Fiction: The most common symptom of BVD is diarrhea. From vaccinations to diagnostics, misconceptions about BVD can leave costly gaps in herd health programs. Veterinarians Dr. Robert Larson and Dr. Christopher Chase help separate fact from fiction on one of the cattle industry’s most economically important diseases. Because many infected animals appear healthy, … [Read more...]
Liver abscesses not just a harvest-day finding
It is now believed the true impact of liver abscesses may begin long before harvest. Shifting energy use from maintenance to production and growth is central to the discussion of liver abscess. Recent research provides evidence that liver abscesses may begin earlier in life. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 17, 2026. Link. Veterinarians may need to view liver abscesses not … [Read more...]
Two cases of New World Screwworm confirmed in South Texas
The ongoing NWS story is going to occupy current news for a time. “A case of New World screwworm has been confirmed in South Texas near La Pryor, according to USDA.” NWS is back in the U.S. for the first time in 60 years. Animal health pros who share updates and actionable information can help animal owners monitor and identify infestations. This situation is evolving, and … [Read more...]
Producer-veterinarian relationships matter
A lot has been written about access to veterinary care lately. We’ve professed the need to adjust the relationship view to consider CVRP instead of VCPR <Link>. Whether we have it backwards or not, Andrea Bedford’s article reveals the value communication and trust with producers as an important and often overlooked component of VCPR. She describes the C-V-R as part of … [Read more...]
Routine deworming is giving way to targeted, data-driven strategies in cattle
Parasites are not going away, but the way they are managed is evolving, shares Andrea Bedford. The goal is no longer the complete elimination of parasites but rather smarter management of them. Takeaways from an episode of The Bovine Vet Podcast [1:02] present the benefits of changing from a calendar-centric parasite control schedule to precision parasite management that … [Read more...]
Rethink milk fever: The immune-calcium connection in transition cows
New research is helping reframe hypocalcemia through what is being called the calci-inflammatory network which is a model that links calcium dynamics directly to immune function during the transition period. It offers a more integrated way to understand milk fever; one that connects metabolism, inflammation and mineral dynamics. Calcium is not simply a nutrient to maintain but … [Read more...]
Livestock euthanasia delays caused by lack of recognition and failure to act
Euthanasia is often thought of as a single act, but in practice, it is a process shaped by how quickly problems are recognized, how clearly decisions are made and how reliably systems support follow-through. Farm systems do not consistently support acting at the right time, even when the need is recognized. Andrea Bedford describes the two-clock model which is especially … [Read more...]
Fast-growing pasture creates risk of grass tetany in lactating cows
Surges in forage growth create grass tetany risk across many beef operations. Andrea Bedford shares ways to reduce the risks. While grass tetany is a seasonal risk that follows predictable patterns, producers may need to monitor animals closely in areas where wildfires burned and forage grasses are recovering. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 23, 2026. Link. Risk … [Read more...]
The growing intersection of genetics and health
Includes commercial references to Neogen Rather than focusing on treatment and prevention, veterinarians are being pulled into more strategic discussions, helping producers evaluate trade-offs and set long-term direction, writes Andrea Bedford. As producers consider adding genomics, veterinary teams are being asked for advice, ready or not. For veterinarians, stepping … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance April 2, 2026
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 26, 2026. Link. Most read posts from the March 26th AHD Bulletin – Before PRDC takes control: Bordetella bronchiseptica’s early role. Link. The Farmer’s Dog to be in Walmart. Link. Customer hesitation. Link. CAPC 2026 Pet Parasite Forecast: vectors, hotspots, year-round risk. Link. From … [Read more...]
F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide approved to prevent and treat NWS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for F10 Antiseptic Wound Spray with Insecticide (benzalkonium chloride, polyhexanide and cypermethrin topical solution) for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm infestations (myiasis). Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 10, 2026. Link. The FDA concluded it is reasonable to believe … [Read more...]
Low-stress handling isn’t just for animals
Commentary Don’t let the cowboy hat and big beard fool you. Ashley Nicholls is an Australian turned Canadian and 2026 Nuffield Scholar <Link>. He says the ways we’ve learned to work with animals may be the missing framework for team cohesion and communication. The concept of low-stress people handling Nicholls promotes is based on the work of Temple Grandin, a renowned … [Read more...]
The power of “I don’t know”
Commentary Thank you, Andrea Bedford for this article and its assertions. It should be a must-read for all animal health pros. She shares the power of a confident “I don’t know” statement. Veterinary medicine, particularly production medicine, is built on probability, not certainty. Complex herd systems rarely offer immediate clarity. And sometimes, the most professional … [Read more...]
Review: Cattle injection guide: Best practices for needles, syringes and sites
Proper injection technique is a cornerstone of Beef Quality Assurance, writes Lillian Hulse. Her article summarizes expert insights from a Doc Talk episode featuring Dan Thompson, DVM. They are presented as a guide covering: a) injection types, b) needle selection, c) best injection sites for cattle, d) safety and hygiene rules, and e) cleaning and maintaining … [Read more...]
