VETERINARY

A Unique, Hands-On Approach to Training Tomorrow’s Dairy Veterinarians

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:34:28 GMT

Large animal veterinarians specializing in dairy have almost become the unicorns of the industry. In a space that is nearly dominated by small animal vets, finding young professionals interested in pursuing a dairy-focused practice has become increasingly rare. That’s why hands-on programs like the University of Vermont’s CREAM Program (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management), are playing a vital role in developing the next generation of dairy veterinarians.

Stephen Wadsworth, the current director of CREAM, brings more than four decades of dairy veterinary experience to the role. As a teacher for the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, his background in private practice offers students a direct link between academic concepts and real-world applications in dairy herd management.

“The CREAM program was started in 1988 by an animal geneticist on faculty,” Wadsworth explains. “It’s a 60-cow tiestall, high-producing registered Holstein herd, currently averaging about 100 lb. per day, and it’s run almost exclusively by undergraduate animal science students, most of whom are pre-vet and have never even handled a dairy cow before.”

What began as a temporary teaching position in 2018 quickly became a full-time role that Wadsworth calls more rewarding than he ever expected. After four decades in a busy, six-person dairy practice in northwestern Vermont, he welcomed the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to those just entering the profession.

“Though I should be retired, it’s too much fun,” he says. “It’s been far more gratifying than I imagined.”

Beyond the Books: Learning by Doing
According to Wadsworth, the CREAM program offers more than just basic classroom learning. Students participate in every aspect of managing the university’s dairy herd, from milking and feeding to reproductive protocols and record-keeping. The immersive experience prepares them for future roles in veterinary school and beyond.

Currently, the program is divided into three core areas: academic instruction, work skill development, and community and personal growth.

“First, there’s lecture, about two and a half hours per week where I cover livestock medicine, herd health and management principles,” Wadsworth says. “Second is work skill development. Many of these students have never held jobs requiring punctuality or responsibility. So, they learn that when we say you have to be here at 3:30 a.m. for morning milking, it really means 3:20 a.m., or preferably 3:15 a.m. to set up the parlor.”

He adds that the third area, community and personal development, might be the most impactful.

“We talk about what it means to be a person of good character and how to work together in a group,” Wadsworth says, noting how the first few days learning how to operate a dairy is challenging for the students.

“You’ve got 20 students working together to milk 60 cows in a double-six parlor. Some days it’s like herding cats,” he laughs. “The first milking during the summer took seven hours, but now they’re down to an hour and a half. But in a few weeks, there’s this tight community and new friendships formed, and students leave the program saying it was the most transformative thing they’ve ever done in their life.”

While the program serves as a steppingstone for students applying to veterinary school, it often leads to a deeper transformation.

“Some students come in thinking this is just a box to check for their application,” Wadsworth says. “But many convert to being interested in a dairy practice. When they are accepted into vet school, many decide to pursue a career in dairy medicine as a result of their time here, which is gratifying beyond words.”

As the veterinary profession continues to evolve, programs like CREAM offer an essential on-ramp for students with little or no agricultural background.

“We know there isn’t necessarily a shortage of food animal veterinarians, but we do have geographic placement challenges,” Wadsworth says. “And fewer young people are growing up on farms. So, it’s vital to provide this kind of exposure to what dairy farming really looks like.”

That exposure includes full responsibility for the daily care of the UVM CREAM herd. Students handle all aspects of herd management, including milking three times per day as well as cleaning, feeding calves and administering medical treatments under guidance. Each student completes three to four chores weekly, one of which always includes the early morning milking. They’re also involved in calving, fresh cow and calf care, vaccinations and reproductive synchronization. Additionally, every student is assigned a specialty area and expected to keep the group informed on that topic throughout the program.

Wadsworth is careful to emphasize the skills students gain are universally applicable across herd sizes and management systems.

“If you understand the biology of a cow — the physiology of ketosis, reproduction and mastitis — those fundamentals apply whether you’re on a 60-cow tiestall or a 6,000-cow commercial dairy,” he says. “It may look different, but the principles are the same.”

To add to this experience, Wadsworth is currently organizing a six-farm tour for his students to further broaden their exposure to different dairy operations across northern Vermont.

“It gives them the opportunity to see firsthand how those principles scale and adapt,” he says. “The goal is to provide a strong foundation so they can walk into any herd and understand what’s happening.”

For students without previous large-animal experience, the smaller scale of the CREAM herd offers an ideal environment to build confidence and competence.

“You could argue that animal handling and husbandry are easier to learn in a 60-cow herd than a larger operation,” Wadsworth notes. “But here, they have more direct contact with the animals and more opportunities to take ownership of daily tasks. That kind of engagement really accelerates learning.”

For Wadsworth, transitioning from private practice to academia has brought a new and refreshing challenge.

“I feel privileged to be here,” he says. “Watching these students grow over the course of the program is something special.”

As the veterinary industry looks to the future, programs like CREAM are helping ensure the next generation of dairy veterinarians are equipped with knowledge, hands-on experience and respect for the work ahead.

To learn more about UVM’s CREAM Program, watch here:

The Smell You'll Never Forget: A Calf Infested with New World Screwworm

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:41:21 GMT

“The stench…it’s like roadkill stewed in infection,” explains Jose Santiago Gallardo Espinosa, a cattle producer from Chiriqui, Panama, describing an animal that has been infected with New World screwworm (NWS). “You’ll smell it before you see it.”

