Veterinary Practice

Genomics and the Evolving Role of the Bovine Veterinarian

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:58:16 GMT

Genomic testing is gaining traction in the beef industry, but for many producers, adoption still feels out of reach. The tools are available and the data is powerful, but the starting point is often unclear.

Increasingly, producers are looking to their veterinarians for guidance. The challenge is that many veterinarians are still defining what their role in genomics should look like.

Insights from Dr. Kirk Ramsey, professional services veterinarian, and Kelsey Luebbe, genomics technical services scientist, both with Neogen, highlight both the opportunity and the uncertainty shaping this shift.

An Expanding Role for a Trusted Voice

Producers have no shortage of information about genomics. Industry media, technical specialists and webinars all contribute to awareness, but when it comes time to make decisions, veterinarians remain a trusted source.

That trust is rooted less in genomics expertise and more in long-standing relationships and a deep understanding of herd performance. Veterinarians already play a central role in decision-making on many operations. Genomics is simply extending that role into new territory.

For many practitioners, genomics aligns closely with work they are already doing.

Veterinarians advise on heifer selection, evaluate bulls and track reproductive performance over time. They understand how cattle perform within a specific environment and how past decisions continue to influence current outcomes. This perspective is increasingly valuable as genomic data becomes part of the conversation.

“We have to be very diligent about looking for opportunities to expand our consulting realm because we have to maintain a capacity to provide value to our customers, especially as technology comes on and is moving forward,” Ramsey says.

Rather than focusing solely on treatment and prevention, veterinarians are being pulled into more strategic discussions, helping producers evaluate trade-offs and set long-term direction.

“We have to be on top of understanding what’s out there, understanding how we can provide value, and then at the same time, trying to be more than just the traditional veterinarian that we have always been. Maybe dive in a little bit more and leverage our capacity to understand the production systems and new technologies, helping our customers be progressive.” Ramsey adds.

This adjustment does not replace traditional services, but builds on them.

The Confidence Gap

Despite this opportunity, many veterinarians do not feel fully prepared to lead genomic discussions.

“As a veterinarian, I had no idea that my producers were looking to me for genetic advice. I knew they were looking to me for treatment advice, vaccination protocols or maybe even general production type questions, but I didn’t realize I actually had that much influence over whether they would even look in the genomic direction,” Ramsey says.

There is a growing awareness that expectations have changed, even if training has not fully kept pace.

“We don’t have a ton of training as veterinarians on genomics,” Ramsey begins. “It was a class we took at 6:30 a.m. back in undergrad, but I don’t feel like I learned a lot more in the DVM program.”

At the same time, industry organizations and companies are beginning to expand continuing education and develop resources to support veterinarians in this space.

The knowledge gap exists, but it is narrowing.

(Vernon Bewley - Neogen)

A Practical Entry Point

For veterinarians, stepping into genomics does not require mastering every detail of the technology. It starts with approaching it the same way they approach other herd-level decisions.

“If somebody comes and says, ‘Hey, I want to start testing,’ the first thing is to establish the goals. What are you trying to accomplish? Where are we headed? What are the things that we can help you identify? Where are the hurdles that you currently are facing and how can we help you move past them?” Ramsey says.

1. Start with herd goals, not genomic tests

Genomics is most useful when it is tied to a defined objective. Without that context, even strong data has limited value.

“Sometimes that conversation stalls because ‘What are your goals?’ is such a huge, open-ended question. So we reframe it: Where are you making money? Where are you losing money? Or, where does it really bother you that you’re losing money? That’s where we start,” Luebbe says.

Framing the conversation around economics makes it more actionable.

2. Use what you already know about the herd

Veterinarians bring years of observation and data to the table. Genomics adds another layer, helping explain patterns and refine decisions rather than replacing existing knowledge.

3. Lean on available resources

While genomics-specific training for veterinarians is still developing, practical information is available through industry partners, genomic companies and professional organizations.

4. Focus on interpretation, not promotion

The veterinarian’s value lies in helping producers understand and apply results, not in selling a specific test.

5. Integrate genomics into existing decision points

Genomics fits naturally into decisions already being made, including replacement selection, breeding strategies and long-term planning.

What Getting Started Looks Like for Producers

For producers, the biggest barrier to adoption is often uncertainty, not resistance.

A practical starting point is to focus on a defined group of animals tied to an immediate decision, such as replacement heifers. This allows genomic data to be applied directly without overcomplicating the process. Luebbe suggests making the process fun can be a good entry point.

“Test the animals that you’re arguing about with your brother,” Luebbe says. “Whether it’s the whole bunch, the bottom 50% or the top 25%. Do it so that you can gain some additional information to help you make better decisions.”

Optimally, testing should represent the whole group being evaluated rather than a small subset of top-performing animals, ensuring the results provide a meaningful picture.

Genomics works best alongside visual assessment and experience. It adds insight into differences that are not always visible but does not replace practical knowledge.

The Growing Intersection of Genetics and Health

While genomics has traditionally focused on production and maternal traits, its role is expanding into health.

“We’re starting to bring more health-driven traits to the table. Using genomics to understand the capacity of the immune system for the animal and their genetic risk of developing bovine respiratory disease or congestive heart failure. We’re starting to see this change in the industry and leveraging genomics to understand what health concerns our cattle might be having,” Ramsey says.

This shift strengthens the connection between genomics and veterinary expertise, creating new opportunities to improve herd resilience and reduce disease risk through selection. As these tools evolve, veterinarians will play a key role in helping producers interpret and apply this information effectively.

A Shift Already Underway

Genomics is no longer a future concept. It is a tool that is steadily becoming part of everyday decision making.

“Genomics will never replace a producer’s understanding of their cattle,” Ramsey says. “But what it can do is uncover that layer hidden underneath the skin and identify the genetic capacity that they’re actually bringing.”

For veterinarians, the shift is already happening. Producers are asking questions, expectations are evolving and data is becoming part of routine conversations. The opportunity is not to become an expert in every aspect of genomics, but to build on the role veterinarians already hold.

Getting started does not require having all the answers. It requires stepping into the conversation and helping move it forward.

Low-Stress Handling Isn’t Just for Livestock

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:11:26 GMT

We spend years learning how to move cattle properly.

We study flight zones. We talk about pressure and release. We redesign facilities so animals can flow instead of fight. We debate crowd tubs like they’re moral issues.

Then we walk into the clinic and bark at a technician before coffee.

Ashley Nicholls, founder of Reach Agriculture Strategies, has a way of making a room laugh before he makes it uncomfortable. When speaking on low-stress handling, he starts in familiar territory: prey behavior, blind spots, comfort zones. But he doesn’t stay there.

“We understand [cattle] are prey animals,” Nicholls says. “They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And their priority is survival.”

Then he pivots.

“Employees. Team members. Colleagues. They have blind spots. They have a flight zone. They hide pain. And at the end of the day, their priority is survival — it’s just workplace survival,” he says.

The room got a little bit quieter after that.

Flight Zones Aren’t Just Physical

In livestock handling, we read the pen before we apply pressure. We look for heads up, animals bunching, tension in the group. We understand what looks calm may only be a snapshot.

Nicholls reminds us this is the same with people: we may only ever get a snapshot. We don’t see what’s happening off screen — exhaustion, financial stress, family strain, imposter syndrome. Yet we respond as if the visible moment is the whole story.

Even simple gestures can make a big difference.

“Something as simple as starting with ‘good morning’ just opens a channel of communication,” he says.

In barns, we know better than to storm in loudly. The same applies for spaces with coworkers.

Communication: It’s Not the Words

Nicholls references the 55-38-7 rule of communication: 55% body language, 38% tone and pitch and 7% actual words.

“In other words, 93% of what we’re doing is completely non-verbal,” he explains.

This is an important consideration. You can ask a perfectly reasonable question and still raise the stress in a room if your arms are crossed, your voice is clipped, you’re standing too close or you’re not making eye contact. The words may be neutral, but it’s all in the delivery.

Nicholls points out cattle feel pressure long before they process anything else. Humans do, too. We scan posture, pace and tone for signals of safety.

“If I climb over the fence and I land in the pen and I’m big and loud,” he says, “All of a sudden the cattle are holding up on the backside of the pen — I probably did that.”

If the room feels tense, it’s worth assessing the energy you brought in with you.

Pressure and Release

Low-stress handling depends on timing. Apply pressure, get movement. Release pressure, allow the animal to settle. Teams are no different.

Nichols demonstrates this with a deceptively simple exercise: A group is asked to lower a lightweight pole to the ground while each person keeps two fingers supporting it. What should be easy becomes surprisingly difficult. The harder individuals try to correct it on their own touch, the higher the pole floats.

When communication is inconsistent or unclear, people push against each other instead of working together. Pressure escalates, frustration builds and the task stalls.

In livestock handling, we’d change our angle or soften the cue. In workplaces, we tend to repeat ourselves louder.

Are You Crowding the Tub?

Nicholls calls the crowd tub “the most poorly named piece of equipment in beef.”

The mistake? We crowd it.

Cattle need room to circle back toward the exit. If you pack the tub tight, they can’t move their feet. They can’t think. They lock up.

“If we take away their ability to make decisions, they also don’t have the ability to improve,” Nicholls explains.

Micromanagement works the same way.

Hover long enough and people stop taking initiative. Correct every move and they stop experimenting. Remove decision-making and growth stalls.

In livestock systems, we intentionally design spaces that allow movement. In workplaces, we sometimes build invisible walls.

Space to Mess Up

Nicholls is blunt about this part. Teams need space to mess up — and space to fix it.

Agriculture often sends mixed signals. We say we want initiative. We say we want ownership. Then we add, “Check with me first.”

He jokes about “seagull leaders” — the ones who hover overhead, swoop in to criticize or “steal your chips,” then disappear.

That approach creates anxiety, not development.

In ranching, you set the gate before you ride out. You create the conditions for success before you ask for performance. The same principle applies to onboarding staff, explaining expectations and clarifying the why.

Clarity reduces stress, autonomy builds confidence and release allows learning.

Low Stress Shouldn’t Stop at the Gate

Low-stress livestock handling changed how we think about welfare and productivity. It works because it respects biology and behavior. It acknowledges that fear blocks learning and pressure without relief creates chaos.

Humans operate under the same principles.

The uncomfortable question Nichols leaves behind is simple: if we’re willing to treat livestock with patience, intentional movement and respect for their stress thresholds, why wouldn’t we treat our teams the same way?

Low-stress handling shouldn’t stop at the gate.

How to Prevent Needlestick Injuries in Livestock Practice

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:30:05 GMT

Most injection injuries in food-animal practice never make it into an incident log. They happen, they sting and the work continues. But some of them are not minor. Some require urgent medical care, and recognizing which is which can prevent permanent damage.

