bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of mid-infrared predicted milk and blood constituents with early lactation disease and herd removal in Holstein cows
Authors: Bach K. D. , Barbano D. M. , McArt J. A. A.
Published: February 2023

Partial least square regression estimates of milk and blood constituents using Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR) analysis have shown promise as a tool for monitoring early lactation excessive energy deficit in dairy herds. However, the association of these various predicted constituents and subsequent disease events and production outcomes have yet to be established. Our objectives were to determine the association of early lactation predicted milk ~-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations, predicted blood nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and predicted de nova fatty acid percentages relative to total fatty acid concentrations with the risks of hyperketonemia (HYK), displaced abomasum (DA), and metritis (MET) diagnosis and removal from the herd (CULL).
Use of environmental testing to identify high risk areas for Johne's disease transmission on cow-calf operations
Authors: Breuer R. M. , Garoutte C. M. , Krull A. C. , Kreuder A. J.
Published: February 2023

The majority of research related to testing and control strategies for decreasing the incidence of Johne's disease has been focused on the dairy industry with little focus on the beef industry. Because of the very different management styles for calf rearing and housing between the 2 industries, there is an urgent need to assess the effectiveness of currently recommended prevention strategies on mitigating the risk of Johne's transmission in beef cow-calf operations. Shedding of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) by infected adult animals into cow-calf housing areas likely poses the highest risk for spread of Johne's disease within beef herds. Therefore, development of an effective environmental testing strategy specifically designed for cow-calf operations that could be used to identify contaminated areas on farm is warranted.
Bulls as a source of bovine leukemia virus during natural breeding
Authors: Benitez O. J. , Roberts J. , Norby B. , Bartlett P. , Maeroff J. E. , Grooms D. L.
Published: February 2023

Bovine leukosis is a chronic lymphoproliferative disorder in cattle caused by the deltaretrovirus, bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Most BLV infected animals remain asymptomatic and act as carriers of the virus; 30 to 40% of infected cattle develop  a persistent lymphocytosis, while less than 5% progress to lymphosarcoma. The major route of virus transmission is believed to be iatrogenic through procedures that permit the transfer of blood between cattle. Proviral DNA has been identified in nasal secretions, saliva, semen, and smegma. Natural transmission through these secretions has not been clearly demonstrated. Our research group has identified the use of bulls in dairy herds as a risk factor for BLV infection at the herd level, and has also shown a high prevalence ( 45%) of infected beef bulls in Michigan. Natural service is still used in half of dairy operations across the US, and is the most commonly used breeding method (approximately 90%) in beef cattle herds in the US. Given these factors, there may be risk of BLV transmission during natural breeding via smegma or blood transfer following trauma to the penis, vulva, and vagina. The overall goal of our research team is to develop cost effective strategies to reduce the transmission of BLV in cattle herds. The objective of this study is to assess the risk of BLV transmission by breeding bulls during natural breeding.
Comparing the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate and levamisole on Haemonchus contortus in goats
Authors: Johnson Beth , Mackey James , DeWees Wiliam , Papajeski Barbie
Published: February 2023

Haemonchus contortus is a primary concern for goat producers. An infestation of H. contortus, known as haemonchosis, can cause poor development, poor performance, and death. Due to the development of anthelmintic resistance, alternative ways to monitor and control haemonchus have been researched. Alternatives treatments to chemical anthelmintics are copper oxide wire particles (COWP) and copper sulfate (CuSO4). These have been found to be effective at controlling H. contortus populations in goats with a lessened resistance development, and are beginning to be used alongside chemical anthelmintics to combat resistance development in H. contortus. This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of COWP vs CuSO4 vs Levamisole.
Comparative plasma and urine concentrations of flunixin and meloxicam in show goats
Authors: Bublitz C. M. , Mzyk D. A. , Mays T. , Fajt V. R. , Hairgrove T. B. , Baynes R. E.
Published: February 2023

