Bedding makes a difference say many dairymen. But does it? Dairy scientists compared pea gravel, rubber chip, sand and wood shavings to determine their effects on the health, physiology, and behavior of group-housed calves. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, January 18, 2017. In conclusion, the physiology and behavior of calves reared on pea gravel, rubber chips and sand was … [Read more...]
2016 beef stats available in one spot
Ever wonder where’s the beef? This infographic has information galore on the status of the beef herd rebound, production stats, sales prices, trades, exports and more. Source: Progressive Cattleman, January 2017. Overall cattle inventory hit 91.9 million head, a jump of 2.1 million head, or 2.4 percent more than 2015. The U.S. total beef cow inventory also jumped just more … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Pathogen-based mastitis management
A pathogen-based approach to managing mastitis uses on-farm cultures to characterize infections within 24 hours. This allows managers to leave some cattle untreated and use lower-cost treatments on some cattle, with lower treatment costs and less waste milk contributing to the cost savings. Boehringer-Ingelheim’s Linda Tikofsky, DVM, and Daryl Nydam, DVM, from Cornell … [Read more...]
Work with vet to control parasites in goats
Successful parasite management is essential to maintaining a healthy goat herd. While parasites are naturally present in most goats, they become disruptive to health and productivity in large quantities. Goat owners can prevent parasitism by keeping a clean environment and frequently rotating pastures. Working with a veterinarian to analyze fecal samples, deworming strategies … [Read more...]
“Amoosing” visitor stays at Vermont dairy
Yeah, we stole that word from the original headline. Take a fun look at what happened when a moose paid a call to a Vermont dairy. Source: Progressive Dairyman, January 13, 2017. The moose only stayed a few days, but it was more than enough time for the Abbots. “After a couple days, we put the cows in the barn and kind of shooed her away a little bit,” Abbot says. … [Read more...]
Unique research collaboration studies immunity in feedyards
The labels have always read, “for the vaccination of healthy animals” but based on convenience, tradition and a perception of urgency, feedyards often vaccinate calves with modified live virus (MLV) vaccines upon arrival, after they’ve been weaned, commingled, loaded, shipped, shrunk and stressed. Delayed viral vaccination, along with use of an immunostimulant, could help … [Read more...]
VFD farm visits must pass the smell test
Tom Burkgren, DVM, AASV executive director, speaks out on the importance of the farm visit as part of the new VFD requirements. He calls for swine veterinarians to keep the integrity of the veterinary-client-patient-relationship valid and professional. “A farm visit by a veterinarian for the sole purpose of meeting a regulatory requirement may not pass the smell test,” he … [Read more...]
Texas expands fever tick quarantine zone
Fever ticks carry Babesia protozoa, which cause cattle fever. It is characterized by acute anemia, high fever, and enlargement of the spleen and liver, ultimately causing death for many infected cattle. Last summer, animal health officials confirmed that the fever ticks, which can carry the protozoa Babesia bovis or B. bigemina, have spread outside the permanent quarantine area … [Read more...]
New NCBA president brings ambition
Incoming National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president Craig Uden brings a history of industry involvement and passion to his new position. He discusses the changes to the beef production business including trade, sustainability and market volatility. Source: Beef, January 2017, page 6. Talking about seeing big picture, Uden said, "I think our key thing is information. We … [Read more...]
Respiratory disease part of cold weather aftermath
Cold temperatures often bring an increase in sick calves. There are physiologic reasons why it increases the risk of respiratory disease. This should prompt caretakers to further tune in more to the health of their calves. Early detection and treatment is important to calves’ immediate health as well as to long-term production. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 14, … [Read more...]
FDA asked to clarify definition of milk
More than 30 members of Congress wrote a letter to the FDA, asking it to clarify its position on nondairy “milk.” Soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and coconut milk are alternatives to dairy, carry the same name but lack many of the health benefits real cows’ milk has to offer. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, January 16, 2017. The dairy industry is proud of its products and the … [Read more...]
Producers turning to vaccines, biosecurity
A Brakke study conducted among beef, dairy, swine and poultry producers in late 2016 found that vaccination protocols and improved sanitation were the top two strategies for 70 percent or more of all producers in response to the loss of shared use antibiotics. Source: WattAgNet.com, January 12, 2017, (partial access). The study found that, among the changes in feed … [Read more...]
Manage to minimize lameness
Marcia Endres, dairy specialist at the University of Minnesota, acknowledges lameness will never fully be eliminated from dairy herds, but producers need to be proactive to reduce its incidence. Review this article and discuss it with producers during on-farm calls or planning meetings. Studies referenced show dairy farmers only identify about 25 percent of lameness. Source: … [Read more...]
Get in line with VFD
January 1st came and brought a new set of rules and questions. This article reconfirms the regulatory details and offers some questions for producers should ask themselves before inspections occur. They include: Did you keep copies of VFD orders for at least two years? Did you feed the authorized number of animals on the VFD order? Did you feed VFD feed for … [Read more...]
Cornell University launches vector-borne disease center
To better understand, prevent and treat diseases passed from insects to people, the Cornell University-led Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases will launch later this month, thanks to a $10 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 11, 2017. The center will have six applied research … [Read more...]
