The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame has honored veterinarian and entrepreneur Robert Hummel with its 2020 Industry Leadership Award. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1961 and worked as an veterinarian for the American Cyanamid Company until he bought a small distribution company in 1967 that became Great Plains Chemical. Today, Hummel is most known for leading and … [Read more...]
Search Results for: cattle
BQA training specific to dairies is now online 24/7
Some packers now require BQA (or equivalent, FARM 4.0 or higher version) certification as a condition of their purchase of beef animals, including cull dairy cows and dairy beef steers. The Beef Quality Assurance program’s Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA) and Dairy Cattle Care modules now are available online. The training units provide an excellent, virtual … [Read more...]
Anaplasmosis, here to stay
Often forgotten anaplasmosis is now in 48 states. It is a bacterial pathogen that lives within the red blood cells of cattle and is spread by Dermacentor species ticks, the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. Cattle who survive the first round of infection become persistent carriers and therefore a reservoir for additional infections. Source: BEEF, April 6, … [Read more...]
Manage parasites with sound grazing practices
Cattle with heavy internal parasite loads lose weight, have low feed efficiency and don’t breed efficiently. However, proven deworming practices add pounds at weaning, increase milk production and bump body condition scores. Most of the parasite load is in the pasture, which is why a pasture management plan, along with proven deworming products are essential. Source: … [Read more...]
Where’s the beef? The pork? The chicken?
Our meat supply channels face some bottlenecks as packing plants close to protect workers, deeply disinfect and determine potential fomite risks in their throughput. Our meat industry is built to have inventories moving all the time. There are challenges facing producers who now have limited options for moving animals ready for slaughter on their terminal schedules. It is … [Read more...]
Open-field calving box keeps newborns warm
Like its own miniature windbreak, this Canadian producer’s idea has merit for inclement weather conditions anywhere. It is an idea to consider sharing with cattle producers directly or by newsletters and social media posts. Source: Drover’s, March 30, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Calves are often born in the worst weather regardless of seasons. Something about those changes in … [Read more...]
Clostridial disease protection important for cows and calves
Clostridial diseases can be lethal for dairy cattle. Stress, injuries and changes in feeding practices increase chances of death. Vaccination and sound management practices can prevent most common clostridial diseases for cows and calves. Source: DAIRYBUSINESS, March 13, 2020. Link. A solid strategy in preventing a clostridial outbreak in calves, prior to their vaccination, … [Read more...]
Battling bacteria with their natural enemy: a virus
Not all viruses create pandemic consequences. Lacey Newlin shares the progress on using bacteriophages to attack bacteria and the possibility of phages as antibiotic alternatives. . . . about half of the bacteria on this planet are killed by bacteriophages every two days.” - Hari Shankar Kotturi, PhD. Source: High Plains Journal, March 20, 2020. Link. Divya Jaroni, PhD, whose … [Read more...]
Minimizing post-wean growth slumps in heifers
Proper growth of dairy heifers from weaning until six to eight months of age directly impacts future milk production and economics of heifer rearing programs and, ultimately, the profitability of the entire dairy operation, writes Maureen Hanson. Research continues to show how proper growth during this phase can positively impact milk production. Hanson shares ways to avoid the … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis testing essential
Testing for trichomoniasis, or trich, is essential to help ensure herd health and profitability. The bovine venereal disease lives in the epithelial of the penis and prepuce and is considered a lifelong infection in bulls. Infected bulls transmit trich to most females they service. Cows can clear the disease but will abort calves or become infertile. Trich is easily transmitted … [Read more...]
Gilt management is key to more pigs born, saved
Litter size increases from better genetics have challenged hog producers to keep piglets alive from birth to the ready-to-market stage. Uniformity is also a consequence, although the genetics have produced more efficient pigs. Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix share results from analyzing data from 407 farms in North America where production was >25 pigs weaned per mated female per … [Read more...]
How now shall we house cows
Contemporary dairy cattle housing practices are at odds with societal perceptions of positive animal welfare. Non-dairy persons often emphasize the importance of naturalness for dairy cattle. Their expectations include pasture, freedom of movement and the ability to interact socially with other cows. In a symposium review, the authors share perspectives on animal welfare … [Read more...]
Phytochemical richness improves animal health
“There’s a big difference between a couple of beers and a case,” writes R.P. ‘Doc’ Cooke in his essay on how phytochemicals produced by plants, usually to help them thrive or to thwart competitors, predators or pathogens. He reminds us that they can be important nutrients for grazing animals as well. Source: BeefProducer, March 3, 2020. Link. Mineral rich soil (calcium is … [Read more...]
Vaccination key to managing BRD
Multiple factors contribute to bovine respiratory disease and no single management plan works for all operations. History of the cattle, how they are handled, nutrition and vaccination are critical to keep BRD in check. So are testing and parasite management. DVMs Oliver Irons and Daniel Cummings offer a thorough review of how to prevent BRD and how to treat it, if … [Read more...]
Rural Media Group announces new streaming service, RFD-TV Now (video)
Complimentary Sponsored Content RMG has just announced expanded streaming service under a new name: RFD-TV Now. It offers improved searchability, increased security, and added features such as the ability to “favorite” shows or binge watch them by season. This is good news for animal health pros who enjoy FarmHer, rodeos, horsemanship features, cattle topics like DocTalk, … [Read more...]
COVID-19 could be lemons or lemonade. We can make the difference.
