Veterinary Education

Calf Survival Tips For Before, During and After Birth

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:13:10 GMT

Most discussions around calf loss begin at calving. But by then, much of the outcome has already been set in motion.

Across veterinary perspectives from different production environments, a consistent picture emerges. Calf outcomes are shaped over time, influenced by a series of decisions and conditions that build on one another.

It is important to note these patterns may look different depending on region — whether driven by cold stress, heat, drought or mud. The underlying process, however, remains consistent across systems.

Before Birth: Build Resilience Early

Calf outcomes begin to take shape during gestation. Nutrition, stress and overall maternal management all contribute to how the calf develops before it is ever born.

“Poor nutrition of the cow is a stress on the fetus … any stress on the cow can affect the development of the placenta and also of the calf,” says Dr. Katie Waine, veterinary pathologist at the University of Calgary. “Maternal stress around breeding and pregnancy can also have much longer-term effects on calf health, production and reproductive performance way off into the future.”

This concept, known as fetal programming, highlights how early conditions influence organ development, immune function and long-term performance. Calves may appear normal at birth while still benefiting from stronger developmental foundations established during gestation.

Key risk factors before birth include:

Inadequate maternal nutrition or poor body condition
Environmental or physiological stress during gestation
Inconsistent feed quality
Health challenges
Gaps in vaccination or biosecurity planning

Nutritional management during gestation plays a central role in setting the foundation for calf health. Cows entering calving in appropriate body condition are better positioned to support both fetal growth and colostrum quality. Reducing stress during pregnancy further supports placental function and fetal development. Consistent feed quality, stable environments and proactive health management all contribute to a stronger starting point for the calf.

At Birth: Support a Strong Transition

Calving represents a key opportunity to support the calf’s transition into early life. While it can reveal existing vulnerabilities, it also provides a chance to reinforce resilience.

“The effects of a difficult calving don’t stop at birth — they carry forward into immunity, vigor and overall survivability,” says Dr. Lisa Freeze, field veterinarian supervisor with the Government of New Brunswick.

A smooth calving process helps calves stand, nurse and absorb colostrum more effectively. Timely intervention when needed can prevent minor challenges from becoming larger setbacks.

“When calves are delayed during calving or we have to intervene late, they’re already starting life at a disadvantage,” Freeze says.

Key risk factors at birth include:

Prolonged or difficult calving (dystocia)
Delayed standing or nursing
Inadequate or delayed colostrum intake
Early-life stress or trauma

Focusing on calving ease, monitoring progress and ensuring early colostrum intake all support a stronger start. These early actions directly influence immune transfer and overall vigor.

“What we see with the sickness and death of calves all depends on how much pathogen they get exposed to and how resistant they are to it,” says Dr. Van Mitchell of Metzger Veterinary Services.

Supporting resistance through colostrum and minimizing early stress helps calves respond effectively to their environment.

After Birth: Manage Exposure and Reinforcing Success

After birth, management focuses on maintaining the balance between exposure and resistance. Even well-prepared calves benefit from environments that support their continued development.

In practical settings, multiple factors often interact. Recognizing these interactions allows producers to stay ahead of potential challenges.

“It’s rarely just one thing. A calf that struggles at birth, doesn’t get enough colostrum, and then is exposed to a challenging environment — those risks stack on top of each other,” says Dr. Allison Pylypjuk of Beausejour Animal Hospital.

Dr. Lauren Wilson of Peterborough Veterinary Services agrees: “Those calves that don’t receive adequate colostrum are much more susceptible to disease, and when you combine that with environmental exposure, that’s when we start to see problems like scours and pneumonia.”

The same principle applies in a positive direction. When calves receive timely colostrum, experience minimal stress at birth and are raised in clean environments, those advantages build as well.

Key risk factors after birth include:

High pathogen load in calving or housing areas
Overcrowding or poor stocking density
Mixing age groups, especially older calves with newborns
Delayed identification and isolation of sick animals

Clean calving areas, appropriate stocking density and thoughtful grouping strategies help limit pathogen exposure. These practices support calves as they continue to develop immunity and resilience.

“We can eliminate a lot of exposure to the pathogens by keeping our calving areas clean, keeping the sick animals away,” Mitchell says.

Managing these factors helps maintain momentum established earlier, allowing calves to continue on a positive trajectory.

A Proactive Approach to Calf Survival

Viewing calf outcomes as a cumulative process creates more opportunities for intervention. Each stage — before birth, at calving and after birth — offers a chance to support the calf’s success.

Rather than focusing only on problems after they appear, this approach emphasizes building resilience early and reinforcing it over time. The goal is not to eliminate all challenges, but to create conditions where calves are better prepared to respond. Consistent management, early attention and thoughtful decision-making all contribute to improved outcomes.

Calf survival is not determined in a single moment. It develops step by step, shaped by a series of actions that build on one another from gestation through early life.

Precision Genomics: The Veterinarian’s Role in Commercial Herd Rebuilding

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:38:03 GMT

With the U.S. beef herd at historic lows , rebuilding is no longer just about numbers. It is about keeping the right females. Today, every retained replacement heifer represents years of genetic influence, input costs and production risk. For the bovine practitioner, this is an opportunity to move beyond traditional “chute-side technician” roles and become a strategic data consultant. Selection is no longer just about phenotype; it is about mitigating biological and economic risks.

The following strategies for precision genomics are pulled from a deep-dive discussion with Dr. Kent Andersen and Dr. Tom Short on The Bovine Vet Podcast . By pairing clinical experience with genomic tools, practitioners can better navigate the current rebuilding phase.

Moving Beyond Visual Appraisal

Visual selection remains a cornerstone of cattle management. Structural soundness, disposition and obvious developmental concerns cannot be ignored. However, phenotype alone does not tell the whole story of an animal’s future productivity.

The Trap of Size: Selecting the largest heifers often inadvertently selects for higher maintenance requirements and increased feed intake.

“Traditionally, commercial cow-calf producers have selected their replacement heifers based on visual appraisal — and perhaps, the ones that are born earliest and just have the look of making a good cow,” says Andersen, director of global beef genetic technical services for Zoetis Animal Health. “Unfortunately, when you select based on looks and size, sometimes you’re picking the biggest ones. So, you’re picking the heifers that may turn out to be the bigger cows that have higher maintenance requirements.”

The Genomic Advantage: Genetic predictions provide insight into metabolic efficiency, fertility, and longevity before a single dollar is spent on development.

“There’s a lot of traits in the unseen world, such as cow fertility, intake, feed conversion, bovine respiratory disease health, that you really can’t gauge by just looking at them,” Andersen says. “The new tools allow the producer to pick heifers that are less risky of dropping out early and maybe not being very profitable.”

Clinical Genomics: Disease Risk and Wellness

One of the more significant recent advancements is the ability to generate genomic predictions related to disease risk, particularly bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Developing those metrics required assembling large populations of cattle with detailed health records and corresponding genotypes. Understanding the value of those predictions requires a clear understanding of heritability.

Heritability vs. Management: Genetics do not replace vaccinations, but they lower the baseline risk. Selecting for higher “Wellness” scores builds a more resilient herd that responds better to clinical protocols.

“Heritability is kind of a term a lot of people don’t understand in a way, but it’s basically just the amount of variation in a trait that we see that’s due to additive genetics, meaning that we can measure it, select for it and improve it,” says Short, associate director in outcomes research with Zoetis Animal Health.

The Data Gap: Historically, commercial heifers lacked the Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) available to seedstock. Genomic testing (e.g., Inherit Select) bridges this gap, providing EPD-level accuracy on unproven females.

“With this technology, we’re getting genetic predictions in commercial cattle that, if you think about it historically, have had very little, if any, information recorded on them,” Short says. “All the data recording and genetic selection and prediction and everything has really occurred at the seedstock level.”

By combining DNA information with national cattle evaluation systems, commercial heifers can now receive EPDs across a range of economically important traits, from fertility and growth to structural and health-related measures.

Managing Genetic Antagonisms

Selecting for a single trait, such as extreme growth, often comes at a cost to others, such as calving ease or fertility.

“Selecting to increase one trait may actually decrease another, but in an undesirable direction,” Short explains. “That’s where you have to weigh the two traits in an index appropriately, knowing that there’s antagonisms there.”

Economic Indices: Use weighted indices to manage these trade-offs. These tools balance production and maternal performance to ensure overall operation profitability rather than chasing outlier data points.

Precision Culling: Identifying “bottom-tier” genetics early allows producers to divert resources toward high-potential females, optimizing the client’s input costs and long-term sustainability.

The DVM as the “Trusted Adviser”

The veterinarian is often the most influential voice in a producer’s decision-making process, making them the ideal conduit for genomic integration.

“In our interactions with commercial cow-calf producers, it’s almost always the veterinarian that is the most trusted adviser,” Andersen says. “The veterinarian is helping them with their herd health program, so we think it’s a natural fit for the bovine practitioner to also assist with getting DNA collected and using the results.”

Short echoes that sentiment. “Most cow-calf herds that have a valid client-patient relationship with their veterinarian trust them as a resource, and especially when it comes to things like health and genetics, which are more technical aspects of what they have to do in their everyday jobs,” he says.

Workflow Integration: DNA collection via ear punch is easily integrated into routine pregnancy diagnosis, vaccination, or breeding soundness exams.

Consultative Value: By interpreting genomic results, veterinarians can guide mating strategies and marketing decisions—such as selling “value-added” replacements—strengthening the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR).

The Economic Reality of Genomic Testing

Early adopters in the commercial space are capturing disproportionate value in a tight market.

“Early adopters are the ones that get the biggest reward,“ Short says. “Not only am I going to select the very best heifers I test for my own replacements, I’ve got a next group here that are pretty good. I’m going to sell them as value-added replacements to my neighbors.”

Genomic testing, often costing between $15 and $40 per head, can lead to significantly higher lifetime returns by ensuring only the most efficient, fertile, and healthy females enter the breeding herd. While visual appraisal and experience are still important, pairing intuition with genomic insight defines the next generation of decision-making.

Summary for the Practitioner

“I think the sail has been set to evolve from real group herd-based to more individual animal-based in our selections, in our matings, in our management protocols, in our days on feed and harvest time protocols,” Andersen concludes. “The individual animal information, I think, paves the way for that.”

