Archived Content

Dealing with the Big 4 Parasites in Cattle

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 14:56:53 GMT

Parasite control isn’t a once-a-year thought to contemplate prior to spring grazing. It is constant management consideration throughout the year with different parasites popping up depending on weather and location. For cattle producers there are four major parasites to contend with during the year: lice, worms, ticks and flies.

Here are some management tips to keep in mind when considering parasite control programs:

1. Flies

Horn flies are going to be around for producers every year and compounding the problem is the issue of resistance, says Justin Talley, entomologist with Oklahoma State University.

He advises rotating the class of insecticide used to control horn fly populations. “I would say 90% of our pour on products controlling horn flies are mostly pyrethroids,” Talley says.

An organophosphate spray can thwart flies during the season. Using a macrocyclic lactone dewormer which include ivermetictin and moxidectin can help kill flies that still bite treated animals. Another concept is killing eggs in manure with feed-through products such as insect growth regulator (IGR) in mineral. The only problem is there are no guarantees all cattle will eat enough IGR in mineral to stop fly reproduction.

Another thought is to rotate pastures to move the manure load. Also, studies by Talley on spring patch burning have showed promise by reducing horn flies by 40% without using an insecticide at all.

Also, face flies, along with horn flies, are a problem that can be remedied using products such as fly tags.

2. Worms

There are several classes and types of dewormers that can help control the spread of parasitic worms, such as round worms. The emergence of longer-release dewormers has helped with the effectiveness of controlling the spread of worms among cattle says Gerald Stokka, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian and associate professor of livestock stewardship.

Timing deworming is key. Stokka advises deworming a cowherd when grass is starting to green up because “basically all of the internal parasites in cattle are going to be picked up on grass.”

Even with the injectable dewormers having a longer-release, Stokka has observed that some cowherds could stand to be injected later. For colder areas of the country like North Dakota this might mean waiting to administer a dewormer in May or June.

The issue of resistance also should be considered. Similar to the strategy with flies, it is important to rotate the class of dewormer that is used to limit the risk of breeding worms resistant to a particular dewormer.

Pasture rotation is something Stokka advises to help move cattle off of manure that might have worms. However, he does note areas such as New Mexico, where stocking densities are lower might not have the same concerns due to a lower concentration of cattle in one area.

Stokka implements many of these strategies in his family’s own commercial and registered Red Angus cowherds.

3. Ticks

The worry of ticks spreading illness through cattle populations has increased recently with the discovery of Asian longhorned ticks in several states and the ongoing threat of cattle fever ticks along the Mexico-Texas border.

Talley says longhorned ticks are a concern because they have displayed the ability to spread rapidly due to their asexual reproduction, resulting in a potential population boom. The tick carries a protozoal disease that causes damage to the “pocket book” rather than being deadly. “Animals are always getting a little sick, but never getting well,” Talley adds.

Some treatments for flies and worms should help in preventing the spread of these types of ticks and others.

4. Lice

With winter weather holding strong in many areas of the country, lice might continue to do the same.

“It is sometimes hard to put a number on any negative economic impact from lice,” Stokka says. Repairs to corrals that have been rubbed by cattle are common with herds afflicted by lice, but it can be hard to observe the more inconspicuous effects.

Stokka notes in colder weather biting and sucking lice feeding increases, while at the same time it is hard to control lice.

Pour-on and injectable dewormers can help control lice, if the proper dosage is administered. Stokka also advises to use namebrand products rather than a generic because the quality control isn’t quite there for generics.

USDA Approves Hardjo-bovis Vaccines

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:34:33 GMT

USDA has approved Titanium 5 L5 and Master Guard 10 vaccines as an aid in preventing disease caused by Leptospira borgpetersenii hardjo-bovis in beef and dairy cattle.

Master Guard 10 HB is a combination modified-live and killed vaccine that provides five-way viral and five-way Leptospira protection in a single dose, while enabling cows to maintain milk production. Master Guard 10’s killed BVD (types 1 and 2) and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) fractions offer safety at any stage of lactation; its modified-live parainfluenza3 (PI3) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) fractions maximize immune response. Master Guard may be administered to healthy dairy and beef cattle at least five months of age, including pregnant cows.

Titanium 5 L5 HB is a modified-live vaccine that provides five-way viral and five-way Leptospira protection. Titanium was the first vaccine to protect against both type 1 and type 2 BVD, and offers protection against IBR, PI3 and BRSV. Titanium 5 L5 may be administered to healthy dairy and beef cattle that are not pregnant or nursing.

Both vaccines are available exclusively from AgriLabs. The newly labeled Titanium 5 L5 HB is packaged in five-, 10- and 25-dose boxes, and Master Guard 10 HB is available in 10- and 25-dose boxes. Contact Agrilabs at (800) 542-8916 or www.agrilabs.com .

Genomic Test for Health Traits Now Available from Zoetis

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:58:39 GMT

For the first time, U.S. dairy farmers will now have a genomic test to screen and rank Holstein cattle for six health traits.

The test, released March 1 as an optional package with Zoetis’ CLARIFIDE test kit, is branded as CLARIFIDE Plus. It will test and rank cattle for mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum and ketosis.

“Clarifide Plus can help producers identify animals with the greatest genetic potential to help them reach their wellness and profitability goals,” says Doug Ricke, Zoetis director of strategic marketing for dairy Genetics. “But it is not a replacement for management, and it’s important farmers continue vaccinations, and health and reproductive protocols.”

Zoetis is also making two indexes available to farmers to help make sense of all the new data. (On a special needs basis, Zoetis will tailor make a unique index for an individual farm.)

• The Dairy Wellness Profit Index (DWP$) combines the health trait data along with production, fertility, type and longevity traits. It’s a complete economic index similar to NetMerit$ but also includes the health traits.

Because the health traits are included, less emphasis is placed on production. Nevertheless, DWP$ should result in $55 per heifer in better overall return than NM$ because of fewer expected health issues and their related costs. There’s an estimated $1,248 lifetime difference between animals ranking at the 10^th versus 90^th percentile on DWP$.

• The Wellness Trait Index (WT$) focuses solely on the six wellness traits mentioned above. Forty-one percent of the emphasis is given to mastitis, 27% to lameness, 19% to metritis, 6% each to retained placentas and displaced abomasum, and 1% to ketosis. The lifetime difference here between the 10^th and 90^th percentile ranking is expected to be about $520 per heifer.

Use of the indexes will allow dairy farmers to make strategic culling and breeding decisions much earlier and more accurately, says Cheryl Marti, Zoetis U.S. marketing manager for Dairy Genetics and Reproductive Products. “Farmers can now proactively choose heifers to retain, and prioritize breeding decisions,” she says.

Farmers can now decide to keep or cull the bottom end of their heifers within a few weeks of birth, dependent only on how quickly they sample calves. They can also determine which are of higher genetic value, perhaps targeting those animals with higher value semen and/or sexed semen.

The genomic tests are based on more than 10 million lactation records from cows in more than 200 commercial U.S. dairy herds. The reliabilities for the wellness traits average 50%, compared to parent average reliabilities of 16 to 19%. (Note: The statistical “accuracy” of the genomic wellness traits is about 70% compared to about 42% for parent average.)

“The genomic tests won’t be right every time,” explains Kent Weigel, a University of Wisconsin dairy geneticist. “But they’ll be right seven or eight times out of 10, rather than five out of ten with parent average.”

For more information, go to: CLARIFIDEPlus.com .

