Latest News From Animal health

Management, Disease Assessment Good Cattle ‘Insurance’

Cattle producers can improve the chances of their operation being successful.

Springtime Vaccines: Tools to Keep Calves Healthy Through the Summer

Branding season or pasture turnout is a natural time point that lends itself well to working calves and preparing them for the summer ahead.

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Last Chance for Cowboy College Early Bird Special

Cowboys are getting an education, but why pay full price? Sign up for Beef Today's Cowboy College by May 15 to take advantage of the early bird special. Plus, all early birds are entered in a drawing for a Henry Repeating Arms Farmers Feeding the World tribute rifle with display case.

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Considerations for Managing Stocker Cattle: Impacts on BRD

High cattle prices make it important to prevent stocker cattle from having bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

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Small Improvements to Corrals and Chutes Can Improve Health and Profitability in Cattle Operations

Producers with good, workable chutes are more likely to complete the appropriate practices than an owner with sub-par facilities.

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The Biggest Chicken Seller in the U.S. Is Eliminating Antibiotics

Tyson Foods will phase out human antibiotics in the chickens it raises by by September 2017, playing catch-up with Perdue, which reports 95 percent of its chickens already are grown without them.

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Nursing Calf BRD

Veterinarians seek ways to reduce the incidence of the disease claiming 16% of calves on the ranch

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Put Health to the Test

Calves exposed to persistently infected bovine viral diarrhea (BVD-PI) animals are at greater risk for BRD as well

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Treatment Decisions

Diagnosing BRD is easy, says Mike Apley, Kansas State University microbiologist—as long as nobody’s checking your accuracy, that is.

Management Tips for Good Herd Health

Most beef cattle producers understand the importance of keeping cattle healthy.

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Branding/Pre-Breeding: Calf and Cow Management Activities to Consider

Advanced planning with your veterinarian can make the future of your calves and cow herd look even brighter.

Small Farm Series: Handling/ Working Facilities

Even low-input operations need at least basic handling facilities to load cattle for transport to market or to treat health issues.

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BeefTalk: Cattle Deserve a Professional Herd-health Program

The cost of implementing adequate biosecurity measures and associated vaccination protocols is minimal, compared with the cost of even losing one calf, let alone a cow or bull.

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Calf Scours: Causes, Signs, Prevention, and Management

Calf scours, the common term for neonatal calf diarrhea, is one of the primary health problems in baby calves.

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Grass Tetany Likely to be Seen Throughout Spring Season Due to Rain, Cool Temps

Although the disease known as grass tetany typically peters out by April, Arkansas cattle ranchers should keep an eye out for the disease well into the late spring months this year, due to heavy rains and cool temperature trends in the region.

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Gene in High-altitude Cattle Disease Sheds Light on Human Lung Disease

Vanderbilt University researchers have found a genetic mutation that causes pulmonary hypertension in cattle grazed at high altitude, and which leads to a life-threatening condition called brisket disease.

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Identifying and Preventing Neosporosis in the Cow Herd

A K-State veterinarian talks symptoms of the condition and offers suggestions in how to prevent late-term abortions caused by protozoa called neospora.

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BVD-PI Testing to Protect Profits

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the costliest diseases in the beef industry, but testing for the illness can bring big returns.

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Animal Anthrax Confirmed in 2 Heifers in South Dakota

South Dakota's state veterinarian says animal anthrax has killed two young cows in Stanley County.

Cattle Health Should Remain Top Priority for Ranchers

As the State of Texas continues dealing with violence and other critical issues along the Texas-Mexico border, the threat of an animal disease and parasite outbreak continues to grow.

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Genetic Editing Emerges

Selecting for individual traits is often discouraged, but an emerging genetic technology could change your mind

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Grass Tetany: When to Prepare

Although it is still mid-March, the temperatures in much of the country have been relatively warm and a few of the cool season grasses will begin to green-up sooner than we may expect. With that green-up and cows lactating heavily comes the concern of grass tetany.

E. coli Vaccine Effective But Seldom Used in Feedlot Cattle

K-State study examines economic implications of vaccinating cattle to prevent E. coli.

