We will tire of VFD articles almost before we get started. However, compliance and understanding come with repetition and multiple perspectives. Fred Gingrich, an Ohio DVM, concisely discusses VFD regulations from a product perspective. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 5, 2016. It is important to recognize what products are affected by these rules. For cattle, the … [Read more...]
Mastitis update
Mastitis continues to steal dairy profits. This article provides information about mastitis research, management and the resulting economics. If dairymen are reading at this level, then veterinarians and sales representatives need to be familiar with it, as well. Source: Dairy Herd Management, January 2016. According to data and a cost estimation model from the National … [Read more...]
Editorial – Tough “Goliath” start to 2016 in cattle industry
Holiday storm Goliath will hurt the beef and dairy industries for months to come. An estimated 40,000 dairy cattle were lost to the storm. Beef losses will be from lost weight gains. For veterinarians and suppliers, helping customers find ways to replace lost animals will help ensure ongoing revenue from animal health products and services. Source: Dairy Herd Management, … [Read more...]
Mycoplasma pneumonia in dairy calves
Robert B. Corbett, DVM, PAS, ACAN, Provo, Utah wrote a nice primer on controlling and preventing mycoplasma pneumonia in calves. Livestock veterinarians and representatives will find it to be a good review and refresher. While we often concentrate on the pneumonia, Corbett reminds us of other problems this bacteria causes and its hidden persistence once it gets … [Read more...]
Injection biosecurity, rethink the routine
This article underscores the need for single-needle dosing in dairy herds. Not a common practice, Mark Thomas, DVM BA BVP, shows health and total-cost benefits. He reminds readers of the public pressure and scrutiny of herd health practices and calls for industry leaders to set expectations for a standard of care. Source: Dairy Herd Management, December 2015, page 20. Many … [Read more...]
Bad birds
There are no references to Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds, in this quick read. Still, the challenge of managing both feed loss and contamination can be problematic for producers. North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy specialist J.W. Schroeder provides some perspective and elimination ideas for consideration. Source: Dairy Herd Management, October 29, … [Read more...]