Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, March 13, 2024. Link. Most read posts from March 13, 2025 AHD Bulletin – New study shows H5N1 is more widespread in cows than reported to date. Link. Dog owner invents improved way to feed short nosed, senior dogs. Link. Vet donation tournament unites vet hospitals, communities to support pet care. … [Read more...]
Majority of U.S. dairy cows live on big dairies
The big dairies are getting bigger with 834 farms having more than 2,500 cows, an increase of 120 farms versus the 2017 census. The recently released 2022 census reveals there were 24,082 dairy operations with off-farm milk sales, down from 39,303 in 2017. These herds are producing five percent more milk from 9.4 million cows, a number which remained nearly unchanged from … [Read more...]
Livestock-related products make life simpler (slide show)
Veterinary teams and representatives should take note of this new livestock products review. It includes everything from handling equipment to waterers and more. Farm Progress editors share new products suited to serious livestock producers in this article and slide show. Source: Farm Progress, November 1, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 29, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, June 22nd, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from June 22nd AHD Bulletin – Quiet quitting or setting boundaries. Link. New graduates may have no idea how to behave in the office. Link. 11 signs a cat needs to see a veterinarian immediately. Link. Demand for Yaks growing. Link. Place keeper: 2023 … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – June 1, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, May 25th, 2023. Link. Most read post from May 25th AHD Bulletin – Don’t be afraid to ask the sensitive questions. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. ========================================== Biosecurity doesn’t have to be a big-ticket item Source: … [Read more...]
Gene-edited pigs another tool in PRRS fight
Minnesota-based Acceligen announced in late February that the company is using protein modifications developed by Kansas State University to breed pigs that are naturally resistant to PRRS. This advancement is another tool in producers’ toolbox. One cannot disregard the tools of tight biosecurity, filtration and more in the fight against PRRS and other viral infections that can … [Read more...]
Properly test water sources before turnout
Producers need to check water sources for total dissolved solids and levels of sulfates, pH and nitrates before turning cattle out this spring. Routine testing is advised as water quality fluctuates throughout the growing season. Drifting snow and topsoil during winter also affect water quality. Low-quality water can reduce animal health and productivity, while high-quality … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – February 9, 2023
Last week’s AHD Bulletin – Animal Health Digest Bulletin, February 2, 2023. Link. Most read post(s) from February 2nd AHD Bulletin – How to stop overthinking when you’re about to spiral. Link. Place keeper: 2023 Veterinary Conferences provided by Galaxy Vets. Link. Cow numbers drop to 61-year low Source: Farm Progress, February 6, … [Read more...]
Make fire prevention a priority during National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week is October 9 – 15. This Farm Progress article is a timely reminder about fire risks and fire safety from an on-farm perspective. There are plenty of in-town risks, as well. Be sure to remove debris from air ducts and around HVAC units and keep outdoor break areas clutter-free. Fire extinguishers should be checked annually. The most important … [Read more...]
Kansas cattle lost to heat, humidity, a rare natural disaster
More than 2,000 cattle died in Kansas from heat stress triggered by extreme heat and humidity the weekend of June 11th. While unfortunate for producers, the event has sparked controversy and non-confirmed video coverage. Veterinarians are working diligently to put this event into its proper perspective. Sometimes the conditions get so extreme, it doesn’t matter how hard … [Read more...]
Why large-animal vets are in short supply
Referencing farm size shifts, geographic expansion of hobby farms, gender demographics and food safety job competition, Jalee Wondercheck writes about the large-animal veterinary shortage in Indiana. It is a story common across the U.S. Source: Farm Progress, December 20, 2021. Link. … [Read more...]
Soundness exams. No bull, they’re for bulls.
With harvest underway it is easy to put off soundness exams for herd bulls kept for breeding. Fall is the optimal time to get your beef bulls examined and identify any performance issues before turning them in with the cows. Source: Farm Progress, October 14, 2021. Link. Bull soundness exams include: Assess the body condition Rate the feet Check the … [Read more...]
Undeniably Dairy campaign designed to reach Gen Z
Did you know The dairy checkoff’s Undeniably Dairy campaign has a new wave to create deeper connections between Gen Z and dairy products. The campaign will use media channels and marketing strategies, including gaming, social media influencers and digital content, to engage with Gen Z to grow sales and trust of dairy. Did you know dairy can do more than set you at ease? It … [Read more...]
Dairy market cows NOT cull cows
Dairy producers need to should change their vocabulary when referring to a cull cow. Cows sent to slaughter could add $60,000 to $100,00 a year to a 250-cow dairy. “Cull” means to remove something inferior or worthless. Instead, these animals should be considered market cows, something with value.” Source: Farm Progress, August 23, 2021. Link. Dairy producers must recognize … [Read more...]
Flies: Nature’s nuisance, costly pests
Just 200 horn flies start to hurt cattle production. It is not unusual to find 3,000 flies per cow, writes Curt Arens. Fly prevention is one of the basic animal stewardship practices. Horn flies can suck as much as a gallon of blood per month per cow. Face flies feed on proteins from the eyes often becoming vectors for pinkeye. Stable flies are just a plain nuisance. They feed … [Read more...]
Worth a Glance – April 1, 2021
Where veterinary medicine is (likely) headed over the next decade Source: Today’s Veterinary Business, February 2021. Link. Douglas G. Aspros, DVM, highlights four things he thinks are in the future. Some are driven by technology and others are systems-based. As always, changes in social perspectives and values will be key. Podcast: … [Read more...]
Most common dairy farm inspection debits
From behind the scenes, a Minnesota, dairy farm inspector shares violations that occur over and over. The list reveals how much observational diligence is required on dairies. . . . to market Grade A milk, farms are required to undergo routine state and milk buyer inspections and pass federal milk inspection requirements. Source: Farm Progress, December 21, 2020. Link. Repeat … [Read more...]
We ARE living the new normal – Part 3, biosecurity strategies ensure progress
COMMENTS Biosecurity is not new to animal health pros. It is central to successfully providing safe care for animals and their owners. Diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus, hog cholera, bird flu, leptospirosis, PEDV, PRRS, salmonella and BVD have pushed us to focus on optimizing infection controls, using quarantine areas and hospital pens in concert with … [Read more...]