The allowable tolerance for a drug is based on edible tissue, yet a majority of livestock shows use urine samples to test for the presence of performance enhancing drugs. Currently, there is limited data on the relationship between urine and plasma or target tissue concentrations used for withdrawal time calculations in food animal species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare plasma and urine concentrations in goats administered 1 of 2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, flunixin meglumine and meloxicam, in order to determine withdrawal intervals for animals where urine is routinely tested at livestock shows.
Practical OB Tips
Authors: Hilton W. Mark
Published: February 2023

While prevention of dystocia is the goal for every beef and dairy herd, there will be instances when assistance is necessary. Teaching owners when to call is paramount to having a successful delivery where both dam and calf are vibrant after delivery. The Utrecht technique for delivery has served me well for almost 30 years of veterinary practice. The hallmarks of the Utrecht technique are: manual dilation of the birth canal, correct positioning of the calf if needed while the cow is standing, lying the cow down in lateral recumbency and applying traction only when the cow has a contraction with the traction being in a direction parallel with her dorsal spine. This technique more closely mimics delivery of a calf in nature and allows the calf to be delivered more easily than when the cow is standing.
Nutrition 101
Authors: Lartz Trent L.
Published: February 2023

The dairy cow is an impressive animal, but to keep her healthy, we must provide a perfect balance of nutrients for her to consume. Her needs can be broken down into categories of essential nutrients that are common to all mammals.
What I learned when I became a dairy manager
Authors: Guterbock Walter M.
Published: February 2023

Working in dairy management changed my perspective on veterinary medicine and the services that veterinarians should provide to clients, especially on larger dairy farms. While the cows are the main income producers on a dairy farm, there is a lot more to running a farm than managing cows. Labor, capital, crops, manure, and feed procurement all need to be managed, along with all of the other tasks connected with running a small business. So cow management may not always be at the top of the owner's mind, and is usually delegated to employees. Veterinary emergencies are not true farm-level emergencies. Clients want good emergency service but a successful intervention only benefits one cow. True emergencies are those that affect the farm's ability to produce and sell its product: a refrigeration failure, a drug residue in a milk tank, equipment failures, labor issues. Vets tend to focus too much on per cow averages and diseases. Profit is determined by the total amount of milk or milk solids the farm sells, not the per-cow average production. Averages tend to have bias and momentum. Management should focus on cows that are not performing well and try to prevent future cows from having the same problem. Monitoring should focus on things that can be changed quickly and promise quick results, like reforming a failing colostrum program. Many traditional veterinary services only benefit one cow. It is better to focus on interventions that help the productive cows in the herd. They have trouble executing those recommendations. Change on a dairy farm is not easy and may affect many people. Advice should come with an implementation plan.
Trace minerals and the immune system
Authors: Havenga Lourens J.
Published: February 2023

The functions of trace mineral-dependent enzymes impact every aspect of the complex immune response. This includes, but is not limited to, the chemical components (interferon and interleukin), the innate cellular functionality (neutrophil and macrophage) as well as the acquired immune response (T-cell and B-cell functionality). Disease management relies significantly on the use of vaccines and more recently on non-specific immune modulators. Understanding the role of the different minerals will enable practitioners to identify when and how trace mineral supplementation may be required for optimal immune function.
Climate smart dairy and beef
Authors: Mitloehner Frank M.
Published: February 2023

Production efficiency in the dairy and beef industry canbe defined as minimizing the amount of inputs (e.g., feed, fossil fuels) and outputs (e.g., ammonia, NH3; greenhouse gases, GHG) to produce a given quantity of milk or meat. The present paper will focus on the dairy example. Production efficiency improvements can come from minimizing waste, maximizing a dairy cow’s milk production, and maximizing the proportion of her life spent in peak milk production without sacrificing animal health and well-being.
Use of arm-free devices in bovine reproductive ultrasound
Authors: Wierman Erika L.
Published: February 2023

