Bovine respiratory disease researchers are diligently working to reduce diagnosis time for the variety of pathogens involved with the disease. Current test results can take days to be returned. Purdue University researchers are seeking to shorten that time to about 30 minutes. Bovine respiratory disease can be triggered by a number of bacteria and viruses, making treatment … [Read more...]
CattleFax CEO shares beef industry outlook
Occasionally, it is important to revisit how we got to where we are. Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, shared similar perspectives at this year's virtual Feeding Quality Forum. “It’s not been a straight line,” he said. On the global stage, the U.S. is the top beef and poultry producer, and third in pork, dominating meat trade overall. The reason, he said, is because the lion’s … [Read more...]
Helping cattle stand the heat
Every summer, livestock media sources of all types feature piece about heat stress in cattle. Whether cow-calf, feeder or dairy cows, heat can damage their ability to maintain their rate of gain or milk production. The combination of hot temperatures, high humidity, and lack of air movement can result in severe cases of heat stress for cattle. When temperatures remain above … [Read more...]
Warning signs for African horse sickness are present
Officials and the U.S. horse industry are monitoring for African horse sickness, which will put horses at risk if it enters the country. This disease, which has a horse mortality rate of 90 percent, was recently discovered in Thailand. It is believed it was introduced by imported infected zebras. The disease is caused by an Orbivirus that is primarily transmitted by biting … [Read more...]
Cattle health, drones and thermal imaging
Visualize a cowboy on a horse or 4-wheeler near cattle. His attention is not focused on observing them, rather he’s staring into a screen he keeps moving back and forth, tipping and dipping. Drones using thermal imaging coupled with artificial intelligence is nearly here. It is early, but technology similar to satellite imaging is coming soon to help monitor cattle health and … [Read more...]
Hardware, plastic disease still found in cattle
Fifty five percent to 75 percent of cattle slaughtered in the eastern U.S. have hardware in the reticulum. Cattle don’t usually sort their food, which means they can ingest foreign matter when eating hay or processed feed. This include pieces of fencing, nails, metals and more recently, plastic fibers used to bind hay. Magnets are used to remove metal objects, but plastics are … [Read more...]
Why dog import legislation is important to animal health pros
Commentary Art Parola, a pet industry consultant, recently wrote the column, Why Cattleman Should Care About Dog Import Legislation, for Drovers. He highlights the real risk of Bont ticks being imported while attached to dogs coming into the U.S., especially those from the Caribbean region. It is highly infested with heartwater for which hont ticks are vectors. Heartwater … [Read more...]
BudBox design improves stockmanship
Handling cattle can be stressful on the cattle and operators. Traditional methods of funneling and pushing add more stress. Whit Hibbard And Dawn Hnatow explain the differences between three crowd pen systems: wedges narrow options to one and rely on force tubs favor a mechanical over behavioral approach BudBoxes use a behavioral approach by obeying certain … [Read more...]
Here’s the beef. . . well maybe
Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University ag economist, says beef markets are moving past the worst of the disruptions that caused upheaval recently. Beef markets were thrown into turmoil in March as food service markets, such as restaurants, were sharply curtailed and beef demand suddenly rose in the retail grocery sector. He discusses the supply chain, price fluctuations and … [Read more...]
Beef topics: anaplasmosis, water and pandemic processing
Anaplasmosis, availability of water and its quality, and keeping processing teams aligned to limit coronavirus transmission concerns were among recent beef production discussions. Producers may have skimmed this information and need help with answers. It is also important to support the National Cattlemen’s Association’s Beef Quality Assurance trainings to help raise the … [Read more...]
Keep the value of your vaccine dollars
Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store vaccines and handle them prior to injection, states Glenn Selk, PhD Biological products should be stored under refrigeration at 35⁰F to 45⁰F unless the nature of the product makes storing at a different temperature advisable (APHIS 2007). Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store … [Read more...]
Robert Hummel, DVM, receives Industry Leadership Award
The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame has honored veterinarian and entrepreneur Robert Hummel with its 2020 Industry Leadership Award. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1961 and worked as an veterinarian for the American Cyanamid Company until he bought a small distribution company in 1967 that became Great Plains Chemical. Today, Hummel is most known for leading and … [Read more...]
Parasite control strategies
Parasite resistance has taken root in most regions, writes John Maday. Ever-increasing scrutiny of antibiotic use and regulatory action has encouraged producers to focus more on prevention rather than treatment. Prevention mindedness is good news. Yet, both external and internal parasites have developed some resistance to treatment chemistries. Source: Drovers, March 2020, … [Read more...]
Where’s the beef? The pork? The chicken?
Our meat supply channels face some bottlenecks as packing plants close to protect workers, deeply disinfect and determine potential fomite risks in their throughput. Our meat industry is built to have inventories moving all the time. There are challenges facing producers who now have limited options for moving animals ready for slaughter on their terminal schedules. It is … [Read more...]
Open-field calving box keeps newborns warm
Like its own miniature windbreak, this Canadian producer’s idea has merit for inclement weather conditions anywhere. It is an idea to consider sharing with cattle producers directly or by newsletters and social media posts. Source: Drover’s, March 30, 2020. Link. INSIGHTS: Calves are often born in the worst weather regardless of seasons. Something about those changes in … [Read more...]