As the industry shifts toward individual animal management, genomic data is the next essential “diagnostic tool.” It allows the practitioner to move from managing groups to optimizing individuals, ultimately building a more profitable operation for the client.

To hear more from Andersen and Short on how genomics is redefining the commercial cow-calf industry, including more information on Inherit Select and the newly introduced BRD selection indices, listen to the full conversation on the latest episode of The Bovine Vet Podcast .

Bugs Beware: Next Gen Prepares to Combat Insect Threats to Animal Health

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:42:45 GMT

The nation is facing a critical shortage of veterinary entomologists. Kansas State University is ramping up efforts to create awareness and opportunity for students interested in playing a crucial role in safeguarding livestock health and agricultural economies by studying insects and ticks that affect animals.

“With increasing insecticide resistance and the emergence of new tick and tick-borne pathogen species, our capacity to meet future research, extension and teaching needs in this area is more critical than ever,” Cassandra Olds, assistant professor of entomology at K-State, says in a release.

To address this increasing challenge, Olds collaborated with other university veterinary entomologists to develop the Research and Extension Experience in Veterinary Entomology for Students (REEVES) program .

“Despite the significant impact arthropods like ticks and insects have on livestock production, there’s a serious lack of trained veterinary entomologists,” Olds says. “Many students simply aren’t aware of this viable career path or what it entails.”

Funded by the USDA-NIFA and led by the University of Tennessee, the 8-week summer residential program offers an immersive, hands-on experience in veterinary entomology research and extension.

“The overarching goal of REEVES is to introduce and train talented individuals for graduate and professional programs, as well as livestock-associated careers that emphasize team science,” the release says. “The program educates them on the fundamentals of veterinary entomology and provides them with real-world project experience relevant to the needs of stakeholders.”

Two scholars are placed at each participating institution each year, K-State, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M and University of Georgia, and will run from 2025 till 2028.

Not only will REEVES scholars engage in impactful research, but they will also have the opportunity to present their research at the annual Livestock Insect Workers Conference and an online REEVES Expo. For example, K-State scholars evaluated the impact of stable flies on cattle performance in feedlots this year and investigated recent outbreaks of Theileria orientalis in the region.

“For me, the most exciting aspect of this field is the chance to do good at every level,” Olds adds. “You have the opportunity to positively impact both animal health and well-being, while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of the people who own them.”

Seeing the Whole Elephant: Systems Thinking and Animal Health

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 22:19:51 GMT

We all know the ancient parable of the blind men and the elephant: each man touches a different part of the elephant and becomes convinced he knows the whole animal. One feels the trunk and declares it a snake, another the leg and insists it’s a tree. Each observation is accurate, but each conclusion is deeply incomplete.

Veterinary medicine often falls into the same trap, not because of a lack of care but because of training to look closely. In a world where disease emerges from the interactions of nutrition, immunity, environment, behavior and management, the old parable reminds us the truth isn’t found in any single part. It’s found in the relationships between them.

Why Looking Closely Isn’t Enough

Pattern recognition is one of our greatest strengths. You learn to see classic presentations and link them with a diagnosis. For example, ketosis in a fresh cow or BRD in a calf with a cough.

But disease rarely lives in one organ system or one management practice. A narrow focus can deceive us. We might fixate on the ‘tusk’ because it looks sharp and obvious, while missing the constellation of forces actually driving the animal’s response.

Examples crop up everywhere:

A dairy lameness problem blamed solely on digital dermatitis, when the root cause is chronic wet bedding, poor ventilation and subtle changes in stocking density.
A calf barn respiratory outbreak attributed to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, when the real sequence of events begins with colostrum quality, followed by fluctuating ventilation, then a weather front that pushes calves over the edge.
A feedlot dip in performance linked solely to a ration change, when heat stress, water access, bunk competition and handling stress created a cascade of interacting pressures.

Each diagnosis contains a piece of truth, but each is incomplete when treated in isolation.

Systems Thinking: Looking Between the Parts

Systems thinking is the discipline of understanding how elements interact to produce outcomes. It challenges us to stop asking what caused this and start asking how these factors combined to create this situation.

Dr. Brian Vander Ley of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently spoke on the topic.

“Systems thinking is actually a derivative of a field called ‘systems dynamics,’ which is a highly mathematical modeling field that’s used to predict the behavior of systems based on components in the system and relationships,” Vander Ley explains. However, systems thinking takes out the math component. “It’s a set of tools, processes and principles that enable us to focus on the relationship between parts of the system and not just some of the parts themselves.”

A system isn’t just a list of components. It is:

The feedback loops between nutrition and immunity
The way ventilation interacts with pathogen load
How handler behavior influences stress physiology
How management timing affects microbial dynamics
How one week’s decisions become the next month’s disease patterns

The iceberg analogy fits here too: What we see in the cow is only a small fraction of what’s really happening. The larger drivers of disease sit below the surface and remain invisible unless we deliberately go looking for them.

The heart of systems thinking is recognizing that diseases are rarely linear. They are networked. They emerge not from one factor but from several interacting simultaneously, sometimes amplifying, sometimes buffering each other.

In other words, the elephant is not just trunk + tusk + leg + ear. The elephant is the relationships that connect those parts into a living organism.

The Veterinarian as a Systems Navigator

Veterinarians already intuitively use systems thinking. You’re constantly piecing together physiology, environment and behavior. The challenge is doing it intentionally rather than incidentally.

This means asking broader questions:

Where did the system fail and why?
What feedback loops are reinforcing the problem?
Which variables are upstream versus downstream?
What invisible pressures are shaping what I can see?
What happens if one part of the system changes?

When we ask these questions, we stop thinking like the blind men — competing diagnoses based on isolated observations — and start thinking like systems analysts, integrating multiple perspectives into a coherent picture.

This is also dependent on communication within the animal care team.

“Communicating about it is really important, because we are really sure about our own experiences. When I go out and collect data with my own hands and my own eyes, I’m very confident in that data, and when I see information that’s very different, I tend to disregard that information,” Vander Ley says. “We want to engage in a kind of communication that allows us to appreciate that we’ve got different pieces of the elephant in hand.”

Having an open dialogue between owners, producers, veterinarians and academics allows for a broadened perspective for understanding what the problem is.

Case Example: Reframing a ‘Simple’ Mastitis Problem

Take a herd with climbing somatic cell count and increased clinical mastitis cases. A parts-focused approach might look at:

Teat-end condition
Milking protocols
Bedding
Culture results

A systems approach goes further:

How has cow flow changed through the parlor?
Are fresh cows being mixed too early?
Has ration moisture affected rumen health and lying time?
Are staff changes altering consistency in milking prep?
Has heat stress reduced rumination and immune resilience?
Are equipment cleaning routines changing due to workload?

Suddenly, the rising cell counts are no longer an udder health issue but a system problem — a signal, not a cause.

Stepping Back to See the Elephant

The parable of the blind men isn’t merely about limited perspectives; it’s about the illusion of certainty that comes from seeing only one piece of a larger, interconnected whole.

Veterinarians do some of their best work up close: palpating, listening to internal sounds, evaluating subtle signs. But the greatest diagnostic breakthroughs often come when we deliberately widen our view and consider not just the parts but the interplay between them.

Systems thinking doesn’t replace traditional diagnostic skills, it evaluates them. It turns isolated observations into meaningful patterns. It turns symptoms into stories. It turns disease into a map we can navigate instead of a puzzle we must solve.

In the end, seeing the ‘elephant’ means seeing not just the cow or the herd but the interconnected ecosystem that shapes every outcome.

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

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 19:20:20 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mexico Takes Additional Measures to Help Fight New World Screwworm

Thu, 01 May 2025 18:11:39 GMT

USDA has announced that Mexico agreed to additional measures to help fight New World Screwworm (NWS). The U.S. had given Mexico a deadline of April 30 to follow protocols in place or the U.S. would put restrictions on cattle imports.

USDA Secretary Rollins posted on X.com that Mexico has resumed efforts to help fight NWS with the following:

Eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft
Waive customs duties on eradication equipment
Increase surveillance

(X.com)

Rollins says ports will remain open to livestock imports at this time, however if at any time these terms are not upheld, port closure will be revisited. The secretary had sent a letter to Mexico outlining the expectations for cooperation on the issue.

Protocols had been established in February after the pest was discovered in southern Mexico in November 2024.

“I am happy to share Mexico has continued to partner in emergency efforts to eradicate the New World Screwworm,” Rollins says. “This pest is a devastating threat to both of our economies, and I am pleased to work together with Mexico in good faith to protect the livelihoods of our ranchers and producers who would have been hurt by this pest.”

Rollins reiterated that USDA is working every day to keep pests and disease from harming the agricultural industry.

“I thank our frontline USDA staff and their counterparts in Mexico for their work to ensure the screwworm does not harm our livestock industry,” she adds.

NWS is a deadly parasitic fly that infests warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds and complications that can lead to death.

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Legislators Reintroduce Bill to Recruit and Retain Veterinarians in High-Need Areas

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:54:34 GMT

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation to help recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural areas, was reintroduced by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Representatives Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and John Larson (D-Conn.).

“In nearly every state in the country, there are shortages for veterinarians, especially in rural areas,” Sen. Smith says. “This record shortage causes serious harm to the health of animals and the public. Providing additional funding to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and updating the tax code to better serve veterinarians will allow more qualified vets to do vital work with our animals in underserved communities.”

Strongly endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), this would expand the reach and maximize the allocated funding of the highly successful VMLRP, which can help to attract veterinarians in USDA-designated veterinary shortage areas by assisting with the significant obstacle of educational debt. It would also end the federal taxation on VMLRP awards, allowing more veterinarians to participate in a program that offers up to $120,000 over three years for student loan repayment in exchange for service in one of the designated shortage areas. In addition, it would align the tax code with human and other healthcare professions’ award funds.

“Veterinarians are vital to the work of America’s farmers and ranchers and the integrity of our food supply chain. Yet many areas of the country suffer from lack of access to their services,” Rep. Smith says. “This bipartisan bill would make commonsense tax relief available to veterinarians who choose to live and work in the communities which need their help to care for their livestock and protect the agriculture industry from pests and disease. I thank my colleagues for joining me in reintroducing it.”