Ultrasonography has been employed in bovine practice since the 1980s for visualizing and evaluating the reproductive tract, diagnosing pregnancy, identifying anomalies, and determining the age and gender of a fetus. The modality has advanced quickly since then, introducing new technologies, techniques, and equipment to facilitate its use and improve its accuracy and efficacy. Among these advancements is the advent of arm-free ultrasound with the use of a transducer handle, which allows the user to conduct an ultrasound exam without inserting his or her arm into the rectum of the animal. The intention is to increase exam speed, decrease animal discomfort, improve reach, and reduce chronic and overuse injuries to the operator. We conducted a survey to determine why and how ultrasonographers employ this tool, whether they had experienced any negative consequences from its use, and what effect it has on their reproductive practice.
Navigating the regulations of regulatory paperwork
Authors: Mays Glennon
Published: February 2023

Regulatory veterinary medicine includes activities many consider routine practice duties. Activities also focus toward identification and prevention of disease, foreign or domestic, and the examination of imported/exported animals, animal products, or plant consignments. This discussion is limited to the more usual activities within clinical practice. Several topics are examined; however, the list is not exhaustive.
devil is in the details
Authors: Bennett James W.
Published: February 2023

Microbial culture of milk for diagnosis of pathogens has been a mainstay of mastitis control for many years. Traditionally services have been provided by outside laboratories or to some degree, by local veterinary clinics. In-clinic laboratories can perform basic microbiological testing of milk and other materials related to udder health. Such services can provide valuable information for mastitis control; however, there are many pitfalls to consider when designing or operating a laboratory. Recently, increased focus on responsible antibiotic use by the dairy industry, dairy veterinarians, and society in general has created a greater need for microbial identification prior to antibiotic treatment. The aim of this article is to describe potential uses of an in-house laboratory while also describing some of the potential problems the veterinary practitioner may face. There are a variety of techniques beyond simple milk culture that can be performed in a clinic laboratory. The information provided may help practitioners provide valuable information and service to dairy producers who wish to improve or maintain udder health.
New tools to select the right treatment
Authors: Winder Charlotte B. , Sargeant Jan M. , O'Connor Annette M.
Published: February 2023

We are fortunate to have several intramammary treatment products for clinical mastitis and dry-cow therapy available to us, but relatively few clinical trials compare these products head-to-head. Knowledge of relative efficacy of all available products is important for practitioners, where this information can be used to inform judicious antibiotic use. Network meta-analysis provides a method to synthesize evidence from all available trials and provide the relative efficacy of a network of treatments. This methodology is used extensively in human health and is becoming more common in animal health research.
Chipping away at the tough questions about bedding management and mastitis
Authors: Godden Sandra , Royster Erin , Rowe Sam , Patel Kruthika , Timmerman Jennifer , Crooker Brian , Fox Larry
Published: February 2023

Over the past several decades, the dairy industry and mastitis researchers have, collectively, made great progress in improving our understanding of the role of bedding selection and management as a determinant of mastitis risk. Increased bedding bacteria counts (BBC) are associated with increased bacteria loads on teat ends and with increased risk for infection caused by environmental mastitis pathogens. Benchmarks for BBC have been established. The use of recycled manure solids is, on average, associated with higher BBC and poorer udder health, compared to inorganic materials or organic non-manure materials. However, BBC and udder health measures are highly variable among herds, regardless of the bedding material used. Several factors have been identified that are related to the processing and management of unused bedding and the management of bedding in stalls, which are associated with reduced BBC. Producers using recycled manure solids or sand bedding should strive to increase bedding dryness, with a view to reducing BBC. However, many questions remain, including the need to better understand the significance of organic matter levels in sand bedding, and to evaluate the impact of various methods of processing recycled manure solids on bedding characteristics, udder health, and economics.
Evolution of the nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota from spring processing to 40 days after arrival at the feedlot in beef calves
Authors: McMullin C. , Orsel K. , Alexander T. W. , Van der Meer F. J. , Plastow G. , Timsit E.
Published: February 2023

