VETERINARY

How Arizona Is Preparing the Public To Scout for New World Screwworm Threat

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:12:44 GMT

With its high temperatures and few winter freezes, Arizona is ripe territory for infestation from New World screwworm (NWS).

Ryan Wolker, state veterinarian with the Arizona Department of Agriculture, says he thinks the threat to his state from NWS is significant.

“It is definitely a concern,” he says. “The New World screwworm detections in Mexico have surpassed 3,000 premises and have come within approximately 370 miles south of the southernmost point of Texas, but obviously that can change quite rapidly, especially with the animal movement within the country of Mexico itself.”

Wolker has concerns about the impact NWS could have on Arizona’s already-stressed cattle ranchers.

“There was a limited outbreak of NWS in Texas in the 1970s, and USDA conducted a study of that economic impact in 2016,” he says. “Even without adjustment for increased inventories of animals since that time, because obviously, herd sizes are larger, feedlots are bigger, etc, the economic impact of that same outbreak in Texas now, only counting for inflation, would be looking at a cost to producers and lost revenue in the neighborhood around $1.4 billion.”

At a recent Trust In Beef Sustainable Ranchers Tour event in Willcox, Ariz., Wolker and the Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) began an initiative to get ahead of the potential economic damage.

The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) gathered at YY Ranch during a recent Trust In Beef Sustainable Ranchers Tour event to hone tactical skills needed for a possible New World screwworm response in the state.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Betsy Greene, University of Arizona extension specialist )

After gathering the team to practice on-the-ground incident response at YY Ranch, Wolker and Betsy Greene, extension specialist with the University of Arizona, unveiled the first of the state’s saddlebag scouting kits that are available to ranchers.

The kit includes:

Specimen collection vials with tweezers.
Specimen baggies with cotton balls for safe transport.
Collection and mail instructions.

“The whole point is, we can get and find things faster,” Greene says. “If someone sees it, gets a sample, then we can deal with it.”

Greene and Wolker urge ranchers to begin scouting now in their herds, looking at open wounds for any signs of infestation. Hunters should scout not only their harvests but any carcass they encounter during hunts.

In addition to specimen collection, Wolker stresses the importance of gathering additional data as well.

“Take some pictures for documentation purposes,” he says. “If you’re proficient with Google Maps, drop a pin to grab those GPS coordinates for us.”

The Arizona Livestock Incident Response Team (ALIRT) is a cross-functional team that aims to improve the diagnosis and response to unexplained livestock deaths in the state by providing resources and expertise from the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association, Arizona Department of Agriculture, USDA and University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.

(Photo courtesy of Dr. Betsy Greene, University of Arizona extension specialist)

NWS scouting kits are available to ranchers through ALIRT . The team has issued a resource with additional scouting and specimen collection tips .

Additional resources can be found through your local Extension office, large animal or equine veterinarian or through the Arizona Department of Agriculture Animal Services Division.

AgriTalk Host Chip Flory recently visited with Wolker about NWS. You can hear the complete discussion here:

Visit trustinbeef.com for information about upcoming stops on the 2025 Sustainable Ranchers Tour and make your plans to attend.

Your next read: Stay up-to-date on NWS with Drovers coverage.

A Unique, Hands-On Approach to Training Tomorrow’s Dairy Veterinarians

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:34:28 GMT

Large animal veterinarians specializing in dairy have almost become the unicorns of the industry. In a space that is nearly dominated by small animal vets, finding young professionals interested in pursuing a dairy-focused practice has become increasingly rare. That’s why hands-on programs like the University of Vermont’s CREAM Program (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management), are playing a vital role in developing the next generation of dairy veterinarians.

Stephen Wadsworth, the current director of CREAM, brings more than four decades of dairy veterinary experience to the role. As a teacher for the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, his background in private practice offers students a direct link between academic concepts and real-world applications in dairy herd management.

“The CREAM program was started in 1988 by an animal geneticist on faculty,” Wadsworth explains. “It’s a 60-cow tiestall, high-producing registered Holstein herd, currently averaging about 100 lb. per day, and it’s run almost exclusively by undergraduate animal science students, most of whom are pre-vet and have never even handled a dairy cow before.”

What began as a temporary teaching position in 2018 quickly became a full-time role that Wadsworth calls more rewarding than he ever expected. After four decades in a busy, six-person dairy practice in northwestern Vermont, he welcomed the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to those just entering the profession.

“Though I should be retired, it’s too much fun,” he says. “It’s been far more gratifying than I imagined.”

Beyond the Books: Learning by Doing
According to Wadsworth, the CREAM program offers more than just basic classroom learning. Students participate in every aspect of managing the university’s dairy herd, from milking and feeding to reproductive protocols and record-keeping. The immersive experience prepares them for future roles in veterinary school and beyond.

Currently, the program is divided into three core areas: academic instruction, work skill development, and community and personal growth.

“First, there’s lecture, about two and a half hours per week where I cover livestock medicine, herd health and management principles,” Wadsworth says. “Second is work skill development. Many of these students have never held jobs requiring punctuality or responsibility. So, they learn that when we say you have to be here at 3:30 a.m. for morning milking, it really means 3:20 a.m., or preferably 3:15 a.m. to set up the parlor.”

He adds that the third area, community and personal development, might be the most impactful.

“We talk about what it means to be a person of good character and how to work together in a group,” Wadsworth says, noting how the first few days learning how to operate a dairy is challenging for the students.

“You’ve got 20 students working together to milk 60 cows in a double-six parlor. Some days it’s like herding cats,” he laughs. “The first milking during the summer took seven hours, but now they’re down to an hour and a half. But in a few weeks, there’s this tight community and new friendships formed, and students leave the program saying it was the most transformative thing they’ve ever done in their life.”

While the program serves as a steppingstone for students applying to veterinary school, it often leads to a deeper transformation.

“Some students come in thinking this is just a box to check for their application,” Wadsworth says. “But many convert to being interested in a dairy practice. When they are accepted into vet school, many decide to pursue a career in dairy medicine as a result of their time here, which is gratifying beyond words.”

As the veterinary profession continues to evolve, programs like CREAM offer an essential on-ramp for students with little or no agricultural background.

“We know there isn’t necessarily a shortage of food animal veterinarians, but we do have geographic placement challenges,” Wadsworth says. “And fewer young people are growing up on farms. So, it’s vital to provide this kind of exposure to what dairy farming really looks like.”

That exposure includes full responsibility for the daily care of the UVM CREAM herd. Students handle all aspects of herd management, including milking three times per day as well as cleaning, feeding calves and administering medical treatments under guidance. Each student completes three to four chores weekly, one of which always includes the early morning milking. They’re also involved in calving, fresh cow and calf care, vaccinations and reproductive synchronization. Additionally, every student is assigned a specialty area and expected to keep the group informed on that topic throughout the program.

Wadsworth is careful to emphasize the skills students gain are universally applicable across herd sizes and management systems.

“If you understand the biology of a cow — the physiology of ketosis, reproduction and mastitis — those fundamentals apply whether you’re on a 60-cow tiestall or a 6,000-cow commercial dairy,” he says. “It may look different, but the principles are the same.”

To add to this experience, Wadsworth is currently organizing a six-farm tour for his students to further broaden their exposure to different dairy operations across northern Vermont.

“It gives them the opportunity to see firsthand how those principles scale and adapt,” he says. “The goal is to provide a strong foundation so they can walk into any herd and understand what’s happening.”

For students without previous large-animal experience, the smaller scale of the CREAM herd offers an ideal environment to build confidence and competence.

“You could argue that animal handling and husbandry are easier to learn in a 60-cow herd than a larger operation,” Wadsworth notes. “But here, they have more direct contact with the animals and more opportunities to take ownership of daily tasks. That kind of engagement really accelerates learning.”

For Wadsworth, transitioning from private practice to academia has brought a new and refreshing challenge.

“I feel privileged to be here,” he says. “Watching these students grow over the course of the program is something special.”

As the veterinary industry looks to the future, programs like CREAM are helping ensure the next generation of dairy veterinarians are equipped with knowledge, hands-on experience and respect for the work ahead.

To learn more about UVM’s CREAM Program, watch here:

The Smell You'll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:41:22 GMT

“The stench…it’s like roadkill stewed in infection,” explains Jose Santiago Gallardo Espinosa, a cattle producer from Chiriqui, Panama, describing an animal that has been infected with New World screwworm (NWS). “You’ll smell it before you see it.”

He goes on to describe the appearance. “That little dehorning scrape you didn’t worry about? Now, it’s a fist-sized hole pulsating with maggots. Not on top, under the skin. Hundreds of cream-colored worms with screw-like spines, eating your cow alive.”

It’s a Plague in Panama

Gallardo is a Panamanian livestock production specialist and animal science professional with a diverse and practical background in cattle production, agricultural policy and international ranch management. He currently serves as the technical assistance team manager at Cooleche, R.L., where he leads strategic initiatives in cattle production and technical outreach.

“⁠This ain’t ‘just flies.’ We’ve buried calves eaten alive in 48 hours,” Gallardo stresses. “Post-calving cows are sitting ducks, I found one last week with maggots deep in her vulva, she was trembling as she tried to nurse her calf.”

An animal health professional treating an animal in Panama that has been infected by New World Screwworm.

(Jose Santiago Gallardo Espinosa)

To catch NWS and stop the spread, Espinosa encourages daily wound checks including navels on newborns, vulvas on fresh cows, sheaths on bulls, branding cuts and tagging nicks. Some red flags include a wound that swells overnight or oozes cloudy fluid and a milk tank mysteriously dropping.

“Treat every scratch like a ticking bomb,” he says adding if you find one with a wound acting a little strange, you should “peel back skin edges, and if you see rice-grain maggots with dark spines — sound the alarm.”

He says more than 6,500 cases have erupted across Panama, marching north through Central America like a plague.

“For years, our U.S.-Panama barrier kept NWS at bay,” Gallardo says. “We’d see maybe 25 cases a year — it was a nuisance, not a crisis. Then 2023 hit, and overnight our pastures became war zones.”

He says the reality in Panama is rainy season is maggot season.

“Here, in Chiriquí’s dairy country, it is the perfect storm,” he says. “Rainy season humidity of 90%, 85°F heat and flies everywhere. A single-infected cow bleeds $10/day in lost milk — its life or death for small dairies.”

NWS in Nicaragua

Ernesto José Sequeira Enríquez, an agronomist from Camoapa, Nicaragua, says NWS was eradicated from Nicaragua in the 1990s. He says he first encountered it during an internship in Brazil where he experienced the serious challenge the fly causes.

“When cases began appearing here again last year, I was able to use what I learned in Brazil to prepare veterinary supplies and train people on prevention and treatment,” he explains.

(Ernesto José Sequeira Enríquez)

He says it’s essential to enforce a daily inspection routine, checking every animal carefully for open wounds.

“When you find an infected animal, you’ll typically see a bleeding wound,” Sequeira says. “If the infestation has progressed, there will be a strong, foul smell due to tissue damage and the presence of larvae.”

He encourages U.S. producers to be prepared with sufficient supplies of veterinary medicines and insecticides for both treatment and prevention and to adjust management practices to reduce risk. For example:

When dehorning, branding or ear tagging, apply insecticide spray to the wound immediately.
Ensure proper care of newborn calves by disinfecting the navel with iodine solution as soon as possible, since that is the most common entry point for infestation.

“Although complete control of screwworm is not possible, taking preventive measures significantly reduces the economic and productivity impact of it,” he says. “Early detection and consistent preventive practices are critical to minimizing losses.”
Sequeira stresses a producer’s eyes and hands are their best tools to fight NSW.

“My warning to U.S. ranchers is this isn’t just a Panama problem,” he summarizes. “Newborn calves are maggot magnets. If you lose one calf to a navel infestation, you’ll never sleep again. Make inspections sacred — no excuses. Report fast and hide nothing.”

It’s Endemic in Brazil

Marcelo Costa is a veterinarian, professor and cattle business consultant in Brazil and Paraguay. In 1999, Costa was taught embryo transfer at Camp Cooley in Franklin, Texas. He then returned to his family’s third generation ranching operation where they started Camp Cooley Brazil.

“I have been dealing with screwworm all my life since it is endemic in Brazil,” Costa says. “Screwworm-infected animals happen all months of the year.”

A wound in the animal skin full of screwworm and new fly eggs in the skin borderline

(Marcelo Costa)

Like others, he has experienced finding infected animals with bleeding, foul-smelling wounds. He says animals show discomfort and may not follow the herd as normal.

“Newborn calves are usually the more attacked category because of the navel’s wet and bloody tissue,” he says. “If a screwworm infects the navel, it may open a door at the site for more severe infections that may cause diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases.”

Costa stresses how much NWS costs producers beyond animal loss and decreased productivity.

“One of the biggest problems with NWS is the increased labor with vigilance and animal treatment,” he summarizes.

