Dairies should trim each cow’s feet twice a year, once before dry off and at mid-lactation as both a routine and corrective measure, asserts Brad Ingram. He and Aaron LaVoy share tips, timing and techniques to ensure blocking compliments trimming activities and ultimately healthier cows. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, October 22, 2021. Link. Sanitation, nutrition, hoof … [Read more...]
Pain predictor research
As animal welfare concerns grow, pain evaluation methods are being challenged and researched. Heart rate variability is one of the possible indicators being researched. Maureen Hansen shares how technology and analytics are being implemented in different production scenarios to monitor heart rate variability. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, October 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Summer pneumonia is a concern in calves
Calves that struggled early and failed to get significant passive transfer of immunity through colostrum are eventually susceptible to pathogens that can cause respiratory disease. Mixing, sorting and some weather events create stressful conditions that may trigger an outbreak of summer pneumonia in nursing calves. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, May 12, 2021. Link. Vaccination … [Read more...]
4 Ss of pain management in cattle
In today’s cattle stewardship environment, pain management is an important consideration, especially for dehorning, injuries and surgeries. It is fundamentally important to address pain for the animal’s benefit, production efficiency, and for maintaining the confidence of the consumer.” - Johann F Coetzee BVSc, Cert CHP, PhD, DACVCP, DACAW, DipECAWBM Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Weaned calves worth $50 more than unweaned calves
Nearly 400,000 calves sold through Superior Livestock Auction during the summer of 2020. The weaned calves garnered about $50 more than their unweaned herd mates, based on sale price data analyzed from seven value-added programs. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, February 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Greg Henderson’s article shares the study results, as well as an overview of the … [Read more...]
Knock out ketosis
Ketosis contributes to wide ranging losses. A single case of ketosis costs dairy producers an average of $298. The most common metabolic disease in cattle, two common, differing etiologies of early lactation ketosis are in play: the animal’s inability to adapt to an early lactation energy deficit – one to two weeks limited energy intake – three to six weeks The use … [Read more...]
Biting, sucking lice thrive in winter
Lice thrive in winter. Their survival and transmission is further enhanced by factors such as long haircoats and huddling behavior, writes Meredyth Jones DVM, MS, DACVIM. She writes about winter conditions, infestation, reduced weight gain, products and treatments. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, February 19, 2021. Link. Lice spread via direct contact between animals but are … [Read more...]
Why pigs don’t wear masks
Opinion Relating the challenges of pandemic mask wearing may be a reach, but swine veterinarians and producers have been fighting Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) since the late 1980s. Most animal health pros realize the importance of pathogen reduction. Air filtering has become a primary method of reducing risks in swine units where herd density … [Read more...]
Preg-check beef cows early
Identifying reproductive issues, managing input costs, more efficient culling along various preg-checking methods are presented in this article. Producers have a variety of options for managing nonpregnant cows and heifers.” Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 10, 2020. Link. Current cattle markets, weather outlooks and feed availability are all factors that should be … [Read more...]
DVMs, MDs collaborate to address zoonoses
The prevalence of zoonoses points to the need for veterinarians and their human counterparts to connect and work together today in ways most haven’t historically.” - Audrey Ruple, DVM. The progressive nature of the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the need for medical professionals from all disciplines to interact, share knowledge and activate their collective … [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...]
Stop the imposter syndrome
Rhonda Brooks shares perspective about and solutions to offset impostor syndrome experiences. Seventy percent of people are affected at some point in their lives, notes Amy Ruple, DVM. The percentage may be higher among high-achieving veterinarians. The article includes 10 steps to help learn to think like a non-impostor from Valerie Young, EdD. Source: Bovine … [Read more...]
Move forward and live
Disney’s popular movie, The Rookie (2002), starred Dennis Quaid who plays Jim Morris, the oldest player in professional baseball. Morris shared the experience of getting there with AgriTalk in the context of the current pandemic recovery. He talks about meeting challenges head-on, perseverance and the value of surrounding yourself with the best people to be the best you can … [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...]
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...]
Fair Oaks Dairy; what’s different now? (video)
Mike McCloskey says he didn’t think it would ever happen on their farm. Now, months after the allegations, he shares the changes made including more video oversight, intense animal welfare training and additional veterinarian resources. Fair Oaks Farms is a dairy and agri-tourism destination in Indiana. It prides itself on opening up its operation, being transparent and … [Read more...]