He goes on to describe the appearance. “That little dehorning scrape you didn’t worry about? Now, it’s a fist-sized hole pulsating with maggots. Not on top, under the skin. Hundreds of cream-colored worms with screw-like spines, eating your cow alive.”

It’s a Plague in Panama

Gallardo is a Panamanian livestock production specialist and animal science professional with a diverse and practical background in cattle production, agricultural policy and international ranch management. He currently serves as the technical assistance team manager at Cooleche, R.L., where he leads strategic initiatives in cattle production and technical outreach.

“⁠This ain’t ‘just flies.’ We’ve buried calves eaten alive in 48 hours,” Gallardo stresses. “Post-calving cows are sitting ducks, I found one last week with maggots deep in her vulva, she was trembling as she tried to nurse her calf.”

An animal health professional treating an animal in Panama that has been infected by New World Screwworm.

(Jose Santiago Gallardo Espinosa)

To catch NWS and stop the spread, Espinosa encourages daily wound checks including navels on newborns, vulvas on fresh cows, sheaths on bulls, branding cuts and tagging nicks. Some red flags include a wound that swells overnight or oozes cloudy fluid and a milk tank mysteriously dropping.

“Treat every scratch like a ticking bomb,” he says adding if you find one with a wound acting a little strange, you should “peel back skin edges, and if you see rice-grain maggots with dark spines — sound the alarm.”

He says more than 6,500 cases have erupted across Panama, marching north through Central America like a plague.

“For years, our U.S.-Panama barrier kept NWS at bay,” Gallardo says. “We’d see maybe 25 cases a year — it was a nuisance, not a crisis. Then 2023 hit, and overnight our pastures became war zones.”

He says the reality in Panama is rainy season is maggot season.

“Here, in Chiriquí’s dairy country, it is the perfect storm,” he says. “Rainy season humidity of 90%, 85°F heat and flies everywhere. A single-infected cow bleeds $10/day in lost milk — its life or death for small dairies.”

NWS in Nicaragua

Ernesto José Sequeira Enríquez, an agronomist from Camoapa, Nicaragua, says NWS was eradicated from Nicaragua in the 1990s. He says he first encountered it during an internship in Brazil where he experienced the serious challenge the fly causes.

“When cases began appearing here again last year, I was able to use what I learned in Brazil to prepare veterinary supplies and train people on prevention and treatment,” he explains.

(Ernesto José Sequeira Enríquez)

He says it’s essential to enforce a daily inspection routine, checking every animal carefully for open wounds.

“When you find an infected animal, you’ll typically see a bleeding wound,” Sequeira says. “If the infestation has progressed, there will be a strong, foul smell due to tissue damage and the presence of larvae.”

He encourages U.S. producers to be prepared with sufficient supplies of veterinary medicines and insecticides for both treatment and prevention and to adjust management practices to reduce risk. For example:

When dehorning, branding or ear tagging, apply insecticide spray to the wound immediately.
Ensure proper care of newborn calves by disinfecting the navel with iodine solution as soon as possible, since that is the most common entry point for infestation.

“Although complete control of screwworm is not possible, taking preventive measures significantly reduces the economic and productivity impact of it,” he says. “Early detection and consistent preventive practices are critical to minimizing losses.”
Sequeira stresses a producer’s eyes and hands are their best tools to fight NSW.

“My warning to U.S. ranchers is this isn’t just a Panama problem,” he summarizes. “Newborn calves are maggot magnets. If you lose one calf to a navel infestation, you’ll never sleep again. Make inspections sacred — no excuses. Report fast and hide nothing.”

It’s Endemic in Brazil

Marcelo Costa is a veterinarian, professor and cattle business consultant in Brazil and Paraguay. In 1999, Costa was taught embryo transfer at Camp Cooley in Franklin, Texas. He then returned to his family’s third generation ranching operation where they started Camp Cooley Brazil.

“I have been dealing with screwworm all my life since it is endemic in Brazil,” Costa says. “Screwworm-infected animals happen all months of the year.”

A wound in the animal skin full of screwworm and new fly eggs in the skin borderline

(Marcelo Costa)

Like others, he has experienced finding infected animals with bleeding, foul-smelling wounds. He says animals show discomfort and may not follow the herd as normal.

“Newborn calves are usually the more attacked category because of the navel’s wet and bloody tissue,” he says. “If a screwworm infects the navel, it may open a door at the site for more severe infections that may cause diarrhea, pneumonia and other diseases.”

Costa stresses how much NWS costs producers beyond animal loss and decreased productivity.

“One of the biggest problems with NWS is the increased labor with vigilance and animal treatment,” he summarizes.

Guatemala Producers Are Learning to Cope with NWS

“Screwworm came to teach us the times are changing, and that any type of production is possible and open to any complication,” says Oscar León, a livestock production specialist and agricultural business administrator from Guatemala City, Guatemala. “Brazil learned how to cope with it, and Guatemala is in the process of it. The U.S. is not exempt from it, unfortunately. But with the adequate measures and prevention techniques, one can learn and teach others. We can make the impact less harmful on our production and wallets.”