The stability of the bovine nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota has been shown to play a crucial role in respiratory health. The combination of microbiota-based inhibitory effects and the protective effects of the host’s immune system creates a stable environment in the nasopharynx. However, a loss of stability in the microbiota may decrease the host’s ability to contain opportunistically pathogenic bacteria and increase the risk of foreign pathogens colonizing the upper respiratory tract. These pathogens can proliferate and progress into the lower respiratory tract, potentially leading to pneumonia. Different factors, including antimicrobial usage, commingling, stress, and concurrent viral infection can have an impact on the stability of nasopharyngeal microbiota. In humans, it has been shown that the respiratory bacterial microbiota evolves toward an adult-like profile within the first months of life. Certain bacterial profiles, once established, can remain stable over time, demonstrating a resiliency against respiratory infection. Previous longitudinal studies looking at the evolution of the nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota in beef cattle have only centered around significantly stressful events, such as weaning and arrival at a feedlot, limiting our understanding of how respiratory microbiota evolve from an early age. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize the nasopharyngeal bacterial microbiota and its evolution from spring processing to 40 days after arrival at the feedlot.
Selective dry cow therapy on US dairy farms
Authors: Rowe S. , Godden S. , Royster E. , Timmerman J. , Nydam D. , Vasquez A. , Gorden P. , Lago A.
Published: February 2023

There is an opportunity to reduce antibiotic (ABX) use at dry-off in US dairy farms, as approximately 80% of herds practice blanket dry cow therapy (BDCT), despite most quarters (~80%) being uninfected at that time. Selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) strategies use screening tests to determine which quarters or cows require ABX treatment at dry-off. A small number of trials conducted in North America recently found that SDCT reduced ABX use by up to 60% without negatively impacting udder health, culling risk or milk production when compared to BDCT. However, more research is needed to validate SDCT before it can be widely implemented. The objective of this study was to compare 2 SDCT approaches (Culture-based or Algorithm-based) against BDCT in a multiherd randomized, positively controlled, clinical trial for the following outcomes; reduction in ABX use at dry-off, clinical mastitis (CM) risk, culling risk, milk yield, and somatic cell count (SCC) in the first 120 days in milk (DIM).
Prevalence and risk factors for corkscrew claw syndrome in dairy cattle
Authors: Cook N. B. , Strebe A. , Karlen K.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for an emerging hoof lesion in growing heifers and adult dairy cattle with no prior reports in the peer-reviewed literature. Corkscrew claw syndrome (CCS) is not the corkscrew claw that we used to see affecting the rear lateral claws of multiparous cows who were victims of poor housing and hoof care. Nor is it the mild corkscrew of the front medial claw that we commonly recognize. Rather, corkscrew claw syndrome is the combination of corkscrew deformities of the medial claws of both the rear and front feet in combination, and it occurs in heifers predominantly, rather than older cows. The condition can be so severe by the time that the heifer calves, the rear medial claw is the dominant weight bearing claw. The anatomical changes that result in this condition appear to be permanent and unrepairable. The pedal bones are irreversibly changed, developing bony exostoses and becoming narrower and rotated within the claw capsule. For that reason, affected herds will see this syndrome affecting all age groups, starting in growing age heifers and following through all the way to the oldest cows in the herd.
Assessing the utility of leukocyte differential cell counts for predicting mortality risk in neonatal Holstein calves upon arrival and 72 hours postarrival at calf rearing facilities
Authors: Von Konigslow T. E. , Renaud D. L. , Duffield T. F. , Higginson V. , Kelton D. F.
Published: February 2023

