The importance of managing the transition period from dry-off to peak milk rightfully dominates dairy management topics. In the article shared here, Zoetis’ Matthew Boyle, DVM, shares best practices that set transition cows up for success. Source: Progressive Dairy, December 15, 2025. Link. Boyle emphasizes the opportunity to make small adjustments in each of the three … [Read more...]
Ensure the bulls will be ready when their time comes
While January, February and March are typically a loafing period for breeding bulls, husbandry during winter remains important to ensure they are healthy when it’s their time. Beth Reynolds summarizes winter bull management in two categories: nutrition and breeding soundness. She says managing the impacts of cold weather on breeding soundness in herd sires requires being … [Read more...]
Extension beef specialist concerned about lower quality hay from 2025
Jeff Lehmkuhler has never seen lower hay quality than what he witnessed in 2025. With winter weather extremes and spring-calving cows in their third trimester, he recommends pulling forage samples to document what nutrient levels exist in unique lots of hay, then adjust accordingly. Communicating the importance of nutritional sampling is a simple action for veterinary teams … [Read more...]
Review: Tips to reduce the chance of hypothermia in calves
It never hurts to review and refresh calving processes. In this article, Oklahoma State’s Mark Johnson explains how to identify, prevent and manage cold stress in baby calves, including precalving nutrition of the cow that can reduce the chances of hypothermia. Consider positioning this article in social media posts or link it in newsletters. A few minutes to send it out … [Read more...]
Solvet launches CattleZen to reduce stress, boost health in cattle
CattleZen is a proprietary blend of maternal bovine-appeasing substance and a calming pheromone that, when applied just above the muzzle, stimulates a calming effect. The product will be officially launched at the 2026 CattleCon NCBA trade show, providing producers with an opportunity to learn about the science, performance benefits and practical use of the product. Source: … [Read more...]
Review: Stomach tubing best practices for new born calves
Bruce Derksen shares good reminders about when newborn calves need help in the form of stomach tubing. Before using the tube, consider these key steps to help ensure success. Tube condition, cleanliness and temperature are especially important. Source: Progressive Cattle, January 15, 2015. Link. Tubing a calf is a relatively simple process, but if done incorrectly, it will … [Read more...]
Acupuncture for cows
Acupuncture may provide a practical, low-risk adjunct for cattle veterinarians for pain and restoring function in food animals. It also can stimulate and influence both immune and reproductive system regulation. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 14, 2026. Link. When analgesic tools are scarce and animal comfort matters, acupuncture may offer a meaningful benefit at … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 22, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 15, 2026. Link. Most read posts from January 15, 2026 AHD Bulletin – Feline veterinary care at pivotal point to drive future practice growth. Link. Benefits or features? Link. Understanding pet parents’ concerns about their pets. Link. Beyond the SEO algorithms, AI is changing “search”. … [Read more...]
New AI tool can take a cow’s temperature with only a photo
With potential to help cattlemen detect temperatures before visible signs of illness, a new tool from the Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision Lab at the University of Arkansas uses artificial intelligence and thermal cameras to estimate the body temperature of cattle. Source: University of Arkansas, January 2, 2026. Link. The system, called CattleFever, is the first … [Read more...]
Looking ahead to CattleCon26, Nashville, February 3rd – 5th
As animal health pros wrap up VMX and head to IPPE, Nashville is prepping for cowboy hats, boots and all things beef. Check out five new things to enjoy at CattleCon26 <Link.>. AHD Sponsor Novonesis is on the program Tuesday, February 3, to discuss the “Effects of a direct-fed microbial in finishing cattle.” Experts on applied microbiome science will also be available … [Read more...]
Avian influenza outbreaks confirmed in 5 states
Confirmed avian flu outbreaks have hit another five U.S. states, affecting more than 128,000 birds, according to APHIS. The recent outbreaks occurred at commercial poultry farms and in backyard flocks in Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York. The virus is also suspected in the deaths of wild birds in Florida and Iowa. Source: CIDRAP, December 30, 2025. … [Read more...]
What you should know about the 3 stages of calving
Parturition, or the birthing process, has three stages. Understanding the stages is critical to know when to provide help, writes Angie Stump Denton. Complete with videos, the article is a good reference for novice producers, animal health pros serving cow-calf producers and for new hires on established farms. Source: Drovers, January 6, 2026. Link. Offering assistance to a … [Read more...]
Late gestation cows. Get them the groceries
Livestock nutritionists will tell you that those last few weeks before calving are the most critical time for the nutrition for your cowherd, writes Clint Peck. Diets for gestating heifers and cows must support lactation, fetal growth and replenishment of body condition at varying times during pregnancy. Grazing alone will often not meet the requirements of pregnant cows for … [Read more...]
Temple Grandin’s portrait becomes part of Smithsonian gallery
Temple Grandin, Colorado State University distinguished professor, is the subject of a portrait that was recently unveiled to hang in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Respected worldwide as the designer of humane livestock handling systems, Grandin-designed facilities now handle more than 50 percent of North American Livestock. She is … [Read more...]
5 livestock diseases that could impact U.S. food security and economic stability
Stephanie Mercier identifies five diseases with the potential to disrupt U.S. livestock production, trade and response infrastructure at scale from a new report from The Farm Journal Foundation, The Mean Sixteen: Biosecurity Threats Facing U.S. Agriculture. Three of them already challenge U.S. production: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) African swine fever (ASF) New … [Read more...]