Guatemala Producers Are Learning to Cope with NWS

“Screwworm came to teach us the times are changing, and that any type of production is possible and open to any complication,” says Oscar León, a livestock production specialist and agricultural business administrator from Guatemala City, Guatemala. “Brazil learned how to cope with it, and Guatemala is in the process of it. The U.S. is not exempt from it, unfortunately. But with the adequate measures and prevention techniques, one can learn and teach others. We can make the impact less harmful on our production and wallets.”

(Oscar León)

León currently manages his family’s cattle operations and leads LAVAT S.A., a company that imports and distributes innovative animal health and nutrition products tailored to the needs of the Guatemalan livestock sector.

He explains it is important for producers to look for and treat any open wound or bruise as they are the first indicators.

“If an open wound smells like the scent of rotten meat, you will find the presence of screwworms feeding off live tissue,” he says. “Prevention and early timing are the best ways to treat screwworm. Make sure to take your time, observe your cattle, search for a bruise or wounds and treat them properly.”

He also stresses the importance of making sure everyone who works in the farm or ranch is aware of NWS and knows how to react if an infection is found.

Educating U.S. Producers

Chris Womack, a veterinarian and rancher from San Angelo, Texas, says he remembers helping his dad treat calves with NWS infestations.

“I can still remember the smell,” Womack says. “I thought it was cool because I was a little kid, and we dug maggots out of the calves. I can still smell it like it was yesterday, and it was horrible to look at them.”

Womack shares a historic context of NWS, which he says means “man-eater,” on the “Registered Ranching” podcast with Tucker Brown.

Womack also describes the emotional toll on the producer when faced with NWS.

“If you’re a steward of an animal and it has half of its head rotting off, or its abdomen is a gaping wound because the maggots are eating it up, or it gets in their ear and they’re walking around in circles with brain damage because they got meningitis, well, it’s devastating.”

Womack summarizes NWS isn’t just an agricultural issue, it’s a human health concern. Historical accounts and recent data from Panama show NWS can affect humans, particularly vulnerable populations like homeless individuals or those in areas with limited medical access.

Womack says the experiences with NWS during his childhood is the reason he is a veterinarian today. He says there is a generational ignorance in the U.S. regarding NWS, and that is something he is committed to fixing.

“The only way we can overcome ignorance is education,” he stresses.

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Exploring Next-Generation Phenotyping that Drives Commercial Profitability

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:15:24 GMT

Traditional genetic improvement programs have been built on collecting phenotypic data such as birth, weaning, yearling and carcass weights.

“Those phenotypes have driven the industry’s increase in productivity — productivity on the rail and in the feedyard,” says Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee assistant professor of beef cattle genomics. “Commercial data is going to be more and more important. The seedstock producer has traditionally been our main collector of phenotypic records. We understand we need to measure things like disease resistance and fertility in the environments that matter to the commercial producers. So, we’ve got to integrate those commercial records. And there’s new technologies coming online that are going to help us get there easier and in a more consistent and accurate way.”

Rowan recently authored a white paper that examines industry research and results from the Imagine: AGI’s Beef Genetics Forum , which took place Sept. 25-26, 2024. Hosted by Angus Genetics Inc. the event was attended by professionals from academic, research, allied industry and ranching backgrounds.

“The big question the Angus Association wanted to ask their producers and folks from across the industry is, ‘What are we missing?’ and ‘What are the technologies and approaches that are going to allow us to work toward increasing profitability,’” Rowan explains.

One of the major themes of the paper is the numerous technological developments poised to affect phenotype collection. Examples include computer-vision technology and wearable sensors.

“By using these technologies to measure traits on continuous scales rather than the categorical scales we currently use for traits like hair shedding or foot angle, we can increase precision of phenotype measurements and consequently improve the quality of EPDs (expected progeny differences) over time,” Rowan says.

He also discusses the types of data most important and economically viable for the industry to pursue. Advancing terminal and maternal traits, health and other challenging areas of production will require data integration and more advanced tools.

“We should work on developing genetic selection tools that capture all elements of commercial profitability, continuing to improve yield and the eating experience of our end product while also making our cow herd more efficient, adapted and productive,” Rowan summarizes.

In the paper, Rowan says the greatest opportunities moving forward rely on capturing and leveraging commercial data throughout the value chain.

“This will require radical collaboration and coordination between industry partners,” he writes. “While individual data points from a commercial herd or a processing plant may not be individually valuable, capturing multiple sources of data in the aggregate will enable genetic evaluations to fill important gaps in their systems with high-quality tools.”

He says the efforts that leverage new technologies and integrate new data sources will require five main considerations:

Phenotypes are, and will always be, the backbones of genetic evaluation: While much of our forward-looking focus is on new and novel phenotypes measured by increasingly complex technologies, we still have far from complete reporting for our core economically relevant traits (ERTs). No amount of genomic testing can make up for a lack of phenotypic reporting. In the immediate term, the continued adoption of whole-herd reporting will improve genetic predictions and open opportunities to extract new phenotypes.
Standardization of phenotype collection, both by producers and via algorithms, will be essential. “From the inception of genetic evaluations, we have worked to standardize trait definitions and best practices for recording,” Rowan says. “This motivated the creation of the Beef Improvement Federation, which continues to publish best practices. Next-generation phenotyping technologies will have many more variables that can impact raw phenotypes, making the standardization of recording, processing and cleaning even more important.”
Seedstock producers may not be able to shoulder the full financial burden of phenotypic collection. “Seedstock producers have traditionally borne the full cost of phenotyping with the understanding that records will help increase the accuracy of EPDs for their animals,” he explains. “However, as we seek to measure more expensive phenotypes, the economics of phenotyping will become more difficult.”
Genetic evaluations will have to balance the deluge of new technology with the resulting payoff in EPD quality and utility. “Not every phenotype is worth measuring,” Rowan says. “As new technologies come online, genetic evaluations will need to consider the costs and return on investment carefully.”
Data sharing will be essential to leveraging the impact of phenotypic collection across industry segments. Economically important phenotypes can be collected at every step of the beef supply chain. From cow-calf operations to feedlots to processors to consumer feedback, data is constantly being collected. When we can tie this data back to an individual animal and its genetics, the possibilities of improving efficiency, animal well-being and consumer experience are limitless.

To hear more discussion about the white paper, you can listen to “The Angus Conversation” podcast: Genetic Innovation Requires Leadership and Data — The Phenotype Paradox in the Beef Industry.

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OSU Receives $250M Investment to Build World-Class Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 19:20:21 GMT

Veterinarians are essential, from rural ranches to urban centers, fueling economic growth and ensuring the safety of our food supply and public health. Last week, Oklahoma State University received $250-million state funding appropriation to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital.

The current veterinary hospital was identified as a key concern when the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine was placed on probationary accreditation in the fall of 2024. The American Veterinary Medical Association has since returned the college to full accreditation status emphasizing that continued compliance is tied to facility upgrades.

“We have a building and equipment that is not reflective of the quality of people we have here,” says Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, OSU assistant clinical professor and director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine.

Biggs says the program’s primary goal is to create practice-ready veterinarians, with a particular focus on mixed and large animal veterinary medicine.

She compares students trained in the current hospital to high-quality livestock coming off a used cattle trailer. “It’s not what the trailer looks like, it’s what stepped out of the trailer that matters, right? It was the product that we were producing.”

She explains that while the building is outdated and past its useful life, the quality of educational output remains exceptional. Just like a trailer’s appearance doesn’t define its value; the hospital’s old infrastructure doesn’t diminish the quality of veterinarians OSU produces or the service it provides. She further elaborates that just as a trailer might need new floors and lights, the hospital needs updates to match the quality of its faculty, staff and students.

“This investment is program-changing,” Biggs says. “It’s program-changing, not only for our students and faculty and staff, but also for animal owners across the state, particularly our farmers and ranchers in rural areas that need the support to do what they do — feed and clothe the world.”

This investment, the largest state appropriation in university history, combined with $78 million allocated in 2023, marks a significant step in advancing the future of veterinary education, food security and public health in Oklahoma.

“We have a great foundation, but this investment is positioning us to be where we should be,” Biggs adds. “We have a priority to serve rural areas, to serve the animal owners there, and help support the veterinarians and work with them, hand in hand.”

The new hospital will feature modern equipment and technologies essential for both large and small animal care, including advanced imaging tools (CT, MRI, radiography and ultrasound), a linear accelerator for oncology treatments and an aqua cow float tank.

The new 255,000-sq.-ft. facility will replace the existing 145,376-sq.-ft. veterinary hospital, which was built to serve 60 students but now supports more than 150. With this expansion, OSU will address one of the most urgent infrastructure needs in its veterinary program while expanding its ability to train the next generation of veterinarians.

Biggs summarizes the investment will allow OSU to upgrade its infrastructure, technology and diagnostic capabilities.

“The goal is to create a facility that meets modern standards and can serve the state and region for decades,” she says.

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Protect Your Herd: Essential Tips for Preventing Pinkeye Post Pasture Turnout

Tue, 27 May 2025 12:07:54 GMT

As herds are being turned out on pasture, most calves will get an immunity boost for select diseases through a vaccination program.

“Arguably the most common health nuisance on pasture — pinkeye — doesn’t have an easy vaccine solution with consistent efficacy,” says Chris Clark, Iowa State University extension beef specialist. “In part, this is because pinkeye is complicated, involving multiple bacterial strains and risk factors.”

The solution? Prevention, prevention and early intervention.

Prevention Points

Reduce corneal irritants. The cornea provides a protective layer over the eye, and when it is healthy, bacteria cannot attach. Irritants that damage the cornea allow bacteria to colonize and infection to occur. Common irritants on pasture include UV light, seedheads and dust.
Control fly populations. Flies contribute to cornea irritation, but the primary role of flies in regard to pinkeye is carrying the bacteria from one animal to the next, and facilitating transmission. Because flies can travel distances, the adage “your fly control program is only as good as your neighbor’s” bears truth. But by taking steps in your herd, populations can still be significantly reduced. Multifaceted approaches are the most effective.
Prioritize nutrition. Multiple macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for an effective immune response. A well-balanced mineral program is important in keeping the herd healthy. Mineral supplements can become costly, so a solid understanding of mineral levels in the available feed and water can help reduce some costs without sacrificing animal performance.

Early Intervention

Check cattle regularly and watch closely for early signs of infection. Once clinical signs are observed, initiate treatment as soon as possible to minimize complications and severe cases.
Treat with systemic antibiotics labeled for pinkeye and be diligent in following label directions. Weigh animals to ensure appropriate dosing. Use good injection site practices to ensure optimal drug absorption.
Adjunct therapy such as eye patches, stitching eyelids shut and subconjunctival injections are sometimes used in addition to systemic antibiotics. Evidence is somewhat inconsistent regarding efficacy of these practices. Eye patches have been shown to speed corneal ulcer healing, but for best results, leave a spot open to facilitate drainage and airflow when applying. Pinkeye increases sensitivity to UV light, so shade can be helpful for animal comfort. Pain associated with pinkeye may warrant the use of an anti-inflammatory as well. Topical ointments and sprays are also sometimes used.

“As with all health challenges, work closely with your veterinarian to develop a plan for dealing with cases,” Clark says. “Before using any medications, talk with your veterinarian about safety and legality for use in the eye, required dosing schedules and required withdrawal times.”

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Unlocking Success with Cow Herd Health Metrics: A Scorecard Approach

Tue, 27 May 2025 17:44:23 GMT

Tracking performance and evaluating herd success is a year-round process. Similar to tracking athletes, consider developing a scorecard to monitor your herd. Understanding how your herd is performing throughout the year is important when considering management, nutrition and culling decisions.

The first scorecard suggested was post-calving ; the next one to consider is herd health metrics. Illness and death loss in a cow herd are situations cattle producers must routinely address.

To help producers know where their herd health metrics should be, experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute offered some guidelines during a recent “Cattle Chat” podcast .

“The first metric in cow-calf operations that I look at is the first treatment response percentage,” says Brian Lubbers, K-State veterinarian.

He recommended producers aim for an 85% to 90% treatment success rate when treating one of the most common illnesses: Bovine Respiratory Disease, also referred to as BRD. He says that metric can be deceiving.

“Producers who aggressively treat BRD cases are likely treating some animals that didn’t have BRD, and that leads to a high spontaneous recovery rate,” Lubbers says. “If you are seeing a 100% first treatment success rate, you may be treating some animals who didn’t need the treatment. Very high treatment response rates should at least trigger a conversation with your veterinarian about case definitions.”

K-State veterinarian Bob Larson says another metric that producers should be aware of is the percentage of death loss in the calves. During the first year of life, there are three key times when calves are more susceptible to death: at birth, between birth and three weeks of age, and from about one month to weaning, he says.

For each of these periods, producers can expect a 1% to 2% loss, Larson explains, however, that percentage will vary from year to year.

“In the first year of life, difficult births, scours and pneumonia are some of the reasons that calves get seriously ill and sometimes die,” Larson says.

K-State beef nutritionist Phillip Lancaster says what he monitors in the herd is the body condition of the cows.

