Latest News From Animal Welfare

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Compost Bedding Saves the Day

Switching from newspaper to compost bedding changed everything.  

The Basics of Castration
The Basics of Castration

Castration is an essential management procedure for the cow-calf producer that is often performed for both handling and economic reasons. 

Jim Mulhern on NMPF Tail Docking Decision
Jim Mulhern on NMPF Tail Docking Decision

NMPF President and CEO, Jim Mulhern explains their decision to end tail docking in 2017.

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Should You be Tail Docking on Your Dairy Farm?

The practice of tail docking is being questioned as a necessary practice on U.S. dairy farms.  

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NMPF Board Advances Phase-Out of Tail Docking

Moves up phase out date five years

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Worker at Arizona Dairy Farm Accused of Killing Cows

A worker at a dairy farm in Gila Bend is in custody for allegedly killing four cows with a knife and severely injuring five other cows.

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Dollars and Sense: Cow Comfort

Dairy Today's Dollars and Sense contributors give their thoughts on cow comfort.

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25% of U.S. Dairy Cows Under Dairy C.A.R.E.

Dairy C.A.R.E. celebrates 1-year anniversary at World Dairy Expo.

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Merck Animal Health Dairy Care Training Video Modules Focus on Calf Care

Merck Animal Health today introduced two new Dairy Care365 animal handling training video modules that focus on caring for calves – the lifeblood of any operation. 

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Spring Stable Fly Control Starts in Winter

What you can’t see won’t hurt you, right? False, especially when it comes to spring fly control.

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University of Kentucky Breaks Ground on Compost Barn for Dairy Research

Barn will be the only research facility of its type in the country.

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Humans Carry More Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Than Animals They Work With

Greatest risk of transfer is humans to cows, not the other way around

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Grazing Wet Fields Could Expose Cattle to Foot Rot, Pinkeye

Cattle grazing for prolonged periods in flooded or muddy pastures are at greater risk for foot rot and pinkeye, two bacterial infections that thrive in wet conditions, a Purdue Extension veterinary specialist says.

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NFL Lineman Turned Vegan...and Animal Rights Activist

A 300-lb. NFL lineman thinks his diet change has helped him prolong his career. He's also turned into an animal rights activist.

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Antibiotics on Dairies: Change is Coming

Six things you can do to reduce usage.

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Merck Partners With NMPF on Dairy Care Initiative

Merck’s Dairy C.A.R.E. will be made available to dairy farmers nationally

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Hot Weather Means Cattle, Like People, Need More Water

Just like humans, livestock are negatively impacted by poor water quality. Cattle that drink poor-quality water will drink less water and have a diminished feed intake, resulting in reduced average daily gains and return on investment.

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Instant Replay on the Farm

The rewind button has taken on a new meaning for a Nevada dairy.

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Two Dairy Animal Handling Trainings Slated for August

Two Animal Handling Training programs – one in the Panhandle and one in Central Texas — will be presented in August by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

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Heat Stress Affects Everyone

Pennsylvania summers are notorious for being hot and humid. People and animals are usually tolerant of the initial on-set of these conditions in June, but it becomes problematic when heat stress is prolonged.

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3 Tips to Help Calves Thrive During Volatile Temperature Swings

As summer heats up, young calves can experience stressful highs during the day, and chilly lows in the evenings, exposing them to temperatures on both sides of their thermoneutral zone in one day.

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Just How Will Veterinary Feed Directive Work?

Answers to Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask

Handle with Care – for Safer Cows, Better Farmers

Educators at Washington State University are helping dairy farmers move their cows safely and humanely, thanks to a new training program.

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Meloxicam - Pain Relief in Cows and Calves

Using a pain reliever like Meloxicam should be a consideration for dairy producers.

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Fly control critical to mastitis prevention

Heifers seem particularly vulnerable

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DFA Urges Animal Activist Groups to Report Abuse Immediately

Dairy cooperative will work with the Colorado dairy couple to press charges after animal rights extremist group secretly videotapes -- but doesn’t stop -- cow abuse.

Embryo Transfer Viable Option During Summer Heat Stress

As the embryo develops, its resistance to heat stress actually increases.

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Animal Abuse Reported At Colorado Dairy

Mercy For Animals claims abuses occurred over two month period

North Carolina Legislature Overrides Ag Gag Veto

HSUS had spent $50,000 to defeat the bill, which becomes law next week.

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Dairy Repro Affected at THIs as Low as 55

Cows producing more than 75 lb. of milk most vulnerable.

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Saputo Implements Progressive Animal Welfare Policy across Global Operations

One of the world’s top 10 dairy processors calls for zero tolerance for any act of animal cruelty and an end to tail docking.

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Ready for a Crisis?

Advance preparation will save you valuable time if and when an emergency strikes your farm.

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PETA Recruiting Undercover Investigators

Here are tips in avoiding becoming a target.

Federal Judge Hears Idaho Ag Gag Challenge

ACLU, PETA say they are legally entitled to lie to gain access to privately-owned livestock farms.

School Cafeteria Vendor Collaborates with Humane Society of the United States

Aramark services thousands of schools and universities in the United States.

Beef Quality Assurance Certifications Continue to Climb

More than 5,500 cattle producers took advantage of free online registration for Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification this spring provided by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) in partnership with the check-off funded BQA program.

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Lameness Prevention Starts with Breeding Age Heifers

Each case of lameness can cost upwards of $800.

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4 Men Charged in Connection to Dairy Farm Abuse Case

Four men have been charged with cruelty to animals after undercover video showed workers at a southern New Mexico dairy whipping cows with chains and wire cables and kicking and punching the animals.

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Calf Bedding Materials for Spring

Newborn calves still need protection from nighttime low temperatures.

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Vegan Teacher Settles Lawsuit Against Ohio District

A vegan teacher has settled a lawsuit with the northeast Ohio school district that fired him last year over a Facebook post critical of dairy farming practices.

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The Art of Handling Cattle Becomes a Life Lesson

Animals learn to be handled if they’re handled calmly.

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Beef Quality Assurance Free Certification Period Deadline Approaching

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. provides free certification through April 15

Animal Welfare Through the Looking Glass
Animal Welfare Through the Looking Glass

Where producers and consumers stand on animal welfare looks to be vastly different based on various handling methods.

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Feds Under Fire for Mass Killings of Starlings in Nevada

Land owners surprised to discover tens of thousands of dead birds across the high desert are criticizing the federal government over a mass killing of starlings in northern Nevada.

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How Stockmanship Training Can Benefit Your Dairy

This program teaches efficient and humane handling of dairy cattle, with as much focus on cows as on the handlers.