Comparing the management approaches between beef and dairy calves, Kansas State University experts revealed opportunities for beef calf producers to learn from how dairy calves are raised. Regardless of the production system, early digestive development is key to future performance, shared Billy Brown, MS. “Whether a calf is on pasture or in a hutch, getting the rumen … [Read more...]
Essential tips to optimize cow comfort in the holding area
If you get uncomfortable waiting in line for a concert or sports event, think about cows doing something similar two or more times per day. The importance of crowd gate management cannot be overstated, writes Shaun Hardtke. Cow flow should be smooth and calm, with no unnecessary crowding or rushing in the holding area. He reminds us that cow comfort is the ultimate priority … [Read more...]
CDC ends emergency response to H5N1 bird flu
“As reports of animal infections with avian influenza A virus have declined and no human cases have been reported since February 2025, CDC’s H5N1 emergency bird flu response was deactivated to transition back to regular program activity on July 2, 2025.” Source: CNN, July 7, 2025. Link. Surveillance, readiness and response for influenza, including H5N1 bird flu, will … [Read more...]
Timing BRD vaccines likely improves calf health, performance
A comprehensive review article published in Applied Animal Science examines vaccination strategies across three critical phases of cattle development: maternal vaccination during pregnancy, early calf vaccination from birth through branding (60 to 120 days of age), and vaccination timing around weaning (approximately 205 days). The study found that current vaccination … [Read more...]
“If we wait, we lose.” Screwworm coming for U.S. beef
Fresh on the heels of bird flu, the New World screwworm is rattling Agriculture Department officials and livestock producers more than any threat in 50 years. This is because few believe we’re equipped to handle an outbreak of screwworm. Once eradicated from the U.S., screwworm has returned, similarly as has measles. A natural barrier and sound management practices once kept … [Read more...]
Synthetic bait, insecticide designed to attract adult screwworm flies being deployed
Swormlure-5, created using modern science and built upon previous versions, is a potent synthetic attractant that mimics the scent of open wounds, drawing adult screwworm flies to the bait, where they die, according to Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner, who is quoted in this article. Source: Bovine Practitioner, July 2025, 2025. Link. The attractant only impacts … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 31, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 24, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 24, 2025 AHD Bulletin – The stares we can’t ignore. Link. Decoding pet insurance: Navigate policies, client questions (podcast). Link. Improve employee communications by these 9 phrases. Link. Difficult customers. Link. Hunter ticks and pathogen … [Read more...]
Hunter ticks and pathogen transmission variables
The quest to better understand ticks continues. We shared longhorned tick information in the July 17 AHD Bulletin <Link>. Speaking at the AVMA conference last week, Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, DACVM, shared a range of tactics that affect how quickly ticks can spread disease. The overview differentiates the methods tick species use to find a host and factors that influence … [Read more...]
County fair, starter calf, high school friends. It takes community
Here’s a feel-good story where friends, animals and lending a hand come together. Memphis Luginbill, who is 18 years old and 17-year-old Cooper Steele are good friends. Memphis has cerebral palsy, but he wanted to raise a calf to show at the county fair. This year, Cooper helped make it happen. Source: Wane 15, July 21, 2025. Link. Memphis placed first in his division and … [Read more...]
Camel walks again with prosthetic leg
A camel in Pakistan is learning how to walk on a prosthetic leg developed by workers at an animal shelter. It is thought to be the largest animal in the country to get a prosthetic limb. Source: BBC, July 20, 2025 (short video) Link. … [Read more...]
Calving difficulty and earlier age at first calving reduce milk yield
Commentary Production research and measurements are tedious and fascinating. Research often allows producers to fine-tune their animal management processes to optimize production and animal welfare. With a little help from veterinarians and animal health pros, dairy producers will appreciate learning about the research shared here. Two takeaways stand out. Heifers … [Read more...]
Dealing with pasture lameness
Producers are well into the summer grazing months when many “turn ‘em out to let them grow.” Among the things that need monitoring are grass height, fly load, supplement availability and lameness. J. Tarpoff, DVM, MS, reviews some of the common causes of lameness and the key differences between the clinical signs in this article. The estimates of 88 percent to 92 percent of … [Read more...]
H5N1 bird flu takes major toll on dairy herds
Managing different elements of production on dairies occupies a lot of content in livestock and veterinary publications. Like fine-tuning a race car, multiple factors affect production outcomes. In this article, Laura Reiley shares how H5N1 affects cows gleaned from a new paper published by a team of Cornell researchers. Bird flu causes severe mastitis and decreased milk … [Read more...]
4 ways feral hogs cost farmers and ranchers
It’s easy to know if feral hogs are on one’s land, according to Curtis Larson, Noble Research Institute ranch manager. “You can see exactly where they’re rooting up the pasture, going for stuff in the ground, grub worms and such,” he says. The critters cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage yearly to land across the U.S. They now number about nine million in 36 states. … [Read more...]
