On-Call / Vet

It seems that every other week I hear about how unsafe our food supply has become, that livestock producers are poisoning an unknowing public with all manner of substances and that antibiotic use in livestock should be banned because of bacterial resistance to certain antibiotics. Much of what I hear on news shows and read in magazines or newspapers seems often to be biased against prudent use of pharmaceuticals in livestock production. I have a few thoughts based on experience and research that I would like to discuss in more detail in this column.
There are innumerable articles detailing all sides of the problem of antibiotic resistance, food safety and livestock production in general.

Fall is now officially here, fall calving is in full swing and now is the time to start thinking about your bull power for breeding season coming in less than two months. Too many times in my practice over the past 20 years I have seen cattlemen plan and strategize for handling cows and heifers for the upcoming breeding season, only to forget that their bulls are an equally important part of the breeding equation. I would suggest, rather than a last minute rush, that you start planning now to make sure the bulls are ready to perform.

With the first frost of the year right around the corner, fall poses an excellent time of year to discuss the Bot fly, its impact on the horse and best means of control.

As I prepare this column, it would appear there is at least a small reprieve from some of the economic gloom and doom of the past 6 months.  Now I understand that this does not take away from the fact that everyone’s input costs have jumped drastically over the past couple of years.  But it should get you to thinking of ways to maximize your production and more efficiently use your resources.

Many types of squeeze chutes exist today, each with features that make cattle restraint easier.

It is the time of year when cattle are seen rubbing on trees, fence post, feeders or anything they can. They will rub until the skin becomes raw, thick and irritated and often the cause for this is lice. It costs cattle producers millions of dollars in losses each year. They are biting the lice, which live on their skin and hair. These are a sucking lice. Sucking lice tend to cause anemia, which will cause the immune system to become weaker leading to other illnesses. The lice will cause a decrease in weight gain and in milk production, and this will lead to an increase in feed costs and cause you to treat other issues resulting in less profit.

Spring is here (or maybe multiple springs from all the rain many of us have had) and you have your calf crop on the ground and are thinking maybe you should be going over the farm equipment before hay season starts. Something else you should be thinking about is getting ready for breeding season so that you have a new calf crop for next year.  Some planning now on your part can go a long way to making next year’s calf crop successful.

Urolithiasis is a common condition in goats and typically affects young wethers. It is characterized by small, crystallized stones (urinary calculi) forming in the urine which then settle out in the bladder and cause disease when they obstruct the outflow of the urethra and render the animal unable to urinate. This condition is of major significance due simply to the fact that it can make animals very sick very quickly and often results in death if not effectively treated soon enough.

It is that time of year when clients start asking me if they should start feeding extra magnesium to avoid grass tetany.  Over the years, my advice has been that most people should just supplement on a year-round basis.  I know most people are familiar with grass tetany, but I thought this to be a good time for a refresher course on the cause, treatment and prevention of this condition.

As I begin writing this, the weather report is showing continued cold weather and some possibility for frozen precipitation. Winter season is upon us. By the time you read this, you have already turned bulls out to breed your fall herd, your spring calves are either already sold or waiting January markets, and your family is getting prepared for Christmas celebrations. But there are several things that livestock owners have to consider to maintain animal health during this time of year.