(Oscar León)

León currently manages his family’s cattle operations and leads LAVAT S.A., a company that imports and distributes innovative animal health and nutrition products tailored to the needs of the Guatemalan livestock sector.

He explains it is important for producers to look for and treat any open wound or bruise as they are the first indicators.

“If an open wound smells like the scent of rotten meat, you will find the presence of screwworms feeding off live tissue,” he says. “Prevention and early timing are the best ways to treat screwworm. Make sure to take your time, observe your cattle, search for a bruise or wounds and treat them properly.”

He also stresses the importance of making sure everyone who works in the farm or ranch is aware of NWS and knows how to react if an infection is found.

Educating U.S. Producers

Chris Womack, a veterinarian and rancher from San Angelo, Texas, says he remembers helping his dad treat calves with NWS infestations.

“I can still remember the smell,” Womack says. “I thought it was cool because I was a little kid, and we dug maggots out of the calves. I can still smell it like it was yesterday, and it was horrible to look at them.”

Womack shares a historic context of NWS, which he says means “man-eater,” on the “Registered Ranching” podcast with Tucker Brown.

Womack also describes the emotional toll on the producer when faced with NWS.

“If you’re a steward of an animal and it has half of its head rotting off, or its abdomen is a gaping wound because the maggots are eating it up, or it gets in their ear and they’re walking around in circles with brain damage because they got meningitis, well, it’s devastating.”

Womack summarizes NWS isn’t just an agricultural issue, it’s a human health concern. Historical accounts and recent data from Panama show NWS can affect humans, particularly vulnerable populations like homeless individuals or those in areas with limited medical access.

Womack says the experiences with NWS during his childhood is the reason he is a veterinarian today. He says there is a generational ignorance in the U.S. regarding NWS, and that is something he is committed to fixing.

“The only way we can overcome ignorance is education,” he stresses.

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Your Veterinarian: A Critical Partner for Success

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 21:24:17 GMT

When it comes to livestock production — whether beef, dairy or swine — a knowledgeable large-animal veterinarian is a critical resource for producers.

The veterinarian’s duties have grown through the years from emergency calls and service to now include consultation and planning to improve cattle and dairy herds as well as swine operations.

Craig Bieber of Bieber Red Angus in Leola, S.D., says working with a vet is essential to his herd’s success.

“I don’t know how people do it without a relationship with their vet,” Bieber says. “A good working relationship is so important. As producers, we can’t be on top of every animal disease or problem there is.”

Bieber says he is lucky to have a comprehensive clinic with five veterinarians near his ranch. He meets with his team of veterinarians three or four times per year to discuss health strategies.

“Our diversified livestock operation uses a team of veterinarians for the health and well-being of our cattle, swine and sheep plus our livestock guardian dogs and family pets,” says Sarah Jones of Red Hill Farms in Lafayette, Tenn.

The Jones family works with its primary veterinarian, Roger Thomas of Thomas & England Veterinary Services in Smiths Grove, Ky.

“Dr. Thomas is essential to our operation,” Jones says. “Without our team of veterinarians, we couldn’t provide the very best care for our livestock. Dr. Thomas is our first call for issues we are not comfortable treating without consultation. Our operation also uses additional veterinarians for pregnancy ultrasound, cattle embryo transfer, sheep artificial insemination, sheep embryo transfer and swine consulting.”

In an unscientific survey, Drovers asked its Facebook followers, “How important is your veterinarian to the success of your operation?”

One follower wrote, “Essential. Having our veterinarian of a little over 40 years, we have created herd health programs for pre-breeding and pre-calving, as well as vaccination programs for calves at birth and weaning. We review these programs every year.”

Another said, “Our vet from Vale Veterinary Clinic is key to the success of our program through integrated research and herd health management our vet is priceless!”

Unfortunately, a few respondents noted they don’t have a close large-animal veterinarian near them or that they must take individual animals to an equine veterinarian for consultation, affirming the need for more large animal vets.

(Farm Journal)

The evolving role of dairy veterinarians

Traditionally seen as the guardians of animal health, focused primarily on treating sick individual animals, today’s dairy veterinarians are expanding their roles.

Scott Bohnert of Bohnert Jerseys in East Moline, Ill., exemplifies the modern dairy farmer’s reliance on veterinary expertise. At his dairy, home to 700 Jersey cows and an equal number of replacements, Bohnert leans heavily on his long-time veterinarian, Ryan Schaefer of Blue Grass, Iowa. Their working partnership of more than 15 years highlights the evolving importance of veterinarians in dairy.

Schaefer collaborates closely with Bohnert, conducting routine herd health and pregnancy checks twice a month — but their relationship goes far beyond basic animal care.

With a deep understanding of the dairy industry’s challenges, Schaefer consults closely with Bohnert on various critical topics. This trusted advice plays a pivotal role in helping Bohnert and his team drive their dairy operation forward.

“Ryan and I work very well together,” Bohnert says, acknowledging how Schaefer’s insights into disease prevention, vaccine management and industry trends keep his farm thriving in a competitive market.

This collaboration reflects a broader trend in agriculture where veterinarians serve as essential consultants instead of just animal doctors. Their role extends to strategic decision-making, helping farms navigate through diverse challenges like disease outbreaks, regulatory changes and economic pressures.

Swine veterinarian’s critical role

The swine producer and veterinarian relationship is critical in managing health issues in the swine herd.