Veterinary Feed Directives improving use of medically important products
VFDs imposed by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2017 are required for livestock feed products that contain medically important ingredients, such as tetracyclines. David Williams, owner-operator of Burkmann Nutrition, explains how feed retailers can play a leading role helping livestock operators and their veterinarians operate well with VFDs. His and other … [Read more...]
BI releases Cattle First documentary about commitment to cattle health
Cattle First, a documentary about the Johnsons, a six-generation ranching family who owns the Flying Diamond Cattle ranch in Colorado, premiered during the recent 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio. The Johnson’s story focuses on the importance – and benefits – of putting animals first and the importance of being transparent about how beef is produced. Watch the … [Read more...]
Labor challenges are the norm for livestock employees
Farm Journal’s survey of more than 2,000 farmers, ranchers and dairy producers reveals challenges of ag workers. From the workers’ perspective, getting paid a good wage, paid time off and employer-subsidized benefits top the list of preferences. Employers find increasingly difficult to find qualified candidates and to maintain profitability before increasing wages or adding … [Read more...]
BQA is trust insurance
Beef Quality Assurance certification is proof that cattlemen really care about how they raise their animals, said Josh White. More than 85 percent of beef comes from BQA-certified producers. While most cattlemen are familiar with the program, it is important to re-certify every two years to keep current with changes, updates and new information regarding cattle handling and … [Read more...]
CWD, a lingering threat
Deer harvest season is underway across the country. Various methods of surveying deer health get implemented depending on state regulations and previous disease evidence. John Maday’s article updates our post, Group calls for national CWD strategy, July 30, 2019. Link. Source: Drovers, October 2019. Link. Science-based and enforced regulation of captive cervid facilities is … [Read more...]
Rumen soup, a jigsaw of cow gut microbes
Agricultural Research Service scientists and their cooperators are using high tech tools to better understand the microbial "soup" of the cow's rumen. The rumen is the first of four stomach chambers where tough plant fibers are turned into nutrients and energy. Derek Bickhart, a research microbiologist, estimates there are more than 30,000 species of rumen-dwelling organisms. … [Read more...]
Plastic bags kill horses and cows
Single-use plastic bags can kill cows and horses if they eat them. Death can be slow or quick. Neither speed is pretty. The best bet is to not let them get loose in the first place. The second best bet is to pick up every one you see around corrals, stalls and pastures. Source: The Texas Tribune, August 14, 2019. Link. When West got to the pen, the colt had already swallowed … [Read more...]
Hot topics in bovine veterinary medicine
Citing constant changes in bovine medicine, Brittany Bowman assembled past article on topics worthy of sharing again: Coccidiosis affecting young calves, Bovine Veterinarian, June 7, 2017. Link. Cattle rabies is no laughing matter, Bovine Veterinarian, November 12, 2018. Link. Prime the pump, Bovine Veterinarian, April 22, 2019. Link. “Purple gut” in calves can … [Read more...]
IPPC report does not say, “eat less meat” (includes video)
Recent media buzz (see second source below) claimed the newest Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPPC) suggested consumers eat less meat in order to curb climate change. The report < link > focused on land use and land use change, it didn’t tell consumers to eat less meat. Frank Mitloehner, UC Davis, says by focusing on eating less meat, consumers are being … [Read more...]
Proper storage critical to vaccine efficacy
“Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store vaccine and handle it prior to injection,” says Glenn Selk. His article is a good reminder during hot summer months. It is important for producers to monitor storage temperatures. Veterinary clinic and retailer staffs need to be diligent in managing the cold chain for items that need refrigeration. If the … [Read more...]
Group calls for national CWD strategy
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) strategies have historically been managed state by state. The fatal prion disease is now in 26 states and continues to spread. So far, fears it could cross species barriers to affect livestock or humans have not come to fruition. It has not been found in animals other than deer, elk and other cervids. Recently, a multidisciplininary team of … [Read more...]
Boehringer Ingelheim introduces BVDVTracker.com
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an ongoing challenge facing the cattle industry. The virus often goes undiagnosed and the consequences are severe. To help producers address the challenges BI launched BVDVTracker.com. The website’s mission is to support veterinarians, producers and industry professionals in the control of BVDV. Source: Drovers, July 16, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
Where’s the beef?
Greg Henderson shares shares the top 25 counties and some individual county metrics to help us understand the population dynamics in cow country. Source: Drovers, July 4, 2019. Link. Nebraska, with 1.9 million beef cows, the fourth-largest state by beef cow numbers, is home to the nation’s top four beef counties. Texas is America’s top beef cow state. Missouri is the … [Read more...]
Preconditioning STILL pays
Too many cow-calf producers still ignore the benefits of preconditioning. For as long as I can remember discussing cattle production health topics, pre-conditioning has been near the top of the list of economic factors. As animal health pros, we believe we’ve told the benefits to producers dozens of times. But, as with vaccination compliance, preconditioning is still not … [Read more...]
In search of the perfect cow
Ryon Walker with the Noble Research Institute leads us through important traits for choosing the perfect cow. We can manage only as well as the cow and her offspring will allow us to. If we can produce a “perfect cow,” then we can more easily manage that cow. Source: Drovers, June 20, 2019. Link. Walker prioritizes preferred traits in this order: Environment fit … [Read more...]