Dr. Jeff Bender, veterinarian and director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Minnesota, recently spoke on the significance of accidental self-injection as an underreported occupational hazard in livestock medicine. It can be common to continue working, assuming the exposure is harmless, but that assumption is not always correct.

Immediate Response: Slow Down and Assess

When a needlestick occurs, the first step is to stop. Do not finish the chute run. Do not assume it is minor.

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and note the time of exposure. Identify the exact product involved, how much was injected and where. A superficial puncture through clothing is very different from a deep injection into a finger or thumb.

Bring the product bottle and label to medical care. Most physicians and emergency departments are unfamiliar with livestock pharmaceuticals. The clinical risk depends heavily on whether the product is oil-based, long-acting, hormonal, sedative or modified live.

As Bender emphasizes: “Make sure you grab the bottle, take this bottle with you to the urgent care or the clinic, and let them know this is what you got.”

Tetanus status should also be confirmed at the time of evaluation.

Certain exposures warrant immediate medical attention:

Oil-adjuvanted vaccines
Sedatives, such as xylazine
Hormonal products, such as prostaglandins

Further, if there is increasing pain, swelling, pallor or neurologic symptoms, medical attention is required. These are not wait-and-see injuries.

Not All Products Carry Equal Risk

The severity of a needlestick injury depends far more on the product than on the needle.

Oil-adjuvanted vaccines pose the greatest risk for local tissue damage. Oil-based products can trigger intense inflammatory reactions, increasing pressure within confined spaces like digits. Compartment syndrome, tissue necrosis and surgical intervention are real possibilities. Any digital injection with an oil-based vaccine should be treated as a potential surgical emergency until proven otherwise.

Sedatives present a different type of danger. Even small amounts absorbed systemically can lead to hypotension, respiratory depression, bradycardia or sudden collapse. Exposures involving sedatives warrant urgent evaluation and monitoring.

Bender shares a story highlighting how unpredictable animal behavior adds risk: “Recently, one of our residents had xylazine, and a rambunctious horse caused her to squirt it in her eye. She passed out, and luckily, she didn’t hit her head or anything.”

Hormonal products also deserve heightened caution. Prostaglandins and other reproductive hormones can have systemic effects and pose particular risk to pregnant individuals. What is a small dose for a cow can have meaningful physiologic consequences in a human.

Modified-live vaccines raise concerns about zoonotic potential depending on the organism involved, reinforcing the need for product-specific evaluation. Antibiotics and long-acting depot formulations are often underestimated. Allergic reactions, hypersensitivity and prolonged local inflammation are possible, particularly with depot products that extend tissue exposure time.

The guiding principle is simple: identify the compound before deciding the injury is minor.

Why Human Medicine May Struggle to Advise

Emergency physicians rarely encounter livestock vaccines or reproductive hormones. When a veterinarian or farm worker presents after an accidental injection, the provider may not know the formulation, adjuvant type or pharmacologic effect.

“Usually when I ask my physician colleagues this question… they really don’t have a clue,” Bender says.

Without clear product information, evaluation becomes guesswork.

This places veterinarians in the role of interpreter. Providing the exact product name, formulation and safety data sheet allows healthcare providers to assess risk accurately. Keeping that documentation accessible in clinic trucks or digital files is a simple and effective safeguard.

Prevention Starts Before the Stick

Injection injuries are often described as inevitable. In reality, many are predictable.

Fatigue at the end of processing days, poorly restrained animals and hurried recapping of needles are high-risk moments. Sedatives and oil-based vaccines deserve heightened procedural caution. For certain products, two-person administration may be appropriate.

Facility conditions also matter. Safe chutes, adequate lighting and readily available sharps containers reduce impulsive decision-making. A stocked first-aid kit everyone can locate is not optional. On many farms, especially those with newer employees or language barriers, safety training around injectable products may never have been formalized.

Risk reduction in this context does not require complex protocols. It requires intentional practice.

Key prevention points include:

Avoid recapping needles whenever possible
Ensure secure animal restraint before injection
Use appropriate needle length and gauge
Keep sharps containers accessible
Review high-risk drugs with staff before use

Take It Seriously

Food animal practice involves powerful pharmaceuticals administered in dynamic environments. Accidental injection is a predictable hazard of the profession.

The obligation is straightforward. Stop when it happens. Identify the product. Seek care when indicated. Build systems that reduce risk for the next time.

Needlestick injuries are not badges of experience. They are occupational exposures. And they deserve respect.

Why Your Chute-Side Manner Matters

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 22:21:25 GMT

Good chute-side manner isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about how cattle experience handling, how accurately treatments are delivered and how safely people can work. During a chute-side demonstration at CattleCon in Nashville, Tenn., Ron Gill and Paige Pratt emphasized that many of the most common problems seen later — leakage, injection-site reactions, poor efficacy and safety risks — start with small decisions made at the chute.

From how handlers move around cattle to how needles and syringes are selected and used, chute-side technique plays a central role in animal welfare and Beef Quality Assurance outcomes.

1. Movement Around the Cow in the Chute Matters

Handlers continue to influence cattle behavior even after the headgate closes. Gill showed how small changes in handler position — stepping forward, stepping back or changing angle — can prompt cattle to adjust their stance and head position. Using your movement when the animal is inside the chute can improve neck access and reduce resistance, allowing procedures to be performed more calmly and accurately without escalating stress.

“One thing you can do a lot of times, you can step forward,” says Gill, who proceeded to move to the front of the cow. “Notice that the animal steps back when I do that, and then I’ve got better neck access.”

2. Proper Restraint Determines Accuracy and Safety

Accurate injections and safe handling depend on adequate restraint. When cattle are not properly positioned, injections are more likely to leak or be misplaced and handlers are placed at greater risk. The speakers caution against leaning into crowded or partially restrained animals and emphasize that rushing procedures undermines both safety and efficacy.

“If you have to lean over in there to give a shot and one of them throws her head up or jumps, then that’s where people get hurt,” says Gill, who advises against working cattle in line for the chute without restraint, even if they’re packed in tight.

3. Needle and Syringe Selection Is a Chute-Side Decision

Choosing the correct needle and syringe is part of chute-side technique, not an afterthought. Needle gauge and length must match cattle size, skin thickness and injection route. Inappropriate needle selection or damaged equipment increases pain, leakage and treatment failure, particularly when combined with poor restraint or rushed technique.

“The lighter those cattle are, probably the smaller gauge, the smaller diameter we want,” says Pratt. She also highlights the importance of needle length, to make sure the injectable is getting to the right depth, and syringe tip style, favoring Luer lock.

4. How Syringes Are Handled Affects Whether Products Work

Syringe handling influences dosing accuracy and product effectiveness. Common chute-side mistakes include exposure to sunlight, contamination during filling and improper cleaning practices. These errors can reduce vaccine efficacy before the product ever enters the animal, making careful syringe management a critical part of chute-side manner.

“Once you sterilize these, don’t be pulling the plunger back until you have a needle in a bottle,” Gill says. “What have you just done? You sucked all the dust out of the corral into your syringe.”

5. Chute-Side Manner Reflects Management Priorities

Chute-side habits reflect how seriously an operation takes stewardship and animal welfare. Consistent techniques such as using the same locations, spacing injections appropriately and avoiding shortcuts help prevent long-term problems such as abscesses and lost performance.

“If you’re going to be doing it, spending the money ... do it correctly,” Gill says.

Refining these small chute-side decisions ensures that every animal is treated with the respect it deserves and every investment is given the best chance to succeed.

5 Tips for Vaccine Handling

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:53:41 GMT

Vaccines are one of the most effective and economical tools available to maintain herd health, reduce disease loss and support animal well-being. However, even the best vaccine can fail if it’s not handled correctly. Dr. Jon Townsend, dairy technical services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, recently touched on the topic during a Dairy Calf and Heifer Association webinar .

“You’ve made the investment in those vaccines. You want to get the best response out of them. You want to get the best cow health possible,” Townsend says.

Whether you’re working with calves, replacement heifers or mature cattle, following consistent vaccine handling practices ensures your investment delivers the intended immunity. Here are five key guidelines to keep in mind.

1. Store Vaccines at the Right Temperature

Vaccines are sensitive, biological products. Many must be kept refrigerated at a specific temperature range to remain effective.

Use a dedicated refrigerator (not the one used for drinks and lunches), as frequent door opening causes temperature swings.
Place a thermometer in the fridge to monitor temperature regularly.
Avoid storing vaccines in the refrigerator door where temperatures fluctuate the most.

2. Don’t Mix all your Vaccine at Once

Many livestock vaccines are sold as two-part products. Once mixed, the live organisms begin to break down.

“Only mix what you’ll use in the next one to two hours if you have to mix up a vaccine,” Townsend advises. “Your modified live vaccines you have to mix. So don’t mix a huge bottle that’s going to take the whole day to use. By the time you get to the last dose that vaccine has potentially degraded, and you won’t get the same response that you would have immediately after reconstitution.”

3. Keep Mixed Vaccines Cool and Out of Sunlight

Heat and sunlight can rapidly damage vaccines, particularly modified-live vaccines.

Keep syringes and mixed bottles in an insulated cooler with cold packs.
Do not place vaccine bottles on the chute, in your shirt pocket, or on a truck dashboard.
Check your cooler throughout the day to ensure cold packs are still cold and not melted.

Unsure about what cooler to use? Consider making it yourself.

“You can either buy a fancy one, or you can make one yourself with an Igloo cooler and drill some holes,” Townsend says. In the end, the goal is the same. “It’s really important to keep that vaccine cool. If you’re using a multi-dose syringe, make sure you’re keeping [it] cool between calves.”

4. Maintain Needle Cleanliness

Contamination can destroy vaccine potency and introduce infection to animals.

Use new clean needles when drawing vaccine from the bottle.
Do not set uncapped syringes or needles down on surfaces like tailgates or barn rails.
If a needle becomes dirty, bent or touches anything questionable, replace it.

“We need to be thinking about changing out needles more frequently than [we] did 30 years ago,” Townsend says. “Then disinfect the needle and syringes after use or dispose of them, and think about disinfecting multi-dose syringes.”

Townsend also highlights the importance of making sure there is no disinfectant residue remaining after cleaning as it has the potential to inactivate your vaccines. Producers and veterinarians should work together to set up protocols for syringe reuse.

5. Use Sharp, Appropriate Needles

A sharp needle ensures a clean injection and reduces animal discomfort.

Replace needles regularly and check for sharpness.
Choose needle size based on animal size, vaccine viscosity and route of administration:
- Subcutaneous: typically 16 to 18 gauge, ½" to ¾"
- Intramuscular: typically 16 to 20 gauge, 1" to 1½"

Townsend specifically warns about the development of burrs, small barbs or defects that can catch on skin, on your needles after too many uses.