There is growing concern about the level of antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in food producing animals. An area of opportunity to reduce antimicrobial use could be in the treatment of young calves during the first week following arrival at calf rearing facilities. Group metaphylaxis is common due to the unknown age and history of calves that undergo several stressful events prior to arrival, such as transportation, co-mingling and variable periods of fasting. It may be possible to reduce antimicrobial use at this stage in the production cycle without sacrificing animal health and welfare if the calves at highest risk of morbidity and mortality could be identified and treated in a highly selective manner. Recent studies have identified indicators of future risk for morbidity and mortality that can be measured at arrival such as biomarkers and physical exam factors. Bovine haematology, when used in conjunction with clinical examination findings, could be used to improve disease diagnosis. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of leukocyte differential cell counts taken at the time of arrival at a calf rearing facility and 72 hours post arrival for determining mortality risk during the production cycle.
potential use of MALDI Sepsityper™ technology for rapid diagnosis of septicemia in dairy calves
Authors: Hengy M. H. , Garcia J. D. , Diaz-Campos D. , Pempek J. A. , Hinds C. A. , Habing G. G.
Published: February 2023

Neonatal calf diarrhea is the leading cause of calf mortality in the United States and can be associated with more severe sequela including septicemia. The current preferred method for diagnosing septicemia in these patients is culture-based and can take a week or more to provide bacterial identification. Therefore, this method is impractical to use when rapid treatment is necessary. In most instances, farm personnel give antibiotics empirically without confirmation of sepsis or identification of the causative agent, raising concerns over unnecessary or suboptimal antibiotic administration. A more recent alternative method for diagnosing bacteremia involves utilization of a Sepsityper™ kit in conjunction with matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), though this has not been employed extensively in veterinary medicine. This kit provides the ability to prepare a small sample of positive blood culture fluid for rapid bacterial identification, ultimately detecting bacteria causing sepsis 1 to 3 days sooner than traditional diagnostic measures. The sensitivity and specificity of this method for diagnosing septicemia has not been established in veterinary medicine. Therefore, the objective of this study was to ascertain these values and compare the use of Sepsityper with MALDI to current culture-based methods of detecting sepsis in diarrheic dairy calves. We hypothesized that the Sepsityper method would demonstrate more rapid and sensitive results for detecting bacteremia than traditional culture-based methods.
Antimicrobial usage for the treatment on respiratory diseases in calves
Authors: Gurdal E. , Ozturan A. Y. , Silva-del-Río N.
Published: February 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major concern on calf health. In the USA, BRD explains 24% and 59% of pre-weaned and weaned calf mortality, respectively. This important disease results in over 91% of affected calves being treated with antimicrobials. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the quality of published peer-review studies evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobials for the treatment of BRD in calves.
Acute behavior of dairy goat kids administered lidocaine injections, topical EMLA cream or meloxicam prior to cautery disbudding
Authors: Hempstead M. N. , Lindquist T. M. , Shearer J. K. , Shearer L. C. , Sutherland M. A. , Plummer P. J.
Published: February 2023

Cautery disbudding causes acute and post-operative pain, but pain relief is seldom provided when disbudding dairy goat kids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute behavioral response associated with (1) lidocaine compared with saline injections and (2) lidocaine injections plus a topical mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA) cream and meloxicam before cautery disbudding of dairy goat kids.
Regional Limb Perfusion
Authors: Depenbrock Sarah M.
Published: February 2023

This session will discuss the use of regional limb perfusion in cattle.
Diagnosis and therapy of feedlot lameness
Authors: Apley Michael D.
Published: February 2023

While not at an incidence level comparative to bovine respiratory disease, lameness in feedlots still presents a significant challenge and results in significant economic loss. These proceedings address the basics of diagnosis and therapy of infectious pododermatitis (foot rot), septic arthritis, toe abscesses (toe tip necrosis syndrome), and papillomatous digital dermatitis (hairy heel wart). The benefits of surgical intervention in selected lameness cases are recognized but are beyond the scope of this presentation. Understanding of the causal factors for each disease is pivotal in minimizing additional cases.
Cow-calf vaccination programs
Authors: Navarre Christine B.
Published: February 2023

The term “herd health” means different things to different people, both producers and veterinarians. Many times producers equate a herd health program with a vaccination program. However, much more goes into preventive herd health programs than just a good vaccination program. To truly immunize cattle, they must have a working immune system at the time of vaccination. That means that we need to minimize all of the stressors that negatively impact the immune system.

