bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remodeling Existing Facilities
Authors: Bickert William G.
Published: March 2023

The buildings and equipment which comprise a dairy operation are there to facilitate the job of caring for the animals on the farm. Labor requirements, flow of animals and materials, pollution control, future expansion and management requirements are important considerations in design.

Planning for new construction or remodeling of these dairy facilities must be based on a sound management plan. The plan sets forth all factors related to nutrition health and growth as well as all other activities of the dairy farm operation. The buildings and equipment which comprise dairy facilities are merely tools which allow essential tasks prescribed by the management plan to be carried out on a regular basis. Haphazard planning or impulsive acquisition of buildings or equipment will only lead to facilities which impede implementation of updated management plans and hinder future development and expansion.

Providing environments that meet the needs of the animals being housed is important in design, also. While many of these needs may be obvious, the degree to which they are satisfied may vary widely. This may be due to a lack of understanding as to just what the needs of the animals are when it comes to establishing and maintaining their environment. For example, a warm barn for calves may have excessively high relative humidity due a lack of understanding of both the needs of the calves and the design and operation of the ventilation system. Or, it may result from an improper ordering of the priorities being used for design. For example, the establishment of the environment in a barn may place the needs of people and equipment ahead of the needs of the animals which are to be housed, oftentimes to the detriment of the animals.

A discussion of some of the considerations for meeting the needs of dairy animals follows.
Stress, Disease, and Vitamin E Requirements
Authors: Nockels Cheryl F.
Published: March 2023

Vitamin E supplementation of several animal species has increased their immunocompetence and mitigated their decreased production brought on by stress. The dietary level of vitamin E needed for increasing either disease or stress resistance appears to be greater than that required for growth and reproduction. These latter two responses are generally used as the criteria for determining the requirement of a nutrient. In stress and disease there is an increase in production of glucocorticoids, epinephrine, eicosanoids, and phagocytic activity. Eicosanoid and corticoid synthesis and phagocytic respiratory burst are prominent producers of free radicals which challenge the animal's antioxidant systems. Due to a number of factors, the antioxidant vitamin E status of an animal may be marginal or deficient prior to and/or after stress and disease. Since vitamin E status is integral to an animal's health and productivity, then it is imperative to be able to determine this status. Current research with cattle suggests that serum vitamin E levels may not be useful in defining its adequacy, but the red blood cell vitamin E content may be.
Applied Trace Element Nutrition in the Bovine Animal
Authors: Coffey Robert T.
Published: March 2023

Within the scientific and academic community there have been great accomplishments in understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cattle diseases. Even so, the food animal industry continues to suffer significant monetary losses from disease pathogens and non-infectious disease disorders. As practicing veterinarians, our knowledge is limited only because of our inability to keep pace with the various disciplines within the scientific community. The area of biochemistry and cellular physiology, once thought to be subjects limited to the classroom, may hold the answer to improving the basis of effective and profitable herd health programs.

Many livestock disease situations are a result of multifactorial health damaging situations that revolve around environment, area of origin, genetics, disease exposure, nutrition and agricultural practices. More significant in our industry is the highly aggressive sales approach utilized in animal health advertising that imply production problems are handled and cured through the use of a particular product. These realities are in conflict and create a serious clinical problem for the animal health specialist. Producers expect solutions to be quick and usually revolve around vaccination and treatment programs. Understanding nutrition and the impact it has on overall health is one way in which to remove this conflict and make better use of the biologicals and pharmaceuticals we have in our arsenal.

By incoporating basic knowledge on cellular physiology, assay techniques for the protective oxidative (metallo) enzymes, and the use of computerized spreadsheet data analysis, my practice has developed an exciting and challenging approach to total herd health. It requires discipline, time, and continuing education. Resolving the conflict does not involve finding "new" cures, but rather a re-evaluation of cultural and scientific data already in existence with proper application to the intensified cattle production industry.

Accept the challenge!
Economic and Production Considerations of Common Feedlot Procedures
Authors: Perino Louis
Published: March 2023

Certain procedures routinely carried out on calves have negative performance effects. The first step in evaluating each procedure is to determine if it has a significant effect on performance and, if so, estimate the magnitude, so its economic value can be quantified.
Anthelmintic Usage in Feedlot Cattle
Authors: Cheney John M.
Published: March 2023

Cattle feeding in the United States has changed dramatically over the past two decades. In the past, most of the cattle were fed by farmer-feeders in lots with less than 1000 head capacity. Today the majority of cattle fed are in much larger lots. Colorado feedlots last year fed approximately 2.4 million head of cattle and about one half of these were fed in lots with a capacity of over 32,000 head. All indications today point to this trend continuing with more and more cattle being fed in larger lots. As these lots have become larger, management practices have also changed. Cattle feeders are no longer farmers and cowboys, rather they are businessmen who know the entire cattle industry.

