Prevention

Breathing Easy: Protecting Livestock from Respiratory Disease

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:47:19 GMT

Keeping livestock healthy can feel like a delicate balancing act, and winter weather makes that even harder. Cold fronts, sudden temperature swings, and damp conditions can weaken animals’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia.

Dr. Kevin Washburn, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, explains what causes pneumonia, how to recognize it, and how to keep animals healthy during the cold winter months.

Clearing the Air on Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a common and serious respiratory illness that can be caused when certain viruses or bacteria infect the lungs. The condition leads to inflammation, fluid buildup, and lung damage, making it difficult for animals to breathe.

“Most of the bacteria that cause pneumonia live in the animal’s sinuses without causing disease until their immune system weakens,” Washburn says. “When the immune system weakens, the bacteria can be inhaled into the lungs and are able to multiply and cause damage.”

Stress is one of the main factors that can weaken an animal’s defenses, enabling bacteria to reach the lungs and cause disease.

Common stressors include:

Transportation over long distances (also known as shipping fever)
A viral infection
Weaning
Severe weather changes
A new environment
Mixing with calves of different ages at an auction
A change in feed
Introduction of new animals to the herd

More than Meets the Nose

Pneumonia often begins quietly but can progress rapidly, sometimes within hours. Detecting the early signs can significantly improve an animal’s chances of recovery.

“Loss of appetite is one of the very first signs of pneumonia,” Washburn said. “This is accompanied by an increased respiratory rate and elevated temperature.”

As pneumonia progresses, animals may exhibit changes in posture and breathing.

“The animal may stand with its neck outstretched and its elbows flared out. This is often accompanied by an increased effort to blow air out of its lungs while breathing,” Washburn says. “Sometimes, the animals may ‘grunt’ as they exhale because they are forcibly pushing air out.”

In severe cases, animals often alter the way they breathe even more.

“The animals may start to open-mouth breathe — this is a severe sign indicating the animal can’t get enough oxygen and may be near death,” Washburn explains. “Farm animals are obligate nose breathers, meaning they normally only breathe through their nostrils. When these animals open their mouths to breathe, it indicates that they are desperate for normal breaths.”

Recognizing and responding to these signs early helps prevent spread of disease and improves treatment success. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your local veterinarian to plan the next steps for your animal.

Prevention Is in the Air

Air flow is an important part of preventing disease, so owners should be aware of ventilation needs when bringing animals into barns for the winter.

“Poor air circulation leaves the animals breathing in more of the same air as their surrounding herd or flock mates, leading to viruses being easily transmitted through aerosol droplets from the lungs,” Washburn says. “Stagnant air allows this to happen more easily, as moving air would typically sweep these droplets away before they can reach a nearby animal.”

Another way to help reduce the risk of pneumonia is to vaccinate.

“Like all forms of respiratory diseases, vaccination is the most important tool in prevention,” Washburn says. “There are vaccines for all the common bacteria and viruses that cause or lead to the development of pneumonia in all species of farm animals.”

Planning ahead can also help protect animals during travel or when they come into contact with unfamiliar livestock.

“In addition to a regular vaccination schedule for all animals, those that are going to undergo transportation for exhibition should be given booster vaccinations three weeks prior to their event,” Washburn says. “Avoiding nose-to-nose contact with other animals as much as possible can also aid in prevention of disease either on-site or when the animals return home.”

Another consideration is when you are weaning young animals in the spring.

“Weaning is a very stressful event for all farm animals,” Washburn says. “Vaccination three weeks prior to weaning and again at weaning can aid in the prevention of pneumonia.”

With proper preparation — including good ventilation, vaccination and stress reduction — owners can lower the risk of winter pneumonia. By understanding its causes and recognizing early signs, you can help keep animals healthy throughout the coldest months of the year.

Your Next Read: 7 Steps for Assessing Calf Abortions

How to Manage Coccidiosis Risk in Weaned Calves: What Producers Need to Know

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 12:00:10 GMT

A ranch weans four groups of calves, all from separate pastures and breeding groups. They are placed in the same drylot to be fed, and three weeks later, some calves are dealing with bloody diarrhea. With the time of year and situation described, coccidiosis is high on the list of possible issues.

In the most recent episode of the “ Bovine Science with BCI ” podcast, Kansas State University veterinarians Bob Larson and Brad White look at this case of potential coccidiosis in weaned calves.

Larson explains there are other issues that can cause bloody diarrhea, like Salmonella or any other intestinal disease that cause damage to the intestinal lining.

One of the first factors to investigate is feed rations. In this case, these calves were being fed a corn, corn-gluten and soy hull mix with free-choice hay. Larson explains this is a rather fibrous diet with less starch, therefore acidosis and other related digestive tract issues can be eliminated.

The Prognosis

Studying the feces is another way to analyze the situation. Typical signs of acidosis include runny feces, sometimes containing gas bubbles, according to Larson. But he also adds that this is never a perfect test and to keep your options open when determining the prognosis.

To further understand feces tests, Larson explains that frank blood, often appearing bright red in color, indicates the damaged gut is further back in the digestive tract and the blood hasn’t been digested. When the blood is digested, like with abomasum ulcers or earlier tract issues, it appears black in color with a tar-like texture. In this ranch’s case, calves are presenting frank blood.

For more diagnostics, Larson says fecal floats are an option. There are different types of coccidia organisms that infect cattle in varying strengths. He warns these protozoa of the coccidia organisms will invade into the cells that line the intestine and then destroy the intestine as they multiply. But sometimes these protozoa do not show up in a fecal float, so it is important to not rule out coccidiosis if that is what is suspected, and the fecal float is negative.

White adds most calves will have coccidia organisms in their systems already.

Larson explains it is common for most mammals to have these organisms present in their systems, and the coccidia are specific to animal species. So, a high number of these organisms would confidently indicate coccidiosis, but smaller numbers should not be looked over either.

Larson and White both agree coccidiosis seems to be the issue with this ranch’s case, so the next item to address is where or how the calves contract it.

Control and Prevention

“They had it themselves — it’s not that they got it from somebody else necessarily,” Larson explains.

But he notes cattle can still get sick if they encounter calves carrying a coccidia species they haven’t been exposed to.

Young cattle like these are more susceptible to coccidia protozoa because they haven’t had time to build an immunity to them like older cattle would. However, there are a variety of populations of coccidia, so they cannot build an immunity to all types.

“There’s some challenges there keeping everybody on track nutritionally, and I’m mixing cattle from different sources, which probably means they are bringing in different types of coccidia,” Larson says.

White adds coccidia can be spread by fecal or oral contamination, and this setting is ideal for it. However, he also mentions their ration has an ionophore in it that should help control the contamination.

Rumensin or Bovitech are common ionophore products that provide control, but Larson says we should think of them as ways to control the multiplication of organisms. If cattle are at high levels of protozoa already, these additives are ineffective. But they are a crucial part of control and prevention.

For early precautions, Larson recommends feeding ionophore products like Decoquinate or Amprolium as they, “will do a better job of killing those organisms at other stages in the life cycle.”

Once calves are settled from weaning and their stress levels decrease, then they can be switched to other ionophores in their daily rations.

Larson says these treatments can be administered in feed or water, but it is often better to treat individual animals. Then, the whole group can be started on the ionophores for further prevention.

Managing environments and their conditions and limiting nutritional and weaning stress is also beneficial in the prevention of coccidiosis.

Larson reminds producers: “It takes consistent attention to the details to try to keep these problems at bay.”

A Deworming Plan that Delivers

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:59:57 GMT

For Oklahoma producer Buck Rich and his veterinarian, Dr. Tyler Thomas, parasite control isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing it better.

Together, they’ve fine-tuned a simple, practical approach to parasite control that helps Rich’s herd stay healthy and productive all year long. Their success comes down to four practices that any producer can adopt: diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management.

Oklahoma producer Buck Rich (left) and veterinarian Dr. Tyler Thomas, owner of Prague Veterinary Clinic.

(Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.)

Diagnostics: Start With the Facts

When Rich notices cattle underperforming, his first move isn’t to reach for more product — it’s to collect a fecal sample.

“You don’t know where to go until you know where you’re at,” explains Thomas, a mixed animal practitioner and owner of Prague Veterinary Clinic in Prague, Okla. “Diagnostics tell us if treatment is even necessary, and whether what we’ve done is working.”

Rich’s operation, Leaning Oak Ranch in Okemah, Okla., includes 2,000 pairs. Like many cow-calf operations, it’s heavily forage-based and parasite control plays a key role in performance.

“We had a group of cows that didn’t look right, and I assumed it was a worm issue,” Rich says. “But fecals came back clean. Diagnostics saved us from reworking the cows unnecessarily.”

That kind of clarity is why conducting fecal egg counts, before and after deworming, is a regular part of their plan.

“Without diagnostics, it’s easy to point the finger at the product,” adds Dr. Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “But if you’re not testing, you might be treating the wrong issue or not seeing the whole picture.”

Combination Treatment: Target Parasites in Different Ways

Combination treatment is the practice of deworming cattle by using two or more dewormers from different drug classes. Dewormers can be divided into three different classes, based on their chemical structure and mechanism of action: macrocyclic lactones (endectocides), benzimidazoles (white dewormers) and imidazothiazoles. Each class controls a distinct spectrum of parasites, and for a different amount of time (see Figure 1).

For Rich and Thomas, implementing combination treatment was a game changer.

“We used to rotate products,” Rich recalls. “Now we use a white dewormer and a macrocyclic lactone at the same time. The cattle slick off faster and just look better.”

Figure 1: The three classes of dewormers.

(Boehringer Indelheim)

“Most operations already use a macrocyclic lactone,” Thomas explains. “Adding a white dewormer targets parasites differently. You get more coverage and it’s economical.”

Dr. Matt Washburn, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, says combination treatment is one of the most effective ways to slow resistance, while improving outcomes.

“Each class kills different parasites in different ways,” he points out. “When you use a combination of products, you clean up more effectively and reduce the risk of survivors.”

Refugia: Treat the Right Animals

It may go against tradition, but Rich and Thomas agree: Sometimes, the best choice is to skip the deworming treatment. This practice, known as refugia, leaves a portion of the herd untreated to maintain a population of susceptible parasites, helping dilute resistance across the herd.

“We’re wired to treat everything,” Rich says. “But when we’ve held back a few, like Dr. Thomas recommends, it’s worked, and we’re not wasting product.”

Wade notes that skipping treatment isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what’s right.

“The days of treating everything, every time, are behind us,” he emphasizes. “Refugia takes discipline, but it gives us longevity. It protects the products we have.”

Buck Rich (left) and Dr. Tyler Thomas processing cattle.

(Boehringer Ingelheim)

Management: Strong Grazing Supports Stronger Control

Rich is quick to explain that success doesn’t just come from products; it’s also about how grazing is managed.

“We’re not extreme rotators, but we do move cattle regularly,” he says. “We try to leave about half the grass behind each time. It helps the pasture bounce back faster, and keeps parasite pressure lower.”

Thomas adds that forage height matters.

“Most infective larvae live in the bottom two inches of pasture,” he says. “If cattle graze above that, they’re exposed to fewer parasites. And it’s better for regrowth and soil health, too.”

