Latest News From Rhonda Brooks

BSEs can Add Dollars to Producer Pockets, Thanks to Improved Calf Weaning Weights
BSEs can Add Dollars to Producer Pockets, Thanks to Improved Calf Weaning Weights

Turning out a subfertile bull means some cows in the herd won’t get bred or bred in a timely manner. Both problems are costly, says Chance Armstrong, DVM, Auburn University. Check out the two scenarios he outlines here.

BSEs help Veterinarians Provide a $7 ROI for every $1 Cow-Calf Producers Invest, on Average
BSEs help Veterinarians Provide a $7 ROI for every $1 Cow-Calf Producers Invest, on Average

Bulls passing all four parts of a BSE are set up for reproductive excellence. The best achieve a 60% to 65% conception rate every 21 days on healthy, cycling cows, says Dr. Chance Armstrong. Subfertile bulls are costly.

Four Steps Veterinarians Can Take To Help Producers Transition To Beef-On-Dairy
Four Steps Veterinarians Can Take To Help Producers Transition To Beef-On-Dairy

Beef-on-dairy numbers in the U.S. will reach up to 5 million head – roughly 15% of the cattle harvested annually – as early as 2026. The sexed-and-beef model of production will play a prominent role in the process.

Pros and Cons of Using Darts to Treat Cattle
Pros and Cons of Using Darts to Treat Cattle

Remote drug delivery devices to treat cattle are increasingly popular among producers, especially for use with cattle on pasture. Many veterinarians, however, continue to question whether such tools warrant use at all.

South_Dakot_Sunset_Cattle
Want More Calves Born in Daylight? Feed The Cows at Night

Beef cows fed at dusk or later results in more daytime births. Research indicates that to achieve that benefit, feeding at night should be started at least one month prior to calving season.

Nine Ways to Help Resuscitate A Newborn Calf
Nine Ways to Help Resuscitate A Newborn Calf

After a typical birth a calf should breathe within 30 seconds of delivery. If it doesn't, be ready to intervene and provide extra support.

New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband
New Legislation Looks To Connect Farmland And Ranchland To Broadband

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

Combat Illicit Xylazine: Proposed Legislation Aims To Protect Sedative Use
Combat Illicit Xylazine: Proposed Legislation Aims To Protect Sedative Use

AABP urges practitioners and producers to contact legislators to express support for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. The legislation would help protect the legitimate use of the product in livestock production.

 Novel Technology to Treat BRD in Calves Reenters Marketplace 
Novel Technology to Treat BRD in Calves Reenters Marketplace 

Zelnate DNA Immunostimulant is used to treat respiratory disease due to Mannheimia haemolytica. The label recommends use at or within 24 hours after a perceived stressful event in cattle 4 months of age and older.

House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension
House Nominates Scalise for Speaker, the Farm Bill Needs an Extension

Work by the House or Senate Agriculture Committee on a new farm bill is essentially stalled, Randy Russell tells AgriTalk's Chip Flory. Russell says that could be the case until government funding issues are resolved.

 Merck Animal Health Expands Voluntary Recall of Banamine 
Merck Animal Health Expands Voluntary Recall of Banamine 

The company announces it is voluntarily recalling four additional batches of Banamine/Banamine-S (flunixin meglumine injection) 50 mg/mL in the United States. The product is commonly used in cattle, swine and horses.

Veterinarian
Need A Veterinarian In Your Area? Then Support This Legislation Now

Less than 5% of new grads choose rural food animal practice. That needs to change to protect the U.S. food supply and public health. Contacting legislators is one way farmers and ranchers can weigh in and help.

New Lidocaine-Infused Band Reduces Castration Pain, Discomfort
New Lidocaine-Infused Band Reduces Castration Pain, Discomfort

Solvet Lidoband is approved for use in calves under 250 pounds and in lambs under 50 pounds. The local, soothing anesthesia works for up to 42 days, helping veterinarians and producers improve animal well-being.

Trace Mineral Needs In The Beef Herd
Trace Mineral Needs In The Beef Herd

While trace mineral deficiencies can vary widely by animal and region, the most common ones Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, DABVT, sees in cattle today are insufficient copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

7 Things to Know or Do about BRD
7 Things to Know or Do about BRD

Drs. Grant Dewell and Mike Apley, respectively, and Extension nutritionist Paul Beck weigh in on some things they believe contribute to the disease and how you can stem its development from the farm to the feedlot.

What is The Best Way to Treat Cattle in the Pasture?
What is The Best Way to Treat Cattle in the Pasture?

A producer asked Beef Cattle Institute experts to address how to give medical care to an animal in the field. Options listed: darting, roping, trailering or walking to a facility, doing nothing. What would you choose?

Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System
Senators Look To Rein-In Abuse Of Farm Payment System

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Sherrod Brown have introduced the Farm Program Integrity Act. It would create a cap of $250,000 in commodity support for a single farm operation and, potentially, some undesirable side effects.

Zoetis Introduces Valcor Injectable, with Doramectin and Levamisole, for Parasite Control 
Zoetis Introduces Valcor Injectable, with Doramectin and Levamisole, for Parasite Control 

The first dual-active endectocide for the U.S. has been approved for use, starting August 1, in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age.

High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States
High-Quality Farmland Is Still Inching Up In Price Across 18 States

A mid-year report from Farmers National shows land values are increasing by single digits instead of the double digits common in 2021-22. But the company says it has a strong roster of listings headed into late summer.

Oklahoma_Wildfire
Poor Air Quality from Wildfire Smoke can put Livestock, Pets at Risk

Areas in the upper Midwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic are being impacted. The American Veterinary Medical Association says to monitor animals as well as people and take precautions to keep everyone safe.

Management of a New Yearling Bull Sets the Stage for Performance Success
Management of a New Yearling Bull Sets the Stage for Performance Success

Bulls new to their job need extra attention to get acclimated to their role on the farm or ranch. Beef veterinarians and Extension specialists at Kansas State University offer some management practices that can help.

BT_Feedlot_Cattle_Shade
Fatigued Cattle Syndrome: What It Is and What to Do About It

As temperatures ratchet up, the disorder is more frequently seen in fed cattle ready for slaughter. Veterinarians offer their take on what contributes to the problem and seven recommendations to help prevent it.

Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey
Small-Town Bank CEOs are Cautiously Optimistic, says Rural Mainstreet Index Survey

Despite the positive sentiment, local community bankers report concerns about lower commodity prices, the ‘big bank mess’ and another potential rate hike in June by the Fed.

Norbrook Announces Facility Expansion And Upgrades
Norbrook Announces Facility Expansion And Upgrades

The company has doubled the warehouse space available for its veterinary pharmaceutical products. The 1,000-plus temperature-controlled pallet spaces are maintained with a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system.

Early Weaning Can Work
Early Weaning Can Work

Though not ideal, a spring-born calf can leave its dam as early as 45-days of age. OSU research shows such calves can be successful on a good growing ration. The cow then has time to regain condition before being rebred.

7 Ways to Address Bovine Respiratory Disease
7 Ways to Address Bovine Respiratory Disease

BRD reigns as the costliest disease in the U.S. cattle industry. Consider the recommendations from Veterinarians, Drs. Grant Dewell and Mike Apley, respectively, and Extension nutritionist Paul Beck on how to address it.

It’s a Uterine Prolapse. Here's What You Need to Know
It’s a Uterine Prolapse. Here's What You Need to Know

Veterinarians with experience dealing with this bovine medical emergency offer insights and recommendations to help other practitioners and producers know what to do in this situation.

Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines
Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines

Household units and mini fridges are often unsuitable for maintaining veterinary products, according to a recent study by Emmanuel Rollin, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.

9 Tips to Help Resuscitate a Newborn Calf
9 Tips to Help Resuscitate a Newborn Calf

After a typical birth the calf should breathe within 30 seconds of delivery, says Dr. Geof Smith, dairy technical services veterinarian for Zoetis. If it isn't, you need to intervene.

DVM Alerts Legislators To Veterinary Shortage
DVM Alerts Legislators To Veterinary Shortage

“There are so many legislators in policy-making that are unaware of the issues in rural veterinary medicine and rural agriculture today,” says Dr. Jody Kull, owner of Valley Mobile Veterinary Service, Danville, Pa. 

Use Portability to Avoid a Potential Multi-Million Dollar Estate Mistake
Use Portability to Avoid a Potential Multi-Million Dollar Estate Mistake

If your spouse dies, look into filing Form 706 Federal Estate Tax Return with the IRS. Taking that step could help you protect farm assets so they pass to your heirs without estate taxes. The process isn't automatic.

4 Things to Do When Your Kids Come Home to Farm
4 Things to Do When Your Kids Come Home to Farm

Matt and Lisa Moreland hoped at least one of their sons would return home to farm after college. What they didn’t anticipate? All three sons wanted to come back. Here are four things the family learned in the process.

If You ‘Doctor’ Livestock, a New Rule Will Determine How or If You Can Buy Antibiotics
If You ‘Doctor’ Livestock, a New Rule Will Determine How or If You Can Buy Antibiotics

Drugs such as penicillin and some others routinely used to treat cattle, hogs and other food animals will be available only with a prescription from your veterinarian, starting June 12, 2023.