Earn $300 more per cow
Kris Ringwall, North Dakota State University Extension, must be good with a calculator. He presents economic factors for cow-calf producers that focus on profit per unit of production. Representatives and veterinarians can use this article to engage producers in a discussion about profit improvement versus input costs. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, January 7, 2017. Success … [Read more...]
Protect dairy cows’ teats during winter
Though winter is in full swing and a winter management plan for udder health should be in place, revisiting best practices is never out of place. Skin that is flaking and chapping increases risks of infections. Paula Mercadante, DeLaval solution manager for herd health, offers solid udder health reminders in this article, complete with a chart about wind chill effect on teat … [Read more...]
Journal of Dairy Science
The first edition of this publication offers a plethora of research and studies that represent significant investments in time and resources by animal health pros. The interpretive summaries provide a quick way to scan through the content for items that may pertain to an issue or opportunity for you. Source: Journal of Dairy Science, January 2017. … [Read more...]
Tail docking still best practice in swine
The issue to dock or not dock the tail has been under scrutiny. The standard operating procedure of tail docking, performed to prevent the common problem of tail biting, is also criticized for inflicting pain. A University of Minnesota research team took another look at the consequences of raising pigs without tail docking under modern, confinement housing system conditions. … [Read more...]
Study looks at group housing for sows
Consumers have been driving the conversation about the use of group housing for sows. The swine industry has been hesitant to adopt this practice because of concerns over sow aggression and lack of control over individual feed intake. Source: National Hog Farmer, December 28, 2016. For producers, this means that a variety of mixing options can be used successfully for sows … [Read more...]
Top 10 BEEF articles in 2016
Looking backwards is most valuable when it helps you focus forward. The top 10 list featured in this article reflects the continual need for practical solutions, as well as basic education. The review of metrics is also an eye-opener for animal health pros at all levels. Source: Beef, December 29, 2016. Here are a few facts from the digital world of Beef. In 2016, over 2.3 … [Read more...]
Hay, its winter!
Mike Rankin writes about feeding hay, the challenges, strategies and opportunities during these winter months. Winter chores are a survival game, but don’t lose sight of what’s going on during the hay-feeding ritual, he says. One of the tasks associated with bale feeding is removing the bale-binding material, be it net wrap, plastic twine or sisal twine. Source: Hay and … [Read more...]
Colostrum tips poster available
To ensure adequate absorption of critical antibodies, calves must get colostrum within the first 24 hours of life. Sooner is better than later. Christopher Clark, DVM, and Patrick Gunn, PhD, Iowa State University Extension specialists, have created a handy poster on the important substance. Source: Progressive Cattleman, December 23, 2016 and in the January 2017 print … [Read more...]
Pork consumption still declining
Nick Boddicker, PhD, reports from the recent National Swine Improvement Federation conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Consistency is an objection and the consensus was “the pork industry needs to align the grading with consumers demands.” The beef industry has done this and has been successful. Source: The Pig Site, December 23, 2016. Another issue that leads to a poor … [Read more...]
Transition, we’re getting closer
A recent study from the University of British Columbia suggests both rumination monitoring and recording of feeding behavior are effective in gathering data for preventive health care. Sick transition cows tend to avoid eating much like humans with a stomachache or head cold. Preventative treatment then is all about getting out in front of these conditions and getting cows … [Read more...]
Feed gruel to underprivileged piglets
Gruel feeding is a management practice that targets the bottom 10 percent to 20 percent of small-for-age piglets in any weaning group, regardless of weaning age. In general, research and commercial experiences have indicated that gruel feeding offers four distinct advantages when done correctly: Enhances ingestion of nutrients, especially during the early days … [Read more...]
Revive a cold newborn calf with ice water
Dr. Sheila McGuirk says ice water is a handy way to get a struggling calf on the road to warmth. Calves that don’t score well on a vitality scale need stimulation to avoid hypothermia. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 1, 2016. Shivering, shaking and making standing attempts are how newborn calves maintain body heat, but they don’t always want to do that right away. … [Read more...]
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found on sow farm
In early December, a research team from The Ohio State University announced that they had discovered the first transmissible carbapenem-resistant enterobactericeae in U.S. livestock on a farrow-to-finish operation. This discovery is a stark reminder of the importance of having the veterinary-client-patient relationship in order as the deadline for the VFD implementation looms … [Read more...]
Microbiome may hold key to antibiotic alternatives
Microbiome describes the community of microorganisms that live on the skin and mucosal surfaces of animals. Kansas State University researchers are studying the microbiome in a PRRS-endemic swineherd. As our industry seeks new alternatives to antibiotics, the microbiome holds potential for discovery. The gut microbiome houses the majority of these microorganisms and is critical … [Read more...]
Wild pigs still rock agriculture
Wild pigs cause $1.5 million in damage in the U.S. according to 2013 USDA estimates. Jack Mayer is currently working on a project for the agency to estimate overall wild pig numbers. He places the U.S. wild pig population at 6.3 million, with a possible range of 4 million to 11 million. Source: Pork Network, November 30, 2016. The cost of wild pig damage to the agriculture … [Read more...]