As selenium accumulates in soil over years, more Se will be taken up by plants, making crops less suitable or unsuitable for human or livestock consumption.
Tag Archives livestock health
Selenium: Agricultural, environmental and human concerns
Agronomy Management: From a water quality standpoint, health of rivers and lakes should be of highest priority
There are now many veterinary clinic models
Animal Health: Veterinarians have specialized and also offer more telemedicine
In rural Western Canada, the veterinary clinic was traditionally a mixed-animal practice, with everyone being a jack of all trades and emergency work in all species. But cattle were the bread and butter. We have all heard of the shortage of veterinarians for both small and large animals, but there has also been a big […] 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
Many management benefits from weighing cattle
The old adage that you can’t manage what you can’t measure applies in all stages of livestock production
Agricultural commodities, including livestock, have been quantified in various ways since the earliest farmers sold excess production. Weight has often been the primary measuring stick. “It’s been the easiest way to measure, plus, we still sell cattle by the pound,” says Karin Schmid, Beef Production and Extension lead for Alberta Beef Producers. “The simplest answer […] Read more
‘Extra’ water key to reducing heat stress in calves
Dairy Corner: Keeping them hydrated is part of proper management when temperatures rise
Heat stress starts to harm dairy calves even at about 22 C with a relative humidity of at least 60 per cent. At this humidex level, I have seen many calves become restless, reduce feed intake, and significantly increase water consumption. As temperatures rise (coupled with more humidity), most sooner or later breathe rapidly and […] Read more
Coccidiosis still a threat to be monitored
Animal Health with Roy Lewis: Important to control internal and external parasites
Coccidiosis and internal parasitism are two clinical syndromes I thought we had rid from the cattle sector. But although they just about disappeared, they are on the comeback trail. It is important to know why along with new strategies to keep them at bay. Clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment must be periodically reviewed. Direct communication […] Read more
Spring is welcome, but it brings its own issues for calves
Pen Checker Diary: Nicer weather comes with a whole parcel of animal health risks
Those of us in the agricultural field find ourselves continually affected by our Canadian weather. A constant of this weather is that it is continually changing, and when the bitter cold temperatures of winter begin to ease and the spring sun appears in its brilliance, Old Sonny and I tend to feel pretty good about […] Read more
Risk of tetanus in cattle increasing
Animal Health: Your best approach is to prevent it through vaccination
In the last several years tetanus has most definitely been increasing in incidence across Canada so it is important that producers know what to look for and understand measures to prevent this deadly disease. Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium Tetani that is the same family of organisms which causes blackleg. This spore-producing bacteria […] Read more
Dealing with downer cattle, not simple or easy
Animal Health: There are many reasons a seemingly healthy cow can go down, and quite often no easy procedure to get her back up
Farmers and veterinarians since the beginning of time have pondered over the proverbial downer cow. Typically, a downer cow surprises the farmer. It is often a perfectly healthy animal with no presenting history suddenly found down and unable to rise. Because cattle, especially mature ones, are such heavy beasts, complications can ensue after being down […] Read more
The beef industry wants cattle producers to be more efficient
A new project across the Canadian beef industry has set as one of its goals to help producers increase overall beef production efficiency by 15 per cent over the next five years. The recently announced National Beef Strategy is a collaborative effort among key sectors of the livestock industry. It actually has a number of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
