National Pork Month is celebrated every October and is often referred to as Porktober. It is a time to honor the hard work of pork producers and the delicious, versatile meat they provide. Dennis Smith shares his insights into the pork market and opportunities to promote pork as beef prices continue to rise. Source: National Hog Farmer, October 6, 2025. Link. Also see: … [Read more...]
Researchers using ‘eBeam’ to battle New World screwworm
Texas A&M AgriLife and the National Nuclear Security Administration are exploring safer alternatives to high-radioactivity technologies to address NWS and other invasive arthropods. The eBeam technology used to halt fly reproduction is a potentially safer alternative to high-radioactivity cobalt-60 gamma sterilization. Source: Farm Progress, October 7, 2025. Link. Texas … [Read more...]
Education, a necessity for veterinary-producer relationship creation and sustainability
Producers in small and medium livestock operations and veterinarians in rural veterinary practices experience similar barriers to establishing partnerships. Each group recognizes the need for education, preferring in-person, collaborative learning communities. Researchers from Texas A&M revealed five major themes regarding relationship barriers: a) time; b) financial … [Read more...]
Manage shrink to maximize revenue
Cattle shrink every time they are moved. Producers may not be able to do much about the price they get for their cattle, but they can minimize shrink, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Sorting, loading, hauling to a sale and standing without feed and water can result in body weight loss of 15 percent or more. Thomas explains two types of shrink a) excretory and b) tissue, noting … [Read more...]
Review: Generic versus pioneer drugs for cattle
This is a timely article as calves are being weaned, cows turned out on pasture or stalks and preparations for colder weather are underway. Andrea Bedford, PhD, details the rigors of NADA and ANADA products, where generic equivalents may differ and where they fit in decision-making for veterinarians and producers. Source: Bovine Practitioner, September 17, 2025. Link. The … [Read more...]
The coinfection conundrum
Commentary This article, while pig-focused, provides perspectives that may apply across species. Our industry often talks about immunosuppression which is a logical outcome when an animal is fighting more than one pathogen. For reference, one might remember the coinfection challenges with concurrent flu and Covid infections during the pandemic. The extra stress pigs face … [Read more...]
Dectomax-CA1 Injectable receives FDA conditional approval to control New World screwworm
Zoetis Inc. announced that Dectomax-CA1 Injectable (doramectin injection) is the first and only parasite control product to receive conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by the larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (myiasis), and prevention of reinfestation for 21 days. This conditional approval … [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...]
Zebra cows repel flies and win Ig Nobel Prize
Say what? Japanese researchers received the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize in biology for showing that black cows painted with white stripes repel flies better than their counterparts that didn’t look like zebras. Source: The Scientist, September 18, 2025. Link. Image credit: Tomoki Kojima et al., 2019, PLoS One, CC-BY 4.0 … [Read more...]
Advice for grazing beef-on-dairy calves
While beef-on-dairy calves outperform dairy calves for stocker and finishing systems, they require a different management and understanding when it comes to grazing. Unfamiliar with being a grazing animal, beef on dairy calves need to go through a two- to three-week receiving period, says Paul Beck, MS, MBA, PhD. This allows time for calves to adjust to new feeds, learn to … [Read more...]
Large litters, more pigs than teats; Is that a problem?
Pig survival to weaning age is challenging overall, but when a sow produces more pigs than she has teats, producers are challenged to keep pigs alive and doing well. The industry’s focus on increasing litter size has unintentionally led to an increase in the proportion of low birth-weight pigs and prewean death losses which approach 20 percent in some cases <Link>. In … [Read more...]
Rancher’s Lunch Time Series features Dr. Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson, an animal science professor at Oklahoma State University, will discuss “Selecting and managing replacement heifers for long-term success,” during a free webinar session at noon, Thursday, October 23. Source: OKState Animal & Food Sciences, Facebook, September 24, 2025. Register for the webinar series, ‘Cow Calf Corner Live,’ at this link. INSIGHTS: … [Read more...]
Innovation is a state of mind. 2025 Veterinary Innovation Summit overview.
We selected Gene O’Neill’s insights from the recent Veterinary Innovation Summit <Link> from the many postings shared by attendees. He shares perspectives on big issues that are critically important to move our industry forward and demonstrate the true value of veterinary medicine. Source: Gene O'Neill, LinkedIn, September 12, 2025. Link. O’Neill summarized four major … [Read more...]
Conditions associated with HPAI spreading to farms identified
Kimbra Cutlip’s article is a reminder that 1) wild bird migration is underway, 2) colder weather means more infections, 3) biosecurity reduces risk to animals and their caretakers, and 4) prevention strategies are beneficial and reduce strain on production economics. Source: Feedstuffs, September 10, 2025. Link. A recently published study in the journal One Health compared … [Read more...]
McDonald’s USA makes company’s largest-ever investment in regenerative agriculture through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Partnership
Beef has been at the core of McDonald’s menu and identity since it first opened its doors 70 years ago. McDonald's USA just announced its participation in an initiative that helps demonstrate its continued commitment to responsible beef sourcing and stewardship of natural resources. This initiative will invest more than $200 million over the next seven years to help promote … [Read more...]