Accelerated Genetics , Select Sires , and Semex all have announced they will make both the WT$ and DWP$ indexes available for their sire line-ups as well.

New Tools for Your Farm

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:52:02 GMT

A closer look at the 2015 Top 10 New Products from World Ag Expo.

Halfway through this year’s World Ag Expo , Jon Curry was well on his way to selling out of the 400 Earth Talon Shovels he’d brought to the California farm and equipment show.

Curry’s uniquely designed shovel not only earned one of the show’s Top 10 New Products awards this year but caught the interest of farmers, golf-course managers, landscapers and back-yard gardeners. They mobbed Curry’s booth, paying $20 for the shovel that’s now priced at $40 online.

It wasn’t price alone that drew them to the asymmetrical Earth Talon Shovel. For people who spend a lot of time digging holes, the shovel promises an easier, more efficient job of penetrating the ground surface. Its rigid blade curves like a normal shovel on one side, then dips sharply on the other, leaving a sharp point that pierces hard dirt.

Kevin Kienast (left), a turf-grass farmer from Carlsbad, Calif., and Nathan Radwick, a superintendent at a golf club in Malibu, Calif., appear pleased with their new Earth Talon Shovel purchases during February’s World Ag Expo.

“We moved the digging edge forward, concentrating the force at the point for deeper soil penetration,” said Curry, president of Arizona-based Curry Toolworks.

Another of 2015’s new Top 10 picks selling briskly at the show was the MoleCat Unit . The mole trap uses a percussion blast, or deadly shock waves, to kill pesky rodents. Placed in the rodent’s burrow, the device is triggered by the animal’s movement.

“It’s 100% effective,” said MoleCat vice president Vernon Reitenbaugh.

Rounding out the other Top 10 New Product winners were:

Simple Pump Solar Package – This water-well pump is a fully automated system that runs by solar power. “It’s the ideal, off-grid pump that can work especially well for watering livestock in remote locations,” said Simple Pump Company’s Peter Dugan. The package comes with a pump, motor, control systems and a solar power unit. For a 100’ well, the cost is about $3,500, including a 30% federal renewable energy tax credit.

DRI System – Deep Root Irrigation’s new underground irrigation system uses the concept of drip irrigation but delivers water directly below the root zone. Founder and manager Jeff Ciudaj said the DRI system has shown water savings of up to 50% in vineyards and orchards compared to traditional drip systems.

Polydress 02 Barrier 2 in 1 – Created to protect silage stored for livestock, PolyExcel’s oxygen barrier film is the first to combine silage film with vacuum film so that it’s applied in one work step during the covering process.

Hybrid Shipper – Macro Plastics’ lightweight, all-plastic container allows growers to handle product directly from the field, store it and ship it in this returnable-reusable bin.

DeLaval BCS System – Using a 3-D camera and software, DeLaval’s new product automatically calculates the body condition score of dairy cows.

DairyProQ – GEA Farm Technologies has delivered this long-awaited robotic rotary milking parlor for large-scale herds. The high-tech system can handle up to 4,500 cows. “It’s the large-farm solution,” said GEA’s Steve Pretz, “the next step in automated milking.”

Vet Check Maxx – New from Dairy Records Management Systems, this Android-tailored software provides a broad view of cow information for reproductive and veterinary management. It now comes bundled with the company’s PocketDairy product.

Tule River Nut Crowder – Nut growers can reduce labor and eliminate ground crop loss with this nut-harvesting implement. Made by California-based Nikkel Iron Works Crop., it gathers fallen nuts from the end of each lane and re-positions them for pick-up by a trailing machine. The implement does the work of four people in less time.

World Ag Expo’s Top 10 New Products are chosen each year by a group of judges comprised of farmers, ranchers and industry professionals. With 100,000 people attending the three-day show each February near Tulare, Calif., the new-product award offers unique exposure that can help jump-start sales.

BMR and Conventional Hybrids Allow for Greater Flexibility

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:51:46 GMT

DuPont Pioneer announced its 2015 corn silage hybrid offerings for dairy producers.

Source: DuPont Pioneer

DuPont Pioneer today announced its 2015 corn silage hybrid offerings, including the addition of its first integrated refuge brown midrib (BMR) product and three non-BMR products.

Whether growers use BMR or non-BMR corn silage hybrids, the Pioneer® brand corn silage hybrid line offers significant advantages, which have been carefully evaluated. Pioneer has developed BMR hybrids with solid resistance to Northern Corn Leaf Blight and other diseases. In addition, these new BMR hybrids offer improved agronomics and greatly improved forage and starch yield potential.

The new integrated refuge BMR product, Pioneer® P1449AMX™ brand, offers Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra Insect Protection, which is a single-bag refuge product for areas in the Corn Belt needing above- and below-ground insect protection. Pioneer on-farm trials have shown Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra products yield equivalent to pure stands of products with Herculex® XTRA insect protection, allowing growers opportunities to maximize their overall farm yields. This product, a 114 silage comparative relative maturity (CRM), will complement the current BMR lineup from Pioneer with four hybrids ranging from 102-114 silage CRM.

Pioneer also will offer three new non-BMR silage-specific products. These three new platforms range from 102-115 silage CRM and include:

•Pioneer® P0242AMXT™ brand providing excellent tonnage and starch content.

•Pioneer® P0921AMXT™ brand providing outstanding silage yield and fiber digestibility with above average northern corn leaf blight resistance.

•Pioneer® hybrid P1582CHR, providing above average tonnage yields and is well suited to dryland, limited irrigation and drought prone environments in the western U.S.

These hybrids were advanced specifically for silage performance both in terms of starch and tonnage yield. Additionally, they offer herbicide and insect resistance packages for growers.

“With the addition of these new hybrids, we continue to provide conventional and BMR silage opportunities to help growers determine the best silage options for their needs,” said Dave Whitaker, DuPont Pioneer product developer. “We understand that growers today want the flexibility to plant different ratios of BMR and conventional silage to achieve maximum silage yields, starch content and fiber digestibility.”

For more information about Pioneer corn silage products, visit www.pioneer.com/cornsilage , or contact your local Pioneer sales professional.

Genex to Market SCR Heatime System

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:42 GMT

Source: Genex Cooperative, Inc. and SCR Dairy, Inc.

Genex Cooperative, Inc. and SCR Dairy Inc. have announced a new partnership in which Genex will market the SCR Heatime® system. This advanced, real-time, system enables dairy producers to power-up their cow monitoring capabilities.

“We are excited to align with SCR Dairy, the market leader in cow activity and rumination systems,” says Roy Wilson, Genex vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service, “and to deliver this innovative cow monitoring system to Genex members and customers so they can make better data-driven decisions.”

The Heatime system combines one-of-a-kind rumination monitoring with accurate heat detection, allowing dairy producers unmatched access to information about cow health, nutrition, reproduction and comfort. The precise data allows for better individual and whole-herd management because health and reproductive problems are identified early and can be solved more quickly.

The Heatime system is available for purchase through Genex representatives. For additional information on the system, contact a Genex representative or visit www.SCRDairy.com .

About SCR

Building on over 35 years of meaningful innovation, SCR is the leading pioneer of Cow and Milking Intelligence.

Monitoring millions of cows worldwide, our data-driven solutions are trusted by successful dairy farmers to deliver the insights and analytics needed to optimize the productivity of every cow. Improving efficiency and driving growth, we help to ensure a secure and prosperous future for farmers and their families.

