more...]
Preconditioning, premiums and the real value of vaccines
Cow doc Jake Geis, DVM, discusses preconditioning calves, getting a better return on your vaccine and parasite control investment in the entire herd, not just calves. Cattle buyers place the most preference in a preconditioning program for the number of days weaned. . . because they know it means the cow-calf producer took on the risk of doing the actual job of weaning and … [Read more...]
Toilet training cows?
What? YHTBKM, right? We had to share this one along with some tongue-in-cheek. Behavioral scientists’ research results concluded that cattle have the intelligence and neurophysiological foundations that make toilet training possible. The learning method of so-called operant conditioning, which is based on a reward for the desired behavior, has proven itself. Practical … [Read more...]
Don’t sweat it!
It is HOT! Heather Smith Thomas writes about heat’s impact on cattle and how shade makes a difference. She reminds us that planning is important. August and September frequently have periods of grueling hot weather across cattle country. Now, not later, is the time to establish shade to reduce heat stress. Source: Angus Beef Bulletin, July 7, 2020. Link. Cattle need some … [Read more...]
Purdue developing rapid BRD diagnostic tool
Purdue University researchers are developing technology designed to reduce diagnosis time for bovine respiratory disease. BRD is one of the more costly cattle diseases and accounts for half of all North American feedlot deaths and robs beef and dairy producers of about $900 million a year. The new test can diagnose BRD in about 30 minutes, compared to the four-plus days current … [Read more...]
Have you herd? Ruminants in a sustainable food system (AABP podcast).
Animal health pros are an important part of the front line to manage perceptions and truth about animals, animal stewardship and the impact of animals on our environment. Sara Place, PhD, discusses greenhouse gas emissions, how cattle are a solution to providing a sustainable food source for humans, and why the Food and Agriculture Organization’s report on GHG production … [Read more...]
Integrated pest management key to fly control
It is documented flies cause losses in beef, dairy, small ruminant and swine production. They are also a nuisance at home, around backyard animals and in stables. Janna Block, North Dakota State University Extension livestock systems specialist, discusses the importance of using the right type of fly control at the right time for the right duration to control pests … [Read more...]
Field guide to BQA now available
Designed to make the Beef Quality Assurance manual more user friendly, new print and digital versions have been developed to make the information more user friendly. The digital guide contains embedded links and videos that allow producers to interact with various BQA elements.” Source: BEEF, July 2020. Link. To learn more visit bqa.org … [Read more...]
BVD tears at dairy profits
Complimentary commercial content from Zoetis Bovine Viral Diarrhea is a disease issue in cattle worldwide. It is like a shadow in herds that robs production and herd health. BVD can be controlled with diligent management steps revolving around testing, culling, vaccination and farm biosecurity. . . . often BVD is a subclinical disease, and its symptoms get lost amid the … [Read more...]
Void in urban livestock veterinary care due to lack of facilities, interest or experience
Research results indicate an increasing demand for veterinary services for poultry and livestock in cities and suburbs and a need for ongoing continuing education of practitioners, as well as the animal owners according to UC Davis research. This segment of agriculture has been largely overlooked by the veterinary community in North America.” - Dr. Alda Pires “The health and … [Read more...]
Rabies reported in cattle in 3 states
Considered rare, five rabies cases in cattle have been reported in three states. Rhonda Brooks shares information about historic incidences in cattle, rabies forms and protecting livestock. In the U.S., several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals, including raccoons, skunks and foxes. In addition to these reservoirs, multiple species of … [Read more...]
Beef industry paradigm shifts should continue
Seven innovations offered progress in genetics, efficiency and profitability in the beef industry also provide a “paradigm shift philosophy” for future management decisions, according to Bill Rishel, Nebraska Angus producer. He cited these innovations that helped everyone from ranchers to beef consumers: Performance record systems Artificial insemination Boxed beef … [Read more...]
Helping cattle stand the heat
Every summer, livestock media sources of all types feature piece about heat stress in cattle. Whether cow-calf, feeder or dairy cows, heat can damage their ability to maintain their rate of gain or milk production. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above … [Read more...]
