Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia are working together to inform dairy producers of the risks from leptospirosis. They developed a biosecurity tool to assist dairy farmers create a farm biosecurity plan tailored to their farm. An integrated approach to prevent leptospirosis should consider: vaccinating the whole herd (following directions on the vaccine label) … [Read more...]
Search Results for: cattle
Target these goals for dairy steers
Dairy and crossbred steers are no longer thought of as subquality meat. However, there are some nuances to ensure quality. Daniel Schaefer, PhD, is quoted in this article from the May Hoard’s Dairyman webinar, “Capturing full value for Holstein and crossbred steers.” The ideal Holstein steer is the kind of steer that, in the right conditions, is both a dairy steer harvester … [Read more...]
PI calves: A devastating threat you might not even see
Complimentary Commercial Content from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Despite 70 years of information and education on bovine viral diarrhea virus, the disease continues to tear at herd health and profits. Persistently infected calves are one of the greatest threats facing the cattle industry, yet many producers don’t know they’re in the herd. A PI calf is an animal that … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 22, 2021
Feeding cattle seaweed reduces their greenhouse gas emissions 82 percent Source: My Vet Candy, April 19, 2021. Link. "We now have sound evidence that seaweed in cattle diet is effective at reducing greenhouse gases and that the efficacy does not diminish over time.” - Ermias Kebreab Even Moses knew about biosecurity Source: Watt … [Read more...]
Tips for feeding, calving during wet and muddy conditions
Spring is a busy time for farmers and ranchers. Simple preparations now can help mitigate problems ahead of potential excess water. We can’t change the weather, but cattle producers can try to manage around wet conditions by preparing alternative livestock and feeding areas. Olivia Amundson and Taylor Grussing share ways to mitigate mud and moisture during calving … [Read more...]
Calves and flies don’t have to coexist
Calves are a popular target for fly breeding grounds because their bedding and feed are perfect havens for flies to multiply en masse. Entomologist Roger Moon and dairy producer Merri Post shared experiences and ideas about reducing flies and their impact on herd health. Source: Dairy Herd Management, April 12, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: For salespersons and veterinary teams, … [Read more...]
Research explains why cool cows can provide more milk
Heat stress represents a major burden to the dairy industry making improving cow comfort and productivity in the hot and humid summer months a significant management objective. University of Georgia researchers determined that dairy cattle cooled with fans and sprinklers respond better to heat stress, produce more milk and have healthier mammary glands. A recent study … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 1, 2021
Where veterinary medicine is (likely) headed over the next decade Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2021. Link. Douglas G. Aspros, DVM, highlights four things he thinks are in the future. Some are driven by technology and others are systems-based. As always, changes in social perspectives and values will be key. Podcast: … [Read more...]
Deworming dairy heifers
Scott E. Poock, DVM, DABVP, discusses deworming with a focus on differences between confinement and pastures. He reviews worm life cycles and how infestation occurs. Source: American Dairymen, March 10, 2021. Link. If a heifer has been raised in confinement and hasn’t had exposure, you don’t need to waste money on deworming. By contrast, if heifers have been exposed to … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – March 25, 2021
Women in beef production (slideshow) Source: BEEF, March 22, 2021. Link. According to the most recent Agriculture Census, more than 230,000 farms or ranches across America have a woman at the helm. Veterinary Inventory Strategy Network Platinum Group enrollment now open Source: VISN. Link. Enrollment to the Platinum Group ends … [Read more...]
Understanding beef implants
Let’s review. Growth-promoting implants in beef cattle production are used to increase muscle accretion and market weight by increasing daily gain and feed efficiency. Implants must meet stringent requirements to be deemed safe for consumers and animals. Implants have a minuscule effect on hormone content of beef.” Source: Progressive Cattle, March 8, 2021. Link. Implanted … [Read more...]
Managing parasite resistance; ‘set it and forget it’ no more
Ron Popeil popularized the 'set it and forget it' phrase in TV infomercials. The phrase could have been used to describe parasite control methods from past decades. Cattlemen and those who work with and educate them can no longer trust a one-and-done parasite control plan. Not unlike antibiotics, our industry needs to use parasite control products judiciously as a component … [Read more...]
Knock out ketosis
Ketosis contributes to wide ranging losses. A single case of ketosis costs dairy producers an average of $298. The most common metabolic disease in cattle, two common, differing etiologies of early lactation ketosis are in play: the animal’s inability to adapt to an early lactation energy deficit – one to two weeks limited energy intake – three to six weeks The use … [Read more...]
Are farmers teaching cows bad habits?
It could be that slug feeding methods are forcing dairy cattle to eat too much too quickly causing a negative impact on the rumen environment. Management plays a role in feed bunk behavior, as farmers don’t have to just think about what feed animals consume, but also the manner in which they eat it. Source: Hoard’s Dairyman, February 25, 20212. Link. Factors to consider when … [Read more...]
Biting, sucking lice thrive in winter
Lice thrive in winter. Their survival and transmission is further enhanced by factors such as long haircoats and huddling behavior, writes Meredyth Jones DVM, MS, DACVIM. She writes about winter conditions, infestation, reduced weight gain, products and treatments. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, February 19, 2021. Link. Lice spread via direct contact between animals but are … [Read more...]
