Latest News From Herd Health

The agency will provide reimbursement for testing at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network laboratory.  

Steve Troxle, state commissioner of agriculture, said he is waiting for more diagnostic information from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory and will work collaboratively with North Carolina dairy farmers.

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is making the name change, as it more accurately reflects the issue.

Sid Miller, commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture, says the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza impacting beef cattle in the state's panhandle – where dairy cows have been infected – is minimal.

Ohio has become the sixth state where dairy cattle have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu.

Livestock producers and veterinarians are urged to practice good biosecurity practices to prevent transmission of the disease. Five states have also issued restrictions on dairy cattle movement.

In an effort to increase its biosecurity measures against HPAI, also known as bird flu, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture has issued a 30 day restriction on the importation of dairy cattle.

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports that a human case of bird flu has been confirmed in Texas and identified in a person who had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with the disease.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture announced that HPAI, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has been found in dairy cattle in Idaho.

In affected cowherds, the illness impacts nearly 10% of the animals, causing reduced feed consumption and a 10% to 20% decline in milk production. 

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is awarding $2.29 million through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network Farm Bill program to advance APHIS’ animal health preparedness.

While normally any moisture to the Golden State would be welcomed, the massive “Bomb Cyclone” storm hitting California is far from normal. High winds, heavy rain and power outages have impacted California farmers.

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

Global Dairy received a gut punch when the derecho plowed through its South Dakota farm last week. The storm’s impact took out their main parallel parlor that milks 1,700 cows after its roof collapsed.

The roads have been cleared and the sun is now peeking out in North Dakota after dairy farmers spent the bulk of their Easter weekend pushing snow when the storm of the century – Snowmageddon – plowed through.

Like many dairies, Desperado Dairy and Du Brook Dairy had a difficult time retaining dependable workers. That changed in 2018, when the dairy teamed up with the Florence West Prison to help fill the vacant positions.

Access to livestock drugs through over-the-counter (OTC) channels was curbed considerably starting in 2017. Soon, OTC antibiotics may no longer be available through traditional channels at all.

Five years to the day after her father’s cows left, Mitzie Blanchard moved back to the family farm. The determined young woman raised a successful herd of cows and four sons who learned the true meaning of hard work.

Breakdowns in the global supply chain are hitting home for U.S. livestock producers and the veterinarians who serve them, in the form of shortages of commonly used medications.

Switching from a herringbone to a robotic rotary parlor.

Optimizing productivity and improving efficiency are top goals that are talked about in farm meetings. The big-ticket question is, “What can help a dairy producer launch their operation to the next level?”

A rural veterinarian in Faribault County, Minn., is offering to give away his practice, clinic, pickup and even the vet clinic cat, in an effort to recruit his replacement.

Purchasing a couple of Jersey cows from a local sale barn in 1984 for their children, my in-laws Jim and Wanda Bohnert helped start a small 4-H project for their two sons, my husband, Scott, and his brother, Brian

Ohio State University scientists are looking for SARS-CoV-2 in animals and the environment.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the country anything, it’s that there is a tremendous amount of synergy between the circumstances of a pandemic involving humans and those involving animals. 

Dairy calves can transmit any number of diseases to their human handlers or those who pet them.

Ensure your time investment creates farm profitability.

There are some sources of feed shrink you might not think of that can be causing substantial losses in terms of feed used, ration formulation and poor performance.

When cows are forced to compete for feed, they consume fewer, larger meals with reduced feeding time.

Health records key to estimating costs of BRD in your herd

While there may not be a cure for this lameness causing disease, digital dermatitis can be easy to manage if you know what to look for.

Veterinarians have at least eight options for doing a cesarean section (c-section) in cattle, but most rely on only one.

Progesterone is key to maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

Calves coming down with illness often are very good at masking their symptoms in the early stages.

Protecting young calves from winter’s cold and drafts may be done with the best of intentions, but unfortunately it can lead to negative consequences.

If a cow is experiencing lameness prior to dry off, she may be more likely to incur a rough transition back into the milking herd.

Aggressively consuming dry feeds is the gateway to healthy weaning for young dairy calves.

Focused management, proper nutrition and diligent monitoring can help reduce metabolic disorders.

High stocking density and restricted feed access increase the risk of sub-acute rumen acidosis with greater time spent below rumen pH of 5.8.

Flies are more than just an annoyance for calves in warm weather. High fly populations also can spread diseases among calves; cause stress and reduced immunity; and negatively impact growth and weight gain.

Dairy cow mortality rates have come down marginally, but are higher when compared to beef production.

Bloody scours in calves is never a welcome sight, but diagnosing the source can help with treatment and preventing future cases.

Parts of Iosco and Ogemaw counties in Michigan have been designated by officials as a “Potential High-Risk Area” for bovine tuberculosis after a white-tailed deer in Alcona County tested positive for the disease.

Here are protocols to follow for a timed AI program.

Not all ketotic cows need treatment.

Adding extra fertility after drought is boosting toxins like nitrates in hay.

A cattle buyer in Ohio could face one year in prison for selling a calf to slaughter that was treated with antibiotics, and may face another five years for lying to federal agents.

Genetic selection goals may have to be adjusted

Calves with navel infections will present wet or pus ridden navel cords and their navel areas will be swollen, hard, and painful to the touch.

Study shows how transition cows can't handle stress.