As the cattle feeding industry has changed, so has the role of the feedlot veterinarian. The veterinarian is no longer asked to vaccinate, dehom, castrate or even treat most sick animals in the feedlot. The role of the feedlot veterinarian today is to advise and consult the feedlot operator. To do this effectively, the veterinarian must also understand the entire cattle industry and give economically sound advice to management. Part of that advice is an internal parasite control program which does not cost the producer but rather makes money for him. It may not sound like much when you figure it only costs $1.50 to $3.00 to worm a 700 pound steer, but when you worm 30,000 animals and the cost is $45,000 to $90,000 you talk real money. This brings me to the title of this paper: To Worm or Not To Worm.
Catless Cat Carriers and the AABP
Authors: Gardner Charlie
Published: March 2023

In dairy practice it is quite common to do surgical procedures in barns. One minor but definite problem we deal with is getting all the needed drugs and equipment into the barn where the surgery is to be performed.

We now find that doctors prefer the cat carriers over the wooden cases, even though they don't hold quite as much. I have also used cardboard "banker's boxes" to carry the same equipment. These take up even less room in the truck, and carry everything I need as long as -I lay the bottles of scrub and alcohol down.
Dehorning
Authors: Frueh David
Published: March 2023

I am going to explain our technique of dehoming at the Hillside Veterinary Clinic in Maryville, Missouri. We like this technique because there are no open sinuses and no blood oozing.
Prevention of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Brunner Michael A.
Published: March 2023

Success in preventing infectious diseases requires a broad approach that considers all of the factors related to the onset, transmission and control of these diseases. Using this approach, a well designed prevention program encompasses all factors affecting resistance and all factors affecting exposure to the common bovine diseases. Programs based primarily on vaccines are most apt to fail and usually result in a poor rate of return on a significant investment. Effective programs are those based on a combination of sound management and sound medicine.
Food Safety and the Food Animal Veterinarian
Authors: Van Dresser William R.
Published: March 2023

In a world of few certainties, one thing remains as a given. The food safety concerns of consumers, reflected in and fired by the media will not go away. No amount of science education and appropriate communication will blunt the contentions of consumer activist groups and the knee jerk, emotional reactions of state legislatures and our Congress. Example after example bears this out; Alar, DES, cranberries, sulfa in milk and hormones in beef. One has only to review the organic food section of the 1990 Farm Bill to recognize that the general public as expressed through the Congress wants its food supply to be free from chemical residues. A portion of the public is willing to pay more for food that is thought to be free of residues and/or grown naturally. This coalition of consumer activists, environmentalists, and natural food groups possesses sufficient power and appeal to ensure passage of organic labelling and production standards. The concerns about drug residues will not go away. We can't wish it away: we can't legislate it away: we can't educate it away.
New Ethos and Ethics for the Year 2000
Authors: King Lonnie J.
Published: March 2023

The implications of science and technology for society and government have grown enormously over the last few decades and will continue to do so. Geographical borders are less relevant today than locations and considerations of trading partners. The global economy has overshadowed any single national economy, and scientific and technical advances are leaving past animal health practices and policies obsolete. In many countries, animal agriculture is management of these risks within the framework of fair trade is inexorably forcing animal health officials and practitioners to reconsider past policies and programs, the methods of decision-making, legislative guidelines, and the delivery of services directed to animal health. Besides changes in global markets, new sensitivities and constituencies are developing that are profoundly influencing agricultural policy. Together, these issues are molding a new domestic policy that will evoke a new ethos and ethics in food animal agriculture and the veterinary profession.

First, we will examine these contemporary issues in more depth. Then, we will consider how these issues affect our profession and you personally. Finally, we will look at prescriptions for change and how veterinary medicine collectively and you and I, personally, can consider appropriate strategies to be well positioned in the year 2000.

The forces reshaping agriculture will continue to foster a climate of change and new opportunity for veterinary medicine. These major forces include new markets and trading partners, new constituents, changes in domestic policy, and changes in decision-makers, especially Congress. Now, and in the future, we will continue to face critical choices that will determine the future and quality of new services because of the strength of these forces. A new veterinary ethos and ethics is demanded.
Nutrition and Management of Newly-Arrived Cattle
Authors: Armbruster Steve
Published: March 2023

The key to success in starting new cattle is setting realistic goals and objectives. For most producers the primary goal is to maximize profit. With this goal, objectives are needed for death loss, morbidity, medical cost, weight gain, feed conversion and cost of gain.

One difficulty in setting goals and objectives in a starting program is the moving target. Each new group of cattle offers a unique challenge. Another problem is that valid objectives are often not compatible. For example, the ration that results in the best weight gain and feed conversion may not give the lowest morbidity and mortality.

Despite these difficulties, producers should define goals and objectives in writing. Then a detailed plan is needed for each group of new cattle. Plans will be similar in basic structure, yet flexible enough to suit each circumstance.