“If you wouldn’t want it going into your arm for a vaccine, you shouldn’t be putting it into a cow or calf either,” he says.

Overall, the immunity an animal gains from vaccination is only as good as the care taken in handling the product. Proper storage, careful mixing, maintaining temperature and using clean, sharp needles are straightforward steps that protect your investment and your herd.

Understanding Umbilical Health in Calves

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:51:43 GMT

Umbilical health might seem routine, but what happens at the navel in the first few days of life can shape a calf’s future health and productivity. The umbilicus isn’t just an anatomical leftover from fetal life; it’s a critical gateway for infection and a window into broader calf health and welfare.

After birth, the umbilical cord should naturally dry and detach. However, until proper drying has occurred, it acts as an open pathway for pathogen entry. When bacteria colonize that space, it results in omphalitis, or infection of the umbilical area, which could manifest as naval ill, urachal infection or full-thickness abscesses. Left unchecked, infection can spread into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of more severe illness.

Despite being often overlooked, naval infections are the third most common cause of disease. The reported prevalence of umbilical infection ranges widely from ~1% in older research to ~30% in more recent studies. These variations underscore how inconsistent case definitions and diagnostic criteria are and how much space for improvement there is.

Most naval infections happen within the first two weeks of life, with seven to 14 days of age being where you see the peak occurrence.

Signs of a healthy umbilical cord

Dry, shriveled and inflexible
No swelling, heat, pain, discharge or foul odor
By one week of age, it should be about the size of your thumb

Signs of an unhealthy umbilical cord

Swollen, especially if larger than 1.5 cm in diameter
Hot to the touch
Painful when touched; the calf might flinch or kick
Discharge, pus or a foul smell
Moist or wet

Umbilical Health Risk Factors

The conditions surrounding calving have the greatest influence on umbilical health. A clean, dry environment minimizes bacterial exposure to the severed cord, while damp or dirty bedding creates ideal conditions for infection. Calves born in unsanitary or overcrowded maternity areas are at a higher risk of infection.

Difficult or assisted births compound this risk. Prolonged delivery increases umbilical trauma and delays cord closure, creating a route for pathogen invasion. Heavier calves often experience greater strain and tissue damage around the umbilicus due to more difficult births.

Male calves tend to be at a higher risk of umbilical infection due to the location of the male urinary tract meatus contributing to wetness of the umbilical area.

Prevention and Management of Umbilical Infection

When asked how producers could address umbilical health, Dr. Dave Renaud of the Ontario Veterinary College offered the following on “The Healthy Calf” podcast :

“If you look at umbilical infections, they do have really serious repercussions. Calves with an umbilical infection have an increased risk of mortality,” he says. “They have reduced daily gain. They have reduced survival to first lactation … Going out and getting an understanding of how common it is on your farm is really the first step towards knowing if you need to put different prevention methods in place.”

Disinfect immediately: After birth, disinfect the stump with a navel dip with 2% chlorhexidine or 7% iodine, as soon as the calf is breathing well.
Provide clean housing: Keep the maternity and calf housing areas clean and dry to minimize exposure to pathogens.
Monitor daily: Check the navel at least once daily for the first week for any signs of infection.
Consult a veterinarian: If you suspect an infection, consult your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan, especially for more severe cases involving hernias or systemic infections.
Avoid transport: Do not transport calves with a “wet” navel as they are vulnerable to infection. Wait until the umbilical cord has fallen off and there is no evidence of infection.

5 Sampling Tips for Improved Diagnostics

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:28:35 GMT

You’d be hard-pressed to find a veterinarian or producer who hasn’t been frustrated with a diagnostic result. When it comes to herd health, good diagnostics are like detective work, but even the best tests can’t help if the wrong evidence is collected.

Sampling isn’t just grabbing what’s handy; it’s a deliberate process that links a clear question to the right animal, tissue and timing. Getting that process right saves money, reduces frustration and leads to faster, more confident decisions.

Here are five practical ways producers and veterinarians can work together to improve sample collection on the farm so that every diagnostic submission counts.

1. Start With the Right Question

Before taking a single sample, step back and ask: What do we want to know?

“Your diagnostic question really drives everything from sample selection to animal selection,” says Drew Magstadt of the Iowa State University Diagnostic lab. “If we don’t define the problem — What are you seeing? What’s going on? Why are you calling the lab? — we can’t really formulate a differential diagnosis list that we ask a diagnostic question.”

Taking samples “just to see what turns up” often leads to inconclusive results and wasted effort.

Field tip: Include your diagnostic question on your submission form. This helps the lab choose the best testing pathway and increases your chances of getting actionable answers.

2. Choose the Right Animals To Sample

When disease strikes, not all animals tell the same story. Aim to collect from animals showing early or typical clinical signs, not just those that are terminally ill.

“The answer isn’t always ‘the dead one that’s in front of us,’” stresses Magstadt. “Focus on acutely affected, untreated and representative animals.”

For herd investigations, sample several animals within the same group or age class to capture variation. In some cases, sampling a few seemingly healthy herdmates could provide valuable comparison data. Sampling only the worst looking survivors or those already treated with antibiotics could mask the cause of disease or send you down the wrong diagnostic path.

Field tip: For mortality events, select the freshest animals possible for necropsy. Early submissions preserve tissue integrity and increase the odds of a meaningful result.

3. Take the Correct Sample Type and Handle It Properly

Even the perfect sample loses its value if it degrades before reaching the lab. The sample type, container and preservation method matter just as much as the collection itself. Each diagnostic test has its own validated sample requirements. Using the wrong media, failing to chill samples or letting tissues autolyze can render tests useless.

On an episode of “ DocTalk ,” Dan Thompson highlighted some considerations for sample collection: “Being able to take the size of the sample from the right spot so that you have healthy tissue next to diseased tissue for histology. Getting the proper sample so that if you’re going to isolate pathogens you can. Whether you [need] fixed or fresh tissue. You need to work with your veterinarian who will know exactly what [you] want to have.”

A few extra minutes of planning can save days of waiting for a “sample unsatisfactory” call.

Field tip: Check your diagnostic lab’s sampling guide before collection and label everything clearly (animal ID, tissue, date).

4. Record Good Clinical and Herd Information

Providing accurate clinical histories and observations helps diagnosticians interpret findings in context. Include information such as onset and duration of illness, number of animals affected, treatments used, feed changes and vaccination history. Consider including photos if applicable.

This kind of supporting information allows labs to match findings with disease patterns and may even prompt recommendations for additional or alternative testing.

The Beef Cattle Research Council has put together a great resource for anyone interested in leveling up their animal health record-keeping.

Field tip: Use your herd health software to standardize the process. The more detail you include, the better.

5. Sample Early and Sometimes More Than Once

Timing matters. By the time a sick animal has been treated, recovered or died, diagnostic clues may have vanished.

Magstadt stressed that it’s possible to get a negative diagnostic test in a positive animal based on when a sample was taken. You must take into account “the timing of disease, when we would expect large amounts of the pathogen to be there, when we wouldn’t, and the different pathogens [involved].”

Whenever possible, collect samples early in the course of disease — ideally before antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory treatment. For diseases with intermittent shedding, repeat sampling over several days increases detection odds. Also consider whether pooled or composite sampling might make sense for your diagnostic goals.

Field tip: Keep sampling supplies ready on-farm so you can act immediately when new cases appear. Rapid responses can mean the difference between inconclusive results and a valuable diagnosis.

How Can We Improve Chuteside Diagnostics?

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:32:04 GMT

When a coughing steer steps into the chute, you might only have a few moments to decide if this animal is likely to recover with treatment or will further intervention be futile. The difference matters, not only for the animal’s welfare but for treatment costs, labor and antimicrobial stewardship.

Dr. Brad White of Kansas State University has been working on ways to make those chuteside decisions more accurate. His recent presentation at the 2025 American Association of Bovine Practitioners Annual Conference laid out new tools and technologies that could be incorporated into everyday feedlot medicine.

“[The] goal of chuteside testing is not just diagnostics, it’s which bucket can I put [the animal] in,” White says. “What if I could change the likelihood, or I had a diagnostic tool that would give me a better prognosis, and I had more chance of putting the ones that were going to live into this bucket and more chance of putting the ones that won’t live into the other bucket.”

White suggests thinking of chuteside decision-making using the Chuteside Ps:

Precision: How accurately can we distinguish specific disease syndromes that might display similar clinical signs?
Prescription: What treatment is appropriate based on the specific disease status?
Psychology: How do our own biases shape decisions under pressure?
Prioritization: Which cases should be segregated to provide additional therapeutic and management procedures to a smaller subset?
Prognosis: What is the animal’s likelihood of recovery?

Why this matters

Misclassification can have real economic consequences. In a study evaluating over 3,800 calves diagnosed with acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) chuteside, 42% of treated animals finished the feeding phase and showed positive return, while 25% were culled and 33% died.

On average, estimated net returns were positive for cattle that finished with their cohort, even after multiple treatments ($98 for one treatment, $85 for two, and $46 for three). Animals that were culled after one to three treatments averaged negative $900 of net returns, meaning that in all cases, it would have been better to keep the calf then cull it.

While most veterinarians might consider AIP a death sentence diagnosis for cattle, this work demonstrates that is not always the case.

Clinician bias cannot be ignored when considering diagnosis. Under pressure, veterinarians and feedlot crews might over-diagnose or lean on familiar categories.

For example, AIP is most frequently diagnosed at 80 to 140 days on feed; however, necropsy evaluations have shown a more even distribution of cases throughout the feeding phase.

Chuteside technologies might be useful to incorporate in an effort to avoid inherent human biases.

Chuteside Tools

There are several tools under investigation that could be useful for chuteside antemortem cattle assessment. Three that have shown some promise are:

Cardiac troponin I: Elevated levels have been shown to be highly specific for poor outcomes in bovine respiratory disease cases, though sensitivity is limited. Animals testing positive have a much lower likelihood of successful recovery.

Mucous membrane assessment: Animals with abnormal mucous membranes have been found less likely to finish. However, this testing had low sensitivity and high specificity.

Targeted thoracic ultrasound: Can be used to reveal interstitial changes that are not apparent on a physical exam, helping differentiate acute from chronic respiratory conditions.

Along with these, predictive models using multiple diagnostic inputs have shown promise for determining case outcomes. However, these are hard to use quickly chuteside.

“There’s no single metric that’s going to get us there,” White advises. “Our thought process is that we’re likely going to have to combine [metrics]. Part of the trick is figuring out which places to apply them.”

Practical Challenges

Integrating new diagnostics is not without hurdles. Equipment cost, chuteside practicality and training all matter. Time pressures in the chute are real, and not every feedlot crew is ready to adopt ultrasound or biochemical assays into their routine.

