The challenge of sustainability in our food supply chains requires taking care of people, the planet and animals. Many corporations are working to include sustainability as part of their corporate structures and responsibilities. Working with Where Food Comes From, the largest provider of certification and verification services to the food industry, Tyson will source cattle … [Read more...]
Search Results for: cattle
Identify what pasture plants are poisonous to cattle (slide show)
There are many plants that can cause illness, death, abortion, birth defects, metabolic disorders, photosensitization and other problems in cattle, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Her slide show includes photos of plants cattle producers should look for. Source: BEEF, March 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
New cattle virus on watch list as causative agent for calf diarrhea
Almost no one in North America is looking for the Bovine kobuvirus in cattle or other species. However, it was isolated in four of nine samples from cattle in Illinois as the causative agent for calf diarrhea. It remains to be seen how this emerging disease agent influences health, although previous studies conducted elsewhere in the world have found bovine kobuvirus in fecal … [Read more...]
Rabies reported in cattle in 3 states
Considered rare, five rabies cases in cattle have been reported in three states. Rhonda Brooks shares information about historic incidences in cattle, rabies forms and protecting livestock. In the U.S., several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals, including raccoons, skunks and foxes. In addition to these reservoirs, multiple species of … [Read more...]
Helping cattle stand the heat
Every summer, livestock media sources of all types feature piece about heat stress in cattle. Whether cow-calf, feeder or dairy cows, heat can damage their ability to maintain their rate of gain or milk production. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above … [Read more...]
Watch for resistance when controlling flies on cattle
It’s no secret horn flies cut cattle performance. Each fly pierces its host 20 to 30 times a day drawing blood each time. Insecticide ear tags and pour-on products are easy to use and cost-effective. It is important to monitor for resistance because it can cause entire classes of insecticides to become useless. The practical tips will help producers monitor fly populations and … [Read more...]
Cattle health, drones and thermal imaging
Visualize a cowboy on a horse or 4-wheeler near cattle. His attention is not focused on observing them, rather he’s staring into a screen he keeps moving back and forth, tipping and dipping. Drones using thermal imaging coupled with artificial intelligence is nearly here. It is early, but technology similar to satellite imaging is coming soon to help monitor cattle health and … [Read more...]
Hardware, plastic disease still found in cattle
Fifty five percent to 75 percent of cattle slaughtered in the eastern U.S. have hardware in the reticulum. Cattle don’t usually sort their food, which means they can ingest foreign matter when eating hay or processed feed. This include pieces of fencing, nails, metals and more recently, plastic fibers used to bind hay. Magnets are used to remove metal objects, but plastics are … [Read more...]
U.S. Cattle Trace to lay groundwork for federal requirements
Amid confusion from the government’s Animal Tracing Act and more recent proposed mandates for RFID from APHIS, a group of producers have formed the voluntary cattle tracking system, U.S. Cattle Trace (USCT). The inevitability of foreign animal disease risk underpins the priorities of this developing system. Source: BEEF, February 2020. Link. USCT is a producer-driven … [Read more...]
BI releases Cattle First documentary about commitment to cattle health
Cattle First, a documentary about the Johnsons, a six-generation ranching family who owns the Flying Diamond Cattle ranch in Colorado, premiered during the recent 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio. The Johnson’s story focuses on the importance – and benefits – of putting animals first and the importance of being transparent about how beef is produced. Watch the … [Read more...]
More work needed with beef cattle health
The U.S. beef industry has consistently increased production and productivity for decades. Cattle health has gotten worse. You read that right. Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock marketing specialist, says respiratory disease is the biggest health problem in the industry. Data shows that average feedlot death loss has practically doubled from 0.82 percent in … [Read more...]
Most read cattle and swine posts
In last week’s Bulletin, we featured the most-read livestock posts < link > which included poultry content. Readers expressed interest in seeing cattle and swine separately. Below are the most-read swine and cattle posts from June through October 2019 not featured last week. < link > Source: Search Results for: cattle, Animal Health Digest. Link. Heed OSHA … [Read more...]
24 years, 25 million cattle prove what affects prices
The biggest value-added protocol in calf health is weaning, not vaccination. This, according to 24 years of big data generated from 25,000 million cattle by Superior Livestock Auction. Ken Odde, Kansas State University animal science professor, revealed which calf health programs, premiums and genetic breeds have on prices during the recent National Red Angus Conference. . . . … [Read more...]
Pinkeye in cattle poses challenges more than 100 years after arrival
Pinkeye was first identified in the U.S. in the 1890s. Face flies, sometimes thought to cause it, entered this country from Nova Scotia in 1952. “M. bovis tends to be just in the conjunctiva in the lubricating fluid. Unless there is trauma to the eye, the bacteria can’t bind to the cornea,” says Annette O’Connor, DVM. Some of the things suspected of causing trauma include … [Read more...]
Boosting immunity in cattle may mean more productivity
Barry Bradford with Kansas State University presented new information from his study of immunometabolism at the American Society of Animal Scientists in July. He researched inflammatory responses during times of stress, especially those that impact on liver health. The interactions between normal organ function and the immune system are becoming much tighter than we used to … [Read more...]
