This story adds to other posts featuring the use of goats as an alternative for controlling weeds and overgrowth <Link>. In this article, Mindy Ward features Margaret Chamas, who has added virtual fencing as a management tool to her goat leasing service. Chamas rents out goats for brush control on properties that include city parks, conservation areas and private … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Considerations for producers when choosing and integrating livestock guard dogs
Livestock guardian dogs remain among the more effective non-lethal tools for reducing livestock predation when effectively managed, writes Bill Costanzo. Realistic expectations and adaptive management practices based on predation levels and predator type are needed. Owners must acknowledge the limitations of the dog or dogs. Source: AcreageLife, February 1, 2026. Link. LGDs … [Read more...]
New food pyramid is a significant reset of U.S. nutrition policy
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 from HHS and USDA seek to deliver a clear, commonsense message to the American people: “Eat real food.” Kristin Bakker’s article shares potential benefits to American food animal producers. Source: Feedstuffs, January 6, 2026. Link. … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Worth a Glance – October 2, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, September 25, 2025. Link. Most read posts from September 25, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Workslop: AI-generated work content is slowing everything down. Link. The role of AI in cancer diagnostics. Link. No title, no problem. Link. 3 Ways to Strengthen the Feline Client Experience. Link. Setting client … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – August 27, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 21, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 21, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Many problems with extreme conformation in dog and cat breeds. Link. 8 Gen Z habits that make others say, “Huh?” Link. Time management or prioritization? Link. Expert views on the importance of recordkeeping. Link. … [Read more...]
Vets urge smarter parasite control to combat drug resistance
Commentary The topic of parasite resistance is not new to U.S. livestock production. However, the British Veterinary Association’s actions described in this article are important. Many foreign production environments are more condensed than those in the U.S. and can foretell future domestic production issues. The BVA’s new policy position warns that routine, blanket … [Read more...]
USDA to build $750M sterile fly facility to combat New World screwworm spread
USDA is moving ahead with plans to build a sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base near Edinburg, Texas, to produce 300 million sterile flies to combat New World screwworm and reduce reliance on foreign sources. Source: Farm Progress, August 18, 2025. Link. Also see: Emergency use of animal drugs authorized for screwworms, BEEF, August 19, 2025. Link. HHS … [Read more...]
Tetanus creates problems for animals after storms
Because animal environments are commonly populated with Clostridium tetani, or tetanus, any wound can easily become contaminated at any time. However, caution is warranted in areas damaged by storms. Storm damages provide abnormal opportunities for horses, cattle and hogs to be injured and get a tetanus infection. Source: Feedstuffs, August 6, 2025. Link. Following a storm, … [Read more...]
Combine disease. A good reminder for livestock producers
Kevin Schulz shares an important reminder as crop harvesting season arrives. Whether swine, cattle or poultry, maintaining good observation of animals is critical despite the focus on gathering crops. Source: The Farmer, August 11, 2025. Link. You’re spending too much time on the combine and not enough time in the barns. You need to pay more attention to your sows, even … [Read more...]
Rural versus well water: What’s the impact on nursery pig performance?
Pipestone researchers found striking differences between rural and well water when used in pig nurseries. The use of rural water resulted in better health outcomes and more efficient growth. Pigs on rural water showed a 5 percent higher full-value rate and had a mortality rate of just 2.3 percent, compared to a 6 percent mortality rate in the group on well water. Source: … [Read more...]
Dehorning goats: the what and why
Goat horns and dehorning goats are controversial subjects, writes Patrice Lewis. She shares an assessment of the pros and cons of dehorning goats. Source: Goat Journal, March 2022. Link. Base the choice and technique to dehorn or not on ethical considerations, with pain management a strong factor.” – Patrice Lewis … [Read more...]
New video series targets foreign animal disease preparedness (video)
A new video series from the University of Vermont covers important topics for farm producers and industry allies about foreign animal disease preparedness and response. The 11 animated videos cover topics that are important for anyone involved in animal agriculture to understand. They combine science-based knowledge about disease spread with practical answers on how to … [Read more...]
Ramp up fly control or breathe through your teeth
Maggie Gilles provides a reminder all animal health pros need. Fly control begins with regular sanitation to remove manure and organic material from breeding areas. To increase effectiveness, it is important to implement one or more of the fly reduction approaches targeted to different life stages of the pesky flies. Stable flies and horn flies are the primary targets for … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 5, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 29, 2025. Link. Most read posts from May 29, 2025 AHD Bulletin – Building rapport key to getting a decision (video). Link. 20 common household items that are poisonous to dogs. Link. Regenerative therapy options for horses with osteoarthritis. Link. New World screwworm fact sheet from Texas … [Read more...]