“I can’t overstate how important our farm’s relationship is with our veterinarian,” says Mike Paustian, a swine producer from Wolcott, Iowa. “We treat that relationship as one of the key parts of our team that we’ve assembled to help advise our farm.”

Paustian, who is contact with his veterinarian every week, challenges the misconception that veterinary involvement is costly.

“I don’t see how you’re going to get a bigger bang for your buck than getting a veterinarian who knows your herd, to provide input into issues you’re having,” he says.

Paustian says he also appreciates a veterinarian who approaches work with a sense of curiosity and a desire to understand things better, which aligns with his own approach to constantly seek improvement.

Ben Barcovtch, a pig farmer from Berwick, Pa., says a strong veterinarian relationship is essential to the success of his pork operation.

“They support proactive herd health, help improve productivity, strengthen biosecurity and provide expert guidance during health challenges,” Barcovtch says. “The vet practice I work with is a key partner in maintaining animal well-being and our overall profitability.”

The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is the basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients and their patients, and it is critical to the health of animals.

“Our VCPR is a partnership that allows more proactive and long-term strategies instead of just responding to needs as they arise,” says Rob Brenneman, owner of Brenneman Pork in Washington, Iowa. “This allows both parties to focus on preventative care, optimized service offerings focused on system health and stability.”

Thank you

April 26 is World Veterinary Day . Observed annually on the last Saturday of April, the day aims to celebrate the contributions of veterinarians to the health of animals, people and the environment. “Animal health takes a team,” is this year’s theme and summarizes the collaboration between veterinarians and beef, dairy and swine producers.

“I believe that sincerely communicating appreciation is one of the most important things farmers and ranchers can do for their veterinarians,” says Jones of Red Hill Farms.

Veterinarians are considered trusted advisers with an integral role in the livestock industry. A recent survey released by Boehringer Ingelheim shows 94% of animal owners appreciate the work of veterinarians, compared to only 49% of veterinary professionals feeling who think the profession is appreciated.

The survey is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s “Going Beyond” campaign, which seeks to spotlight aspects of veterinary work that too often remain unseen and underrecognized.

In support of World Veterinary Day, the “Going Beyond” campaign also released a video asking animal owners to guess what type of professional meets the description of a range of compelling job responsibilities and characteristics.

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Mastering Milk Quality and Cow Comfort: Insights from The Udder Doctor

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:19:51 GMT

In the world of dairy farming, maximizing milk quality and cow comfort is paramount. Dr. Andy Johnson, famously known as ‘The Udder Doctor,’ has been at the forefront of this mission. With experience ranging from small farms with 20 cows to large-scale operations with 22,000 cows, Dr. Johnson’s insights have reached dairies across 30 countries and 47 states.

Throughout his career, he has championed the “100 Award,” an accolade granted to dairies that maintain an average of 100 lbs. of milk production under a somatic cell count of 100,000. Remarkably, in the past 15 years, more than 40 dairies have earned this distinction, with 75% achieving it in just the last five years. According to Dr. Johnson, a farm’s cell count is a reflection of its management practices, encompassing factors like housing, milking routines, and equipment maintenance.

Prioritizing Cow Comfort and Hygiene
A key point emphasized by Dr. Johnson is the critical role of environmental cleanliness in preventing infections.

“Cows in a dirty environment will have a higher risk to new infections. Keep cows clean, dry, and comfortable 24 hours a day,” he advises. This was a central message shared with over 300 attendees at the 2025 National Mastitis Council Annual Meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

Dr. Johnson also underscores the importance of a consistent milking routine and proper training for milkers.

“Do not just train one time,” he insists. “Continual training is a must.” This ongoing education is vital for maintaining high standards of milk quality.

Optimizing Milking Routine

Focusing on the milking procedure, Dr. Johnson outlines an ideal routine:

1. Dry wipe and predip: Begin with cleaning and preparing the udder.

2. Strip and dry: Strip teats to promote milk letdown and check for abnormalities, then dry thoroughly.

3. Attach and align: Properly attach the milking unit and align it to ensure efficiency.

Achieving the fastest milking with highest flow rates and optimal milk quality requires adherence to these steps. Proper drying enhances milk speed and reduces clinical mastitis, while complete stripping helps ensure the best let down and early detection of abnormal milk.

“Everyone will benefit by stripping. It just takes an attitude change,” Dr. Johnson notes, pointing out that the most successful herds implement this practice diligently.

He further advises that the optimal lag time between stripping and unit attachment should be at least 90 seconds. Moreover, maintaining clean cow legs—even if there’s a small amount of manure at the foot bottom—is crucial.

“Those little things really do matter,” he notes, emphasizing that attention to detail is rewarded with improved milk quality.

The Importance of Proper Equipment Management
Another critical factor in milking efficiency is the correct management of equipment, particularly the vacuum speed.

“Low vacuum is the number one problem on dairy,” Dr. Johnson states. Ensuring compatibility between vacuum speed and inflations is crucial for achieving swift, high-quality yields. “I’ve got dairies that are getting over 100 lbs. in under three and a half minutes,” he proudly asserts.

Embracing these techniques can lead to substantial improvements in both productivity and quality.