Washburn agrees and adds, “Overgrazing doesn’t just hurt your grass. It increases parasite exposure and slows pasture recovery. Management is a pillar of deworming, just as much as the product in your chute.”

Planning that Pays

For Rich and Thomas, deworming isn’t a stand-alone decision; It’s part of a year-round plan. And that plan flexes with the season, the weather and the cattle in front of them.

“Herd health protocols aren’t static,” Thomas says. “If Buck’s going to keep calves for 10 months, we make a different plan than if they’re leaving in 60 days. It’s about making the product fit the goal, not the other way around.”

Rich’s partnership with Thomas helps him stay ahead of parasite pressure, while reducing unnecessary costs.

“I know I can call Dr. Thomas any time,” Rich stresses. “He understands our operation and helps me make decisions that actually fit what we’re doing. Working with my vet makes all the difference.”

That tailored approach is one reason Leaning Oak Ranch continues to see results year after year.

“It’s about using the tools we have wisely,” Washburn says. “When you put diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management together, you’re building something more sustainable — and profitable.”

For Rich, the proof is in the cattle and the next generation.

“This is a family operation. My kids are growing up on this ranch,” he concludes. “I want our cattle to look good now, but I also want this to work 10, 20 years from now. That’s why we do it this way.”

To explore strategies like the ones Rich and Thomas use visit DewormingLegends.com .

Emergency Use of Animal Drugs Approved to Combat New World Screwworm

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:08:11 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a declaration on Aug. 19 allowing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by the New World screwworm (NWS).

This declaration applies only to drugs for animals. NWS infests warm-blooded animals, including livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans, causing severe tissue damage and sometimes death. The risk to human health in the U.S. remains very low, but the potential future threat to animal populations and the food supply chain requires proactive action.

Although eradicated from North America and Central America decades ago, NWS has progressed north since 2022 and is now approaching the U.S. border with Mexico. This parasite poses an emerging threat to livestock and food security, with potential impacts on both national security and animal health.

“Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nation’s food supply from this emerging threat,” says HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of New World Screwworm, and protect America’s livestock.”

Currently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for NWS in the U.S. The FDA through an EUA can authorize the flexible, faster use of certain animal drug products that may be approved for other purposes, or available in other countries, but not formally approved for NWS in the U.S. This ensures veterinarians, farmers, and animal health officials have timely access to the tools they need to protect pets, livestock and the nation’s food supply.

“Thank you to my friends and partners Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary who are answering the call and supporting our aggressive plan to push back and ultimately defeat this devastating pest. This emergency use authorization is another tool we can use in the fight against New World Screwworm,” says Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Our cattle ranchers and livestock producers are relying on the Trump Administration to defend their livelihoods. Stopping this pest is a national security priority and we are linking arms across President Trump’s cabinet to defend our borders and push back this threat.”

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., adds, “Our priority is to safeguard both animal health and the nation’s food supply. FDA is acting swiftly and responsibly to help ensure we have the necessary tools to prevent and control New World Screwworm, minimizing risks to agriculture and public health.”

FDA will provide future guidance to veterinarians and stakeholders on the appropriate use of any products authorized for emergency use and update the New World Screwworm: Information for Veterinarians page.

Tick Riders Join the Fight Against New World Screwworm Threat

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:53:22 GMT

With the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, the Tick Riders, a dedicated group of mounted patrol inspectors, will have a new job to tackle.

The Tick Riders have been patrolling the southern U.S. border for more than 100 years. Their mission has been protecting U.S. cattle from the cattle fever tick, a troublesome parasite that causes severe blood loss, weakness and can transmit deadly diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis.

The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program (CFTEP), established in 1906, uses modern tools like chemical treatments, anti-tick vaccines and injectable medications to manage the threat, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) explains in a release.

A Line of Defense
Because Mexico continues to report cases of babesiosis, the Permanent Quarantine Zone (PQZ)—stretching from Brownsville to Del Rio, Texas—remains a critical line of defense. Within this zone, Tick Riders monitor for stray livestock crossing the border that may carry these dangerous ticks.

Cattle fever ticks carry bovine babesiosis, which is severe and often fatal.

(USDA)

To help prevent NWS, CFTEP has launched a preventive treatment protocol for all cattle and horses apprehended along the PQZ. Under the new protocol, CFTEP staff will apply NWS-preventative treatments to captured animals.

“These treatments are safe for animals and the environment. They do not replace APHIS’ routine inspections for cattle fever ticks,” APHIS explains.

However, to defend the U.S. from mounting threats of NWS, APHIS is employing these additional measures.

Don’t Accept Unusual
The NWS fly lays eggs and larvae in open wounds of warm-blooded animals,” says Russ Daly, Extension veterinarian for South Dakota State University. “NWS’s function is similar (but different) to a maggot. Domestic blow flies lay their eggs on dead tissue. The resulting maggots feed on the dead tissue. The difference with NWS is it lays its eggs on living tissue and will feed on living tissue.”

(USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)

NWS is endemic in parts of the Caribbean and South America and has recently spread as far north as southern Mexico.

“As Tick Riders take on this new challenge, they continue to exemplify APHIS’ commitment to protecting U.S. agriculture,” APHIS reports. “Their work helps ensure that farmers, ranchers and producers can keep feeding, fueling and clothing America.”

Daly challenges livestock producers to pay attention to unusual situations. If you have an animal that suddenly has a lot of necrotic tissue that fly larvae (maggots) are trying to clean up, Daly says that’s a sign producers need to take seriously.

“NWS does respond to some insecticides that we would use for show pigs or horses during the summer to keep the flies off,” Daly adds. “But in order to get that animal healed up, the larvae have to be flushed out and removed by a veterinarian. These infestations can lead to secondary infections to worry about. And, if the infestation has gone deep enough, there could be severe muscle damage or damage to other organs that are beyond help.”

Treatment products need to be considered, adds Lisa Becton, assistant director of SHIC. Because of this, wound care is key during NWS infestation.

“If you have animals that have sores, it’s very important to treat that wound,” Becton says. “You may or may not be able to use a sealant, whether that’s iodine or antibacterial. Wound care is very important to help get a wound healing fast, even if you also have to use antimicrobials for an animal to help prevent other infection.”

Learn more:
Protect Your Livestock: Signs of New World Screwworm

3 Livestock Skin Concerns to Watch For This Summer

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:08:04 GMT

Most livestock species have thicker skin than humans, but it’s still vulnerable to harsh summer conditions. Sun exposure, bacterial infections and increased activity of parasite-carrying insects can all take a toll on livestock skin.

Each year, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) receives samples that reveal how sweltering summers affect livestock health. It’s essential to act promptly to prevent skin irritation from becoming painful and causing serious harm.

Effective diagnostic testing, paired with veterinary care, can help guide treatment and protect both animals and producers’ livelihoods.

Erin Edwards, DVM, MS, DACVP, veterinary pathologist at TVMDL, explains three common summer skin conditions to watch for in warm weather.

Photosensitization: Severe sunburn caused by toxic plants

Just like humans, animals can experience a fiery reaction to summer rays.

Photosensitization is a serious skin condition in cattle caused by a hazardous combination of certain plants and ultraviolet light.

(Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory)

“Effects of photosensitization are like a really severe sunburn,” Edwards says. “Livestock owners might see signs of redness, swelling and ulceration. Usually, the skin will start sloughing off, and it’s very uncomfortable for the animals.”

Primary photosensitization occurs when livestock become overly sensitive to sunlight after eating toxic plants containing the photosensitizing agent, phylloerythrin. The harmful compounds are concentrated in the skin, making it more susceptible to the sun’s rays.

“Burns are usually found on areas with less hair or pigmentation, like the nose or around the eyes,” Edwards says. “Lighter colored animals in general are usually more susceptible to burns.”

Secondary or hepatogenous photosensitization is the most common form of skin disorder. The prefix “hepato” comes from the Greek word “hepar,” meaning “liver.”

This form of photosensitization is caused by liver damage. Liver damage may result from a range of conditions, one of which is the consumption of toxic plants. When the liver fails to break down and eliminate substances like phylloerythrin, they begin to build up in the blood, increasing photosensitivity and causing the skin to react severely to sunlight.

In severe cases of photosensitization, skin, ear, lip and udder tissues may die and peel away. And secondary bacterial infections often occur after skin sloughing, leading to additional health concerns and delayed healing.

Furthermore, if livestock continue to consume toxic plants, liver damage could worsen and lead to death.

What to do if livestock show signs of sunburn or peeling:

Move affected animals to shade immediately.
Contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and care.
Remove liver-damaging and phototoxic plants such as Bishop’s weed and Largeleaf lantana from pastures.

To learn how to identify harmful plants, read Toxic Plants of Texas, written by veterinary and toxicology experts from The Texas A&M University System .

Rain rot: Crusty skin infections after wet weather

Rain rot , a disease caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis, is a skin infection that typically develops when pasture animals spend long hours in rainy conditions. Prolonged moisture softens the skin, allowing bacteria to enter — even without visible wounds.

Rain rot may appear to be a minor skin irritation at first, but it can quickly worsen without proper care.

Rain rot signs include:

Crusty, matted hair and patchy hair loss, typically starting on animals’ backs or around their feet.
Sores along the back or lower legs.
Raw, pink or bleeding skin in severe cases.

A lack of veterinary attention could lead to secondary infections that extend into the bloodstream or organs. Consult your veterinarian to speed up healing, ease discomfort and even prevent death.

Summer sores: Fly-transmitted wounds that won’t heal

Summer sores , or cutaneous habronemiasis, are open wounds that won’t heal. They’re caused by parasitic worms transmitted by flies — especially as fly activity increases during the summer. An immature habronema worm enters the body through the bite of a fly, specifically, by a housefly or stable fly .

Signs of summer sores include:

Red, round wounds that won’t heal.
Sores near eyes, lips or existing wounds.
Inflammation and intense itching, caused by the worm burrowing inside the skin.

“The flies are attracted to areas where there’s moisture,” Edwards says. “They bite around the eyes, lips and especially where there are wounds or damaged skin.”

To protect livestock, owners should consider fly control in barns and pastures. They should also consult their veterinarian as soon as signs are spotted because summer sores don’t heal on their own. Without proper treatment, sores may become larger and more painful, usually leading to reduced mobility and a decline in overall health.

Healthy herds with expert support

Protecting livestock skin during the summer is essential to keeping animals healthy and productive. By staying alert to early signs of skin problems and working closely with veterinarians and diagnostic labs like TVMDL, livestock owners can prevent minor irritations from turning into serious, costly issues. With proper care and management, animals can stay comfortable and healthy during the summer.

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7 Tips for Preventing Pinkeye

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:36:40 GMT

Pinkeye is a contagious and widespread cattle bacterial eye disease found worldwide. Although non-fatal, it can cause substantial losses to the cattle industry through decreased weight gain, lowered milk production and treatment costs.

Like many diseases, management is often the most effective and economical method of disease control. When environmental conditions, animal nutrition and herd immunity are properly managed, animal health increases and disease frequency decreases.

Treatment works, but treating one cow – let alone several – takes time. According to an Oklahoma State University fact sheet , there are seven strategies producers should implement to prevent the disease.

1. Fly control. Controlling face flies also goes a long way in preventing an outbreak. Remember, flies spread the Moraxella bovis bacteria from animal to animal. Insecticide fly tags, sprays, charged backrubbers and dust bags are products that can provide chemical control. Use of feed through growth regulators may help reduce the fly population. Manure management can be beneficial in controlling stable and house flies in confinement operations.