Herd health programs can be divided into 6 parts: nutrition; parasite control; biosecurity; vaccinations; genetics; and stress management. A good analogy is a 6-strand barbed wire fence. You need all the strands intact to keep cattle in. The more strands that are broken, the higher the risk of cattle escaping. All 6 parts of a herd health program are important. We can’t pick only the ones that are easy or cheap.

It is most cost-effective to personalize each herd health/vaccination program. Many ranches don’t need every vaccine available, and in some cases recommendations don’t fit the business model of the ranch. “Cookbook” programs are a good place to start, but should be tailored to each ranch.
evolution of fertility programs for lactating dairy cows
Authors: Fricke P. M.
Published: February 2023

Dairy farmers, dairy veterinarians, and dairy consultants are continually challenged to stay current on the latest recommendations for synchronization protocols. An excellent and up-to-date source of information on synchronization protocols can be found at the DCRC web site: http://www. dcrcouncil.org/. Protocols recommended by the DCRC are reviewed and updated by researchers who develop and test these protocols, and are based on the latest peer-reviewed research published in the scientific literature. The purpose of this paper is to overview the key research underlying development of fertility programs for lactating dairy cows.
Uterine health problems
Authors: Thomas Mark J. , Stangaferro Matias L. , Serrenho Rita Couto
Published: February 2023

A successful calving event and the following transition period are critically important to the future reproductive performance and productivity of the dairy cow. Although the diagnosis and treatment of uterine diseases are generally considered straightforward by most veterinarians, there are many misconceptions and a lack of data to support many of the recommended treatments. Other metabolic disorders such as hypocalcemia and hyperketonemia can further complicate the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Not only is an understanding of reproductive physiology and normal uterine involution important, but also the economic outcomes of uterine disease. The effects on milk production, fertility, risk to other diseases, and exit from the herd need to be recognized by both the dairy herd managers and veterinarians alike.

This article will review the definitions, risk factors, treatment options and economics of uterine diseases: retained placenta (RP), metritis, and endometritis.
Antibiotic selection, use and residue avoidance
Authors: Griffin Dee
Published: February 2023

This document discusses the importance of connecting pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetics in considerations when developing feeder and stocker cattle antibiotic treatment protocols. Simple illustrations of the use of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic link for commonly used FDA-approved antibiotics are explored. Additionally, important residue avoidance points to consider are discussed when using medication in feeder and stocker cattle with special emphasis on extra label drug use is employed.
Applying lessons from veterinary clinical trials to antimicrobial stewardship
Authors: DeDonder Keith D.
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial stewardship has been one of the largest buzzwords in veterinary and human medicine for several years. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines antimicrobial stewardship as: “…the actions veterinarians take to preserve the success and availability of antimicrobial drugs through conscientious oversight and responsible medical decision-making while safeguarding animal, public, and environmental health.” Definitions for antimicrobial stewardships are used repetitively throughout the veterinary profession with varying interpretations. This can cause difficulties for veterinarians “in the trenches” as decisions must be made daily on how to best support stewardship for the veterinarian, client, and the rest of the population. Livestock veterinarians have a unique role in antimicrobial stewardship, with their decisions on antimicrobial usage having potential effects on the foodstuffs that the public consumes. It is partly due to this reason that the usage of antimicrobials in veterinary livestock medicine have been under ever-increasing scrutiny over the last decade. An overwhelming number of different metrics have been developed and discussed over the last several years to measure and monitor usage patterns of antimicrobials in livestock systems. These metrics are beyond the scope of this discussion, but are noted here because it is likely that the veterinary livestock practitioner and their clients need to be prepared to justify and document antimicrobial treatments at some point in the future. The veterinarian and producer must continue to challenge themselves to improve preventative and management practices in order to minimize the need for therapeutic interventions in the first place. The veterinarian must work with producers to ensure that a stewardship plan is in place and also to identify ways to monitor the outcomes of treatment to be able to adjust antimicrobial usage as necessary.
Dairy replacement heifer economics
Authors: Dhuyvetter Kevin C.
Published: February 2023