“If the cows are receiving good nutrition and maintaining their body condition, that is an indicator of the overall health of the herd,” Lancaster says.

Along with those metrics, Logan Thompson, K-State beef cattle extension sustainable grazing specialist, recommends producers treat the herd against parasites as part of an overall wellness program.

“Treating the herd against parasites is an easy win from a production efficiency and cattle longevity standpoint, and it increases the rate of passage of grass through the rumen,” Thompson says. “It is a hard metric to measure, but in some herds, cattle that are treated for parasites have an increased efficiency between 20[%] to 30%.”

In summary, the key takeaways from the podcast are:

Health metrics are multifaceted and require careful tracking.
Different perspectives (veterinary, nutritional, sustainability) offer comprehensive insights.
Metrics should be specific, measurable and contextualized.
Collaboration with veterinarians is crucial for effective health management.

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Spring Pastures Alert: Be Aware of Frothy Bloat Risk

Tue, 20 May 2025 15:10:22 GMT

Death losses from pasture bloat are estimated to be approximately 2% annually but are sometimes much higher (10% to 20%) on individual pastures.

“Costs of bloat include not only losses of livestock but also decreased productivity from avoidance of the most nutritious pastures due to bloat risk,” says Michelle Arnold, DVM and University of Kentucky ruminant extension veterinarian. “Bloat incidence varies year-to-year depending on the relative presence or absence of clover; years with low residual grass cover in the fall, especially after fall drought, and sufficient moisture in the spring will favor clover dominance.”

Frothy bloat occurs when cattle graze forages high in soluble protein and low in fiber, most commonly pastures with a high percentage of immature legumes (alfalfa, white clover) or succulent, vegetative wheat or rye pastures.

“This disorder is caused by the interaction of many factors including environmental conditions, the structural and chemical composition of the forages present, and physiologic factors within the animal,” Arnold explains.

Because it is multifactorial, frothy bloat occurrence is sporadic, unpredictable and difficult to completely prevent. It is most reported when cattle, especially yearlings, graze legume or legume-based pastures (over 50% legumes) in the late winter and early spring.

What is Bloat?

Ruminant animals produce large volumes of gas through the normal fermentation process during forage digestion. This gas is predominantly belched (eructated) or it passes through the gastrointestinal tract. If something interferes with gas escape from the rumen, pressure builds up and causes an obvious distension in the left flank of the abdomen, a condition known as bloat.

The swollen rumen occupies a large amount of space within the abdomen resulting in compression of the lungs and diaphragm, which interferes with breathing and tissue oxygenation, obstruction of blood flow to vital organs and potentially the rapid death of the animal. Bloat may be classified into one of two types — free gas or frothy — with both possible in cattle whether on pasture or in a confinement feedlot setting.

Free gas bloat in pastured cattle is most often due to obstruction of the esophagus (choke) with rapid onset of bloat and death if not addressed quickly. Free gas bloat from choke can be relieved by passing a tube down the esophagus into the rumen, simultaneously clearing the esophageal obstruction and releasing the trapped gas.

Frothy bloat, on the other hand, results when fermentation gases become trapped within a stable foam in the rumen (like the head of a beer) and the animal is no longer able to belch up the gas. Simply passing a tube into the rumen will not solve the problem, because the froth prevents gas from leaving the pressurized rumen. For effective relief, anti-foaming agents must be delivered directly into the rumen to disperse the foam and allow the gases to escape.

Frothy Bloat Characteristics

Frothy bloat results when fermentation gases become trapped in a stable foam in the rumen that cannot be released by eructation. Requirements for this foam to form are:

Consumption of a highly digestible, high-protein forage (such as alfalfa, white clover, wheat) that results in rapid gas production, promotes the growth of ruminal microbial populations and increases rumen fluid viscosity.
The presence of fine plant particles (from ruptured chloroplasts) that cause gas bubbles to coalesce in rumen contents.
Active ruminal bacterial production of an excessive amount of bacterial “slime” (a mucopolysaccharide complex also known as a biofilm).

“The incidence of bloat is variable between animals and depends on the individual animal’s rate of forage fermentation and production of ruminal gas, the digesta passage rate and the foaming properties of rumen contents,” Arnold says.

For example, a slower passage rate allows more time for foam formation and a higher chance of bloat. Similarly, the abundance of certain salivary proteins within saliva decreases that animal’s formation of rumen foam.

“Some animals have a genetic predisposition to bloat, and chronic bloaters should be culled,” Arnold says.

Signs of Bloat

According to Arnold, the signs of bloat are easily recognized if observed; the problem is an animal may go from normal to dead within an hour.

Cattle with early bloat display a distended left flank, and they stop grazing, may kick at their belly and be reluctant to move.

As bloat advances, the animal may appear distressed (may vocalize, eyes may bulge), stand up and lie down repeatedly, strain to urinate and defecate, exhibit rapid and open mouth breathing, grunting, staggering and, in advanced cases, the animal will go down.

“Death is rapid at this stage due to compression of the lungs, diaphragm and major organs by the distended rumen,” Arnold says. “Animals that are mildly affected can be drenched orally or through a stomach tube with a liquid anti-bloat preparation containing the surfactant poloxalene. After dosing, it is encouraged to keep the animal moving to allow the preparation to mix with the frothy rumen contents.”

Severely bloated animals in distress need immediate veterinary attention. Arnold says this may be achieved by inserting a wide bore trocar and cannula into the rumen at the highest point on the left flank (where the swelling is greatest).

“After gas and froth is released, an anti-bloat preparation can be poured through the cannula into the rumen to help break down all remaining froth/foam,” she explains. “If poloxalene is unavailable, vegetable oil (250-500 mL) or mineral oil (100-200 mL) can be used.”

In most cases of advanced frothy bloat, a trocar and cannula will quickly plug up with foam and will not be adequate to relieve the pressure.

“In those cases, a 10-to-20-cm incision will have to be made using a scalpel or clean, sharp knife inserted into the highest point of the left flank,” Arnold says. “It may be necessary to manually remove the frothy material from the rumen. In these emergency cases there is usually no time to wait for a vet to arrive, so livestock owners will have to do this themselves. Veterinary attention is still necessary to irrigate the abdominal cavity, clean and stitch the wound and begin antibiotic treatment to prevent serious infection.”

Prevention Tips

Arnold shares these tips to help prevent frothy bloat:

Avoid grazing cattle on lush, rapidly growing, immature legume or wheat pastures. “This is exceptionally important if the forage is wet from dew or rain,” she says. “Moisture plays a role in a forage’s bloat potential. Hungry cattle graze more aggressively when moved to a new pasture, so they should not be moved to new pastures with high legume content until midday — after the dew has dried and after they have grazed or consumed hay in the morning.”
Watch cattle closely for the first few days on new pasture. “Bloat onset may be observed within an hour after introduction to new pasture, but cattle more commonly bloat on the second or third day following introduction,” she says. “Observe animals closely following any abrupt change in the weather.”
Slow the movement of cattle to new paddocks when practicing rotational grazing to offer cattle more mature forages in pastures.
Provide cattle with free-choice access to anti-bloat blocks or offer feed daily that is top-dressed or mixed with poloxalene.
Ensure cattle always have palatable grass hay available.
Provide additional calcium to growing cattle grazing wheat pasture. “Cereal grains are notoriously low in calcium; ruminal and gut motility is greatly compromised in animals with subclinical deficiencies of blood calcium,” she says.
Always provide a good trace-mineral mix to grazing cattle as high potassium and low sodium levels in the rumen are associated with bloat.
Provide access to a clean water source.
Long-term control is based on growing grass-legume mixtures and/or incorporating bloat-resistant legumes into pastures.

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Armatrex Spray-On Antimicrobial Now Available

Thu, 15 May 2025 16:27:13 GMT

Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, has announced the commercial availability of Armatrex (silane quaternary ammonium salt), an EPA-registered, spray-on antimicrobial solution, as part of a partnership agreement with Good Salt Life, LLC, the product manufacturer. Merck Animal Health will market and sell the product in the United States.

Armatrex is an odorless, colorless and non-toxic solution. It creates an invisible and durable barrier to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, mold and algae. The barrier provides up to 90 days of protection and antimicrobial activity and can enhance biosecurity when used in conjunction with cleaning and disinfecting protocols.

“The importance of biosecurity and protecting animals and property from disease spread is a top concern for consumers and producers alike,” said Justin Welsh, DVM, executive director of livestock technical services at Merck Animal Health, in a prepared statement. “Directly aligned with our strategy of prevention, we are excited to partner with Good Salt Life, LLC to provide this innovative product because biosecurity and pathogen control are essential parts of the food supply chain.”

“Keeping animals healthy starts with maintaining clean environments. That’s really what this partnership is about,” said Adrian Fulle, president and CEO of Good Salt Life, LLC, in the prepared statement. “Armatrex gives producers and other animal health stakeholders an easy-to-use tool that works long after it’s applied. We’re excited to work with Merck Animal Health to provide this technology to market and help improve biosecurity across animal health facilities.”

The ready-to-use formulation does not require mixing or measuring. Armatrex can be applied with induction-charged technology to provide uniform coverage of treated surfaces, decreasing product waste. It does not cause microbial adaptation, resistance or mutation, the companies report.

Armatrex is available in 1-gallon, 5-gallon, or 55-gallon presentations from Merck Animal Health or its distributors.

See the Product Label.

In addition to Armatrex, Good Salt Life, LLC offers advanced chemical delivery systems for antimicrobial solutions on surfaces. By leveraging innovative technology, the company says these systems help ensure efficient and thorough application, reducing product waste while enhancing biosecurity and pathogen control in animal health facilities.
To learn more, visit https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/channel-content/species/others/armatrex .

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More Than Annoyance: Flies Can Impact Health and Profits

Tue, 06 May 2025 20:15:55 GMT

With fly season approaching, now is the time to evaluate and refine your fly management plan for 2025.

“If your 2024 control efforts underperformed, consider adjusting your approach,” says David Boxler, Nebraska Extension livestock entomologist. “The best control method will depend on several factors including efficacy, cost, convenience and your current herd management practices.”

He also reminds producers that horn flies can migrate from neighboring untreated herds, masking the effectiveness of your efforts and increasing fly pressure. For this reason, Boxer recommends a comprehensive, integrated fly control.

The horn fly is one of the most damaging pests of pasture and rangeland cattle across the U.S., Boxler says in a recent “ UNL Beef Watch .”

“Adult horn flies are blood-feeding insects that take an average of 30 blood meals per day,” he says. “Their populations can build rapidly and often exceed the Economic Injury Level defined as 200 flies per animal. Once fly numbers surpass this threshold, cattle experience reduced weight gain and milk production due to fly-induced stress and altered grazing behavior.”

Observing your cattle during summer months is key to detecting fly pressure. Boxler asks, “Are they constantly tossing their heads, swishing their tails or twitching their skin?”

These signs of fly irritation indicate a more effective control strategy might be needed.

“If you are seeing flies, ticks, lice or insect damage to your cattle herd, we know there is an economic impact; however, that impact can become far greater than production or weight gain loss alone,” says Ashby Green, DVM, Neogen senior technical services veterinarian. “Insect pressure affects grazing patterns of cattle, it affects their comfort and it can lead to health issues. Some of those health issues can be definite, such as anaplasmosis.”

The vectors responsible for spreading anaplasmosis include horse flies, stable flies and ticks. This condition has been reported in most states across the U.S., while the disease has been recognized as endemic throughout the South and several Midwestern and Western states.

“With horn flies, we’re looking at mastitis risk, so that’s going to impact both dairy cattle and also our cow-calf operations,” says Jonathan Cammack, Oklahoma State University assistant professor and state extension specialist. “A lot of times, horn flies will feed on the udders of the animals, and they transfer the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria because they land on the manure, then they go back to the animal to feed and bring those bacteria with them.”

Several other conditions are propagated by flies or ticks, including pinkeye, which can be spread by face flies and causes inflammation and ulceration of the eyes. Pinkeye-affected calves are, on average, 35 lb. to 40 lb. lighter at weaning compared to healthy calves, according to a University of Kentucky report.

Cammack says that due to flies, “We’re looking at probably $6 billion in losses annually to U.S. cattle production, and that encompasses everything from actual loss in production due to decreased weight gain or decreased milk production, veterinary needs associated with treatment of cattle with exposure to pathogens from some of these insects, and then also the control measures associated with managing those individual fly species.”

Ticks present economic risks as well. Cammack says that during a 100-day growing period producers can see a decrease in total weight gain in calves by about 20 lb. For stockers, over that same 100-day period during the summer months, they can experience a decrease in weight gain by about 60 lb.

“With what current prices are, 60 lb. could translate to a significant amount of money returned when we’re talking about the few dollars that it might cost for some tick control,” he says.

(Neogen)

Controlling flies and insects: Tips to implement
Now is the time to take steps to control flies and ticks, as populations emerge with the warmer weather.

In “ Stopping Flies in 2025: Tips to Battle These Economic Pests ,” Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, shares four steps to controlling flies

Know what flies you’re dealing with.
Reduce populations.
Eliminate breeding grounds.
Consider chemical control options.