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Maintain Health Throughout the Backgrounding Period

Even though calves may have been on a backgrounding program for several months, it doesn't mean they are safe from subsequent health issues later on in the feeding period.

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Hoof Cracks in Beef Cattle

Hoof cracks can be common in older cattle as they increase in weight.

Maintaining Health throughout the Backgrounding Period

Even though calves may have been on a backgrounding program for several months, it doesn't mean they are safe from subsequent health issues later on in the feeding period.

Dealing with Prolapses

Around calving time, prolapses in cows and heifers can be major health issues. Some cases may even be life threatening.

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CCA Statement on BSE in a Beef Cow in Alberta

The finding of a case of BSE in beef cow in Alberta, while unfortunate, demonstrates the robustness of the National BSE Surveillance Program Canada has in place.

Preparing for Healthy Calves is Vital

A pre-calving program, later calving seasons and feeding pregnant cows properly help make calving go smoothly.

BQA Best Management Practices: Feed Additives and Medications for the Cow-Calf Producer

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for each segment of the industry, an example would be: cow-calf, or feedlot. This article will focus on the BMP’s specific to feed additives and medications for the cow-calf producer.

Addressing Weak Calf Syndrome

A K-State veterinarian talks about what can lead to the condition and offers suggestions in caring for these newborn calves.

Colostrum Use, Supplements and Replacements

Be sure you're getting the right kind of colostrum supplement or replacement to calves if fresh colostrum isn't available.

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Avoid Loss from Purchased Disease; Isolate and Test to Protect the Cow Herd

Many diseases that occur in the cow-herd are purchased--meaning many diseases enter the herd through purchased cows, heifers, and bulls.

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Colostrum: The Elixir of Life

Are your calves getting enough colostrum?

Zoetis Announces Partnership to Help Boost Value of Feeder Cattle

Industry-leading support offers a new calf management program.

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Use Caution When Turning Cattle Out on Corn Stover

Grain overload can occur in cattle with unlimited access of grains.

Keep Germs Out Of Your Expanding Cow Herd

What can you do to protect your herd from outside diseases brought in by new cattle?

Livestock Disease Found in 2nd Montana Cow

State livestock officials are reporting for the second time in less than two weeks that they've found the disease brucellosis in a Montana cattle herd.

Livestock Disease Found in Montana Cow

Montana livestock officials say a cow from a Madison County cattle herd has tested positive for the disease brucellosis.

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Ranchers Need to be Alert for Acorn Poisoning in Cattle

Autumn’s generous acorn crop may be great for deer, but could be deadly for cattle.

Recommendations for Receiving Cattle: Health and Nutrition

Taking the proper steps to get calves off to the right start is paramount to the success of a cattle feeding operation.

New Fact Sheet Available on Bull Reproductive Health

A new fact sheet has been prepared by University of Wisconsin Extension on bull reproductive health.

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APHIS Rule Proposal Could Devastate American Cattle Herd

Contracting Foot-and-Mouth Disease from Argentina should be a major concern for cattlemen, says Pete Bonds, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

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Acorn Poisoning in Cattle

Should you be worried about acorn poisoning in your cattle?

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Lack of Pasture Grass May Lead Cattle to Feed on Dangerous Green Acorns

Many species of wildlife can eat acorns with no ill effects, but cows can contract acorn poisoning from eating too many - especially the green ones.

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Protect Livestock From Sweet Clover Disease

Sweet clover contains a high level of a chemical that can be converted to an anticoagulant.

New Antibiotics Regulations for Beef Cattle Producers

K-State veterinarian, Mike Apley, talks about beef producer adjustments to the phase-out of antibiotic use for cattle growth.

Removing Risk From a Risky Business

Beef Today’s Cowboy College offered feedlot crews an opportunity to learn more about dealing with high-risk cattle.

Evaluate Your Beef Cow’s Udder Health

How do your cows' udders look?

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BVD Testing Could Pay Off Big

A K-State veterinarian reviews a new study about the economic value of testing calves for bovine viral diarrhea.