Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University animal science professor and Extension reproduction specialist, offers sound advice for cow/calf producers and those who serve them. Veterinarians working with producers on VFD can include a calving season review as part of a management practices discussion. Retail associates, dealers, distributor and manufacturer reps might consider … [Read more...]
Breed cows to match forage resources
“The beef industry is on an unsustainable path because aggressively selecting for enhanced mature size, muscle and milk potential isn’t necessarily good for the commercial operation given typical forage resources,” said David Lalman, Oklahoma State University extension beef cattle specialist. He says we need to do a better job of breeding cows to match forage resources found on … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Dairy heat stress
The combination of heat and humidity can compromise a cow’s ability to get rid of excess body heat. Cooling systems and heat abatement programs are important, but even with routine summertime diet and cooling techniques in place, a cow can experience physiological changes with which she cannot cope. Source: Dairy Herd Management, June 28, 2016. Link to TechMix – Dairy Heat … [Read more...]
Mini bull riding growing in popularity
Bull riding has a new miniaturized version in the Miniature Bull Riders Association. Young bull riders participate on mini bulls, competing all over the U.S. Bull Riding for Kids is one of the fastest growing sports in rodeo. Source: Professional Bull Riders Association, February 25, 2016. The PBR recently became the presenting sponsor of the Miniature Bull Riders (MBR) … [Read more...]
Effects of shade and feeding zilpaterol hydrochloride to finishing steers
Zilpaterol hydrochloride, or Zilmax®, is a beta-agonist approved to be fed to finishing cattle the last 21 days of the feeding period. Researchers wanted to determine if feeding Zilmax to finishing cattle affected response to heat stress, mobility and body temperature, performance, or carcass characteristics when fed in the open or in shaded pens. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
Nationwide tail docking ban coming soon
Gerard Kramer, DVM, University of Minnesota, discusses alternatives to tail docking. The National FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program is set to ban tail docking nationwide January 1, 2017. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 2016. Page 27. Dr. Kramer discusses the advantages and disadvantages of three alternatives to managing tail switches: … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science
For your convenience we have linked to the table of contents from the latest issue of the Journal of Dairy Science. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, July 2016, Volume 99, Issue 7, p4999-5965. … [Read more...]
Meet Wayne Pacelle
To some in the animal welfare community, Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, is equivalent to Prince Charming. To some in livestock production, he’s Satan incarnate. Dan Murphy shares Pacelle’s own words in this five-part series. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, June 10, 2016. When I started in 2004, I told the [HSUS] board that the … [Read more...]
Growth implants can help yearling stockers
Using an effective strategy and technique, implanting yearling stocker cattle going to grass can be efficacious and nearly guaranteed avenue to add value, says Ken Olson, South Dakota State University Extension. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, June 10, 2016. Proper implanting procedures are critical to ensure full effectiveness of the implant to accomplish this economic … [Read more...]
World Pork Expo photo gallery
Networking, showcasing innovation and educating are the mainstays of the World Pork Expo. This year was no exception. This photo gallery offers a flavor of the festivities. You may see some folks you know. I did. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 10, 2016. World Pork Expo’s extensive trade show makes it easy to shop and compare new products and technologies for use on the … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Benefits of an isotonic protein drink for pigs
This piece offers high-level look at recent field trials conducted by Tonsity on the impact of incorporating an isotonic protein drink for pigs into today’s swine production practices. Source: National Hog Farmer, June 9, 2016. Very few studies have been published to show the benefits of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) in swine. Historically, the principles of ORT — simple … [Read more...]
Misconceptions of low-stress handling
Low-stress livestock handling (LSLH) is one of many terms used to describe production animal management. Whit Hubbard attempts to clear up misconceptions about LSLH. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 30, 2016. LSLH is about the proper pressure applied at the proper angle and time which results in clear and consistent communication, so the animals understand and willingly … [Read more...]
Trial results: calcium supplement for improvement of health in dairy cows in early lactation
Prophylactic calcium supplementation immediately after calving is a common strategy to prevent clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of an injected calcium supplement on blood calcium concentration at 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment, incidence risk of clinical … [Read more...]
5 freedoms guide animal welfare regulations
Farm animal welfare remains a hot topic. Gabriele Maier, resident veterinarian, with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, provides a reminder of the five freedoms that guide animal welfare standards. She also offers the National Agricultural Law Center’s web page where you can look up regulations in your own state. Source: Progressive Cattleman, June 2016. The five … [Read more...]
Celebrate National Dairy Month
June is National Dairy Month. There are many ways folks celebrate. It’s likely a dairy practice or customer has an activity going on. Here’s a list of Dairy Month activities for most states. Find out what’s going on in your area. Source: DairyGood by Dairy Management Inc. We’ve highlighted a number of events below from MOOvie nights to dairy galas. Click your state for more … [Read more...]
Diet reduces the chance of milk fever in goats
After birth, goats must provide large amounts of calcium with their milk. Does normally have enough calcium reserves in their bones. But, if a doe has been on a high-calcium diet during her dry period, her body may “forget” how to mobilize those reserves. If that happens, blood calcium levels may drop and result in milk fever. Source: Purina Mills. You can help address milk … [Read more...]