2. Grass, weed and brush control. According to Richard Randle, University of Nebraska Extension beef cattle veterinarian, a good prevention program should incorporate procedures to reduce initial eye irritation. This strategy includes grazing management, mowing, brush mowing and spraying to minimize pollen and mechanical irritation.

3. Hay and/or feed bunk management. Lower overhead hay feeders, spread hay out and do not feed hay containing mature seed heads or cheat grass in overhead feeders or round bales. Increase bunk space to decrease direct contact.

4. Ultraviolet light (sunlight). Breed for pigmentation around the eye, consider introducing Brahman influence into the herd and provide shade or tree rows with ample room to prevent overcrowding.

5. Disease management. Isolate infected animals and decrease environmental and nutritional distress. Provide proper vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian to improve overall animal health.

6. Vaccination. Commercial and autogenous pinkeye vaccines are available. Results reported by producers and veterinarians have been mixed from their use of these products.

“Typically, vaccinations help reduce the incidence, shorten the duration and reduce the severity of cases but cannot guarantee total prevention of an outbreak,” Randle says.

Vaccines obtain the best results when they are specific to the causative agent in the herd and administered prior to infections. Culture, serotyping and sensitivity should be performed to determine the bacterial pathogens and serotypes involved in the outbreak. This will provide information about treatment and the choice of vaccines.

Check with your local veterinarian about the use of these products in a specific geographical area.

7. Maintain current health records. Identify cattle that repeatedly become infected and those that seem more tolerant to infection. This information can help with culling decisions.

OSU extension specialists remind producers a key to prevention is to observe cattle carefully and identify the disease early for effective response to treatment. They also suggest quarantining new purchases.

“Reducing dusty conditions also aids in control,” Randle says. “Cattle often have grass or weed seeds in their eyes, and these materials no doubt irritate the eye and contribute to the development of pinkeye.”

Pinkeye rarely affects just one animal, but spreads throughout the herd.

“According to a 1993 study, costs resulting from decreased weight gain, weaning weight, milk production and treatment were estimated to be $150 million in the U.S. alone,” the OSU fact sheet summarizes. “Although newer figures have yet to be published, it is likely current losses greatly exceed this estimate.”

Your Next Read: Combating Pinkeye: Tips for Detection and Treatment

Success From The Start: Calf Health Starts Before Birth

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:11:34 GMT

If a calf struggles during its first 60 days of life, it’s going to carry that through all phases of production. Starting a calf, whether in a traditional beef or beef-on-dairy scenario, the right way is paramount to the lifetime health of that animal.

This is the message stressed by Dr. Taylor Engle, Four Star Veterinary Services, during episode eight of “ The Future of Beef Show ” podcast. He says success starts before a calf is born.

“There are a lot of really good genetics in the beef industry we can use. However, if you put that calf in an environment to fail, genetics does not play a factor,” he says. “We have to do everything right from an environmental piece to maximize the genetic potential.”

Check out the podcast to learn more about these five key messages discussed by Engle and the podcast’s hosts:

Environment matters more than genetics. Engle emphasizes if you put a calf in an environment to fail, genetics won’t save it. Management and early life conditions are critical to an animal’s success.
Calf health starts before birth. Proper care of the cow before calving, quality colostrum and a clean birthing environment are crucial for a calf’s lifetime health.

Engle encourages producers to think about the cow’s condition before, during and after breeding.

“Everyone gets really fired up — and rightfully so — about colostrum. Not all colostrum is created equal,” he says. “It’s what we are doing to set that cow up to have the best colostrum for that calf. Whether it’s beef-on-dairy or native, the right vaccines for the right diseases at the right time matters.”
Communication is key across the production chain. Sharing information about calf health, vaccination history and management practices between different stages of production can significantly improve overall animal performance.

Engle encourages producers to record vaccination and treatment information and then share it. Communicating with the feedyard is important to help the feeder decide on how to treat cattle.
Don’t be quick to treat — understand the root cause. Instead of immediately administering antibiotics, veterinarians should first investigate the underlying management or environmental issues causing health problems.

“We were trained to think it’s a disease, and more often times than not, there is a disease present. But there’s been something along the process where we have stressed that animal and caused disease,” he explains. “We’re always looking at it from an environmental standpoint and a management standpoint — the calf isn’t the culprit. What’s going on? Why did that calf break with respiratory disease? They don’t spontaneously get sick. Something happened. Was it a weather, feed or stressful event?”

He adds management strategies and mentality can be keys to determining the cause of a sickness.

“It’s a hard thing — whether you’re a nutritionist or vet — to have that hard conversation with a producer, be upfront with them and say, ‘It’s something we’ve done,’” he says. “A lot of times, there’s management practices that messed up along the way, and the result is a disease.”

In his practice, he works with the producer to help them understand and recognize the management strategies to improve the outcomes.

“In the beef industry, a lot of the mentality is, ‘We’ve never done it this way,’” he says.
“In comparison, in the poultry and pig industries, producers will say, ‘If it increases my production, I’ll do it.’ They have the mentality of being willing to give something a try to see if it increases health.”

Engle adds, “I always tell producers if you want A results, you got to give A effort,” he explains. “You can’t have a C -plus effort and expect A results.”
Stress management is more important than treatment protocols. Focus on reducing stress and creating optimal conditions for calves, rather than relying solely on medical interventions.

“The calves don’t lie,” Engle says.

He emphasizes the importance of careful observation, advising producers to “read calves every day” and make real-time adjustments.

Beef-on-Dairy Calf Health
Engle also has extensive experience with beef-on-dairy calf management and production and discussed how those animals compare to traditional beef calves, highlighting how multiple touch points and movements bring beef-on-dairy calves unique challenges — including different feeding systems and varied vaccine and management protocols at each location.

As a positive, he says, “In the beef-on-dairy space, we have all the data points, or we have the opportunity to collect all the data points. Then you can start making decisions.”

With this complex — but data-rich — production model, there is significant potential for improving calf health and performance.

Engle challenges producers to think holistically about animal health, management and production.

“It’s not the animal that’s usually causing the problems,” he says in summary. “It’s usually producer’s management or oversight. As farms have gotten bigger, the skill gap as we go higher actually closes. Everybody who has 10,000-head of cattle on feed, or more, probably knows a lot about feeding cattle. But what are you going to do for a competitive advantage that the next feedyard isn’t? I think a lot of that’s looking internally at your management strategies and your consulting team. It’s a team effort to get to where you want to be. Set those goals and look at what you need to do better to be where you want to be in the next five to 10 years.”

Breaking: Mexican Border Closed Again as New World Screwworm Comes Within 370 Miles of the U.S.

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 02:16:37 GMT

On July 8, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality reported a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, Mexico, which is approximately 160 miles northward of the current sterile fly dispersal grid on the eastern side of the country and 370 miles south of the U.S./Mexico border.

This new northward detection comes approximately two months after northern detections were reported in Oaxaca and Veracruz, less than 700 miles away from the U.S. border, which triggered the closure of our ports to Mexican cattle, bison and horses on May 11, 2025 .

While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025 , this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7 to Sept. 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and the U.S. food supply, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately.

“The United States has promised to be vigilant — and after detecting this new NWS case, we are pausing the planned port reopening’s to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico. We must see additional progress combatting NWS in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states in order to reopen livestock ports along the Southern border,” Rollins says. “Thanks to the aggressive monitoring by USDA staff in the U.S. and in Mexico, we have been able to take quick and decisive action to respond to the spread of this deadly pest.”

To ensure the protection of U.S. livestock herds, USDA is holding Mexico accountable by ensuring proactive measures are being taken to maintain a NWS free barrier. This is maintained with stringent animal movement controls, surveillance, trapping and following the proven science to push the NWS barrier south in phases as quickly as possible.

In June, Secretary Rollins launched a 5-point plan to combat NWS by protecting our border at all costs, increasing eradication efforts in Mexico, and increasing readiness. USDA also announced the groundbreaking of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This facility will provide a critical contingency capability to disperse sterile flies should a NWS detection be made in the Southern U.S.

Simultaneously, USDA is moving forward with the design process to build a domestic sterile fly production facility to ensure it has the resources to push NWS back to the Darien Gap. USDA is working on these efforts in lockstep with border states – Arizona, New Mexico and Texas – as it will take a coordinated approach with federal, state and local partners to keep this pest at bay and out of the U.S.

USDA will continue to have personnel perform site visits throughout Mexico to ensure the Mexican government has adequate protocols and surveillance in place to combat this pest effectively and efficiently.

Click to enlarge.

(USDA)

Your Next Read: Protect Your Livestock: Signs of New World Screwworm

Protect Your Herd: The Signs to Watch for Calf Pneumonia

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:52:01 GMT

Pneumonia in young calves is an important contributor to death loss before weaning. Many veterinarians and cattle producers think of post-weaning respiratory disease, also known as Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), when they think about pneumonia in cattle; but calves can get pneumonia while they are still suckling their dams.

Bob Larson, K-State veterinarian, says because the risk factors associated with pre-weaning respiratory disease differ from BRD in stocker and feedlot cattle, which is usually associated with commingling and transportation.

“Our understanding of how to prevent and control BRD in post-weaned calves is not sufficient to address pneumonia in suckling calves,” he says. “Several studies investigating calf pneumonia have reported that an average of 3% to 11% of calves are expected to suffer from the disease each year. In addition, nearly 1.5% of calves will die from pneumonia before they reach the age of weaning; which makes it the second leading cause of pre-weaning death with only scours causing more losses.”

The most likely age for calves to be diagnosed with pneumonia is between 70 and 150 days of age.

Larson says cases of pneumonia are most likely to appear in:

Herds that have more cases of calf scours
Herds that bring in nursing calves from outside herds to graft onto cows that lost their calves
Creep-fed calves
Herds that synchronize cows

“Calves born after a difficult birth and calves that failed to consume enough colostrum have been shown to be at higher risk of getting sick and dying before reaching weaning age,” Larson explains.

Veterinarians indicated in a survey that weather, calving in confinement, failing to adequately vaccinate the herd, and nutritional deficiencies were also suspected for contributing to the risk of calf pneumonia.

Signs of Pneumonia

“Many times, the first sign that a herd has a problem is when a calf is found dead,” Larson warns. “Because death in young calves can also be caused by other diseases such as blackleg, digestive tract disease, or trauma, a veterinarian will probably need to examine the dead calf and may need to submit samples to a diagnostic laboratory to identify the cause of death.”

If you find calves that show signs of pneumonia such as rapid breathing, laying down and being reluctant to rise, and having a high temperature should be treated with an appropriate antibiotic after consulting with your veterinarian.

Tips for Prevention

Larson says vaccinating calves against viruses such as bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and bacteria such as Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida may help prevent outbreaks of calf pneumonia or reduce the severity of disease, but we know that a young calf’s immune system is not able to respond as well to vaccinations as an older calf’s.

“Because even a calf with a good immune response can be overwhelmed by a large exposure to germs, a successful plan to prevent disease in young calves needs to involve more than just vaccinations,” Larson adds.