About Genex

Genex Cooperative, Inc., headquartered in Shawano, Wisconsin, is the trusted provider of world-class animal genetics, progressive reproductive solutions, value-added products and innovative services to members and customers across the U.S. This is accomplished through 950 dedicated employees working in three product and service segments: cattle genetics and reproduction, livestock marketing, and milking and farmstead equipment. Genex is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International. Learn more at http://genex.crinet.com .

Why You Should be Certified for Beef Quality Assurance

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:39 GMT

Source: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Through the end of October, for free, your operation can get Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance Certified. Need some convincing? Here are three reasons why this should be on your to-do list:

1) It’s free!

For the second year, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) is partnering with the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program and sponsoring Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance certification for all dairy producers who enroll through October 31. When promted, enter the code: BIVIBQA. That’s a value of $25 to $50 for each producer!

2) Custom modules designed just for dairy producers.

To sign-up, visit www.bivi-bqa.com and click on “Access the BQA Modules”. From there, choose Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance and then select a group of modules that work best for your operation. Spanish versions are available, too. Topics range from proper injection sites to disease prevention and proper care of non-ambulatory cows.

3) It’s right for the industry

Dairy producers are not only responsible for producing a quality dairy product, but meat, too. Through training, certification, self-evaluation and verification, the program not only demonstrates the producer’s commitment to quality animal care and marketing decisions, it also provides the tools that help dairy producers manage their herds in a way that contributes to the farm’s bottom line.

Show your support by signing up for the certification modules at BIVI-BQA.com and by encouraging your peers and fellow producers to do so, as well.

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QualiTech® Introduces New Heat Stress Mobile App

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:23 GMT

Source: Qualitech

Hot summer days are coming. Why not prepare your herd for heat stress now? QualiTech, Inc. created a heat stress mobile application, management guide and barn poster to help you keep your cows cool this summer.

Just enter your ZIP code and the QualiTech Heat Stress Mobile App will send email alerts when temperature humidity indexes (THI) reach levels that cause stress. The app includes management tips for keeping cows cool when temperature and humidity reach mild, moderate and severe levels. Today’s forecast is displayed, as well as the next three days to help you prepare. The app can store up to five ZIP codes if you are monitoring herds in different locations.

The management guide includes the tips in a convenient two-page handout. The barn poster displays information 18 inches wide and 24 inches high in English on one side and Spanish on the other.

The app can be used separately or in conjunction with ANEVIS™ rumen-protected niacin in managing heat stress. Using advanced rumen protection technology, ANEVIS delivers nearly eight times the amount of niacin into the bloodstream compared to raw niacin.

“This mobile application can help producers plan for heat stress and do everything they possibly can to manage it,” says Jack Garrett, Ph.D., director of technical service and research at QualiTech. “ANEVIS is an exciting step in optimizing animal performance and supporting dairy producers and nutritionists in getting the most out of their cattle.”

To connect to the mobile app and get the heat stress management guide and barn poster, visit http://www.qualitechco.com/ANEVIS www.qualitechco.com/ANEVIS .

Zoetis Introduces BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT™

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:48:23 GMT

New combination respiratory vaccine helps producers upgrade protection against bovine respiratory disease in cattle.

Source: Zoetis

Zoetis Inc., formerly the animal health business unit of Pfizer Inc., announces the licensure of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT™. With BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT, producers get upgraded protection for their cattle against major respiratory viruses and Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica in one convenient dose.

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT offers the longest demonstrated protection of the combination respiratory vaccines on the market. It helps protect cattle for at least 279 days against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) Types 1 and 2 viruses — at least 30% longer than Vista® Once SQ and longer demonstrated protection than Pyramid® 5 Presponse® SQ vaccine, which has no duration of immunity label claims.

The extended protection of BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT helps producers protect their cattle against IBR virus and BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses that cause bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which can result in losses as high as $240 per head.1,2

“BRD is a major health concern for cattle producers, and it’s the leading cause of economic losses,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis Cattle and Equine Technical Services. “Having at least 279 days of respiratory immunity against IBR virus and BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses with BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT is especially advantageous because cattle are protected through the stresses that can result in BRD outbreaks — leaving the herd at weaning, processing, shipping, commingling and arrival at another operation.”

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT helps protect cattle from respiratory disease caused by IBR virus; BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses; bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV); parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus; and M. haemolytica. It is the only combination respiratory vaccine that is labeled to prevent IBR, prevent BVD viremia and aid in the prevention of M. haemolytica, the No. 1 calf killer.3,4

“BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT incorporates components from two trusted products in one convenient dose, so animals receive superior protection from the major BRD-causing viruses and unmatched M. haemolytica protection,” Dr. Seeger explained. “Healthy calves have the best opportunity to gain weight quickly and efficiently.”

BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT is available in 5-, 10- or 50-dose vials and can be purchased through veterinarians or animal health retailers.

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zo-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, with a focus on both farm and companion animals. In 2012, the company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion. With approximately 9,300 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2013, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.

Zoetis is the proud sponsor with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibitions and the American Veterinary Medical Association of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together. Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health. For more information, visit http://www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour/.

Today's Products: World Dairy Expo 2011

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:29:34 GMT

Fast-acting BRD treatment

At World Dairy Expo in Madison Wis., last month, Merial spotlighted Zactran, a new antimicrobial for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease in heifers from birth to 20 months.

Zactran, the first macrolide introduced to the market since 2005, takes just 30 minutes from the time of subcutaneous injection to reach a therapeutic level in the lungs, says Tom Van Dyk, a veterinarian with Merial.

It remains at that level for 10 days, making it ideal for both treatment and control of Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni in nonlactating dairy cattle and beef.

Zactran has a 35-day meat withdrawal requirement. Because a discard time has not been established for milk, the product should not be used in lactating cattle.

Zactran comes packaged in bottles that are encased in a plastic protector that makes breakage unlikely, even if dropped on concrete floors. The bottle/protector combination can be hung upside down for continuous use chuteside. Labeling is configured so treatment directions can be read right-side up even when the bottle is hung upside down.

Learn more about this product.

‘A new way to wash’

DeLaval introduces “a new way to wash” with a Reduced Temperature Detergent (RTD) for milking system cleaning.

The product could revolutionize dairy sanitation, the company told Expo visitors, since it requires a water temper-ature of just 113°F to properly clean pipelines and milking units. This offers tremendous water heating savings over conventional cleansers that require a temperature of 167°F.

The lower-temperature water may also put less stress on sensitive components such as teat cup liners and rubber gaskets and help extend their life span, say DeLaval engineers.

DeLaval has applied for a patent on the RTD technology. RTD is moderately priced between low-end, generic detergents and premium grade branded products.

Learn more about this product.

Pioneer Hi-Bred launches BMR silage hybrid

At its Expo booth, Pioneer Hi-Bred highlighted its first entry into the brown midrib (BMR) corn silage market with P1376XR, a 113-day hybrid available in limited quantities for the northeast U.S. in 2012.

“P1376XR combines the digestibility you expect from a BMR with tremendous yields, high starch, strong drought tolerance and a robust disease and pest package,” says Kyle Whitaker, Pioneer senior sales and marketing manager for global forages.

The new hybrid features standability without the yield drag typical of BMR hybrids, he says. It comes complete with Herculex XTRA for above- and belowground insect protection as well as the Roundup Ready Corn 2 trait and the LibertyLink gene.

Additional BMR hybrids will be available from Pioneer in 2014.

Learn more about this product.

