Early-season drought conditions across much of the country have affected the hay supply. Beyond basic availability, there are concerns about nutritional value, dependability of the hay source and what is in hay bought from an outside source. Whether buying hay for horses or cattle, there are important considerations to get the quality and value animals need. The five … [Read more...]
Dewormer classes for small ruminants
The Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program offers a variety of resources for the growing number of people raising goats and sheep. The links shared here provide infographics on dewormers and include various brands. Source: Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program, Facebook. Link. Dewormer classes for small ruminants. <Link-1>, <Link-2>. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Recap of 2023 Animal Care & Handling Conference
Conference sessions touched on everything from advances in stunning methods to concerns for animal transportation to regulatory updates during the recent conference held in Kansas City, Missouri May 25th – 26th. Source: Meat+Poultry, May 30, 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Monitoring information on high/low stocking densities in livestock transport trailers should interest … [Read more...]
Sheep as urban lawn mowers touted to improve environmental and human health (video)
Besides keeping lawns neatly trimmed, sheep have proven to be a powerful mood boost for students, staff, faculty and visitors on the campus of the University of California at Davis. Sheepmowers provide environmentally-friendly and cost-effective landscape maintenance, while also reducing stress and promoting human mental health and well-being” Source: Medium, May 24, 2023. … [Read more...]
Goats can help control eastern red cedar invasion
Nebraska farmer Mike Wallace sent families of goats to pasture with his herd of cows and sheep and found the goats help control invasive cedar trees economically. The average goat will consume as much as 20 percent of its diet as cedar trees. Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a native invasive species of tree that causes problems on rangeland and in pastures. Grass … [Read more...]
And the green grass grows all around . . . but wait!
Spring! Pastures and hayfields are greening up. Lush stands of grass push skyward after a nice rain. A few seed heads start to develop and our noses get ready for that smell of the first cutting of hay. But wait . . . upon closer inspection, “oh no, ergot [ur-guht]!” Ergot is a fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that contaminates rye and wheat and produces substances called … [Read more...]
5 pet food brands being talked about
Includes Commercial Content Surveys of independent pet store owners revealed the top pet food brands they say are doing well in their stores: Fromm Family Foods Stella & Chewy’s Primal Pet Foods Zignature Northwest Naturals Goat milk received an honorable mention. Source: Pet Product News, May 2023. Link. INSIGHTS: Pet food questions are … [Read more...]
Guidelines for vaccines and antibiotic management in goats
While a niche in the U.S. veterinary world, multiple vaccines, antibiotic brands and other products are available specifically for goats, writes Jaclyn Krymowski. She shares information for goat owners which may also inform veterinary teams who rarely see goats and other caprines. Source: Backyard Goat, March 24, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
DVM answers questions about FDA antibiotic prescription requirement
This article by Craig Payne, DVM, MS, is a good one to share with livestock producers, backyard poultry and goat owners, horse owners and beekeepers to explain the changes in how antibiotics can be accessed after June 11th. Payne answers a few questions producers may have about the latest antibiotic guidance from the FDA. The final phase of FDA’s implementation of the … [Read more...]
Miniature goats in the city
The self-sufficiency movements are bringing more farm animals into backyards. Farm stores often have mini goats for sale alongside chicks, ducks and rabbits during the Easter season. Jenny Rose Ryan discusses some of the boundaries and opportunities for including miniature goats in the city. For those with a decent-sized city lot a bit of know-how about local zoning and … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from March 2nd AHD Bulletin – Vet Watch Insight Report. 8.5 percent YTD practice revenue growth, other improvements. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. 10 most popular articles of 2022 from HBR’s Working Knowledge … [Read more...]
Properly test water sources before turnout
Producers need to check water sources for total dissolved solids and levels of sulfates, pH and nitrates before turning cattle out this spring. Routine testing is advised as water quality fluctuates throughout the growing season. Drifting snow and topsoil during winter also affect water quality. Low-quality water can reduce animal health and productivity, while high-quality … [Read more...]
Animal health efforts DO reduce need for antibiotics
Animal health and nutrition companies are constantly working on ways to improve animal health and provide antibiotic-free alternatives for use in animal feed. Global sales of antibiotics for veterinary use are down nearly one-third since 2011, according to the World Organization for Animal Health with some major livestock-producing countries in Europe, as well as the United … [Read more...]
5 key principles for composting farm waste
Spring weather will soon thaw frozen manure piles leaving producers with decisions about handling the manure effectively. Beyond a simple pile of manure, composting should be thought of as the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions, says Brian Dougherty. He explains the nuances of getting moisture, oxygen level, particle size, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 16, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 9, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 9th AHD Bulletin – Studying PRRS virus and its ability to percolate through soils. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Zoetis provides perspective, resources to transition OTC antimicrobials … [Read more...]
Rodent control as we know it may change
Upcoming legislation could cause agriculture to lose access to important products that control rodents throughout production, processing, storage and retail phases of food production. PORK editor Jennifer Shike shares the viewpoints of industry spokespersons. EPA’s proposal is quite wide-ranging, and it is going to impact any user of rodenticides and how rodenticides are … [Read more...]