He says the herds that have the best calf health have a short calving season and few heifers and cows experiencing calving difficulty. In addition, try to keep young calves away from mud and other calves as much as possible.

“Cows that calve in good body condition and that are on a good plane of nutrition are more likely to have healthy calves,” Larson says. “The best disease-control strategy is to focus on having good overall health of the cows and calves by meeting the herd’s nutritional needs, providing a good environment and timely use of vaccinations in the cows and calves.”

In summary Larson says, if calves are affected with pneumonia while suckling their dams on summer range, you should be prepared to recognize and treat cases as early as possible with appropriate antibiotics in order to minimize death losses.

Your Next Read — Combating Pinkeye: Tips for Detection and Treatment

Montana Veterinarian Encourages a Fresh Look at Deworming Protocols

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:44:44 GMT

“We’ve always done it this way” is known to be the most dangerous phrase in business, and the cattle business is no exception, says Perrie Neal, DVM, from Hardin, Mont. With more than a decade of experience working with cow-calf producers, she says it never hurts to take a fresh look at your herd’s deworming program to identify potential areas of improvement.

Neal manages her own herd of registered and commercial Angus alongside her husband and father-in-law. When possible, she likes to test out products and practices on their own cattle before she makes recommendations to her customers.

“It’s great to have that firsthand experience,” she says.

Over the last few years, Neal has worked to optimize the timing of her deworming program — and now she tries to deworm calves as early as possible each season for maximum benefit.

“Weaning weights are really important, especially in our registered cows,” she says. “By administering a dewormer early in the season, you can help ensure calves won’t have to carry a heavy parasite load and are more likely to meet their genetic potential.”

Neal also has looked closely at the dewormer route of administration and product efficacy — and encourages her customers to do the same.

“Convenience is a big factor when it comes to deworming programs, so a lot of my customers have historically used pour-ons for that reason,” she explains. “But a lot of times, the injectable dewormers can improve labor efficiencies and help ensure more accurate dosing.”

That’s one of the reasons Neal says she has come to appreciate Valcor^® (doramectin and levamisole injection), a dual-action, single-dose, injectable dewormer.

“We weighed calves as they came in the chute, and my husband would yell out the number as they got on the scale,” she says. “I was able to quickly adjust the dosage depending on the weight of the calf. I love that about the product.”

The Importance of Calf Preconditioning

“Preconditioning calves is another thing that I’ve been highly recommending to producers in the last few years,” Neal says.

Preconditioning programs promote calf growth, enhance immune function and minimize stress as calves move from their ranch of origin to the stocker or backgrounder operation and then to the feedlot.

“Preconditioning can help set calves up for their next production phase, but it also benefits any calves that producers want to retain as replacements,” Neal explains. “We used to just precondition the bulls and the replacement heifers, but over the last few years we’ve switched to preconditioning everything, and we’ve seen a lot less sickness across the board.”

Neal encourages producers who are thinking about taking a fresh look at herd health or deworming protocols, to consult their herd veterinarian. These local experts can help you identify products and practices that make sense for your operation.

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Five Myths of Internal Parasite Control

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:37:47 GMT

It’s estimated that the cattle industry loses about $3 billion each year in lost weight gains, poor feed conversion and increased disease because of internal parasites. With the financial impact and animal welfare concerns on cattle operations, it is important for producers to understand parasite control, as well as the misconceptions about parasite control.

Here are five parasite control myths that might be putting a producer’s management program at risk.

Myth No. 1: All active ingredients in parasite control products have the same efficacy.

There are different active ingredients and different classes of dewormers, which should be used strategically on an operation for effective parasite control, advises Mark Alley, DVM, Zoetis managing veterinarian.

Products such as Dectomax^® Pour-On, Dectomax^® Injectable or Valcor^® (doramectin and levamisole injection) provide both extended therapy and good efficacy against both adult and inhibited Ostertagia, the brown stomach worm. However, in populations of cattle where Cooperia, Nematodirus or Haemonchus are an issue, white dewormers such as Valbazen^® Suspension may be a better selection. It is important that a producer has a discussion with his or her veterinarian or animal health provider to determine which is most appropriate.

Myth No. 2: My animals look fine, so I don’t have a parasite resistance problem.

“Parasitologists agree that no dewormer provides 100% effectiveness against parasites,” Alley says. “We make the assumption that all parasite control products are 100% effective, but even with 50% kill of parasites, producers will see a clinical improvement in the animals.”

Alley says producers can’t tell visually if there is a resistant parasite problem in the herd. They need to work closely with their veterinarian to diagnose resistant parasites and establish a comprehensive deworming program.

Myth No. 3: Parasites cannot withstand winter’s cold temperatures.

“It is a mistake to think it gets cold enough to kill parasites over the winter,” Alley says.

Parasites can simply overwinter in cattle or pastures. While winter may take its toll on many things, studies demonstrate that infective larvae were able to survive on pastures during winter months.

Myth No. 4: Antiparasitics can be administered to work at a producer’s convenience.

Timing is critical for administering antiparasitic products. Often, producers deworm when it’s most convenient for them, rather than when it’s most effective to control parasites or most beneficial to the animal. Alley recommends deworming prior to turnout on fresh pasture, typically in the spring, and later when pastures become dormant. Geography and weather conditions may alter this timing.

Myth No. 5: Dosing to the average weight of the group is adequate.

It’s important for producers to not only match the dewormer to the type of parasite challenge but also to administer each dose per the animal’s calculated weight. Incorrect dosing has been identified as a major contributor to the development of resistant parasites. A common practice is to dose products to the average weight of the herd, rather than to the individual weight of the animal. In this case, half the herd could be underdosed.

For more information about parasite management, please visit with your veterinarian.

Your Next Read: Five Pre-Pasture Turnout Tips

Urgency in Action: We Must Eradicate New World Screwworm

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:12 GMT

New World screwworm (NWS) continues to threaten the U.S. cattle industry. The potential impact is devastating — the larvae can kill an animal in just four to seven days if not quickly detected and treated.

Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO, discussed the hurdles of controlling the spread of NSW on the latest episode of the “Unscripted” podcast .

“We have to eradicate it from here,” Woodall stresses. “We need to eradicate it from Mexico. We need to eradicate it from Central America. We need to push this thing all the way back down to South America.”

The NSW fly and its larvae are flesh-eating parasites that pose a significant threat to warm-blooded animals.

“This is not just a cattle issue,” Woodall says. “This could be dogs. This can be cats. It can get into people. So, anything that is warm blooded could be a host for this flesh-eating parasite.”

Woodall says NSW is approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border, having breached the isthmus of Mexico in the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz, adding that Texas is expected to be the first point of entry if the fly continues to move north.

“We’re going to look at every eradication option possible, because we have to get rid of this thing,” he says. “This is not something that can become endemic to United States. We have to eradicate it from here.”

Woodall says the situation has been complicated by cooperation challenges with Mexico. Earlier attempts to transport sterile flies were hindered by bureaucratic obstacles, with planes unable to land and flies dying before deployment. This led Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to close the border, sending a clear signal to the Mexican government about the need for more serious action.

He explains cooperation has reportedly improved, with USDA teams planning to visit Mexico to assess the current situation. The primary strategy for control involves releasing sterile flies into the wild to disrupt breeding and push the population back southward.

Woodall says NCBA is actively working on several fronts to address the threat:

Pushing for the establishment of a domestic sterile fly production facility.
Exploring genetic engineering technologies for fly control.
Investigating treatment options (such as ivermectin) and helping producers understand how to detect and treat potential infections quickly. Woodall says treatment is possible, explaining ivermectin has proven effective in killing larvae and treating wounds. However, early detection is crucial due to the rapid progression of infection.
Conducting education and awareness campaigns to explain the threat without causing panic. He says misinformation has been a significant challenge. A recent false report about NSW in Missouri caused panic and temporarily impacted cattle prices. He adds that while the threat is serious, it’s not a cause for panic.

“While everybody needs to be aware, they don’t need to panic, and that’s the thing we want everybody to understand,” Woodall summarizes.

NCBA is taking an active role in addressing the threat of NSW through education, technological exploration, government collaboration and a clear commitment to preventing its spread.

Your Next Read: Secretary Rollins Announces $21 Million Investment to Renovate Fruit Fly Production Facility

Is That Cattle Herpes or a Rash?

Fri, 30 May 2025 10:33:11 GMT

A cow with signs of a urinary tract infection was treated by a veterinarian and then later developed bumps on her vulva. The veterinarian diagnosed the cow with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR). Also known as “red nose,” IBR is a contagious viral disease caused by the bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1).

Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute experts discussed the diagnosis and cattle herpes during a recent “ Cattle Chat ” podcast.

K-State veterinarian Bob Larson says herpes is a common and highly contagious virus in cattle. The virus typically creates vesicles (small bumps) in two primary locations — the respiratory tract and the reproductive tract. These vesicles appear on areas such as the nose, penis, prepuce and vulva.

While the virus is widespread, clinical symptoms are relatively rare due to existing immunity from vaccines and natural exposure. However, when symptoms do appear, they can be significant. The most concerning potential complication is abortion, which can occur weeks after the initial infection.

Brian Lubbers, K-State veterinarian, says like human herpes, the cattle herpes virus can become dormant in nerve roots after initial infection. This means the virus can remain inactive and then reactivate under stress, similar to how humans experience cold sore recurrences.

The discussion highlighted how herpes can enter a herd, particularly in closed herds. In this case, a recently purchased bull likely introduced the virus. Most cattle herds already have animals that are carriers, making transmission relatively common.

Diagnosing IBR
The K-State veterinarians emphasized the importance of proper veterinary diagnosis. While the veterinarian suspected herpes in the example mentioned, Lubbers notes the need to rule out other conditions like trichomoniasis, which can cause similar reproductive tract symptoms.

He says the key diagnostic considerations include:

Examine the location and nature of bumps (external versus internal reproductive tract)
Check for additional symptoms like discharge
Conduct appropriate veterinary testing to confirm the specific disease

Management Strategies

The discussion included several management recommendations.

“Our vaccines for IBR herpes virus are pretty effective,” Larson says. “So, a lot of cattle have decent immunity to herpes virus, either from natural exposure or vaccines, or probably a little bit of both.”

If you suspect IBR after vaccination, Larson suggests reviewing and potentially updating current vaccination strategies.

“Recheck your vaccine protocol, make sure that you’re using the vaccines appropriately,” he explains.

He adds vaccinating during an active outbreak might not change the immediate outcome.

If a producer suspects IBR, they should closely watch the herd for potential abortion events in the weeks following the initial infection.

Selling Considerations

The experts addressed the concern about selling an infected cow.

“Lots of herpes carriers are getting sold,” Lubbers notes.

The K-State experts encourage producers not to sell one that is clinically ill and to consult sale barn regulations regarding disease-specific selling restrictions.

Proper understanding, veterinary guidance and proactive management can help producers effectively navigate cattle herpes.

Your Next Read: Five Pre-Pasture Turnout Tips

Five Pre-Pasture Turnout Tips

Wed, 28 May 2025 15:15:33 GMT

Pasture turnout is an important time in a cow herd management calendar. It is critical to make sure both the forage and cattle are ready before opening the pasture gate.

Considering your cow herd, what should you consider before turnout? AJ Tarpoff, DVM and Kansas State University Extension veterinarian, shares his top five tips producers should consider before sending cattle to pasture this summer.

