A stroke of the obvious? Maybe . . . but backyard chicken raisers will appreciate this article from 20-year veteran Erin Snyder who shares tips on keeping the coop and accessories clean. Consider the article for social media, newletters or chicken enthusiast groups in your region. Source: Hobby Farms. Link. Regularly cleaning the coop, run, waterers and feeders may seem … [Read more...]
Search Results for: water
U.S. dairy farms progressing on most environmental metrics
The dairy industry's carbon intensity has improved since 1971, USDA research says, but water use, a key metric, has worsened. It's not clear exactly why the dairy industry's use of water has increased by 42 percent, or 28 percent per unit of milk produced. Source: Feed Strategy, February 22, 2024. Link. The environmental gains are a result of dramatic improvements in … [Read more...]
10 gallons a day to keep a horse hydrated
Regardless of the season, the average adult horse should drink about one gallon of water for every 100 pounds of body weight; a 1,000-pound horse would need 10 gallons of water each day. Horses prefer to drink water that is between 45° F and 65° F will drink the most water within three hours of consuming a meal. Horses may struggle to get enough water during colder … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 22, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 15, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the February 15th AHD Bulletin – Creating a Fear Free toothbrushing experience for pets (video). Link. Consistent ordinary produces extraordinary. Link. Improve the narrative with diagnostic listening. Link. … [Read more...]
9 ways to resuscitate a newborn calf
Bovine veterinarians offer ways to help a calf at birth if needed. They assert the importance of improving their own resuscitation skills and teaching them to producers. Instead of drenching the calf with water . . . pour a small amount of cold tap water into one ear to activate neurons and stimulate the calf’s gasp reflex.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, November 10, 2023. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 1, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 15, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 25th AHD Bulletin – Develop an opportunity mindset. Link. How dogs understand time. Link. An update on multi-drug-resistant parasites in horses. Link. ============================================ 8 Pet supply, service businesses on … [Read more...]
Studies: Early social housing helps dairy calves thrive
Dairy cows are social creatures so they seek contact with fellow calves after birth. Their eventual social status within herds can play a role in their access to water and food. Research results increase our understanding of paired housing in the critical newborn and pre-weaned stages of dairy calf lives. . . . housing designed to facilitate early socialization can build … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – January 18, 2024
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, January 11, 2024. Link. Most read post(s) from the January 11th AHD Bulletin – Understanding active listening and distractions. Link. The pros and cons of servant leadership. Link. 22 team-building activities and games for 2024. Link. ============================================ Study: Antibiotics … [Read more...]
Increased risk of histomoniasis outbreaks in turkeys when chickens are close
A study published in The Journal of Applied Poultry Research and led by scientists at North Carolina State University suggests that having a broiler-breeder chicken farm within one mile of a turkey farm increases histomoniasis risk significantly. The protozoan Histomonas meleagridis, causes histomoniasis which is also known as blackhead disease. The risk of disease … [Read more...]
Winter hydration critical in the home, the kennel, daycare and on the street
Includes commercial content For ourselves and our pets hydration is as crucial in winter as it is in summer. Decreasing indoor humidity during furnace season requires dogs to drink more water, says Luke Pidgeon. Dehydration always results in a loss of electrolytes. Warning signs include panting, dry nose, loss of appetite, reduced energy levels, lethargy and thick … [Read more...]
Weather, horses, equine risk and disease
Weather, weather patterns and weather events all can contribute to potential disease in horses, writes SallyAnne L. DeNotta, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM. Consider this article for social media or newsletters as content to promote vaccination, disaster planning and other preventatives. Source: The Horse, January 2, 2024. Link. Related: 14 ways to get ready for winter, EQUUS, … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – December 7, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, November 30, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the November 30th AHD Bulletin – Washers and dryers require more frequent cleaning than you think. Link. Be curious. Link. What scents are dangerous to cats and dogs? Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy … [Read more...]
Condition of surplus dairy calves during marketing
Surplus dairy calves are sold soon after birth and often marketed through a third party before entering veal or dairy beef production. A portion of these mostly male calves failed transfer of passive immunity and exhibited clinical signs of disease on arrival at calf-raising facilities. Researchers sought to better understand elements of calf health and morbidity during the … [Read more...]
Livestock-related products make life simpler (slide show)
Veterinary teams and representatives should take note of this new livestock products review. It includes everything from handling equipment to waterers and more. Farm Progress editors share new products suited to serious livestock producers in this article and slide show. Source: Farm Progress, November 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Tyson Foods invests in insect protein production
Tyson Foods and Protix are investing to build an insect ingredient facility in the U.S. to take advantage of the growing popularity of insect proteins in poultry and livestock feed. Insect protein production occurs in a circular system with a smaller footprint helping to close water, nutrient and carbon cycles. Source: WATTPoultry, October 17, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – October 19, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, October 12, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from the October 12th AHD Bulletin – Pet owners delay veterinary care . . . may spend $700M on Halloween. Link. Stop giving advice. Link. National Veterinary Technician Week turns 30 (video). Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by … [Read more...]
