Animal health professionals enjoy their ATVs. Customers do, too. Whether you drive one or simply need to have a topic to discuss, this article lets you know what’s new with 2016 ATVs. Source: Beef, April 26, 2016. Lots of agricultural work doesn’t require a full-size pickup. When it comes to getting around the ranch quickly and inexpensively, light-duty vehicles are the … [Read more...]
Pest buster listing for cattle is good tool
This listing of parasite and pest management products is a good reference tool for veterinary teams, dealers and representatives. Most of these products’ labels and applicable MSDS sheets are available from the North American Compendium. Source: Beef, March 2016. 2016 Pest Buster Listing. … [Read more...]
Limit invasive species spread in pastures
Suburban acreage owners will appreciate this article as a resource, as will livestock producers. Veterinary teams, retailers, dealers and sales representatives can use this information to discuss European starlings, feral swine, brown trees snakes and other invasive species that pose potential risks. Source: Beef Magazine, February 24, 2016. According to the USDA blog, “It … [Read more...]
Fly resistant cattle make for good discussions
Fly resistance is a heritable trait, say researchers. It’s often overlooked. Researchers continue to identify specific genes, but in the meantime selecting for bulls and cows that carry fewer flies can work. Source: Beef Magazine, February 25, 2016. Today, cattle breeding and selection focuses on many things, but heritability of fly resistance is often overlooked. “All the … [Read more...]
Beta-agonists exonerated
Recent efforts to identify whether zilpaterol and ractopamine were a cause of fatigued cattle syndrome determined that the products have no effect on problems seen in fed cattle at the packing plant. The alternative explanation is that heavier cattle respond negatively to aggressive handling. Source: Beef Magazine, February 2016, page 18. “But the one thing that was … [Read more...]
VFD – still much to do
“Ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it,” wrote, Addison Mizner, a 19th century architect. This quote is appropriate to Wes Ishmael’s article. It says many producers and some veterinarians are still unaware of how critical the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) and veterinary feed directive (VFD) are to future production practices. Source: Beef, … [Read more...]
Editorial – Serving seedstock producers
There is a hidden resource in this article for livestock veterinarians, livestock sales reps or dealers serving this market: the Beef Seedstock Top 100 listing. Sortable, it is easily managed for your area. If you already work with these producers, send them a note of congratulations. They’ll appreciate it. If not, then you have ample information to engage them as a … [Read more...]
Weather outlook 2016: get a drought plan
This article supports coffee-shop buzz like no other. Get the 2016 weather forecast from Brian Bledsoe, Colorado Springs, CO, meteorologist and ag weather consultant. Source: Beef Magazine, January 2016, page 60. “This El Nino should be history sometime in the spring”, Bledsoe said. “By late spring, it’s probably done. Which should be an indication that you be diligent and … [Read more...]
Clearing up VFD confusion
Learn what is critical in the short term and what’s to come in 2016 from this review. Source: Beef Magazine, January 2016, page 36. Keep in mind that veterinarians will only be able to authorize label uses of the VFD antibiotics. Currently, any use of a feed drug other than according to the label is illegal. INSIGHTS: The noise about VFD slowed during the holidays. In … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content – Set up replacement heifers for long-term success
Replacement heifers are a lifeline to a herd’s success. This article highlights how to get them started right and reviews factors for a successful replacement heifer program. Source: Beef, December 17, 2015. Producers should look for heifers that display these characteristics: 1) a mature body size that matches the ranch resource availability; 2) an ability to get bred and … [Read more...]