Perform Spring Herd Health Program. Tarpoff reminds producers the importance of doing bull breeding soundness exams before putting the bull to work. He also encourages producers to do pre-breeding vaccinations, consider synchronization options and plan for common pasture ailments such as foot rot and pinkeye .
Make a Plan for Internal/External Parasites. Now is the time to decide how you are going to tackle flies, ticks and internal nematodes. Aaron Berger, University of Nebraska beef systems Extension educator, reminds producers there are several options available to help control flies and to consider the option that works best for your management plan.
Establish Summer Mineral Program . Tarpoff encourages producers to prepare mineral feeders and calculate needs and delivery intervals.
Assess Forage and Fences. Tarpoff says it is important to walk fence lines and scout pastures to determine forage and water availability. “Be sure to check forage availability and make any stocking rate adjustments, if necessary,” he says.
Check Cattle Identification. Be sure cattle are identified before turnout. This can include brands if required in your area or tags. Along with identification, Tarpoff shares these tips for protecting cattle from theft: lock gates and don’t leave cattle penned up overnight in an easily accessible location. He also encourages producers to communicate with neighbors who share a fence line when turning out about what types of cattle are going and how the cattle are identified.

Ron Lemenager, Purdue beef specialist, reminds producers to watch for two potential health issues that can occur at grass turnout: grass tetany and bloat .

Minimize Grass Tetany Risk

Early season lush pasture grasses are high in water content, potassium and soluble nitrogen, but low in magnesium and energy content. It should be noted that pastures containing legumes provide a grazing diet that is somewhat higher in magnesium.

“ Grass tetany can be a problem, especially in older lactating cows that are less efficient in mobilizing magnesium from body stores,” Lemenager explains. “Feeding a high magnesium mineral for several weeks prior to turnout is a standard recommendation to minimize the incidence of grass tetany.”

He reminds producers magnesium, usually in the form of magnesium oxide, is not palatable. Therefore, it is important that mineral intake be monitored.

Watch for Bloat

Lemenager says legumes are beneficial to diet quality — providing nitrogen for companion grasses and increased forage production — but lush legumes can cause bloat . As legumes advance in maturity, the risk for bloat does decrease.

He shares these recommendations to minimize the incidence of bloat:

Prior to turnout, survey the pasture. Look for large areas in the pasture where legumes are the predominant forage. These areas seen to attract cattle and can exacerbate the bloat problem.
Make sure cows are full of a dry forage, such as hay, at turnout to reduce the risk of immediately consuming a large meal of lush legumes.
Don’t turnout until the forages are dry. Wet forages (dew or rain) reduce the amount of saliva production as cattle consume and swallow forages. Saliva is important not only as a rumen buffer to control rumen pH, but also as a surfactant that can reduce the surface tension of stable gas bubbles (frothy mass) formed during rumen fermentation.
Poloxalene containing supplements fed prior to turnout and during the early grazing season act as a surfactant to weaken the surface tension of the stable foam and reduce the risk of bloat.

Through following these strategies with accurate planning and preparation, pasture turnout can be stress free for both the producer and the cow herd.

Your Next Read: Pasture Turnout Tips: Optimum Forage Strategies

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

Mon, 26 May 2025 13:40:04 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.”

Your Next Read: Spring Pastures Alert: Be Aware of Frothy Bloat Risk

BVDV: A Threat The Beef Industry Can’t Afford to Ignore

Tue, 06 May 2025 19:43:33 GMT

Some veterinarians and producers think of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in narrow terms – as the virus that causes persistently infected (PI) cattle. And while that perspective is correct, Dr. Thomas Passler, DVM, PhD, says there are broader implications for BVDV and its impact on cattle and some other animal species worldwide.

“(BVDV) has evolved over the years and is not a single virus or just a diarrhea-causing problem. Today it’s made up of three related viruses and 19 subtypes that cause similar diseases,” explains Passler, the Jack Rash professor of internal medicine for food animal medicine at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“It’s a sneaky, insidious disease,” he adds.

Passler estimates 0.5% of U.S. cattle are persistently infected by BVDV. Of that percentage, only a small number of those animals become PI cattle – a result of infection caused during fetal development between 40 and 125 days of gestation and which persists during the animal’s entire life.

The PI problem differs from transient infection (TI), which occurs when an animal becomes infected after birth. A TI animal is infected temporarily, but during that time is capable of shedding the virus and transmitting it to other herd members or pen mates.

Multiple Health Issues And Losses Across Species
BVDV-positive animals, especially PI cattle, significantly impact U.S. herds by causing immunosuppression, weakening immune systems and making herd mates more susceptible to other infections. Passler says that immunosuppression often manifests as increased calf death losses from diseases such as scours and pneumonia, as well as poor weaning weights.

Passler adds that he has seen similar problems from BVDV in other animal species, including hogs, white-tailed deer, alpacas and goats.

BVDV is one of the costliest bovine diseases for beef producers and dairy producers, as well. Losses average between $15 to $88 per head, conservatively, according to Indexx Laboratories , citing older data from 2002 and 2008.^1-3

Despite the associated costs, a 2017 National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) study of 75 U.S. cow-calf producers (the summary was released in 2023) reported only 57.5% of participating producers said they knew some basics or were fairly knowledgeable about BVDV. In addition, 26.9% of producers said they “recognized the name but not much else,” and 15.3% of respondents said they had never heard of it (see Figures 1 and 2).

Furthermore, most BVDV infection problems in cattle herds go unnoticed since 70% to 90% of BVD infections are subclinical (do not result in observable disease), according to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory .

The Beef 2017 study was conducted in 24 of the nation’s major cow-calf States. In 2017, operations in these states accounted for 86.6 percent of the U.S. beef cow inventory and 78.9 percent of all U.S. operations with beef cows.

(NAHMS)

Only 24.4% of the cattlemen surveyed said they are “fairly knowledgeable” about BVDV.

(NAHMS)

Contributing Factors To PI Cattle
Direct contact with infected animals and with contaminated fomites (water buckets, calf feeders, feed bunks, IV equipment, etc.) are common ways BVDV gains a foothold in a herd.

One risk factor that often flies under the radar is the use of intranasal vaccines that do not address BVD viruses, reports Dr. Dan Thomson, PAC veterinarian and Iowa State University professor emeritus.

“We’re using a lot more intranasal vaccinations, thinking that we’re covering for BVDV when we’re actually not,” says Thomson, who spoke with Passler recently on an episode of DocTalk.

It’s a perspective Passler says he agrees with. “We see mucosal disease in the clinic – something we shouldn’t be seeing at all – and often from herds that vaccinate,” he adds.

Intranasal vaccines for respiratory disease do not currently contain BVDV Type 1 & 2, so a separate injectable BVDV vaccine is required, according to Craig A. Payne, DVM, and Celeste Morris, DVM, respectively, at the University of Missouri. Payne and Morris discuss this contributing factor further in their online article, Vaccination Program for a Cow-Calf Operation .

Key Into The Correct Timing To Test Calves
Payne and Morris recommend that “because PI animals are so detrimental, the standard recommendation in herds where BVDV is suspected is to implement a testing strategy and remove any PI animals detected. Vaccination alone cannot counter the effects PI animals can have.”

Specific to calves, Passler says it’s important for veterinarians to let producers know the timing of the testing can impact results – maternal antibodies can skew the results.

“Either test the calf as soon as it hits the ground, before it can nurse, or wait at least a week or [even up to] a month later,” he advises.

He encourages practitioners to talk with cow-calf producers about testing calves to identify BVDV.

“A lot of people don’t test until those animals are stockers or going to the feedlot, and that’s too late,” Passler says. “We want producers to test earlier so they can remove PI cattle sooner.”

Evaluate Vaccines And Protocols
There are two main types of vaccines for BVDV: modified-live (attenuated) and killed (inactivated).

The most significant value for beef producers in using a vaccine that addresses BVDV is being able to protect a dam’s fetus, Passler says. But no vaccine is perfect, he adds, noting producers must also be diligent with their management practices.

“What we have seen here in the clinic is that even in well-vaccinated herds – those we know use killed vaccines religiously – they still get PI cattle if they’re not careful about biosecurity,” he says. “These might be herds that religiously vaccinate, but they still go to the stockyards and buy replacements or take some other sort of risk.”

As for vaccine use protocols, Passler says his review of other researchers’ work indicates it’s best if producers use at least one modified live vaccine and then an inactive (killed) vaccine to vaccinate cows and heifers.

“I’d probably [vaccinate] two cycles and well before gestation, because vaccine seems to reduce fertility a little bit,” he says. “Some researchers say 42 days in advance [of gestation] is a good number to use”

Another practice Passler advises is using products from more than one manufacturer. “Different manufacturers use different vaccine strain viruses, so you might increase endogenic exposure,” he explains.

Thomson supports that recommendation. “We do that when we deworm, we do it with how we treat bacteria, so why wouldn’t we do that to prevent BVDV? That’s great advice,” he says.

Your next read: Can Oxytocin Boost Colostrum?

References

1. Bartlett B, Grooms D. BVD-PI eradication: unintended consequences. Michigan Dairy Review. 2008;13(3).

2. Chi J, VanLeeuwen JA, Weersink A, Keefe GP. Direct production losses and treatment costs from bovine viral diarrhoea virus, bovine leukosis virus, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, and Neospora caninum. Prev Vet Med. 2002;55(2):137–153. doi:10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00094-6

3. Ridpath J. Why BVD is a tough problem. Hoard’s Dairyman. 2002;147:697.

More Than Annoyance: Flies Can Impact Health and Profits

Tue, 06 May 2025 15:16:34 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.”

Your Next Read: Functional Facilities Reduce Stress and Boost Efficiency

What Do Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks in Europe Mean for the U.S.?

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 22:18:14 GMT

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is rearing its ugly head in Europe. After an outbreak in water buffalo in Germany in January, an outbreak in cattle in Hungary in early March and an outbreak in cattle in Slovakia last week, why now? What is the U.S. doing to keep this foreign animal disease out and protect the country’s livestock industry?

“FMD is caused by a virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals so that can include cattle, pigs, sheep and goats,” explains Megan Niederwerder, DVM, who serves as the executive director of the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). “It does not affect humans and is not a threat to food safety, but it has significant trade implications once it is introduced into a country.”

FMD has been fairly quiet in these European countries – with no cases reported for decades. Other parts of Europe have seen outbreaks more recently like the 2001 outbreak in the United Kingdom that caused a crisis in British agriculture and tourism and resulted in the cancellation of the World Pork Expo held in Des Moines, Iowa.

“FMD really decimated the United Kingdom,” says Barb Determan who was serving as president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) at the time. “It became very apparent that we couldn’t guarantee the safety for our U.S. pig herd because of the high numbers of international travelers that would be at the show. We had to cancel World Pork Expo out of an abundance of precaution.”

Although there is still a lot to be discovered about how FMD was introduced into these populations, it’s a significant warning to the U.S. to be on alert.

(Lori Hays)

That was the first time, but not the only time World Pork Expo was canceled. The event was also canceled in 2019 because of the African swine fever outbreak in China and again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That was a hard financial decision,” Determan says. “We had just completed the separation agreement between NPPC and the National Pork Board. NPPC was very tightly budgeted at that time, so it was a huge hit.”