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USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:32:32 GMT

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which builds on measures taken by USDA and federal and state partners since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle was first detected in March 2024. Today, USDA is issuing a new Federal Order, as well as accompanying guidance, requiring that raw (unpasteurized) milk samples nationwide be collected and shared with USDA for testing. This new guidance from USDA, which was developed with significant input from state, veterinary and public health stakeholders, will facilitate comprehensive H5N1 surveillance of the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds.

“Since the first HPAI detection in livestock, USDA has collaborated with our federal, state and industry partners to swiftly and diligently identify affected herds and respond accordingly. This new milk testing strategy will build on those steps to date and will provide a roadmap for states to protect the health of their dairy herds,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Among many outcomes, this will give farmers and farmworkers better confidence in the safety of their animals and ability to protect themselves, and it will put us on a path to quickly controlling and stopping the virus’ spread nationwide. USDA is grateful to our partners who have provided input to make this strategy effective and actionable, and we look forward to continued collaboration in seeing this through.”

This NMTS is designed to increase USDA’s and public health partners’ understanding of the virus’ spread in the United States through a structured, uniform, and mandatory testing system that will help swiftly identify which states, and specific herds within them, are affected with H5N1; support the rapid implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures to decrease the risk of transmission to other livestock; and importantly, inform critical efforts to protect farmworkers to help lower their risk of exposure. USDA believes this additional step is needed to proactively support effective biosecurity measures, which is key for states and farmers to contain and eliminate H5N1 infections from their livestock and to eliminate HPAI in livestock across the U.S. dairy population.

“This testing strategy is a critical part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities nationwide,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Our primary responsibility at HHS is to protect public health and the safety of the food supply, and we continue to work closely with USDA and all stakeholders on continued testing for H5N1 in retail milk and dairy samples from across the country to ensure the safety of the commercial pasteurized milk supply. We will continue this work with USDA for as long and as far as necessary.”

The Federal Order released today makes three new requirements. First, it requires the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station, or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization. Second, the Federal Order requires herd owners with positive cattle to provide epidemiological information that enables activities such as contact tracing and disease surveillance. Finally, like USDA’s April 24 Federal Order, it requires that private laboratories and state veterinarians report positive results to USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the NMTS. The first round of silo testing under the Federal Order and the NMTS is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 16, 2024, although some states are already conducting testing compatible with the NMTS.

This new Federal Order does not override or supersede USDA’s April 24 Federal Order , which still requires the mandatory testing of lactating dairy cows prior to interstate shipment and requires that all privately owned laboratories and state veterinarians report positive test results connected with those tests. The new Federal Order announced today is intended to complement and enhance this existing order.

National Milk Testing Strategy

As part of the National Milk Testing Strategy, APHIS will work with each state in the contiguous United States to execute testing in a way that works for the state and that aligns with the NMTS standards. Once a state begins testing under the NMTS, APHIS will place that state into one of five stages based on the HPAI H5N1 virus prevalence in that state. As states move to another stage, we will have a stronger picture of our progress towards eliminating HPAI H5N1 at state, regional and national levels. These stages include:

Stage 1: Standing Up Mandatory USDA National Plant Silo Monitoring

USDA will immediately begin nationwide testing of milk silos at dairy processing facilities. This national sample will allow USDA to identify where the disease is present, monitor trends, and help states identify potentially affected herds.

Stage 2: Determining a State’s H5N1 Dairy Cattle Status

Building on the results of silo monitoring, in collaboration with states, USDA will also stand up bulk tank sampling programs that will enable us to identify herds in the state that are affected with H5N1.

Stage 3: Detecting and Responding to the Virus in Affected States

For states with H5N1 detections, APHIS will work quickly to identify specific cases and implement rapid response measures, including enhanced biosecurity using USDA’s existing incentives programs, movement controls and contact tracing.

Stage 4: Demonstrating Ongoing Absence of H5 in Dairy Cattle in Unaffected States

Once all dairy herds in a given state are considered to be unaffected, APHIS will continue regular sampling of farms’ bulk tanks to ensure the disease does not re-emerge. Bulk tank sampling frequency will progressively decline as the state demonstrates continual silo negativity (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly if continually negative). If a state becomes affected, USDA will re-engage detection and response activities, and the state will return to Stage 3.

Stage 5: Demonstrating Freedom from H5 in U.S. Dairy Cattle

After all states move through Stage Four, APHIS will work with the states to begin periodic sampling and testing to illustrate long-term absence from the national herd.

As of this announcement, the following six states will be included in the first round of states brought into the program for testing: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

As states begin testing under the NMTS and as they move through the five stages, their progress will be shared at USDA HPAI in Livestock Testing . While the majority of states will enter the NMTS at Stage 1, we anticipate states with ongoing testing may meet the testing requirements described above in Stages 2-4. USDA will work closely with states to determine each state’s status. While the majority of states will enter the NMTS at Stage 1, we anticipate states with ongoing testing may meet the testing requirements described above in Stages 2-4. USDA will work closely with states to determine each state’s status.

Webinars and Additional Information

USDA will co-host information sessions for all state animal health officials and state dairy regulators the week of Dec. 9 to learn more about the National Plant Silo Monitoring and sampling procedures. These sessions are scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 10 and Wednesday Dec. 11 to allow multiple opportunities for dairy regulators and industry stakeholders to participate.