In a nutritional program, the fundamentals are easily defined. Simply stated, proper nutrition is 1) defining animal requirements, and 2) satisfying those needs with appropriate feedstuffs. Although the fundamentals are easily stated, they are challenging to implement because many variables influence animal needs and feed quality.
Mastitis in the Beef Cow and Its Effects on Calf Weight Gain
Authors: Newman M. A. , Eberhart R. J. , Cash E. H. , Drake T. R.
Published: March 2023

Quarter samples for culture were collected from 120 beef cows in early, mid, and late lactation to assess prevalence of mastitis pathogens and effects of mastitis on calf weight gain. In early, mid and late lactation respectively, 25.8, 29.2, and 54.4% of cows and 13.1, 14.9, and 27.5% of quarters were infected.
The Net is Gross
Authors: Klingborg Donald J.
Published: March 2023

Veterinarians are in a natural position to interact with dairymen within the scope of financial herd health. They are on the dairies frequently, see management as it is and not as it is supposed to be, understand the interactions of feeds, facilities, cows, labor and management, and are among the most trusted of service providers.

Today dairy farmers rely more on capital and less on labor and land. Additionally, major changes in the lending business climate has resulted in a decrease in commercial banks willing to make loans of less than one million dollars. Liability concerns and awards have made bankers reluctant to offer management advice or counsel of any type.

Veterinarian's ongoing monitoring programs within the herd health area, including reproduction, calf, mastitis and nutritional programs, fit well with financial monitoring. There are more non-veterinary consultants promoting their services, frequently in areas traditionally thought of as within the veterinarian's scope of expertise. The profession needs to solidify its position with the dairy industry and providing seivices within the financial area can help both dairymen and veterinarians. Accumulating and reporting this data along with other herd management monitors makes sense. The profession needs to continue its movement towards a fee for knowledge reward system and away from being paid only for technical labor. Finally, veterinarians are also lenders to dairymen, and need to protect their investment by assisting their debtors to be profitable, liquid and solvent.
Opportunities in Replacement Heifer Growth
Authors: Heinrichs A. J.
Published: March 2023

The opportunities that are available to influence replacement heifer growth on a dairy farm are great. To fully understand the process involved in optimizing growth rates, one must consider that the ultimate goal of a dairy heifer raising program is to develop these animals to their full lactation potential as an adult cow, at a desired age, and at minimal expense. Important considerations must be made to aspects of heifer growth that affect reproduction, lactation potential, and economics.
Mastitis Control in Replacement Heifers
Authors: Nickerson Stephen C. , Owens William E.
Published: March 2023

Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cattle. This disease occurs when bacteria penetrate the teat orifice, colonize teat canal keratin, and gain entry into the mammary gland. In spite of growth inhibitory properties of keratin bacteria are able to survive in the teat canal and progress into the udder, causing inflammation. Current methods of mastitis control advocate adoption of management practices developed for mature lactating and dry cows, and include teat dipping, dry cow therapy, proper use of functionally adequate milking machines, prompt treatment of clinical cases, and culling of chronically infected animals. However, methods for controlling the disease in heifers were not contemplated in development of these management schemes. Mammary glands of heifers have traditionally been regarded as uninfected, and their mammary secretions are not examined until the first milking or during the first episode of clinical mastitis following calving. The greatest development of milk producing tissue in heifers occurs during the first pregnancy, thus mammary glands must be protected from the harmful effects of mastitis-causing bacteria to insure maximum milk production and reduce the level of infection and somatic cell count (SCC) during the subsequent lactation. This is particularly important in view of the recent decision to lower the SCC legal limit. Effective July, 1993, the new Interstate Milk Shippers' quality standard for raw milk will set the SCC limit at 750,000/ml. Thus, in addition to tightening up standard mastitis control practices in lactating and dry cows, dairymen should carefully consider a mastitis control program for heifers in attempts to conform to the new quality standard.
Neonatal Physiology and Fluid Therapy of Calves
Authors: Roussel Allen J.
Published: March 2023

The maturation of an animal from embryo to "old age" is a continuum characterized by periods of rapid change and periods of relative stability. As the animal completes the change from existence in utero to life as an independent entity, many changes occur quickly. The degree of maturity of neonates of different species varies as does the maturity of organ systems within a species. Other papers in the proceedings will address neonatal physiology as it relates to pharmacology and immunology while this paper will focus on changes in blood and plasma constituents, and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Virus Infections in the Feedlot
Authors: Mock Richard E.
Published: March 2023

Laboratory confirmation of clinical diagnosis can serve an important role in the maintenance of a health program in the feedlot. There is an abundance of scientific literature and review articles documenting the involvement of viruses in bovine respiratory disease.1,2 Laboratory tests can supply information on which viruses are involved in causing clinical disease. This information can assist in making informed decisions for future vaccination, treatment and herd health programs. Routine suiveillance testing can supply data on the changing disease conditions of a feedlot and assist in maintaining client satisfaction.

