“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...]
University of Nebraska-Lincoln working to understand, reduce methane emissions
Reducing methane emissions can yield climate benefits quickly compared to other greenhouse gases due to its shorter half-life. A moderately heritable trait, methane production is influenced by several factors, including diet, feed intake, animal and microbial genetics and stage or phase of production. This article shares how researchers at UNL are exploring genetic tools and … [Read more...]
Opportunities to unlock the potential of dairy heifers
When pregnant heifers are ready to enter the milking herd there are unique requirements, challenges and opportunities to consider. Mike Hutjens shares four strategies to increase growth and production and improve heifer programs on dairy farms. His article is a good outline for discussions on farm or to share in newsletters or other targeted communications Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
Insects could help turn farm food waste into sustainable livestock feed at industrial scale
Researchers have found a sustainable and large-scale way to turn farm food waste into animal feed using black soldier fly larvae. The researchers found that the larvae grown on food waste with the new, novel bio-conversion unit provided a nutritious, high-quality protein source for livestock feed. Source: DVM 360, October 13, 2025. Link. Unlike the common house fly, the … [Read more...]
First open-source dairy farm ‘digital twin’ unveiled
Amazing new technology lets dairy producers get closer to cows from farther away and it is open-source. Scotland’s Rural College Dairy Research Centre, has unveiled farm-twin, the world’s first open-source Digital Twin platform designed specifically to transform dairy farming. By replicating the physical environment in a digital space, it enables farmers to monitor … [Read more...]
Round crowding pens work better
There is always something to learn or reinforce about the most humane ways to handle cattle. Implementing low-stress handling techniques when working with cattle is important to reduce stress and protect workers. These techniques recognize the cattle’s natural tendencies <Link>. A round crowd pen will work better than a straight crowd pen because, as cattle go around a … [Read more...]
BiomEdit awarded $2 million to develop AI model reducing cattle methane emissions
BiomEdit, an animal health biotechnology company, has received nearly $2 million from the Bezos Earth Fund’s AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge to develop the Rumen Digital Twin, an artificial intelligence model aimed at reducing methane emissions in cattle while enhancing productivity and welfare. Source: Feed & Grain, October 24, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 30, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 23, 2025. Link. Most read posts from October 23, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Temple Grandin: Get yourself in through the back door. Link. AAHA resources complement vet tech support, development. Link. Free book; guidance to help navigate behavioral euthanasia decisions. Link. What do they value? … [Read more...]
Beef-on-dairy shaking up the dairy industry
Three-quarters of dairy operators are engaging in beef-on-dairy methods, writes Karen Bohnert, referencing insights from the 2024 Milk Business Conference. Sharing historical perspectives, she notes the rise of beef-on-dairy practices is not without challenges. For animal health pros servicing and supporting dairies, the article is a good background for on-farm … [Read more...]
BEEF takeaways going into Fall 2025
Reviewing the dynamics of the 2025 beef industry through August, Clint Peck summarizes industry events, challenges and market opportunities. Source: BEEF, September 3, 2025. Link. Life in the cattle business just keeps getting more interesting” … [Read more...]
Naval infections third most common cause of disease in calves
The umbilicus isn’t just an anatomical leftover from fetal life; it’s a critical gateway for infection and a window into broader calf health and welfare, writes Andrea Bedford. This article is another good reminder to emphasize early calf care with producer teams. The importance of early disinfection and dipping are critical practices in early calf care. Source: Dairy Herd … [Read more...]
80 percent of calves sell through livestock auctions
Input from nearly 500 beef producers is assembled in the recent 2025 Farm Journal State of the Beef Industry survey. The marketing guidance for producers to provide weaning, health and genetic data to buyers is a key takeaway from the article worth discussing with producer clients. Source: Drovers, October 20, 2025. Link. Ranchers need to get more active in marketing their … [Read more...]
Oligoimidazolium carbon acids found to prevent udder infections with no adverse effects
A team of international scientists has unveiled an alternative class of potent antimicrobial compounds that could be used to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis in a recent study. Not yet commercialized, this approach to mastitis will be one to watch. Source: Feedstuffs, October 14, 2025. Link. Novel compounds called oligoimidazolium carbon acids … [Read more...]
Vaccinating calves early pays off later
Despite producer pushback on the economics of strategic vaccination, preconditioned calves are table stakes, especially with the current market conditions. Timed vaccination can also support reduced antibiotic use. Vaccines against BRD pathogens (such as IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida) are widely available. Still, their effectiveness … [Read more...]
Bluetongue in the Midwest
Vince Collison, DVM, shares recent experiences with Bluetongue virus infections in northwest Iowa in this article. He reviews the virus, how it is transmitted and how it affects animals who contract the disease. In the U.S., the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis is the primary vector of the virus that most frequently infects sheep and whitetail deer. Source: The Stockman, … [Read more...]
Windrow grazing provides nutrition, cost advantages
Here’s an idea that has caught on in row crop country. Aaron Berger shares how windrow-grazing annual forages allows producers to cut the crop at an optimum time for quality in late summer or early fall and increase harvest efficiency through strip-grazing the windrows. With crop harvest progress more than 80 percent complete, this method may be a good discussion topic with … [Read more...]
Don’t overlook heifer fertility
Commentary Acquiring, raising and developing heifers is one of the highest expenses of milk production. Managing them intentionally and separately provides an opportunity for veterinary teams to educate dairy teams about heifer development and improve herd performance. In many cases, heifer care, feeding and reproductive programs are not held to the same standards and … [Read more...]