Cattle health
Dr. Dan Thomson shares essential tips for injections, needle selection and syringe maintenance to ensure herd health and carcass quality.
Although mastitis, an infection of the udder, is often considered a dairy cow problem, the disease may also impact beef producers. Here’s what you need to know and look for and how to help protect your herd.
A number of causes and contributing factors can result in hair loss and itching, and last year’s drought has played a role as harvested forages may be low in vitamin A.
At cow culling time, producers often face some tough decisions. Optimum culling of the herd often seems to require a sharp crystal ball that could see into the future.
The March Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists if they think the U.S. general economy will see a recession in 2025. 62% said yes.
Veterinarians are vital to the work of America’s farmers and ranchers and the integrity of our food supply chain. Yet many areas of the country suffer from lack of access to their services, saysRep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.).
When a virus moves into a new geographical range or is reintroduced into a country that has maintained a negative status for a long period, SHIC’s Megan Niederwerder says it’s critical to reassess the risk to the U.S.
It is generally accepted that cattle vaccines should be stored at temperatures between 35° F and 46° F. But what happens if they aren’t?
For the first time in over 50 years, Slovakia detects foot-and-mouth disease in three farms.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says the agency is hyper-focused on poultry, but no vaccine is yet available. The agency has ‘separate work streams’ to address the virus in the ‘cattle and dairy’ industries, but dairy is not part of USDA’s primary focus for now.
Avoid these common handling and usage mistakes that can lead to vaccines being less effective or completely ineffective.
Undergraduate students and current high school seniors who have experience raising and caring for small or large livestock, equine and/or poultry are eligible to apply for a $5,000 scholarship to help them on their educational journey toward a career focused on livestock production and animal stewardship.
The U.S. bovine semen industry’s resurgence in 2024 signifies more than just a recovery. It represents a transformative wave of growth that is poised to impact livestock reproduction on a global scale.
ENSO-neutral means conditions could be close to average, but Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s principal atmospheric scientist, says that doesn’t mean the weather will be normal this spring and summer with growing concerns about drought.
To target deworming efforts, producers need to know which parasites they’re dealing with.
Calculate a bull’s value proposition and consider how he can meet a herd’s needs and goals before purchasing.
One of the easiest and most effective biosecurity practices to adopt is having separate footwear and clothing for wearing on and off the farm or ranch. Check out the other five ideas our industry experts recommend.
Identify the parasites at play, then eradicate them before they cause damage.
It’s not too early to get a jump start on controlling flies as the weather begins to warm up.
Producers should be diligent with vaccinations, testing and biosecurity measures to protect herds from bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).
Keep an eye on calves as thermic stress is observed not only with extremely high or low temperatures, but also extreme temperature variations.
Hans Coetzee’s work has been instrumental in clearing the way for the first regulatory approval of livestock analgesics, or pain relief medicine, that have eased the pain of millions of animals.
K-State beef systems specialist researching the effects on stocker cattle performance.
As a sixth-generation farmer, Hueneke Martens brings a holistic perspective to food and agriculture, always advocating for science, sustainability and resilience in food systems.
USDA APHIS announced protocols to ensure safe movement of animals while mitigating the threat of New World Screwworm.
Topics include genetic modifications in livestock, yield grades and a beef industry economic outlook.
One recipient is a dual-degree veterinary student at the University of Minnesota, pursuing both a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a doctorate in population medicine.
Outgoing USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack sent a letter to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture acknowledging the progress made in reopening cattle trade between the two countries following the detection of New World Screwworm, but says more action is needed to resume trade.
Using heart score and health records could help develop an EPD for the fatal, untreatable condition.
While rare in most cowherds, retained placentas jeopardize reproductive efficiency and can rob operations of profit potential.
The report echoes calls by other scientists to ramp up the surveillance of felines, which are susceptible to the virus and have a high mortality rate. The AVMA says several cases in cats linked to poultry or wild bird exposure had been reported before the outbreak began in dairy cows last spring.
The pest can travel on humans, vehicles, pets, livestock and even on some wildlife species — all of which increase the likelihood it could eventually enter our country.
Scientists are ringing bells of warning about this virus, telling us to take action now. I hope we’re listening.
As 2024 comes to an end, roughly 70% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought and dryness. What does that mean for 2025? According to one meteorologist, in six of the past 10 years with a really dry fall, the spring to follow was also dry.