Red lighting in dry cow pen, consistent with known physiology
There’s a hypothesis being tested using red lights at Parkview Dairy in Delhi, California. The new dry cow barn was constructed with red lights to better understand how light exposure regulates circadian rhythms. The concept emerged from a broader awareness of circadian biology and a recognition that traditional barn lighting often overlooks how cows perceive light at … [Read more...]
Acupuncture for cows
Acupuncture may provide a practical, low-risk adjunct for cattle veterinarians for pain and restoring function in food animals. It also can stimulate and influence both immune and reproductive system regulation. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 14, 2026. Link. When analgesic tools are scarce and animal comfort matters, acupuncture may offer a meaningful benefit at … [Read more...]
Don’t let winter’s cold open the door to BRD
Good animal husbandry is a crucial component of cold stress management, says Nathan Meyer, DVM, PhD. When cattle are putting a lot of energy toward staying warm, they become more susceptible to disease challenges so managing their environment is important to reduce disease risk. Meyer asserts the importance of quality water and matching nutrition to help keep cattle … [Read more...]
Early castration improves animal welfare, safety, and on-farm economics
Sponsor Content Recent research confirms the importance of fall calving in the beef segment and year-round calving in dairies in North America. Estimates show that more than 80,000 bull calves will be born this November and December: a third in beef operations and two-thirds in dairy operations. The AABP recommends that pain management be considered the standard of care … [Read more...]
Analgesic relief during castration. The right thing and it pays
Sponsor Content A study at Kansas State University demonstrated how lidocaine-infused castration bands help calves transition through the painful castration phase more smoothly and comfortably than after standard castration practices. Increased lying time versus controls between days 21 and 35 post-banding demonstrated how Solvet’s LidobandTM improves calf comfort as … [Read more...]
Mexican Border closed again, New World screwworm comes within 370 miles of the U.S.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins shut down cattle, bison and equine trade at the U.S. Mexico border due to new northward detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2025. Link. … [Read more...]
Make temperature monitoring part of daily calf care
A lot has been written on keeping calves warm in cold weather and easing environmental heat during summer heat waves <Link>. In this article, Maureen Hanson shares the importance of urging producers to make temperature monitoring a routine part of daily calf care. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, February 26, 2025. Link. Early detection of disease is critical to avoid … [Read more...]
Improving cull cow decisions
Our perceptions of cull cows are not always representative of their value as they leave the herd. It is better to consider them dairy market cows versus cull cows <Link>. Cull cow weight and price remain a primary factor in managing herd profitability. Maureen Hansen covers five factors to consider when culling cows. She includes economic and animal health elements that … [Read more...]
Johne’s disease no longer just a dairy disease
Johne’s is a disease that veterinarians, animal scientists and cow-calf producers should start discussing before consumer confidence in the food we produce decreases and the pressure from outside sources to instill more regulation on the beef industry intensifies, writes Gregg Hanzlicek, DVM, PhD. While veterinarians have discussed Johne’s with dairy farmers for decades, … [Read more...]
Incorporating BQA into practice
Beef Quality Assurance education and practices remain one of the more important efforts for and by cattle producers. Ongoing support and leadership from veterinarians is vital to continue seeing producer successes and consistent quality beef products. BQA-certified operations are estimated to provide 85 percent of U.S. fed-beef. Julia Herman, DVM, MS, DACVPM, shares the … [Read more...]
Recent graduates share their best practice tips
Four hard-working, dynamic bovine practitioners shared some practical ideas and recommendations during the final session of the AABP Recent Graduate Conference. While we work on animals, we work for and with people . . . so be prompt, be practical, be polite and practice one’s skills.” - Andy Harding, DVM Source: Bovine Veterinarian, June 11, 2024. Link. Related content: 5 … [Read more...]
Becoming a better client for the veterinarian
Lacey Fahrmeier, DVM, shares ways clients can help foster stronger connections and mindful adjustments with their veterinarians. Although focused on issues with rural livestock veterinarians, her five steps also apply to companion and equine practice clients as well. Veterinarians only have so much bandwidth. If you don’t want your vet to burn out, you probably need to … [Read more...]
Buckle down on biosecurity: HPAI, BIAV
Mindy Ward’s title says it all, “Buckle down on biosecurity!” We’ve assembled a group of articles referencing emerging HPAI infections in non-bird species. Most notable is AABP’s renaming of the emerging cattle disease as Bovine Influenza A Virus versus HPAI followed by assertions to keep pets away from birds. There’s significant media coverage but, as we’ve learned before, … [Read more...]
Help producers transition to beef on dairy with these tips
CattleFax predicts U.S. beef-on-dairy cattle numbers will reach between 4 million and 5 million head as early as 2026. That translates to roughly 15 percent of the cattle harvested annually. Mitch Hockett, PhD, says veterinarians can help producers establish the value of beef-on-dairy calves and continue that long-term in the industry. Hockett outlined four key steps and … [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...]
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...]