animal health Archives - Page 8 of 11

It’s unfortunate but not uncommon for older “banded” calves to succumb to tetanus.

Tips on managing clostridial disease in cattle

Animal Health: Proper timing of proper vaccines can prevent a costly wreck

By Roy Lewis November 27, 2019

There’s a great need for routine vaccinations to prevent the multiple ways cattle can get clostridial diseases such as scours, blackleg and tetanus. They’re relatively cheap and cost-effective. Here are some tips and comments. Vaccines offer good protection as long as one recognizes the need to booster-vaccinate. A single vaccination with most clostridial vaccines does […] Read more

Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer campaigns in Langley, B.C. on Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Reuters/Carlos Osorio)

Livestock

Federal Tories pledge to postpone new livestock transport rules

By GFM Network News October 11, 2019

A federal Conservative government would postpone major amendments to animal health regulations dealing with livestock transport, otherwise due to come into effect in February next year. Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives on Friday released a platform promising a number of regulatory changes of interest to grain and livestock producers ahead of the federal election on Oct. 21. […] Read more

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney steps up to speak at Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony on Oct. 3, 2019. (Video screengrab from Alberta.ca via YouTube)

Livestock

Alberta proposes heavier penalties for on-farm trespassing

By GFM Network News October 4, 2019

Alberta’s government proposes to discourage future on-farm protests — events in the style of an occupation held early last month at an Alberta Hutterite colony’s turkey farm — on pain of new penalties. Speaking Thursday at the Jumbo Valley colony near Fort Macleod, Premier Jason Kenney, Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer and Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen […] Read more

Elanco Animal Health CEO Jeff Simmons speaks during an interview at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Sept. 20, 2018. (Photo: Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

Livestock, Reuters

Elanco to become No. 2 in animal health with Bayer deal

By GFM Network News August 20, 2019

Reuters — Elanco Animal Health agreed to buy Bayer’s veterinary drugs unit on Tuesday in a cash and stock deal valued at US$7.6 billion (C$10 billion), creating the second largest maker of medicines for livestock and pets and expanding Elanco’s reach online. The deal is the latest in the fast-growing animal health market, which has […] Read more

Improved design of handling equipment benefits all aspects of processing cattle.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Improved design applied to cattle handling equipment

Animal Health: Easier on cattle and people and the job gets done faster

By Roy Lewis August 7, 2019

For three weeks in December 2018, I filled in at a former practice. There were a few really positive things and improvements in many of the farms I visited previously. Most are progressive operators so improvements are always being made. These improve animal welfare and make it easier on the people involved — including me, […] Read more

Livestock, Reuters

Bayer, Elanco said aiming to reach animal health deal next week

By Reuters, GFM Network News August 7, 2019

Reuters — Germany’s Bayer and U.S. drug firm Elanco Animal Health aim to reach an agreement to combine their animal health businesses as soon as next week, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Elanco plans to pay for at least a part of the deal with its stock and any deal […] Read more

As producers begin to market certified hormone-free cattle to EU and other markets, a better system is needed to provide the certification.

Beef Cattle, Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Suggestions for streamlining cattle exports

Technicians could handle some of the tests and paperwork now done by vets

By Roy Lewis June 26, 2019

Progress generally makes things easier and more efficient but this has not been the case with CFIA veterinary accreditation and the processes for testing and getting approval to export cattle. As a result, many veterinarians — especially those approaching retirement — are letting their CFIA accreditation expire. I now hear of a real shortage of […] Read more

Thompson Rivers University student Chris Solecki testing out a drone which columnist Roy Lewis says can play a practical role in livestock management.

Cattleman’s Corner, Livestock

Using new technology to monitor cattle

Animal Health: Stationary cameras and drones can be used in many ways 

By Roy Lewis March 20, 2019

Technology has advanced for monitoring the health of cattle both at calving time and on pasture. Two operations I deal with during the calving season have used advanced cameras in the last several years. I have also seen demonstrations and heard a few presentations on drones for checking and monitoring cattle. It appears to be […] Read more

Administering painkillers can benefit cattle production on several levels.

Cattleman’s Corner, Cow-Calf

Using NSAID painkillers at calving

Animal Health: The treatment can benefit both cows and calves

By Roy Lewis January 21, 2019

With pain medication there may be adjunct treatment with antibiotics but sometimes this is unnecessary. If your veterinarian prescribes NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain he/she may choose one for several reasons — label claims, past experience in the field, price per treatment or per 100 pounds, duration of activity, ease of administration, advice of […] Read more

(Screengrab from Allflex video via YouTube)

Livestock, Machinery, Reuters

Merck bolsters animal health unit with Allflex deal

By GFM Network News December 14, 2018

Reuters — Merck and Co. said on Friday it will buy privately-held French company Antelliq Group, which makes digital identification products for livestock, for about 2.1 billion euros (C$3.19 billion) to bolster its fast-growing animal health business. The move affirms the drugmaker’s commitment to the business, which Wall Street analysts have long seen value in […] Read more

U.S. livestock: Live cattle drop as beef prices, packer margins erode

CBOT Weekly: Soybean, wheat futures come down

Masterfeeds to enter new ADM/Alltech feed joint venture

GFM Network News