In 2025, the USDA declared 243 rural veterinary shortage areas in 46 states, which is the highest number of shortage areas ever, AVMA said in a release. Since 2010, the USDA has awarded 883 VMLRP awards to veterinarians; meanwhile, 2,197 applications have been received to participate in the program since its inception.

“Recruiting and retaining veterinarians through the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act is key to protecting our nation’s food supply, preserving animal welfare, and upholding public health,” Sandra Faeh, AVMA president, said in a release. “Livestock and public health veterinarians are essential to strengthening the nation’s animal health infrastructure and agricultural economy. We urge Congress to address this increasingly important issue by passing the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act.”

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$20,000 in Student Scholarships offered by Purina Animal Nutrition

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:38:07 GMT

Purina Animal Nutrition, along with the Land O’Lakes Foundation, has reopened its annual scholarship program designed to assist students with experience in livestock production and animal stewardship in pursuing their passions and furthering their education.

Undergraduate students and current high school seniors who have experience raising and caring for small or large livestock, equine and/or poultry are eligible to apply for a $5,000 scholarship. Four students will be awarded based on applications that illustrate the impact animal agriculture has had on their lives along with details on academic achievements, leadership skills, community involvement and a clear vision for their future.

Scholarship applications will be accepted March 18 through April 17, and awardees will be notified in June. Funds will be distributed for the Fall 2025 semester at their current or anticipated educational institution.

The scholarship is open to all high school seniors who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic semester/term and undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.

To learn more about and apply to the Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship, visit https://www.purinamills.com/scholarship .

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Gene Editing: Livestock Genetic Improvement Through DNA Editing

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:10:34 GMT

Traditional cattle breeding has always involved modifying the genetics of animals, but the term “genetic modification” is often associated with more modern biotechnologies like genetic engineering and gene editing.

“Often when people hear the expression ‘genetic modification’ what comes to mind is the whole GMO debate and scary memes on the Internet, or that if you eat GMOs something bad will happen to you,” says Alison Van Eenennaam, UC Davis animal biotechnology and genomics extension specialist. “That narrative has been very hard to correct.”

Van Eenennaam was a featured speaker during Kansas State University’s Cattlemen’s Day on March 7. Genetic engineering, which has been around for about 30 years, involves introducing transgenic constructs from other organisms, such as Bt corn. However, this technology has seen limited use in animal production due to consumer pushback against GMOs and the difficulty of introducing new traits into animals, Van Eenennaam says.

A newer technology called genome editing or gene editing has emerged in the last decade.

“Gene editing is basically just conventional breeding, but done more intelligently,” she summarizes. “This allows for the targeted manipulation of an animal’s DNA without introducing foreign genetic material. For example, researchers have developed a ‘PRRS-resistant’ pig by knocking out a gene that the virus uses to infect the animal. Gene editing can also be used to introduce beneficial alleles from one breed into the elite germplasm of another, without diluting the desired genetics.”

In cattle, gene editing has been used to create knockouts for traits like disease resistance and heat tolerance, as well as knock-ins to introduce desirable alleles like the polled trait.

“In 2009, we were able to define the entire sequence of the cattle genome, which gave us a look at the genetic variation that exists between cattle breeds,” Van Eenennaam says. “In the case of cattle, that’s about 3 billion base pairs of DNA that make up the cattle genome.”

She explained there are two ways to gene edit cattle — cloning and microinjection into zygotes. “The key difference is that cloning starts with an edited cell line, while microinjection edits the zygote directly,” she says. “Ultimately, the goal is to produce a homozygous, non-mosaic animal where both alleles carry the desired edit, ensuring the trait is passed on to offspring.”

Van Eenennaam explains a few of the cattle-focused gene editing projects have centered around traits like polled, disease resistance, heat tolerance and muscle development.

In the swine industry, she says gene editing is being used to improve a pig’s resistance to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRSV), a devastating disease that costs the swine industry about $1.2 billion per year in the U.S.

A gene editing project that could have a big impact the beef industry is surrogate sires or “artificial insemination on legs.” The process produces bulls that are generating semen from a different cell line. For example, a tropically adapted bull working in an environment where he is well suited, but his semen could be genetically, an Angus sire.

“You can basically do AI on legs, because you could naturally service with elite germplasm,” she says. “There’s a lot of different applications that have some potential to really benefit the beef industry.”

Gene editing technology still faces regulatory hurdles in the U.S., as well as the need to overcome perceptions among countries that buy U.S. beef.

Van Eenennaam says the main risks with gene editing are more reputational than safety-related, as activist groups may try to lump gene editing with GMOs. She encourages more discussion highlighting how gene editing can address issues like animal welfare and disease resistance in ways that align with consumer values.

Excited about the potential of gene editing to improve livestock production in a targeted and precise manner, she summarizes that regulatory approaches will be crucial in determining which applications reach the market and who can bring them forward.

You can watch her K-State Cattlemen’s Day presentation here: https://youtu.be/d7N7a6mYwDk

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Lallemand Animal Nutrition Awards $14,000 in Scholarships

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:46:45 GMT

The Lallemand Animal Nutrition Scholarship Committee awarded five scholarships to up-and-coming students and established scholars within agriculture. This is the tenth year the company awarded the scholarships, which reward students for their exceptional achievements and dedication to the field of agriculture.

“We are proud to support the next generation of agricultural leaders,” says Jeff Ast, commercial director for Lallemand Animal Nutrition, North and South America. “This unique program seeks both undergraduate and graduate students because our judging panel recognizes that dedication to agriculture can be found at all educational levels.”

The five students receiving scholarships are:

* Mary Lewandowski, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

* Sydney Wyman, who is majoring in animal science at Morehead State University

* Michael Starnes, a graduate student studying food safety at Texas Tech University

* Grant Fincham, who is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

* Mikayla Schlosser, a dual-degree veterinary student at the University of Minnesota, pursuing both a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a doctorate in population medicine

Students’ Future Goals

Mary Lewandowski – Undergraduate student recipient Lewandowski hails from a sixth-generation, 50-cow dairy farm in Bevent, Wisc. She recently graduated from Northcentral Technical College with associate degrees in agribusiness and dairy science. Lewandowski aspires to bridge the gap between consumers and agriculturists through a career in agricultural advocacy.

Sydney Wyman – Undergraduate student recipient Wyman has been immersed in the livestock industry her entire life, growing up in a small town in the Sierra Nevada mountains. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition and eventually become a dairy nutritionist.

Michael Starnes – Graduate student recipient Starnes already holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has interned with the National Farmers Union in Washington, D.C. With a long-term goal of working in food safety legislation, his current research at Texas Tech University focuses on Salmonella and E. coli mitigation strategies in beef and pork.

Grant Fincham – Doctoral student recipient Fincham grew up on a 200-cow Holstein dairy farm in northeast Kansas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Fincham is focusing on dairy cattle whole animal energy utilization in his doctoral program.

Mikayla Schlosser – Veterinary medicine student recipient Schlosser’s passion for poultry production and commitment to global food security drive her studies and career aspirations in population medicine. She is deeply committed to advancing the sustainability and security of global food systems.

For more information about Lallemand Animal Nutrition and the Lallemand Scholarship program, visit www.lallemandanimalnutrition.com.

Your next read: APHIS Answers Call to Protect Animal Agriculture

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.

Click here for more resources.

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

Texas Tech Veterinarian Weighs In On New World Screwworm

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:47:01 GMT

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has heightened import restrictions on animal products from Mexico since detection of New World Screwworm in a Mexican cow on Nov. 22. It has also intensified efforts in Central America to contain the spread of New World screwworm. Animal health experts say it’s warranted as it’s a significant threat to U.S. animal health.

“It can have a huge impact, certainly an economic impact, because it decreases the health and wellness of our livestock,” says Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery, Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. “We’re thinking about loss of animal use, and certainly thinking about our wildlife populations that could be decimated by this disease.”

The pest can infest any warm-blooded animal, including humans.

“The screwworm fly lies its eggs in an open wound on the animal,” Koziol says. “These larvae or worms just eat the flesh of that animal. It can be devastating to any animal that becomes infected with screwworm.”

Koziol advises producers to monitor herds, especially in the southern U.S., and use preventative measures, including sterile fly introduction or animal health products.

“It looks like Doramectin has about a 28-day efficacy period against this,” she adds. “Ivermectin is similar. We’re looking at those products and how we can use them as an aid in preventing disease.”

According to APHIS, it appears this case is isolated, which leaves the cattle industry asking when will the border restrictions ease for Mexican cattle and product imports.

Koziol says the border could likely open after Christmas or around the first of January.

“We’re working really hard to set up some pre-export pens that APHIS will go in and OK and feeling very good about the protocols set in place,” she adds.

Impact on Cattle Prices
Market analysts say when the border reopens it might hurt cattle prices in the South more than the North.

“They could break a little bit, but I think the reality of the deal is it looks like there’s enough people out there who believe that ownership is the key when it comes to having some cattle around them as tight supplies are very, very tight of yearling-type steers,” says Brad Kooima, Kooima Kooima Varilek. “That’s going to still put a prop underneath the thing because the cash index is so strong.”

The price impact will likely be short lived.

Read more: New World Screwworm: Latest Update from USDA-APHIS

APHIS Increases Import Restrictions on Animal Products from Mexico on Confirmed Case of New World Screwworm

Oklahoma Initiatives to Address Rural Veterinary Issues

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:03:40 GMT

Over the past several years, Oklahoma legislative and agricultural industry leaders have invested in supporting the OSU CVM, its students, and graduates. During the 2023 session, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority (OSUVMA) was created through House Bill 2863 for the purposes of supporting the educational, research, and practice activities of the CVM. The OSUVMA secures long-term support for clinical faculty, student training, and the veterinary teaching hospital, similar to how the OSU Medical Authority and the University Hospitals Authority support the state’s medical schools.

