Canadian livestock researchers are now using metagenomics to speed up the identification of diseases impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses alike.
Tag Archives calf health
Metagenomics change how cattle diseases are diagnosed
Researchers are using metagenomics to identify disease impacting beef cattle through bacteria, pathogens and viruses
Calf hormone implants can give environmental, financial wins
Bigger calves at weaning can cut emissions intensity and land use intensity and put more money in the pocket of cow-calf farmers
Hormone implants can lead to bigger calves — reducing greenhouse gas intensity, land use intensity and giving the beef farmer more profit, a Manitoba-based model suggests.
Test for parasites in cattle herd to avoid over-medication
Animal Health: Parasite control is complicated, and herd management needs to be reviewed from time to time
The old days of treating everything in the fall with an ivermectin-type (macrocyclic lactone) product year after year and always expecting excellent results are perhaps going away.
Calving season: Timing and transition
Beef producers talk about their motivations for changing calving timing
For many cow-calf producers, calving season is a favourite time of year. After waiting 283 days, farmers are finally able to see the result of their breeding decisions as well as welcome a new crop of animals that will likely become a large portion of their annual revenue. Looking at survey data over the past […] Read more
Lower stress, lower mycoplasma
Animal Health: The secondary respiratory and joint disease can be limited with prevention
Feedlot owners and backgrounders across this country always have one question for me: “Is there anything new out there to combat mycoplasma?” While there are a couple of vaccines licensed for cattle, they do require multiple shots. Vaccines help, but focusing on decreasing stress and other diseases can limit mycoplasma infection. Mycoplasma comes in many […] Read more
The teenage years, beef cow edition
First-calf beef heifers are going through the biggest challenges of their lives and need some support
Anyone reading this column who has been a teenager or has raised one can appreciate how challenging and interesting those years can be. Even good teenagers can be expensive. In our beef cattle production systems, the teenage role is filled by replacement heifers, and like teenagers a bit of understanding about the changes they are […] Read more
Miscellaneous health problems in calves
Animal Health: A little extra time spent checking newborn calves might help reduce losses
It has always been my premise that spending a bit more time on specific cases during the calving season may reap benefits for those calves with ailments. I know one must spend their time wisely at calving season, but even just keeping a cow-calf pair in isolation a bit longer may be all that is […] Read more
Dealing with diphtheria in calves
Several treatment options to get animals breathing again
Upper respiratory problems in cattle include diphtheria — the common name for infection/inflammation of the vocal folds of the larynx (voice box) at the back of the throat. Infection in this area is called necrotic laryngitis. Swelling from the inflammation can restrict the airway and make breathing difficult. In acute cases, the calf may die […] Read more
Treating colicky bloat in calves
Calf Management: Timeliness is critical and treatments are no guarantee
In some herds, calves die nearly every year from enterotoxemia caused by bacterial toxins. The calves are usually about a month old, but may be as young as a few days or as old as two to three months. They are generally healthy, fast-growing calves that suddenly develop acute gut pain, kicking at their belly […] Read more
Determine the risk level of feeder calves
Animal Health: Knowledge of how weaning was handled is useful information
There are many factors to consider when bringing in calves to feed to minimize BRD (bovine respiratory disease). It is still the number one cause of morbidity and often mortality in our feedlots. Knowing the history of the calves at weaning time, distance transported, vaccination and health history, as well as upcoming weather conditions will […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
