It’s time to start planning our winter feeding programs for our cow herds. This year, there will be a lot of alternative feeds used in Western Canada because of the drought. That means feed testing will become more important than usual. I’ve come up with the five steps to consider when getting feed tested. Get […] Read more
Tag Archives Animal Health column
New intranasal vaccines offer calves combined protection
There has been considerable research into intranasal vaccines and how they can improve the health of the Canadian cattle herd, especially calves. Those of us who have been around awhile can remember the first intranasal vaccines for IBR that were safe to give pregnant cows to prevent abortions from the virus. At one time we […] Read more
PED shone light on importance of feed import controls
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, another coronavirus was wreaking havoc in North America, only this one was attacking pigs. This coronavirus causes porcine epidemic diarrhea, a severe disease in which pigs go off feed, vomit, have diarrhea and often die. The virus is shed in large volumes in the feces and other pigs become infected when […] Read more
Risk of fog fever in cattle potentially higher this autumn
In many parts of Western Canada, we have suffered through a significant drought this grazing season. As well, in some areas we have seen some precipitation late in the summer and early fall, which has resulted in regrowth of forages on pasture. These are ideal conditions for a potentially fatal condition known as fog fever, […] Read more
New product provides producers with viable option for lice control
Lice have been on the increase the last few years and it appears resistance to the ivermectin products may be part of the problem. As well, treatment timing, proper application, weather conditions and dosage could be factors. The type of lice can make a difference because biting lice feed on the skin surface, move around […] Read more
Maternal vaccines help protect neonates from disease
Maternal vaccines are given to pregnant females to protect their offspring from infectious diseases. Administering specific vaccines during late pregnancy harnesses the ancient evolutionary mechanism by which dams pass on antibodies to their neonates. Antibodies generated by pregnant females are fully formed and functional when they enter the blood stream of the offspring and give […] Read more
Drought raises possibility of nitrate toxicity this year
Nitrate poisoning in cattle is a potential issue to be aware of in years with significant drought. There will probably be significant amounts of drought-stressed cereal crops that are fed to beef cattle this winter in parts of Western Canada and we know that drought-stressed small grains and corn can accumulate nitrates to a significant […] Read more
Antimicrobial market expands with new generic drugs
A widely used macrolide antibiotic used to prevent respiratory disease in cattle has come off patent. When the Draxxin antimicrobial first reached the market, there was huge uptake in the Canadian feedlot industry. Zuprevo, Micotil and Zactran, all used primarily for treatment of bacterial respiratory disease, are in the same macrolide family. Now that the […] Read more
Bucking horse research finds that handler behaviour matters
Over the years I’ve spent as a competitor and observer of rodeos, it seemed evident that the mature campaigner broncs were generally calm, loaded well into the chutes and stood for their equipment and rider, while the green stock were more likely to balk, head toss and kick. New research from the University of Calgary’s […] Read more
Early weaning in next year’s calf crop may offer advantages
In a year with significant drought issues in many parts of Western Canada and limited pasture, early weaning can be a management tactic that might prove beneficial in some situations. Dry cows have lower nutritional requirements than lactating cows and therefore may be able to improve in body weight and body condition score if their […] Read more