Additionally, during the 2024 legislative session, House Bill 3196, the Dr. Lee Denney Act, was passed to provide financial support for students pursuing a veterinary medicine degree at OSU to practice in rural Oklahoma communities and receive training to meet the needs of livestock producers. Preference for awards will be given to those students who are focused on large animal veterinary medicine, who are Oklahoma residents, and who agree to serve in a community in Oklahoma which has a population not to exceed 25,000. HB 3196 also provides language for support of large animal veterinarians currently practicing in similarly sized communities.

Oklahoma State University is joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) to support veterinary students and early career veterinary graduates in their professional development and address the national shortage of rural, food-supply veterinarians. The university is one of 10 schools participating in the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program. The program supports veterinary students across a number of areas, including tackling student debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities. More information, including educational modules for undergraduates, veterinary students, and veterinarians can be found at www.ruralveterinaryworkforcesolutions.org .

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is also collaborating with the FJF to assess Oklahoma’s unique challenges, as well as mechanisms to support veterinarians, producers, and rural communities. Oklahoma is one of only three states participating in this initiative. Data collection is currently ongoing from veterinary and agricultural stakeholders. Information will be analyzed to develop measures to support the veterinary workforce and community readiness.

Your Next Read: Benefits, Costs and Insights of Liquid Feed

Kansas State University Partners with Farm Journal Foundation to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:54:17 GMT

Kansas State University is joining a new pilot program from Farm Journal Foundation to support veterinary students in their career development and address the national shortage of rural, food-systems veterinarians.

The university is one of nine schools participating in the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program, which seeks to address structural challenges facing the food animal veterinary industry. The program, backed by support from the Zoetis Foundation, supports veterinary students across a number of areas, including tackling student debt and financial planning, developing business management skills, and learning how to engage with rural communities.

“This program was designed to aid students to advance their careers, and in turn, students also provide key insights of how to make the educational components of this program better,” said Clint Neill, PhD, Veterinary Program Manager at Farm Journal Foundation. “We are excited to see this resource evolve with student feedback, and we look forward to continuing to help them build robust future careers.”

The U.S. is currently facing a nationwide shortage of veterinarians to treat livestock and poultry in rural areas, threatening public health, food safety, and economic growth in communities that depend on agriculture, according to a recent report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation.

More than 900 counties across the U.S. currently face shortages of veterinarians, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only 3% to 4% of new veterinary school graduates pursue livestock or other food animal practice areas, a stark decline from 40 years ago when about 40 percent of graduates specialized in this area.

Expanding the role of universities and partners increases the opportunities for students and early career professionals to support a strong pipeline of industry professionals as the need grows. Through the program, participants will also get advice from Farm Journal Foundation’s Veterinary Ambassadors, a group of experienced veterinarians and educators who serve as mentors and champions of workforce development.

“A robust supply of food-systems veterinarians is critical to rural agricultural production,” said Dr. Brad White, DVM, Kansas State University professor and Farm Journal Foundation Veterinary Ambassador. “The Veterinary Workforce Solutions program is bringing together expertise from a variety of areas to address current challenges and identify opportunities to promote rural veterinary services. I think this program will be beneficial to current and future rural veterinary practitioners.”

To date, the pilot program has reached 450 students and early career professionals. Feedback from students shows more than 50 percent know where they want to practice and 70 percent know they want to start their own business in the future. Sixty percent of students say they would like mentorship after graduation.

Your Next Reads:
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How One Veterinarian Offers Support on Transition Planning to His Clients
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Systems Thinking Helps Bovine Veterinarians Address Complex Health Issues Like BRD

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:10:09 GMT

Dr. John Groves has spent the better part of 30 years addressing bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in beef cattle, with particular emphasis on high-risk stocker calves.

“This is very much a personal issue to me, as I practice in the town I grew up in, and my clients are my friends and my neighbors,” says Groves, owner of Livestock Veterinary Services, based in Eldon, Mo.

About 75% of his business is made up of what he describes as complex stocker operations, whose owners tend to be opportunity buyers.

“They buy on all days except Sunday, and they buy in all weight classes,” Groves says. “Their overall business plan is to add value to cattle by increasing their health status and assembling them into lots that are attractive to feedyards.”

With his stocker clients’ practices in mind, Groves realized early in his career that he needed to determine how to address populations of cattle over time instead of treating individual calves as they became sick. Eventually, he learned about and adopted the use of systems thinking to address BRD and other long-term, fundamental health issues in cattle that often defy short-term fixes.

Going Beyond Intuition

Systems thinking, in general, involves taking a holistic approach to addressing a chronic and challenging problem. Proponents consider the elements that make up the issue as well as how the elements interrelate, focusing on the goal of synthesis. The concept was pioneered in the mid-1950s, by Jay W. Forrester, a Nebraska farm boy who became a computer engineer and spent his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“I believe systems thinking is a good way to address complex problems, to think deeply about them,” says Groves, a founding member of Veterinary Advancement of Systems Thinking, a group of veterinarians interested in how the systems approach can be applied to animal health and production strategies.

Many bovine veterinarians already use some level of systems thinking intuitively and can benefit from taking it to the next level by looking at disease dynamics and their causes more comprehensively, adds Daniel Cummings, DVM, DABVP, Heritage Vet Partners, Madisonville, Tenn. Cummings has integrated systems thinking into his work, thanks to the introduction by Groves.

“We’re examining below the tip of the iceberg to better understand root causes of a problem in our cattle populations,” Cummings says. “I’m trying to dive deeper into the whys and consider all variables or risk factors that might be associated with a certain challenge. It’s not a linear way of thinking, from point A to point B. It’s a fundamentally circular way of studying an issue.”

Cummings references the Sandhills Calving System, used to mitigate the risk of calf scours, as a practice many bovine veterinarians are familiar with and that was developed thanks to systems thinking. The concept was developed by veterinarians at the University of Nebraska, led by Drs. Dale Grotelueschen and David Smith. (You can listen to an AABP “Have You Herd” podcast episode on the system at bit.ly/3qebKAE)

Consider Decision Outcomes

As Cummings identifies a meaningful practice or treatment he believes will help a set of cattle, he works through the potential outcomes before making recommendations to producers.

“Perhaps I’m going to recommend a change in the diet, because I think it’ll benefit the health of the cattle,” Cummings says. “So, I’ll consider what could be the potential unintended consequences of that decision, both the positives and negatives. How does this decision impact other stakeholders? Such as the nutritionist or feed deliverer? What are the costs and ROI? Does feeding the diet require other management changes?”

Groves often looks for leverage points in his clients’ operations to identify where a solution or tool can be applied. It is a low leverage point if a small amount of change causes a small change in system behavior. It’s a high leverage point if a small amount of change causes a large change in system behavior.

Reverse quarantining cattle upon arrival is a leverage point Groves often uses to minimize the opportunity for BRD infections. The idea is to protect incoming cattle from the existing population.

“In high-risk yards, instead of protecting the population from the incoming cattle, you protect the incoming cattle from the population already there,” Groves explains.

“Commingling is a major contributor to BRD outbreaks in high-risk stocker calves,” adds Cummings, who calls it “the daycare effect.”

Develop A Penning Plan

Groves encourages veterinarians to help clients create a penning plan to accomplish reverse quarantining. The plan should outline where new cattle will go, pen sizes and how long it will take to populate each pen.

Groves’ data, which he shared during an Elanco Animal Health webinar last fall, shows that keeping new cattle away from cattle pens that have been on-site the longest can result in fewer respiratory outbreaks. Additionally, smaller pen sizes reduce the probability of exposure, in turn, reducing the risk of disease transmission, making this a high-leverage tactic for cattle health management.

“I think this explains why stocker operations often will empty out and restart,” Groves says. “We have worked with some stocker operations to actually build in an empty pen to rotate through the planning strategy so we can take advantage of this benefit.”

To illustrate this to cattle feeders, Groves developed and runs a disease model that simulates how disease can occur. The simulation shows disease dynamics and the likelihood and rate of disease transmission among newly introduced cattle.

He shared the model with ag media during the Elanco webinar last fall. In addition, he demonstrated the model during a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension webinar:
Systems Approach to Maintaining Health in High-Risk Calves

Shifting The Burden

“Today, I have a better understanding of the importance of addressing fundamental issues like pen size and management,” Groves says. “When there is a fundamental issue, there is not a quick fix. It takes a lot of time, effort and resources to understand the issue and identify interventions.”

He says veterinarians can benefit from “shifting the burden,” employing longer-term strategies to fix or improve fundamental issues.

To illustrate this, Groves refers to a sinking boat.

“We often find ourselves in a situation where our boat is leaking, and all we can do is bail water; we don’t have the time or resources to patch the hole,” Groves explains. “But, long term, to properly use the boat again, the leaky hole will need to be patched.”

The same principle goes for mitigating respiratory disease in cattle, he adds.

“When I approach an issue like respiratory disease in cattle and the tools I use, I’ll think to myself: Does this need me to bail water? Or does it need a patching-the-hole in my boat strategy?” he says.

Staying A Step Ahead

Dr. Brett Terhaar, DVM, beef technical consultant for Elanco, says the battle against BRD requires a multifaceted approach.

“When it comes to BRD risk, one crucial factor is understanding the unique challenges posed by cattle’s physiology,” says Terhaar in a company news release. “Calves have relatively small lung capacities compared to their oxygen requirements. Due to their small lung capacities, when pathogens colonize, disease progression can be rapid. These calves can get what we call ‘knockout lung lesions’ in as little as 36 hours.”

Knowing this, Terhaar emphasizes the importance of identifying sick calves at the earliest stage of disease.

“It can be extremely beneficial to walk the pens of freshly weaned calves twice a day to make sure calves are coming up to the bunk, getting feed and acting normal,” he says. “Key symptoms to watch for include runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, drooping ears and anorexia, causing a lack of rumen fill.” He adds that early detection and intervention offer a higher recovery rate.

To effectively manage respiratory risks, a well-designed and executed plan is essential. Terhaar recommends addressing the following five elements:

Animal husbandry and management: Use low-stress handling techniques and provide comfortable living conditions with adequate bedding and stocking density.
Solid nutrition: Ensure cattle receive the necessary nutrients, protein in particular, to support their immune system throughout the weaning and transition process.
Strong vaccination protocols: Implement a well-planned vaccination program to mitigate the effects of BRD and other illnesses.
Strategic treatment: Keep two antibiotics of different classes on hand and treat cattle at the earliest signs of disease.
Accelerated gain: Utilize efficient growth strategies, like the use of implants, to maximize returns on investment.