Texas A&M Sets New Goals For Cattle Research

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:59 GMT

Over the past decade, dramatic weather changes such as drought and parasites have created a set of new challenges for Texas beef cattle producers.

In response, Texas A&M University’s department of animal science head Dr. Cliff Lamb hopes to tap into scientists and specialists within the department and both Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to find new, scientific innovations to help Texas’ beef cattle producers minimize both production and economic risks.

Lamb said he is looking forward to building on the department’s long history of excellence in beef cattle teaching, research and extension education.

Dr. Cliff Lamb, department head for animal science at Texas A&M University in College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

“We are the largest, most diverse department of its kind anywhere in the United States,” said Lamb, who took over as department head in March 2017. “We are now setting the bar higher in our quest to become international leaders in a broad range of impact areas.”

Texas leads the nation in beef cattle inventory and production statewide.Agriculture contributes $20 billion annually to the state economy with cattle receipts accounting for half the total.

“We have the capability of developing beef cattle adapted to subtropical and tropical climates, and discovering new traits and genetic adaptabilities that will certainly prepare us for the next drought or hurricane,” Lamb said. “We would like to be proactive rather than reactive.

“We can take what we already know, but also learn from our international partners. For example, beef cattle producers in Brazil are using applied reproductive management strategies like artificial insemination at a five-times-greater rate than the U.S. Those experiences we can learn from.”

Lamb, who grew up on a beef cattle operation in Zimbabwe, came to Texas A&M from the University of Florida-North Florida Research and Education Center where he was responsible for administrative oversight of beef research and extension programs.

He says beef cattle production in Texas is exposed to multiple challenges. One such issue at the forefront is the fever tick. Though kept isolated in the most southern part of Texas, Lamb has plans to enhance both AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension efforts associated with current and future challenges, such as the fever tick.

Addressing these challenges will come through a specific faculty member appointment, he said, who will be assigned for an extended period to help lead research activities as well as beef producer education programs to better equip Texas cattle producers with knowledge and safe practices to fend off such threats.

“Of course these type of activities require financial resources and we’ve created a new beef development committee, which encompasses representatives from Texas’ largest cattle associations and industry representatives as well as beef producers who are passionate about Texas A&M,” Lamb said. “This will allow them to come to the table and help identify these critical areas.”

He said he is also looking forward to the launch of the new International Beef Academy offered at Texas A&M under the direction of Dr. Reinaldo Cook, animal science professor who recently joined the A&M faculty from the University of Florida.

“This will offer the latest cutting-edge technologies and will be available online only,” he said. “We are hoping upon the completion of this certificate program they will become ambassadors, further helping along the promotion of beef education across the country and globally.”

The teaching curriculum has also been revised, Lamb said.

“This fall, every new student will be exposed to a totally new curriculum,” he said. “A lot of our animal science majors don’t come from farms or have farm backgrounds, but they do come with more of a science base. The new curriculum will emphasize and require participation in hands-on internships and high impact learning opportunities such as study abroad and judging team participation. They will have to take two advanced discipline specific courses. We are also incorporating new capstone courses to tie everything together.”

Regarding research, Lamb said one of his goals is to find discoveries beef cattle producers can put to work right away.

“We want to do science that is both fundamental and research that is immediately applicable to beef producers, something they can go and put right to work on the ranch and to help make them more profitable,” he said.

Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Need for International Standards

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:59 GMT

The following commentary does not necessarily reflect the views of AgWeb or Farm Journal. The opinions expressed below are the author’s own.

Like other pathogens and agricultural pests, antibiotic-resistant bacteria do not recognize international borders. And while numerous countries move toward tighter regulations and more judicious use, inconsistencies in regulations and practices in other countries can increase the risk of multi-drug-resistant diseases spreading internationally.

Recognizing the potential for resistant pathogens developing within livestock production systems, the 181 member countries of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) have spent 10 years developing a comprehensive set of International Standards and guidelines for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial products in animals and for the surveillance and monitoring for antimicrobial resistance.

Last week during its General Session, the OIE updated those standards while adopting some standardized definitions and language regarding antimicrobial use in livestock.

In updating its standards, the OIE lists veterinary and medical supervision of antimicrobial use in animals and humans as a high international priority. Toward that goal, they adopted definitions specifying veterinary-medical use versus non-veterinary-medical use of antimicrobials.

The OIE defines veterinary-medical use as the administration of an antimicrobial agent to an individual or a group of animals to treat, control or prevent infectious disease. The organization also adopted definitions for each category of use, similar to those employed in the United States:

Treat: Administer an antimicrobial agent to an individual or a group of animals showing clinical signs of an infectious disease;
Control: Administer an antimicrobial agent to a group of animals containing sick animals and healthy animals (presumed to be infected), to minimize or resolve clinical signs and to prevent further spread of the disease.
Prevent: Administer an antimicrobial agent to an individual or a group of animals at risk of acquiring a specific infection or in a specific situation where infectious disease is likely to occur if the drug is not administered.

The OIE defines non-veterinary-medical use as “the administration of antimicrobial agents to animals for any purpose other than to treat, control or prevent infectious disease; it includes growth promotion, defined as the administration of antimicrobial agents to animals only to increase the rate of weight gain or the efficiency of feed utilization.” The updated guidelines specify that “responsible and prudent use of antimicrobial agents does not include the use of antimicrobial agents for growth promotion in the absence of risk analysis.” The guidelines also urge prohibition of growth-promotion uses of critically important classes of antibiotics used in human medicine, including Fluoroquinolones, Colistin and third and fourth generations of Cephalosporins.

In the United States, FDA’s Guidance for Industry 213 led to voluntary removal of performance or production claims from medically important antimicrobials. However, the OIE notes that 60 of its member countries continue to use antimicrobials for growth promotion, either with direct authorization or because of a lack of regulations.

While the long-term effects of judicious use guidelines on resistance trends remain unknown, most stakeholders agree that more veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use and phase-out of growth-promotion uses should serve as a positive step. Global adoption of those standards could help prevent emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogens that humans, wildlife or livestock could carry across borders and into a herd near you.

Cornell Researchers Explore Stem Cell Therapy for Mastitis

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:55 GMT

Mastitis is the most expensive disease in the dairy industry. Each clinical case can cost a dairy farmer more than $400 and damages both the cow’s future output as well as her comfort.

Bovine mastitis is typically treated with antibiotics, but with the potential threat of antimicrobial resistance and the disease’s long-term harm to the animal’s teat, researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine are laying the foundation for alternative therapies derived from stem cells.

“Antibiotics can kill the bugs,” said Gerlinde Van de Walle, the Harry M. Zweig Assistant Professor in Equine Health, “but they don’t help with regeneration of the damaged tissue.”

Bovine mastitis damages the cow’s mammary gland tissue when bacteria cause inflammation. The bacteria can enter the cow’s teat when it comes in contact with a contaminated milking machine, a hand or bedding materials. This damaged mammary tissue contributes to milk production losses, quality concerns and increased labor costs.

“Bovine mastitis is the most costly disease in the dairy industry,” said Daryl Nydam, DVM, Ph.D., professor in population medicine and diagnostic sciences. “The second-most-costly is almost not worth mentioning in comparison.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 96.9 percent of dairy facilities use antibiotics to treat clinical mastitis cases. While effective against bacteria, antibiotics alone cannot restore the damaged mammary tissue. In their March 16 paper in Scientific Reports, Van de Walle and Nydam explore how the secretions of bovine mammary stem cells can encourage healing and regrowth of damaged tissue as well as rid the mammary gland of harmful bacteria.