Field validation is another concern. Tools that work in controlled research settings might not always translate seamlessly to the dusty, high-pressure environment of a feedlot. Veterinarians must balance the potential gains with the realities of implementation.

Looking Ahead

White hopes that each veterinarian and producer asks themselves these important questions:

“How can I be more precise with these cases, and how can I use prognosis to prioritize them based on my management decisions? We’ve got many of the same classes of treatments and therapies that we’ve had for years; how can we make sure that we’re using them at the right place and the right time?”

Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Putting People First During National Farm Safety and Health Week

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:58:33 GMT

Farm Health and Safety Week is a chance to focus on something agriculture often overlooks: the health of the people who make it all possible. Veterinarians and producers alike pour their energy into the care of livestock, but the demands of the job can take a toll on both body and mind. Protecting your health is not selfish, it’s the foundation for sustaining your animals, your business and your community.

The challenges of farming and veterinary work are not only physical. Stress, financial pressure, unpredictable weather, disease outbreaks and tough animal welfare decisions can all weigh heavily on the minds of both veterinarians and producers. Mental health is inseparable from physical health; stress increases fatigue, reduces immunity and makes injuries more likely.

Andi Davison, licensed veterinary technician and positive change agent with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, recognizes the importance of allowing yourself to focus on your own mental health

“We are very good at focusing on our patients and our clients and our communities and our farms and our agriculture because it matters, and it all depends on the veterinary professionals and producers that are out there in the field doing the things,” Davison says. “It’s really easy to forget how valuable we are as professionals to that equation. I really believe that starting with a mindset that gives us permission to see ourselves as a valuable contributor is critical.”

Veterinarian Isolation

One of the biggest mental challenges facing bovine veterinarians on a daily basis is isolation. Often you’re traveling alone from farm to farm without a co-worker to share the time with. It’s worth considering and checking in with yourself about what makes you feel best. Davison recommends using the drive between farms to employ some strategies for a mental reset. These strategies can differ based on your personality.

For an introvert, this could include inward reflection on your last visit, listening to a podcast, pulling over to meditate or jamming out to your favorite album; for an extrovert, this could include calling someone to chat.

“When you get to the next farm, you set that intention of: ‘Okay, I worked through that, I reflected on my first stop. I took that space in between, and now I’m going to show up at my next stop in a way that I want to,’” Davison suggests. “The great thing about it is that you can do it in between stops, in between calls, in between farms; fit it in where it works best for you as an individual.”

Let’s Talk About It

Breaking the stigma around mental health is essential. Open conversations help normalize seeking help, whether through a professional counselor, a trusted peer, or a community support group. Small steps also make a difference: staying connected socially, setting aside even short periods of time for rest or hobbies and recognizing when stress is becoming overwhelming.

Importantly, both veterinarians and producers are in a position to check in on each other. A simple question like “how are you holding up” can open the door to vital conversations.

“Something that allows food medicine to stand out a little bit from the other facets of veterinary medicine is that quite often, the producer and the veterinarian are on the same page because their goals are very similar,” Davison says. “Whether that relationship involves discussing mental health, I bet you it does in some and it doesn’t in others. But I would encourage that conversation because the goals are similar. They’re out there doing it day in and day out, just like the veterinarian is. I would imagine that is a critical conversation to be had.”

Making mental health a part of everyday farm and clinic conversations can go a long way.

A Culture of Health in Agriculture

It’s important to recognize that there are resources out there, there are communities you can join, and there are connections that can be made. Interaction with others can go a long way to improving your mental health.

Healthy people build healthy farms. By allowing yourself to care for your mental well-being, veterinarians and producers can create a more sustainable future for themselves and their communities. National Farm Safety and Health Week is not only a reminder of the risks of agricultural work, but also an opportunity to commit to better habits, stronger support systems, and a shared responsibility for health.

Your Next Read: Bulls, Gates and Risks: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Farm Safety

UDSA to Hold Listening Sessions Addressing the Rural Veterinary Shortage

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 17:26:30 GMT

Last month, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Rural Veterinary Action Plan, which will enhance the support available for rural veterinarians across the US. The plan includes the following action items:

Improve Veterinary Grant Programs
Better Understand the Rural Veterinary Shortage
Recruit and Retain Veterinarians
Catalog Federal Resources Available to Veterinarians
Work with Stakeholders to Understand the Barriers to Entry and Increase Recruitment in Rural Areas

This plan aims to address the rural veterinary shortage due to the low percentage of veterinary school students that come from rural areas or express an interest in rural practice, along with the low number of recent grads entering production animal medicine.

As a part of the working with stakeholders action item, USDA will be hosting two virtual listening sessions for the veterinary workforce on Sept. 29 and 30. The following USDA agencies will be represented at these sessions:

National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Economic Research Service
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Rural Development

These sessions will begin with a short update on the current veterinary landscape followed by stakeholder comments for the remainder of the meeting. Interested parties are invited to participate and must register for these sessions in advance. Both sessions will cover the same topics.

Register for the September 29 Session

Register for the September 30 Session

Generic vs. Pioneer Drugs for Cattle: Should You Care?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:58:13 GMT

Medication use is an essential part of maintaining health, productivity and welfare in dairy and beef cattle. From treating mastitis on a dairy to managing respiratory disease in a feedlot, veterinarians and producers rely on a range of pharmaceuticals to keep herds healthy. However, with many drugs available in both pioneer and generic forms, the question arises: Is there a meaningful difference between the two?

For veterinarians and producers, the decision involves more than just the label. Understanding the approval process, economics and practical considerations behind generic and pioneer drugs can help guide responsible choices that support animal health, food safety and economic sustainability.

What are Pioneer and Generic drugs?

Pioneer drugs are the original products developed by a pharmaceutical company that have an approved new animal drug application (NADA). They are protected by patents, which give the company exclusive marketing rights for a period of time. This exclusivity allowed the manufacturer to recoup the significant investment made in research, development and regulatory approval.

Generic drugs enter the market once those patents expire and have an approved abbreviated NADA (ANADA). A generic contains the same active ingredient, in the same dosage form and strength, and is administered through the same route as its brand name counterpart. In other words, a generic drug must deliver the same therapeutic effect as the brand name drug.

The key differences often lie in the inactive ingredients, such as stabilizers, preservatives or carriers, that can vary between products. These differences generally do not affect stability or efficacy, but may influence characteristics such as palatability or ease of administration.

Approval and Regulatory Oversight

Both pioneer and generic veterinary drugs are regulated by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. However, the approval pathways differ:

Pioneer drug approval requires a company to submit an NADA. This includes extensive studies to prove the product’s safety for the target species, its effectiveness against the labeled condition, tolerance in the animal, food safety data (residue studies for milk and meat) and environmental impact. These studies often involve large clinical trials and can take years to complete.
Generic approval follows the ANADA process. Instead of repeating all of the brand name drug’s trials, the generic manufacturer must prove bioequivalence — that the drug behaves the same way in the animal’s body as the original product. Generics must also demonstrate consistent manufacturing practices and establish withdrawal times for milk and meat.

The result is that generics are held to rigorous standards of safety and efficacy. They are not weaker or inferior, they simply follow a more streamlined approval process as the groundwork has already been laid by the pioneer product.

Economics

One of the most notable differences between pioneer and generic drugs is cost. For producers, generic options can significantly reduce the cost of herd-level treatment, which is an important factor when treating dozens or hundreds of animals. For veterinarians, cost can influence prescribing practices and client satisfaction. Offering effective but more affordable treatment options might improve compliance and strengthen the veterinarian-producer relationship. In the long term, the availability of generics supports more sustainable herd health programs, particularly for common or recurring conditions.

Clinical and Practical Considerations

Does it work? vs. Did it work here?

When speaking on generic drugs, one of the key distinctions Dr. Nora Schrag, from Kansas State University, pointed out was the difference between whether a drug works and whether a drug worked in a specific production environment.

“‘Does the thing in the bottle work’ is a fundamentally very different question than ‘did it work,’ Schrag says. “‘Did it work’ includes the stuff in the bottle, but it also includes the people that are getting the stuff in the bottle into the critter, it includes the critters, it includes the weather, it includes everything else.”

Outcomes are influenced not just by the drug but also by management. Measuring whether a drug worked in a particular production setting requires keeping good records, monitoring success rates and comparing farm outcomes to peer benchmarks.

While generics and pioneer drugs are equivalent in active ingredient and expected efficacy, a few practical points deserve attention:

Perception: Some producers might be skeptical, perceiving pioneer products as more trustworthy. Veterinarians play a critical role in reassuring clients with evidence-based guidance.
Formulation differences: Rarely, a difference in inactive ingredients might influence animal tolerance or ease of use.
Compliance and stewardship: Regardless of whether pioneer or generic, observing label directions, withdrawal periods and judicious antimicrobial use principles remains essential.

Guidance for Decision-Making

The choice of what drug to use should be a collaborative effort between veterinarians and producers.

Veterinarians should evaluate both clinical needs and economic considerations. Recommending a generic is often appropriate, but being prepared to explain the science behind equivalency helps build producer confidence.
Producers should recognize withdrawal times and responsible use requirements apply equally to both drug types. Partnering with veterinarians ensures choices align with herd health goals and regulatory compliance.
Both parties must consider not only cost, but also judicious antimicrobial use, animal welfare and food safety when selecting products.

Both brand name and pioneer drugs are indispensable tools for managing cattle health. FDA’s rigorous approval process ensures generics are just as safe and effective as their pioneer counterparts. Generics offer producers significant cost savings that support sustainable operations. Working with their clients, veterinarians can help guide drug choices to ensure effective treatment while promoting stewardship and trust.

In the end, the decision is not about brand loyalty but using evidence-based judgment to balance animal health, food safety and economics. Together, these values benefit both the beef and dairy industry.

USDA Announces Plan to Address Rural Veterinary Shortage

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:39:11 GMT

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan that will expand the support available for rural veterinarians.

“Rural veterinarians are vital for the agricultural economy in the United States. Our farmers and ranchers rely on these critical services to prevent the transmission of animal disease, protect our food supply and support America’s rural economy,” said Rollins during a press conference at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “As the number of rural food animal veterinarians continues to decline, USDA is putting farmers first to ensure we build back our first line of defense in our animal food production system – the rural veterinarian.”

The plan aims to support veterinarians and protect livestock across rural communities by:

expanding grants and financial assistance
streamlining loan applications
investing in economic research to guide solutions
making federal service more attractive to veterinarians
recruiting more students from rural America into veterinary schools

Great to be in Starkville with @SenHydeSmith at @msstate’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Rural food animal veterinarians are essential to livestock health, disease prevention, and the strength of our rural economy, but their numbers are declining.