Terhaar recommends categorizing calves into risk groups, particularly for purchased calves.

“High-risk calves are likely not vaccinated, haven’t been preconditioned and are commingled, whereas low-risk calves have been preconditioned and vaccinated. This differentiation is crucial, given the dynamics of disease spread and recovery,” he says.

For more news, check out:
Longevity in the Cowherd
Survey: Beef-Cross Calves Need Better Implant, Breeding Strategies
Health Traits Have Genetic Heritability in Calves
Failing to (Biosecurity) Plan is Planning to Fail

Purina Offers $20,000 in Scholarships to Students

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:07:37 GMT

Purina Animal Nutrition, along with the Land O’Lakes Foundation, has opened its scholarship program designed to assist students with experience in agriculture and livestock production in pursuing their passions and furthering their educations.

Now, along with undergraduate students, current high school seniors who have experience raising and caring for small or large livestock, equine and/or poultry, are eligible to apply for one of four $5,000 scholarships. Along with the impact animal agriculture has had on their lives, desired applicants will be able to demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and have a clear vision for their future.

Scholarship applications will be accepted March 18 through April 17. Awardees will receive their scholarship funds for the Fall 2024 semester at their current or anticipated educational institution. The scholarship is open to all high school seniors who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic semester/term and undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.

To learn more about the Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship and apply today, visit https://www.purinamills.com/scholarship .

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC ( www.purinamills.com ) is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other retailers throughout the United States.

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

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:13:59 GMT

Calves are worth their weight in gold these days. That’s a bit of an exaggeration but not much of one. Calf values are a big reason why thorough bull breeding soundness examinations (BSE) are so important.

If producers turn out a subfertile bull this spring, it means some cows in the herd won’t get bred. A greater problem on farms and ranches today: many cows won’t get bred in a timely manner -- during the first third of the breeding season.

Those problems are costly to cow/calf producers, reports Dr. Chance Armstrong, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“You’re losing 50 to 60 pounds of weaning weight every 21 days when the bull’s not efficient,” says Armstrong, who addresses the topic of BSEs, in partnership with Dr. Jennifer Koziol at Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine.

Remove Subfertile Bulls From The Herd:

Koziol and Armstrong want producers and veterinarians to focus on identifying subfertile bulls and removing them from the beef herd.

The best way to do that is with a breeding soundness examination, which is a four-part process involving: a physical examination, motility, scrotal circumference and morphology.

It’s important to understand the value of assessing morphology. Veterinarians are able to evaluate sperm shape, the various elements that make up the sperm and how it moves. Morphology involves more than just looking at sperm to see if it “wiggles.”

BSEs Are Good Insurance For Cow/Calf Producers:

Armstrong says the cost of a BSE offered by a bovine veterinarian in most parts of the country is usually under $100 per bull. That’s good insurance, especially given the alternative. Not having a BSE performed by a qualified veterinarian can cost a cow/calf producer thousands of dollars.

Below are calculations from two scenarios Armstrong shared with producers at the 2024 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual conference. The numbers are based on two 100-cow herds, one serviced by a fertile bull and the other by a subfertile bull.

When the final numbers were tallied, the herd serviced by the fertile bull delivered a whopping net advantage of $22,590.62 over the subfertile bull.

At least three things contributed to those additional dollars: more cows were bred, the cows were bred in a more timely manner so calves were born earlier in the season, the fertile bull’s offspring were able to gain more pounds by weaning time.

Calving Timing Impact
1st third of calving season: 226 days x 2.1 #/day + 75# = 549.6#
2nd third of calving season: 205 days x 2.1 #/day + 75# = 505.5#
3rd third of calving season: 184 days x 2.1#/day + 75# = 461.4#

Pounds of Calf
Fertile Bull (94 cows bred) Subfertile Bull (78 cows bred)
60 head x 549.6 lb. = 32,976 lb. 40 head x 549.6 lb. = 21,984 lb.
24 head x 505.5 lb. = 12,132 lb. 24 head x 505.5 lb. = 12,132 lb.
10 head x 461.4 lb. = 4,614 lb. 14 head x 461.4 lb. = 6,460 lb.
Total lb. = 49,722 lb. Total lb. = 40,576. lb.

Dollars Per 100 Cows
Fertile Bull Subfertile Bull
49,722 lb. @ $2.47/lb. = $122,813.34 40,576 lb. @ $2.47/lb. = $100,222.72

Net advantage of the fertile bull: $22,590.62

For more information on BSEs, check out these additional articles:

Veterinarians Raise The Bar For Bull Breeding Soundness

Cattle Chat: Evaluating bulls for breeding soundness

Schedule Breeding Soundness Exams Before Turnout

Breeding Soundness Exam: A risk management tool

The Importance of Breeding Soundness Exams

How Iowa State University is Developing the Future of Production Animal Medicine

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:01:33 GMT

A recent American Veterinary Medical Association study found less than 4% of veterinarians nationwide predominantly practice production animal medicine.

That’s why Production Animal – Veterinary Early Acceptance Program (PA-VEAP), a joint program between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Animal Science in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been established with the goal of educating more veterinarians who wish to practice production animal medicine.

PA-VEAP will recruit and retain future veterinarians to practice production animal medicine, primarily in underserved areas in Iowa and throughout the country, according to an Iowa State University release.

“Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of veterinarians in all sectors of the profession,” Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine, said in a release. “With the PA-VEAP program, we are helping to address the critical need for veterinarians to support Iowa’s $32 billion animal agriculture industry.”

An undergraduate program for students majoring in animal science or dairy science at Iowa State, PA-VEAP requires students must also be pursuing completion of an undergraduate certificate in beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine production management.

“The declining number of veterinarians supporting the production animal industry poses a significant food security threat,” Justin Brown, assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and the director of the program, said in a release. “This shortage also presents an opportunity for students interested in production animal medicine to become a resource for underserved areas.”

To launch the program, the first round of applications are due in late December 2023. Initially, PA-VEAP will enroll 10 students per year. Once enrolled in the program, students will be assigned a program advisor from both the Department of Animal Science and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“This program provides students with a demonstrated interest in production animal medicine a community of support and mentorship while gaining hands-on training and industry experience through the animal science curriculum,” Jodi Sterle, associate chair of teaching and undergraduate teaching coordinator in the animal science department, said in a release. “By participating in this program, students can gain valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing production animal veterinarians, and prepare themselves for the rigorous veterinary curriculum, as well as a successful career.”

Eligible undergraduate students completing their third semester post-high school (i.e. sophomores) with a minimum grade point average of 3.4 are encouraged to apply for the inaugural class. Undergraduate students entering Iowa State directly from high school can apply to the program after completing their second semester at Iowa State.

“Providing students with hands-on production animal experience is not only beneficial for their individual growth and development, but it also serves a greater purpose in training the next generation of veterinary professionals to serve agriculture across the country,” Jason Ross, animal science department chair, said in a release. “By partnering with the College of Veterinary Medicine, we have created a program where students gain valuable skills and mentorship while preparing to contribute to the advancement of animal health and welfare.”

To remain in the program, students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.4 while completing all prerequisite courses for admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine. Students must also complete a minimum of 300 hours of approved food animal experiences, as well as the undergraduate certificate. Successful completion of the program will result in admission to Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine (following review and approval by the CVM admissions committee), the release said.

More information on the application process and student eligibility is available on the PA-VEAP webpage .

Read More:

Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now

Why We Need to Reinvent Veterinary Care Now

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:50:38 GMT

What does veterinary care look like in the 21st Century? That question drove hours of conversation during the 21st Century Animal Health Symposium at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill.

A group of more than 125 veterinarians, animal health industry leaders and academia gathered to discuss the future of the veterinary profession on Oct. 27.

“I think our challenge is to reinvent how we deliver veterinary care. And care is about people, too. It’s about the receiver of care and the giver of care,” explained Jim Lowe, DVM, associate dean of Online Programs and Extension at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine .

Labor productivity is often a measure of economic success, he said.

“Veterinary productivity (care per vet hour) has not advanced at the same rate as the demand for care, which has led to overworked, frustrated veterinarians,” Lowe said.

Until the productivity gap is solved, he believes the industry will continue to see challenges around employee dissatisfaction and burnout.

“We have young vets being paid a tremendous amount of money when they graduate and they are still not satisfied,” he said. “We have to change some fundamental things around this.”

The Paradox

Adoption of medical technologies has resulted in better patient care creating more work, leading to increased professional dissatisfaction.

“Technologies have improved quality of care, but they often increase the workload required to manage each case,” Lowe said. “It’s much better for the patient, but we are killing the person delivering the care.”

That’s why a group of thought leaders are coming together to develop the Center for Veterinary Innovation.

“Meat production systems must continue to improve quality of animal care consistent with consumer expectations,” said Bradley Wolter, president of Windy Hill Meadows, LLC, and conference attendee. “The veterinary profession must take a leadership role in that objective as experts on the system. A center that creates an environment for supporting the profession with the capability of today’s technology will catalyze that role into becoming impactful.”

Lowe hopes the center can increase access to veterinary care and promote the sustainability of the veterinary profession by increasing the amount of care a veterinarian can provide while reducing the effort to provide that care.

“We have to figure out how do we – in this commodity market – create value for the animal owners and veterinarians,” he said. “I’m terrified we won’t have veterinarians in certain parts of the country in the future because no one wants to move there. How can we provide better access to care?”

Here’s the Ask

The model Lowe proposes will bring university, profession and industry together to solve problems.

“We think the University of Illinois can be a resource for the state with integration of technology, technology improvement, primary development, communication and education, combined with profession leaders to help articulate needs and share how they use new technology and industry to provide ideas, solutions and commercialization,” Lowe said.

They plan to build a new facility within the Round Barn Complex on the U of I campus to foster collaboration, creative thinking, problem solving and education to house the Center for Veterinary Innovation.

“We are putting a facility back in a spot that really started because of Extension,” he added.

