Reading Time: 4 minutes Two protozoal diseases have nearly disappeared from Western Canadian herds thanks to toltrazuril, but research funding cuts put future progress at risk.
Two protozoal diseases nearly disappeared from herds — here’s what made the difference
The extra-label use of toltrazuril has been a game-changer for calf health, but the closure of federal research facilities raises questions about where the next breakthrough will come from
Focusing on the big three calf conditions will pay dividends
Scours, pneumonia or navel infections are commonplace but their incidence can be reduced
Reading Time: 3 minutes Most experienced cattlemen will have had an increased incidence in one of the three main calf diseases we see on ranches across Western Canada. These can be smouldering problems and occur year after year. I have spent many a time over my career discussing treatment of scours, pneumonia or navel infection (and then, ideally, working […] Read more
A simple system to fit the scourge of scours
Losses, treatment costs, and reduced performance can be a $4,000 hit in a 100-head beef herd
Reading Time: 5 minutes Editor’s note: This article from the Beef Cattle Research Council posted last fall offers what could be money-saving advice for producers heading into spring calving. The following is a condensed version. The full article ‘How fresh pens and pastures prevent calf losses’ can be found at www.beefresearch.ca. Doug Wray believes in keeping newborn calves separated […] Read more
Have a game plan before calving season gets underway
The risk factors that can sicken young calves are numerous but some can be mitigated, says veterinarian
Reading Time: 2 minutes The upcoming calving season will be a time of risk for disease on cow-calf operations. Pathogens that cause disease in young calves are present in all herds, so careful management is necessary to prevent them from getting sick. “Cow-calf producers most often deal with scours, septicemia, respiratory disease, and joint or navel ill,” said Dr. […] Read more
PED outbreaks slow, but still top of mind in Ontario
Swine Health Ontario dedicated its recent annual Big Bug Day to continuing toward the goal of eradicating porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) from Ontario. Martin Misener, a vet and chair of the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board, challenged the hog industry to not get complacent about stopping PED. Misener noted he had heard from people who […] Read more
When thinking about biosecurity on a beef farm, it helps to think both big and small
Disease can be introduced when people visit the farm, such as in the case of the bull sale
Reading Time: 3 minutes When people think about biosecurity, they generally think about swine, poultry or dairy operations. But biosecurity is important on beef operations too and there are a number of things producers can do to minimize their risk. “Dairy, swine and poultry are in barns, so biosecurity is easier to control, whereas in the beef industry, the […] Read more
Calf management survey links long calving season and calf mortality
A recent calf management study has shown links between increased calf mortality risk and the length of the calving season, timing of calving, and colostrum intake
Reading Time: 3 minutes Beef cattle producers with long calving seasons could see an increased risk of calf mortality, according to a recent study from the University of Calgary. “We looked at the correlation between the length of the calving season and mortality, and for every extra day, the mortality between a week of age and weaning went up […] Read more