That’s why I’m announcing… pic.twitter.com/LUHwqviSQt
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) August 28, 2025

Veterinarian Shortage

According to the AVMA , the number of companion animal veterinarians has increased by 22% over the past decade; however, the number of mixed animal and food animal veterinarians has decreased by 15%. Meanwhile, the national cattle inventory was only down 2.5 million head, or approximately 1%, in January 2025 compared with January 2015, as reported by the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service . USDA has designated at least one rural area in nearly every state as having unmet veterinary needs.

Recent efforts to increase the number of rural veterinarians have included state and federal repayment programs, as well as program development at veterinary colleges to attract students. While these programs have been generally successful, they were not intended to comprehensively address the lack of veterinarians in rural areas.

Plan Details

The Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan encompasses five actions to address the challenge of the growing veterinarian shortage.

Enhance and streamline veterinary grant programs. The USDA will be making changes to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and the Veterinary Services Grant Program to streamline applications and increase funding.
Analyze rural veterinary shortages to better understand the need. For improved Federal and State policy decisions, data on the scope of the rural veterinary shortage will be collected and analyzed by the USDA Economic Research Service.
Recruit and retain USDA veterinarians. The USDA will explore special pay rates, increased tuition reimbursements, and recruitments bonuses for federal veterinarians. They hope to make Federal service more attractive and create a direct pipeline into public service for veterinarians.
Catalog federal resources available to veterinarians for starting a practice. As opening a veterinary clinic in a rural area can be cost prohibitive, the USDA will catalog relevant programs (including rural development programs) to better inform veterinary schools and graduates.
Work with and listen to stakeholders, including veterinary schools, to understand the barriers to entry and increase recruitment from rural areas. Very few veterinary students come from rural backgrounds or express interest in production animal practice. Next month, the USDA will hold listening sessions with stakeholders to determine what additional actions can be taken to stimulate interest in rural veterinary practice.

Through this action plan, USDA hopes to address the rural veterinarian shortage, thus strengthening the ability to deal with animal health threats, foodborne illnesses and complex trade barriers as well as protecting the safety of the U.S. food supply chain.

Experts Encourage Beef Quality Assurance Certification

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:55:45 GMT

What started as a grassroots effort to reduce injection-site lesions in beef has evolved into one of the most comprehensive training programs in the cattle industry.

On their weekly Cattle Chat podcast, the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University explained how the Beef Quality Assurance program is still relevant and important today.

“Beef quality assurance was a producer-initiated program to decrease injection-site lesions in premium beef cuts,” K-State veterinarian Brian Lubbers says. “Since then, beef quality assurance has kind of morphed and grown; it now covers many aspects of the cattle industry”

Over the years, BQA has expanded to include training on antimicrobial stewardship, animal handling, farm biosecurity, and proper injection protocols. The certification, available both online and through in-person sessions nationwide, promotes industry-wide consistency in animal care and food safety.

The benefits of BQA certification include consistency in safe meat and safer working conditions, as well as consistency between producers and employees working with beef cattle. Lubbers described the value gained for workers and producers from the certification.

“There are a lot of things that if I were just to stand next to somebody in a chute for 15 or 20 minutes, I’m going to forget a couple of things that they should know, but would have learned in the module,” Lubbers says. “I can be assured that the people on my operation that may be working with cattle in any way have already had that training whether I have explained it to them or not.”

Another crucial benefit to getting BQA certified lies in maintaining consumer trust and building industry reputation. “I would love to say 99.95% of our producers are Beef Quality Assurance verified, because then it demonstrates a commitment from the entire industry to do things right,” Lubbers says.

The BQA program is developed by producers, for producers. Its’ voluntary nature reflects the cattle industry’s dedication to continuous improvement and responsible practices. Whether a seasoned rancher or a new employee, BQA equips individuals with practical, science-based knowledge to improve cattle management and protect the reputation of U.S. beef worldwide.

To get BQA certified, visit www.bqa.org

To hear the full discussion, listen to Cattle Chat on your preferred streaming platform.

Your Next Read: How to Win Beef Consumers’ Trust: Authenticity and Responding to Concerns

Consumer Trust: A Veterinarian’s Role

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:27:12 GMT

This article was written by David Friedlander, the Senior Director of Market Research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

With information so readily available at one’s fingertips, ensuring a trusted source of information from the cattle industry is critical. Animal caretakers may field questions on how animals are raised from many interested groups. Who better to provide unbiased information related to animals than the voice of a veterinarian?

Through the first three months of 2025, fresh meat sales reached an all-time high compared to year ago levels¹. Protein is top of mind as it relates to health and wellness and consumers are looking for help navigating the crowded informational marketplace.

By the end of 2025, over 325 million people are projected to have internet access in the United States² with the majority using a mobile device or smartphone to access it³. News and information are now at the consumers’ fingertips. For a host of reasons, consumer trust among mass media outlets is at an all-time low⁴.

From a veterinarian or farmer/rancher perspective, how does one share information related to production practices? Who is the trusted source of truth among consumers?

Referencing the National Cattlemen’s Beef Associations’ (NCBA) Consumer Beef Tracker, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, both a veterinarian and farmer/rancher rise to the top, above all other sources⁵. In fact, more than 60% of consumers note both a veterinarian and farmer/rancher as the source of truth followed by more than 50% consumers looking to government agencies, specifically, USDA, FDA and CDC.

(Consumer Beef Tracker, NCBA)

When asking respondents about perceptions specifically related to beef, 90% of respondents had a positive or neutral response. Taking this one step further, when asking respondents about the production perception of beef, 80% had a positive or neutral response⁵.

Although overall perceptions related to beef are positive, when asking respondents about their knowledge specifically related to how cattle are raised and grown for food, data show slightly more than 25% of respondents noted either “knowledgeable’ or “very knowledgeable”⁵about how cattle are raised and grown for food.

However, when consumers make purchases, 70% claim they have some level of consideration of how food was raised and grown for food. When narrowing down to concerns related to how cattle are raised for food, less than 35% of respondents have a specific concern, with animal welfare rising to the top⁵.

Given the challenging media landscape and lack of trust among consumers, NCBA looked to producers and a veterinarian to help raise overall perception related to how cattle are raised for food.

(Consumer Beef Tracker, NCBA)

Given the challenging media landscape and lack of trust among consumers, NCBA looked to producers and a veterinarian to help raise overall perception related to how cattle are raised for food. Capturing a day in the life of local producers and a veterinarian, NCBA shared the level of care, overall well-being and hard work that goes into raising cattle.

When surveying consumers, both before and after seeing the featured video, the positive response grew from just over 30% to nearly 75% among respondents. Perhaps even more encouraging, negative perception decreased from nearly 30% to just 5% after seeing the featured video ⁶.

Integrating industry education resources such as those in the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and associated programs is one way that veterinarians can continue to be this trusted voice. Elevating cattle care through that partnership with the producer impacts animal health, product quality, and consumer confidence . Considering the consumer aspect of raising cattle is one area where veterinarians may have not previously contributed, though it is apparent that their influence goes beyond animal health.

In a marketplace filled with competing messages and general mistrust among consumers, it is very encouraging to see high levels of trust by consumers, specifically, in those individuals that have one-to-one experience with the animals, namely the veterinarian and the farmer/rancher to help share out the broader message of animal care.

There is still work to be done from a consumer perspective but having a trusted leader to share the message is a great place to start. For more consumer insights and Beef Checkoff-funded research, visit https://www.beefresearch.org/ .

References
¹Circana
² Statista, 2025 projections based on actuals through 2023
³DataReportal: GWI; Meltwater; We Are Social
⁴Gallup 1927 - 2024
⁵NCBA Consumer Beef Tracker, January – December 2024
⁶NCBA: Raised and grown asset testing, October 2023

7 Health Insurance Solutions for the Self-Employed

Fri, 30 May 2025 15:59:39 GMT

If there is anything that could derail your business literally overnight, it’s a serious injury or illness in your family.

That’s why health insurance is an absolutely critical risk management tool, even though the cost of the insurance itself can also strain your business. While it probably won’t cover every medical expense for your family, it can protect you from the catastrophic effects of a major health event.

The majority of farm families agree with that sentiment, according to a 2017 study by HIREDnAG. The survey of nearly 1,000 farm families in 10 rural states found more than 75% of the respondents viewed health insurance as an essential risk management tool.

At the same time, however, many farm families still roll the dice by going without health insurance. The most recent USDA data on the subject shows more than 10% of U.S. farm households do not have health insurance, which is slightly higher than the general public. But even more telling is the type of farms that forgo it the most: dairy farms. They made up more than 40% of all farm households without health insurance, which is more than double any other type of farming enterprise.

Options to Cover Your Family

For those who are insured, many farm families rely on off-farm employment to secure health insurance — about 56% according to the USDA data. But what options are available for the rest of the families or individuals who wish to purchase their own coverage? Penn State University Extension’s Maureen Ittig, family well-being educator, and Ginger Fenton, dairy educator, recently presented a webinar where they shared the following suggestions:

Health Insurance Marketplace. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 created the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Americans who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance can secure coverage through the marketplace, which provides credits for factors like income and family size. A handy calculator to estimate credits and plan costs can be found here . All ACA-compliant plans must cover 10 categories of services that includes things like prescriptions, pediatric care and emergency room services. Open enrollment for ACA plans is usually in the fall, but special circumstances can allow for enrollment throughout the year.
Medicaid/CHIP plans. Lower-income families may qualify for Medicaid and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program plans. These plans vary by state. They typically are less costly to families and may provide additional services, like dental and vision coverage, compared to ACA plans.
Association-based plans. Farm organizations and cooperatives may offer group plans to farmer-members. These organizations also offer guidance to help farm families understand the “language” of health insurance and aid in decision making.
HSAs. Using a Health Savings Account (HSA) is a popular way for farmers to maximize their health insurance dollars. HSAs are actual bank accounts that families fund annually and can be used to cover qualified health expenses. Any dollars not used can remain in the account for expenses incurred later on and even invested into higher-yielding financial funds. To access an HSA, the insured must have a High Deductible Health Plan, which can be accessed via insurance brokers, association-based plans, or the Health Insurance Marketplace. HSAs offer the “triple-treat” tax advantages of pre-tax contributions, tax-free growth and no tax on qualified withdrawals.
Skinny and gap plans. Some states allow for skinny plans that have lower premiums, largely because they are not required to offer the ACA-required 10 categories of services, like allowing entry with pre-existing conditions or maternity coverage. They also may have lifetime payout limits. Gap plans offer short-term, emergency coverage in some states. After 180 days, the insured must enroll for new coverage. They also may have exclusions and lifetime limits.
Armed forces health insurance. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, about 9% of U.S farmers are veterans. They and their families are usually eligible for TRICARE or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health insurance programs.
Healthcare sharing ministries. Several faith-based group health coverage ministries are available that share healthcare costs among their members. This is not health insurance, but many users find they are able to negotiate rates with providers similar to discounts offered to insurance companies. Enrollment may require specific belief systems and lifestyle choices (no tobacco or illegal drug use, for example). Users pay monthly fees similar to health insurance premiums. When they incur an expense, they pay their bills up front and then submit them for reimbursement.