To obtain good diagnostic laboratory results it is important that the appropriate samples are collected early in the course of the disease. The samples should be chosen according to the clinical conditions and the differential diagnosis. Due to the time required in conducting laboratory tests and getting the complete results, all possibilities should be thoroughly anticipated in submitting samples to assure that the laboratory results will assist in the diagnosis.

This report summarizes some of the available laboratory tests and their utilization for diagnosis of viral infections in the feedlot.
Assessing Vaccine Efficacy in the Feedlot
Authors: Ribble Carl S.
Published: March 2023

How can you decide which vaccines to recommend to your feedlot clients? The purpose of this presentation is to develop a framework for the bovine practitioner for assessing the value of a commercial bacterin, toxoid, or vaccine by examining the scientific literature. A logical approach to reading this literature would help differentiate published trials that could help you in practice from useless or entirely misleading trials. The principles are also extremely useful for carrying out trials within feedlots in your own practice.

To demonstrate, I will refer generally to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) vaccines, and more specifically to recent research examining the effectiveness of a particular commercial Haemophilus somnus bacterin. Determining the effectiveness of this bacterin could be difficult because the organism is associated with a variety of clinical diseases, referred to generally as hemophilosis,1 and it has been implicated as one of the potential initiators of the BRD complex.2,3 How do you decide whether to recommend the use of this bacterin, or any other vaccine, for the prevention of hemophilosis or BRD?
7% Saline IV, A New Approach to an Old Problem
Authors: Hines J. A.
Published: March 2023

In our practice we became interested in the use of Hyper saline after seeing some research on its use in calves and horses that was done at Ohio State University.

For years we had been using commercial fluid concentrates and diluting them for our fluid therapy. At best this procedure left much to be desired. Transporting large volumes of sterile water, calculating correct dilution, time required to administer fluids and cost to the client limited its use.
Survivability of Twins From Pregnancy Diagnosis to Calving and the Effects Twin Pregnancies Have on Milk Production, Culling, and Gestation Length in Holstein Dairy Cattle
Authors: Day John D. , Weaver Leon D. , Franti Charles E.
Published: March 2023

It is a common belief among dairymen and practitioners that the abortion rate is higher in cows with twin pregnancies than with single pregnancies. In this prospective study, 5493 cows on 14 California dairies were followed from pregnancy diagnosis to subsequent abortion or calving. There were 196 bicornual (3.57%) and 74 unicornual (1.35%) twins diagnosed. The incidence of twins was independent of days open, but was not independent of parity or days pregnant at diagnosis. Cows with unicornual twin pregnancies had higher peak milk production than cows diagnosed with single pregnancies, and when stratified by parity, this difference was maintained in second and greater lactations. However when stratifed by dairy, the difference was not significant between cows diagnosed with singles and cows diagnosed with twins. First lactation cows diagnosed with bicornual twin pregnancies had a reduced 305 day mature equivalent milk production in comparison to those diagnosed with single pregnancies.
Selenium Supplementation of Beef Heifers
Authors: Swecker William S. , Blodgett Dennis K. , Eversole Dan E. , Thatcher Craig D.
Published: March 2023

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of a sustained-release selenium (Se) bolus to an 120 ppm Se salt-mineral mixture on blood Se concentrations in yearling beef heifers.
Protective Effects of a Commercial Cheese Whey Derived Immunoglobulin Product Against Septicemic Escherichia coli Challenge in Colostrum Deprived Calves
Authors: Hunt Elaine , Hunt Louis D. , Ibanes Joelle , Anderson Kevin L.
Published: March 2023

A major cause of worldwide calf mortality is colisepticemia secondary to failure of passive transfer of colostral antibody. Several new products1,2,3,4 have been marketed in recent years to combat this problem.
Opsonizing Antibodies to Virulence Factors of Pasteurella haemolytica
Authors: Bowersock T. L. , Ryker D. , Maddux J. , Moore R. N.
Published: March 2023

Opsonization of Pasteurella haemolytica by whole serum has been documented. However, the role of antibodies to specific antigens has not been investigated.
New Insight in the Management of Acute Bovine Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Lekeux P. , Genicot B. , Linden A. , Desmecht D. , Close R.
Published: March 2023

Acute bovine respiratory diseases (ABRD) are the most important cause of sanitary economic losses in cattle. These problems are increasing despite the use of preventive and therapeutic agents. This could be due to several factors like increase of the population density in the cattle units, increase of the virulence of the pathogens, increase of air pollution, etc. Another explanation could be that, in the past, bovine respiratory diseases have been analysed at a pathological but not functional level. In the light of new information on bovine pulmonary function in health and disease, it appears that, before the occurrence of irreversible and of course untreatable lung damages, there are some reversible dysfunctions at the level of pulmonary ventilation, perfusion or gas diffusion. An early and appropriate correction of these dysfunctions is of a critical importance in order to decrease the rate of mortality and chronic pneumonia.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the pecularities of the bovine pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology in order to try to improve the efficiency of the treatment of ABRD.