So, what is the ask? Lowe is looking for people to join their journey to reinvigorate land-grant roots to address 21st century problems to improve how the veterinary industry delivers care, improves the sustainability of the profession and ultimately, the wellbeing of the animals.

Micah Jansen, DVM, Managing, Pork Technical Services Veterinarian at Zoetis, attended the conference and said it challenged her to think more deeply about how the industry can challenge itself to embrace technology to drive change in veterinary care.

“It’s not only about improving the actual care being delivered,” Jansen said. “It’s looking out for those veterinarians delivering the care so that they are engaged in their role.”

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

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:13:48 GMT

A producer calls up and says he needs help — one of his best cows just calved and has “lady parts” hanging out her back end. Before deciding next steps, some questions may need answered to gain a better sense of what’s next, advises Dr. Keelan Lewis, DVM, owner of Salt Creek Veterinary Hospital, Olney, Texas.

“Ask if it’s the size of a cantaloupe, a basketball or a feed sack,” Lewis says. “If they say a cantaloupe or basketball, you might say put her in a pen, and I’ll get to her as soon as I can. If they say a feed sack, it’s likely a uterine prolapse, and you need to pack your GoBox.”

A uterine prolapse is a true medical emergency requiring quick intervention, adds Dr. Meredyth Jones, associate professor, Oklahoma State University and Large Animal Consulting and Education.

While it’s best for veterinarians to “fix” a uterine prolapse, producers can be a valuable asset to provide assistance as needed under the direction of the practitioner.

“It’s about the worst thing that can happen to a cow,” Jones says.

A prolonged delivery, a large calf, and even low blood calcium levels can contribute to a uterine prolapse, Jones says. Most occur immediately after birth and nearly always within 24 hours of delivery.

“When I was in practice, we actually had a chart taped to the wall by every single phone in the clinic,” she recalls. “That way, no matter who answered the phone, they could help the client determine the type of prolapse, because it’s so important.”

Following are some common tools and tips, along with a handful of do’s and don’ts, four practitioners shared that they hope will help practitioners and producers, the next time this medical emergency occurs.

KEEP HER ON THE FARM.

Unless the cow or heifer is already halfway to the clinic, keep the cow calm and contained on the farm, says Dr. Lainie Kringen-Scholtz.

If the animal is on pasture, the producer should either walk her slowly to a pen or figure out how to confine her to a smaller area in the field. Some producers use ropes or fence panels to create a small, temporary pen.

“The whole goal is to keep the cow from moving too much and snapping the uterine artery, hemorrhaging and dying. Those arteries are fragile, so it’s a real risk,” says Kringen-Scholtz, associate veterinarian at Twin Lakes Animal Clinic, Madison, S.D.

One caution, Jones adds, is to make sure the animal does not get put in a head gate. “If she’s standing but weak you run the risk of her going down and choking,” she explains.

CONSIDER WHAT ‘TOOLS’ MIGHT BE NEEDED ON-SITE.

A cow uterus weighs well over 50 lb., Kringen-Scholtz says, so an extra person or two, such as the producer, may need to lend a hand.

Gather some beach towels and a box of large, heavy-duty garbage bags. Lewis uses the latter much like a washing machine. She envelops the uterus in the bag and then washes the uterus with warm water and a mild disinfectant. The bag also protects the uterus from potential contaminants.

Jones likes to use a garbage bag when the animal is recumbent on the ground in a “frog-legged” position. Once the cow is in place, Jones kneels behind the animal and lifts the uterus off the ground, while a helper slides one end of the bag under the uterus and over the top of the cow’s back legs.

If the animal is standing, Jones prefers to use a beach towel as a sling. “A towel won’t stretch as much from holding the weight as a garbage bag,” she explains.

Two people, one on each side of the cow, can hold the uterus off the ground with the towel while Jones works. “That allows me to focus on cleaning the uterus and pushing it back in, and it makes the process less tiring,” she says. “It’s really difficult to have to both pick up the uterus and simultaneously push it back in.”

Some veterinarians will pour sugar over the uterus to keep the tissues supple and reduce swelling, prior to trying to replace it. “Sugar removes water from the tissues, making it easier to push the uterus back into the pelvic canal,” says Dr. Shawn Clark, Redmond Veterinary Clinic, Redmond, Ore.

Jones advises against using oxytocin to try and shrink the uterus. “Oxytocin will turn the uterus into a brick and you won’t be able to replace it,” she says. “You want the uterus to stay big, floppy and pliable, so you can work with it.”

HANDLE WITH CARE.

Jones begins replacing the uterus by kneading and pushing it with the palm of her hand, starting at the cervical end nearest the vulva. Even with care, damage often occurs.

“Try not to use your fingertips, as they can punch through the uterine wall, but sometimes it is unavoidable,” she explains. “Some caruncles are likely to come off in your hand as you’re pushing,” Jones adds. “That can be really distressing, but don’t panic. You do the very best you can and realize that this is a tough situation, and there are a million things that can make a uterine prolapse go bad.”

Kringen-Scholtz agrees fixing a uterine prolapse is often a challenge, even for seasoned practitioners to correct.

“If the animal has anything hanging out after the cleaning, we consider that a uterine prolapse and an emergency, no matter how much is hanging out,” she says, adding that sometimes you will lose the animal.

“I remember how hard that was as a young graduate, but you have to learn how to let it go and move forward,” she says.

VETERINARIANS, YOU CAN DO THIS.

Once you have replaced the uterus, you need to make sure both horns are completely extended so a prolapse doesn’t reoccur, Jones says.

“Checking the uterine horns is relatively easy to do if you are tall and have long arms,” she says. “If not, you can use a pop bottle or wine bottle as an arm extension. What I do is stretch my arm and flap my hand up and down to see if I can shake that end loose,” she adds.

At this point you can decide if you’re going to lavage the uterus. Jones says she does not and considers it a personal choice.

Likewise, Jones says veterinarians have different opinions on whether to use a vulvar stitch. She favors using one.

“The only thing worse than putting a uterus in once is putting it in twice,” she says.

Jones administers oxytocin at this point to get the uterus to clamp down, which minimizes the chance of a prolapse reoccurring. Kringen-Scholtz’s adds her standard approach is to provide an antibiotic and prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, such as flunixin or meloxicam.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.

The treatment of a uterine prolapse is understandably not always a straightforward undertaking, Jones says.

“Replacing the uterus into its proper position is more difficult than a vaginal prolapse,” she says. “If a uterine prolapse is severe enough, the option of amputation is sometimes best. This option gives the cow time to raise her calf, but she would need to be culled due to her lack of a reproductive tract.”

However, if you are able to replace the uterus and the cow survives in good condition, Jones says she wouldn’t automatically recommend the producer cull the animal.

Kringen-Scholtz often does recommend culling. “It’s hard to know how much scarring is present,” she explains. “If the animal is really valuable, putting her in an embryo transfer program is another option to consider.”

When ‘Summer Pinkeye’ Strikes

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 17:14:09 GMT

Pinkeye – infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) – can impact the health and well-being of any bovine and is especially tough on calves this time of year.

Historically, pinkeye has been attributed to a corneal infection by the bacteria Moraxella bovis (M. bovis). Cattle are considered the primary reservoir of M. bovis, and infected carrier animals may harbor this organism year-round without showing any signs of eye problems. Once pinkeye begins in a herd, it is highly contagious and can spread rapidly by direct contact through nasal and ocular discharges and by vectors such as flies.

In recent years, researchers have also identified Moraxella bovoculi (M. bovoculi) and Mycoplasma bovoculi as potentially contributing to the problem, according to John Angelos, DVM, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Research has yet to confirm that these organisms actually cause corneal ulceration, a classic feature of pinkeye.

Infection Progression
M. bovis has at least two known factors that are important for its ability to cause pinkeye: pili and cytotoxin. The bacteria stick to and embed in the eye via pili proteins. “These are hair-like projections that allow the bacteria to anchor to the corneal epithelial cells,” Angelos says.

There are seven different serogroups of M. bovis pili, which explains why pinkeye vaccine use in cattle sometimes seems to be a hit or miss proposition. Angelos notes that vaccines may work better in cases where vaccine immune responses cross-react with Moraxella strains present in a herd. The opposite is true as well.

Cytotoxin released by M. bovis lyses corneal epithelial cells causing ulcers to form. “It’s a toxin that pokes holes in corneal epithelial cell membranes, thereby causing destruction of the skin cells. However, M. bovis does not stop there. Once it’s breached that layer of skin cells, it has a tendency to burrow even deeper into the inner layers of the cornea,” Angelos explains.

In the same manner, cytotoxin is also believed to be responsible for destroying white blood cells needed to fight eye infections. When white blood cells rupture, they may release enzymes that can further break down the cornea, making the disease worse.

“While this has not been proven, we think that it can increase corneal injury during pinkeye,” Angelos says.

Faster Diagnoses And Treatment Needed
There is no set time period from once the disease is noticed until it is a threat to the health of the eye, according to A. J. Tarpoff, Kansas State Extension beef veterinarian. The speed at which bacteria can damage the bovine eye highlights the need for quickly recognizing the problem and making decisions regarding treatment – especially if you opt to use antibiotics.

“As the disease progresses it develops an ulcer typically in the center of the eye,” Tarpoff says, in a university news release. “Either one or two things happen — it starts to heal, or it builds up pressure on the inside of the eye from the inflammation and possibly ruptures.”

Angelos says antibiotics are useful only if an active infection is underway, noting that oxytetracycline, tulathromycin and hypochlorous acid spray have label claims to treat pinkeye.

Extra-label drug use (ELDU) of florfenicol and ceftiofur for IBK has also been reported, according to Sandra Stuttgen, DVM and an associate professor with the University of Wisconsin Division of Extension.

Stuttgen reports that ELDU involving sub-conjunctival injections (often are sub-palpebral, placed under inner surface of the eye lid) using penicillin have anecdotal evidence of effectiveness. Sub-conjunctival/sub-palpebral injections have caused violative residues at slaughter markets, she cautions. Topical antibiotic ophthalmic ointments may also be helpful. See Stuttgen’s article Managing and Preventing Pinkeye .