Similar to Olds, Green recommends using a multi-pronged approach to insect control. Fly tags, feed-through insect growth regulator (IGR) products, pour-ons, back rubbers and dust bags can help diminish the population. A pour-on with an IGR destroys the larval development in flies and greatly reduces the fly population. For ultimate control using a pour-on, look to a unique combination of actives within one solution that includes an IGR, an adulticide, and a synergist that supplies relief to cattle from infestations and provides producers with a reliable solution that helps minimize handling, time and labor costs.

“Both back rubbers and dust bags can be highly effective if managed correctly. Keep in mind, when these are put out to withstand the elements, including moisture and rain, it’s key to keep the dust fresh or the oil recharged in your back rubbers. Otherwise, they will diminish in their ability to control flies quickly,” Green advises.

Cammack stresses the importance of accurate dosing by the individual animal’s weight and following label guidelines.

To best control flies and insects on cattle operations, “the easy and effective way is the best way,” Green summarizes. “It’s up to you and with the help of your veterinarian to help create that combination.”

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Functional Facilities Reduce Stress and Boost Efficiency

Mon, 05 May 2025 12:44:11 GMT

As cattle producers prepare for working cows and calves before grass turnout, it’s important to evaluate facilities and make sure they are in working order before running the first cow in the chute.

A well-maintained pen and chute system is key to making processing day stress free — on both the cattle and the people. Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute experts, along with K-State extension veterinarian A.J. Tarpoff, shared their cattle working facility recommendations during a recent “ Cattle Chat ” podcast.

Preventative maintenance is key to keeping working facilities in good working order and reduce the likelihood of injuries to people or cattle.

“Before processing, start with basic preventative maintenance, such as making sure the gear teeth are in order, that the movable points are well oiled,” says K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers.

Take the time to walk through the system just as cattle will on processing day.

“Before you start moving cattle through the system, walk through the alleyways to see if there is anything protruding that will cause the cattle to get injured or balk as they are being pushed ahead,” says K-State veterinarian Brad White.

Considering a new set up?

Tarpoff encourages producers looking to build or revamp working facilities to consider investing in what they use regularly. He also reminded producers to think about how they can get multiple functions out of one system.

“Cow-calf operators are going to be using their system for a lot of different things,” Tarpoff says. “A simple, well-built straight alley with functional sorting gates that can be used for sorting, loading and processing is one of the best investments producers can make for their cow-calf operation. It’s easy to invest in something you regularly use.”

K-State beef cattle nutritionist Phillip Lancaster says it is important to build a facility with labor force in mind because sometimes people are moving cattle alone.

“Keep it simple. You don’t need to build an elaborate facility but instead design a system that will work for the labor you have available,” Lancaster explains.

Make sure facilities are set up in a way that works best for the size of the cattle that are being handled.

“Think about what is the right size for the herd — how many cows will I need to move, can I change the width easily for cows versus calves? These are questions producers should be thinking through,” says K-State veterinarian Bob Larson.

The function of the crowding area, often called a “tub,” is to funnel cattle into alleyway on the way to the squeeze chute or loadout. The crowding area must be designed and located so cattle can be easily moved into this area from a common sorting alley that is fed by holding pens. There are two commonly used systems. Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University beef cattle breeding specialist, in a recent release compared the two systems.

(Whit Hibbard)

Sweep tub

The circular crowding area, with totally enclosed sides and crowding gate, is effective because the only escape route visible to the animal is through the alleyway leading to the squeeze chute or loadout. To further encourage cattle to exit crowding area, the solid crowding gate is intermittently moved toward a closed position. This effectively restricts the cattle to a successively smaller area as they move into the alleyway.

A roughened concrete floor is desirable to provide an all-weather surface and for ease in cleaning. This design of cattle working facilities is to use circular crowding areas and working chutes. The circular designs take advantage of cattle’s tendency to circle and crowd toward the outside of a curved passage.

The curved crowding area and working chute encourages cattle to move in a continuous flow toward the squeeze chute. Solid enclosures shield the animals’ vision from distractions outside the working area while focusing their attention on moving out of the crowding tub. When a balky animal needs to be prodded, it is only a short walk from the squeeze chute to any location along the curved working alleyway.

“Cattle can normally be worked in less time with a curved alleyway than with a straight one,” Johnson says.

The crowding alley also should be curved with totally enclosed sides.

“Cattle move more freely because they cannot view the cattlemen or squeeze chute until they approach the palpation cage or rear gate of the squeeze chute,” he adds. “Sloping sides in the working alleyway confine the animal’s feet and legs to a narrow path, which in turn, reduces balking.”

Sloping sides also reduce the capability of an animal to turn around in the crowding alley. Sloping sides are well matched to cow-calf operations because varied sizes of cattle can be worked efficiently in the same system. Recommended width for the bottom of the alleyway is 16 inches with the top at 28 inches. Emergency release panels can be constructed as movable crowding alley side panels that can be opened.

Johnson says an important consideration is that the cattle handler does not need to be inside the sweep tub. The handler works from the outside of the tub and alleyway while processing the cattle.

Naive calves effortlessly flow around the handler and up the chute because the BudBox makes our idea the animals’ idea.

(Whit Hibbard)

Bud Box

The same concepts regarding the alleyway leading to the squeeze chute or loadout still apply. The primary difference is the way in which cattle are coaxed into the alleyway. The Bud Box is a rectangular pen in which the alleyway leading to the chute is placed at a right angle at the point of entry. The design is simple and with proper handling techniques can be highly effective.

Cattle are brought into the box, and the position of the handler along the opposite side of the box stimulates cattle to move by the handler and into the alleyway. The gate that is closed behind the cattle as they moved past the alley forms the box.

“The Bud Box requires a basic understanding of cattle handling principles and may require additional training for inexperienced producers,” Johnson says “The effectiveness of the design and the manner in which cattle flow into the alley is the result of the cattle handling skills and the attitude of the handler. Proper use of the box requires the cattle handler to be inside the box with the cattle.”

The Bud Box contrasts the large, circular, sweep systems. The absence of large, fabricated bends makes it easier to construct. The box typically has open sides and does not require crowding gates, which reduces the material cost and footprint of the facility. A typical box is 12 feet wide and 20 feet long. It is closed on one end with a gate at the other end. A Bud Box can be constructed and deconstructed from portable panels.

“The decision of incorporating a sweep tub or bud box into your cattle working system should be based on considering a number of factors determining what is the best fit for your budget and type of operation,” Johnson summarizes. “There are numerous YouTube videos available on the web showing examples of working cattle through, and the construction of, both sweep tubs and Bud Boxes.”

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Your Veterinarian: A Critical Partner for Success

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:24:16 GMT

When it comes to livestock production — whether beef, dairy or swine — a knowledgeable large-animal veterinarian is a critical resource for producers.

The veterinarian’s duties have grown through the years from emergency calls and service to now include consultation and planning to improve cattle and dairy herds as well as swine operations.

Craig Bieber of Bieber Red Angus in Leola, S.D., says working with a vet is essential to his herd’s success.

“I don’t know how people do it without a relationship with their vet,” Bieber says. “A good working relationship is so important. As producers, we can’t be on top of every animal disease or problem there is.”

Bieber says he is lucky to have a comprehensive clinic with five veterinarians near his ranch. He meets with his team of veterinarians three or four times per year to discuss health strategies.

“Our diversified livestock operation uses a team of veterinarians for the health and well-being of our cattle, swine and sheep plus our livestock guardian dogs and family pets,” says Sarah Jones of Red Hill Farms in Lafayette, Tenn.

The Jones family works with its primary veterinarian, Roger Thomas of Thomas & England Veterinary Services in Smiths Grove, Ky.

“Dr. Thomas is essential to our operation,” Jones says. “Without our team of veterinarians, we couldn’t provide the very best care for our livestock. Dr. Thomas is our first call for issues we are not comfortable treating without consultation. Our operation also uses additional veterinarians for pregnancy ultrasound, cattle embryo transfer, sheep artificial insemination, sheep embryo transfer and swine consulting.”

In an unscientific survey, Drovers asked its Facebook followers, “How important is your veterinarian to the success of your operation?”

One follower wrote, “Essential. Having our veterinarian of a little over 40 years, we have created herd health programs for pre-breeding and pre-calving, as well as vaccination programs for calves at birth and weaning. We review these programs every year.”

Another said, “Our vet from Vale Veterinary Clinic is key to the success of our program through integrated research and herd health management our vet is priceless!”

Unfortunately, a few respondents noted they don’t have a close large-animal veterinarian near them or that they must take individual animals to an equine veterinarian for consultation, affirming the need for more large animal vets.

(Farm Journal)

The evolving role of dairy veterinarians

Traditionally seen as the guardians of animal health, focused primarily on treating sick individual animals, today’s dairy veterinarians are expanding their roles.

Scott Bohnert of Bohnert Jerseys in East Moline, Ill., exemplifies the modern dairy farmer’s reliance on veterinary expertise. At his dairy, home to 700 Jersey cows and an equal number of replacements, Bohnert leans heavily on his long-time veterinarian, Ryan Schaefer of Blue Grass, Iowa. Their working partnership of more than 15 years highlights the evolving importance of veterinarians in dairy.

Schaefer collaborates closely with Bohnert, conducting routine herd health and pregnancy checks twice a month — but their relationship goes far beyond basic animal care.

With a deep understanding of the dairy industry’s challenges, Schaefer consults closely with Bohnert on various critical topics. This trusted advice plays a pivotal role in helping Bohnert and his team drive their dairy operation forward.

“Ryan and I work very well together,” Bohnert says, acknowledging how Schaefer’s insights into disease prevention, vaccine management and industry trends keep his farm thriving in a competitive market.

This collaboration reflects a broader trend in agriculture where veterinarians serve as essential consultants instead of just animal doctors. Their role extends to strategic decision-making, helping farms navigate through diverse challenges like disease outbreaks, regulatory changes and economic pressures.

Swine veterinarian’s critical role

The swine producer and veterinarian relationship is critical in managing health issues in the swine herd.

“I can’t overstate how important our farm’s relationship is with our veterinarian,” says Mike Paustian, a swine producer from Wolcott, Iowa. “We treat that relationship as one of the key parts of our team that we’ve assembled to help advise our farm.”

Paustian, who is contact with his veterinarian every week, challenges the misconception that veterinary involvement is costly.

“I don’t see how you’re going to get a bigger bang for your buck than getting a veterinarian who knows your herd, to provide input into issues you’re having,” he says.

Paustian says he also appreciates a veterinarian who approaches work with a sense of curiosity and a desire to understand things better, which aligns with his own approach to constantly seek improvement.

Ben Barcovtch, a pig farmer from Berwick, Pa., says a strong veterinarian relationship is essential to the success of his pork operation.

“They support proactive herd health, help improve productivity, strengthen biosecurity and provide expert guidance during health challenges,” Barcovtch says. “The vet practice I work with is a key partner in maintaining animal well-being and our overall profitability.”

The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients and their patients, and it is critical to the health of animals.

“Our VCPR is a partnership that allows more proactive and long-term strategies instead of just responding to needs as they arise,” says Rob Brenneman, owner of Brenneman Pork in Washington, Iowa. “This allows both parties to focus on preventative care, optimized service offerings focused on system health and stability.”

Thank you

April 26 is World Veterinary Day . Observed annually on the last Saturday of April, the day aims to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals, people and the environment. “Animal health takes a team,” is this year’s theme and summarizes the collaboration between veterinarians and beef, dairy and swine producers.

“I believe that sincerely communicating appreciation is one of the most important things farmers and ranchers can do for their veterinarians,” says Jones of Red Hill Farms.

Veterinarians are considered trusted advisers with an integral role in the livestock industry. A recent survey released by Boehringer Ingelheim shows 94% of animal owners appreciate the work of veterinarians, compared to only 49% of veterinary professionals feeling who think the profession is appreciated.

The survey is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s “Going Beyond” campaign, which seeks to spotlight aspects of veterinary work that too often remain unseen and underrecognized.

In support of World Veterinary Day, the “Going Beyond” campaign also released a video asking animal owners to guess what type of professional meets the description of a range of compelling job responsibilities and characteristics.

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Stopping Flies in 2025: Tips to Battle These Economic Pests

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 20:30:42 GMT

With warming weather and cattle going out onto pasture soon, now is the time to consider fly control options.

“Every year, stable and horn flies cause significant economic losses, but a good fly control program can minimize this impact,” says Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, in a recent “ K-State Beef Tips ” article. “Although often grouped together, these are very different flies that need different control approaches.”

Olds shares these tips to stopping flies, or at least reducing their impact this year:

Step 1: Knowing what you have
“The first step in developing a good fly control program is knowing who you have,” Olds explains.

Horn flies feed 20 to 30 times a day and stay associated with their chosen animal 24/7, with females only leaving briefly to lay eggs. Stable flies in contrast only feed once or twice a day, remaining on the host for a short period of time (3 to 5 minutes).