The prevention of ABRD, although highly important, is not analysed in this paper.
Epidemiology of Enzootic Pneumonia in Minnesota Dairy Calves
Authors: Sivula Neal J. , Ames Trevor R. , Marsh Will E.
Published: March 2023

Enzootic calf pneumonia (ECP) is one clinical manifestation of the bovine respiratory disease complex. Enzootic calf pneumonia results from a complex interaction between environmental factors, host factors, and infectious agents. The financial losses that result from ECP occur due to death loss, treatment cost, and decreased lifetime milk production. Calves that have experienced ECP have been shown to be at increased risk of culling once in the milking herd when compared to herdmates of the same age(1). Experimental studies involving the infectious agents themselves have been performed(2-9), as well as retrospective(10-16) and cohort studies(17-22). None of the current epidemiologic research has specifically targeted ECP, either through assessment of ventilation or laboratory sampling to validate morbidity or mortality.
Rapid Detection of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Viremic Cattle by Flow-Cytometry
Authors: Wolf G. , Rademacher G.
Published: March 2023

A fast and simple assay with high sensitivity to BVDV in blood samples independent of blood storage and clinical status of animals. is described. A pan-pesti virus reactive monoclonal antibody Cl6 (BVDV-p 80/125 specific) was applied for immunofluorescence (IF) in flow cytometry with leukocytes and for IF with infected bovine kidney cells as a reference method. From 304 blood samples of patients of the veterinary clinic 63 NCP- and 7 CP- BVDV strains were isolated. There is a high BVDVspecific IF in granulocytes and monocytes, whereas in lymphocytes the IF intensity per cell is weaker. The percentage of antigen positve cells varies from 1% to 87 % (mean 22%) in granulocytes/monocytes and 0% to 37% (mean 8%) in lymphocytes. There is a total correlation between conventional BVDV-diagnosis with tissue culture isolation and leukocyte analysis with flow cytometry. After blood freezing or storage at +8°C for 6 weeks BVDV detection in leukocytes is not significantly influenced.

Flow cytometry provides a quantitative, objective analysis of leukocyte associated BVDV-antigen. Both low levels of antigen per cell and low percentages of antigen positive cells are detectable. Direct leukocyte analysis with flow cytometry is a rapid (2 hours). easy and reliable method for detection of viremic cattle.
Neue Trends bei der Entwicklungvon Vakzinen für Rinder
Authors: Straub O. C.
Published: March 2023

New Direction in Vaccinology in Cattle

The development in the formulation of vaccines for cattle are reviewed and the vaccines currently in use, live attenuated, subunit and inactivated, are briefly described. For BHVl and BVD vaccines, the combinations and their application under various conditions are described together with a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages. Vaccines still in the trial and development stage are also presented. The advantages of these vaccines in terms of their potentially greater safety are highlighted and the increasing importance of adjuvants for them is discussed.
Prospects For Enhancing Genetic Resistance to Disease in Dairy Cattle
Authors: Mallard Bonnie A.
Published: March 2023

There is now substantial evidence that genetic selection in dairy cattle, soley for improved production, is associated with rising disease incidence. Diseases such as mastitis are multifactorial with complex etiology, which despite elaborate farm management schemes, costs the US dairy industry approximately $2 billion annually, and the Canadian industry between $500-700 million. Direct losses result from cow deaths, culling, milk discard, and antibiotic therapy of clinical disease. Although dollar losses from subclinical mastitis are much more difficult to estimate, these may be the most significant due to chronically reduced milk yields and altered milk composition of affected cows. Unfortunately, effective vaccines for the prevention of complex diseases such as mastitis, have not yet been realized. In addition, the relative lack of understanding of how genetic and physiological host factors influence immunological defense has hampered progress in the development of effective alternate preventatives. However, there is now evidence from numerous species that immune responsiveness and disease resistance are partly genetically regulated traits, and that enhancement of these traits based on genetic selection is feasible. In cattle, several genetic markers and immune response traits have been identified which have some association with mastitis or other economically relevant diseases, but these require confirmation in the context of breed and pertinent physiological status of the cow prior to use in selection schemes. Nonetheless genetic approaches to improve livestock performance and health hold great promise as environmentally sound alternatives to improved animal health, which at the same time should help alleviate concerns over the hazards and costs associated with conventional disease and production management.
Current Status and Potential of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines
Authors: Brown Fred
Published: March 2023

Knowledge of the structure of the virus at the molecular level has provided us with the opportunity to identify those regions of the particle which elicit a protective immune response. These regions can be synthesized chemically or biochemically, thus avoiding the use of the infectious virus particle and consequently any chance of causing infection. Moreover, an understanding of the structural basis for antigenic variation is being reached which should enable us to design more efficient vaccines.
Considerations for Developing Regulatory Policy to Prevent Importation of Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases
Authors: Tabachnick W. J. , Walton T. E. , Chase C. C. L.
Published: March 2023

Epidemiologic and entomologic investigations on bluetongue viruses have provided important information upon which to develop meaningful, less restrictive but safe regulatory policies for the international movement of ruminants and germplasm. The result of changes would be economic gain for all countries concerned with continued protection against the importation of foreign diseases. The goal of regulations should be to safely protect indigenous animals, but to do so without needlessly interfering with trade.