The Penn State experts advised looking not only at costs, but also at the services your family might need, such as maternity and mental health coverage.

“The array of options available hopefully will allow you to pick an option that works best for you, your budget and your values,” Fenton notes.

Your Next Read:
A Promising Horizon for U.S. Dairy

12 Tips If You’re Feeling Isolated and Lonely

Mon, 26 May 2025 21:35:54 GMT

Mental health is not a luxury – it’s foundational to every part of life, including showing up for family and friends, holding a job, getting through school, enjoying rest and relaxation, and simply being able to connect with others.

Rural Minds, a non-profit organization that serves as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, encourages individuals to seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation. If you are feeling lonely, here are some steps that can help you build social connection:

Understand the power of social connection and the consequences of social disconnection by learning how the vital components (structure, function and quality) can impact your relationships, health and well-being.
Invest time in nurturing your relationships through consistent, frequent, and high-quality engagement with others. Take time each day to reach out to a friend or family member.
Minimize distraction during conversation to increase the quality of the time you spend with others. For instance, don’t check your phone during meals with friends, important conversations, and family time.
Seek out opportunities to serve and support others, either by helping your family, co-workers, friends, or strangers in your community or by participating in community service.
Be responsive, supportive and practice gratitude. As we practice these behaviors, others are more likely to reciprocate, strengthening our social bonds, improving relationship satisfaction, and building social capital.
Actively engage with people of different backgrounds and experiences to expand your understanding of and relationships with others, given the benefits associated with diverse connections.
Participate in social and community groups such as fitness, religious, hobby, professional and community service organizations to foster a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.
Reduce practices that lead to feelings of disconnection from others. These include harmful and excessive social media use, time spent in unhealthy relationships, and disproportionate time in front of screens instead of people.
Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider or the 988 crisis line.
Be open with your health care provider about significant social changes in your life, as this may help them understand potential health impacts and guide them to provide recommendations to mitigate health risks.
Make time for civic engagement. This could include being a positive and constructive participant in political discourse and gatherings (e.g., town halls, school board meetings, local government hearings).
Reflect the core values of connection in how you approach others in conversation and through the actions you take. Key questions to ask yourself when considering your interactions with others include: How might kindness change this situation? What would it look like to treat others with respect? How can I be of service? How can I reflect my concern for and commitment to others?

Your Next Read: Rural Minds: Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health in Agriculture

Streamline Spring Cattle Processing with These 3 Stress-Reducing Steps

Thu, 01 May 2025 11:23:00 GMT

Reducing stress during livestock handling can increase productivity, maintain or improve meat quality, reduce sickness and enhance animal welfare. Implementing low-stress handling techniques when working with cattle is important to reducing stress.

As producers prepare for spring processing, Beth McIlquham, University of Wisconsin-Madison regional livestock educator, encourages producers to consider these low-stress handling strategies.

“While temperament in cattle is moderately heritable, environment does play a role and even cattle that are less docile will benefit from low-stress handling methods,” Mcllquham says. “A good handler can help reduce fear in an animal, which is the primary driver of negative consequences associated with handling stress.”

Even if the animal is not experiencing any pain, fear can still cause physical responses in the body, such as high cortisol levels. These responses can ultimately lead to increased susceptibility to illness, lower meat quality and overall lower performance.

Mcllquham says one negative handling experiences can affect future handling situations.

Identifying stress through body language
Cattle in a state of fear or under stress can be identified through their body language. Obvious signs of fear in cattle are running, kicking, vocalizing and aggressive behaviors toward handlers. Subtle signs of fear are heavy breathing and showing the whites of their eyes. Stressed cattle can cause serious injury to themselves and humans. Relaxed cattle are quiet and walk or trot calmly. When low-stress handling techniques are used, the risk of injury is lowered.

“Besides increasing performance and lowering sickness and injury rates, consumers have indicated that they care that their food is humanely raised,” McIlquham explains. “Implementing low-stress handling is a great place to start and comes with many other benefits. Although it may sound like a daunting task, utilizing low-stress handling techniques can be done in smaller steps.”

Step 1: Put away the electric prod
“Our first step is to put away the electric prod,” she says. “To decrease use, place electric prods away from where you’re handling cattle but still be accessible in an emergency. This way, instead of instinctively reaching for it, the inconvenience of going to grab it can decrease electric prod use.”

Step 2: Understand cattle’s natural instincts
“We should utilize these instincts to work for us instead of against us,” she says. “The fact that cattle are prey animals drives a lot of their behaviors.”

Cattle are herd animals and like to be in groups. When moving them, keeping cattle in small groups (two to five head) can help keep them calmer and easier to handle. Additionally, cattle want to see you. Humans are naturally predators, and because cattle are prey animals, their instinct is to be able to keep handlers in sight.

Cattle want to go toward lighted areas and will resist going into darker areas. It is easier to see any potential threats in areas that are light. Keep in mind shadows can reduce cattle flow through an area.

Step 3: Study and use cattle’s natural flight zone
Good handlers study and use cattle’s flight zone and point of balance, McIlquham explains.

Two concepts are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flight Zone and Point of Balance

(Beef Quality Assurance Cattle Care & Handling Guides)

Walking into the flight zone makes the animal move away from the handler. Stepping out of the flight zone will take pressure off and remove the animal’s desire to continue to move away. Note that the size of flight zones varies between animals. The point of balance allows handlers to move the animal forward or backward. Stepping into the flight zone in front of the point of balance will make the animal move backward. Stepping into the flight zone behind the point of balance will drive the animal forward.

Keep in mind cattle have a blind spot directly behind them. If you approach the animal in the blind spot, they could get spooked. Walking in a zigzag pattern behind cattle helps let them know you are there.

Extra tip: Taking breaks
Calm cattle are easier to move than stressed cattle. Fearful cattle are more reactive, more easily injured, and more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. If a handling situation does get intense, take a little break and release pressure on the cattle.

“Even taking a brief break can help both the animal and handler calm down and come back to the situation in a more positive light,” Mcllquham summarizes.

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Can We Get Calving Ease Without Sacrificing Performance?

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:52:33 GMT

Sire selection for natural service or artificial insemination (AI) is critical. Over time, 90% of genetic change is the result of sire selection. Your bull (or bulls) contribute more to the genetic makeup of your herd in a calving season than a cow does in her lifetime.

Effective sire selection should be based on genetic values in the form of EPDs or expected progeny differences . Selection on EPDs is 7 to 9 times more effective than selection based on individual performance data, within herd ratios or performance testing because all this information (plus more) is taken into consideration in calculating EPDs.

Selecting genetically superior sires is the fastest approach to herd improvement and bottom-line profitability when you select genetic superiority that matches your management, production and marketing system.

If you are identifying bulls to breed heifers this spring and calving ease is a priority, current sexing technology can work to your advantage. Research shows that heifer calves are, on average, approximately 5 lb. lighter than bull calves at birth. The lighter birth weights will equate to less likelihood of dystocia.

If sexed heifer semen is your preferred path to calving ease, expect to pay a little more (approximately $20/straw) per unit than typical of conventional semen. As well, timing of AI should also be delayed by six to 12 hours if using sexed semen.

Charting the genetic trend of beef breeds indicates purebred cattle breeders have been very successful over the past 30 years of applying selection pressure to maintain calving ease while improving the additive genetic merit for weaning and yearling weight performance. What we commonly refer to as “curve benders” are easier to find than ever, especially when sorting through bull stud offerings of potential AI sires.

So to answer the questions in the title, yes it is possible. With ample calving ease sires available in the current marketplace, you should still be able to identify sires that give you the growth, carcass merit or levels of maternal performance you seek to improve your operation’s bottomline.

Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, discusses the changes occurring in the cattle industry.

Your Next Read: Accurately Comparing Bulls: Updated Adjustment Factors Released

Your Veterinarian: A Critical Partner for Success

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:24:16 GMT

When it comes to livestock production — whether beef, dairy or swine — a knowledgeable large-animal veterinarian is a critical resource for producers.

The veterinarian’s duties have grown through the years from emergency calls and service to now include consultation and planning to improve cattle and dairy herds as well as swine operations.

Craig Bieber of Bieber Red Angus in Leola, S.D., says working with a vet is essential to his herd’s success.

“I don’t know how people do it without a relationship with their vet,” Bieber says. “A good working relationship is so important. As producers, we can’t be on top of every animal disease or problem there is.”

Bieber says he is lucky to have a comprehensive clinic with five veterinarians near his ranch. He meets with his team of veterinarians three or four times per year to discuss health strategies.

“Our diversified livestock operation uses a team of veterinarians for the health and well-being of our cattle, swine and sheep plus our livestock guardian dogs and family pets,” says Sarah Jones of Red Hill Farms in Lafayette, Tenn.

The Jones family works with its primary veterinarian, Roger Thomas of Thomas & England Veterinary Services in Smiths Grove, Ky.

“Dr. Thomas is essential to our operation,” Jones says. “Without our team of veterinarians, we couldn’t provide the very best care for our livestock. Dr. Thomas is our first call for issues we are not comfortable treating without consultation. Our operation also uses additional veterinarians for pregnancy ultrasound, cattle embryo transfer, sheep artificial insemination, sheep embryo transfer and swine consulting.”

In an unscientific survey, Drovers asked its Facebook followers, “How important is your veterinarian to the success of your operation?”

One follower wrote, “Essential. Having our veterinarian of a little over 40 years, we have created herd health programs for pre-breeding and pre-calving, as well as vaccination programs for calves at birth and weaning. We review these programs every year.”

Another said, “Our vet from Vale Veterinary Clinic is key to the success of our program through integrated research and herd health management our vet is priceless!”

Unfortunately, a few respondents noted they don’t have a close large-animal veterinarian near them or that they must take individual animals to an equine veterinarian for consultation, affirming the need for more large animal vets.

(Farm Journal)

The evolving role of dairy veterinarians

Traditionally seen as the guardians of animal health, focused primarily on treating sick individual animals, today’s dairy veterinarians are expanding their roles.

Scott Bohnert of Bohnert Jerseys in East Moline, Ill., exemplifies the modern dairy farmer’s reliance on veterinary expertise. At his dairy, home to 700 Jersey cows and an equal number of replacements, Bohnert leans heavily on his long-time veterinarian, Ryan Schaefer of Blue Grass, Iowa. Their working partnership of more than 15 years highlights the evolving importance of veterinarians in dairy.

