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A century ago, bovine tuberculosis (TB) was responsible for more losses among U.S. farm animals than all other infectious diseases combined. Since state and federal agencies started tracking and eradication procedures in 1917, the disease has mostly been eliminated, but pockets of breakouts throughout the U.S. remain serious and costly for livestock producers.
A year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Veterinary Services released “Assessment of Pathways for the Introduction and Spread of Mycobacterium bovis in the United States – a study of the condition based on 2009 conditions.”
The study found that the biggest risk factors are the importation of cattle into the U.S. – both legal and illegal – and exposure to wildlife.
Veterinarian Donald E. Sanders of Urbana, Illinois, an expert in dairy herd health and management, has released his ninth book, Raising Replacement Heifers – Doc’s Way.
This practical guide is written for farm managers, including those who want to raise healthier heifers to rotate into their own milking herds, those who want to start raising heifers to sell to other dairies, and those who want to boost the profitability of their operations.
Pam Boocher, member of Elanco Animal Health's U.S. Dairy Marketing Team, talks with Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley about Elanco's new app, Dairy Source. Find out why Boocher calls it a "one stop shop for the dairy industry." Video by PD Webmaster Ray Merritt.
The developing horns of dairy calves are typically removed to reduce the risk of injuries to farm workers or other cattle later in life. Horns of calves 3 months old or older are normally removed surgically (“dehorning”) by scooping, shearing or sawing. Horn buds of younger calves are typically removed (“disbudding”) using a caustic paste or a hot iron.
There is scientific evidence that all of these methods cause immediate pain and post-operative pain. The immediate pain can be reduced using a local anesthetic to provide a nerve block – this procedure has been used safely for decades and costs just pennies a shot.
Pain can persist 24 hours or more – this longer-lasting pain can be reduced using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like the ibuprofen you take for a headache). Providing calves a sedative before the procedure can reduce handling stress and make the procedure easier to carry out.
Cow cooling, a topic not taken lightly by producers across the Southwest, was the topic of the noon dairy seminar on February 16 at World Ag Expo.
John F. Smith, dairy extension specialist and professor at the University of Arizona, presented this topic, updating producers on current cow cooling research.
Dairy farmers don’t think twice about fine-tuning rations or investing in a milking system performance review if changes to these systems offer a way to improve milk production and quality. Shouldn’t the same consideration be given to heat abatement strategies?
After all, heat stress robs dairy farmers of $900 million every year in reduced fertility, lost milk production and other health challenges.
Lameness is one of the leading reasons for milk loss on any dairy.
It is also a hot animal welfare topic, according to Dr. Gerard Cramer, who is a bovine hoof care consultant, educator and researcher from Ontario, Canada. Cramer recently discussed his hoof health program via webcast.
This year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would soon be modifying extra-label use of cephalosporin drugs in cattle.
Effective April 5, 2012, veterinarians can continue to prescribe extra-label use of any cephalosporin as long as it is the same dosage, used through the same route of administration and in the same species as its FDA-approved label. The new order does not affect FDA’s approved indications for ceftiofur.
When was the last time you reviewed your dairy’s protocols for pharmaceutical use? If it’s been a while, now is the time to make sure your product use is in line with these new guidelines and is helping you avoid any residue violations.
There are enough teat dips and different teat dip formulations on the market to make your head spin (and kudos to whomever can pronounce the names of all the ingredients listed on a teat dip label).
All the different active ingredients, skin conditioners and varying percentages of both can make choosing the right teat dip for your farm a daunting task.
Scientists at the USDA have found that a commercial vaccine is effective against leptospirosis in cattle.
A widespread zoonotic disease, leptospirosis is transmitted naturally from domestic and wild animals to humans. The contagious disease, which is caused by Leptospira bacteria, is spread through contact with food, water or soil contaminated with urine from infected animals. It can affect all farm animals, rodents and wildlife.
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