Reading Time: 3 minutes Vaccinations are a cornerstone biosecurity practice for cow-calf operations and feedlots. It is not uncommon for two or more vaccines to be given twice a year. There has been lots written about proper vaccination techniques, vaccine storage, maintaining the chain of refrigeration and other things that affect the way these vaccines perform. I want to […] Read more
Automatic syringes a better solution
Retire those old guns that have done their duty, and get better results
Expert beef advice via audio
Podcasts are convenient and can offer what producers need to know, when they need to know it and with many ways to listen
Reading Time: 3 minutes We are all trying to get factual information on the health, production and welfare of our herds. Sometimes it is hard to stay abreast of all the information. Publications like this one, and websites of the Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattle Association and provincial beef producers’ groups, can help with that. YouTube videos, if […] Read more
More information is better when looking for your next herd sire
Scrotal size is a key indicator and getting reliable, consistent measurements isn’t difficult
Reading Time: 3 minutes Scrotal circumference and scrotal palpation are among the quickest, repeatable and fact-revealing pieces of information we can get on bulls. Some breeds get away with less scrotal size, but we have also seen that scrotal size, on average, has gone up through selection. Because it is quite heritable, fertility improves. However, we are probably reaching […] Read more
Detection and prevention of rectal and anal tears
They’re rare, but the consequences may make slaughter necessary
Reading Time: 3 minutes It is worthwhile to discuss ways to recognize, treat and prevent rectal and anal injuries in livestock. They are rare, but occur often enough to warrant a review in case producers or veterinarians encounter them in cattle or other animals. The causes are many and varied but some preventive measures may be obvious. Depending on […] Read more
Often a tranquilizer makes things easier for cattle and their owner
There is a non-prescription product that has many uses and can be administered by producers
Reading Time: 3 minutes There are many times when tranquilization makes it easier on both cattle and the operator. The main tranquilizer I am talking about is acepromazine, a member of the phenothiazine tranquilizer family. It is not a prescription product and producers can be trained in its usage and in the way it is delivered. Since the dosage […] Read more
It’s more rare these days, but grain overload has a big impact
Mixed rations and better storage have cut cases, but take care when increasing grain in a ration
Reading Time: 3 minutes Grain overload has been drastically reduced over the years thanks to nutritionists, total mixed rations and fewer incidents of accidental ingestion. But I want to review the condition, treatment and, most importantly, the ways to prevent it. Grain overload occurs when there is over-consumption of a carbohydrate source, most often grain. I have treated severe […] Read more
There are many ways of dealing with a product shortage
Vaccine shortages happen, but there are usually alternatives for dealing with the situation
Reading Time: 3 minutes The shortage of scour vaccine illustrates how the cattle industry can respond to issues that are bound to happen in a world with manufacturing failures, transportation issues and problems that can plague biological products. There are three pharmaceutical manufacturers of scour vaccines, so when one is rumoured to run out, veterinarians search the others. Many […] Read more
We have very safe pharmaceuticals, but they must be used properly
Mistakes can happen if you don’t pay close attention to labels and used the correct route of administration
Reading Time: 4 minutes There are various toxicity tests that determine how effective a product is and how to safely use it. There is an acronym called LD 50 (for lethal dose), which is the concentration or amount of a product to kill 50 per cent of the patients. Fortunately, most cattle products we use are very safe. But […] Read more
We should celebrate change and raise those low vaccination rates
Thoughts on how things are getting better, the joy of hydraulic chutes, and vaccination hesitancy
Reading Time: 3 minutes They say the only constant is change, and one only has to think back on how we used to do things to see the great changes that have happened in the cattle industry. Advancements in technology, vaccines, reproductive technologies, nutrition, handling, production genetics and animal welfare are abundant. I think most of these changes have […] Read more
Birthweight isn’t as straightforward as it should be
Believe it or not, the methods for determining this critical number can vary a great deal
Reading Time: 3 minutes Purebred producers diligently weigh their calves to give the purebred bull purchasers an accurate prediction, adding that information to data on bull selection and calving ease. It is highly heritable, so birthweight and birthweight EPDs, as well as calving ease, are usually listed in bull sale catalogues. Purebred and commercial products need to be aware […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