If a case of IBK has already healed, Angelos warns against using antibiotics just because the eye looks abnormal. “If you see blood vessels covering the corneal scar the eye has already healed and antibiotics are not needed at this stage,” he says. “It’s important for producers to know that, because one of the most common reasons why cattle are given antibiotics is for pinkeye, and we want to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use as much as possible.”

(Farm Journal)

Supportive Practices Can Help
Angelos encourages the use of an eye patch which can help speed the healing process. He cites recent research by Gaby Maier, UC Davis beef Extension Veterinarian, that shows corneal ulcer healing times were faster when using an eye patch.

“Don’t seal the patch all around the eye as you need to allow for drainage and air circulation,” Angelos advises. “Check the eye a couple times after you put the patch on. While that might mean additional labor, you shouldn’t just assume the eye is healing just because it has a patch covering it.”

Stuttgen adds that promptly isolating affected animals is important for controlling IBK and providing relief from sunlight aids in recovery. Stabling affected cattle, applying eye patches or suturing the eyelids are also beneficial, she says.

Use Disposable Gloves And Disinfectant
Pinkeye agents from eye fluid and discharge can easily cover hands, halters and instruments and help spread these agents between animals. Use of disposable gloves, needles and syringes can minimize that potential.

Stuttgen reminds veterinarians and producers treating pinkeye cases to not touch active lesions with bare hands. “Don’t touch your own face or body, and properly remove gloves and wash your hands after handling cattle with pinkeye,” she says.

Using a disinfectant on equipment such as halters or instruments (e.g., hemostats/forceps) used to remove foreign bodies is also a good idea to prevent spread of any infectious agents. Angelos says an inexpensive and effective disinfectant for that purpose is household bleach at a 1 to 10 dilution (mix 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water).

Be sure to rinse used equipment in cool water to remove all organic debris before cleaning the equipment with the bleach solution, so it performs to its best potential, Stuttgen adds.

“Finish with a clean water rinse, dry and store equipment in clean, dust-free containers,” she says. “Thoroughly clean, sanitize and dry halters and/or nose leads used while treating cattle with pinkeye.”

When Plant Awns Are At Fault

Sometimes what appears to be a case of pinkeye is actually an eye injury caused by foxtails or other plant awns acting as foreign bodies in the eye.

(Farm Journal)

During examination, Angelos says you can usually differentiate between pinkeye and a foreign body acting as an eye irritant.

“With a classic case of pinkeye, you typically will see corneal cloudiness that begins in the center of the eye and moves outward,” he says. “Foxtails and other plant materials that become embedded in the recesses around the eye cause cloudiness that is typically on the edge of the cornea.”

If you find a plant awn like a foxtail, you can often use forceps to remove it. “They can be attached firmly, so you typically have to tug on them for removal. If they break apart, you may have to go fishing for them,” Angelos says.

(Farm Journal)

To help locate these plant awns, you can use your thumb to push back on the eyeball as shown in this example (Note that the fingers do not touch the eyeball directly, just the skin of the upper eyelid while gently pressing inward on the eyeball with the thumb.). Typically, cattle need to be haltered when performing this type of exam. Once the plant awn is removed, the eye will usually heal on its own. Have the producer monitor it, however, to make sure no further action is needed.

If the animal is particularly valuable, you can also consider proactively using antibiotics. “I would try to make an assessment of how deep the scrape appears,” Angelos suggests. “If there’s no evidence of blood vessels starting to grow in, you know it’s a very early lesion, and it may heal on its own without further treatment. Ideally the eye should be checked in one to two days after removing a plant awn to make sure the eye is healing and not getting worse.”

If the eye appears worse, Angelos recommends using an antibiotic. Stuttgen adds that, “Veterinarians may also determine the need for antibiotics by gauging damage to the cornea using a fluorescent stain.”

Pinkeye an Insidious Disease

Glenn Selk: Can We Select Cattle To Reduce Pinkeye Incidence??

Tips To Proactively Fight Pinkeye

Don’t Let Pinkeye Ruin Pasture Cattle Profits

Scholarships Available For Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 16:19:06 GMT

The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo (SVM) has received tremendous scholarship support for its inaugural class through various philanthropic efforts. Scholarships are essential in helping the school achieve its mission to provide access to world-class, affordable professional education. Scholarships enable student success and open the door to a professional career in very tangible ways.

One donor who clearly understands the school’s mission is Aurora Pharmaceutical Inc., headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota. After seeing Texas Tech University pursue and successfully develop a veterinary school, Aurora immediately jumped at the chance to be part of an extraordinary program by helping aid the next generation of veterinary students financially.

Aurora launched its brand-new Texas Tech Inaugural Class Scholarship Program on Nov. 1, providing $15,000 in scholarships to SVM students in the inaugural class.

“When you start a new school, everything starts new, including scholarship resources,” said Britt Conklin , associate dean for clinical programs at the School of Veterinary Medicine. “We are thrilled Aurora was an early partner that understood our mission and is offering a program that will be transformational to the success of the school and the student recipients.”

Aurora is offering four students each a $2,500 scholarship. Also, one student will receive an individual scholarship of $5,000. The deadline to apply is Jan. 14.

Qualified applicants must be a first-year veterinary student at Texas Tech. Aurora will select recipients based on a combination of academic achievement, related work experience, community and university involvement, goals, essay and letters of reference. All applications will be judged by a committee of Aurora team members.

“The costs associated with pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine can be daunting,” said Matt Klotz, equine technical service veterinarian at Aurora Pharmaceutical. “I am thrilled that Aurora has made the decision to support this group of students who are embarking in this program.”

By creating this program, Aurora joins the SVM to make a difference in students’ lives that will, in return, make a lasting impact on the profession of veterinary medicine. This program aids in the SVM’s mission to serve the needs of rural and regional communities and provides access to affordable, world-class veterinary education.

Program applications may be obtained by contacting scholarships@aurorapharmaceutical.com or by visiting AuroraPharmaceutical.com/scholarships

About the School of Veterinary Medicine

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo was established in 2018. In March 2021, the school was granted the all-important status of Provisional Accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) and welcomed its first cohort of students in August.

The School of Veterinary Medicine recruits and selects students with a passion to serve rural and regional communities. Its curriculum focuses on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practices that support these communities. Texas Tech’s innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

Grade Your Management IQ

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:00:30 GMT

Your veterinary business can be moving forward, but still falling behind.

“Management is more than just being smart and using your head,” says Danny Klinefelter, Texas A&M University professor emeritus. “Strategic management is about anticipating, adapting to, driving and capitalizing on change.”

Grade yourself in the following areas (i.e. with an A, B or C), Klinefelter suggests. In areas where you are deficient, set concrete goals to improve.

Are you strategic? How do you handle change? _______

Do you provide effective leadership? Do you communicate a clear vision of where you want the business to go? _______

Do you have a strong culture that attracts top talent? What is your turnover rate? _______

Do you use sound financial management practices? Do you understand your key financial metrics? _______

Do you have a marketing plan, and do you follow it? _______

Do you control costs, including family living? Are assets used effectively and efficiently? _______

How do you stack up against the competition? _______

Do you set business priorities and follow through on them? _______

Do you have a succession plan? Do you also have development and transition plans? _______

Do you see and understand the big picture? Do you have a strategy for major economic or policy changes? _______

Do you have policies and procedures in place? (personnel and safety policies, standard operating procedures, etc.) _______

Do you hold regular meetings to address concerns, business performance and expectations? Is that information shared with all vested parties? _______

Are you a member of a peer advisory group? _______

Are you getting better before you get bigger? _______

More Than Mycotoxins: Bacteria, Yeast and Other Feed Contaminants Can Affect Animal Health, Producers’ Bottom Lines

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 15:01:53 GMT

Dairy and beef cows are only as healthy as the feed they ingest — so feed cleanliness and hygiene are imperative for maintaining animal health and a producer’s bottom line. While molds and mycotoxins are among the most prevalent feed hygiene challenges producers face, they aren’t the only contaminants that threaten feedstuffs. Phibro Animal Health Corporation has partnered with Dr. John Goeser, Animal Nutrition, Research and Innovation Director, Rock River Laboratory, to host a webinar on the topic of feed hygiene.

Dr. Goeser’s “Animal Nutrition Tools for Diagnosing Dairy and Beef Health and Efficiency Issues Associated with Feed Hygienic Challenges” is now available as part of the MYCOmpass™ webinar series on the Phibro Academy platform and can be accessed here: https://academy.pahc.com/catalog/info/id:352 .

As a director of animal nutrition and research for Rock River Laboratory, which works with producers to analyze feedstuffs for a variety of contaminants, Goeser knows firsthand that when it comes to the feed bunk, there’s often more than meets the eye.

“Historically, producers have looked at fungal contaminants, like mycotoxins, as the potential culprit of feed-based health and production issues,” says Goeser. “While mycotoxins are extremely prevalent and are often to blame, it’s also important to consider other contaminants like certain yeasts or bacteria.”

Even without the presence of clinical signs, these contaminants may affect livestock on a subclinical level, detracting from performance and profitability, according to Goeser. It’s therefore in producers’ best interest to know what’s in their feedstuffs — and this knowledge often requires a deep analysis.

Rock River Laboratory offers a variety of feedstuff analysis panels, including mycotoxins, aflatoxins and trichothecenes, to start — but they don’t stop there. Goeser warns that ash content, bacteria and spoilage yeasts can also pose significant feed challenges.

Five Things to Know About Feed Hygiene Challenges

Excess rain not only sets the stage for fungal contamination but can also lead to bacterial challenges. “Healthy cows can often deal with feed-borne bacteria, but opportunistic pathogen contamination can contribute to upsets if another stressor or two is present,” Goeser advises. He cautions producers never to spread lagoon water or manure on green or growing crops, as these practices spread bacteria.
Ash content is an increasing phenomenon that Goeser says producers should put on their radars. Ash dilutes the energy content of feed and makes it more difficult to ferment and preserve. It’s also often accompanied by increased fungal and bacterial loads.
While it’s nearly impossible to completely alleviate the threat of mycotoxins and other feed contaminants, you can reduce their impact by considering nutritional stress points and implementing protocols and management systems to alleviate stress.
The presence of spoilage yeasts often indicates deteriorating feed conditions. “We probably under-recognize spoilage yeasts, because we don’t necessarily see them growing like we do with mold, but they are often the first organisms to grow when feed begins to deteriorate,” says Goeser. He encourages producers to take care in interpreting total yeast count data, which also account for live cell probiotic yeast.
Different mycotoxins act in different ways. Rock River Laboratory typically looks first for the presence of deoxynivalenol, which can affect tissue integrity, rumen metabolism and immunosuppression in beef and dairy cattle. Fumonisin affects the liver and kidneys, while zearalenone mimics estrogen, interfering with reproductive performance. T-2 toxin causes hemorrhaging and tissue necrosis, but this very potent mycotoxin is often under-recognized. “Very rarely do we find just one mycotoxin,” says Goeser. “Where there is one, there are usually numerous mycotoxins present, and the industry has a lot to learn about the correlations or lack thereof amongst them.”