“Even after the bug is removed with antibiotic treatment, the milk production will usually not go to its previous highest levels because of that damage to the tissues,” said Van de Walle, lead author on the paper. “That’s where this alternative therapy comes in.”

Van de Walle and Nydam are the first to detail what bovine mammary stem cells secrete. Others have examined the secretome of stem cells from other species, but not bovine. “It’s a brand new area of inquiry,” said Nydam, and it’s led to a host of discoveries.

Their report finds that the secreted factors of these stem cells carry multiple positive effects. They play a role in the formation of new blood vessels and promote the migration of cells, both of which are integral in healing tissue damaged by mastitis. Some secreted factors protect epithelial cells from damage caused by bacterial toxins, and others proved to be antimicrobial peptides that play a role in killing bacteria.

“Besides the tissue regeneration,” Van de Walle said, “it could also help the antibiotics work better, since they produce some of those antibiotic properties.”

The researchers also found that the secreted factors were more effective against toxins produced by gram-negative bacteria, which are generally more resistant to antibodies because of their thicker cell walls. The bacteria that cause bovine mastitis can be either gram-positive or gram-negative.

“FDA-approved intramammary antimicrobials are more effective against gram-positive bacteria,” said Nydam. “So this would be a nice complement to that.”

This paper is part of a concentrated effort for basic and applied science faculty to unite their research practices and address an important disease. Van de Walle’s lab at the Baker Institute for Animal Health performs basic research on viral pathogenesis and stem cell biology, and Nydam is the director of Quality Milk Production Services, a program that addresses milk quality issues for producers, such as disease control and antibiotic use.

“Based on the positive effects of the bovine stem cell secretome we observed in the lab, we now have to take it to next level and test whether it also work in cows with mastitis,” said Van de Walle.

Webinar to Feature FDA Answers VFD Audit Questions

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:55 GMT

With implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) changes now over a year underway, the FDA inspection process is expected to happen more frequently in the coming months.

GlobalVetLINK (GVL®) is hosting VFD Audit Process Q&A , a free webinar to help the industry better understand the VFD inspection process, on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. (CDT).

The VFD Audit webinar will address the inspection process, documentation concerns, challenges with implementation, and the FDA’s responses to questions from the industry. The webinar outline and expert presenters include:

· Veterinarian VFD Audit Experience - Peter Schneider, DVM, Innovative Agriculture Solutions, LLC

· VFD Implementation Challenges - Mike Apley, DVM, PhD, Kansas State University

· Feed Distributor VFD Audit Perspective - Matt Frederking, Mid America Pet Food, LLC

· FDA Responses and Live Q&A - Tyler Holck, DVM, MS, MBA, Feed His People LLC

Visit www.globalvetlink.com/vfdauditwebinar to register for the VFD Audit Process Q&A webinar.

GlobalVetLINK offers complete Herd Health Management Solutions for the food animal industry, simplifying management of Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs) , Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) , veterinary prescriptions , as well as diagnostic results and analysis through its online platform. Patent-pending GVL SmartEngine™ technology helps ensure animal health documents are accurate, complete and compliant.

Learn more about working for GlobalVetLINK at www.globalvetlink.com .

Lil’ Bill, Calf Born Premature Defies the Odds At Mississippi State

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:51 GMT

The internet has fallen in love with Lil’ Bill, a 7.9-lb. premature calf under the care of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU-CVM).

From the moment the photo of Lil’ Bill was posted on the MSU-CVM Facebook page, people have been asking for more information about his condition, genetics and story.

Lil’ Bill came to MSU-CVM after his owners, long-time Simmental breeders, discovered him in the pasture. After caring for him for a couple days, the family consulted the MSU-CVM staff on Nov. 1.

Lil’ Bill and his veterinary care team. (Photo: Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

Similar to preterm babies, the calf was having trouble breathing from lungs that were not matured.

Under the direction of Dr. Gretchen Grissett, the veterinary team has cared for the calf 24/7, giving him therapeutic oxygen and feeding him through a feeding tube. While he’s improving, veterinarians said his prognosis is undetermined.

Normal calves weigh 50 lb. to 80 lb. at birth, depending on genetics. Grissett and her team have ordered DNA tests to see if the calf might have some form of dwarfism, in addition to being premature.

Lil’ Bill and Dr. Gretchen Grissett (Photo: Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine)

“Right now, Lil’ Bill’s bones are not fully developed so we have his legs splinted to provide adequate support. Allowing too much activity on his joints could lead to long-term orthopedic issues for this little guy,” she said. “Many of the issues we are facing with him are, in fact, very similar to those experienced with premature babies. It often takes them months to grow and become as strong as they should have been at birth, and they commonly face development delays and other such problems— if they’re fortunate enough to survive.”

Grissett adds that Lil’ Bill is getting stronger and is behaving more like a typical calf. “Other than sleeping a lot, which is normal for preemies, Lil’ Bill behaves much like most five-week old calves,” she said. “Once awake, he trots around looking for attention, often head-butting team members to demand more milk!”

Watch below for more:

Global Regions Report Beef-Sustainability Progress

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:51 GMT

When the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) formed in 2012, participants quickly realized sustainability goals, practices and measurements would need to reflect regional differences in beef-production environments. Practices deemed sustainable in tropical environments could differ significantly from those in colder regions, and vice-versa. Even within a country such as the United States, production environments vary widely between regions, such as the subtropical Southeast versus the arid West.

A new report issued following the GRSB’s third Global Conference on Sustainable Beef, held in Ireland in early October, reflects those regional differences and reports on progress based on regional goals and measurements. The conference attracted participants from more than 20 countries, and the report includes descriptions of initiatives and progress from regional roundtables including the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Columbia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Some U.S. beef producers remain skeptical about the GRSB, the affiliated U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) and the sustainability issue overall. Much of that skepticism stems from differences in the ways various groups and individuals perceive and define “sustainability” in agriculture. Some activist factions view sustainability strictly in terms of environmental conservation, and favor production practices of our grandparents’ era. Fortunately, the GRSB recognizes that sustainability requires social responsibility and economic viability along with environmental soundness.

The group overall understands that modern technologies that improve production efficiencies can reduce beef’s environmental “footprint” while also meeting society’s expectations and, importantly, providing opportunities for producer profits and economic viability. They’ve also adopted a strategy of measuring and tracking improvement, using metrics appropriate to individual regions, rather than setting universal goals or unrealistic benchmarks.

Some producers also worry that the membership list includes environmental groups such as the National Wildlife Federation and World Wildlife Fund. Those members though, have worked constructively alongside livestock organizations such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The GRSB membership list also includes companies that supply critical inputs, such as Merck Animal Health, Elanco, Dow, Bayer Animal Health and Zoetis. The list also includes heavy hitters among your customers, such as McDonald’s, JBS, Cargill, Costco and others.

All those organizations face public pressures to demonstrate their contributions to sustainable supply chains. That trend won’t change. In 2018, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef launched its Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, which will enable a certification process for beef marketed as sustainable. Before long, we could see labels for beef “produced through verified sustainable supply chains” alongside “natural,” “organic” or “raised without hormones or antibiotics.”

You might not like it, but now is a good time to begin documenting sustainable practices and establishing measurable benchmarks to demonstrate improvement.

Read the full 2018 GRSB Sustainability Report .