The cost of replacements for dairy operations is a major expense in the production of milk. Thus, efforts to understand and manage this expense are important to remain competitive in the industry. A first step is to simply identify how many heifers are needed and then make semen selection and breeding choices targeting that number. Additionally, knowing what the costs of raising a heifer are and how various factors impact this cost is critical. Once producers have a target for replacement heifers needed and an understanding of what it costs to produce them, they will be able to better manage this part of their operation. The exact number of replacements needed in the distant future is never known with certainty; therefore, from a risk management perspective it may be prudent to produce slightly more heifers than anticipated needs. As the number of heifers produced and future replacement needs are known with better certainty, excess heifers can be culled at various stages in the production process. Basing culling decisions on early growth metrics and genetic potential of heifers, relative to their herd mates, appears to have merit in identifying first-lactation performance.
From newborn to puberty
Authors: Fischer-Tlustos A.J. , Renaud D. L. , Steele M. A.
Published: February 2023

Proper nutritional management during the first year of the calf’s life is essential in maximizing health and productivity. Feeding a sufficient volume of colostrum early in life is crucial to ensure the transfer of passive immunity and research has begun to characterize the additional bioactive compounds in colostrum and transition milk that can benefit calf development. We know that it is important to feed elevated levels of whole milk or milk replacer during the initial weeks of life, when starter intake is negligible, but further research regarding the effects of feeding large volumes of traditional milk replacers compared to whole milk on calf metabolism, health and development is required. When elevated levels of milk are fed preweaning, calves are often susceptible to production challenges during weaning, which can be mitigated by weaning gradually and later in life. It is also becoming clear that postweaning diets, which are often overlooked, can have profound effects on heifer growth and reproductive development. It is clear that a multitude of differing strategies to raise dairy calves exist; yet, it is up to the dairy research and industry communities to educate producers on specific practices that will maximize heifer development, immunity, health and ultimately the profitability of their operations.
Average daily gains and response to artificial insemination in beef replacement heifers with persistent subclinical Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype infection
Authors: Guynn S. R. , Lahmers K. K. , Currin J. F. , Todd S. M. , Carbonello A. A. , Hungerford L. L.
Published: February 2023

Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan that typically causes economic losses in dairy and beef cattle in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Clinical signs of theileriosis from T. orientalis Ikeda include anemia, icterus, ill-thrift, and death. The acute phase of the infection has been associated with a decrease in milk production in dairy cows, decreased libido in dairy bulls, decreased live weight gain in beef bulls, and increased mortality in naïve adults and calves. A sequela to acute infections within a herd is persistent subclinical infections and these have been associated with negative effects on reproduction in dairy cows and decreased mean daily gain in suckling beef calves. Prior to 2017, non-pathogenic genotypes of T. orientalis were present in the United States. In late 2017, T. orientalis Ikeda/genotype 2 was detected in beef cattle from multiple counties in Virginia and was associated with anemia, weakness, and death. As of 2020, T. orientalis Ikeda has been identified in beef cattle in 22 of 95 Virginia counties and 4 of 55 West Virginia counties. Beef production through primarily cow/calf operations is the second largest agricultural commodity in Virginia. After detection of T. orientalis Ikeda in a subpopulation of spring breeding beef heifers at a replacement breeding farm, we thoroughly investigated the fall breeding heifers. The objective of this study was to determine if persistent subclinical infection with T. orientalis Ikeda affected the average daily gain (ADG) from arriving on farm to pregnancy verification or conception rates to artificial insemination (AI) in beef replacement heifers.
Effect of perioperative penicillin G procaine on bovine castration wound infection rate
Authors: Still Brooks K. M. , Schleining J. , Brick T. A.
Published: February 2023