Schaefer collaborates closely with Bohnert, conducting routine herd health and pregnancy checks twice a month — but their relationship goes far beyond basic animal care.

With a deep understanding of the dairy industry’s challenges, Schaefer consults closely with Bohnert on various critical topics. This trusted advice plays a pivotal role in helping Bohnert and his team drive their dairy operation forward.

“Ryan and I work very well together,” Bohnert says, acknowledging how Schaefer’s insights into disease prevention, vaccine management and industry trends keep his farm thriving in a competitive market.

This collaboration reflects a broader trend in agriculture where veterinarians serve as essential consultants instead of just animal doctors. Their role extends to strategic decision-making, helping farms navigate through diverse challenges like disease outbreaks, regulatory changes and economic pressures.

Swine veterinarian’s critical role

The swine producer and veterinarian relationship is critical in managing health issues in the swine herd.

“I can’t overstate how important our farm’s relationship is with our veterinarian,” says Mike Paustian, a swine producer from Wolcott, Iowa. “We treat that relationship as one of the key parts of our team that we’ve assembled to help advise our farm.”

Paustian, who is contact with his veterinarian every week, challenges the misconception that veterinary involvement is costly.

“I don’t see how you’re going to get a bigger bang for your buck than getting a veterinarian who knows your herd, to provide input into issues you’re having,” he says.

Paustian says he also appreciates a veterinarian who approaches work with a sense of curiosity and a desire to understand things better, which aligns with his own approach to constantly seek improvement.

Ben Barcovtch, a pig farmer from Berwick, Pa., says a strong veterinarian relationship is essential to the success of his pork operation.

“They support proactive herd health, help improve productivity, strengthen biosecurity and provide expert guidance during health challenges,” Barcovtch says. “The vet practice I work with is a key partner in maintaining animal well-being and our overall profitability.”

The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients and their patients, and it is critical to the health of animals.

“Our VCPR is a partnership that allows more proactive and long-term strategies instead of just responding to needs as they arise,” says Rob Brenneman, owner of Brenneman Pork in Washington, Iowa. “This allows both parties to focus on preventative care, optimized service offerings focused on system health and stability.”

Thank you

April 26 is World Veterinary Day . Observed annually on the last Saturday of April, the day aims to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals, people and the environment. “Animal health takes a team,” is this year’s theme and summarizes the collaboration between veterinarians and beef, dairy and swine producers.

“I believe that sincerely communicating appreciation is one of the most important things farmers and ranchers can do for their veterinarians,” says Jones of Red Hill Farms.

Veterinarians are considered trusted advisers with an integral role in the livestock industry. A recent survey released by Boehringer Ingelheim shows 94% of animal owners appreciate the work of veterinarians, compared to only 49% of veterinary professionals feeling who think the profession is appreciated.

The survey is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s “Going Beyond” campaign, which seeks to spotlight aspects of veterinary work that too often remain unseen and underrecognized.

In support of World Veterinary Day, the “Going Beyond” campaign also released a video asking animal owners to guess what type of professional meets the description of a range of compelling job responsibilities and characteristics.

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

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:31:30 GMT

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

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

“One bite at a time,” she says.

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

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

(Lindsey Pound)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(WOAH)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Lisa Pederson)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Lisa Pederson)

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

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

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

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

Government Designates $103 Million to Monitor Avian Influenza in Farmworkers

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:32:41 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Jan. 3 that it will award $306 million to continue its H5N1 Avian Flu response. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s assessment of the risk of avian influenza to the general public remains low, USDA and HHS plan to collaborate with federal, state, local, industry and other stakeholders to protect human health, animal health and food safety, a release said.

“While the risk to humans remains low, we are always preparing for any possible scenario that could arise. These investments are critical to continuing our disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and monitoring efforts alongside our partners at USDA,” Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a release. “Preparedness is the key to keeping Americans healthy and our country safe. We will continue to ensure our response is strong, well equipped, and ready for whatever is needed.”

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response said it will award approximately $183 million in additional funding for regional, state and local preparedness programs:

$90 million to the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP)
$10 million to the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
$26 million to the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs)
$43 million to the Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Activities
$14 million to replenish equipment and supply caches for the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)

CDC will award approximately $111 million in funding for additional enhancements to our ability to monitor H5N1 at the local, state and national levels:

$103 million to jurisdictions for increased monitoring of individuals exposed to infected animals, testing, and outreach to high-risk populations (such as livestock workers)
$8 million to manufacture, store, and distribute additional influenza diagnostic test kits for virologic surveillance

National Institutes of Health will award approximately $11 million in funding for additional research into potential medical countermeasures for H5N1:

$11 million to the Centers for Excellence for Influenza Research and Response contracts

Your Next Read: I’m Going Into 2025 With Increased Concerns About HPAI H5N1

Congress Approves CR, Includes $31 Billion in Farmer, Disaster Aid and Farm Bill Extension

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 16:16:07 GMT

With little if any drama like the House, the Senate easily cleared the 118-page continuing resolution (CR) early Saturday morning with a vote of 85-11 (four members did not vote). The measure funds the government through March 14. The CR includes nearly $110 billion in disaster and farmer aid ($21 billion ag disaster and $10 billion in farmer aid), and a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill.

The Senate vote came hours after the House passed the measure on a 366-34 vote, well above the two-thirds majority threshold required under that chamber’s suspension of the rules procedure, with no Democrats voting no along with 34 Republicans. Texas Dem Rep. Jasmine Crockett voted “present”.

Debt Ceiling

GOP leaders dropped a two-year suspension of the statutory debt ceiling that was in a previous CR version and that helped push the bill through both chambers. Democrats opposed inclusion of the debt limit provision, arguing it would make it easier on Republicans next year to cut taxes and ram through other partisan priorities. Cutting the debt limit language was enough to convince Democrats to go along with the stripped-down bill, even though it excluded their priorities contained in an i nitial 1,547-page bipartisan measure .

One ag sector lobbyist said, “Ag groups need to start playing the game… those who always vote no on everything… why not actively oppose them… they don’t support farm bills anyhow.”

Breaking Down the Votes

Here is the list of House Republicans who voted no on the CR that contained $31 billion in ag sector assistance:

House no votes on CR

(House of Representatives)

Some notable representatives who voted against the CR include Nancy Mace (South Carolina), Thomas Massie (Kentucky), and Chip Roy (Texas). The reasons for voting against the CR varied among representatives, with some citing concerns about high levels of spending, lack of reforms, or opposition to giving the current administration additional funding.

Here is the list of Senate Democrats who voted no:

Senate no votes on CR

(U.S. Senate)

Farmer Aid in the CR

This is a breakdown of the $31 billion in farmer assistance via the CR:

Farmer aid breakdown

(House Ag Committee)

Possible Payment Amounts to Farmers

The farmer aid should be available 90 days after the legislation’s enactment. Farm CPA Paul Neiffer estimated per acre payment amounts via the Economic Loss Assistance program based on his knowledge of the provisions.

Possible payments as calculated by Farm CPA Paul Neiffer

(Lindsey Pound )

While USDA will make the final calculations, based on Neiffer’s estimates, producer payments look like this per acre, using the following calculation: (USDA’s Projected Cost of the Crop – National Projected Returns) x Eligible Acres x 26% = Total Payment.

Corn: $43.80
Soybeans: $30.61
Wheat: $31.80
Cotton: $84.70
Rice: $69.66

Neiffer says there is a payment limit of $125,000 dollars, which is down from the $175,00 originally proposed in the FARM Act. He says it’s also key to note with the updated relief, if 75% of your total gross income comes from farming, which includes wages and interest and dividends, then you qualify for the double payment.

Related Story: Poll Results: 71% of Farmers Say Congress Should Approve Economic Aid Before Year-End

House Ag Committee Fact Sheet Details Payments

The House Ag Committee released a fact sheet on the farmer economic assistance that is provided in the current Continuing Resolution (CR), modeled off of Rep. Trent Kelly’s (R-Miss.) FARM Act (HR 10045). There is a list of eligible commodities, a payment formula, administrative provisions, and estimated payment rates.

House Ag panel staffers say please keep in mind that the payment rates in this document are estimates and “almost certain to change slightly once implemented. These rates are the best approximation based on the data cited in text. This does incorporate the minimum payment rate provision. You’ll see that those crops receiving payments via the minimum payment provision have an asterisk.”

The House Ag panel had the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M analyze the impact of the economic assistance provided through this provision. Their findings suggest that the funds will improve ending cash position on their Representative Farm system by nearly 20% by the end of 2025.

Farmer aid

(House Ag Committee)

Your Next Reads:

Poll Results: 71% of Farmers Say Congress Should Approve Economic Aid Before Year-End

Ag Gets Potential Christmas Gift from Congress: Continuing Resolution Includes $31 Billion in Aid for Producers

Finding Peace: Managing Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 18:20:08 GMT

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. For many, however, it is also a period marked by increased stress and mental health challenges. The reality is that the rites and rituals of the season sometimes come with pressures that can be difficult to manage.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults’ experiences mental health struggles. This statistic is a stark reminder that these challenges are pervasive, impacting individuals of all backgrounds and life circumstances. What’s more revealing is that three out of four people report a worsening of their mental health during the holiday season.

Common Stressors and Their Impact
There are several factors that contribute to this heightened stress. Financial pressures are a significant concern, as individuals grapple with the expectation of gift-giving, hosting, and traveling. Coupled with these financial worries is the potential conflict with family members, which can strain relationships rather than bring people closer.

The loss of loved ones also becomes more pronounced during the holidays, as memories of past celebrations may bring feelings of longing rather than comfort. Moreover, the busy schedules that come with holiday preparations can leave little room for self-care or relaxation, further exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers these options if you notice your mental health worsening during the holidays.

Practice self-care. What activities help you feel refreshed or relaxed? Taking a walk around your property, watching a favorite movie, or driving through a Christmas light display in your community are all simple activities that can bring happiness.

Avoid negative coping strategies. It is common for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but excessive drinking to change your mood can harm your physical and mental health.

Set healthy boundaries. It is okay to say “no” or “not right now.” If your schedule is too busy, consider limiting the number of invitations you accept. If family gatherings are a little contentious, plan to stay for only an hour or two.

Follow your routine. Enjoy holiday treats and remember your veggies and protein. Settle in for a fun movie night and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Proper rest and nutrition help your mental health tremendously!

Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you feel. Sometimes, just saying words out loud can help remove a burden from our minds. Your loved ones may also be able to provide additional support.

Help is Available:

• 988 – call or text this number 24/7 to be connected to the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. A trained counselor will listen to you, support you, and share resources in your area.

• 741741 – text the Crisis Lifeline 24/7 to connect with a trained counselor.