Dogs load bucking bulls in the open
This is how one cattle rancher loads bucking bulls. He never leaves his horse, nor uses a corral; just an open trailer and four, well-trained cattle dogs. Put your own twist on this as you please and enjoy! Source: Mel’s video of the day. Link. … [Read more...]
Treating deadly acute enterotoxemia in baby calves
Recognizing the symptoms and acting fast is usually the only way save a calf when toxins take over its gut. Heather Smith Thomas writes about this fatal condition and the urgency required to save a calf before it goes into shock. A calf may die of scours and dehydration with a viral intestinal disease, but some bacteria produce deadly toxins that affect the calf more … [Read more...]
3rd version of the Masters of Beef Advocacy NextGen launched
You don’t have to raise cattle to help answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle. MBA NextGen can arm you with the information you need to be a strong advocate for the beef community and communicate with interested consumers. Source: Beefitswhatsfordinner.com, January 13, 2021. Link. MBA NextGen consists of five self-guided online lessons, open to everyone, and at … [Read more...]
Merck Animal Health launches intranasal BRD vaccine for calves at 1 week of age or older
Complimentary Commercial Content Merck Animal Health has announced that Bovilis® Nasalgen® 3-PMH is now available to veterinarians and cattle producers to protect cattle from five of the most common pneumonia causing viral and bacterial pathogens. Approved for use in dairy and beef cattle, this is the first intranasal vaccine effective in providing early, broad-spectrum … [Read more...]
Drs. Weese and Anderson continue review of Covid-19 in animals: Plus, the new variant
In a recent post < link > we shared the first six blog posts in a series from Scott Weese, DVM, and Maureen Anderson, DVM. Since then, their review of Covid-19 in animals by family has continued. They also address the new variant SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. Source: WormsandGerms Blog. COVID-19 in Animals Review. Part 7: Cattle, November 10, 2020. Link. SARS-CoV-2 in … [Read more...]
Dairy farming; being cruel to animals is a perception and sometimes a reality
Multiple animal activists groups have argued for years that dairy farming is no less than animal cruelty. Despite their actions being denounced by dairy owners, industry groups and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, activists are making headway. Market forces and the coronavirus pandemic are helping their cause, too. Scientists are working to show ways the … [Read more...]
Don’t forget the bulls this winter
Their seasonal work may be done, but bulls need attention to recover body conditioning and breeding soundness during winter months. Cassidy Woolsey shares information from a December Beefwatch webinar series featuring Kacie McCarthy, cow-calf specialist at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Source: Progressive Cattle, December 29, 2020. Link. “Coming off the breeding … [Read more...]
Beef on the TV for the holidays
Checkoff-funded “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” is running its famous holiday Drool Log as a TV commercial series during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas. Several commercial versions will air more than 50 times ending at New Year's. The campaign is funded with joint monies from national and state checkoff programs and fulfills members’ requests for better consumer … [Read more...]
6 tips to identify calves susceptible to BRD
John Richeson typifies BRD as the most difficult mammalian diseases to manage in the world. He shared a more focused approach to managing feeder cattle risk and six things feeders can look for to identify high-risk calves. Targeted metaphylaxis is using certain metrics to try to predict whether an animal is going to be at greater risk for BRD, so we can make individual animal … [Read more...]
75 days to prep for calving
Say what?! It’s time to plan for calving season as the first of the 2021 crop will start dropping around March 1. Greg Henderson provides tips to help producers prepare: Assess the body condition of your cows and heifers Review the herd health plan Conduct an inspection of your calving facilities to make sure everything is in working order Check your calving … [Read more...]
Animal welfare through an animal activist’s eyes
Dairy farmers met an activist during a recent Dairy Cattle Welfare Council webinar. Taylor Leach reports on the discussion, including the biggest three concerns from activists’ point of view: Individual calf housing Tie-stall barns Bull calf treatment Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2, 2020. Link. Being aware of what animal welfare is – that it’s going … [Read more...]
The never-ending parasite dilemma
John Gillam, DVM, discusses parasites in ungulates including types, life cycles, treatments, testing and slowing down resistance. . . . understanding parasite treatment and the worms that can plague cattle is critical to developing healthy herds.” - John Gilliam, DVM Source: High Plains Journal, December 2, 2020. Link. “We actually select those parasite populations for … [Read more...]
Fences revisited, this time without wire
Last week we shared an article about the ecological impact of fences < link >. In ongoing research in Nevada, ranchers are experimenting with virtual fences using technologies that work like pet fencing but use GPS technologies instead of a wire in the ground. They hope to use the technology to improve rotational grazing and restrict cattle from grazing areas where toxic … [Read more...]
Floor resurfacing reminder
Providing confident, non-skid footing for dairy cattle is vital to their health, performance, and well-being and is one of the basic elements required in any dairy housing system. Dan McFarland discusses various surfaces and the importance of stable footing for cows. Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 26, 2020. Link. Reconditioning flooring surfaces cattle use may seem like … [Read more...]
Washing livestock trailers with infection control certainty
Sponsored Content Regardless of the pathogens, transporting increases risks for all livestock. Livestock trailers pose a significant risk for pigs, cattle, horses and poultry as they are moved from one location to another. Cleaning with scoops, forced air or pressure washers is as best a first step to controlling pathogen spread from remaining residues before the trailer is … [Read more...]