Don’t let winter’s cold open the door to BRD
Good animal husbandry is a crucial component of cold stress management, says Nathan Meyer, DVM, PhD. When cattle are putting a lot of energy toward staying warm, they become more susceptible to disease challenges so managing their environment is important to reduce disease risk. Meyer asserts the importance of quality water and matching nutrition to help keep cattle … [Read more...]
The digestive tract. Preparing cow herds to prosper
“A bale ≠ a bale ≠ a bale” summarized a post from last week <Link>. The importance of building a nutritional program for a cow-calf system is emphasized by Travis Mulliniks, PhD, in this article. Leading with BCS, his considerations are a foundation for herd health and vitality discussions with producers. He says understanding nutritional requirements, knowing the … [Read more...]
Managing water efficiently, sharing how it’s done is increasingly important to consumers
Water is central to dairy’s future, but how dairies use and conserve it is no longer just an operational concern; it’s a story the public is watching. There are several ways dairies can reuse water throughout their operations, and many farms already rely on these practices to stretch every gallon. Improving sustainability begins with understanding exactly how much water a dairy … [Read more...]
Fewer cull cows are driving dairy herd growth
The milk cow population has been trending upward since December 2024, largely due to dairy cow retention, writes Abbi Prins. Instead of cull cows showing up in cattle slaughter reports, these cows are still being milked in barns across the country and are making calves destined for beef feedlots. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, December 1, 2025. Link. Beef-on-dairy revenues are … [Read more...]
Reimagining animal handling training: ‘Mooving Cows’
One of the most significant welfare determinants on dairy farms lies outside the treatment pen: how cows are moved and handled. Cow-handling practices directly affect stress physiology, lameness risk, udder health, milk let-down and handler safety. Yet, the churn of dairy employees and getting good training limits consistent improvements. Seeing an opportunity to improve … [Read more...]
Shedding placental membranes, uterine restoration postpartum in dairy cows
Transition cow management and care is important in dairy production. Each phase requires attention at the individual cow level. Shedding of the placental membrane and uterine restoration postpartum play a crucial role in ensuring the cow's reproductive health and her ability to return to productive cycles, writes Leonardo Bringhenti, DVM, PhD. Source: Progressive Dairy, … [Read more...]
Airborne H5N1 may be a factor in outbreaks
If bird flu is airborne, the government’s current biosecurity-based strategy cannot protect farms on its own, writes Nat Lash, an investigative journalist. He recounts how he followed a hunch that wind and dust may contribute to the spread of bird flu. Lash used genetic markers, satellite imagery, property records, trade notices, wind simulations and Google Street View to … [Read more...]
Animal Health International acquires Redbook Software
Redbook Software Inc., is a Colorado-based software company specializing in cloud-based financial operating systems for feedyards. This strategic investment enhances Animal Health International’s software portfolio by adding a mobile-first, scalable and user-friendly solution designed for cattle producers wanting real-time information. Source: BEEF, November 17, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Early castration improves animal welfare, safety, and on-farm economics
Sponsor Content Recent research confirms the importance of fall calving in the beef segment and year-round calving in dairies in North America. Estimates show that more than 80,000 bull calves will be born this November and December: a third in beef operations and two-thirds in dairy operations. The AABP recommends that pain management be considered the standard of care … [Read more...]
H5N1 influenza, ostriches and a debacle of unnecessary proportion
Scott Weese, DVM, recaps the bird flu fiasco on a British Columbia ostrich farm. The incident shared in his article underscores the importance of mandated reporting for all producers, regardless of species. “A producer’s errant choice went from an issue with one group of infected birds to having a convoy on the (quarantined) farm, massive misinformation, dodgy “media” … [Read more...]
Cornell study: We’re feeding too much colostrum
Cornell’s groundbreaking 2024 study shows that feeding just 2.5 liters of today’s high-quality colostrum works better than four liters, improving absorption efficiency by 24 percent while eliminating painful colic symptoms in calves. The author says the colostrum modern cows produce today is fundamentally different than it was 20 years ago. We’ve improved the genetics, … [Read more...]
Inflammation control in the transition cow
The incidence of dairy cow disease as lactation begins has generated strong interest in the biology of the dairy cow transitioning from late pregnancy into lactation. Robert J. Van Saun, DVM, MS, PhD, shares perspectives on managing, not eliminating inflammation. Instead, be aware of potential stressors in systems to minimize overstimulating the inflammatory … [Read more...]
West Texas A&M breaks ground on new feedlot research complex
Officials at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, broke ground on a $15 million feedlot research complex. The WTAMU Foundation Research Feedlot and the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation Feedlot Education Facility will be used to conduct research that improves the beef industry nationwide. Construction will start this winter. Source: Feed & Grain, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – November 13, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 6, 2025. Link. Most read posts from November 6, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Speed eating cats, skateboarding dogs . . . Thailand’s pet boom. Link. Everyday cat behaviors, early health signals, behavioral, bonding trends. Link. Gratitude is never garbage. Link. If you don’t train, don’t complain. … [Read more...]
Body condition scoring for success
Right now, when cows are slicked off and in the second trimester of pregnancy, is the most accurate and easiest time of the management cycle to evaluate their BCS. Producers should manage their calving season, genetics, grazing system, supplementation program and herd health to achieve an average BCS of 5 to 6 (target 5.5) in the mature cow herd at calving time, writes Mark Z. … [Read more...]