New World screwworm webinar to take place July 30
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture Council of Animal Disease Issues and Emergency Management is hosting a webinar at 2:00 p.m. CDT on July 30 to explore the threat of NWS as a public threat. Dr. Anne Strailly, veterinary medical officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Sarah Speth, a board-certified preventive medicine veterinarian, will be the key … [Read more...]
FDA approves Merck’s northern fowl mite treatment for poultry
The FDA has approved Merck Animal Health’s EXZOLT™ (fluralaner oral solution), a parasiticide for chickens that treats and controls northern fowl mites (Ornithinyssus sylviarum) in production houses. Safe for laying hens and replacement chickens EXZOLT™ is a first-of-its-kind product which can be administered in drinking water. Source: FEEDSTUFFS, July 18, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 23, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 17, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 17, 2025 AHD Bulletin – ½ of moms in sandwich generation left jobs due to caregiving roles. Link. Above all else, Integrity. Link. Longhorned ticks here to stay. Let’s review. Link. Applying the kitten checklist. Link. Cat panting. A concern or not? … [Read more...]
Longhorned ticks here to stay. Let’s review.
A male longhorned tick is a rarity. Reproducing by parthenogenesis, females clone themselves laying hundreds of eggs and individually creating an entire population in any given area. Considered a pest, there is no evidence that Asian longhorned ticks transmit any infection to people or dogs here in the U.S. However, they can transmit disease to cattle, farm animals and … [Read more...]
Fly control. Getting the timing right
Drovers’ 2025 Fly Control eBook provides every animal health pro with up-to-date information on controlling these costly buzzing nuisances. Even suburban and city dwellers may find something actionable as they deal with flies in backyards feasting on dog feces or pestering backyard flocks. In the free eBook, leading entomologists and veterinarians share: 4 proven steps … [Read more...]
Dairy industry’s “efficient” calf feeding gospel is flawed logic and costly to future profits
This Bullvine article challenges long-held beliefs about early calf feeding and how changes to the approach in the first 60 days make a significant long-term gain in lifetime revenue. The audio discussion is helpful to understand the various benefits from the article. Modern genetics and strategic nutrition can cut feed costs by $251 per cow.” Source: The Bullvine, July 6, … [Read more...]
3 livestock skin concerns to watch for this summer
Maci Guay reminds us of the importance of monitoring skin conditions in cattle in this article, focusing on the effects the weather has on the cows’ skin. She zeroes in on a) photosensitization, noting the effect of toxic plants, b) rain rot and c) summer sores caused by parasitic worms transmitted by flies. Source: BEEF, July 10, 2025. Link. … [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...]
Mexican Border closed again, New World screwworm comes within 370 miles of the U.S.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins shut down cattle, bison and equine trade at the U.S. Mexico border due to new northward detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Texas flash floods add to growing disasters list, concerns
Commentary We should appreciate the people working to secure lives and property in Texas following the rampant flooding of the Guadalope River. Opportunists may use events like this to advance agendas on global warming or budget cuts. Instead, we were moved to consider the cumulative effect of disasters and the resulting economic burdens on the individuals and businesses … [Read more...]
2025 World Hereford Conference to convene in Kansas City, MO
The Kansas City Marriott Downtown is the host hotel for the World Hereford Conference, October 22 – 26, 2025. Registration will close on September 1, 2025. This global event will bring together Hereford enthusiasts, breeders and industry leaders from across the world. Source: Hereford Headlines, July 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Staph. aureus increasingly responsible for subclinical mastitis
Justine Britten, PhD, said she is surprised that veterinarians and consultants don’t know that Staphylococcus aureus is present in at least one cow on every dairy during a recent “Have You Herd” podcast <Link>. The bacterium is responsible for subclinical mastitis. Britten recommends a monthly bulk tank culture as the bare minimum a dairy can do to monitor Staph. aureus … [Read more...]
Stop PI calves before they start: 2 key tips
Commentary and Sponsored Content PI calves are animals that become infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus in utero. For more than 40 years, our industry has worked to reduce or eliminate BVDV. Wayne Bechtel’s article shared here is a stark reminder that animal health pros must keep working to educate every producer on the importance of biosecurity and proper … [Read more...]
Day-old calf nonnegotiables
We know colostrum is the key to healthy calves and quality makes a difference. Kimberly Egan and Catherine Thrasher stress the importance of nonnegotiable protocols essential for ensuring effective colostrum handling and for getting calves off to a healthy start. They share their top five non-negotiables in this article: Follow proper cleaning and drying protocols … [Read more...]
Keeping chickens cool in the summer heat
Not all chickens get to swim in the pool like those Debra Nickelson, DVM owns <Link>. In this article from the Backyard Poultry’s archives, Pam Freeman shares the key ways to keep chickens cool, including: Providing shade during the day Allowing chickens out of their coop Increasing access to water including shallow pools Ensuring coops are well … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – July 10, 2025
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, July 3, 2025. Link. Most read posts from July 3, 2025 AHD Bulletin – WOAH, invest in vaccines to defend against growing disease threats. Link. Redesigned Secure Beef Supply website, new biosecurity resources. Link. 13 plants that gardening experts say repel mosquitoes. Link. New York judge says a … [Read more...]