Poop-to-pots are not a gimmick. Freund’s Farm, a Connecticut dairy operation is using digested, then composted manure as the fiber component to make disposable flowerpots. The farm has sold millions of CowPots over the years. They make 14 different sizes, ranging from 3-inch starter squares to large round pots that are 17 inches in diameter. Source: American … [Read more...]
The cute factor is almost too much to resist
Janet Garman shares what to know when buying baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies. There is a lot to consider before making an impulse decision. Those cute little balls of fluff are a lifetime commitment, at least the expected lifetime of the animal.” – Janet Garman Source: Backyard Poultry, March 29, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider sharing this article on social media and in … [Read more...]
Guard donkeys, an experiment in the defense against wolves
Colorado ranchers and wildlife advocates are carefully watching Don Gittleson’s experiment with donkey as defenders. He would prefer to shoot the wolves which is illegal under federal and state law. The hope is the donkeys will make his herd a tougher target for local wolves. Source: CPR News, March 23, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Large breed dogs and llamas have been used for … [Read more...]
Current HPAI is spreading in American birds, may be here to stay
Scientists believe the current flu virus seems capable of hanging around in populations of wild birds, which can pass the virus on to poultry farms. More than 40 wild bird species in more than 30 states have tested positive. This strain of bird flu virus has turned up in everything from crows to pelicans to bald eagles.” Source: NPR, April 9, 2022. Link. So far, the risk to … [Read more...]
Over-the-counter access to antibiotics is going away
Medically important antibiotics in feed and water were removed from OTC channels when the Veterinary Feed Directive was implemented in 2017. The first phase of the VFD regulations did not address OTC antibiotics delivered via other methods like injectables, boluses and intramammary mastitis tubes. . . . the FDA has issued a new directive to bring all OTC drugs under veterinary … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 7, 2022
Last week’s most read AHD posts How to follow up with someone who’s not getting back to you. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Link. =================================== Feral pigs are biological time bombs. Can California stem their ‘exponential’ damage? Source: Los Angeles Times, April 1, … [Read more...]
Smithfield Foods awarded for net-zero, operational excellence projects
Despite criticism about carbon footprints, sustainability, factory farming and various waste concerns, animal production giant Smithfield Foods is making gains via its daily pursuit of operational excellence. Smithfield Foods, Inc. was awarded 2022 Manufacturing Leadership Awards by the Manufacturing Leadership Council, a division of the National Association of … [Read more...]
Bulls, time to go to work
Spring calving is well underway. Producers are focused on saving new calves and attending to the momma cows’ health. Away from all this commotion are the bulls, some old, some new. They’ve been maintained but are they ready to perform. Bull health and conditioning is critical to the next generation of offspring. Heather Smith Thomas shares the importance of transitioning … [Read more...]
Controlling parasites in sheep and goats
The development of dewormer resistance to nearly all three available anthelmintic classes is common in sheep and goats. Resistance has risen due to anthelmintics being used often, rotated too frequently, underdosed or using the cattle labelled dose. Sheep and goats metabolize the dewormer quicker than cattle, so their dosage is higher than cattle. Resistance makes control … [Read more...]
From freshening to dry off keep cows and calves cool
Despite snow drifts and frozen ground in some areas, it’s not too early to plan to avoid heat stress. The U.S. dairy industry loses $1.5 billion annually due to heat stress. The authors share tips for the whole herd. With afternoon humidity of 60-70 percent and temperatures at 75-77°F, cows may already begin to experience the effects of heat stress.” Source: Dairy Business, … [Read more...]
Considering HPAI and highly pathogenic diseases (podcast)
There are animal health pros who will never deal with poultry or fowl. However, a recent interview with Mark Bienhoff, DVM, can help all of us understand the challenges, risks and prevention strategies required when dealing with highly pathogenic animal diseases. He shares his perspectives on likely fomites including: People and vehicle traffic Dust particles Viral … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 31, 2022
Last week’s most read posts – we have a tie! It’s National Pet Poison Prevention Week. Link. Solutions to toxic situations. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Link. =================================== Survey: 1 in 5 pet owners had pet recommended by health professional Source: Petfood Industry, … [Read more...]
Healthy pastures are the foundation for health herds
Complimentary Sponsored Content Providing abundant, quality grazing influences productivity in ways both obvious and subtle. Sound pasture management is as important as a good vaccine protocol or feed and mineral program. Yet it is often overlooked.” - Jeff Clark, Corteva Source: The Bullvine, March 2, 2022. Link. Nutrition to support body condition can come from a bale or … [Read more...]
Bovine respiratory disease remains a threat economically and to the herd itself
Bovine respiratory disease is still a serious threat to the economics of beef production accounting for $800 to 900 million in losses from death loss, treatment cost, and reduced production, writes Paul Beck. Better antibiotics, better genetics and better feeding practices help, but BRD seems to hit the best cattle in the later days of finishing, including those from … [Read more...]
Scientists decode pig emotions from their sounds
Swine language is the new talk of the town. Researchers in Europe recorded 7,414 sounds from 411 pigs in different scenarios from birth to death. They also measured heart rate and monitored behavior. The researchers then developed an algorithm to determine if pigs were experiencing a positive or negative emotion or something in between. Due to the impact of emotions on … [Read more...]