Goeser and his team are using technology to make producers aware of mycotoxin “hot spots.” Their Feedscan smart phone app captures GPS coordinates with samples, allowing customized plots with results on a U.S. map. This knowledge, combined with a deeper understanding of dietary hygiene challenges, is helping producers make educated decisions in the field, in storage and at the bunker.

“Together, we can identify the contaminants and create prioritized action and mitigation plans accordingly,” says Goeser. “This targeted approach will help producers optimize animal health and performance.”

Registration for Phibro Academy is free and includes access to Goeser’s webinar and the entire MYCOmpass Mycotoxin Webinar Series. You can sign up at academy.pahc.com . To learn more about AB20® nutritional specialty product, a bentonite adsorbent that reduces caking and flowability issues by binding to moisture present in feed, visit pahc.com.

Merck Animal Health Bestows $270,000 in Veterinary Scholarships

Mon, 17 May 2021 19:27:00 GMT

Merck Animal Health has partnered with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) since 2013 to provide scholarship support to hundreds of veterinary students. This year, Merck announces 54 veterinary students from around the world received scholarships through the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. The selected second- and third-year students pursuing careers in companion animal or large animal medicine will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to support their educational endeavors.

“Veterinarians play a critical role in both caring for our companion animals and ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply,” said Scott Bormann, Senior Vice President, North America, Merck Animal Health. “We are proud of our partnership with the AVMF to award these scholarships each year to deserving students around the world. We look forward to the impact they will make throughout their careers, both in the animal health industry and beyond it.”

The AVMF, the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has supported veterinary students for more than five decades.

“The American Veterinary Medical Foundation is so pleased to have partnered again with Merck Animal Health to recognize exceptional veterinary students through much-needed educational scholarships,” said Dr. John Howe, Chair, AVMF Board of Directors. “Thanks to Merck Animal Health’s generous commitment, scholarship recipients have additional resources to help them pursue their educational and professional goals and opportunities. We congratulate the outstanding 54 scholarship recipients and thank Merck Animal Health for its continued support of students and the veterinary profession.”

Award recipients from U.S., Canadian and Caribbean veterinary schools accredited through the AVMA, along with select international schools, were selected based on academic excellence, financial need, leadership and area of interest within the profession. The scholarship recipients are:

Mohammad Shelim Ahmed, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Tahmina Akter, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Alexander Amalfitano, Ross University
Alexandra Attenasio, Cornell University
Chloe Baker, The Ohio State University
Tonmoy Chakroborty, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Kayla Chase, University of Minnesota
Jacob Crotts, University of Georgia
Siria Cruz, Oregon State University
Paola Cruz Ramos, North Carolina State University
Morgan Falk, University of Wisconsin
Emerald Ford, Mississippi State University
Emma Foxcroft, University of Calgary
Prathima Garudadri, University of California - Davis
Michelle Greenfield, Cornell University
Gregor Greer, Virginia-Maryland
Zubaida Gulshanara, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Cecelia Harmon, Virginia-Maryland
Mehedi Hasan, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Stephanie Heniff, University of Illinois
Kazi Towhidul Islam, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Shiful Islam, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Osman Khan, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Aimee Labrie, Michigan State University
Jarif Mahmud, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Shimu Moni, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Jude Morton, University of Saskatchewan
Iulia Osipova, Kansas State University
Alexis Payette, University of Wisconsin
Arasta Pervin, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Allyson Quigley, Washington State University
Ana Ramirez, Western University - California
Lela Remington, Midwestern University
Siobhan Rickert, University of California - Davis
Ganga Sagar Sah, Bangladesh Agricultural University
Rachel Sanchez, University of Georgia
Jay Schaub, University of Florida
Libby Schneider, Oklahoma State University
Emily Schuurmans, Michigan State University
Danielle Scott, Colorado State University
Reshmi Sensharma, University of Pennsylvania
Younus Shajid, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Shalini Shashidhara, Michigan State University
John Smith, University of Georgia
Kelsey Springer, University of Minnesota
Jose Suarez Rodriguez, Louisiana State University
Ryan Swanson, Kansas State University
Claire Takeshita, University of California - Davis
Spencer Traynham, St. George’s University
Alexis Urrea, University of Wisconsin
Jillian Western, Mississippi State University
Katelyn Williams, University of Georgia
Jocosa Yasenchack, The Ohio State University
Sharuk Zaman, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Breeding Herd Vaccination Plans

Wed, 12 May 2021 20:16:15 GMT

A critical component of herd health is a breeding herd vaccination strategy. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all vaccination plan. Producers should work closely with their veterinarian to design an approach to meet specific needs. This plan will be based on factors such as animal immune status, disease risk, biosecurity, and management availability. The best vaccine options will be those that provide protective immune coverage for diseases of concern balanced with a defined management timeline and expense.

Producers and their veterinarians should consider many elements when designing a plan. Some of the elements to consider include: biosecurity practices, risk of disease, the agents a vaccine should cover, the use of killed or modified vaccine, booster requirements, inherent risks, vaccine schedule and timing, vaccine cost, and handling and administration techniques. The current vaccination status of your herd and your planned timing of administration will determine whether killed or modified-live vaccine is the best. Pregnancy status will also factor into vaccine choice.

Vaccine coverage may include diseases such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, clostridial organisms (commonly referred to as blackleg and tetanus), leptospirosis, and others.

Each class of breeding animals may have a different vaccination protocol: heifers vs. previously vaccinated cows vs. cows with unknown vaccination status vs. bulls. Many producers will spend a great deal of time focusing on female vaccination protocols in their breeding programs, but bulls should not be forgotten, especially if they are new introductions to the herd. Customizing a vaccination protocol specific to individual groups in your program is always best.

Vaccinations selected for females should focus on diseases potentially impacting the individual, such as agents causing abortions and respiratory disease. Additionally, cows and heifers should be adequately vaccinated with strong immune systems to deliver a high concentration of colostral antibodies to their calves.

In general, all breeding animals should be vaccinated at least annually to cover the diseases of concern for your program and area. Vaccinations administered prior to breeding season should be completed at least 30 days prior to avoid vaccine induced stress or complications that could impact fertility.

HSAs Offer Health Care, Retirement Savings

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:39:17 GMT

Health insurance coverage and healthcare costs are among the greatest challenges for self-employed Americans, including farmers.

One avenue that provides for cost containment combined with the opportunity to save for the future is the Health Savings Account (HSA). “More people are becoming aware of HSAs and using them as a strategic approach to managing their healthcare,” said Nathan Link, Employee Benefits and Individual Health Specialist for PDCM Insurance, Waterloo, Iowa.

To qualify for an HSA, you need to carry a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). According to the IRS website , that’s a health insurance plan with a deductible of no less than $1,400 per person or $2,800 per family, with a maximum annual deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses (like co-pays) of $7,000 per person and $14,000 per family.

“HDHPs often have lower monthly premiums than traditional health insurance plans,” said Link. “Clients can save the difference into their own HSA account and use those funds to pay out-of-pocket expenses as needed. With traditional plans, you pay a higher cost whether you use the services or not. An HSA allows you to keep that money if you don’t have to use it.”

As a savings tool, HSAs offer a triple tax advantage*, in that:

Money deposited into an HSA is not taxed.
Account balances are allowed to grow tax-free; and
Funds can be withdrawn tax-free, provided they are used to pay for Qualified medical expenses , including those not covered by health insurance, like vision and dental care.

While your HDHP will be accessed through a private agent or the Healthcare.gov marketplace, you will have to open your HSA account separately through a financial institution. Many banks and credit unions offer them, and most provide options to invest your balance in stocks or mutual funds for larger growth opportunities.

Employers of a spouse working off the farm also may offer an HDHP/HSA package, in which case they likely will have the HSA structure already set up for the company’s employees.

HSAs are individual accounts. If you are married, the account is in one spouse’s name, but the fund can pay for expenses for your spouse and children covered on your health insurance policy. The annual contribution limit applies to the entire couple or family. In 2021, it is $3,600 per individual or $7,200 per family. That limit includes contributions that may be made by an employer.

If you will be 55 or older by the end of the tax year, you can contribute another $1,000 annually as a “catch up” contribution. If your spouse also is 55 or older, he or she can open a separate HSA and contribute another $1,000 to that account, according to OPTUMbank .

When you start using Medicare – typically around age 65 – you can no longer contribute to an HSA. But at this point you can continue to utilize the funds tax-free for medical expenses and/or your Medicare Part B or Part D premiums. You also have the option of using the money for any other purpose you please after 65. But those funds will be taxed as regular income, just like a traditional IRA.

“Before age 65, it’s never a great idea to use your HSA as an emergency fund for non-medical expenses,” advised Link. “You’ll be assessed a 20% penalty, plus the withdrawals will be taxed as income at your regular rate.”

You also cannot use your HSA funds to pay health insurance premiums before age 65. You can, however, tap them tax-free to pay premiums for long-term care insurance.

“If you can cash-flow your medical expenses and leave your HSA untouched, it will be a tremendous retirement savings vehicle thanks to its many tax-advantage features,” shared Link. “But even if you can’t, there is great peace of mind knowing that you have the funds set aside to cover medical expenses if you need them, and that you can maintain control of that money if you don’t.”

*There are exceptions to these exemptions in a few states. New Jersey and California assess tax on both your HSA contributions and they earnings they generate. Tennessee and New Hampshire tax earnings only.