Let’s review: Matching the drug to the bug to treat BRD
K. Shawn Blood, a Zoetis DVM, reviews the four most common classes of anti-infectives used in cattle treatments and their modes of action. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right anti-infective since respiratory disease is a complex disease system. He notes that many outside variables can negatively affect treatment outcomes. Source: Progressive Cattle, September … [Read more...]
From heart to skin to hair, ‘Replaceable You’ dives into the science of transplant
Science writer Mary Roach is fascinated by the human body, especially, she says, the "gooey bits and pieces of us that are performing miracles on a daily basis." She also shares why pigs help us keep achieving those miracles. Source: NPR’s Fresh Air, September 16, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Four worn out, unwelcome words or phrases in vet med
Wendy Hauser, DVM, shares four words used in veterinary medicine she thinks we should ban or use less frequently: Compliance Gold standard Standard of care Pet parent Source: Animal Health News and Views, September 2025. Link. . . . the sentiment behind pet parent normalizes the idea that pets are not property.” INSIGHTS: We agree and work diligently to refer … [Read more...]
Calf castration. The younger the better!
Sponsor Content When, why and the best modern practices for castration are the topics for the last segment in this week’s episode of Doc Talk with host Dan Thomson, MS, PhD, DVM. He explains the benefits of castrating calves in the first week of life compared to waiting until weaning, since the bull's testicles don’t produce testosterone until they hit seven to 10 months of … [Read more...]
Understanding probiotics and their role in dairy production [Podcast]
Sponsor Content In this podcast episode, Stephen Lerner, PhD, explains the science and practical applications for probiotics and enzymes in dairy farming. He says microbial solutions are becoming mainstream in dairy management, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional treatments, and transforming animal agriculture by improving gut health, feed efficiency, immune … [Read more...]
How a probiotic reduces mastitis by 40 percent
Research trials on transition cows deployed an intervaginal probiotic gel that uses lactic acid bacteria to prime, prepare and restore a lactating cow’s reproductive tract through the transition period. Initial data shows reduced cases of mastitis, pneumonia and overall health disorders. Source: American Agriculturist, September 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
From heart valves to crayons: The pig’s many gifts
October is Pork Month. Beyond their value as the most consumed animal protein in the world, Kevin Schulz shares other ways pigs contribute to our lives. Source: The Farmer, September 8, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
New World screwworm webinar recordings now available
APHIS webinar sessions designed for animal industry professionals, veterinarians and state animal health regulatory officials are now online. They offer details on the serious threat New World screwworms represent to livestock, wildlife and pets. Source: BEEF, August 29, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
2025 AAHA One Health guidelines: Navigating cross-disciplinary partnerships
Commentary This should be an eye-opening read for any animal health professional. My doctors have never asked ANY questions about pets in the home, nor do I know anyone whose doctors have done so. This indicates that reaching the level of collaboration described in the new 2025 AAHA One Health guidelines will take a Herculean effort. EVERY animal health pro can help with … [Read more...]
Salmonella strain infecting cattle and people is highly similar
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University investigated how strains of the pathogen Salmonella Dublin are evolving and spreading across humans, cattle and the environment in the U.S. Taking a broader One Health approach, they examined genomic differences and stability across strains over time and from different yet related sources. S. Dublin can cause severe illness and … [Read more...]
Dung beetles combat flies; insecticide overuse harms beetles
Another conundrum in the war against flies. Insecticides often used to kill face flies on cattle can be effective. But, they may increase the problem by killing dung beetles that naturally control the flies. Cornell University researchers have been studying how differing ingredients in feed-through insecticides impact beetle numbers. They offer their perspectives and share … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – September 4, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, August 28, 2025. Link. Most read posts from August 28, 2025 AHD Bulletin – KC Animal Health Corridor Summit and initiative posts. Link-1 and Link-2 July VetWatch® commentary. Link. Everyone’s a coach. Link. Recognizing the early signs of joint disease (video). Link. The joy of sharing life … [Read more...]
20th annual Summit showcases startups, industry leaders, future of animal care
Snoretox captured the 2025 Animal Health Summit’s Innovation Award for its promising therapy, modeled after Botox therapy, to treat brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, a condition that affects short-snouted breeds. The innovations panel spotlighted feline medicine, telehealth and AI as forces that will affect clinical practice and reshape veterinary care. Keynote … [Read more...]
Preconditioning pay$
A quote from a March 2022 post remains top of mind, “Preconditioning starts when the calf hits the ground.” It’s truly a “Begin with the end in mind” statement. Many preconditioning articles can be found in the AHD archives <Link>. It’s no surprise to see the topic in media several times a year and considering a calf’s economic value, it is no wonder. In this article, … [Read more...]
First lung transplant from gene-edited pig performed in China
A 39-year-old brain-dead person in China has become the first human to receive a lung from a pig. With consent from the person’s family, researchers took the organ from a CRISPR’d pig, trimmed it, and stitched it into the chest, where it remained for nine days. Experts stress there is a long way to go before pig lungs can be used in patients. Source: The Guardian, August 25, … [Read more...]