It is apparent that research on bluetongue disease has been beneficial and new information on other arthropod-borne pathogens, their vectors, and their hosts will continue to be useful to protect ruminant livestock. Continued research along the lines reviewed here on culicoides spp. 19 and other vectors of arthropod-borne diseases and these pathogens must be supported.

French and Spanish summaries on PDF.
Repeated Occurence of Akabane and CNS Defects in Calves
Authors: Hamana K. , Kamimura S. , Taura Y.
Published: March 2023

Akabane virus was first confirmed in 1975 (2) as a causative agent of the big outbreak of abortion, arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly in 1972-73 in Japan. Akabane vaccine was developed soon after the- virus discovery. However, Akabane disease has occurred several times thereafter at the interval of two to five years. No vaccination and early change of cattle generation will be the main reason.

In this report, the recent outbreak of calves with central nervous system (CNS) defects was investigated in comparison with the past Akabane and Chuzan (7) disease.
Influence of a Health Program on Dairy Heifer Productivity in Minnesota
Authors: Williamson Norman B.
Published: March 2023

It has been previously noteds that heifers, although they represent the future production potential of herds, were commonly the most neglected group of animals on Minnesota dairy farms. Many calved at ages far beyond the recommended 24 months and 28 months was the average calving age of heifers entering the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) record system1. On the other hand it was not unusual for the author to observe large and well grown heifers that had not been bred on farm visits.

Heifer raising costs in Minnesota were estimated at $1353 to 24 months of age while beyond this the cost increased to $1.92 per day. 7 A partial farm budgets for an average Minnesota dairy herd estimated a potential gross benefit of $5,548 from all heifers achieving first calving at 24 months. Yet when this study started few preventive medicine and monitoring techniques for heifers were used in Minnesota, so there appeared to be a potential to profitably influence heifer raising programs.

A clinical trials to evaluate a co-ordinated delivery of preventive medicine procedures to heifers was designed. The project's major aim was to determine the influence of several intervention procedures delivered as a heifer health program on growth, survival and productivity. A second aim  was to document the growth and survival of heifers on some Minnesota dairy farms, since little or no documented information was available.

German and Spanish Summaries in PDF.
Bovine Genome Study and Its Goals
Authors: Womack James E.
Published: March 2023

The consensus conclusion of several recent major international livestock genetics conferences is that genomic localization of economic trait loci and subsequent marker-assisted selection for these traits will rapidly facilitate genetic improvement of livestock. Genetic improvement of cattle, specifically for efficiency of food utilization, reproductive performance, resistance to disease, and higher quality of beef and dairy products ranks high among the world's agricultural research needs. The necessary tool for large scale improvement of such a diverse array of phenotypes by marker-assisted selection is a 20 centiMorgan map of the bovine genome, consisting of highly polymorphic loci that can be easily scored by teams of investigators studying the segregation of desirable traits. This same map can subsequently be developed to a high level of resolution in regions around genes of particular interest and used to isolate and clone genes involved in the expression of economically important traits.

Experiments in our laboratory (1, 2, 3) and others (4, 5) demonstrate that the methods that have revolutionized human genetics in the last decade can do the same for cattle genetics. Bovine cells readily hybridize with mouse L cells or hamster E36 cells and segregate cattle chromosomes (1). Genetic analysis of these segregating hybrid cells has produced the current syntenic map of the cow which consists of more than 270 genes including markers of every bovine chromosome. Fifteen of the autosomal syntenic groups have been assigned to chromosomes. Our laboratory has participated in these assignments (6, 7). We have selected genes for physical mapping based on their potential role in key physiological processes and their value in defining the limits of chromosomal conservation with the human and mouse maps. We have used Southern blotting of more than 200 bovine and heterologous probes and more recently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with published primer sequences to generate these maps.
Assessment of the Use of MOIRA (Management of Insemination Through Routine Analysis)
Authors: Esslemont R. J. , Williams M. E.
Published: March 2023

The MOIRA program has been developed over a period of two years from rules derived in a three year study of the tactical use of milk progesterone tests in dairy herds. McLeod, Foulkes, Williams and Weller (1991). The purpose of MOIRA is to raise the submission rate of cows for A.I. for the first and subsequent services, at the same time identifying cows not cycling normally.
Accuracy of Predicting Twins By Rectal Palpation in Dairy Cows
Authors: Callahan C. J. , Horstman L. A.
Published: March 2023

Dairymen in the USA look upon twinning in dairy cows as an undesirable and unwanted event because of the strong association with abortions, stillbirths, dystocias, retained fetal membranes, uterine infections, infertility, increased culling and possible reduced milk production.