New edition of NRC for beef cattle released
Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition has just been released and is available from The National Academies Press website. Commonly called the Beef NRC, the new edition has been in the works since 2000. The cattle industry has undergone considerable changes and some recommendations in edition seven are no longer relevant. Source: Beef, May 17, 2016. In … [Read more...]
Clean dairy calves are healthy calves
Keeping dairy calves healthy is easier when their exposure to harmful bacteria is limited. Even when they’re exposed and don’t become sick, it takes valuable energy to fight off disease, according to Christie Underwood, PhD, Purina calf and heifer specialist. Source: Purina Mills. To look beyond the surface and truly analyze the cleanliness of your facility, there are four … [Read more...]
First-class calf management equals lifetime of herd production
The basics of dairy calf management never go out of style. Liz Cox, M.S., DVM, with Merck Animal Health, offers the ABCs of calf care from day one to full production. This is a good refresher for old hands and a sound foundation for new employees, especially those new to the dairy business. Source: Dairy Business, May 2016, page 24. Cattle learn from interactions with … [Read more...]
Elk serve as perpetual brucellosis reservoir
Teddy Roosevelt, “the conservation president,” could not have anticipated the overlaps in wild herds and commercial livestock populations today. Nor could he have known that elk would carry brucellosis so well. One has to wonder about the elk herd expansion efforts taking place in the lower Missouri and Ohio drainages given these research findings. Source: Drovers … [Read more...]
Preconditioned calves are profitable
Proactively managing calf health pays dividends. We’ve been beating this drum for decades. Like BVD management, a critical component of pre-conditioning, we still have a long way to go, asserts Greg Henderson, editorial director. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, May 2016, page 31. Preconditioning your calves is a no-brainer. It makes money for everybody in the chain and … [Read more...]
More on VFD
The veterinary feed directive gets more explanation in two articles in this issue. The dynamics of veterinarian and nutritionist interactions are presented along with veterinarians’ perspectives on continuing industry progress. Source: Beef Vet, Summer 2016. With a consumer base that’s increasing removed from food production, yet relentlessly interested in it, the VFD could … [Read more...]
Pseudorabies discovered on Missouri hog farm
Officials destroyed about 100 hogs on a Callaway County, Missouri hog farm after the herd tested positive for pseudorabies. Feral hogs are suspected to have exposed the herd to the disease, which affects a pig’s central nervous system. Source: Pork Network, May 13, 2016. In this particular herd, testing came back as serologically positive and the decision was made to … [Read more...]
Colostrum valuable at transition
The benefits of mom’s milk, in promoting long-term health and optimal physiological development, do not end with the first feeding of colostrum, says Mike Van Amburgh, Cornell University professor of animal science. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 29, 2016. Van Amburgh advised the following colostrum delivery regimen for the first four days of life: First-milking … [Read more...]
Rumen drinking harmful to calves
Rumen drinking is caused by failure of the reticular groove reflex and results in rumen acidosis in calves on a liquid diet. Source: American Dairyman, May 2016, page 13. There are a number of conditions that can make calves more susceptible to rumen drinking caused by failure of esophageal groove closure including: Neonatal diarrhea Irregular feeding times … [Read more...]
World’s largest livestock vessel
This is one big boat! Learn about a new ship that can haul thousands of live cattle or sheep around the world. Will bigger really be better? Source: The Stock Exchange, April 28, 2016. The ninety million dollar (U.S.) vessel has the capacity to transport 20,000 cattle or 75,000 sheep or a combination of both, and is suited to trans-hemisphere routes. It has enough fuel to … [Read more...]
Lameness not inevitable in confined dairy cows
Cow comfort and well-being of animals in dairy production is a frequent topic. Some have suggested that cows in larger herds are more prone to injury and lameness. This study sheds some light on the topic. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, May 8,2016. (abstract only) Overall, physical well-being characteristics of this selection of high-producing, free stall-housed dairy … [Read more...]
Meat Institute releases Temple Grandin-narrated ‘Glass Walls’ video
The North American Meat Institute released a new Dr. Temple Grandin-narrated "Glass Walls" video shot in a lamb processing plant. The video is the latest in a series of videos that seeks to shine a light on animal care and handling processes used in meat packing plants. Other "Glass Walls" videos focus on beef, pork and turkey plants. The series has generated more than a 1.2 … [Read more...]
Keep backyard chickens healthy
A backyard chicken boom is in full swing. Just like large-scale operations, disease prevention is critical to keep chickens and their human keepers healthy. Most veterinarians aren’t familiar with chicken care. VFD regulations affect treatment options in small flocks just as they do in larger ones. In both instances, preventing disease is a best practice. Source: The Poultry … [Read more...]
Shorten the breeding season
This quote says it all, “While the use of estrous synchronization and AI will increase time and labor for cow-calf producers, there is great value to capture.” Veterinary teams and representatives serving cow/calf producers will gain a deeper understanding of the economics of herd bulls compared to artificial insemination from this article. As veterinarians meet with producers … [Read more...]