APHIS has been working diligently to educate and inform key state and animal health partners about this Federal Order and National Milk Testing Strategy, as well as to establish written agreements with states to support how they can work with USDA under the new strategy.

APHIS has also sought and received input from state animal and public health partners about potential needs for the strategy and implementation across their various states, particularly for standardized sampling tools, outreach, and potential personnel and fiscal resources from USDA.

In the coming weeks, APHIS will include additional states in the NMTS. Throughout this process APHIS will continue to support and offer resources to states that develop bulk milk testing plans in a way that meets the needs of each state and the importance of the response. APHIS will work with each of the 48 contiguous states to participate in the program.

USDA’s Multifaceted Effort to Address H5N1

Since confirming the initial H5N1 infections in cattle in March 2024, USDA has taken significant steps to better understand and control the virus’s spread. This response was aided by APHIS’ more than 50 years of experience in research and managing influenzas across other animal species, and by long-standing partnerships with state animal health officials that allow for the swift establishment of all testing and response activities. APHIS and state partners have seen significant success in responding to detections identified through state-level testing programs, and the NMTS builds on these efforts and will better identify the prevalence of the virus and guide response steps nationwide.

USDA has provided all H5 livestock testing through the NAHLN laboratory network, free of charge, regardless of whether it was performed for pre-movement testing under the current Federal Order; through the Dairy Herd Status Program; under testing programs that some states have designed pursuant to their unique authorities; prior to intrastate movement to fairs, exhibitions, or sales as part of state testing programs; or for producers interested in learning the status of their livestock herds. As a result of this testing, USDA has received samples from each of the 48 contiguous states over the course of this outbreak, with all confirmed positive findings being reported through the APHIS website, and whole genome sequences of each detected virus uploaded to public databases.

USDA continues to stress to farmers nationwide that effective biosecurity practices are the best weapon against the spread of disease, and that all farms should review their current biosecurity measures and ensure best practices identified over the past eight months are incorporated, even if H5N1 has not been detected in their state or region.

USDA strongly encourages herd owners to participate in the already available producer support programs, which help to cover the cost such as biosecurity programming, PPE for employees, and veterinary care. Producers can find more information at Financial Assistance | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service , or at your nearest USDA Farm Service Agency county office .

USDA Research Related to H5N1 in Dairy Cattle

USDA has been working collaboratively with its federal partners at HHS to better understand the origin of the emergence of the virus and its potential impact in both bovines and humans. USDA has leveraged its laboratories, researchers, and regulatory agencies to address this issue and, in partnership with FDA, help ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply. This includes lab and personnel support for FDA-designed studies to test the safety of milk and dairy products and reaffirm the efficacy of pasteurization for the safety of products on retail shelves. USDA FSIS has also completed a series of studies on beef , which demonstrate that safely cooking beef inactivates the H5N1 virus, if present. USDA APHIS has also prepared and shared two separate epidemiological reports on the virus and its spread, which can inform biosecurity practices and next steps.

To learn more about USDA’s response to HPAI in dairy cattle, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock .

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Longevity in the Cowherd

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:59:51 GMT

Steve Eicker has some perspective on the dairy industry he likes to focus on during presentations to producers, veterinarians and nutritionists. It likely flies in the face of what they might hear from some other dairy industry experts today. Still, Eicker puts it out there.

“I think dairy farmers are keeping their older cows too long,” says Eicker, DVM and co-founder of Valley Agricultural Software (VAS). “Guess how much milk the oldest cows are producing, the ones that should have been put on the truck a few months ago? They’re lowering the herd average.”

That perspective is counter to a recent development that’s impacting heifer retention and potentially slowing herd turnover in the U.S. The general public and some dairy industry experts believe that keeping aging cows in the milk herd — cow longevity — is a positive. According to Eicker, that’s rarely the case.

In his opinion, dairy producers who want to improve their farm’s sustainability for the long term need to focus more on increasing milk production by bringing replacement heifers into the herd sooner rather than later.

“What happens when a new heifer enters the herd? You have the luxury of finding the least profitable cow, the least healthy cow, and replacing her,” Eicker told a group of dairy nutritionists attending a recent meeting sponsored by Novus International.

His perspective is older animals need to be replaced by heifers sporting better genetics and, therefore, higher milk production along with improved salvage income potential.

Lifeblood Of The Farm

Dairy producers are replacing cows sooner today than in the past. In 2005, producers replaced about 30% of their milking herd per year. Today, Eicker says the cull rate (a term he dislikes) is about 40% annually, meaning the average longevity of milking cows in the U.S. is about two-and-a-half years.

But Eicker is concerned U.S. dairy producers won’t continue replacing their cowherds at that rate.

One reason is the upfront costs for raising replacement heifers have skyrocketed. Such costs average about 20% of overall operating costs for a dairy, and are the third-largest expense after feed and labor.

The University of Minnesota FINBIN database shows the average cost to raise a heifer in 2022 was over $2,100. But the raising cost can be unintentionally misleading and is not the same as replacement cost, according to Eicker.

“The replacement cost is the difference between the raising cost and the salvage cost,” he explains.

Eicker believes producers are better off financially when they retain enough heifers to replace the cows that leave the farm — if the long-term goal is to stay in business.