When not feeding, flies are resting in shaded areas such as building sides and vegetation. This short feeding time means producers often underestimate their stable fly burdens.

While both flies affect pastured cattle, horn flies are not a problem in confined settings such as dairies and feedlots. This is because horn flies need fresh, undisturbed manure as a breeding site while stable flies can develop in any decaying plant matter such as hay bales, feed bunk spill over and decaying grass.

Step 2: Reduce populations
Olds explains with either fly species, using non-insecticidal control methods are essential for slowing insecticide resistance. For horn flies, pasture burning in spring kills any flies overwintering, which can significantly reduce fly populations emerging as weather warms. A healthy dung beetle population will also significantly reduce your fly numbers for free.

“Dung beetles are very susceptible to macrocyclic lactones so avoid using injectable and pour on avermectins (abamectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin etc.),” Olds says.

Because horn flies die within hours of being removed from cattle, non-chemical walk-through traps can be effective if animals pass through it regularly.

Step 3: Eliminate breeding grounds
Round hay bales result in significant wastage, which when mixed into the manure contaminated mud around bales provides a prime breeding site for stable flies.

Olds explains each round bale can produce 200,000 stable flies.

“Reducing hay waste and spreading/drying areas around finished bales is key to reducing stable fly numbers,” she says. “In feedlots, minimizing feed spillage and waste is critical to remove breeding sites for stable and house flies.”

Parasitoid wasps are available from multiple sellers and should be released around fly breeding sites. These are very effective if released before fly populations emerge and released repeatedly though the fly season.

Be careful using insecticides if using parasitoid wasps as they are very small and sensitive to these chemicals. Keeping vegetation surrounding pen areas short and exposed will remove sheltered resting areas, making life more difficult for the flies.

Step 4: Consider chemical control options
Olds stresses chemical control options should be used as a supplement not the basis of a fly control program.

“For horn flies, insecticidal ear tags are an effective method of control if correct rotation is used,” she adds. “Rotate the chemical class of your tag annually, in year one using pyrethroid-based products, year two use organophosphate-based products and year three use macrocyclic lactone tags. Repeating this three-year cycle will reduce the selection pressure on the fly populations, slowing down the spread of resistance.”

Olds also shares these tips for effective tagging.

“Tag both ears and place the tag directly into the ear,” she explains. “For the tag to be effective, it must come into direct contact with the animal’s skin, which is greatly reduced when daisy chained.”

Little of the tag touches the body when attached to another tag.

(Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University)

Olds also instructs producers not to tag young calves and adds mature bulls with thick necks might not benefit from tagging unless the tag can touch the skin.

“Although the box may label products as effective for four to five months, field trials have shown that tags only remain effective for 90 to 100 days,” Olds says. “If possible, wait until fly populations are noticeable before tagging animals to get control over peak fly activity period. After 90 days, remove the tag to reduce the risk of insecticide resistance developing.”

To increase coverage, pour-ons of the same chemical class as the ear tag can be used to increase coverage.

“Be aware that a macrocyclic lactone pour-on will impact dung beetle populations,” Olds says. “Make sure animals are dosed accurately according to weight and ensure head to tail coverage. Due to their low contact time with the host and preference for the legs, topical insecticidal treatments are generally not useful against stable flies.”

Spraying the legs can provide some relief, although it should be used sparingly as most sprays are pyrethroid based, not allowing for effective annual rotation. Baits and premise sprays can be useful in controlling both house and stable flies, look for areas where flies are found resting such as building walls, fence posts and inside sheds and shelters.

Another option is feed through insect growth regulators (IGRs) to control horn fly. Olds says it is important cattle consume the correct amount, which can be difficult under free-choice conditions.

“Under-dosing will result in resistance developing over time, reducing product efficacy,” she says. “Although labeled for stable fly control also, when manure containing the IGR is diluted in the mud and hay, it is no longer effective.”

Often marketed as dung beetle safe, Olds says evaluations of these claims in most species have not been carried out, and their true impact remains unknown.

“Insecticide resistance to IGRs can and does happen; to slow this, rotate annually between Methoprene-based (Group 7A) and diflubenzuron-based products (group 15),” she adds.

The Veterinary Entomology website provides a searchable database that can help producers select the right products. Producers can select from type of animal, insect and application method.

The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) codes are given for each product in addition to trade names.

“For on-animal use, select the best product to allow an annual rotation between pyrethroid (Group 3A), organophosphate (Group 1B) and macrocyclic lactone (Group 6) groups,” Olds says.

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Uncover the Economic Power of Bulls

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:21:51 GMT

When cattle producers consider making bull purchases for their cow-calf operation, those bulls need to be evaluated relative to the benefits each offers the bottomline, according to Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist. Johnson says producers need to find the value proposition of those bulls.

Value proposition is defined as how a product or service can meet a customer’s needs and help them achieve their goals.

He shares these key points for producers to remember.

The initial cost of the bull is only one part of the profit equation. Value added to calves is equally important.
Identifying the trait (or traits) of primary economic importance is critical to determining the value proposition of each bull.
Producers need to have a budget and it needs to be realistic.
When multiple traits have economic importance, determining the value proposition of a bull is more challenging. It will require looking at current levels of production in traits of importance in order to determine where to focus selection pressure.

Put pencil to paper
Johnson gives the example for a cow-calf producer who needs two more Angus bulls for the spring and has narrowed down the selection list to the following five bulls to purchase private treaty.

ID	CED	BW	WW	YW	CEM	HP	MW	Marb	$B	Price
1	12	0.2	70	120	9	13	76	0.35	154	$10,000
2	4	2.9	82	141	12	6	96	0.79	180	$8,000
3	15	0.1	78	145	14	17	86	1.80	215	$12,500
4	5	3.5	91	157	8	5	99	0.71	185	$7,500
5	11	0.7	63	108	8	10	65	1.90	189	$5,500

The bulls are all spring yearlings and will be approximately 15 months of age at turnout and accordingly should be expected to cover 15 cows this year. All the bulls have passed a Breeding Soundness Exam and sell with a registration paper and a breeding soundness guarantee.

“The buying decision boils down to identifying the right bulls for your operation,” Johnson says. “The right bulls to buy are the ones most capable of adding value to the calf crop sired relative to their purchase price.”

The bulls selected need to:

Complement the females to which they will be mated
Offer genetic values of economic relevance to the marketing endpoint of the calves they will sire.

As an example, your operation intends to use the bulls as terminal sires on spring calving cows, four to six years of age. After weaning, the calves will run on cool season grass until marketed as yearlings. In this operation the trait of primary economic importance is Yearling Weight (YW).

What bulls would you buy and why?
Johnson says to calculate the profit potential of each bull, assume each bull will sire 125 calves over their lifetime of service. Each will have the same salvage value and the value of a pounds of YW sired will be $2.50.

Table 1. Use the least expensive bull as the baseline to compare.

(Mark Z. Johnson/Lori Hays)

Table 2. The “Value Proposition” of each bull over their lifetime of service.

(Mark Z. Johnson/Lori Hays)

Read more: Answer These Cow Herd Questions to Help Make Smart Bull Selections

Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Preparing to Purchase Bulls

Mastering Milk Quality and Cow Comfort: Insights from The Udder Doctor

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:11:19 GMT

In the world of dairy farming, maximizing milk quality and cow comfort is paramount. Dr. Andy Johnson, famously known as ‘The Udder Doctor,’ has been at the forefront of this mission. With experience ranging from small farms with 20 cows to large-scale operations with 22,000 cows, Dr. Johnson’s insights have reached dairies across 30 countries and 47 states.

Throughout his career, he has championed the “100 Award,” an accolade granted to dairies that maintain an average of 100 lbs. of milk production under a somatic cell count of 100,000. Remarkably, in the past 15 years, more than 40 dairies have earned this distinction, with 75% achieving it in just the last five years. According to Dr. Johnson, a farm’s cell count is a reflection of its management practices, encompassing factors like housing, milking routines, and equipment maintenance.

Prioritizing Cow Comfort and Hygiene
A key point emphasized by Dr. Johnson is the critical role of environmental cleanliness in preventing infections.

“Cows in a dirty environment will have a higher risk to new infections. Keep cows clean, dry, and comfortable 24 hours a day,” he advises. This was a central message shared with over 300 attendees at the 2025 National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

Dr. Johnson also underscores the importance of a consistent milking routine and proper training for milkers.

“Do not just train one time,” he insists. “Continual training is a must.” This ongoing education is vital for maintaining high standards of milk quality.

Optimizing Milking Routine

Focusing on the milking procedure, Dr. Johnson outlines an ideal routine:

1. Dry wipe and predip: Begin with cleaning and preparing the udder.

2. Strip and dry: Strip teats to promote milk letdown and check for abnormalities, then dry thoroughly.

3. Attach and align: Properly attach the milking unit and align it to ensure efficiency.

Achieving the fastest milking with highest flow rates and optimal milk quality requires adherence to these steps. Proper drying enhances milk speed and reduces clinical mastitis, while complete stripping helps ensure the best let down and early detection of abnormal milk.

“Everyone will benefit by stripping. It just takes an attitude change,” Dr. Johnson notes, pointing out that the most successful herds implement this practice diligently.

He further advises that the optimal lag time between stripping and unit attachment should be at least 90 seconds. Moreover, maintaining clean cow legs—even if there’s a small amount of manure at the foot bottom—is crucial.

“Those little things really do matter,” he notes, emphasizing that attention to detail is rewarded with improved milk quality.

The Importance of Proper Equipment Management
Another critical factor in milking efficiency is the correct management of equipment, particularly the vacuum speed.

“Low vacuum is the number one problem on dairy,” Dr. Johnson states. Ensuring compatibility between vacuum speed and inflations is crucial for achieving swift, high-quality yields. “I’ve got dairies that are getting over 100 lbs. in under three and a half minutes,” he proudly asserts.

Embracing these techniques can lead to substantial improvements in both productivity and quality.

Your Next Read:
A United Front: The Future of Dairy Industry Innovations

Are You Asking the Right Questions for Gulf Coast Deworming?

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:17:54 GMT

Liver flukes are small but mighty and can cause a lot of harm to cattle livers. Flukes are armed with cuticular spines that help them migrate through tissues, rupture blood vessels and cause severe hemorrhage in the liver and surrounding bile ducts.

Combating flukes takes a different strategy than other parasites because of their intermediary host of mud snails, but the extra steps are worth it to prevent damage.

Fluke damage can result in lost performance and liver condemnations, so it pays to take care of liver flukes in deworming decisions.¹

A solid deworming protocol needs to be well-rounded because parasites differ in their reactions to deworming ingredients and administration methods.

“It was always said, if you’re going to try to control liver flukes in the southeastern segment, you needed to deworm those cattle sometime in September,” said Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “The goal was to hit that life cycle perfectly and kill some of those adult stages.

“That thinking has changed because we understand that life cycle better now,” he added. “In the southeastern part of the country, Texas included, these flukes are around most of the year because of the wetter environment that’s conducive to mud snails.”

Because of this, he says optimal deworming timing is nuanced depending on the presence of mud snails, so involving your veterinarian is critical. However, a good rule of thumb for combatting adult liver flukes is at the beginning of the wet season, which typically occurs in late summer or October and November depending on your area.

Consider these questions when developing a deworming program.

For this operation type, what parasites should I be most concerned about?

What parasite risks are most relevant to our region?

For our region, when should I treat for nematodes vs. liver flukes?

What herd members have the highest risk of parasitic infections?

How has the weather this year affected the parasite populations in our area?

How can combination treatment help preserve the efficacy of the products the producer is already using in their treatment protocol?

How can a fecal egg count reduction test to evaluate the effectiveness of a deworming program?

What pasture management practices can a producer use to lower the risk of parasite and fluke infestations?

How can cattle management affect the efficacy of the deworming program?

How can I implement refugia into the deworming protocol?

“Producers are basing a lot more decisions on science, instead of just guessing,” said Dr. Wade. “So we recommend not taking a chance and adding a fluke finder test to your fecal egg count test. If we do diagnostics, then scientifically, we can say yes, we do have an issue with parasites or liver flukes here.”

The Association Between Bovine Leukemia Virus and Other Dairy Diseases

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:14:00 GMT

Enzootic bovine leukosis is a cattle disease induced by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV), a retrovirus that affects the lymphoid tissue. Although only 1% to 5% of infected cattle develop malignant lymphoma (USDA-APHIS, 2008), bovine leukosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in dairy cows.

Multi-state studies reported that 89% of U.S. dairy herds had cattle seropositive for BLV (Ott et al., 2003) and 84% of dairy herds in the U.S. were positive for BLV when bulk tank milk was analyzed (USDA-APHIS, 2008).

Similar numbers were observed in Canada, as 91% of dairy herds were positive for BLV (using bulk tank milk; Nekouei et al., 2015). In 2003, BLV was associated with $525 million per year in economic losses to the U.S. dairy industry (mostly due to losses in milk production; Ott et al., 2003), which would represent approximately $900 million/year in economic losses in 2024. In addition to reduction of milk production, BLV has been associated with increased culling (Erskine et al., 2012; Bartlett et al., 2013), and increased risk of mastitis (Nakada et al., 2023) and metritis (Hernandez et al., 2024).

