Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition has just been released and is available from The National Academies Press website. Commonly called the Beef NRC, the new edition has been in the works since 2000. The cattle industry has undergone considerable changes and some recommendations in edition seven are no longer relevant. Source: Beef, May 17, 2016. In … [Read more...]
Clean dairy calves are healthy calves
Keeping dairy calves healthy is easier when their exposure to harmful bacteria is limited. Even when they’re exposed and don’t become sick, it takes valuable energy to fight off disease, according to Christie Underwood, PhD, Purina calf and heifer specialist. Source: Purina Mills. To look beyond the surface and truly analyze the cleanliness of your facility, there are four … [Read more...]
First-class calf management equals lifetime of herd production
The basics of dairy calf management never go out of style. Liz Cox, M.S., DVM, with Merck Animal Health, offers the ABCs of calf care from day one to full production. This is a good refresher for old hands and a sound foundation for new employees, especially those new to the dairy business. Source: Dairy Business, May 2016, page 24. Cattle learn from interactions with … [Read more...]
Preconditioned calves are profitable
Proactively managing calf health pays dividends. We’ve been beating this drum for decades. Like BVD management, a critical component of pre-conditioning, we still have a long way to go, asserts Greg Henderson, editorial director. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 2016, page 31. Preconditioning your calves is a no-brainer. It makes money for everybody in the chain and … [Read more...]
More on VFD
The veterinary feed directive gets more explanation in two articles in this issue. The dynamics of veterinarian and nutritionist interactions are presented along with veterinarians’ perspectives on continuing industry progress. Source: Beef Vet, Summer 2016. With a consumer base that’s increasing removed from food production, yet relentlessly interested in it, the VFD could … [Read more...]
Colostrum valuable at transition
The benefits of mom’s milk, in promoting long-term health and optimal physiological development, do not end with the first feeding of colostrum, says Mike Van Amburgh, Cornell University professor of animal science. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 29, 2016. Van Amburgh advised the following colostrum delivery regimen for the first four days of life: First-milking … [Read more...]
Rumen drinking harmful to calves
Rumen drinking is caused by failure of the reticular groove reflex and results in rumen acidosis in calves on a liquid diet. Source: American Dairyman, May 2016, page 13. There are a number of conditions that can make calves more susceptible to rumen drinking caused by failure of esophageal groove closure including: Neonatal diarrhea Irregular feeding times … [Read more...]
Lameness not inevitable in confined dairy cows
Cow comfort and well-being of animals in dairy production is a frequent topic. Some have suggested that cows in larger herds are more prone to injury and lameness. This study sheds some light on the topic. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, May 8,2016. (abstract only) Overall, physical well-being characteristics of this selection of high-producing, free stall-housed dairy … [Read more...]
Shorten the breeding season
This quote says it all, “While the use of estrous synchronization and AI will increase time and labor for cow-calf producers, there is great value to capture.” Veterinary teams and representatives serving cow/calf producers will gain a deeper understanding of the economics of herd bulls compared to artificial insemination from this article. As veterinarians meet with producers … [Read more...]
Another E. coli
E. coli O165:H25, is an enterohemorrhagic strain that can cause disease in cattle and could poses a food safety hazard for humans. It is a potential risk in young calves and recently caused enteric disease in feedlot heifers. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, April 25, 2016. The 0165:H25 serotype is similar to E. coli O157:H7, and could be an emerging food-borne pathogen in … [Read more...]
The changing Holstein
Many of us were taught that every Holstein is genetically the same as the next. This article sheds light on how crossbreeding has changed the dairy cow, its production potential and the profit stream that flows from these living manufacturing units. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 20, 2016. We needed a heartier cow in the late 1990s. A cow that can maintain some body … [Read more...]
Grandin concerned about dairy cow breeding
As U.S. dairy producers continue to breed cows that produce more milk, some folks think we may be pushing things too far. Temple Grandin, animal scientist and animal welfare specialist, Colorado State University, is one of them. She shared her comments with Roberto A. Ferdman, a Wonkblog reporter for The Washington Post. Source: The Washington Post, April 21, 2016. With … [Read more...]
Increase in dairy herd size in last 25 years is noteworthy
The average herd size in dairies has increased nearly 300 percent, while the midpoint of near 900 cows is a 600-plus percent increase. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, April 25, 2016. Just 20 years ago, farms with less than 100 cows, 135,000 in total, were home to half of the nation’s milk cows. That same group, under 100 cows, had only 17 percent of the total in 2012. Meanwhile, … [Read more...]
Implants can help increase revenue
This good article reminds animal health professionals of the value and safety of implants. Dan Thompson, DVM with Kansas State University, says consumer fears of hormones in beef are generally unfounded. That’s because hormones are products of living cells naturally found in both plants and animals that stimulate cellular activity. He further explains hormone levels in several … [Read more...]
DFA reimagines the future
The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) cooperative conducted its annual meeting in Kansas City in late March. The meeting focused on reimagining the future for its dairy members. DFA has more than 14,000 dairy farmer member-owners on nearly 8,500 farms in 48 states. The cooperative directed the marketing of 62 million pounds of milk in 2015 from members and non-members representing … [Read more...]