The possible causes associated factors and consequences of twinning have been reviewed.(1-4) Unfortunately there is evidence that twinning in dairy cows is increasing.5 Whether the adverse effects of twinning can be eliminated or reduced by improved feeding and management practices has not been substantiated. In order to apply such practices, there must be an accurate method to determine the presence of twins.

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of rectal palpation in predicting twins in 25 herds.
Economic Evaluation of Antibiotic Therapy During the Treatment of Acute Coliform Mastitis
Authors: DeGraves Fred J.
Published: March 2023

Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cattle. Traditionally, most of the cost of mastitis has been attributed to production losses from subclinical cases. Because of this, economic evaluations of the cost of mastitis have focused mainly on contagious mastitis. 1 The relative importance of acute coliform mastitis has recently increased. Acute coliform mastitis appears to be the major mastitis loss on many well managed dairies with a low incidence of contagious mastitis.

The major impact of acute clinical coliform mastitis is production loss from udder and multiple organ system damage and deaths. Because of the sudden onset of severe clinical signs, most cases are generally treated aggressively and with great expense. Although a variety of drugs are used in the therapy of acute coliform mastitis, the economic impact and the efficacy of these treatments has received little research attention.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the economic impact of treating clinical cases of acute coliform mastitis with gentamicin or sodium ceftiofur and to examine the degree of therapeutic efficacy required for acute coliform mastitis to be treated economically.
Commission System
Authors: Johnson Andrew P.
Published: March 2023

The single biggest problem that faces most practices is how can each individual practitioner be compensated fairly. Obviously there is a great deal of difference between individual practitioners and this difference is often times the cause of internal practice problems. I have seen many practices try different approaches to this problem with varying results. There is no right way or wrong way to compensate practitioners, but it is important to choose a method that properly compensates all veterinarians in the practice.
Whither and How Food Animal Medicine Approaches the Millennium
Authors: Dahl John C.
Published: March 2023

We have had the advantage of hearing from Dr. Ed Jesse, Dr. Robert Cropp and Mr. Richard Catta, so we are better informed than only a few hours ago on the various --- and complicated, aspects of milk pricing and marketing, the shifting demographics of the dairy industry, and the challenges facing dairy producers in the years ahead leading us to the millennium.

Where will the food animal veterinary practitioner be in these coming years of change and challenge? What role will we play in helping to influence and shape the future of "our" dairy industry?
Some of the Difficult Aspects of Getting Into Production Medicine
Authors: Johnson Andrew P.
Published: March 2023

Production medicine is the newest kid on the block and by all indications is the future of veterinary medicine. This challenge has frightened many veterinarians and have made their futures unclear. I have found production medicine to be one of the most rewarding programs I have ever offered to my clients and is now the backbone of a successful practice. I have been asked today to discuss the difficulties that went into making a production medicine program work and I hope to share these with you.
Standardized Performance Analysis Integrating Production and Financial Performance
Authors: McGrann James M.
Published: March 2023

A producer led effort through the NCA-Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Coordinating Committee has developed standardized cow-calf enterprise production and financial performance analysis to meet information needs of cow-calf producers. Areas addressed include (1) standardization of terminology and calculation procedure, (2) selection of a minimal set of measures that describe performance and (3) standardization of methodology in enterprise cost accounting. Field testing of the analysis system in 12 states involving 55 herds prior to January 1992 has been extremely successful. This re-emphasizes the desire of producers to have sound production and financial information that they can understand and utilize in decision making. The implementation of NCA-IRM-Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA™) is now underway. This paper briefly summarizes the measures selected, key results of the herds evaluated and future direction of SPA.
Disease Monitoring in Packing Houses
Authors: Griffin Dee
Published: March 2023

Many approaches can be taken to monitor the disease status of herds. Inspection at packing houses performed routinely on selected animals has long been an important addition to health monitoring in swine and poultry. Prior to 1980, routine beef cattle inspections were typically limited to monitoring liver abscesses. This paper describes the technique of conducting a routine health management inspection in a modern packing plant. This technique has evolved over the past decade.
Centric Fusion (CF) Translocations in North American Cattle
Authors: Weber A. F. , Buoen L. C. , Zhang T. Q. , Ruth G. R.
Published: March 2023