Dairy herd size keeps climbing
Changing economics and shrinking margins on dairy’s home front have been strong drivers in herd demographics throughout the United States. Cory Geiger shares some of the history of herd growth going back to a 1992 census of licensed dairies. In just 8 years, U.S. herd size has gone from 200 to over 300 cows per herd.” – Cory Geiger Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 10, 2023. … [Read more...]
K-State researchers show value of adding shade to cattle pens
Cattle seek shade, use breezes and their respiration to blow off as much heat as they can on hot days Sometimes that’s not enough. A.J. Tarpoff, DVM, and a team at Kansas State University conducted a multiyear trial researching how shade structures in pens can help cattle in high heat events. Data from the ongoing study shows cows with available shade had an increase in … [Read more...]
Animal Health International’s online resource site for GFI 263
Complimentary Content AHI’s new online resource center seeks to help animal health professionals prepare for the upcoming OTC to Rx transition, also known as GFI 263. It contains a robust FAQ section, a condensed timeline of the history of FDA action on antimicrobial resistance, a list of manufacturer products designated for prescription labeling and more. Source: Animal … [Read more...]
Cultivating veterinarian and producer relationships, the veterinarians’ perspective
Surveying a large group of rural, large animal veterinarians about what makes a great relationship between a veterinarian and livestock owner, Meredyth Jones, DVM, MS, DACVIM, found 10 common themes worth noting. Consider sharing this article and list with producer customers. It will strengthen expectations and the veterinary-client relationship and benefit the animals.” – AHD … [Read more...]
Silvopasture; forest stewardship meet animal agriculture.
Silvopasture is a regenerative farming method involving the deliberate integration of trees and livestock grazing on the same land. It is one of five forms of agroforestry, and the only one that includes livestock. It is considered a sustainable method of rearing livestock because grazing animals benefit the forested environment and vice versa. Silvopastures can be … [Read more...]
The costs of buying, caring for and feeding goats
Goat life spans are similar to dogs and are kept for a variety of reasons. Marissa Ames offers a comprehensive look at the various costs of acquiring and keeping goats for pets, meat, milk and weed control. Source: Backyard Goats, December 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Is it safe to feed Christmas trees to livestock?
Lancaster Farming features Penn State Extension Livestock Educator Chelsea Hill’s article about feeding Christmas trees to livestock. She shares safety and health tips about using them as feed. Source: Lancaster Farming, December 13, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Clarifying the recission of the FDA VCPR waiver
The Veterinary Virtual Care Association explains how the FDA’s rescission of the Covid-era waiver to agency regulations concerning the VCPR may affect practices and their clients. Source: VVCA, December 28, 2022. Link. This is not a new FDA policy, but simply a federal agency rescission of the COVID-era waiver pertaining to a regulation instituted decades ago. The … [Read more...]
Dairy industry posts lowest positive drug residue yet; sets new standard
Data from the National Milk Drug Residue Database website dates back to 1994 and represents 99 percent of the U.S. milk supply. A recent report showed only 424 out of 3,879,182 samples tested positive for an animal drug residue. This is lowest positive test rate in the history of the program and it is also the fifth consecutive year fewer than 600 milk samples tested positive … [Read more...]
How to keep goats warm in cold weather
Successfully keeping goats in the coldest conditions and climates is possible. It requires acclimation, nutrition, and habitation. Herdsmen also prepare housing to keep goats warm in cold weather and select sturdy breeds ahead of the season. Source: Backyard Goats, November 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Hay quality benefits from protection, proper storage practices
NOTE: This article is a conversation starter at coffee shops or restaurants where producers meet routinely. It is good leave-behind information and makes good content for social media and newsletters. Stewardship of harvested forage is as important as producing it in the first place.” This year’s hay supplies are down six percent year over year <Link> making taking care … [Read more...]
Antibiotics for livestock become prescription-only in 2023. Are you ready?
Sandy Stuttgen reviews the changes when the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine plan for supporting veterinary antimicrobial stewardship will be fully implemented. As of January 1, 2023, all remaining over-the-counter antibiotics are switched to prescription-only status. The VCPR is the key that unlocks the medicine cabinet. Source: Swineweb, December 2, 2022. Link. Under … [Read more...]
Training pack goats
Goats are almost the most ideally suited animal for packing, says Jaclyn Krymowski. Their moderate frame size and cloven hooves mean they can access rugged places horses and mules can’t. Plus, they have a natural walking pace like people. As browsers, they leave less environmental impact behind them. Source: Backyard Goats, October 5, 2022. Link. Pack goats are not limited … [Read more...]
GFI #263 – understanding new rules for livestock antibiotics
University of Idaho Extension Educator Carmen Willmore helps animal health pros understand the new rules surrounding livestock antibiotics. By rule, commonly used over-the-counter antimicrobials will require a prescription from a veterinarian as part of a valid VCPR. GFI #263 is slated for final implementation on June 11, 2023. Source: Animal Health International, INSIGHT, … [Read more...]