However, keeping the U.S. pig herd safe was the most important thing on everyone’s mind. She says they made their decision after hearing reports from veterinarians who had been to England to better understand the extensiveness as well as from the USDA that had sent veterinarians over to help.

“At that time, we didn’t have near the biosecurity practices and things that we do now with the disinfectant foot mats,” Determan says. “We also don’t have live pigs on the on the grounds now compared to how we did things many years ago. We used to have live pigs everywhere on the fairgrounds in the early 2000s from genetics companies with pigs in their displays to the pigs in the live shows.”

The Truth About FMD
The clinical signs of FMD are similar to what the name implies. It can cause vesicles or blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue of animals that are infected. The U.S. has not had a case of FMD since 1929.

“We certainly want to keep it that way, as the economic implications for producers are significant if the virus is introduced,” Niederwerder says.

Compared to many viruses, FMD is a highly stable, non-enveloped virus that allows it to be infectious for longer periods. It’s very contagious and highly transmissible. Not only are there risks with transmission of the virus through infected meat products that may come in through illegal trade, but it can also be carried on contaminated clothes or equipment or supplies of humans.

“The human would not be infected, but certainly people can carry the virus on contaminated clothing,” Niederwerder says. “That’s why it’s really important as we think about prevention of entry into the U.S.”

FMD causes fever and pain. It results in excessive salivation and causes reduced milk production in dairy cattle.

“When you think about the impact, certainly there’s an impact on animal health with regards to the clinical signs, but even further is this impact on trade restrictions and the economic losses for producers,” Niederwerder says. “When you try and contain the virus, that oftentimes results in those infected animals being culled or euthanized so the disease no longer has the chance to spread.”

Why Should the U.S. Pay Attention?
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, Niederwerder says it’s critical to reassess the risk to the U.S.

“In January, Germany reported their first case in over 30 years in water buffalo near Berlin,” she explains. “It was 14 animals, and those animals were all culled after the infection was confirmed but certainly trade restrictions and implications on surrounding areas of that Berlin farm were significant.”

Fast forward to March when two additional countries have reported cases. Hungary reported FMD in a single farm of cattle in the north part of the country for the first time in over 50 years. Shortly thereafter, the virus appeared in Slovakia (who also hadn’t seen a case in over 50 years) in multiple herds of cattle.

“Just recently, another herd was a suspect herd in Slovakia, near the southern border near Hungary,” Niederwerder says. “This is certainly concerning about how this virus is being reintroduced. Is it associated with contaminated fomites that may be in the country or traveling to new locations? Is it associated with wild boar? Could it be associated with infected hay?”

Although there is still a lot to be discovered about how FMD was introduced into these populations, it’s a significant warning to the U.S. to be on alert .

“We need to do everything we can to make sure it doesn’t get reintroduced into the U.S.,” Niederwerder says. “How can we amp up any biosecurity measures that are necessary to reduce our risk? We also need to think about reducing the risk of introduction into our country through travel and illegal trade.”

Be on Alert
Livestock operations should reevaluate biosecurity protocols. If any of your farm’s employees travel to areas where there are infected animals, implement a quarantine period for entry back into your U.S. farm, she advises.

“Be vigilant,” Niederwerder urges. “One of the challenges of FMD is that it does cause these characteristic lesions of vesicles or blisters on the mouth, nose or the hoof. What becomes very tricky is that those clinical signs are indistinguishable from other vesicular diseases such as Senecavirus A. If producers and veterinarians see these lesions, they must report it immediately so it can be investigated and confirmed that it is not FMD virus.”

FMD is not just a disease of pigs and cattle, she points out. Sheep, goats and cloven-hoofed zoo animals may also be impacted by FMD. This increases the breadth of what the industry needs to monitor.

“The world is very small now,” Niederwerder says. “Not only do people travel more internationally, but animals move around more than ever, too. It’s extremely important for those of us that are producers to keep our eyes open and pay attention to what’s going on worldwide so we can be as prepared as possible for any change in disease risk.”

That’s one of the ways that SHIC is trying to help producers. SHIC provides timely domestic and global disease updates to producers.

“Watching the SHIC global disease report is really important for producers,” Determan says. “It comes out every month and really gives you a feel for what’s happening in the entire world from a swine health standpoint. The biggest lesson we learned from the 2001 FMD outbreak is that looking farther out than just our own farm gate is so important.”

Keep Reading:
An Update on Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O in Germany

Hungary Confirms Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Cattle

Slovakia Records First Foot-and-Mouth Cases, Minister Says

Are You Wasting Money on Vaccines? Proper Protocols Explained

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:16:35 GMT

Herd health and vaccination protocols are critical to the success of ranches across the country. But there are common handling and usage mistakes that can lead to vaccines being less effective or completely ineffective.

Blane Lowe, DVM, has built a career and lifestyle around veterinary medicine, research and animal health. He joined the Casual Cattle Conversations podcast to share tips and strategies to help ranchers see a return on investment from their vaccine protocol.

“The vaccination program is a fairly small cost in relation to all the other inputs and costs associated with our cows and preventing disease is going to help them perform,” Lowe says.

Even at a low cost it is important vaccines are handled appropriately.

“The most expensive vaccine you’ll find is one that doesn’t work,” he adds. “Simple errors in handling vaccines can contribute to these expensive outcomes.”

The first tip Dr. Lowe shares is to read the label.

“Labels are being updated continuously, so if you read a label two years ago for a product something might have changed for how to best use it today,” says Lowe.

Additionally, avoid shortcuts such as mixing multiple vaccines together.

“If you can combine those products, the companies will do that which they certainly have, in the past, with things like viral BRD vaccines and manhemia,” Lowe says.

How vaccines are stored and used on working days also impacts vaccine efficacy. Specifically with modified-live vaccines, how you mix the solution matters.

“If you are shaking the solution hard enough to get bubbles, you are probably denaturing some of the vaccine and rendering it un-useful,” Lowe explains. He suggests gently inverting or swirling the solution instead.

Additionally, only mix what you’ll use within the hour and keep all vaccines out of the sunlight and at the right temperature. In northern climates, this means being mindful of vaccines freezing too.

When administering the vaccine, be sure to use sharp needles of the appropriate length and designate one syringe per vaccine type to prevent cross-contamination of your vaccine.

After all the cattle are through the chute, take the time to clean syringes right away. Lowe reminds people not to use soap or disinfectant and instead to use hot water.

“Three to five flushes of hot water over 180 degrees will thoroughly clean your syringes,” says Lowe.

Disassembling and boiling them is also an option.

Outside of basic handling and cleaning, vaccine efficacy can also be dependent on the weather and current stress load of the animals.

“If the weather is not agreeing with you, try to postpone it for a day if you can,” Lowe says. “This is especially important to consider for wet-hided animals.”

Of course, all these vaccine handling tips don’t matter if the proper vaccines are not being administered.

“The producer needs to view the veterinarian as more than the person you call when things go wrong,” Lowe adds.

Both parties should take the time to discuss the goals of the entire operation and immunity challenges that may arise.

“Our industry does a remarkably good job at producing beef and part of that is managing immunity,” Lowe says. “Take the time to review your herd health protocols with your veterinarian and review BQA materials to be prepared for any challenges that may come your way and boost performance in your herd.”

Listen to the full conversation here .

Build A Biosecurity Plan Like You Would Eat An Elephant – One Bite At A Time

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:31:30 GMT

If biosecurity plans were easy to develop, perhaps most U.S. beef producers would have done one long before now, but there is no easy button for such a plan, and the task can be daunting.

The best strategy to get started is to tackle the challenge like you would eat an elephant, says Lisa Pederson, Extension beef quality specialist with North Dakota State University (NDSU) and North Dakota beef quality assurance (BQA) coordinator. How do you do that?

“One bite at a time,” she says.

Pederson addressed how to develop a practical biosecurity plan in a recent webinar, “Building A Resilient Cowherd,” which was sponsored by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The webinar also featured Dr. Julia Herman, NCBA beef cattle specialist veterinarian, and Casey Fanta, seedstock manager for Wulf Cattle, based in Morris, Minn.

Prevention Beats A Cure
Biosecurity is the cheapest and most effective means of disease prevention, according to Pederson. She points out that trichomoniasis is a good example of a disease where biosecurity is the most important preventive measure.

(Lindsey Pound)

Herman shares three benefits of biosecurity: 1. Fewer disease challenges mean better animal health. 2. A decreased germ load also results in better animal health. 3. Better animal health means improved potential for economic gains.

Financial implications
Pederson says producers who might have balked in the past about developing a biosecurity plan are more interested today, because of the economic value of cattle.

“Bred cows, four to five years of age, are selling for $2,500 to $3,000 each and maybe more,” Pederson notes. “Bred heifers have pretty easily been selling here in the North for $3,000 to $3,500. All weights of feeder cattle have been selling for $2,000 to $3,000 each. Finished cattle are selling for well over $3,000 a head.”

Fanta says good vaccination and nutritional programs have been foundational to the enduring success Wulf Cattle has experienced in the beef industry.

“Whatever your program is, I feel it’s very important to have protocols in place, a system for the health and well-being of those cattle from the time that they’re born,” Fanta explains. “It all equates to the long-term health and success of your operation.”

Increased risk potential from foreign disease entering the U.S. is another reason veterinarians and beef producers can benefit from developing biosecurity plans.

“The majority of producers have not dealt with a new, highly contagious disease,” Herman says.

The health risks to the beef industry, and the U.S. livestock industry overall, are real and concerning. One is the new world screwworm, which is currently advancing through Central America and into southern Mexico. NCBA has undertaken extensive education efforts with producers in recent months regarding this threat

Another concern, Herman references, is the potential for foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease to enter the U.S. FMD was first discovered in the U.S. in 1870 and eradicated in 1929. Herman says while FMD is not a human health or food safety threat, it would have a significant economic impact on the country’s livestock industry.

This map shows the location of FMD as well as disease-free countries. The disease was found in a water buffalo in Germany in January. More recently, FMD has been found in Hungary.

(WOAH)

NCBA has worked with industry stakeholders on the Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan to help producers voluntarily prepare for FMD. If an outbreak does occur, Herman says having an enhanced biosecurity plan in place will help prevent exposing “naïve” cattle to the disease during an outbreak. More information from NCBA is available at Biosecurity Resources

More information specific for veterinarians is available from the American Association of Bovine Practitioners at aabp.org

Producers Need Help
Bovine veterinarians are in a position of trust and leadership to help beef producers understand the importance of a having biosecurity plan and how to create one. Pederson encourages producers routinely to work closely with their veterinary practitioner.

“A strong relationship means more than preg testing and Bangs vaccinating, and calling with calving problems,” Pederson says. “Strong relationship means you use veterinarians for their brains and disease knowledge. Engage them to help you identify biosecurity strengths and weaknesses of your operations.”

For producers who have not started developing a biosecurity plan, it’s a case of veterinarians helping them walk before they can run. Pederson references an elephant cartoon she once found online.

“I like to think about where you can take easy bites of the elephant to eat first,” she says. “Pretty soon, with one bite at a time, you can have that elephant eaten.”

With a biosecurity plan, the point is it can’t be developed all at once, but it can be accomplished one small step at a time when producers, especially with their veterinarian’s help, stick with it until it’s completed.