Vet Leader One-Day Conference Set For June 22 in Kansas

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:51 GMT

Veterinarians have a unique opportunity to gain practical, usable information and solutions to every day challenges at the second annual Vet Leader One Day event. Scheduled for June 22, 2018, in Great Bend, Kan., the program headliners include veterinarians Nels Lindberg, Dan Thomson, Ty Brunswig and Tom Schwartz.

Of special note are these presentations:

The Vet Owner Vet Associate Tug of War / Bridging Divided Generations - Dr. Nels Lindberg and Dr. Ty Brunswig
Veterinary Finance / Most Common Business Mistakes - Dr. Tom Schwartz
Veterinary Recruitment - Dr. Dan Thomson
10 Ways to Suck on Social Media - Rachel Mawhirter & Josh Blankenship
Business Acquisition & Negotiation - Jason Mayers, CPA
Breaking Business Barriers Through Contagious Culture & Teamwork - Dr. Nels Lindberg
Open Discussion on Entrepreneurial Challenges - Panel Discussion

The event will be at the Best Western Angus Inn, Great Bend.

Attendees are encouraged to use the breaks to visit with peers and show exhibitors to network with other visionary leaders..

For more information, event schedule and reservations, go to: https://www.drnels.com/events

$2 Million Granted to Michigan State for Dairy Feed Efficiency Study

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:47 GMT

Michigan State University has been awarded two separate $1 million grants to help fund research that aims to improve dairy cow feed efficiency.

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) both gave out awards of $1 million, helping fund a total of $2 million in research grants . In addition to Michigan State there are four other collaborating institutions in the research including the University of Wisconsin, Iowa State University, University of Florida, and USDA Animal Genomics Improvement Laboratory.

Previous research from 2010 by Michigan State research sponsored by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) revealed that breeding for more feed-efficient cows could save the U.S. dairy sector $540 million a year with no loss in milk production.

The goal of the new research project is to collect sufficient data from a large enough group of cows to develop reliable genomic breeding values for feed intake. For this study, 3,600 will be analyzed and measured for feed intake, milk production, body weight and other information. Their statistics will add to the existing database created as part of the previous USDA NIFA project.

The research team led by Michael VandeHaar , a professor at Michigan State specializing in dairy nutrition, will utilize sensor technologies to monitor dairy cows’ body temperature, feeding behavior and locomotion. Cows will also be measured for milk spectral data, which will help predict feed intake. Additionally, evaluations will be done to determine if genetic evaluations can help predict if methane emissions can be reduced in dairy cattle.

“I am excited about this project. We have a great group of geneticists and nutritionists working together to collect intake and sensor data on 3,600 cows from five locations,” VandeHaar says. “Our project will enhance the reliability of feed intake breeding values and enable inclusion of feed costs as a trait in Net Merit. We also expect that our predicted feed intake index can be used for making culling and breeding decisions.”

Ultimately, the CDCB plans to provide genomic evaluations for residual feed intake in 2020. This would help dairy producers around the world have better predictors for feed efficiency in their genetic selection protocols and influence management decisions.

Having better feed efficiency also translates into improving dairy’s carbon footprint. According to the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy , feed production accounts for approximately 20% of greenhouse gas emissions for every gallon of milk produced. By increasing feed efficiency this will reduce the amount of feed needed to produce milk, resulting in a lower footprint. There could also be reduced emissions from lower manure production and improved digestion.

“Breeding cows for enhanced feed efficiency reduces rising feed costs on dairy farms, which could increase dairy farmers profitability and improve the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry,” says Sally Rockey, FFAR’s executive director. “Improving dairy cows feed intake will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while producing more feed-efficient cows, more profitable herds and a more sustainable dairy sector that is prepared to meet global food demands.”

Grass Versus Grain: Question 12

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:31 GMT

By: John Maday

Drovers recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project. She sent a list of questions regarding the relative merits of finishing cattle on grass versus grain-based rations. Her questions, while somewhat biased, reflect common misperceptions of grain feeing and the kinds of question consumers are asking. For that reason, we have adapted the questions and answers into this article, to serve as possible “talking points” for our readers as you encounter similar questions from the public.

We’ve been posting the 13 questions, along with our answers, over the last couple weeks. Here is question 12:

Student

How do you think corn affects the price of cattle? Do you think this is having a greater impact on the health of Americans?

Drovers CattleNetwork

Because grain finishing improves production efficiency, it helps keep the price of beef competitive with other meats. This is positive for the health of Americans, who have access to affordable, nutrient-dense food.

For example, a March 8 price check with Omaha Steaks , a leading online retailer of premium meat products, shows a package of four nine-ounce grass-fed New York Strip steaks on sale for $89 (The regular price is $179.99.) Using the sale price, that is $22.25 per steak. For comparison a package of four nine-ounce conventional New York Strip steaks on the same site sells for $59.99, or $15 per steak.

The Omaha Steaks site also lists a package of four six-ounce hamburger patties for a sale price of $24.99. The regular price is $45.99. At the sale price, each burger costs $6.25. For comparison, a package of eight five-ounce conventional burgers is sale priced at $19.99, or $2.50 per burger. The site lists the normal price for the same package of conventional burgers at $34.99, or $4.37 per burger, compared with $11.50 per burger for the grass-fed burgers at their usual full price of $45.99 for four six-ounce patties.

See question 11 from this series here .

Grass Versus Grain: Question 9

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:31 GMT

By: John Maday

Drovers recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project. She sent a list of questions regarding the relative merits of finishing cattle on grass versus grain-based rations. Her questions, while somewhat biased, reflect common misperceptions of grain feeing and the kinds of question consumers are asking. For that reason, we have adapted the questions and answers into this article, to serve as possible “talking points” for our readers as you encounter similar questions from the public.

We’ll be posting the 13 questions, along with our answers, over the next couple weeks. Here is question 9:

Student

Do you think in 10 to 15 years from now there will be more cows fed on pasture?

Drovers CattleNetwork

Not significantly more, but cattle might spend more time on pasture and less time on feedlot rations. The time cattle spend on pasture and in feedlots varies from year to year and region to region based on grain prices, cattle prices and forage availability. Corn prices likely will trend higher over time, which could result in cattle spending shorter times in feedlots.

Also, consumer demand in the U.S. for grass-finished beef likely continue growing, but the higher cost of production, and thus higher retail price, probably will limit the market share of grass-finished beef.

See question 8 from this series here .

Zoetis Helps Enhance Reproductive Efficiency Among Cattle With LUTALYSE HighCon Injection

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:27 GMT

Cattle producers and veterinarians now have a new management tool for added reproductive efficiency. Zoetis today announced the introduction of LUTALYSE HighCon Injection (dinoprost tromethamine injection), a high-concentration formula of the proven LUTALYSE Injection (dinoprost injection) approved for use in dairy and beef cattle.

The higher-concentration formula of LUTALYSE HighCon allows for a 2-mL dose. This provides more doses per bottle, thus fewer bottle changes, and a quicker, more-convenient administration.

“Zoetis heard customers’ requests for greater convenience and flexibility, so we committed to developing a new, relevant, on-label reproductive solution,” said Richard Wallace, DVM, MS, senior veterinarian, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis. “Besides the higher concentration formula, LUTALYSE HighCon delivers the same benefits of LUTALYSE but with additional distinguishable improvements.”

Flexibility with subcutaneous administration option

LUTALYSE HighCon is the first and only prostaglandin on the market licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for subcutaneous administration in addition to intramuscular administration. This approval allows producers and veterinarians flexible administration options while allowing them to abide by strict Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance as well as Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) standards, in turn, minimizing potential injection site blemishes.