New World screwworm fact sheet from Texas A&M
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts have released an updated fact sheet publication about the New World screwworm to provide livestock producers with key information about prevention, infestation and reporting of infestations. NOTE: Missouri screwworm report false, BEEF, May 27, 2025. Link. The USDA said the May 27th news … [Read more...]
Large animal internship guidelines emphasize mentorship, supervision, outcomes
It’s a first! AVMA’s Large Animal Hospital Internship Guidelines and Veterinary Large Animal Ambulatory Internship Guidelines outline the structure of a successful large animal internship for both scenarios, accounting for issues specific to working in such practices. Source: AVMA, April 28, 2025. Link. The internship guidelines say that such programs should be a one-year … [Read more...]
Reminder: Don’t bring home more than ribbons from shows
Fair and show season is here and Sophie Varner’s article reminds us of the importance of planning for animal biosecurity to protect our livestock investments before, during and after shows. The same goes for horses going to events or trail rides. AND . . . don’t forget to protect the pets that travel to shows and events. Veterinary teams can use Varner’s article as a … [Read more...]
Livestock producers, veterinarians urged to consider and manage Q fever zoonotic risk
Q fever is a highly contagious zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which infects cattle, goats, and sheep. It is found in an infected animal’s bodily fluids and excretions, such as placental tissues, amniotic fluid, urine, feces and milk. The main signs of infection in animals include abortion, infertility, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. C. … [Read more...]
Livestock producers concerned about diseases, uncertain about level of threat
Commentary Iowa is a top U.S. producer of red meat and eggs. The information here is likely representative of many livestock producers in the U.S. For veterinary teams and animal health pros serving owners of any herd or flock size, the research results are informative, concerning and actionable. We must dedicate ourselves to improving producer education on diseases and risk … [Read more...]
USDA develops resource to help veterinary professionals recognize, respond to screwworm
Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are important in recognizing New World screwworm should an invasion of Cochliomyia hominivorax, the New World screwworm fly, occur. To help in these efforts, the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program has developed the training module, Module 41: New World Screwworm: A 21st Century Perspective. It goes over signs of NWS, its life … [Read more...]
Improving productivity key to reducing antibiotic use in livestock
Commentary Seeing research and projections like these are important in managing the effects of livestock production practices domestically and globally. The information in this article is likely to elicit a “well duh” response from many animal health professionals. Regardless of species or country, improving adherence to best practices requires continual education and … [Read more...]
Sick sheep? Let us inspect their earwax.
Raye Walck, DVM, director of the Western Slope Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Colorado State University (CSU), shared a grim story with Lela Nargi. She recounts what Walck said happened in sheep from high-desert grazing lands in Grand Junction, Colorado. “I had a case a couple of years ago where these sheep came off the range and were brought into a dry lot situation, into … [Read more...]
USDA offers support to address rural veterinarian shortage
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently awarded more than two dozen Veterinary Services Grants totaling $3.8 million to universities and veterinary practices working to address shortages of food animal veterinary services across the nation in underserved areas. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 9, 2024. Link. … [Read more...]
Mexico notifies United States of New World Screwworm detection
Commentary The recent announcement that officials detected a New World Screwworm in Mexico brought memories of removing screwworms from baby rabbits, ducklings and newborn puppies in the late 1960s. These experiences make this situation a priority to share with animal health pros. Vigilant monitoring and managing fly populations is critical to avoiding the devastation … [Read more...]
First factory farm ban passes in Berkeley, California
Mostly symbolic, Measure DD’s passing in the city of Berkeley, California, may spur similar policies elsewhere in the United States. Advocates say large livestock facilities produce immense amounts of waste that can pollute water and spread disease, adding to human health risks. Source: Agricultural Dive, November 14, 2024. Link. INSIGHTS: A review of the city of Berkeley … [Read more...]
Midwest Food Bank getting hay to North Carolina farmers hit by Hurricane Helene
Midwest Food Bank is seeking volunteers and funds to transport hay to North Carolina livestock farmers struggling to secure enough feed for their cattle to survive the winter. To date, 650 large round alfalfa hay bales have been donated to Midwest Food Bank for this critical relief effort. Some shipments are already on their way. Volunteers are needed to transport the relief … [Read more...]