Cytogenetic investigations were made concerning the presence of the 1/29 and 14/20 Robertsonian translocations in the Charolais and Simmental cattle breeds in the United States and Canada. The results indicated that positive cases were present in some of these beef cattle populations. Of the 659 Charolais cattle tested, 142 (22%) were 1/29 CF translocation positive. Of the 353 Simmental cattle tested, 138 (39%) were 14/20 CF translocation positive. For both breeds these results are not representative of the prevalence of the chromosomal aberration in the entire population.
Large Scale Crossbreeding of Bos Indicus with Bos Taurus in the Tropical Rain Forest Climate of Kerala in South India
Authors: Valiathan Unnikrishnan , Unnithan N. R. , Staempfli Henry
Published: March 2023

The state of Kerala in India has predominantly an agrarian economy, with crop production providing the major income for farmers. The economy is also supported by animal husbandry in many of the farm households. Geographically Kerala lies in the tropical rain forest belt with a two season pattern and two monsoons spread over eight months. The main food crops are paddy and tapioca, while the cash crops grown are coconut, rubber, pepper, cashews, tea, coffee and spices. The population density is one of the highest in the world with 654 people per km2, therefore placing extraordinary pressure on land availability for crops and cattle. The native non-descript zebu-type cattle of Kerala, evolved over long periods, are poor in milk and reproductive performance but have adapted very well to the tropical environment with regards to heat and disease resistance. The local zebu are small in stature with an average body weight of 150-250 kg standing 1.1-1.2 meters high. The average age at first calving is 51 months and the average lactation yield is estimated at 500-700 kg/200 days.1,2 The average calving interval is long at 21 months2. The number of AI per conception is 2. 4 for field animals2.These non-descript zebu type cattle could not satisfy the milk needs of the state. To improve the milk production to 1500 L per lactation by genetic improvement alone would have taken 150-200 years. Replacement of local stock with exotic dairy breeds was not practical. Past experience has shown that transplantation of such temperate breeds into the tropical rain forest climate is not economical because of poor adaptability, susceptibility to tropical diseases and non-availability of suitable management. Therefore, a programme of limited crossbreeding of local zebu cattle with Bos taurus dairy breeds was implemented as a practical means enhancing the milk yield. Crossbreeding offered the most promising approach to evolve a type of cow which could be maintained economically under prevailing village conditions. The purpose of this paper is to present data supporting crossbreeding between local nondescript milk breeds with top genetic material of temperate Bos taurus milk breeds, as the best currently available means to converse local poor producing cattle into crossbreds of high productivity.
Field Evaluations and Applications of Electronic Identification (EID) Systems in the Bovine Industry
Authors: Maher Kevin D. , Knowles Ralph C. , Curkendall Lee
Published: March 2023

Automatic identification of members of the bovine family is very important in present and future developments of livestock production. From securing export of healthy live animals and meat with genetic superiority to automating health records and production records; automatic identification has the potential to play a significant role in the livestock industry.

The technology evaluated is the implantable, passive, electronic identification transponders manufactured by Destron/IDI, of Boulder, Colorado. Transponders were implanted in over 4549 animals during 1991 and 1992 in the United States, Canada and England, evaluating the following:(1.) implanting technique(2.) transponder retention(3.) automation with various animal production systems(4.) carcass identification within the slaughterhouse(5.) slaughterhouse recovery of transponders(6.) disease eradication programs(7.) breed registration(8.) alternative identification to branding and other forms of identification.

The above items will be discussed in some detail as related to the trials performed on animals.
Interest of a Concentrate of Live Yeast Cells
Authors: Tournut J. , Roques C. , Dussert L. , Jonvel S.
Published: March 2023

BIOSAF is a concentrate of live yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (strain Sc 47) containing more than 5.10^9 viable cells per gram.

Due to a proprietary process, BIOSAF is presented in round shape particules, naturally coated. This particular process provides a very good resistance to heat shock during the pelleting process, so that the product can be incorporated in pelleted feed.
Activity of Plasma-Protein C in Dairy Cows With Left-sided Displacement of the Abomasum and Fatty Liver Syndrome
Authors: Rehage J. , Scholz H. , Kramer J. , Mertens M. , Heuwieser W. , Höltershinken M.
Published: March 2023

Fatty infiltration of the liver, occurring within 1 to 5 weeks postpartum, and due to excessive lipomobilisation, is the most common liver disease in dairy cows. Case studies showed that 91% of cases with left-sided displacement of the abomasum (LDA), accompanied by suppression of appetite and enhanced lipomobilisation, occurred during this period2. Our experience indicates that nearly 4% of cows with LOA, admitted for surgical treatment, develop hepatic failure in the postoperative period and die in hepatic coma or are slaughterd for that reason3.

It has been shown in humans that the plasma activity of Protein C, synthesized in the liver as a Vitamin K-dependant \ anticoagulant factor, decreases in severe liver disease. Therefore, dairy cows suffering from LDA were studied in order to gain information about the correlation between plasma-protein C-activity and hepatic lipidosis.