Strategic deworming important to cattle management
“Controlling parasites is a proven practice to improve performance in all stages of cattle production while also giving a significant return on investment,” says Boehringer Ingelheim’s Joe Gillespie, DVM. He reinforces the importance of understanding parasite life cycles and strategic treatment to improve cattle performance in all stages of production. Source: Feedstuffs, … [Read more...]
Zoetis, CSU launch Incubator Research Lab targeting biotherapeutics for cattle
Zoetis and Colorado State University have agreed to establish a research lab that will be used to help develop alternatiives to antibiotics for food-producing animals. Ray Goodrich, professor and executive director of the Infectious Disease Research Center says, “Our agreement with Zoetis represents the beginning of an era of collaboration, cooperation and innovation between … [Read more...]
Black vultures perplex cattlemen, sometimes kill newborn animals
Missouri cattlemen have drawn attention to a little known predatory behavior of black headed buzzards (aka Black Vulture). Even Audubon describes the perplexing behavior in their description of the bird, “. . . May kill and eat young of some birds, sea turtles; sometimes eats newborn young of larger mammals.” < link > The black vultures hang out primarily during calving … [Read more...]
Breeding cattle to reduce their methane emissions
A new international study shows that genetic selection allows researchers to select for cattle that are less likely to have high levels of methane-producing bacteria in their rumen. Professor John Williams, study leader and co-author with the University of Adelaide’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, explains the study design, how this could compromise selection for … [Read more...]
The relationship between cattle and wildlife
Often, ranchers and environmentalists are at odds with each other; each having a set of conservationist viewpoints that don’t necessarily match up, writes Amanda Radke. She explains why ruminant animals and wildlife can co-exist and thrive in the same environment. Source: BEEF, May 31, 2019. Link. The agricultural community has much to gain by taking pride in our … [Read more...]
U.S – Mexican border cattle ranches dealing with tick fever, quarantine
Two closely related tick species, one called the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, and another called the southern cattle tick, R. microplus are responsible for bovine babesiosis in border counties in Texas. A disease without a cure, tick fever is managed with strict quarantines. Fever ticks can carry parasites that infect and destroy the red blood cells of … [Read more...]
Poisonous plants for cattle, horses, dogs, cats
Spring brings a flowery green up but, plants toxic t0 our critters may lurk among the blooms. We compiled some resources for cattle, horses, dogs and cats below. Use them on social media and to solve problems with animal owners. Source: Plants toxic to cats, ASPCA. Link. Source: Plants toxic to dogs, ASPCA. Link. Source: Poisonous plants that can kill cattle, BEEF, … [Read more...]
Commentary – Manage cattle pain for their benefit and yours
Cattle pain management is at long last a viable topic when it comes to taking care of beef and dairy cattle. Two commentaries in Bovine Veterinarian are worth reading. The first, by editor John Maday, calls on veterinarians to advocate for animal welfare and consumer preferences, even though clients may resist. The second was written by Brandon Treichler, DVM and quality … [Read more...]
11 common-sense biosecurity tips help cattle operations
Commercial cattle producers should implement straightforward ways to improve biosecurity on their operations, according Brandi Karish, Mississippi State University Extension beef specialist. She shares 11 tips with Victoria Myers, Progressive Farmer senior editor. Source: Progressive Farmer, February 25, 2019. Link. Biosecurity does not have to mean a lockdown.” A few simple … [Read more...]
CattleFax predicts slower and more measured pace in 2019
David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry. Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively … [Read more...]
Upwards of 300,000 Australian cattle feared dead in record-break floods
Two years’ worth of rain that fell in two weeks in northwestern Queensland, Australia, has killed an untold number of cattle. Following a severe drought and recent high winds and cold weather, some say the losses will likely climb higher. Source: Beef Central, February 11, 2019. Link. “The loss of hundreds of thousands of cattle after five, six, seven years of drought, is a … [Read more...]
Culling decisions and dairy cattle welfare during transport to slaughter in the United States
Twenty eight percent of dairy cows are removed from dairy herds each year. Cull cows are often transported long distances to slaughter and may face many welfare challenges during this process. The authors discuss specialized slaughter locations, what holds this culling system in place and opportunities to improve cull cow welfare. At each point of sale and during each leg of … [Read more...]
Ruminations from NCBA Cattle Con (includes video)
Burke Teichert < link > reflects on his experiences during this year’s Cattle Industry Convention. His years of work show in his “I wonder” topics. The video interview reveals his wisdom and he challenges us to keep learning. My challenge is for all of us to become better and more engaged life-long learners—to become better systems thinkers and observers. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show wrap up
Nearly 9,000 people attended this year’s Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show that wrapped up last week in New Orleans. Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tennessee, was named president. Animal health pros made up a good percentage of the 350 exhibitors in the seven-acre trade show. As is tradition, Cattlemen’s College kicked off the event. Source: AgriMarketing, … [Read more...]
Engage cattle handling strategies that improve postweaning calf health
Whit Hibbard & Dawn Hnatow discuss working with postwean calves and teaching them to be manageable and happy. . . . in order for our calves to perform well and stay healthy, they not only need enough water, feed, rest, exercise and a comfortable environment, but they also need to be healthy emotionally. Source: Drovers, January 24, 2019. Link. Low-stress handlers … [Read more...]