The bacteria Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) causes a chronic intestinal infection in cattle and other ruminants commonly known as Johne’s Disease. MAP grows slowly and it takes years after the initial infection before the animal develops clinical signs. The animal’s well-being and genetic potential are compromised during this subclinical time. It is very possible that […]
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Those following beef news feeds may be reading about anaplasmosis and the dilemma of increasing resistance to the parasiticides used to kill the ticks that vector this disease. For cattle in Wisconsin however, transmission of Anaplasma is not so much about the tick or biting insects as it is about our husbandry and biosecurity practices. […]
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“Shoot, I messed up the vaccines.” If these words have ever been uttered while processing cows and calves, it may be time for implementation of some simple chute side organization tips. A good vaccination program is only as good as the techniques used in each step of administration. 70% of beef operations administer vaccines to […]
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Following is a timely article prepared by Travis Meteer, Extension Educator with the University of Illinois. In addition to the following timely information from Travis, the USDA ARS at Clay Center Nebraska has a website the provides heat stress forecast that can help producers be prepared and make management decisions to help minimize heat stress […]
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As the seasons change from winter to spring, a grazer’s thoughts turn to fencing repairs and pasture renovations. It’s also time when astute managers who graze cattle plan their deworming strategies. Gastrointestinal parasitic worms (including Ostertagia, Cooperia and Haemonchus) also sense the season’s change. They gear up their reproductive efforts during the event commonly known […]
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The 2015-2016 Salmonella outbreak traced to Wisconsin dairy bull calves serves as a reminder of the zoonotic threat posed by this pathogen. The Center for Disease Control reports 36 people from ten states were infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg. No deaths were reported, but 13 individuals were hospitalized, and 25 […]
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STILLWATER, Okla. – While it is true change can be a good thing, it rarely occurs without a learning curve. Not surprisingly, then, that is the case with the Veterinary Feed Directive after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently tightened the federal rule. As of Jan. 1, producers must obtain an authorization or prescription […]
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Hopefully most of you are aware that the new Veterinary Feed Directive rules go into effect January 1 of 2017, and have been planning accordingly. If you are in need of additional information, the Beef Cattle Institute website hosted by Kansas State has a section with VFD information and resources. The link to that site […]
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Wisconsin’s 2016 growing season was ‘good for grass’, as abundant rainfall and optimal temperatures supported forage production. For certain, internal parasites whose life cycle depends upon grass and grazing ruminants, proliferated in response to all that grass. Efficacy of the most commonly used dewormers today is 59%, and history shows efficacy decreasing every year. Bottom […]
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As we move into fall one of the management practices that is “time well spent” is body condition scoring the cows. This provides us an opportunity to determine where they are, relative to where we want them to be at calving. From there we can group them accordingly, and determine ration needs. Dr. Glenn Selk, […]
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