Risk Factors
BLV-positive heifers had greater odds of developing metritis in the first lactation compared with BLV-negative heifers (Odds Ratio = 1.31; Hernandez et al., 2024). In addition, greater hazard of culling was observed in BLV-positive heifers and cows compared with BLV-negative animals (Hazard Ratio = 1.33). An association between subclinical mastitis occurrence and proviral load of BLV was recently reported (Nakada et al., 2023).

Cows with high-proviral loads of BLV had greater odds of developing subclinical mastitis compared with non-infected cows (Odds Ratio = 2.61), whereas no differences were observed between cows with low-proviral loads and non-infected cows.

Although the mechanisms that underlie disease occurrence in BLV-positive cattle are not fully elucidated, studies show the detrimental impacts of BLV on immune cell function which may lead to immunological disfunction.

Studies have shown that BLV infection was associated with reduced migration capacity and respiratory burst functions in polymorphonuclear cells (PMN; Lv et al., 2021). In addition, an interaction between BLV viral load and the degree of effects in PMN was observed, as PMN exposed to a high-proviral load produced large amounts of neutrophil nets, chemokine CXCL7, adhesion molecule CD18, and pro-inflammatory factors IL-8 and TNF-α, triggering inflammatory responses and tissue damage.

Aside from detrimental effects on the innate immune response, BLV was also associated with detrimental effects on the adaptative immune response. Studies showed that infected cells had altered expression of interferon-I signal pathways and genes involved in defense response to virus, highlighting a degree of immune system deregulation (Cuesta et al., 2020).

Considering how detrimental BLV infections in dairy herds can be, it is important to be aware of its risk factors. A recent study reported that factors such as milking frequency, frequency of needle change, bedding composition, and herd size were associated with higher prevalence of BLV (Hutchinson et al., 2020).

Training Labor to Detect BRD Early is Critical, and a Challenge

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 19:08:17 GMT

“We know that the earlier we detect bovine respiratory disease (BRD), the better the prognosis will be,” says Nathan Meyer, DVM, Ph.D., Boehringer Ingelheim. “Getting the right treatment into that animal early and quickly will increase your chance of a successful outcome.”

One reason for that is because by the time the animal shows clinical signs, the disease has already been incubating for several days.¹

“If we detect clinical signs in the afternoon and think ‘I’ll treat her tomorrow,’ there could be a lot more damage to the lung by the time tomorrow arrives,” says Bob Smith, DVM, Veterinary Research & Consulting Services, LLC. Smith’s team serves customers in California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington.

“The progression of the disease is rapid, and antibiotics cannot reverse the damage that’s been done. Early detection and treatment will help stop the infection so it doesn’t spread further,” Smith adds.

From spreadsheets that show herd data year over year, to software that tracks historical disease incidence on the farm, there are some systems and tools that allow for better identification of high-risk groups of cattle, but they don’t offer detection help for individual animals.

Detecting Disease

New technology to help diagnose BRD is in the early stages of development including remote detection systems, temperature-detecting ear tags and time management monitors. However, most are cumbersome or expensive, and in their infancy stages.

For now, it still comes down to a trained human eye. And that poses challenges, too.

“Trained labor who can spot BRD early is the key, but it’s tough,” Meyer explains. “Early signs are very subtle, but not always linked to BRD. How can a rider see a cough or sneeze and know it’s BRD, versus pulling and overtreating an animal that doesn’t need it?”

“Detecting sickness is as much an art as it is a science,” Smith adds. “We have scientific observation cues like the D.A.R.T. scoring guide, but it is also subjective.”

Smith provides a few pointers:

· Look back at a pen of cattle after you’ve ridden through, after they all settle down and are likely to show you how they really feel.

· Don’t get in too big of a hurry, because you’ll be more likely to miss a sick calf.

· View the cattle from your truck to get a different perspective.

· Focus is critical. If a pen of cattle generally looks good, a rider may be lulled into complacency. If a rider’s mind starts to drift, it’s time to back up and look at that pen again.

Smith reminds riders that if they think they’re losing focus, get off the horse, stretch a bit, remount and pick up where they left off.

He then advised gaining as much information as possible about the calf to help make treatment decisions.

· What is the calf’s age? The younger the calf, the more susceptible it is to respiratory disease.

· How long ago was the calf weaned? A weaned calf that has not had sufficient time to recover from the stress is more susceptible to disease.

Meyer adds that once a calf has been diagnosed, using the appropriate treatment is crucial. “To optimize treatment success, look for a fast-acting, broad-spectrum antibiotic that provides coverage against all the major BRD-causing bacteria.”

Training Pen Riders

The quantity and quality of labor can vary, depending on geography and size of the operation. Smaller, family-run operations raise their family members in the business. Larger operations may have to train people who haven’t had a lot of experience with cattle.

“Something as basic as good horsemanship skills — making sure the pen rider is comfortable in the saddle — may need to be taught, and allows him or her to focus on looking at the cattle,” Smith says.

The answer to “How can a rider spot BRD early on?” lies in purposeful training. Meyer and Smith offer up several ideas:

· Match up a new employee with an experienced one to shadow.

· Well-trained employees should review all they are seeing as they ride or walk pens together.

· As new employees start making their own observations, continue to check animals together so their trainers can provide in-the-moment coaching.

· Adjust how long the training period is to how much experience an employee has.

· Schedule follow-up trainings after a newly trained employee has been on their own for a bit.

· Set up learning time with a veterinarian or consultant, riding pens but also classroom training with videos and images.

Part of Smith’s role is to help train feedlot staff in southwest Kansas, the upper portion of the Texas panhandle and western Oklahoma. In addition to identification training, they also analyze data by pen rider, checking temperatures and illness status of the calves they pulled.

“Detection is tricky; it takes a very astute individual with good training to be able to see the early signs of BRD,” Meyer says.

“They all want to do a good job,” Smith adds. “It’s important to look for ways we can help them improve their skill set, and stay positive and encouraging when they do succeed.”

NIAA Roundtable to Address Lameness Across Food Animal Species

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:40:24 GMT

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) will host animal agriculture leaders to discuss and address lameness across food animal species January 27-28, 2025, at the International Production & Processing Expo ( IPPE ) in Atlanta, Ga.

NIAA’s Animal Disease Issues & Emergency Management Council will lead the inaugural roundtable discussion to explore current research and knowledge regarding causes, prevention methods, and treatment of bone health and lameness disease(s) in food animal species – livestock and poultry.

“We are looking forward to a great, collaborative discussion about the issues each species experience and how animal agriculture leaders can collectively address the problems,” said Council co-chair, Dr. Lucas Pantaleon. Outputs from the roundtable will include a white paper along with the next steps – plans to address bone health and lameness.

The planning committee is in the final stages of selecting speakers for the roundtable with expertise in lameness and related diseases. The committee includes:

· Dr. Lucas Pantaleon, NIAA Council Co-Chair

· Dr. Adnan Alrubaye, University of Arkansas

· Dr. Kaitlyn Briggs, Fair Life

· Doug Ensley, Boehringer-Ingelheim

To learn more about the roundtable and speakers, visit NIAA’s website, www.AnimalAgriculture.org . Registration fees are $200 for NIAA members and $250 for non-members. For assistance with media registration, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org .

For more information on lameness:
Sole Ulcers: Don’t Blame the Ration
Q&A With a Veterinarian: Bovine Lameness
Optimal Lying Times and Immediate Treatment Combat Lameness

The Specificity of IgG in Milk Replacers Varies Widely, According to New Research

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:00:21 GMT

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same. New research presented at the American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting in June, revealed a vast difference in the total amount of IgG contained in milk replacers, and in the specificity of that IgG to bind to and remove enteric pathogens that target pre-weaned calves.

It was a conversation with a veterinarian at a trade show that sparked the idea for the analysis, explains Shawn Jones, PhD, process and development manager at Arkion Life Sciences.

Jones says the veterinarian oversaw a calf ranch that had a recurring issue with rotavirus infections. In discussing the issue with some of his colleagues, he was told that the milk replacer contained antibodies effective against rotavirus that should take care of the issue. However, it wasn’t working for him.

“That’s what got us thinking, how can we design a test to measure the specificity of IgG in milk replacers?” says Jones.

Five commercially available calf milk replacers were selected for analysis. All products were made with milk components only. Products from DFA, Denkavit, Land O’Lakes, Milk Specialties Global, and Provimi North America were used and were all compared on the same basis (a 10 oz. dose).

To do the analysis, first a commercial ELISA kit was used to determine total IgG titers in each milk replacer sample. The IgG concentration ranged from 2.01 mg/g to 12.16 mg/g of milk replacer.

Next the IgG was extracted and purified from the milk replacers and then labeled with a horseradish peroxidase. Direct ELISAs were then conducted against nine antigens that cause scours in calves: Bovine rotavirus, Bovine coronavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, E. coli (mix of K88, K99, 987P and F41), Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Dublin, Salmonella Heidelberg, Clostridium perfringens (Type A and Type C/D). Each milk replacer sample was run in triplicate for each of the nine antigens tested.

Results are reported as the absorbance at 450nm (A450). The A450 value is the raw output from the ELISA and is a measure of how much IgG is bound to the specific antigen of interest. The higher the A450 value the higher the specificity of the IgG antibodies for a specific antigen. The A450 values cannot be compared between antigens, only between milk replacer samples for the same antigen.

All samples were randomized to remove brand identifiers and to focus on the data analysis.

“Our analysis showed there was a wide variance in both the total amount of IgG contained, and the specificity of the IgG in the five commercial milk replacers tested,” says Jones.

For example, even though Sample A and Sample E contained similar amounts of total IgG (11.1 mg/g vs 12.2 mg/g), Sample E had significantly higher A450 values (indicating higher specificity) for each antigen tested. High total IgG in a sample does not necessarily mean that the IgG has high specificity for the antigens on your farm. In order to assess a calf milk replacer’s ability to boost passive immunity on your farm, both total IgG and the specificity of that IgG should be tested.

These results demonstrate the dairy industry’s need for a testing service that can accurately determine the specificity of IgG to various antigens. That’s why later this year Arkion Life Sciences will launch its Antibody Specificity Testing Service through Bio-Technical Resources, a division of Arkion, in Manitowoc, WI. The ELISA-based service will offer specificity testing of antibody-containing products or ingredients such as milk replacer, colostrum replacer, whey protein concentrate, and serum or plasma.

Additional results are shown in the chart at the end of the story.

“This type of test has not been available before,” says Dr. Roger Saltman, consulting veterinarian, RLS Management Solutions, Cazenovia, N.Y. “Few people have even considered how much IgG is available in the milk replacer being used on farm, or what gut pathogens that the IgG is specific to.”

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same, reports Arkion Life Sciences in its latest research results.

(Arkion Life Sciences)

Estimate Forages in Preparation for Fall and Winter

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 11:42:02 GMT

Estimating forage usage by cows is an important part of the task of calculating winter feed needs as we head into fall and winter. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated in order to make the calculations. Forage quality will be a determining factor in the amount of forage consumed. Higher quality forages contain larger concentrations of important nutrients so animals consuming these forages should be more likely to meet their nutrient needs from the forages. Also, cows can consume a larger quantity of higher quality forages.

Higher quality forages are fermented more rapidly in the rumen leaving a void that the animal can re-fill with additional forage. Consequently, forage intake increases. For example, low quality forages (below about 6% crude protein) will be consumed at about 1.5% of body weight (on a dry matter basis) per day. Higher quality grass hays (above 8% crude protein) may be consumed at about 2.0% of body weight.

High-Quality Forage Is Invaluable

Excellent forages, such as good alfalfa, silages, or green pasture may be consumed at the rate of 2.5% dry matter of body weight per day. The combination of increased nutrient content AND increased forage intake makes high quality forage very valuable to the animal and the producer. With these intake estimates, now producers can calculate the estimated amounts of hay that need to be available.

Using an example of 1200 pound pregnant spring-calving cows, lets assume that the grass hay quality is good and tested 8% crude protein. Cows will voluntarily consume 2.0% of body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100% dry matter. Grass hays will often be 7 to 10% moisture.

If we assume that the hay is 92% dry matter or 8% moisture, then the cows will consume about 26 pounds per day on an “as-fed basis.” Unfortunately we also have to consider hay wastage when feeding big round bales. Hay wastage is difficult to estimate, but generally has been found to be from 6% to 20% (or more). For this example, lets assume 15% hay wastage. This means that approximately 30 pounds of grass hay must be hauled to the pasture for each cow each day that hay is expected to be the primary ingredient in the diet.

You Need To Know Average Cow Size

After calving and during early lactation, the cow may weigh 100 pounds less, but will be able to consume about 2.6% of her body weight (100% dry matter) in hay. This would translate into 36 pounds of “as-fed” hay per cow per day necessary to be hauled to the pasture. This again assumes 15% hay wastage. Accurate knowledge of average cow size in your herd as well as the average weight of your big round bales becomes necessary to predict hay needs and hay feeding strategies.