“I saw someone pay over $3,000 for a springer last week (in late May),” he told the group of nutritionists. “And why did they do that? Because it was worth it to them. Because guess what they didn’t have? Enough heifers.”

Market Cows Sooner

Eicker contends that while disease prevention and treatment, outstanding nutrition, and good animal welfare practices are “great for individual cows,” those practices don’t support herd longevity.

“Cow longevity is not good for profitability. It’s not good for the environment, and it’s terrible for animal welfare,” he says.

To clarify, Eicker cares about cow welfare and cow health. His point is that older cows tend to have more mastitis and other health issues, such as lameness, all of which are bad for public perception and animal welfare. Such diseases require more of a farm’s financial resources, manpower and time to treat.

Furthermore, older cows don’t necessarily give more milk, Eicker points out.

“It turns out replacing first-lactation animals that aren’t very good animals can make a lot of money for the dairy,” he says. “The people that think older cows make more milk are making a statistical analysis error when they’re ignoring the animals that got ‘new jobs.’ It’s called selection bias.”

Eicker also doesn’t agree with individuals and companies that are proponents of keeping an individual cow in the herd until she covers her raising costs. That could take years, if her milk production is low.

“I want to replace cows based on their milk production and profitability,” he says. “We want healthy, productive cows on the farm, and, as it turns out, there’s good money to be made marketing less productive cows sooner.

“We need to stop keeping cows until there’s a problem,” he adds. “I never want to see a blown hock. I don’t want to see a down cow.”

Evaluate The Data

Younger dairy cows in good condition have the potential to garner top dollar at market because they typically grade well and have good carcass values. Eicker wants producers to collect and evaluate their sale data, to determine that for themselves. He encourages nutritionists and veterinarians to help in the process.

“Every time you sell a cow, get the grade, weight and total dollars,” Eicker recommends. “If you realize over time, ‘Oh, when I sell a second-lactation animal that’s 150 days in milk, I get $2,400. And when I sell a lousy animal, I get $1,200.’ Guess what you’re going to want then? More replacement heifers, because you should not sell a cow without having a heifer to replace her.”

At this juncture in Eicker’s presentation at the Novus meeting, one of the nutritionists in the audience pipes up and says, “Not everyone is good at raising heifers.”

Eicker agrees. “I think there’s room for improvement for heifer growing,” he says. (Another nutritionist in the crowd says “for sure.”)

But Eicker stays on point.

“Why raise heifers at all? For replacements, for the future of the farm,” he says. “Herd longevity is dependent on heifer replacement rate. Period.”

Not A Fan

A trend Eicker is not a proponent of is the recent beef-on-dairy boon. He says it’s counterproductive for producers who want their dairy operations to be viable long-term.

“The excessive beef-on-dairy thing is dangerous,” he says. “Every time a beef calf is born instead of a replacement heifer that means a terminal cow cannot be replaced and she needs to be kept in the herd longer than desired.”

The flip side is beef-on-dairy can give producers more dollars sooner to meet their cash-flow needs. According to research by Dale Woerner at Texas Tech University, beef-dairy crossed calves are 30% more efficient at converting feed to beef than Holstein steers, and are on feed a fewer number of days.

(In full disclosure, Bovine Veterinarian and Dairy Herd Management, both of which are Farm Journal-owned publications, have published a number of positive articles regarding beef-on-dairy.)

Eicker’s focus remains on how beef-on-dairy can result in fewer replacement heifers and, therefore, reduce long-term farm profitability.

He shares some calculations.

“A Holstein heifer calf is probably worth about $400, and a beef-on-dairy calf is $600, or close to that, so the producer gets about $200 more for the latter right now,” he says. “But how much would that Holstein heifer be worth in three years? More like $800,” he contends. “What else can double your money like that in three years?”

Value Of Genomics

Eicker says producers who raise their own replacement heifers have more options to create a better future — a more sustainable one — for their dairy operation.

“I think you can look at different things and make better decisions,” he says. “You can look at genetics, you can evaluate milk yield.”

Genetic improvements are occurring at ever faster rates, thanks to the use of genomics. While the U.S. dairy herd today is just 1% larger than in 2008, it produces 19.2% more pounds of milk and 32.2% more pounds of butterfat, according to a 2024 CoBank report by Corey Geiger, CoBank lead economist for dairy production.

Even producers who don’t genomic test their stock are still able to benefit from improved genetics, Eicker notes, thanks to better sires.

“That means our younger animals that come into the dairy herd are more valuable than ever,” he says.

“Cows that produce more milk and meat and use less resources in the process are the path to sustainability,” he adds. “That’s good for the planet and good for the farmer.”

The Specificity of IgG in Milk Replacers Varies Widely, According to New Research

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:34:12 GMT

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same. New research presented at the American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting in June, revealed a vast difference in the total amount of IgG contained in milk replacers, and in the specificity of that IgG to bind to and remove enteric pathogens that target pre-weaned calves.

It was a conversation with a veterinarian at a trade show that sparked the idea for the analysis, explains Shawn Jones, PhD, process and development manager at Arkion Life Sciences.

Jones says the veterinarian oversaw a calf ranch that had a recurring issue with rotavirus infections. In discussing the issue with some of his colleagues, he was told that the milk replacer contained antibodies effective against rotavirus that should take care of the issue. However, it wasn’t working for him.