“Keep in mind, dairy producers also are beef producers, so they must continue to be mindful about carcass quality and prevent injection site blemishes or muscle damage,” Wallace said. Dairy cattle had more visible injection site blemishes than beef cows, according to a 2007 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit.¹ When the economic losses of quality defects in beef from dairy market cattle are added together, the impact translates to an average loss to all dairy producers of $70 to $100 for every market dairy cow sold.²

Larger bottle sizes

To fit varying herd management needs, LUTALYSE HighCon is available in three bottle sizes — 20 mL, 100 mL and 250 mL. It’s important to note that LUTALYSE HighCon is approved for use in cattle only, not equine or swine like LUTALYSE.

Approved for use with FACTREL Injection for FTAI

Like LUTALYSE, LUTALYSE HighCon is approved for use with FACTREL Injection (gonadorelin injection) to synchronize estrous cycles to allow for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in lactating dairy cows. FTAI with FACTREL and LUTALYSE or LUTALYSE HighCon can help improve reproductive efficiency. It also gives producers the flexibility to implement many of the popular synchronization programs recommended by the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council.

FTAI protocols can help increase the number of pregnancies by more effectively timing insemination with ovulation — taking the guesswork out of reproduction. Focusing on reproductive management and protocol compliance can help improve pregnancy rates and reproductive efficiency. Improving the 21-day pregnancy rate from 22% to 27% could result in a value of $78 per cow per year, or $39,000 for a 500-cow dairy.^3,4

For several decades, the strategic use of prostaglandin has been a key component of breeding management, supporting estrous synchronization, FTAI and other strategies. Breeding management programs have long been recognized by cattle producers to help optimize the productivity, efficiency and profit potential of their operations.

Backed by years of proven success, Zoetis products are a leading choice of dairy producers across the country and can help improve the efficiency of a reproductive program. LUTALYSE HighCon provides another choice, along with LUTALYSE, for producers to manage synchronization programs.

Both products will be available to provide dairy producers and veterinarians options for whatever works best for their operation.

Learn more about LUTALYSE HighCon at DairyWellness.com or by contacting your veterinarian or Zoetis representative.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LUTALYSE/LUTALYSE HIGHCON: Women of childbearing age and persons with respiratory problems should exercise extreme caution when handling LUTALYSE/LUTALYSE HighCon. LUTALYSE/LUTALYSE HighCon is readily absorbed through the skin and may cause abortion and/or bronchiospasms, therefore spillage on the skin should be washed off immediately with soap and water. Aseptic technique should be used to reduce the possibility of post-injection clostridial infections. Do not administer LUTALYSE/LUTALYSE HighCon in pregnant cattle unless cessation of pregnancy is desired. See full Prescribing Information for LUTALYSE . See full Prescribing Information for LUTALYSE HighCon .

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FACTREL: FACTREL is for use in cattle only. See full Prescribing Information .

Source: Zoetis

¹ National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Executive Summary of the 2007 National Market Cow and Bull Beef Quality Audit. Published December 2007. Available at: http://www.bqa.org/Media/BQA/Docs/2007auditbeef.pdf . Accessed October 30, 2015.

² National Dairy Herd Information Association. Dairy Animal Care & Quality Assurance. Available at: http://www.bqa.org/Media/BQA/Docs/dairybqamanual.pdf . Accessed October 30, 2015.

³ Kalantari AS, Giordano J, Cabrera VE. Wisconsin-Cornell Dairy Repro: A Reproductive Program’s Economic Analysis Tool. Available at: http://goo.gl/nmboIO . Accessed October 30, 2015.

⁴ Kalantari AS, Giordano J, Cabrera VE. Evaluating the Economic Value of Changing the Reproductive Management Program for a Specific Dairy Farm. eXtension. January 30, 2014.

Grass Versus Grain: Question 10

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:27 GMT

By: John Maday

Drovers recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project. She sent a list of questions regarding the relative merits of finishing cattle on grass versus grain-based rations. Her questions, while somewhat biased, reflect common misperceptions of grain feeing and the kinds of question consumers are asking. For that reason, we have adapted the questions and answers into this article, to serve as possible “talking points” for our readers as you encounter similar questions from the public.

We’ll be posting the 13 questions, along with our answers, over the next couple weeks. Here is question 10:

Student

Why do you think other countries do not primarily feed cattle corn?

Drovers

In countries where grain finishing is not practiced, there can be several reasons including local traditions, consumer preferences, and in many cases, lack of infrastructure for transporting grain or cattle significant distances. Some countries that have traditionally produced grass-finished beef, Brazil in particular, are increasingly building a feedlot sector and moving toward more grain finishing to improve efficiency and meet demand among their export customers.

In some beef-producing countries, incorporating some grain finishing along with other modern production technologies could improve efficiency. According to a report from Oklahoma State University , two recent analyses of global livestock systems indicate that North American beef production systems and those in other developed countries have carbon footprints per unit of beef production 10 to 50 times lower as compared to many nations in Africa and Asia. These improvements, according to the report, are “driven by higher-quality (more digestible) feeds, lower impacts of climate stress (heat) on animals, improved animal genetics, advancements in reproductive performance, and the reduced time required for an animal to reach its slaughter weight.” Grain finishing is just one factor in the difference, but it can, in some cases, help improve overall production efficiency.

See question 9 from this series here .

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Announces Enhancements to Advantage Line of Products for the U.S.

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:27 GMT

Lallemand Animal Nutrition announces the Advantage Plus brand of microbial products for livestock — growing the trusted Advantage line of active dry yeast (ADY) probiotic products and including a unique yeast extract that provides consistently high levels of prebiotic properties.

The select and unique proprietary yeast extract consistently supplies a high level of prebiotic components. The extract is produced with a specialized manufacturing process that encourages more branch-chain sugar molecules, peptides, B-vitamins and an abundant mannoprotein matrix that is readily available for the bacterial communities within the rumen and the lower intestinal tract.

“Now, all life stages of beef and dairy cattle can benefit from both the power of specific ADY probiotics and the prebiotic benefits of specialized yeast extracts,” says Michael Watkins, Ruminant Products Manager, Lallemand Animal Nutrition. “Prebiotics and probiotics complement each other to support dynamic and robust bacterial communities in the rumen and lower intestinal tract. In turn, a healthy animal supports enhanced health and performance.”

The Advantage Plus line includes:

Levucell SC Advantage Plus, an ADY (Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077) plus a prebiotic yeast extract for cattle that helps optimize rumen function
ProTernative Advantage Plus, an ADY (Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079) plus a prebiotic yeast extract that helps reduce the negative effect of stress in cattle
Levucell SC and ProTernative Advantage Plus Titan products, which is the patented micro-encapsulation technology that allows for the ADYs to be pelletized and remain viable

The microbial strains in Advantage Plus were scientifically selected from a bank of more than 1,000 different strains of bacteria and yeast for consistency and enhanced nutritional performance. In addition to strain selection, it’s critical that prebiotics and probiotics are produced under quality-assured manufacturing and production processes.

“With more than 90 years of expertise and knowledge, Lallemand is dedicated to producing innovative microbial solutions and is a trusted partner in the animal nutrition industry,” Watkins says. “Modern cattle have been bred for high performance. Yet, the slightest change can add undue pressure and lower overall production, efficiency and health. The prebiotic and probiotic approach of Advantage Plus is ideal for accelerating animal performance to the next level and helping cattle better reach their genetic potential.”