Big round hay bales will vary in weight. Diameter and length of the bale, density of the bale, type of hay and moisture content all will greatly influence weight of the bale. Weighing a pickup or trailer with and without a bale may be the best method to estimate bale weights.

Utilizing the standing forage in native and Bermudagrass pastures to supply much of the forage needs during fall and early winter months will reduce hay feeding. An appropriate supplementation program will help the cows digest the lower quality roughage in standing forage.

When standing forage is in short supply or covered by snow and ice, hay will become the primary source of feed. The number of days that hay feeding is necessary is hard to predict going into the winter months. Looking back at previous years’ records may be the best source of information to help make that determination.

Time to Rethink Calfhood Brucellosis Vaccination? Page 2

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:17:08 GMT

Back to page 1.

Reasons to reconsider

Rogers says the metal-tag issue will soon become moot, as the USDA intends, by the end of this year, to discontinue free distribution of the tags in favor of RFID for official identification. By 2021, USDA will no longer distribute the tags at all, and by 2023 the metal tags will no longer qualify as official identification.

Rogers, who raises replacement heifers on his ranch, says he does not intend to vaccinate calves for brucellosis this coming year. Instead, he’ll use RFID tags with numbers matched to traditional dangle tags for redundancy.

Applying the ear tags entails some risk on its own, Rogers adds, as ear infections occur if sanitation is inadequate, and the alternative of using ear tattoos can cause ear warts and discomfort.

The modified-live bacterin vaccine requires veterinary supervision for administration, and while definitive data is lacking, there is some evidence that the brucellosis vaccine might increase stress in calves and interfere with their immune response to other, more important vaccines administered around the same time.

Zaluski also notes that persistent misconceptions about adult vaccination drives some resistance to change. Some producers believe they need the calfhood vaccine administered between four to 12 months of age in case those cattle are subsequently shipped into a state or county that still requires vaccination prior to import. However, Zaluski stated that vaccination of those animals as adults can typically meet import requirements. In the past, use of vaccination in adult cattle was highly restricted because antibody tests could not differentiate between vaccinated cattle and those exposed to field strains of Brucella. That vaccine, however, was discontinued in 1996, and was replaced by a vaccine that no longer interferes with diagnostic tests. Today, adult vaccination provides a fully viable option for that small percentage of cattle sold into areas requiring brucellosis vaccination.

Money better spent elsewhere?

Oedekoven estimates 350,000 heifer calves receive the vaccine every year in South Dakota alone. At around $5 per head, that adds up to a $1.3 million expense for the state’s ranchers, “for a disease we haven’t seen in 20 years.”

For years, the USDA has issued the metal brucellosis ear tags at no cost to veterinarians. Those tags serve as a traceability tool, and some ranchers view low-cost individual identification as a primary benefit of vaccination. In reality, most producers are paying around $5 to $6 just to have their veterinarian clip on an ear tag. In addition, auction markets typically charge about $4 per head to read and record the numbers from metal tags, so each brucellosis vaccine could cost about $9.

For about $2 per tag, producers could switch to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, with the electronic ID linked to each animal’s complete vaccination and health records, for a savings of $3 per head. Using electronic readers for RFID tags greatly improves accuracy and efficiency, and could reduce that cost to around $1 per head. Total cost for RFID could average around $3.

Oedekoven adds that the brucellosis vaccine in current use does not prevent infection with the bacterial disease. It does prevent clinical signs, including abortion, but the vast majority of vaccinated calves will never be exposed to the pathogen. If brucellosis does turn up in states outside the GYA, Oedekoven says officials can effectively control it as if it were a foreign animal disease, with testing and removal in affected herds.

Oedekoven acknowledges that for some veterinarians, the annual brucellosis vaccination is the only chance they have to visit client operations, establish a VCPR and generate revenue from those clients. Giving that contact up without replacing it with other services would be counterproductive, and some clients might not see the value in changing the way they utilize veterinary services.

However, with at least some clients, veterinarians have an opportunity to use the brucellosis issue as a conversation starter. The veterinarian could outline how the money currently spent on brucellosis vaccination could instead help fund more economically beneficial practices, such as better preconditioning programs, vaccinations against reproductive diseases, calf nutrition, or other practices that generate profits. Some producers will resist change, but others could recognize the value in building a more consultative relationship with their veterinarian and investing in practices that genuinely contribute to their bottom line.

Zaluski notes an example from human medicine, where the polio virus still circulates in some parts of the world. But in the United States we no longer vaccinate children against the disease, and the public-health community was able to re-allocate resources used for vaccination into surveillance and other high priority areas.

During the NCBA Mid-Year Conference in July, Rogers, Oedekoven and Zaluski participated in a meeting of the Cattle Health and Security Working Group, where members discussed brucellosis vaccination. Rogers says at least six state veterinarians participating agreed the industry could move away from calfhood vaccinations.

Back to page 1.

For more on brucellosis and vaccination, see these articles from BovineVetOnline.com:

USDA Withdraws Proposed Change to TB, Brucellosis Programs

NAS Report: Elk are Key Reservoir for Yellowstone Brucellosis

Changes in Brucellosis Test Options for Cattle Exported to Canada

Time to Rethink Calfhood Brucellosis Vaccination?

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 13:16:51 GMT

Efforts to eradicate brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus in the United States began in 1934, according to the USDA, as part of a herd-reduction program following the Great Depression and severe drought. Some states saw this as an opportunity to reduce the level of brucellosis, which was the most significant livestock disease problem in the country at the time. In 1934 and 1935, the reactor rate in adult Cattle tested was 11.5%.

The National Brucellosis Eradication Program, which began in 1956 has dramatically succeeded, with the disease virtually eliminated in the United States. By the early 2000s, the program had eradicated the disease in U.S. cattle, other than occasional infections associated with wildlife in the greater Yellowstone area (GYA). Outside that area, there have been no cases in U.S. cattle since 2010.

(Farm Journal)

In spite of that success, or perhaps because of it, cow-calf producers and veterinarians, particularly in western states, continue to vaccinate calves against brucellosis.

South Dakota State Veterinarian Dusty Oedekoven says history and tradition play key roles in today’s decisions to administer brucellosis vaccines. The disease caused significant losses in cow-calf operations since the 1930s, and once the eradication program began, producers in states not officially free of the disease faced the expense of testing cattle for interstate shipment. South Dakota gained its brucellosis-free status in 2000, with Texas and Missouri soon following.

By 2009, animal health officials were celebrating the eradication of brucellosis in U.S. cattle. But, they recognized that the disease persisted in the GYA, where migratory elk herds serve as a reservoir and sometimes transmit the disease to cattle in adjacent areas in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Officials in those states, Oedekoven says, have remained vigilant in surveillance and testing to prevent movement of infected cattle out of the GYA.

“We’ve gone about as far as we can with the program, short of eradicating the disease in wildlife,” he says.

Reasons we still vaccinate

Producers perceive some advantages to vaccination, generally unrelated to disease prevention. Some ranchers, for example, see some value to the orange metal tag when selling replacement heifers. Montana State Veterinarian, Marty Zaluski, notes that buyers might feel the tag serves as an indicator of overall health management at the ranch of origin. If a seller cared enough to vaccinate against Brucella, the reasoning goes, they probably care enough to employ good weaning practices, including vaccinating for more widespread diseases such as BVD or viruses associated with respiratory disease.

Oedekoven adds that ranchers want the orange tag in place at sale time in case a buyer intends to move the calves to several western states that still require vaccination for imported cattle.

Zaluski agrees that tradition, along with some perceived benefits and some misconceptions drive the continued practice of vaccinating calves against brucellosis. In 47 states, there have been no brucellosis cases confirmed in more than 10 years, but many producers cling to traditions. In some cases, Zaluski says, producers see it as inexpensive insurance against risk of an outbreak; a risk that Zaluski feels has become extremely low. Others value the practice for individual identification, traceability and a marketing tool, however, comprehensive weaning programs along with RFID linked to records for documentation, could provide much greater value.

Oedekoven notes a clear East-West divide in perceptions regarding brucellosis vaccination. Producers in Eastern states generally have been free of the disease for decades, and generally are less likely to ship replacement heifers to Western states. Producers west of the Mississippi on the other hand, can recall outbreaks and testing, or recall their fathers’ or grandfathers’ stories.

Veterinarians, in some cases, rely on those annual vaccinations as a revenue stream and as one of their few chances, or only chance, to visit client operations and establish professional relationships. Texas Veterinarian Glenn Rogers says that for veterinarians and their clients, it can be difficult to discontinue a service or product, especially if there is any perception of risk in doing so.

Read on for reasons to reconsider vaccination on page 2. >>>

(Farm Journal)

Read on for reasons to reconsider vaccination on page 2. >>>

A Road Map For Resiliency

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:11:23 GMT

First some news you likely already know. The bovine veterinary industry is struggling. Practitioners are leaving the profession, especially women.

In the zero-to-five-years since graduation group, the majority of practitioners is female. But that majority drops off after year five (Figure 1), according to Dr. Carie Telgen, American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) immediate past president and a partner in Battenkill Veterinary Bovine, Greenwich, N.Y.

“Where are those veterinarians going? It’s a concern we’re dealing with as an organization,” Telgen said during a media briefing at the AABP annual conference in Salt Lake City in October.

The organization membership includes more than 5,000 cattle veterinarians and students based across the U.S. and Canada. A small number of members also resides and works outside North America.

SOMETIMES THE JOURNEY ISN’T WHAT YOU PLANNED FOR OR EXPECTED.

Some practitioners, especially women, leave bovine veterinary medicine to start families. Other practitioners struggle with the long hours and on-call nature of the business, which can exact physical and emotional tolls, AABP leaders speculate.

A high level of student debt and inadequate compensation to counter the debt, once veterinarians are in practice, are also contributing to decisions to leave, according to a 2018 survey on veterinary well-being commissioned by Merck (https://bit.ly/3Azr52p).

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that the average debt load a veterinary student graduated with in 2019 was $183,000.

Dr. Carrie Jurney, president of Not One More Vet (NOMV), says student debt is the No. 1 reason young practitioners, in particular, give for leaving the profession. NOMV is the largest wellness focused charity for veterinarians in the world.

Jurney, a veterinary neurologist based near San Francisco, addressed the issue of veterinary well-being during the annual conference. She polled conference attendees on the question, “How many of you would honestly recommend this profession to family members?” Approximately 36% said yes they would, 31% said they would not. An additional 31% said they were unsure.

CONSIDER HOW THE “BIG 5” INFLUENCES YOUR COURSE.

During her presentation, Jurney discussed her own mental-health struggles as well as those of friends and colleagues. She says she learned about the role of what psychotherapists call the 5 Big Models of Personality in mental health (Vinney, 2018) and how they apply to veterinarians.

The five models are: agreeable, conscientious, extroversion, emotional stability and neuroticism (Figure 2).
Personality traits, influenced by a combination of genetics and life experiences, can play a huge role in veterinary well-being, Jurney notes.

“We looked across veterinarians and found, on the whole, we are less extroverted, less agreeable and less emotionally stable,” she reports.

It also turns out veterinarians, as a group, tend to be highly conscientious and more neurotic than the general population.

“No one likes to be called neurotic, right? But regardless, many of us are, present company included,” says Jurney, who sought help from a therapist.

“As I carefully explained my narrative to this woman and how crazy I was, that Angel looked at me and she said, ‘You know what, I’m just going to stop you right there. You realize that’s part of why you’re a good doctor, right?’” Jurney recalls.

“She explained to me in that one moment that I didn’t have to hate my brain,” Jurney adds.

“Those parts of my brain I’d hated actually let me accomplish my proudest achievements, one of the things that brings the most meaning to my life – my skill in medicine, being able to think about worst-case scenarios and how to deal with them. Those are really important skills in surgery, and I am an Olympic athlete in that.”

Yes, Jurney acknowledges, she would have preferred having some other superpower like invincibility or flying.
“But I got neuroticism, and I can work with that,” she says. “I can use it for good, while I learn how to throttle those parts of it that don’t serve me well.”

MAP A ROUTE TO THE DESTINATION YOU WANT TO REACH.

Jurney encourages veterinarians to be self-aware. She says if your inner critic shows up, acknowledge it and notice how it affects you. Pay attention to your heartbeat and how you breathe. The process can lessen negative emotions.

She also encouraged everyone attending the AABP conference to seek out mental healthcare professionals, to have an objective third party help you figure out how to change and grow.

“I’m talking about learning how to cultivate a skill, learning to cope,” she says. “Practice being nonreactive and non-judgmental. Practicing can help reduce your anxiety and burnout and let you deal with work stress better.”

Other recommendations she shared: consider getting a financial planner if you have a high debt load. Set boundaries at work and in your personal life. Practice gratitude. Focus on small changes. Aim for progress, not perfection.

