Persistently infected calves are important sources of bovine viral diarrhea virus in cattle, but they might also cause respiratory disease at the feedlot level. Dr. Dan Grooms of the Michigan State University recently told the Academy of Veterinary Consultants in Denver, Colorado, that these calves occur at a relatively low prevalence of three to five […] Read more
Stories by John Campbell, DVM, DVSC
Supplements increase risk of urea toxicity
I recently spoke to a veterinarian who had tentatively diagnosed urea toxicity in a group of sheep. It reminded me of the importance of preventing these conditions by being aware of what is fed to cattle and sheep, especially with regard to protein supplements. Protein is an essential component of rations for cattle and sheep. […] Read more
Managing mineral, vitamin issues
A recent publication in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation provides important information about trace mineral and vitamin levels in calves from western Canadian cow-calf herds. Dr. Cheryl Waldner and Dr. Barry Blakley from the University of Sask-atchewan’s Western College of Veterinary Medicine wrote the paper, which describes the findings of a large scale study […] Read more
Would your farm portray a positive image on YouTube?
An animal rights group recently released a video taken with a hidden camera on a dairy farm in New Mexico. The images from Mercy for Animals showed workers beating cows with chains, using electric prods on the genitals of cattle and dragging cattle that couldn’t walk behind a tractor. The images were shown on every […] Read more
Animal grooming behaviour may indicate disease presence
Selecting and treating sick calves early in the disease process is one of the challenges when dealing with respiratory disease in weaned calves. Many of the early signs of depression that mark the beginning of the disease process are subtle. This re-quires well trained pen checkers who understand the normal behaviour patterns of cattle and […] Read more
Weaning poses a risk for respiratory health
The Academy of Veterinary Consultants held a Bovine Respiratory Disease Symposium in Denver in July that featured at least two talks focused on how preconditioning can prevent bovine respiratory disease. Dr. Mark Hilton from Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine presented a strong argument for cow-calf producers to consider preconditioning as part of their management […] Read more
Which bulls perform in breeding season?
The old saying that your bulls are “half of your herd” is certainly true when talking about genetics. However, to pass on those genetics, a bull first has to get cows pregnant. If the bull can’t perform this task, his genetic potential will count for nothing. The latest edition of the Journal of Animal Science […] Read more
Coronavirus causes more than diarrhea
Bovine coronavirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in young calves. A Kansas State database suggests that one in three cases of diarrhea in calves between one and nine weeks of age may be caused by bovine coronavirus. The virus causes a profuse watery diarrhea in young calves, usually between five and […] Read more
Copper deficiency a common issue
Copper deficiency in cattle has been associated with a range of problems. They include poor growth, loss in milk production, changes in hair colour, anemia and nervous disease symptoms such as falling down and stumbling. Copper has also been suggested to play a role in the immune response, and cattle that are copper deficient may […] Read more
Calving distribution provides insight into herd profitability
Most cow-calf producers have a calving book in their pockets at calving time. A few may have made the technological leap to a smartphone application or a computer-based recording system, but the tried and true pocket calving book is still common. This record keeping system may not be high tech, but it can tell you […] Read more