In addition to the introduction of Advantage Plus, all products in the ready-to-use Advantage line are now guaranteed to be shelf-stable for up to 18 months. Lallemand Animal Nutrition conducted extensive shelf life testing to ensure Advantage products can remain stable and effective. The guarantee extension includes: ProTernative Advantage, Levucell SC Advantage and Levucell SB Advantage for swine, as well as ProTernative, Levucell SC and Levucell SB Advantage Titan products. Advantage and Advantage Plus products are palatable, ready-to-use formulations that can be incorporated as a top dress, in on-farm mixing, in a feed mill premix or as a supplement — including pelleting.

“One of the most critical components to producing quality ADY products is ensuring the yeasts are viable, stable and effective,” Watkins says. “Lallemand Animal Nutrition meticulously maintains the purity of the product throughout manufacturing and stewards each product through packaging to prevent contamination and ensure stability all the way to the feed bunk.”

For more information, ask your nutritionist or Lallemand Animal Nutrition representative.

Source: Lallemand Animal Nutrition

Grass Versus Grain: Question 7

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:27 GMT

By: John Maday

Drovers CattleNetwork recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project. She sent a list of questions regarding the relative merits of finishing cattle on grass versus grain-based rations. Her questions, while somewhat biased, reflect common misperceptions of grain feeing and the kinds of question consumers are asking. For that reason, we have adapted the questions and answers into this article, to serve as possible “talking points” for our readers as you encounter similar questions from the public.

We’ll be posting the 13 questions, along with our answers, over the next couple weeks. Here is question 7:

Student

Can you describe the toxicity of the antibiotic Rumensin, which is given to cattle to begin their tolerance to corn? Also, how is it hurting human, cow and environmental health?

Drovers CattleNetwork

Rumensin (monensin) is classified as an ionophore, and is not related to any antibiotics used in human medicine. It improves feed efficiency in cattle on forage or grain-based diets by helping regulate the microbe populations in the rumen, and thus aid digestion. It also is used for prevention and control of coccidiosis, a parasitic disease in cattle and other animals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that monensin is safe for cattle, people and the environment.

See question 6 from this series here .

Trimble Announces S1100 Onboard Weighing Solution for Accurate Livestock Feed Measurement

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:23 GMT

Trimble the availability of the Trimble S1100 onboard weighing system offering farmers and ranchers a high-accuracy solution for measuring and weighing hay bales and other livestock feed handled using a tractor, forklift or skid steer. With highly accurate weight measurements available to the operator in the cab, farmers can better control the quantity and cost of hay bales and other livestock materials in their operations. The S1100 is another tool within Trimble’s farm management solutions enabling farmers to transform real-time field information into better decisions.

The S1100 calculates weight by measuring hydraulic pressure changes on tractors or skid steers. Payload weights and bucket counts are clearly displayed in real time to the operator in the machine cab. The S1100 is designed as a brand-agnostic, aftermarket solution that is compatible with most makes and models of tractors, forklifts and skid steers. It enables producers to:

Maximize livestock weight by preventing over/under feeding
Control feed costs by accurately measuring and managing feedstuffs
Eliminate waste and overage in feed batching and grain hopper loading operations
Weigh incoming/outgoing livestock feed for accurate invoicing and record keeping
Reduce potential overpayments by identifying wet hay bales early

“The big advantage of the S1100 weighing system is being able to consistently measure the feed that the livestock are being fed to prevent over and under feeding,” said Erik Ehn, director of product marketing for Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “In addition, the system can provide accurate weight information to ensure that the producer pays only for the quantity of feed they are actually receiving.”

With the S1100 weighing system, farmers can use up to nine individual attachments including buckets, forks, hay squeezes, soft hands bale handlers and more.

Availability

Trimble S1100 weighing solution is available now for tractors, forklifts and skid steers from Trimble Agriculture resellers. For additional information on the S1100 weighing solution, visit: http://www.trimble.com/Agriculture/s1100-a.aspx . To find a Trimble reseller visit: http://dealerlocator.trimble.com .

Source:Trimble’s Agriculture Division

Norbrook Announces FDA Approval of Norfenicol Injectable Solution For Broad Spectrum BRD Treatment

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:23 GMT

Norbrook Laboratories, Ltd. announced the FDA approval of Norfenicol^®(florfenicol) Injectable Solution, a fast-acting treatment for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somnus in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. It is also indicated for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M. haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni, as well as the treatment of bovine interdigital phlegmon (foot rot, acute interdigital necrobacillosis, infectious pododermatitis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus.

According to Chip Whitlow, Marketing Manager for Norbrook, Inc., Norfenicol has the same active ingredient as Nuflor^Ò (florfenicol) and will include two additional, innovative product features. “The first is Norfenicol will have a shorter withdrawal period than Nuflor when administered Sub-Q (33 days vs. 38 days). In addition, Norfenicol will be the only injectable antibiotic for cattle sold in the US in an unbreakable plastic bottle. This eliminates the expense of product breakage when mishandled,” announces Whitlow.

“Florfenicol, the active ingredient in Norfenicol, is a proven compound in the treatment of BRD,” states Dr. Eric Moore, Director of Technical Services, Norbrook, Inc. Dr. Moore adds, “With the price of cattle, and both the immediate and hidden costs of BRD, an effective antibiotic like Norfenicol is essential in giving the cattle producer piece of mind when battling BRD.”

New Norfenicol will soon be available from veterinarians in unbreakable plastic 100 mL, 250 mL and 500 mL bottles to fit any size operation. For more information about new Norfenicol Injectable Solution, contact your veterinarian or local animal health products supplier or Norbrook, Inc. at www.norbrookinc.com.

Observe label directions and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions.

Source: Norbrook Laboratories, Ltd.

Neogen Introduces Mobile-friendly Dairy Genomic Website

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:10:23 GMT

Neogen has introduced a mobile-friendly website that puts the power of the latest dairy genomic technology in the palm of your hand.

Neogen’s new Igenity Dashboard is a customizable website ( www.igenitydashboard.com ) that allows users to easily view and manage genomic data on personal computers, phones and tablets. Individual users can customize genomic data using graphs, charts, and indexes, and then use that data, for example, to choose the best animals in the herd to use as heifer replacements.

“We named our new website the Igenity Dashboard because it provides essential genomic information to a dairy producer at a glance, and it helps drive profitable production,” said Dr. Stewart Bauck, general manager of Neogen’s GeneSeek operations. “The latest dairy genomic technology provides a tremendous amount of useful information on a single animal, a producer’s entire herd, or even animal and herd comparisons against database averages for a given breed. The challenge is then managing that information to make better decisions on the farm. Igenity Dashboard was developed to make it easier to make those better decisions, and positively impact future performance and profits.”

Igenity Dashboard was designed for use with Neogen’s Dairy Heifer Program genomic tests. These tests include Igenity-Select, which is validated by the USDA-AGIL and provides Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) results consisting of an evaluation of a heifer on over 45 select traits; Igenity-Essential, which doesn’t require dairymen to provide the information necessary to nominate an animal for the CDCB program, and includes an evaluation on 15 essential traits; as well as Igenity-Elite and Igenity-Prime.

Results from genomic tests can deliver highly reliable genomic predictions on a variety of traits. This includes health traits such as net merit, pregnancy rate, productive life in months and somatic cell score as well as yield traits, such as milk, fat pounds, fat percentage, protein pounds and protein percentage.

For more information on the Igenity Dashboard, contact Neogen or visit www.igenitydashboard.com .

Source: Neogen Corporation