Sustainability is not Going Away. What are You Going to do With It?
Sustainability is not Going Away. What are You Going to do With It?

Check out the "Easy Button" offered by the USRSB for starters. It's a quick self-assessment tool, with options for cow/calf and feedyard operations. You're probably already using some of the recommended practices.

 When ‘Summer Pinkeye’ Strikes
When ‘Summer Pinkeye’ Strikes

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis can take a toll on cattle, especially calves. Three bovine veterinarians provide their insights on diagnosing the problem and when to use and not use antibiotics for treatment.

Bulls
50% of Bulls Fail BSEs due to Poor Sperm Morphology

Check out the photographs of nine common problems Dr. Ahmed Tibary, Washington State University, says he most often sees in the sperm of bulls that fail breeding soundness exams.

3 Health Considerations for Cow/Calf Confinement Operations 
3 Health Considerations for Cow/Calf Confinement Operations 

While most beef production operations are still pasture-based, confinement facilities are gaining traction in the U.S. With them come a host of routine health concerns for veterinarians and producers.

Veterinarian
New Partnership Aims to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

About 500 rural counties in the U.S. have too few or no veterinarians. The lack poses risks to farming livelihoods and, ultimately, the country's food supply.

President Biden likely to address War, Food and Fuel Costs, Ocean Shipping Reform
President Biden likely to address War, Food and Fuel Costs, Ocean Shipping Reform

Expect Russia's invasion of Ukraine to dominate the State of the Union address tonight. As for issues affecting agriculture, there may be few details offered, says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Asian Longhorned Tick Arrives in 17 States, Calves are Especially Vulnerable
Asian Longhorned Tick Arrives in 17 States, Calves are Especially Vulnerable

The tick transmits Theileria orientalis to many animal species, including cattle, pigs, horses, sheep and goats. Death occurs in up to 5% of affected animals, according to Washington State University scientists.

NCBA’s Lane Weighs In on Market Transparency via LMR and Contract Library
NCBA’s Lane Weighs In on Market Transparency via LMR and Contract Library

The Association says both are widely supported across the U.S. cattle and beef industry.

Label Update Addresses Pyrexia In Beef And Dairy Cattle
Label Update Addresses Pyrexia In Beef And Dairy Cattle

Zoetis Draxxin KP is designed to control bovine respiratory disease and, specifically, fever.

Grassley: Beef Producers Face a “Very Unfair Situation”
Grassley: Beef Producers Face a “Very Unfair Situation”

The senator supports legislative action because of concerns that small producers are losing money on cattle due to being unable to spot market.

4 Things To Know About Cattle And Their Impact on Sustainability
4 Things To Know About Cattle And Their Impact on Sustainability

Sara Place, Elanco chief sustainability officer, offers insights on the questions she hears frequently from consumers and the balanced answers she is able to provide, thanks to science.

$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges
$4 Billion Initiative Will Create A More Resilient U.S. Food System, Vilsack Pledges

The dollars tagged for such purposes are part of the Build Back Better program, the Biden administration’s COVID-19 relief plan.

Overturning Current WOTUS Would Show ‘Lack of Common Sense,’ Grassley Says
Overturning Current WOTUS Would Show ‘Lack of Common Sense,’ Grassley Says

“I like to say you’re going to have to have a permit to do normal farming decisions,” he told Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk.

Embattled Waters of the U.S. to be Redefined for Agriculture – Again
Embattled Waters of the U.S. to be Redefined for Agriculture – Again

The EPA and Department of the Army announced a plan on Wednesday to initiate a new rulemaking process to restore the protections that were in place prior to the 2015 WOTUS implementation.

 Identify ‘Dud’ Bulls With A Breeding Soundness Exam. Free Webinar Offered
Identify ‘Dud’ Bulls With A Breeding Soundness Exam. Free Webinar Offered

DVMs Bob Larson and Jennifer Koziol will discuss how to evaluate bulls so only those that can get a high percentage of exposed cows pregnant in a short period of time are turned out into the breeding pasture this spring.

If realized, 2020 would deliver the highest net farm income the U.S. agriculture sector has seen since 2013.
USDA-ERS Predicts $119.6 Billion Net Farm Income For 2020 – The Highest Since 2013

The report says total crop receipts are expected to increase $6.5 billion from 2019 levels. Total animal product receipts are expected to decrease $9.7 billion.

The organization has moved thousands of potatoes from the farm to people who need them.
New FarmLink Project Helps Farmers Get Food To Hungry People

The organization partners with farmers and other members of the agricultural community to move food from the farm level to food banks and distribution centers around the U.S.