How eggs get their color
Easter egg coloring is still popular. Coloring can be done a variety of ways including choosing different breeds of chickens. Source: Backyard Poultry, July 4, 2021. Link. Also see: Do hens need roosters to lay eggs? Hobby Farms, March 16, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Best temperatures for chicks, keeping them healthy and more
Baby chicks need heat without their mother hens, says Marissa Ames. Over the years we’ve shared various resources about baby chick care, stewardship and care. A few of those links are listed here. Much of the information is evergreen and applicable as people bring home chicks and ducklings this spring. Sources: It’s all about the heat, Backyard Poultry, February 26, … [Read more...]
Protocols without training aren’t enough
Having a well-written protocol is not sufficient for successful performance, writes Gonzola Ferreira. Highlighting the importance of training, she asserts a no training approach cannot be successful if economic losses occur because tasks are performed inefficiently or ineffectively, or if an employee suffers an accident due to a lack of training. This article is applicable … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 24, 2022
Last week’s most read post Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Link. =================================== Click here for a free 7-day trial --> Link #TalkatooTerry Your dog can go vegan – but cats are natural born killers Source: The Guardian, … [Read more...]
Tips to reduce dairy farm expenses
Dairy veterinarians are often asked about cost reductions. Certainly, fuel prices now add more cost to equipment and cost of goods requiring transportation. Making small financial changes can certainly add up to big savings. The author shares where to focus to help shave some costs while maintaining production levels and producing high-quality milk. Source: The Bullvine, … [Read more...]
Nose flaps helpful for low stress weaning
Cattle producers using nose flaps on calves at weaning say they are the least stressful way to wean calves. Inserted in the nostrils the flap hangs down over nose and mouth preventing the calf from nursing. Flaps do not restrict calves from eating grass or drinking water. The flaps are reusable as well, spreading the costs over multiple calf crops. Source: Angus Journal, … [Read more...]
Early lactation cows need personal space
“Any health challenge in early lactation is a concern,” says Trevor DeVries, PhD. He discusses the importance of space including: room to lie down feed bunk space of 30 inches per cow 120 to 150 square feet of bedding space water in multiple places with minimum of 4 inches of drinking space per cow Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, March 17, 2022. Link. Any setbacks at … [Read more...]
Before they buy that farm store goat
Local farm stores have added goats to the chicks and ducklings they sell this time of year. As cute as they are, there are important considerations before taking a goat home. The articles here speak to diligence, veterinary involvement and legal considerations for potential goat owners. Sources: What to Know Before You Buy a Goat, Backyard Goats. June 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Ambulatory assistants add value for farm-call DVMs
Twenty-plus years ago, an equine veterinarian shared his troubles with keeping inventory, invoices, medical records and follow-ups current. The discussion led me to suggest he consider hiring a person to be his shadow. A few months later, he called to say thank you. He said the assistant had captured more than double the wages in lost charges alone in the first 90 days. Amy … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 17, 2022
Last week’s most read post Gen Z wants this more than flexibility at work. Link. Last week’s AHD Bulletin Animal Health Digest Bulletin, Thursday, March 10, 2022. Link. =================================== Delta variant of COVID-19 found in cat Source: My Vet Candy, March 11, 2022. Link. This apparent interspecies transmission is the first published example … [Read more...]
Benefits and challenges with multi-species grazing
Land use and stewardship are two of the hot topics producers and landowners face. Adaptive grazing with more than one species of livestock can multiply regenerative benefits, shape landscape, and add income to operations. Source: Noble Research Institute. Link. Adaptive grazing uses higher livestock densities for short durations between long periods of rest to allow complete … [Read more...]
Scheduling castration for bull calves
For bull calves, there’s no good time for castration. In today’s market however, producers use castration as a key component to any preconditioning program. Neutering can greatly influence market price premiums or discounts. Despite common perceptions, numerous studies have shown weaning weights are similar for bulls and steers. 62 percent of commercial cow-calf herds used … [Read more...]
The bottle beats the bucket for winter watering
Simply feeding milk or milk replacer isn’t enough in developing calves. Their rumens need a separate source of pure water to feed the fermentation process that promotes rumen development. Research in a 5-week comparison period found calves getting water by a bottle consumed an average of 1.4 quarts of water per day, compared to 0.2 quarts for the bucket group. Source: Dairy … [Read more...]
Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground
Opinion Stocker operators and feedlots want matched sets of calves that are weaned, castrated, dehorned, familiar with water and feed sources and immunocompetent. Calves born now will be weaned in seven months, but could be weaned much earlier <Link>. Therefore, the colostrum intake first 48 hours after calving could be considered the first step to having … [Read more...]
Gene-edited beef cattle get regulatory clearance in U.S.
The cattle cleared by the FDA have genes altered with CRISPR technology giving them short, slick coats that let them more easily withstand hot weather. Cattle that aren’t stressed by heat might pack on weight more easily, making for more efficient meat production.” Source: ABC, March 7, 2022. Link. U.S. food regulators said short-haired cattle produced through gene editing … [Read more...]