“That’s what got us thinking, how can we design a test to measure the specificity of IgG in milk replacers?” says Jones.

Five commercially available calf milk replacers were selected for analysis. All products were made with milk components only. Products from DFA, Denkavit, Land O’Lakes, Milk Specialties Global, and Provimi North America were used and were all compared on the same basis (a 10 oz. dose).

To do the analysis, first a commercial ELISA kit was used to determine total IgG titers in each milk replacer sample. The IgG concentration ranged from 2.01 mg/g to 12.16 mg/g of milk replacer.

Next the IgG was extracted and purified from the milk replacers and then labeled with a horseradish peroxidase. Direct ELISAs were then conducted against nine antigens that cause scours in calves: Bovine rotavirus, Bovine coronavirus, Cryptosporidium parvum, E. coli (mix of K88, K99, 987P and F41), Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Dublin, Salmonella Heidelberg, Clostridium perfringens (Type A and Type C/D). Each milk replacer sample was run in triplicate for each of the nine antigens tested.

Results are reported as the absorbance at 450nm (A450). The A450 value is the raw output from the ELISA and is a measure of how much IgG is bound to the specific antigen of interest. The higher the A450 value the higher the specificity of the IgG antibodies for a specific antigen. The A450 values cannot be compared between antigens, only between milk replacer samples for the same antigen.

All samples were randomized to remove brand identifiers and to focus on the data analysis.

“Our analysis showed there was a wide variance in both the total amount of IgG contained, and the specificity of the IgG in the five commercial milk replacers tested,” says Jones.

For example, even though Sample A and Sample E contained similar amounts of total IgG (11.1 mg/g vs 12.2 mg/g), Sample E had significantly higher A450 values (indicating higher specificity) for each antigen tested. High total IgG in a sample does not necessarily mean that the IgG has high specificity for the antigens on your farm. In order to assess a calf milk replacer’s ability to boost passive immunity on your farm, both total IgG and the specificity of that IgG should be tested.

These results demonstrate the dairy industry’s need for a testing service that can accurately determine the specificity of IgG to various antigens. That’s why later this year Arkion Life Sciences will launch its Antibody Specificity Testing Service through Bio-Technical Resources, a division of Arkion, in Manitowoc, WI. The ELISA-based service will offer specificity testing of antibody-containing products or ingredients such as milk replacer, colostrum replacer, whey protein concentrate, and serum or plasma.

Additional results are shown in the chart at the end of the story.

“This type of test has not been available before,” says Dr. Roger Saltman, consulting veterinarian, RLS Management Solutions, Cazenovia, N.Y. “Few people have even considered how much IgG is available in the milk replacer being used on farm, or what gut pathogens that the IgG is specific to.”

When it comes to the IgG antibodies in milk replacer, not all calf milk replacers are the same, reports Arkion Life Sciences in its latest research results.

(Arkion Life Sciences)

Veterinary Technicians Key to Underserved Rural Areas

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:52:23 GMT

Imagine working less and serving more clients. Is it hard to picture? Maybe it’s time to reimagine what you’re doing—and whether you’re effectively utilizing a critical member of your veterinary team.

Veterinary technicians can be a solution to underserved rural areas, says Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, the Executive Director of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP).

“A lot of times veterinarians in those communities are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the workload can be tremendous,” he says. “And veterinary technicians have the skills and the expertise, that they can do some of those technical procedures, as well as train producers to do those technical procedures, which then frees up the veterinarian to do the things that they are experts at,” he says.

There are a number of opportunities for veterinary technicians to grow within the veterinary profession, and those opportunities don’t stop at the private practice, says Dr. Jason Nickell.

“I would urge you to gain as much experience there as possible. But I would also encourage you to look at opportunities within academia, opportunities within industry opportunities potentially within government,” he says.

Nickell also encourages the veterinary profession to look to human healthcare and how they utilize nurses, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants as a model to explore to serve rural areas where producer numbers are holding steady but there are fewer large animal veterinarians.

Dr. Geof Smith, professor of ruminant medicine at North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine, agrees.

“I think learning how to use technicians appropriately and food animal practice can be a great builder, particularly in those practices where you’re covering a lot of territory,” he says. “Maybe use the veterinary technician. Veterinarians don’t always have to be on every farm, and we can find ways to utilize those technicians and help us in our day-to-day role.”

Watch the video here:

Have you seen a rural veterinarian shortage in your area? Take the poll here :

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You're no bunny 'til some bunny loves you.

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 17:25:37 GMT

ATTN: GRAPESTOMPING COW IN YOUTUBE VIDEO BELOW. (REALLY!)

Hi All! Thought you might enjoy the pilot episode of, Drawing Inspiration, a family friendly TV show my creative partner and I have been working on for several years which focuses on creativity, innovation, inspiration and of course, humor. And yes, for those of you who are bovine-inclined, like me, the main star is a cow! Cheers! Leigh www.RubesCartoons.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NZyHjbbeEg

Be sure Follow Leigh on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RubesCartoons Event planners, when’s the last time you had a hilarious and inspirational speaker at your conference, sales meeting, banquet, etc? Hundreds of thought-provoking LOL’s guaranteed! http://www.rubescartoons.com/book-leigh.htm https://www.rubescartoons.com/events.html