If you calve in early spring, it brings cows closer to the farmyard and that’s when individual cow problems become more obvious. Lameness is a common problem and now is a good time to attend to it. If a hoof trimmer is brought in, lameness can be more easily identified and treatments can be started. […] Read more
Stories by Roy Lewis, DVM
Solutions available for common calving malpresentations
Calving problems have been greatly reduced over the years but there are still issues we can’t control. One of these issues is malpresentations of the fetus. Some cows can deliver a calf with a foot back, but these are rare and most cows require birthing assistance. Producers must maintain sharp observational skills to know when […] Read more
Know the difference between free gas and frothy bloat
Bloat, the distension of the rumen, is probably seen less frequently in cattle production today with producers using total mixed rations, but cases can still occur and we must be ready. Frothy bloat can quickly turn from serious to death and yet timely treatment is very effective with no lingering consequences. Two incidences of bloat […] Read more
Animal health product shortage can be a learning experience
The pharmaceutical world has recently been fraught with shortages. This can be due to manufacturing problems, transportation issues or other factors. Key components necessary to manufacturing are in short supply in some cases, or in other cases, manufacturing has halted because of decreased demand. Sometimes relicensing of a product forces a company to look at […] Read more
Vitaferst a newborn calf supplement with a twist
This year, an oral supplement called Vitaferst, designed for newborn ruminants (calves, lambs and goat kids) was launched. Apart from selenium and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E, which are normally injected at birth requiring two separate needles, it contains one other mineral and one other vitamin. The product is formulated to have similar […] Read more
Many improvements have been made on modern ranches
This article will focus on ideas I have seen demonstrated on progressive producers’ farms and ranches. The first is the biggest when it comes to handling. There are excellent hydraulic chutes on the market by many manufacturers, including ones in Alberta and Manitoba for cattle and Saskatchewan and Alberta for bison. I wish I could […] Read more
Running cattle in community pastures has pros and cons
Cattle will soon be returning from summer pastures and I believe there is huge potential for community pastures to advance cattle production by being proactive. Community pastures vary greatly in overall management and direction and most have capable pasture managers and riders to get the job done. However, it is sometimes difficult to implement changes […] Read more
Clostridium perfringens good reason to keep up vaccines
In the cattle industry, we don’t pay much attention to the clostridium perfringens group of diseases because most producers vaccinate for it in one form or another. These diseases are covered in the multivalent clostridial (blackleg vaccines). Also, certain ones are covered in the scours vaccines so calves get protection in the colostrum and then […] Read more
Watch for noxious tall buttercup and white cockle
It is always pertinent to be on the lookout for poisonous and noxious weeds and keep in touch with agricultural service people in your area. Over time, I hear of more diagnosed deaths caused by things like water hemlock and that makes me wonder if production losses can be caused by slightly noxious weeds. The […] Read more
Black flies can cause major production problems in cattle
We seldom talk about black flies but I have recently run across problematic black fly strikes in northern Alberta. Black flies are very small and can elicit painful bites that can cause swelling in people, dogs, horses and cattle. Deaths can result from black fly strikes in animals that have not experienced them before and […] Read more