Grass tetany season is now
The smell of spring. The countryside is blooming into lush green vistas. Spring rains seem to clean the air. Loamy soil is turned and readied for planting. But, this may not be the case for older cows getting their fill of new grasses. This article highlights supplements and treatments for grass tetany. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, April 21, 2016. Older lactating cows … [Read more...]
Large herds, less lameness
Research from the University of Minnesota study debunks animal rights activists’ assertions that large dairy herds equal less care and more welfare issues. The study reveals variances based on bedding type, footbath use and robotically milked dairies. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 15, 2016. The one factor that seemed to make a difference was whether a herd had a hoof … [Read more...]
Red meat won’t kill you
Most of us know someone who broke all the dietary rules and lived doctor-free into their 90’s. Dan Murphy shares why in these perspectives about a 1970s study that led to new dietary recommendations about meat and cheese. When the full study was reviewed, results showed that avoiding meat and cheese lowered patients’ cholesterol levels, but it didn’t affect the incidence of … [Read more...]
Dewell simplifies cattle euthanasia
For bovine practitioners, humane euthanasia is important in proper animal care and veterinary medicine. In the field, euthanasia of cattle often involves using a firearm or a captive-bolt device. Renee Dewell, DVM, MS, presented a simple way to determine the optimal point of entry for euthanizing cattle with either. She cleared up confusion on the issue. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Smaller producers still unfamiliar with BVD
The results of a 2007-2008 study on producer awareness of BVD forms the foundation for a new study set to begin in 2017. The original study identified that BVD was unknown by smaller producers. For example, 15.5 percent of producers with fewer than 50 cows and 5.2 percent of producers with 50 to 99 cows were unaware of BVD. If you’re a veterinarian, large animal clinic staffer, … [Read more...]
Milk replacer feeding levels studied for growth, transition
Milk replacer is important in dairy operations. However, a recent study suggests that calves need moderate amounts of milk replacer to more successfully transition to dry feedstuffs post-weaning. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 6, 2016. The study, published in the April 2016 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science, and summarized by Colleen Chapman, PhD candidate the … [Read more...]
Implant for growth and profit
Growth implants benefit production and return in beef cattle. This is well-documented. While consumer pressure counters proven science; properly used implants facilitate additional pounds of gain at sale day. Next to wormers, they have the highest ROI in beef operations. Source: Vet Advantage, Livestock Edition, Spring 2016. Growth promoting technologies are a cost … [Read more...]
Dairy Industry Trends
Leading dairy offer a look at the challenges of marketing to dairy producers. Read about their ideas on: Current Situation Outlook and competition Current Trends Technology Source: AgriMarketing, March 2016. Trends in the Dairy Industry, page 18. … [Read more...]
Do you know dairy?
A fun quiz features statistics and perspectives about the U.S. dairy industry. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, April 4, 2016. Dairy farming in the U.S. is an amazing industry. It is big, yet it is getting smaller all the time. Its basics are the same everywhere, yet how they are done differs everywhere – and often dramatically. … [Read more...]
Beef cattle parasite control now part of VCPR
VCPR is associated with the VFD initiative and references to antibiotics and feed additives today. However, in a roundtable discussion organized by Merial and Bovine Veterinarian, five DVMs from across the U.S. used the VCPR term in conjunction with parasite control programs. The consensus was to include parasite control programs as part of the whole herd management program to … [Read more...]
NAHMS wants input for upcoming cow-calf study
The National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), a part of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is seeking input from cow-calf producers and stakeholders in preparation for an upcoming survey. “We plan to represent at least 70 percent of the beef cows and 70 percent of the beef operations in the U.S. with this study,” says Dave Dargatz, a veterinarian and one … [Read more...]
All saleable milk is antibiotic free
Antibiotic testing is part of milk collection and management. According to the National Milk Drug Residue database, dairy producers increased the number of antibiotic free milk loads to 99.988% of all loads of milk delivered in 2015. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 7, 2016. Every load of milk delivered to dairy processing plants is tested for the presence of antibiotics. … [Read more...]
Spring in to parasite control
Spring’s greening grass brings opportunities to cow-calf producers and the channels that supply and advise them. Prevention remains a primary objective. Spring parasite control is near the top of the to-do list as cows calve and move to grass. In this article, Joe Darrington, South Dakota State University extension associate, presents a good review of parasiticide compounds and … [Read more...]
Airborne transmission suspected in human M. bovis cases
The human-animal bond takes on a different meaning when zoonotic diseases are involved. Cases like these underscore the importance of best management practices in production protocols, food safety and disease prevention. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 09, 2016. Investigations into two human cases of Mycobacterium bovis infection resulting in tuberculosis (TB) in … [Read more...]
Milk still does a body good
Almost every week we see something in the media about vitamin D deficiencies, sources and its value to human health. This article reviews study results and trends among U.S. adults, where osteoporosis and low bone mass concerns. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 29, 2016. Fluid milk is the main vehicle that carries vitamin D. In fact, recently released results from a … [Read more...]