Watch for resistance when controlling flies on cattle
It’s no secret horn flies cut cattle performance. Each fly pierces its host 20 to 30 times a day drawing blood each time. Insecticide ear tags and pour-on products are easy to use and cost-effective. It is important to monitor for resistance because it can cause entire classes of insecticides to become useless. The practical tips will help producers monitor fly populations and … [Read more...]
Don’t penny-pinch preweaning
Inherent in animal health pro relationships with dairy producers is the element of helping them manage their ROI. A.F. Kertz provides a review of research about calf inputs and concludes cutting costs in the calf period may save on a daily basis but doesn’t pay over the heifer raising time period. I think too often dairy producers focus on the calf period as a place to cut … [Read more...]
Cows and second careers
Cull cow weight and cull cow price are two of the more important factors in dairy herd profitability. However, prioritizing cull cow weight first without calculating the cost of gain may cost producers more than the value they receive. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 22, 2020. Link. Selectively feeding cows that are thin (BCS less than 3), but still healthy and mobile, … [Read more...]
Cattle health, drones and thermal imaging
Visualize a cowboy on a horse or 4-wheeler near cattle. His attention is not focused on observing them, rather he’s staring into a screen he keeps moving back and forth, tipping and dipping. Drones using thermal imaging coupled with artificial intelligence is nearly here. It is early, but technology similar to satellite imaging is coming soon to help monitor cattle health and … [Read more...]
Hardware, plastic disease still found in cattle
Fifty five percent to 75 percent of cattle slaughtered in the eastern U.S. have hardware in the reticulum. Cattle don’t usually sort their food, which means they can ingest foreign matter when eating hay or processed feed. This include pieces of fencing, nails, metals and more recently, plastic fibers used to bind hay. Magnets are used to remove metal objects, but plastics are … [Read more...]
Polyclonal antibodies being developed IN cows for Covid-19 virus
SAb Biotherapeutics of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is pursuing an extension of previous research in genetically modifying dairy cows so that certain immune cells carry the DNA that allows people to make Covid-19 antibodies. Cows become giant bioreactor antibody factories. They have more blood engineered to synthesize human versions of the proteins and their blood can also … [Read more...]
Dairy topics: Milk fever, dry cows, inbreeding, heat stress, sperm dose
Here are worthwhile topics to discuss with dairy producers during National Dairy Month. Veterinarians and direct-to-dairy representatives often find a third-party article opens the door to discussions beyond normal dialogues and details. The pandemic has taught us the importance of educational communications. Share these in person, on social media or in … [Read more...]
Intranasal vaccination for dairy, beef calves
One way to reduce the effects of maternal antibody interference is to use intranasal vaccines, writes Jennifer Ryan. Colostrum received by young dairy calves can interfere with injectable vaccines. However, intranasal vaccines tend to work with colostrum. Beef calves are often worked first at branding, a stressful period where cortisol weakens blood cells. Intranasal works here … [Read more...]
BudBox design improves stockmanship
Handling cattle can be stressful on the cattle and operators. Traditional methods of funneling and pushing add more stress. Whit Hibbard And Dawn Hnatow explain the differences between three crowd pen systems: wedges narrow options to one and rely on force tubs favor a mechanical over behavioral approach BudBoxes use a behavioral approach by obeying certain … [Read more...]
Raising Gallons video part of dairy month effort (video)
Dairy Management Inc. and state and regional checkoff teams around the country are showcasing dairy’s resilience and community impact during the Covid-19 pandemic in celebration of National Dairy Month. The efforts began on World Milk Day, June 1, with a Raising Gallons video < link > DMI created in partnership with state and regional checkoff organizations. The video … [Read more...]
Here’s the beef. . . well maybe
Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University ag economist, says beef markets are moving past the worst of the disruptions that caused upheaval recently. Beef markets were thrown into turmoil in March as food service markets, such as restaurants, were sharply curtailed and beef demand suddenly rose in the retail grocery sector. He discusses the supply chain, price fluctuations and … [Read more...]
Iowa DVMs offered free training on foreign animal diseases
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is offering a free, online, continuing education program for veterinarians licensed in Iowa titled IowaFADefense. The focus of IowaFADefense is to increase the state's ability to rapidly detect, respond to, and contain foreign animal diseases. The diseases covered in the program are: African swine fever, classical swine … [Read more...]