• 911 – if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the decline in mental health during the holidays is the first step toward managing them effectively. By recognizing and addressing the triggers, you can regain a sense of peace and joy during what is meant to be a festive time. Remember, taking care of your mental health should always be a priority, holiday season or not.

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7 Ways to Help Beef Producers Evaluate Potential Replacement Heifers

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:19:13 GMT

Given the price of replacement beef heifers today, one of the questions veterinarians are helping cow-calf producers address is whether it’s a better decision to raise their own calves for replacements or buy them.

The answer, like with many complex decisions, isn’t a simple yes or no, according to Dr. Ray Stegeman.

The Missouri veterinarian says he has cow-calf producers who do raise their own replacements, but it’s not a practice he recommends for everyone.

“I work with quite a few smaller family farmers who keep heifers and are successful with that. But they know the mama cows and everything about them going back 50 years, which has merit,” says Stegeman, who owns Osage Veterinary Clinic in St. Thomas, Mo., and is a member of the Production Animal Consultation (PAC) network. “But if a producer is just starting out, it’s often advisable to buy bred heifers, given the economics of developing a heifer and the time involved.”

Stegeman, referencing research at Texas A&M and University of Nebraska, says a 200-cow herd size is often a practical starting point for deciding whether buying or raising replacement heifers is the better option.¹

Size Of Calf Crop And Resources

There are several reasons why a 200-head cowherd is a good minimum threshold. For one thing, there’s a large enough calf crop born to provide an adequate number of high-quality prospects for the farm. Three other considerations: this size of operation often has adequate manpower, physical facilities and land necessary to make the undertaking feasible and worthwhile.

“I think we tend to overlook or not realize the costs and resources that go into developing a replacement heifer,” Stegeman explains. “For example, you need to have enough pasture available, you have to keep a bull away from these heifers and raise them separate from the cowherd, and that takes additional resources.”

Here are seven additional factors Stegeman, other veterinarians and beef Extension specialists take into consideration as they work with cow/calf producers who are raising their own replacement heifers.

1. Monitor calves early. Stegeman advises his producers to start looking at their prospects during preweaning, managing nutrition proactively to prevent underfeeding or overfeeding.

“Everyone wants to pick a good-looking heifer, but you don’t want the heifer still on the mother cow to get too fat,” he says. “If we’re creep feeding, we want to watch our starch. If that heifer is too fat at weaning that in and of itself can be a setback.”

Heifer calves that are too fat have been shown to have reduced milking ability once mature, according to Oklahoma State University Extension research. Mammary development is in a critical stage from 2 months of age until about 9 months, or just before puberty.²If a calf is storing considerable amounts of extra fat during that time, excessive fat can be deposited in the mammary gland and inhibit its development.

Stegeman adds if the calf has too much body fat that has the potential to cover up physical defects, which might only be discovered after the producer decides to retain the calf.

In addition, Stegeman likes to talk with producers about nutrition and environmental factors the dam experienced while carrying the calf. He considers whether the mother cows were subjected to drought conditions or inadequate nutrition or other environmental factors.

“Fetal programming factors can result in potential negative productivity in the heifer calf following it through to maturity,” he tells Bovine Veterinarian.

2. Heifer calves born earliest are usually the top picks. Older heifers are more likely to reach the desired target weights by the start of breeding. Early puberty is moderately to highly heritable and positively related to future reproductive efficiency.

“Fertility is driven by genetics, so much so that it’s very important to pick those heifers born early in the calving season as replacements” Stegeman says.

During the selection process, producers with their veterinarian’s help, should look for heifers that are structurally sound, have a wider structural frame and a body type of more rib shape and depth, recommends Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist.³

Johnson adds that fleshing ease equates to breeding females that can better maintain body condition and energy reserves on a given amount of feed.

3. Consider genetic merit. Genetics are an important consideration, as producers plan the type of heifers they want to raise and keep and the traits needed to meet their goals.

“I think one of the problems with the beef industry today is that we’re choosing heifers from the steer pool of genetics – we’re choosing heifers out of carcass genetics,” he says. “There’s opportunity in the beef industry to have maternal herds producing genetically superior replacement females for cow/calf operations to purchase, which will be important going forward.”

4. Put prospective replacements on pasture, once they’re weaned. “We like to develop heifers on the pasture that they’re going to see as an adult cow,” Stegeman says. “They essentially program themselves, and after they calve the first time, they’ll perform better and stay in the herd. Don’t push them too hard with grain,” he cautions. “Go for the pound and a half to 2 pounds of gain per day.”

5. Don’t overlook the importance of temperament. A heifer can look like a great fit for the farm but still be an animal the producer needs to cull, because of her attitude and behavior.

Mississippi State Extension beef specialists encourage producers and their veterinarians to use a chute scoring method to keep temperament records.⁴ When heifers are restrained in the working chute, they can be assigned a score from 1 to 4 (1 = calm; 2 = restless shifting; 3 = squirming; 4 = twisting and rearing). Temperament is a very heritable trait, and removing temperamental heifers from the herd improves safety for farm employees as well as other members of the cowherd.

6. Protocols are needed for heifer vaccinations and deworming. For replacement heifers, Stegeman recommends administering a modified live viral vaccination and an initial leptospirosis vaccine at weaning time, when the animal is 6 to 7 months old.

“We’ll then deworm, often with a combination product, at that time as well,” he says.

Once heifers reach the 12-month mark, they are then administered a second round of vaccinations and dewormer.

“With some of the longer synchronization protocols now, we can give them their last pre-breeding vaccination the day we set them up, as it is approximately 33 days to breed from day one to AI or bull turn out,” Stegeman says. “Often, to save on number of trips through the chute, we try to consolidate processing.”

7. A pre-breeding examination is good insurance. Stegeman recommends that veterinarians reproductive tract score the heifers, either via ultrasound or manual palpation, at around 45 days prior to breeding. He says to measure the pelvis to make sure it is at least 150 square centimeters in size.

“We don’t want to set that number too high. We don’t want to say, ‘Well, my heifers need to be at 180 square centimeters,’ because then we’re just selecting for a big cow,” says Stegeman, citing research by David Patterson, PhD, emeritus beef Extension specialist at the University of Missouri.

With tract scores, Stegeman looks for scores of four and five, which indicate the heifer is ready to breed.

“We can start them on synchronization for breeding,” he says. “If needed, with some of the twos and threes, we’ll put them on feed to hopefully increase their tract score. Research indicates it takes at least 20 days to increase the tract score. If we have enough of the lower scoring heifers, and we deem it necessary, we can sort them out from the fours and fives to bump up their tract score using increased feed,” Stegeman adds.

He notes that the reproductive tract score along with the pelvic measurement provides the producer with some insurance that he is hanging on to the ‘right’ versus the ‘wrong’ heifers.

“The veterinarian can save producers money and time with these practices,” Stegeman says. “If you wait until preg check time to cull those heifers that’s not a good decision for the producer, because he’s got all the extra expense and feed into them up until that time. You might as well put them in the feedlot or develop them out for feeding earlier in the process,” he says.

¹DocTalk, Thomson, Dan. DocTalk Ep 462 - Heifer Development with Dr. Ray Stegeman

²Selk, Glenn. Development of Replacement Beef Heifers. http://agecon.okstate.edu/cattleman/files/ch_21_6th_ed.pdf

³Johnson, Mark Z. Selection of Replacement Heifers. https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/beef-extension/cow-calf-corner-the-newsletter-archives/2024/february-26-2024.html

⁴Rhinehart, Justin D. and Parish, Jane A. Replacement Beef Heifer Development. NRC, 2000. Adapted from NRC Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, 7th revised edition. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/publications/replacement-beef-heifer-development

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New World Screwworm: Latest Update from USDA-APHIS

New World Screwworm: Latest Update from USDA-APHIS

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:33:58 GMT

On Nov. 25, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) held a meeting to discuss the U.S. response to the news of a single case of New World Screwworm (NWS) found in a cow in Chiapas, Mexico. U.S. and Mexican officials are working closely together, but the border has been temporarily closed to live cattle imports.

“Our priority is to ensure there is no risk to our domestic industry, followed by the goal of reopening the border as soon as possible,” says Dr. Michael Watson, administrator of USDA’s APHIS.

In September, work had already begun on protocols in the event NWS was found in Mexico. Those protocols have been reviewed with Mexico for their understanding and will be made public once finalized.

Points of Protocol
Dr. Burke Healey, senior leader for policy and operations for APHIS, shared protocol will likely include pre-export inspections by Mexican veterinarians overseen by SENASICA, the equivalent to APHIS, before allowing cattle imports to resume. The inspections will make sure:

appropriate logs accompany animals coming into and leaving the facility
cattle are treated with ivermectin
there’s a seven-day quarantine period

Upon passing inspection, cattle will again be inspected by U.S. officials, along with additional inspections for tuberculosis and ticks. The cattle will be dipped, and then presented to cross the border. Healey says federal inspection sites will focus on ports in Chihuahua and Sonora.

“Those five ports are on the Mexican side, so those inspections and all of that protocol are taking place in Mexico and not on U.S. soil,” he explains.

The ports in Texas will be considered for reopening once the protocol details have been finalized and are working as expected, he adds.

Cristobal Zepeda, regional manager for North America for APHIS, says U.S. and Mexican officials maintain a close working relationship and that communication is key in this situation. Mexico had previously instituted three federal inspection points at strategic locations where cattle come into the country near the border with Guatemala and other areas.

“All animals are downloaded and inspected for wounds visually and through detector dogs,” Zepeda says. “They’re sprayed with an insecticide and receive ivermectin. The system works. That’s how it was picked up.”

Mexico has not completed its investigation but acknowledges the infested cow might have been imported from Guatemala.

While the timeline for reopening trade is tentatively estimated to be at least three weeks, it quite possibly could extend into January as Mexico typically closes ports for two weeks during Christmas and New Year’s, Healey says.

Control the Spread
The discussion also covered the potential impact on the livestock industry, which could be in the billions if NWS reaches the U.S., and the importance of sterile fly production.

The U.S. imports 1 million to 1.1 million cattle from Mexico annually. All Mexican cattle are required to have a Mexican origin ear tag and documentation of the herd of origin, TB test of that herd of origin and a TB test of the specific animals being presented for export. These requirements will remain in place.

Sterile flies from a Panama facility will be sent to Mexico to help control the spread of NWS further south and into Central America. Capacity from that facility is around 95 million per week. Mexico is also looking at retrofitting fruit fly plants to produce about 60 million sterile files a week.

The APHIS website will provide NWS updates .

Be On the Lookout
Adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger). They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs.

If you see mammals and birds with the following signs, report them to your state veterinarian:

Irritated behavior
Head shaking
Smell of decay
Evidence of fly strike
Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds

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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.

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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.”