Dairy Herd Management celebrates the 50th anniversary of the World Dairy Expo in this commemorative edition. No doubt about it, the annual event champions much of the progress that strengthens the dairy business, domestic and foreign. When Expo started in 1967, cows averaged just 8,800 lb. of milk per year. We needed no fewer than 13,500 million of them to produce 120 … [Read more...]
Calf weaning methods compared
Steve Boyles, Ohio State University (OSU) Extension specialist, recently compared pasture weaning to drylot weaning in an OSU Beef Cattle newsletter. Boyles looked at a recent study that compared three weaning methods for calves averaging 180 days old: drylot weaning + complete visual and auditory separation from dams pasture weaning + fence-line contact with dams … [Read more...]
Climate-friendly cows
Methane from cows is estimated to be the source of one-third of the world’s methane emissions. A study in Finland identified areas of genetic variation linked to the amount of methane produced per kilo of milk produced. The potential to select for a reduced methane emission cow warrants further study. Source: The Beef Site, August 31, 2016. A recent study using cows in … [Read more...]
Wilting black (wild) cherry leaves pose livestock risk
As little as 1.2 to 4.8 pounds of wilted black cherry leaves could constitute a lethal dose for a 1,200 pound dairy cow, says Rory Lewandowski, Ohio State University Extension educator. Recent storms in Michigan and across the country make this reminder valuable. Veterinary teams and retailers can offer this information in posts, websites and newsletters for customers in areas … [Read more...]
Industry, not activists should establish cage-free definition
Chad Gregory, CEO of the United Egg Producers (UEP), told a group of producers and allied industry representatives that farmers should stop reacting toward cage-free demand. Rather, they should go on the offensive and define what a cage-free system should be. UEP estimates that 190.4 million hens, or about 66 percent of the current national flock, will be required to full … [Read more...]
Routine use of dry cow therapy under investigation
USDA National Animal Health Monitoring Survey data shows more than 80 percent of U.S. dairy herds managers treat 100 percent of their cows’ quarters at the end of dry off. Plus, almost all herds treat a majority of all quarters. This practice is now undergoing a reexamination of the use of antibiotics on dairies with the goal of using them responsibility and only for animals … [Read more...]
Pinkeye remains a challenge in the fall
The main cause of pinkeye in cattle is the ever-changing bacteria, moraxella bovis. Many subtypes of the bacteria can be found even in one infected animal. This can make it difficulty to treat and preventing. Pinkeye can rob producers of weight gain in addition to the labor costs of treatment. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, August 17, 2016. Vaccination, fly control, … [Read more...]
Egg binding in pet birds
Cockatiels, budgerigars (e.g. parakeets) and finches are the most popular pet birds worldwide and the species most commonly affected by egg binding. These birds tend to present with more severe clinical signs, possibly because of their small size. Egg binding is the failure of an egg to pass within a normal period of time. Although there can be variability and numerous … [Read more...]
Preconditioning basics pay off
Cow-calf producers need not worry that their preconditioning program isn’t a mirror image of what’s described in textbooks. Fact is, there is no single definition of a preconditioning program to fit every operation, according to Brad White, DVM and interim director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. Source: Drovers, August 2016. If we properly prepare … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis becoming more prevalent across the U.S.
Anaplasmosis, associated with the bacteria Anaplasma marginale, is a tick-vectored disease that can be spread by biting insects, such as flies and ticks, and mechanically from syringe needles. Infection occurs through blood transfer, primarily from ticks, which serve as the primary vector. The disease has spread from its traditional area in the Gulf coast into the Midwest and … [Read more...]
Latest Journal of Swine Health and Production
For your convenience, we have linked to the table of contents from the latest issue of the Journal of Swine Health and Production. You will find the article titled Raising pigs without antibiotics near the bottom of the page. It includes a position statement about the practice the AASV board has adopted. Source: Journal of Swine Health and Production, July/August … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis is still big trouble
Trichomoniasis could be the most economically damaging disease cow-calf producers face. The trich pathogen, Trichomonas foetus, is a single-cell protozoa, transmitted through sexual contact. Bulls are the primary sources for spreading the disease. Thus, testing bulls is the most effective means of controlling or eliminating trich from cow-calf herds. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Eggs are a victory for the animal welfare movement
In recent years, public attention to eggs and the chickens that make them has grown beyond logical expectations. In fact, nearly 200 companies that include every major grocery and fast food chain have pledged to use only cage-free eggs by 2025. This doesn’t mean life for hens is getting better. In fact, the opposite may be true. Source: Washington Post, August 6, 2016. The … [Read more...]
Beef bacon alternative growing
Bacon! Schmacon! “Schmacon is delicious and different than anything else on the market,” shared Howard Bender, owner of Schmaltz Deli in Naperville, Ill. “It has about half the calories and half the fat, and it tastes great.” The beef bacon product was launched in 2015 and comes from the underbelly of cattle. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, July 24, 2016. It is a new way for … [Read more...]
Wisconsin: strong in milk cows, stronger in milk goats
The growth in Wisconsin (as well as California, which is No. 2 in goat and sheep milk sales) is due to both existing infrastructure and growing appreciation for goat milk. In the U.S., chefs are using it more frequently, consumers are seeking out its unique taste. Growing immigrant populations from places like East Africa and Latin America are looking for the familiar products, … [Read more...]