Study examines impacts of 3 styles of feeding horses
Horses with access to free choice feeding or a slow feeder spent more than half their day doing natural activities such as foraging, according to results from a Morris Animal Foundation study. Taking care of horses means more than just giving them a place to stay, food and water. It means giving them an environment where they can do things that are part of their natural … [Read more...]
Bird flu is back among commercial poultry flocks in U.S.
We shared concerns about the potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza infections to return as this fall’s bird migration began <Link>. It appears HPAI took a summer break but has returned to commercial turkey flocks in South Dakota and Utah. Fears are mounting that HPAI may possibly become a regular seasonal event. The virus may be present in wild birds and … [Read more...]
At 25,000 bites per day improving forage management can improve cattle health
Animal health pros understand the importance of having healthy animals when implementing preventive vaccines and pharmaceuticals. After water, the quality of nutrition available is a precursor to successful animal health practices. Sarah Flack shared her definition of improved grazing during the Grassfed Exchange. She explained how each tool in a grazier’s toolbox can boost … [Read more...]
Manure Expo featured research-backed innovation
Livestock producers are constantly challenged to improve the way manure is handled to protect land and water resources and maximize its value to farms. More than 900 people attended the North American Manure Expo to learn and discuss modern methods of improving the use and value of livestock waste. What’s really exciting is how quickly manure applicators and farmers are … [Read more...]
Fall calving in hot weather challenges calves and cows
Heat stress is actually harder on young calves than cold stress. Newborn calves have an immature “thermostat,” writes Mark Z. Johnson. He shares best practices for fall calving taking place during high temperatures. The thermoneutral zone for a young calf is between 50 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit.” Source: Drovers, August 21, 2023. Link. Shade and fresh water is critical. In … [Read more...]
How much should a dog drink?
Healthy dogs need to drink about an ounce per pound of their body weight daily, but many factors can affect their consumption, writes Eileen Fatcheric, DVM. Regardless, the chart shown here is a good resource to share with dog owners on social media, in newsletters or with local reporters, especially during hot periods. It’s also helpful for owners when their dogs’ diets are … [Read more...]
We need a lot of blue to remain green
Paper: How advances in animal efficiency and management have affected beef cattle’s water intensity in the United States: 1991 compared to 2019. Benjamin Franklin once said, “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” Animal health pros realize water quality affects animal health outcomes. So does water availability. While the beef industry has been focusing on … [Read more...]
Taking care of thirsty pollinators
Complimentary Commercial Content Without bees, our environment would be drastically different as 60 percent of the fruit and vegetables would disappear, as well as approximately 25,000 species of flowering plants. Each of us can create a bee-friendly habitat in our own yard or gardens to make a difference for bee populations on the local level.” The National Wildlife … [Read more...]
Livestock producers reminded to protect against anthrax
Two confirmed cases of anthrax in North Dakota are a reminder to livestock producers to take action to protect their animals from the disease, especially in areas with a history of the disease. Effective anthrax vaccines are readily available, but it takes about a week for immunity to be established and must be administered annually for continued protection. Source: BEEF, … [Read more...]
One of these bees is not like the others
A well-known Sesame Street tune comes to mind when reviewing Tod Oder’s article on the types of bees in the U.S. While animal health pros have more responsibility in the treatment of disease in honey bees, there are many more types of bees to consider. Drought conditions are hard on pollinator populations, too. I saw four types in my own backyard this last weekend drinking … [Read more...]
Will the avian flu fly in and splash down this fall?
It is NOT too early to work with poultry producers to increase avian flu biosecurity measures and surveillance. How much the disease will impact U.S. poultry this coming fall has not been predicted to date but it is always good to be prepared.” The BirdCast estimates 109 million birds are already on the move (a map image is shown in the Worth a Glance section). Additional … [Read more...]
4 things to bring ROI to cattle operations
Animal health pros who work with or call on cattle producers benefit from understanding how producers make money. Wesley Tucker explains how to use herd income generated from drought-induced downsizing to consider making strategic investments in forages, fence or water, irrigation, feed storage and handling in lieu of paying higher taxes. Source: MissouriRuralist, July 24, … [Read more...]
Squirt bottle is NOT a good tool to train cats
Complimentary Commercial Content Grandma did it, as did Aunt Bessie and Mom. Even Google seems to approve. But when it comes to working with cats to deter so-called misbehaviors, a squirt bottle filled with water is ineffective and counterproductive. Pam Johnson-Bennett explains why and how to help cats learn to behave to meet their owners’ expectations. Source: Cat … [Read more...]
The bovine nasal fungal community and associations with bovine respiratory disease
Commentary Consider the end of a cow’s nose. Picture what it encounters throughout the day. A variety of environmental conditions exist when cows inhale dirt, pond water, silage, grasses, baled hay, another cows’ behind, cow manure, wildlife feces and so on. Effective identification and treatment of bovine respiratory disease is an ongoing health and economic issue for … [Read more...]