Reading Time: < 1 minute Dr. Jennifer Willans is the recipient of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association’s Meritorious Service Award. This award is presented to an association member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the organization. Service may be over the past year or several years. Dr. Alastair Cribb is the recipient of this year’s Veterinarian of the Year Award. […] Read more
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association award winners
Tips to reduce stress and up safety when handling cattle
It starts with keeping cattle calm and identifying hazards in your current handling facilities, say experts
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keep calm when handling cattle — especially if you want safe working conditions. Attitude, confidence, as well as the general mood sets the tone when handling cattle, says veterinarian Dr. Cody Creelman. “I can barely count the number of times I’ve seen situations where things are nice and calm, steady, quiet, and proper,” said Creelman. […] Read more
The secret life of your cow’s reproductive system
Becoming adept at artificial insemination takes time and a lot of practice — here’s what you need to know
Reading Time: 4 minutes Many people are nervous about artificially inseminating their cattle. But knowing a few of the basics about a cow’s reproductive system can help get you on the way to creating an artificial insemination program, said Colin Palmer, associate professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. “The ultimate goal is […] Read more
Calving problems are decreasing
Vets aren’t called out during calving as often as they used to be, but producers need to know when to call for backup
Reading Time: 4 minutes With genetic selection of lower birth weights and easy calving bulls, calving problems due to fetal oversize are becoming rarer and rarer. But there are still common problems, which are worth reviewing to help producers recognize and assist these deliveries to save more calves as calving season is upon us. Fetal malpresentations today are the […] Read more
New sheep parasite medication available this spring
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Lamb Producers is welcoming the imminent arrival of a medication to treat a parasite that infects sheep. “Barber pole worm infection is a significant health issue in many Alberta flocks,” Alberta Lamb Producers (ALP) said in a release. “The parasite can cause heavy mortality and production losses, due to anemia in infected sheep. As […] Read more
Ongoing testing key to preventing BSE
Reading Time: < 1 minute Cattle producers are being reminded of the importance of participating in the BSE surveillance program. “I can’t see why anyone would not participate in it,” said Darrel Rutt, a longtime cattle rancher in the Valleyview area. “A lot of people went through a lot of work in the following years to create access back into […] Read more
Funding available for swine biocontainment plans
Alberta Pork’s biocontainment plan will help the swine industry control disease in an outbreak situation
Reading Time: 3 minutes To minimize the impact of serious disease on the swine industry, Alberta Pork has a new biocontainment plan that is available for all swine producers. The biocontainment program was launched in conjunction with Growing Forward 2 last month and provides Alberta swine producers with $600 to develop a biocontainment plan with the help of their […] Read more
Pig producers warned to be on the lookout
Seneca Valley virus is a concern because its symptoms are the same as those for foot-and-mouth
Reading Time: 2 minutes If you see blisters around the mouth, hoof, or nose of your pigs, you need to call your veterinarian immediately. Seneca Valley virus, which causes these blisters, is a swine disease that has recently become more prevalent in the U.S. “Seneca Valley virus is a concern because you can’t distinguish it from the really scary […] Read more
Pain control for cattle the new normal
The beef code of practice recommends pain control medication for procedures such as dehorning and castrating
Reading Time: 3 minutes Times are changing, and both growing social pressure and knowledge about animal welfare is making pain control part of the equation in cattle production. “Society expects it of us, and it’s part of that social licence to operate,” said John Campbell, a veterinarian and head of large-animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary […] Read more
Watch for newer respiratory pathogens
Beef 911: Corona virus and B. trehalosi bacteria aren’t always easy to spot
Reading Time: 3 minutes We have all heard of corona virus being one of the main causes of viral scours in our newborn calves. It and a couple of strains of rotavirus are the two main viruses we see in our scours vaccines. (It also causes a winter dysentery bloody diarrhea in mature cattle, especially housed dairy cattle in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
