Sheep producers know that feeding ewes properly is vital to flock production. To do this, it helps to understand the ewes’ requirements, both in quantity and timing. Their needs are based on body condition, but it varies with ewe size and what they are carrying – singles, twins or triplets. Ewes selected for breeding should […] Read more
Stories by Jeff Grognet, DVM
Resistance becoming major problem in deworming treatments
Deworming beef cattle is standard recommended practice, but dewormers may not be doing their job. Resistance has been confirmed with many deworming products in the United States. Studies need to be done in Canada to find out if money is going down the drain. Producers used to deworm only when worm loads in their cattle […] Read more
Fine art of pen checking can be improved
Beef feedlots depend on pen checkers. In turn, pen checkers depend on their knowledge and skill and, if they have one, their horse. Tips on how to do a better job monitoring cattle were recently presented in a booklet prepared by Schering-Plough/Intervet. There are two types of feedlot pens: settled and hot. Hot pens contain […] Read more
The lasting impact of BSE in Canada
When Canada announced its first case of home-grown BSE on May 20, 2003, the effects were immediate and devastating. This disease still haunts the beef industry. Even now, when BSE is mentioned, it’s quick to hit the headlines. According to the World Organization for Animal Health, 25 countries have found BSE in home-grown cattle. Great […] Read more
Mouth infections come in many forms
Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue are similar in that they both attack tissues in cattle’s mouths and cause swelling, but otherwise they are completely different. Lumpy jaw is caused by the fungus Actinomyces bovis, which is why it’s called Actinomycosis. If something pierces the lining of the mouth, it opens a door for the fungus […] Read more
The inside story on cattle reproduction
Do you get confused when your veterinarian starts talking about cow reproduction? You are not alone. So that you can understand what’s going on with cows, the following is a lesson on female body parts and how they work together to change an egg to a living calf. The logical starting point is the ovaries. […] Read more
Listeriosis usually linked to feed source
The bacterium Listeria infects cattle and small ruminants. It can be picked up from the environment, but is most commonly transmitted in tainted silage that is poorly fermented, mouldy or spoiled with soil. It’s more likely to cause disease in cattle than small ruminants such as sheep and goats. Outbreaks of listeriosis can occur when […] Read more
Designing a successful culling program
When it comes time to cull their cows, producers tend to break them into two groups: those that excel in reproductive performance and longevity, and those that don’t. This allocation is not cut and dried and depends on cow age, pregnancy status, medical reasons for culling and what percentage of the herd is to be […] Read more
Good bacteria can help restore microbial balance
Trillions of bacteria inhabit the intestines but most of the time they are good bugs. They maintain intestinal health and prevent bad bugs from gaining a foothold. Unfortunately, the balance between good and bad is tenuous, and the slightest intestinal upset can tip it so that the bad bugs overgrow. Probiotics are the tools that […] Read more
Septic arthritis difficult to treat
Septic arthritis is a joint infection that can affect cattle of any age but is a particular problem in neonates. It is expensive to treat and the outcome is not always positive. Bacteria invade the joint in one of four ways: Something penetrating the joint such as a wood sliver or prong of barbed wire […] Read more