“We want our lives to mean something,” Jurney says. “We want to grow, and most of us are OK with a little bit of struggle as long as it makes us a better person.”

GATHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ALONG THE WAY.

Jurney says Not One More Vet offers a variety of tools, through education, research and support, to help you on the journey to well-being.

If you struggle with burnout check out LifeBoat, a first-of-its-kind app NOMV recently launched. The app connects peers in the veterinary community who chat in small peer groups and address stress triggers and suicide ideation. You can find more information about LifeBoat and other NOMV resources at https://nomv.org/

For bovine veterinarians specifically, AABP is in the process of developing resources to address mental health and diversity. Earlier this year, the association created a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force and also a Mental Health task force to address both issues. Resources pertaining to both are available to members online at aabp.org.

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Four Considerations For Calf Hernia Repair In The Field

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 17:19:48 GMT

Hernias in young calves can often be addressed surgically in the field. But before taking that step, Amanda Hartnack says it’s important to evaluate whether the case you face is one you can correct with lasting success.

In simple terms, “you need to know when to cut and when to run,” says Hartnack, DVM, MS, DACVS, who spoke on the topic at the 2020 American Association of Bovine Practitioners annual conference.

If you opt for surgery, you want to do it while the problem is new and the calf is young. The reason for that is straightforward.

“When you fix hernias in a young calf, there’s not a lot of weight on the abdomen from the rumen and intestines,” Hartnack explains. “So, you won’t have as much tension on your incision; your incision is going to hold a little better, and you’re going to end up, generally, with a better outcome.”

The opposite is true as well. Larger animals tend to have larger hernias which are more challenging to address, especially outside the clinic or hospital.

Here are four additional considerations before you opt for surgery in the field:

1. Take the time to do a thorough physical exam. The reason: at first glance, some abnormalities look like simple hernias but are instead something more complicated to address, such as a Richter’s hernia or an abomasal fistula.

2. Determine whether the hernia is non-reducible. Baird says classically, simple hernias either contain small intestine (enterocele) or omentum (epiplocele) that is easily replaced in the abdominal cavity by depressing the hernia sac. The contents slide with little to no resistance from the hernia sac into the abdomen. When one releases the sac, the contents return readily. He adds that it is important to note the size of the body wall rent when the hernia is reduced. (Baird offers a detailed perspective in his article available at https://bit.ly/2XlcyWZ)

3. Evaluate whether infected umbilical structures are present. If so, in these scenarios, the hernia often requires more intensive surgery than what you may be able to accomplish in the field.

“You might also end up in a situation where you need to do more than your field anesthesia allows you to do,” Hartnack notes. For an in-field anesthesia, she typically opts for sedation with a local block or epidural.

4. Consider the size of the hernia. Most simple hernias successfully treated in the field will be no more than 4 to 5 centimeters (three fingers in size) and have a hernia ring that appears thick and easily palpated, says Aubrey N. Baird, DVM, DACVS, Purdue University.

Hartnack adds that she recommends not addressing hernias in the field that are larger than 10 to 15 centimeters.

“This depends on what you feel comfortable with,” she says. “I do recommend that you run away from hernias that have previously been repaired. Refer them or tell the rancher to consider culling that animal. It is important to consider that hernias may be heritable as well.”

When hernias are less than 5 centimeters in diameter, Hartnack says she considers using abdominal support bandages as a first option rather than surgery.

“In a young Holstein calf, for instance, I’d recommend trying a belly band first, because a month isn’t going to make that big of a difference,” she notes. “If it works that’s great – you’ve avoided a surgery – but if it doesn’t, they’re still not that big at 2 months of age.”

She recommends checking the band about every two weeks to see if the animal is tolerating it well. If so, the hernia usually heals within about three months.

The downside if the band doesn’t work is you will have a larger calf and a larger hernia, usually, to deal with. “Still, in commercial calves, this might be a good option to try before going to a surgical option,” she says.

Hartnack often constructs belly bands out of brown cling gauze and vet wrap and will put elastic tape on the edges to keep the band from sliding. Duct tape can be applied to the outside to help keep the area waterproof. In bulls and steers, a hole lined with duct tape can be made in the band to allow for urination. Commercial belly bands are also available for purchase.

Post-opt Considerations:
The No. 1 rule for post-op hernia success is to restrict the animal’s movement, says Hartnack. That usually is easiest to achieve with a dairy calf. With beef calves, she says to not return them straight to pasture. Instead, keep them in a small pen for four to six weeks. Also consider using an abdominal bandage for 24 to 72 hours to provide support. Depending on the animal’s anatomy and incision size, an alternative would be the use of a stent bandage.

Two additional treatment factors to consider are the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. “I’ll oftentimes use a dose of penicillin at the time of surgery, especially if it’s just a simple, uncomplicated repair with no sign of infection, just to cover for any contamination—especially if it’s a field surgery,” she says. “I find that is usually adequate.”

From a management perspective, Hartnack instructs clients to gradually re-introduce animals to forage over a three- to five-day period to prevent excessive rumen fill and pressure on the incision.

Advanced Diagnostics Help Battle Evolving Pinkeye Challenges

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:45:20 GMT

This article was developed by Newport Laboratories.

With the capability for an untreated pinkeye infection to lead to blindness and permanent damage within 72 hours or less, an outbreak can be an emotional and challenging battle for producers. Outbreaks have become more prevalent within vaccinated herds due to emerging species of pinkeye bacteria. As pinkeye becomes more complex to control, advanced diagnostics play a critical role in providing producers and veterinarians with a solution.

The change in landscape and need for diagnostics

“Historically, Moraxella bovis (M. bovis) has been considered the main species of bacteria associated with pinkeye,” said Jason Shumaker, DVM, MS, technical service veterinarian at Newport Laboratories, Inc. “Throughout the past 10 years, we’ve been seeing a major shift in the landscape of pinkeye.”

Shumaker explained how pinkeye is more commonly being reported year-round compared to the past when outbreaks were more common in the summer. Along with this trend, veterinarians and producers are reporting more cases of pinkeye outbreaks associated with emerging species of pinkeye bacteria including Moraxella bovoculi (M. bovoculi) and Mycoplasma bovoculi.

“At Newport Labs, we’ve been finding M. bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovoculi three times more than traditional M. bovis,” added Shumaker. “Unfortunately, there also aren’t commercial vaccines available that protect against the emerging Mycoplasma bacterium or a combination of M. bovis and M. bovoculi.

“Since the most common pinkeye vaccines only protect against M. bovis, we have seen an increase in outbreaks within vaccinated herds,” he said.

To help fight challenging pinkeye outbreaks, Shumaker and Jen Iverson, bacteriology team leader at Newport Labs, share how veterinarians and producers can take advantage of advanced diagnostics to identify the exact species and strain of pinkeye bacteria that is infecting their herds.

Diagnostic samples

To start the diagnostics process, request a free Diagnostics Shipping Kit from Newport Labs that includes swabs and insulated shipping containers. For best results:

1) Select the correct swabs
• Utilize the proper swabs and sampling techniques to assure good diagnostic results
• Use Amies Culturettes or single-tipped swabs with transport media for aerobic culture of Moxarella species
• Use the Mycoplasma/viral swab to test for Mycoplasma species and viruses
2) Collect the samples
• Select animals with excessive tearing in early stages of infection, before antibiotic treatment
• Swab inside the lower eyelid
• Insert swab into transport media, break off end of swab stick and replace cap, refrigerate immediately
3) Ship samples
• Ship on ice in an insulated shipping container
• Next day (overnight) shipping is preferred

Lab analysis

“Once samples are received from the lab, appropriate tests are run for each swab sample that is received,” said Iverson.

Bacterial cultures that indicate the presence of M. bovis and M. bovoculi are completed within three to five days. An initial PCR test for Mycoplasma provides a quick indication of possible involvement. If present, this would be followed by a Mycoplasma spp. culture which may take 10 or more days to complete due to the species’ slow growth rate. Not only do these cultures show what species are present in a herd, but they can give veterinarians an idea of the growth characteristics (how fast the bacteria or virus is growing) and the intensity of the infection. This can help indicate the severity of the disease within a herd.

“After the diagnostics team is finished with isolating the bacteria, identifying and reporting results, a Newport Labs technical service veterinarian will consult the third-party veterinarian or producer to help them select the most appropriate solution for their herd,” explained Iverson.

“Depending on the results, advanced diagnostics such as sequencing might be recommended,” said Iverson.

Newport Labs utilizes advanced, proprietary molecular diagnostic techniques including multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and whole-genome sequencing to characterize and compare isolates. MLST technology represents a major advancement over the previous diagnostic process and provides increased resolution and a better assessment of genetic variation.

Whole-genome sequencing is also a powerful diagnostic tool that determines the genetic blueprint of an organism’s DNA to help identify emerging pathogens, mutations and mixed infections. This process also assists scientists in discovering how pathogens overcome natural barriers to cause disease and how to stop them.

Herd-specific solutions

Advanced diagnostics provide veterinarians and producers the ability to tailor a custom-made vaccine to the specific disease strains within their operation, which can help fight the development and persistence of infections, while saving labor and treatment cost. If appropriate, multiple antigens can be combined in one custom-made vaccine.

Newport Labs has an extensive proprietary database of field-sample isolates that goes back more than 20 years.

“As the landscape of pinkeye continues to shift, it’s important for us to keep our database updated and use technology to our advantage,” said Shumaker. “Our team consistently uses diagnostics and gene sequencing to cross-reference new isolates so we can update and address emerging strains within each new vaccine.”

To learn how diagnostics could help solve your or your clients’ herd-health challenges, or to request a free Diagnostics Shipping Kit to begin the process, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim representative or visit NewportLabs.com.

1 Loy JD, Brodersen BW. Moraxella spp. isolated from field outbreaks of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis: a retrospective study of case submissions from 2010 to 2013. J Vet Diagn Invest 2014;26(6):761–768.

©2020 Newport Laboratories, Inc., Worthington, MN. All rights reserved. US-BOV-0596-2020

Texas Tech Adds Large-Animal Veterinarian To Staff

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:11:49 GMT

As a large-animal veterinarian in Texas, David Dutton knows full well the needs of the industry and believes in the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine’s plan to address them.

An accomplished large-animal surgeon who has owned a practice in Boerne for the last 20 years, Dutton sees firsthand how the state’s demand for quality veterinary care in rural and regional communities far outweighs the supply of veterinarians. So he’s helping do something about it.

Dutton, who grew up around ranching, farming and race horses in West Texas and Southern New Mexico, is joining the faculty of the School of Veterinary Medicine as a professor of surgery, bringing with him 25 years of experience as a surgeon and large-animal care veterinarian.

“My main goal as surgery professor is to empower veterinary students to become confident and competent veterinarians, especially in large-animal surgery,” said Dutton, who began his duties with the School of Veterinary Medicine April 1. “There is a growing need for veterinarians who serve rural and regional communities, and Texas Tech is on track to be the leading veterinary school in the nation in addressing this need.”

For the last 20 years, Dutton has led the very successful equine surgery and performance/lameness practice Hill Country Equine in Boerne. He also has been involved in clinical research trials of new drugs and has served as the chief medical officer for two companies developing regenerative medicine products.

“Dr. Dutton’s successful career in private practice adds so much to the school,” said John Dascanio, senior associate dean. “He brings valuable business skills to pass on to future practitioners and, just as importantly, he will help focus the curriculum on topics of real-world relevance to veterinary medicine in Texas.”

Dutton earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from New Mexico State University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1995. He completed a large-animal internship at the University of Georgia and a large-animal surgical residency at Texas A&M University, where he remained on staff as a large-animal lecturer.

He was awarded Diplomate status by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2000.

“Having someone of the caliber of Dr. Dutton join the team will greatly enrich the veterinary program and the students’ experience,” said Britt Conklin, associate dean. “He will continue doing clinically relevant and practical research with Texas Tech colleagues to benefit the equine and food animal industries. We are excited to have Dr. Dutton and his family as part of the Texas Tech family.”

Dutton and his family are actively involved in production agriculture, primarily raising cattle as well as managing native and exotic wildlife on their ranch. His sons have their own livestock enterprises raising and selling show cattle and show goats, as well as competitively showing steers.

He said one of his greatest satisfactions has been not only to take care of some of the top equine athletes in the country but also to see his clients and their equine athletes have very successful careers, and he’s hoping to help lead the next generation of veterinarians who can do the same.

“I am excited and honored to be part of the founding faculty for the School of Veterinary Medicine and to mentor future veterinarians ready to serve in rural and regional communities,” Dutton said. “The support of Texas Tech and the Texas Panhandle community for the new veterinary school is truly amazing.”

Dutton joins Dascanio, Conklin, Dean Guy Loneragan and assistant professor Bethany Schilling on the faculty for the School of Veterinary Medicine. Additional faculty members will begin in April with a series of faculty to be added over the summer and fall.

“Dr. Dutton has the skills, passion and real-world insights to help make us a great school,” Loneragan said. “Dave will help create a program that will impact the lives of students and the profession for generations to come.”