Latest News From Animal health

BVDV-Resistant Calf Created Through Gene Editing
BVDV-Resistant Calf Created Through Gene Editing

Gene editing has been used experimentally to produce polled calves and calves with lighter-colored haircoats. Now, USDA researchers, have produced a calf with reduced susceptibility to bovine viral diarrhea virus.

NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies
NASDA Supports Access to Approved Vaccine Technologies

NASDA supports farmers and ranchers’ ability to safeguard animal health through the responsible use of vaccines.

Companies Partner to Launch Single-Application Horn Fly Control Bolus
Companies Partner to Launch Single-Application Horn Fly Control Bolus

To give cattle producers more flexibility and convenience in their fly control program, Cargill has partnered with Central Life Sciences to develop a feed-through fly control bolus containing Altosid IGR.

Keeping Cows Maternal
Keeping Cows Maternal

The “maternal” discussion is far more complex than a healthy live birth and seedstock producers are using more data and knowledge to create better dams each year.

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Tips To Successfully Control Cattle Lice

Proper timing, product dosage and application are key for combating lice and keeping cattle productive.

 House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 
House Passes Bill to Preserve Veterinary Use of Xylazine 

 The House of Representatives passed the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act on Tuesday. It will help fight illicit use of the product in humans while preserving access to the drug for animals.

Pros and Cons of Using Darts to Treat Cattle
Pros and Cons of Using Darts to Treat Cattle

Remote drug delivery devices to treat cattle are increasingly popular among producers, especially for use with cattle on pasture. Many veterinarians, however, continue to question whether such tools warrant use at all.

'One Black Mark'
'One Black Mark'

Liver abscesses in finished beef-cross cattle continue to frustrate feeders and packers. Severe liver abscesses negatively impact cattle performance in a number of ways.

 How to Prevent Mastitis in Beef Cows
How to Prevent Mastitis in Beef Cows

Although mastitis, an infection of the udder, is often considered a dairy cow problem, the disease can also impact beef cows. Here's what to look for to keep beef herds healthy.

Trace Mineral Needs In The Beef Herd
Trace Mineral Needs In The Beef Herd

While trace mineral deficiencies can vary widely by animal and region, the most common ones Jeffery Hall, DVM, PhD, DABVT, sees in cattle today are insufficient copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.

Endovac Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Endovac Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The company, based in Columbia, Mo., manufactures vaccines for livestock to aid in the protection of numerous diseases caused by gram-negative bacteria. 

What is The Best Way to Treat Cattle in the Pasture?
What is The Best Way to Treat Cattle in the Pasture?

A producer asked Beef Cattle Institute experts to address how to give medical care to an animal in the field. Options listed: darting, roping, trailering or walking to a facility, doing nothing. What would you choose?

Survive the Heat Wave: Expert Tips to Protect Cattle from Heat Stress
Survive the Heat Wave: Expert Tips to Protect Cattle from Heat Stress

The heat is no joke, especially for cattle producers across the country as they look for ways to keep cattle cool and comfortable. Here's what some producers are doing.

Registration Open For 2023 U.S. CattleTrace Symposium
Registration Open For 2023 U.S. CattleTrace Symposium

The 2023 U.S. CattleTrace Symposium, which will be held November 14 and 15 at the American Royal Center, Kansas City, Mo., is now open for registration.

The Impact of Pinkeye in Cattle: Causes, Signs, and Best Practices for Control and Prevention
The Impact of Pinkeye in Cattle: Causes, Signs, and Best Practices for Control and Prevention

Pinkeye is a painful eye disease that affects cattle worldwide. Here’s a look at the causes, signs, treatment, control and prevention of pinkeye, provided by K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute.

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Fatigued Cattle Syndrome: What It Is and What to Do About It

As temperatures ratchet up, the disorder is more frequently seen in fed cattle ready for slaughter. Veterinarians offer their take on what contributes to the problem and seven recommendations to help prevent it.