The evolution of metaphylaxis
Tom Latta, DVM, outlined the history and current trends in metaphylaxis for feedyard cattle during the recent AABP Conference. Since its beginnings in the 1970s, procedures have evolved with the availability of more effective antibiotics, more regulation of veterinary medications, greater emphasis on food safety, antibiotic residues and prevention of antibiotic resistance. … [Read more...]
Keep vets protected on the farm
We often bemoan the need to minimize veterinarian exposure to liability on farm. But, with growing numbers of veterinary students who grew up in the suburbs and have little to no real experience in handling livestock, the potential of injuries increases. Kenneth Brown, JD, DVM, shares steps for veterinarians to minimize the risk of liability and avoid problems. Source: … [Read more...]
Tick study: One single tick, multiple pathogens of tick-borne diseases
Ticks can carry several different pathogens capable of several different tick-borne diseases, sometimes in a single tick, according to a study in mBio < link >. Notably, the lone star tick is a very aggressive tick that can transmit a bacterium that causes a disease known as Ehrlichiosis. The lone star tick has also been implicated in cases of a novel form of meat … [Read more...]
USDA wants nominations for areas short on vets
Veterinarians who commit to practicing in areas short of veterinary services can get help from USDA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. It is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). NIFA identifies the locations in greatest need for veterinarians through a nomination process. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, September 3, 2019.Link. The … [Read more...]
Zoonotic diseases drive One Health approach
Seventy five percent of emerging infectious diseases of people are zoonotic, or originated with animals according to the CDC. John Maday reminds us that these diseases can pose a health risk to farm workers through animal contact, and potentially to the public overall, either through contact with animals or disease vectors such as mosquitos or ticks, or through contaminated … [Read more...]
Handle MLVs with care (includes video)
Modified-live vaccines must be handled and stored properly if they are to be efficacious. This article and a YouTube video cover basics that are helpful for newbies and old hands alike. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, July 3, 2019. Link. Incorrect storage, exposure to sunlight and delayed administration all can reduce or even eliminate the effectiveness of an MLV, cautioned New … [Read more...]
Preweaning BRD is the leading cause of mortality in young calves
Presentations during the recent Academy of Veterinary Consultants meeting reviewed research with BRD-caused mortality in young calves. The mix of pathogens involved in preweaning BRD is similar to older calves. Diagnostics labs find Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, mycoplasma and coronavirus, usually in association with at least one other … [Read more...]
Microbiome; it’s a bug eat bug world
“The microbiome is a collection of different microorganisms that we find in the intestinal tract of animals, and we know these microorganisms are essential to immune development,” says Christopher Chase, DVM. “Understanding how they interact with the gut, and particularly the epithelium of the gut, is really important.” In the last decade, research has shown the epithelial … [Read more...]
Check bulls before they get turned out
An annual breeding soundness exam is vital to ensure bulls will be fertile and physically sound at turnout, writes Wyatt Bechtel. Good genetics are useless if the bull is unable to perform his job when covering a cowherd or group of heifers. Source: Bovine Veterinarian, March 27, 2019. Link. Bechtel shares the four parameters to a breeding soundness exam and what … [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...]
Bragging rights: Top veterinary universities
Rankings prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds ranks The University of California – Davis in the number 2 spot globally for 2019. The ranking makes it the top-ranked veterinary university in the United States. Eleven North American schools are ranked in the top 25 as shown below: University of California – Davis (#2)Cornell University (#5)University of Guelph (#7)The Ohio … [Read more...]
Trick cows to calve in the daylight
Few cattle producers like to get out of bed to check the cows at 2:00 a.m. It’s cold and dark then. When late-day feeding is implemented, field studies and researchers all report 80 percent or more of cows calve in the daytime. . . . to have more cows and heifers calve in daylight hour, try to delay putting out hay and cubes until late in the day. . . The class of … [Read more...]
Researchers bust antimicrobial-resistance myth
It would seem logical to assume beef from cattle treated with antibiotics would carry more resistant bacteria than beef from “antibiotic-free” production systems. Testing this hypothesis researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have shown shows similar levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in ground beef raised with and without antibiotics. The … [Read more...]