March 2020: Update on SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 it causes Hundreds of coronaviruses circulate among animals including cattle, camels, bats, pigs, cats and dogs. Sometimes these viruses jump to humans (a spillover event) and may cause disease. SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three have origins in bats. SARS-CoV-2 causes the disease … [Read more...]
BCS: low cost, big impact
VFD regulations are driving more productive interactions between livestock producers and their veterinarians. Routine site visits including face-to-face meetings are important to the success of this initiative and improve VCPR. <link> Matt Hersom is an advocate for body condition scoring (BCS). It has a low cost and high value that can help any cattle producer make good … [Read more...]
Manage fire ants with planning
Red imported fire ants infest pastures, hay fields, barns and equipment. They injure livestock, horses, pets and us, too. Creating a fire ant control plan helps ensure the greatest efficacy using the right products. Antixx Fire Ant Bait <link> (link to tech sheet PDF) from AHD sponsor Neudorff USA is an effective tool that fits a sound fire ant management plan. Spinosad, … [Read more...]
Delaying on-arrival vaccination may reduce morbidity, mortality
Vaccine labels all contain verbiage like, “. . . is indicated for vaccination of healthy cattle as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by . . .” For years veterinarians have recommended vaccination against respiratory viruses during initial processing of high-risk cattle on arrival to the feedlot or background operation. New research indicates it may be better to … [Read more...]
Open cow knowledge more important than preg status
Preg checking is a much-anticipated exercise for cattle producers anxious to predict their calf crop. Taylor Leach provides a helpful reminder that open cows represent opportunity more than failure. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 11, 2019. Link. . . . the most important controllable component of any breeding program is to identify your open cows, according to Donna … [Read more...]
Bovine Veterinarian: What to expect from the 2020s, 8-part series
Veterinarians provide their thoughts on the key challenges and opportunities for success during the 2020s in this insightful series. Their comments are a directional microcosm facing bovine practices, as well as veterinary practices in general. . . . veterinarians serve as forward-looking change agents in animal agriculture, as they continuously evaluate new systems, products, … [Read more...]
New BVDV-PI rule in Texas
The Texas Animal Health Commission adopted a rule to mitigate the risk of uninfected cattle being exposed to bovine viral diarrhea virus persistently infected cattle. . . . newly adopted rule defines which cattle are classified as BVDV-PI . . . requires the seller of a BVDV-PI animal to disclose the status in writing to the buyer prior to or at the time of sale. Source: … [Read more...]
Rethinking dairy footbath use
The dairy business is carried on cows' hooves. Digital dermatitis (DD, also known as hairy warts, strawberry warts) remains the number 1 cause of lameness in dairy herds with increasing concern among feedlot cattle. Hoof trimmer Jamie Sullivan suggests DD remains prevalent due to the way we have been trying to prevent or treat the lesions in the first place. He shares research … [Read more...]
Opinion – Animal protein versus plant-based protein. A discussion worth having.
Media of all types has paid great attention to plant-based protein of late. However, the hype leaves out the importance of factually discussing issues surrounding meat production. We agree with Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, that collaboration by all parties will lead to science-based solutions to protein supply challenges. Simmons issues a call to … [Read more...]
A whole lot of bull: BEEF’s 6th annual Seedstock 100
Sponsored by Boehringer-Ingeheim Veterinarians, retailers and sales representatives all work with producers to deliver the best beef products. The Seedstock 100 is a survey of these combined efforts for the top bull genetic producers. The distribution map < link > is interesting on its own. Source: BEEF, January 21, 2020. Link. The Seedstock 100 represents the … [Read more...]
Cowmoonication: Research finds cows ‘talk’ to each other
Hugh Lofting’s character, Dr. Dolittle, might not be so far-fetched. Research at the University of Sydney has shown that cows maintain individual voices in a variety of emotional situations. Cows ‘talk’ to one another and retain individual identity through their lowing. We found that cattle vocal individuality is relatively stable across different emotionally loaded farming … [Read more...]
Dehorning, castration guidelines updated to include pain mitigation
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is the go-to organization for government and policymakers when it comes to cattle health, production and well-being issues. Its animal welfare committee has updated the sections in the guidelines on proper restraint, local anesthesia and systemic pain relief. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, December 30, 2019. Link. In 2019, the … [Read more...]
BQA is trust insurance
Beef Quality Assurance certification is proof that cattlemen really care about how they raise their animals, said Josh White. More than 85 percent of beef comes from BQA-certified producers. While most cattlemen are familiar with the program, it is important to re-certify every two years to keep current with changes, updates and new information regarding cattle handling and … [Read more...]
Dan Thomson is new chair of animal science at Iowa State University
Daniel Thomson, DVM, is the new chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. He assumes his duties April 6 after spending 15 years with Kansas State University. Source: Iowa State University, January 7, 2020. Link. Thomson hosts the national animal health television show, "Doc Talk,” which reaches over 45 million homes weekly. His leadership positions … [Read more...]
Opinion: Poo smell in Kansas City blamed on rare weather event
The greater Kansas City, Missouri, area had a stinky experience in early November. We monitored media to see if animal health pros might add some thoughts about it. To date we’ve seen nothing, but questions remain. If smells from hog operations, cattle feedlots, poultry operations and ethanol plants can be trapped in a low, fast moving front and transferred over 300 miles, … [Read more...]