Five Easy Bites
Here are five factors that are important to consider in a basic biosecurity plan.

1. Help producers identify and develop their team of partners and advisers.
Sit down with producers and talk about the benefits of a biosecurity plan, advises Pederson. Discuss who would be good to include on their team, which might include veterinarians, key employees, nutritionists, Extension specialists, BQA state coordinators, state veterinarian and others.

Build a team that can help you identify risks and how to address them.

(Lisa Pederson)

2. Create a basic communications plan, one that will be straightforward to implement when a crisis does occur.
Help producers create the plan in advance of any crisis, emphasizes Herman.

“We really need to be prepared ahead of time,” she says.

Some of the topics to include in the plan and questions to answer are: Why is there a need to communicate? Who needs to be reached? How will the producer communicate and who with internally and externally? Who needs to know about the plan?

Make sure the plan is written down, so everyone is working off the same document. Also, help the producer decide if the plan needs to be posted in a break room, barn or other facility on the property for quick reference.

3. Address low-hanging fruit. Consider the biosecurity practices that can be adopted with some careful thought but little or limited expense.

The single most important one, Pederson says, is to have separate footwear and clothing for wearing on and off the farm/ranch.

Diseases and pests hitch rides on dirt, dust, manure, critters, shoes, clothes, vehicles and so much more. Remove manure, mud and other organic matter regularly and disinfect as well. As Pederson says: “You can’t disinfect a turd.”

First things to consider implementing are those practices that are of little cost but offer a high reward.

(Lisa Pederson)

4. Have a quarantine/isolation plan for new animals coming on the farm or ranch, whether purchased or acquired.
Isolate new cattle and other livestock for at least 21 days, ideally without the option for nose-to-nose contact. Do not allow for shared feed or water. The isolation can allow you and producers time for observation, testing, vaccination and revaccination, Pederson says.

There are many ways a disease can enter a farm, Herman adds. “Wildlife, rodents and birds are just a few examples,” she says. “That’s why an integrated pest management plan is important.”

5. Help producers adopt good record-keeping practices, if they haven’t done so already.
Pederson says items to keep track of include livestock purchases and sales, as well as livestock movements to exhibitions, rodeos and shows. Good records will be imperative to have should a novel disease outbreak occur, she adds.

Your next read: Hungary Confirms Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Cattle

Foot And Mouth Disease: Producers Should Be Prepared

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:19:00 GMT

With the World Health Organization for Animal Health confirming outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Germany on Jan. 10 and Hungary on March 6, 2025 , it’s important for producers to be aware of the risks of this disease, especially if — or when— it were to appear in the U.S.

“Foot and mouth disease, while harmless to us as human beings, is a highly contagious viral disease on animals with cloven-hooves, including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats,” says Meranda Small, Idaho State BQA Coordinator. “It also has the ability to impact and equally affect wildlife species such as deer, elk and bison, giving them the opportunity to move the disease across state lines and from one location to another.”

Barry Whitworth, DVM, Oklahoma State University Extension Veterinarian, says there are seven known serotypes of the Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV).

“The large number of serotypes makes vaccine development difficult since immunity to one serotype does not protect against others,” he explains. “The disease is not a public health threat, however, it can spread easily and cause severe economic hardship.”

How is FMDV transmitted?
FMDV can be found in all fluids excreted from infected animals, including saliva, urine, feces, fluid from vesicles, semen, amniotic fluid, and aborted fetuses. Expired air from infected animals can transmit the virus in the right environment. The virus can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, and direct contact with infected animals and the virus can also be spread by contaminated objects and feed, Whitworth says.

What are the clinical signs of FMD?
Clinical signs of the disease can vary between species and the most common clinical sign are blisters or vesicles on the tongue, gums, teats, and the interdigital space of the hooves. In addition, fever, loss of appetite, excessive drooling or salivation, lameness, and decreased milk production in dairy animals are common symptoms, Whitworth shares.

In severe cases, particularly in young animals, FMD can cause heart inflammation, leading to sudden death. Most adult animals recover in two to three weeks. Although, some animals never return to full production or have permanent issues such as hoof malformation, chronic lameness, chronic mastitis, and weight loss, adds Whitworth.

“FMD is a difficult disease to control,” Whitworth says. “Most animals in the U.S. are very susceptible to FMD. If an outbreak were to occur in the U.S., the disease could spread rapidly, unless detected early and eliminated.”

The U.S. has not seen a case of FMD since 1929. Through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection to screen cargo at the border to help with prevention. The U.S. restricts importation of animals and animal products from areas affected by FMD. APHIS deploys veterinarians worldwide to assist other countries in their efforts to control and eradicate the disease, Whitworth explains.

“If a case of FMD occurs in the U.S., livestock producers will probably be the first to see it,” Whitworth says. “For this reason, livestock producers should be familiar with the clinical signs of the disease. Any suspicious signs should be reported to a veterinarian.”

Resources for Livestock Producers
Due to the severe economic impact FMD would have on the U.S. food supply, resources have been put together to help producers.

“FMD is a constant threat to the U.S. livestock industry,” Whitworth says. “An outbreak would have significant economic consequences. U.S. cattle producers should remain vigilant at keeping this disease out of the U.S.”

Through the securebeef.org website, producers can find resources to create a five-step contingency document. It addresses cattle inventory and potential movement, financial planning, enhanced biosecurity, communication and cattle health management.

Sergio Arispe serves as Oregon State University Extension livestock and rangeland field faculty and associate professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences. He helped develop resources for livestock producers .

“The purpose of traceability is for transparency, not only within the livestock industry, but with our trade partners as well,” Arispe says. “Movement permits demonstrate that steps have been taken to safely move animals or products.”

Read more: Secure Food Supply Resources Available to Livestock Producers

Slovakia Records First Foot-and-Mouth Cases, Minister Says

5 Reasons Consumer Distrust In Our Food Supply Is Rising

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:35:01 GMT

Bread, check. Blueberries, check. As I wheel my grocery cart alongside the deli case, I’m taken aback at what I see. Rather, it is what I don’t see that has me wondering, “What in the world?” This section of my favorite grocery store is now almost completely empty, except for a couple of ham loaves and a renegade block of cheese.

In a slightly distraught tone I ask the worker behind the counter, “What’s going on?” He hesitates for a moment, then replies, “The store is in the process of changing suppliers for our deli products. We should have more of a selection next week.” Then it dawns on me: my favorite brand of deli meat and cheese, Boar’s Head, has officially been blacklisted by my go-to grocery store.

I should not have been surprised. Boar’s Head began its fall from public grace on July 26, 2024, when the company issued a recall for more than 207,528 lb. of product due to potential listeria contamination. The CDC linked the contamination to 61 illnesses and, tragically, 10 deaths. It was the worst listeria outbreak in the U.S. in over a decade.

The outbreak was ultimately traced to a production line at the company’s Jarratt, Va., plant. According to USDA inspection reports, which USA Today had to obtain through a Freedom of Information Act request, 69 reports of non-compliance were recorded at the Jarratt plant between 2023 and 2024. What was in those reports was unsettling. Documentation of insects live and dead, black and green mold, mildew, dripping and standing water, as well as other unsanitary conditions within the plant in the weeks leading up to the July recall. In a move that was too little too late, Boar’s Head announced on Sept. 13, 2024 that the Jarratt plant would be closed permanently.

In 1906, Upton Sinclair published his famous novel “The Jungle,” which exposed the horrific conditions in the meatpacking industry at the time. The writer’s work proved to be an instant bestseller to the masses. The irony is that nearly 120 years later, one might find it hard to discern whether they’re reading a current USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) report or a chapter straight out of “The Jungle.”

Just One Of Many
The Boar’s Head case was only one the high profile food recalls last year. Remember the E. coli contaminated onions on McDonald’s quarter pounders? Then, Costco issued a massive recall on their Kirkland Signature brand of organic eggs because of a threat of Salmonella. And to cap off the year with the scariest illness yet, on Dec. 18, 2024, the CDC confirmed a patient in Louisiana had been hospitalized with the nation’s first severe case of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, aka the “bird flu.”

If it seems that the number of food recalls are coming at us at a more fast and furious pace than ever, then your gut instinct is spot on. The Food and Drug Administration, which reports food and cosmetics together, says 1,908 such products were recalled in the fiscal year that ended in September. That’s the highest number since 2019. Such a constant barrage of warnings is having a serious affect on consumers’ overall psyche — and not in a positive way. According to a September 2024 Gallup report, only 57% of Americans say they have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence in the government to keep food safe. This number is a 27 point decrease since 2019, and is a record low for the Gallup Consumption Habits Poll since its inception in 1999.

This explosion of 20th century foodborne illnesses has me asking the same question I asked the worker behind the deli counter: “What’s going on?”

5 Reasons To Be Skeptical
There are multiple reasons consumers have good reason to be less confident in the safety of their food.

First, there’s the government. Second, more and more of our food is imported, which makes it harder to inspect. Third, you have a growing quest for more natural food, which sometimes circumvents traditional inspection channels. Fourth, industry consolidation means only a handful of players control both the production and processing. That’s not inherently a bad thing, but if something goes wrong, it’s probably going to be big. Finally, we now have the ability, through more technology and data, to find, detect and isolate the specific source of contamination and document it.

Time For An Overhaul
Food safety policy and implementation at the government level is in need of a serious overhaul. There is a chance it could actually happen. In 2018, the previous Trump administration proposed consolidating federal food oversight into a single agency with USDA.

There are so many common sense things that a fully functioning food agency could do. For one, start with better and more noticeable country of origin labeling (COOL) on imported foods. It should be prominent, displaying the country’s flag as the primary indicator of origin. If nothing else, we’ll all get better at geography. Next, companies that embrace new technologies that prevent contamination should be rewarded with tax credits. We do it for electric cars. Why not for safer food?

Finally, the most important change needs to come in the form of accountability and transparency both from the food industry itself and the government that regulates it. That didn’t happen in the case of Boar’s Head, and 10 people lost their lives because of it. In the age of AI and social media, those FSIS plant inspection reports should be posted on platforms such as X and Facebook for the public to see in real time. Without such transparency, we’re no better off than we were back in 1906.

Cattle and Bison Imports from Mexico to Resume Under New Protocols

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 14:43:58 GMT

On Feb. 1, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced cattle and bison imports from Mexico will resume utilizing new preventative measures. Imports are scheduled to begin in the next several days.

In November 2024, APHIS halted shipments of Mexican cattle and bison after a positive detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico.

According to the release, APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and mitigate the threat of NWS. APHIS says its top priority is to protect American livestock from foreign pests.

Newly released preventative measures include:

Mexico identified and prepared pre-export inspection pens in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, which APHIS visited, inspected, and approved.
Cattle and bison will be inspected and treated for screwworm by trained and authorized veterinarians prior to entering the pre-export inspection pens, followed by inspection by Mexican officials before proceeding to final APHIS inspection before crossing at the Santa Teresa and Douglas Ports of Entry, respectively.
Cattle and bison approved for importation will also be dipped in a solution to ensure they are otherwise insect- and tick -free.

The United States and Mexico are working closely to approve additional pre-export inspection pens and reopen trade through other ports of entry, the release says.

APHIS will continue working with partners in Mexico and Central America to eradicate NWS from the affected areas and to reestablish the biological barrier in Panama, which has been maintained since 2006.