Feedlot Cattle Health Summit in Kearney Neb., July 12
Feedlot Cattle Health Summit in Kearney Neb., July 12

The PAC Summit for Industry Leaders will be held July 12, 2023, at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Nebraska. The event features an exciting line-up of speakers and topics.

USDA Awards $2.29 Million in Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health
USDA Awards $2.29 Million in Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health

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.

Preventing Grass Tetany in the Lactating Beef Cow this Spring
Preventing Grass Tetany in the Lactating Beef Cow this Spring

As spring nears and grass begins to turn green, producers are anxious to get cows out to grass. However, cool season predominate areas tend to have lush spring growth which can lead to grass tetany in cows.

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

Veterinarians with experience dealing with this bovine medical emergency offer insights and recommendations to help other practitioners and producers know what to do in this situation.

12 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Disease in Feedlots
12 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Disease in Feedlots

Sound management, health protocols and facilities maintenance can help achieve the ultimate goal of keeping cattle healthy and productive.

A Labor Of Love
A Labor Of Love

Thirteen-year-old Addi Drury's best friend is a 1,520-pound bucking bull named Hard Labor. When tragedy struck a year ago, Addi's family loaded him up and headed for the OSU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines
Don’t Assume That Old Refrigerator Is Good Enough To Store Vaccines

Household units and mini fridges are often unsuitable for maintaining veterinary products, according to a recent study by Emmanuel Rollin, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia.

What Antibiotics Will No Longer be Available OTC?
What Antibiotics Will No Longer be Available OTC?

On June 11, 2023, the following antibiotics will no longer be available for purchase over-the-counter.

Scott King to Lead U.S. Cattle Business for Boehringer Ingelheim
Scott King to Lead U.S. Cattle Business for Boehringer Ingelheim

King brings more than three decades of animal health experience to the role. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and practiced veterinary medicine for 10 years.

Understanding Diseases Associated with Histophilus Somni
Understanding Diseases Associated with Histophilus Somni

Veterinarians and researchers have hypothesized why H. somni is becoming more widespread and increasingly prevalent, but there is not a clear culprit.

Strategic Feedlot Bedding
Strategic Feedlot Bedding

Providing bedding is one of the time-tested strategies for dealing with winter weather. But how does bedding affect the bottom-line?

Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use
Nine Research Grants Focus on Improving Beef and Swine Antibiotic Use

The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) has awarded nine grants to develop management strategies that improve judicious antibiotic use in beef cattle and swine.

FDA Publishes 2021 Report on Antimicrobial Use in Livestock
FDA Publishes 2021 Report on Antimicrobial Use in Livestock

Domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals decreased by less than 1% between 2020-21. Compared to 2015 (peak year), 2021 sales decreased 38%.

Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) is Highly Prevalent on European Dairy Farms
Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) is Highly Prevalent on European Dairy Farms

Preliminary results of a field study found 73% of farms tested positive for BCoV in the respiratory pathway, and BCoV is associated with increased risk for Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).

reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
Dealing with Drought Webinar to Assist Cow-Calf Producers with Decision Making

Drought is not a new issue to cow-calf producers, but many factors make this year unique. Kansas State will host a webinar to help producers weigh options on May 19.

Elanco Animal Health Doubles Down on Improved Environmental Sustainability and Nutrient Utilization in Beef Production
Elanco Animal Health Doubles Down on Improved Environmental Sustainability and Nutrient Utilization in Beef Production

Elanco Animal Health and Ducks Unlimited announce results from the year-one effort of a multi-year initiative to restore working grasslands in western Kansas.

Over-The-Counter Access to Antibiotics is Going Away
Over-The-Counter Access to Antibiotics is Going Away

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.

Drought Raises Concern For Cattle Fever Ticks in South Texas
Drought Raises Concern For Cattle Fever Ticks in South Texas

The ongoing drought in south Texas has lowered the water level at the Rio Grande River making it easier for wildlife carrying cattle fever ticks to enter the U.S.