Progress on foothill abortion disease
After more than 50 years of research, scientists have built a better understanding of the unusual biology of the disease pathogen and vectors for epizootic bovine abortion (EBA). The pathogen, transmitted by the Pajaroello tick, typically does not cause disease in cows or heifers, but does affect the developing fetus in pregnant females, resulting in abortions or … [Read more...]
Seneca Valley Virus; it isn’t over yet
Since January 2016, more than 60 positive accessions of the Seneca Valley Virus (SVV), or Senecavirus A, have been reported by labs across the United States. New cases appear to be showing up more rapidly as the summer goes on. An informative photo gallery about SVV is provided with this update. Source: National Hog Farmer, July 25, 2016. SVV is not a limited production … [Read more...]
FDA pilot program begins on-farm VFD inspections
A pilot program designed to help educate FDA auditors as they prepare for VFD implementation has been launched. Auditors are focusing on swine operations first since the pork industry has had a VFD requirement for more than a decade for tilmicosin, florfenicol and avilamycin. The main items producers should know how to answer prior to an inspector visiting their farm are shown … [Read more...]
Chicken consumption at 3-year high and growing
According to a new survey commissioned by the National Chicken Council, chicken is the choice protein for nine in 10 U.S. consumers. It revealed the demand for chicken in the U.S. shows no signs of slowing down as 21 percent of consumers anticipate eating more chicken from supermarkets and 14 percent from food service establishments over the next 12 months. Consumption of … [Read more...]
Dairying is a people business
It is easy to ignore the influence dairy production has in our world. The infographic here shows how many people are involved in dairy enterprises. It is worthwhile information. Source: Dairy Herd Management, July 2016, page 6. 6 billion of the 7.4 billion people in the world consume dairy products daily. 1 billion people are involved with production and processing … [Read more...]
Raising chickens for meat
There is a growing self-sufficiency movement in the U.S. Raising chickens for eggs and meat is an option within this movement. Brigid McCrea, PhD, Delaware State University, offers plain talk about raising chickens for meat. She discusses the nomenclature, hard costs and other considerations. Veterinary teams and retail associates may find her checklist valuable when working … [Read more...]
A summer reading list for animal lovers
Author Samantha Johnson shares a reading list from her Wisconsin dairy farm home. One or two of these might be just right for the end of a warm day. Enjoy! Source: Acreage Life, July 2016, page 43. AcreageLife is a resource for people who enjoy country living, whether it’s an annual visit to a distant property, summer weekends filled with hard work at a future retirement … [Read more...]
Love, hate, indifference on antibiotic rules
John Maday reviews preliminary qualitative feedback from an online survey currently in process. The rules in question include: FDA’s Guidance for Industry 213, which removes performance or production claims from the labels of medically important antibiotics. Expanded veterinary feed directive (VFD) rule which ends over-the-counter purchases of medically important … [Read more...]
A validation of technologies monitoring dairy cow feeding, ruminating, and lying behaviors
Dairy personnel work constantly to improve management processes to maximize output while managing cow comfort and inputs. A recent study evaluated commercially available precision dairy technologies against direct visual observations of feeding, rumination and lying behaviors. Results show that the evaluated precision dairy monitoring technologies accurately monitored dairy … [Read more...]
Sheep view of Faroa Islands
One of our friends at AAHA sent this to us. We’re passing it along for fun! Enjoy the views. Source: Innovations and business of veterinary practice, July 13, 2016. Cameras are being fitted on sheep in Faroe Islands to create Google Street View. The project dubbed Sheep View 360 ,a team with the help of a local shepherd and engineer to build a harness, have been capturing … [Read more...]
Backyard Chickens 101: A quick guide for small-animal veterinarians
Backyard poultry raising is increasing in suburban and urban areas. As a result, veterinarians may be asked to provide veterinary care for chickens. This may present challenges for those who have rarely worked with them or have not dealt with them since veterinary school. Source: AVMA, July 13, 2016. (via AVMA SMARTBrief). To help veterinarians in these situations, the AVMA … [Read more...]
Consumers dazed and confused by food labels
According to a national survey released recently by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, consumers don’t know the true meaning of phrases such as “free-range” and “grass-fed,” but their perceptions of the terms can have a major influence on animal agriculture and the practices used. Source: Drovers CattleNetwork, July 13, 2016. The article … [Read more...]
Lab finds lead poisoning a problem in cattle
Gregg Hanzlicek, Kanas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab director, says lead poisoning is the number-one poisoning diagnosed in the lab. Lead poisoning is found most often in young calves. It is difficult to identify and is often fatal. He discusses prevention and treatment challenges. Source: High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal, July 13, 2016. “The most common sources … [Read more...]
Livestock need quality water
Cattle need plenty of water, especially during summer months when forages tend to dry out. When levels of dissolved solids, such as iron, sulfates and salts get too high, they can cause decreased water consumption. Performance can suffer. Chance Farmer, cattle consultant, offers ways of testing for dissolved solids in this article. Source: Purina Mills. This is not an issue … [Read more...]
Metabolic disorders hurt dairy cows
Garret Oetzel, a veterinary professor at the University of Wisconsin, reminds us that dairy cows are prone to six metabolic disorders that can knock them out of the game. This is due to the tremendous load on their metabolism to perform. Veterinary hospital teams and sales personnel who call on dairies will find this article to be a resource when working with dairy producers to … [Read more...]