In the last two years, screwworm has spread north of the barrier throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and now Mexico.

The APHIS release says the increase is due to multiple factors including new areas of farming in previous barrier regions for fly control and increased cattle movements into the region.

APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on Southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America.

A complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by screwworm as well as more detailed information on trade restrictions can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website .

Weathering Winter Challenges: Tips for Feedlot Success

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:15:46 GMT

This time of year can bring both wet and snowy weather conditions. In the winter months, cattle care takes some extra attention. For the most part, cattle naturally adapt to cold temperatures; however keeping them dry and comfortable is top of mind for producers and feedlot managers.

Trey Hart of Wilder Cattle Feeders shares some tips for winter feedlot management. He serves as the general manager of the southwest Idaho feedlot.

Options for bedding
Decisions are made on what kind of bedding to use based on needs, availability and where the bedding will be applied.

“Straw is good for warmth and allows the cattle to hold body heat,” he says. “The lighter cattle lose body heat faster than the bigger cattle. If we’re going to get a real cold front, in the 20s or below, we’re going to go ahead and start bedding with straw and get as much straw out there on the mound as we can. Those calves are going to be warm going into it.”

The feedyard purchases corn stalk bales, wheat straw and wood chips from a local saw mill to keep on hand year-round. When it comes down to it, Hart says use whatever you can use because it’s better than nothing.

“Those medium range kind of wood chips are the best,” he says. “The finer shavings tend to disappear quickly into the mud and the large chips have more potential for breaking off or splintering. We also use cornstalk bales, which were used up first this year. They help the cattle scratch off and keep clean.”

He notes cattle may fall off feed a little when you bed with straw because cattle like the fiber, and when it’s cold, they want to lay down and be warm.

“It’s good to get it done before you start seeing the cold front,” Hart says. “If it’s real muddy, like behind the bunk, we would use wood chips for that kind of application because straw isn’t great in those spots.”

Hart explains wetter conditions have presented a challenge and how they handle those.

Feeding and nutritional needs
Getting the cattle fed and staying on feed is vital, especially in cold months when their energy requirements are higher.

“We know cattle are going to burn more calories when it’s really cold,” Hart says. “You may adjust your energy in the ration, so you want to up that a little bit to offset the extra calories they’re going to be burning. It’s best to get with your nutritionist to make those decisions.”

Hart says whoever is calling feed needs to be precise every day.

“You want to keep as consistent as a program going as you can, so cattle don’t get too hungry or too full,” he explains.

Cattle behavior
Hart and his crew keep a watchful eye on cattle behavior to determine their comfort level. He drives through and calls feed every morning and each pen is ridden through daily to check on animals.

“If I start noticing a pen starting to fall off feed I’ll go through that mental checklist of if weight is correct or if it is off, are the pens getting pulled heavy or are they getting sick? If you can’t find any of the normal type of reasons they’re falling off feed, it’s probably just because they’re uncomfortable. And anytime it’s super wet, you can just bet that they’re going to be uncomfortable so making sure they are bedded well is important,” he says.

Equipment maintenance and readiness
Keeping equipment ready and in good maintenance is important, especially during inclement weather.

“Your equipment is crucial when it comes time to work,” Hart says. “When you get to that 10-degree weather you don’t want to have to fight frozen equipment, so keep it plugged in overnight. You want to make sure all the moving parts on trucks and equipment is working, so you have to keep it clean. That will ensure a better start to the day too.”

In addition to maintaining heavy equipment like feed trucks and dozers, cattle scales are also vital to feedlots.

“A lot of guys will ship cattle in the morning,” Hart says. “Everything could be cold and frozen, so the crew has to get out there sooner and make sure scales are clean and working properly.”

Making sure cattle are able to move safely and freely through pens and working areas matters year-round.

“We also put salt out because surfaces will get ice over the top,” Hart says. “You don’t want to have cattle slipping and sliding and causing injuries.”

Shifting priorities when weather hits
While most of the time weather incidents are predicted, there have been times when big storms come through and crews have to pivot.

“If we get in a situation with a freak storm or weather that comes through, we’ll start bumping daily priorities around,” Hart explains. “Maybe the maintenance guys were going to do work on the trucks, but instead we’ll prioritize the whole day, and shift our crew over to where we put more hands-on deck for bedding, and we’ll just go to it.”

Hart says to focus on the high traffic areas, especially when you’re in a situation you have to hurry.

“I would take a dozer into a pen and peel all the slop and everything that’s going to be an issue to the back of the pen,” he says. “If it’s not in a pretty mound get it away from the high traffic areas in a pinch, then your guys can come behind bedding as quick as they can.”

When it comes to snow removal, Hart says crews have to prioritize tasks and make adjustments to meet the immediate needs of the cattle.

“Last year we got a big snow with six to eight inches falling overnight,” Hart says. “You do the best you can to blow all the bunks out ahead of the feed truck. You have to get the equipment around, so we’ll have a couple guys in loaders pushing snow out of the way for feed trucks.”

Once cattle are taken care of, Hart says to focus on pens.

“When you’re under the gun you’re just going to start pushing that snow to the back of the pen or to the lowest part for faster drainage once it starts melting,” he says. “When it does start melting, we don’t want it going across the whole pen.”

To hear Hart’s take on the current cattle market, watch this quick video.

Your next read: Important Tips for Feeding Cattle in Winter

More Action Needed By Mexico Before Reopening Border for Feeder Cattle Imports, Says Vilsack

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 20:54:32 GMT

A letter sent Friday by outgoing USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture Julio Antonio Berdeguê acknowledges the progress made in reopening cattle trade between the two countries following the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, but says more action is needed to resume trade.

Key developments:

Technical collaboration between U.S. and Mexican teams
Full technical agreement on protocol reached on Dec. 12, 2024
Ongoing work to approve pre-export NWS inspection facilities.

Vilsack emphasizes the importance of expediting the approval process for these facilities to resume safe export as soon as possible, citing the significance of trade for a safe and affordable food supply.

The letter also addresses efforts to combat the spread of New World Screwworm:

Emergency funding has been authorized to increase sterile fly production
Production has increased fivefold in the past year
Enhanced regional response through increased dispersal, surveillance, education, and partnerships
Acknowledgment of Mexico’s partnership in sterile fly releases, movement controls, and surveillance
Shared goal to push the pest south to the Darien Gap

Vilsack requests immediate support from Secretary Berdegué for the establishment of two planned sterile fly dispersal centers in Southern Mexico to strengthen current efforts.

The letter maintains a cordial and cooperative tone throughout, emphasizing:

Shared commitments and goals
Acknowledgment of Mexico’s efforts and partnership
Expressions of gratitude for collaboration
Requests for continued support and expedited action

Industry sources say specific testing will take place Monday, Jan. 20, and that and other tests will go a long way in establishing a trade resumption timeline.

NWS Trade Impacts Started in November
As previously reported, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) suspended imports of live cattle and bison from Mexico on Nov. 22, 2024, following the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) along Mexico’s southern border. This pest can have a significant negative impact on cattle health, and U.S. authorities have been working to develop protocols to screen animals coming into the country.

Several factors are influencing the timeline and pace of reopening:

Facility inspections: Both countries have agreed on protocols, but implementation requires facility inspections and approvals.
Quarantine period: A seven-day quarantine after animal checks
Port readiness: The most important port to get moving again is Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

The temporary suspension of cattle imports from Mexico has had notable effects on the U.S. cattle market:

Reduced supply: About 250,000-300,000 fewer head of cattle are estimated to have been imported due to the suspension.
Price support: The trade disruption has been supporting feeder cattle and calf prices in the U.S.

New World Screwworm is Moving Toward the U.S.

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:15:31 GMT

By Kathy Simmons, DVM, Chief Veterinarian, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The U.S. cattle industry has not faced the threat of New World screwworm (NWS) for over 60 years. Currently, the NWS fly, about the size of a common housefly, has migrated across Central America from Panama and entered Mexico.

Live cattle trade to the U.S. from Mexico was halted on Nov. 22, 2024, after a cow in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas was found to have NWS myiasis. Live cattle trade with Mexico will only resume with established NWS mitigation protocols, the holding of Mexican cattle for preventive treatments, and multiple inspections of Mexican cattle on both sides of the border.

At the time of this article, NWS has not been found in the U.S., but this harmful 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.

What is NWS Myiasis?

NWS myiasis is the infestation of NWS larvae or maggots that feed on the living tissues of all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and rarely birds. Adult female flies lay their eggs, often as many as 200 to 300 eggs at a time, at the edges of wounds on animals or at the mucous membranes or body orifices. Within 12 to 24 hours the eggs will hatch, and larvae emerge to feed on living flesh by burrowing into tissue, tearing at the tissue with their hook-like mouthparts, like a screw being driven into wood and hence, their name.

The larvae can be difficult to detect for the first 24 to 48 hours, but as larvae feed on tissue, the wound enlarges and drains a serosanguineous fluid. There is severe inflammation and secondary infection as well as the stench of necrotic tissue.

Screwworm larvae pass through three stages (or instars), and they will reach maturity about five to seven days after the eggs hatch. At maturity, the larvae stop feeding and fall to the ground where they burrow and pupate to become adult flies. Adult flies live for two to three weeks in the field. Females mate only once in their lifetime.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of NWS Myiasis

Laboratory diagnosis of NWS is usually made by identification of the parasites under the microscope. NWS is a foreign animal disease that is reportable to state animal health authorities and to USDA-APHIS. The U.S. is responsible for reporting NWS to the World Organization for Animal Health and to our trading partners.

Before collecting or sending any samples from animals with a foreign animal disease, the proper authorities should be contacted. Samples should only be sent under secure conditions and to authorized laboratories. NWS can infest humans, so samples should be collected and handled with proper precautions. Larvae should be removed from the wound prior to treatment and placed in 80% ethanol for transport to the lab. Formalin should not be used.

Treatment for NWS myiasis generally includes cleaning and debriding the wounds and applying organophosphate insecticides, which are effective against newly hatched larvae, immature forms and adult flies. Carbamates and pyrethroids are also effective against larvae. Antibiotics are indicated if an infection is present. Livestock can also be protected by regular spraying or dipping with insecticides, or by subcutaneous injections of ivermectin and related compounds.

In endemic areas, animals must be inspected for screwworms every few days. NWS myiasis is often fatal in untreated cattle within 14 days.

Whenever possible, procedures that leave wounds (castration, dehorning, branding, ear tagging) should not be performed during screwworm season, and sharp objects should be removed from livestock pens. No vaccine is currently available for NWS.

Eradication from a Region

Screwworms can be managed by repeatedly releasing sterile male flies that mate with wild NWS female flies to produce unfertilized eggs. This process is called sterile insect technique and leads to a reduction in screwworm numbers and eventual eradication.

In addition, infested animals in a region are treated and their movements are controlled. Currently, the U.S. and Panama operate an NWS sterile male fly production facility in Pacora, Panama, through the Panama-U.S. Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm, or COPEG, which produces 100 million sterile male flies per week.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is committed to informing cattle producers and their veterinarians about current animal health risks and advocating for cattle health issues in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the U.S. cattle industry.

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More information on Bovine Veterinarian:
Protecting the Herd from New World Screwworm