In this May 18, 2015 photo, irrigation pipes sit along a dry irrigation canal on a field farmed by Gino Celli, who relies on senior water rights to water his crops, near Stockton, Calif.
Drought Coverage Now Rivals 2012, Wheat Belt and Cattle Country Conditions Continue to Crumble

Drought covering the continental U.S. grew by 2 points this week, now covering nearly 60% of the country. As the drought grips the Wheat Belt and key areas for cattle production, it's creating concern for 2022.

Unique Ear Tag can help Detect Sick Cattle in the Feedyard
Unique Ear Tag can help Detect Sick Cattle in the Feedyard

SenseHub Feedlot offers those who manage and care for cattle an innovative new approach to detecting illness, including bovine respiratory disease.

Drought Threat Expanding
Drought Threat Expanding

Drought is expanding in the country. There is plenty of time to avoid widespread drought impacts but without significant moisture in the next 2-3 months, the cattle industry could see major impacts.

Drug and Feed Ingredient Shortages Hit U.S. Livestock Producers
Drug and Feed Ingredient Shortages Hit U.S. Livestock Producers

Supply-chain disruptions are hitting America's meat producers and sending them scrambling for alternatives as they seek to care for farm animals and keep down costs.

Profitability Potential Steers Producer Support of Traceability Efforts
Profitability Potential Steers Producer Support of Traceability Efforts

From disease tracking and consumer expectations to profitability, beef, dairy and hog producers share their opinions on traceability in the U.S.

Blister Beetles Toxic to Horses
Blister Beetles Toxic to Horses

Veterinarians are cautioning horse owners to be wary of alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles this year as consumption of the beetles pose a risk of serious illness or death for horses.

Fly and Tick Season is Upon Us
Fly and Tick Season is Upon Us

When considering how to plan for a fly and tick control program for your cattle operation it is important to know the difference in application methods and their specific longevity in relation to adequate control.

Would You Try Tele-health Appointments with Your Vet?
Would You Try Tele-health Appointments with Your Vet?

Virtual appointments for all kinds of services have become increasingly more available over the last year—even veterinary visits. Drovers’ latest Pulse Poll shows some ranchers would try out the service.

Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Can Put More Profit In Everyone’s Pocket
Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Can Put More Profit In Everyone’s Pocket

Drovers and Bovine Veterinarian invite you to attend a free one-hour webinar on how to use breeding soundness exams to ensure adult and yearling bulls are ready for the breeding season.

2021 Trust In Food Symposium to Highlight Trends in Carbon and Climate, Animal Ag and Innovation
2021 Trust In Food Symposium to Highlight Trends in Carbon and Climate, Animal Ag and Innovation

Keynote speakers will include iconic thought leaders, such as Dr. Jonathan Foley of Project Drawdown; Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University; Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the University of California-Davis and more.

Rebecca Poole, Ph.D., performs an ultrasound at the Nutrition and Physiology Center and in the lab at Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center.
Calves on the Ground Put Money in the Pocket

Texas A&M study aims to reduce cattle reproduction failures, economic losses.

Is the Livestock Industry Prepared for a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak?

FADs are a constant threat to the livestock industry. The country is more tuned in to this struggle than ever before with the recent COVID-19 pandemic. National Pork Board's Dave Pyburn and NCBA's Ethan Lane discuss why.

Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar
Vilsack Weighs In On Parallel Between COVID-19 and Animal Disease Outbreaks

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. 

Virtual Format Announced for the 2021 Driftless Region Beef Conference
Virtual Format Announced for the 2021 Driftless Region Beef Conference

Webinars each evening will feature topics ranging from Greenhouse Gasses and sustainability in beef production, advice for surviving tough times and antibiotic resistance to a 2021 market outlook.

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U.S. Cattle Industry Faces Emergence of its Own Novel Virus

At a point in history when a novel virus dominates the news cycle and impacts our lives daily, another novel virus has emerged in the United States – this time, in the cattle population.

Good cattle records are the cornerstone of any herd health program, but they’re especially important for identifying potential BVDV issues.
Successful BVDV Prevention Strategies Focus On Type 1b

Type 1b has emerged as the most prevalent subgenotype of BVDV in the United States, accounting for roughly 70% of reported cases.