Perioperative administration of B-lactam antimicrobials, including penicillin G procaine, is commonly performed at the time of bovine surgical castration despite a paucity of published evidence regarding rate of bovine castration wound infections and efficacy of single-dose perioperative antimicrobial therapy for bovine castration. The best data on frequency of bovine castration complications was generated from a survey of US bovine veterinarians, which reported wound infection, swelling, gait stiffness, and hemorrhage as the most common complications. This same survey identified that a narrow majority of bovine veterinarians routinely utilized perioperative antibiotics, most commonly β-lactams class drugs, including penicillin G procaine. Increasing public demand for antimicrobial stewardship is elevating professional and consumer scrutiny around veterinary antimicrobial use in food animals. In the current climate that increasingly emphasizes judicious use of antimicrobial drugs, it is imperative to base decisions to incorporate antimicrobial prophylaxis into routine protocols on quality evidence. Currently, there is no published data to suggest that perioperative use of PPG reduces scrotal wound or generalized tetanus infection following routine surgical castration of calves. The objective of the study is to establish whether perioperative administration of penicillin G procaine at the time of surgical castration with the Henderson castrating tool decreases the risk of postcastration surgical wound infections.
Thematic analysis of free-text responses to the 2018 survey of AABP members about gender bias
Authors: Fajt V. R. , Wagner S. A. , Smith D. R. , Apley M. D.
Published: February 2023

The percentage of women in veterinary medicine passed 50% in 2009, but the percentage of women in bovine practice has not reached that level. Reasons for this are not completely clear, and discussions within and outside AABP have led to speculation about the extent and perception of gender bias among bovine practitioners. Therefore, in 2018, AABP members were surveyed to learn their perceptions about gender bias in clinical practice settings.
Association of subclinical hypocalcemia dynamics on dry-matter intake, milk yield, and plasma mineral status during the periparturient period
Authors: Seely C. R. , Overton T. R. , Leno B. M. , Kerwin A. B. , McArt J. A. A.
Published: February 2023

Subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) affects many high-producing dairy cows in the postpartum period. Recent work has shown that cows experiencing prolonged or delayed SCH are at increased risk for disease and produce less milk than cows experiencing a transient reduction or normal concentrations of plasma Ca. Our objective was to determine the association between the dynamics of SCH with pre- and postpartum dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and plasma mineral concentrations.
controlled trial assessing the effect of gradual cessation of milking prior to dry-off on the risk of new intramammary infection and wellbeing in dairy cows
Authors: Wieland M. , Heuwieser W. , Shirky S. , Melvin J. M. , Geary C. , Nydam D. V.
Published: February 2023

The importance of the end of lactation and the dry period in the dynamics of intramammary infection (IMI) in dairy cattle has long been recognized. In previous studies, gradual cessation of milking has been shown to decrease daily milk production during the last week of lactation and reduce risk of new IMI during the dry period. Although these results support the use of gradual cessation of milking to end lactation as an aid to improve udder health, only a limited number of recent studies have investigated its suitability in high-producing dairy cows. Consequently, gradual cessation has not been implemented widely in the field and no definite regimen has been recommended to dairy producers. However, due to increased intramammary pressure and subsequent tissue damage, abrupt cessation has been shown to be associated with elevated fecal stress hormones and is therefore subject to increasing concerns regarding animal well-being. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate the effect of 2 different drying-off protocols (gradual vs abrupt cessation) on the risk of new IMI, milk production, and somatic cell count (SCC) in the subsequent lactation, as well as concentration of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in dairy cows. We hypothesized that cows that are enrolled in an intermittent milking schedule (i.e., gradual cessation) for the final week of lactation would have a lower risk of new IMI during the dry period, higher milk production, and lower SCC in the subsequent lactation, as well as lower fecal glucocorticoid concentration compared with their herd mates that are milked 3 times daily and dried-off by abrupt cessation.
Dairy cattle on-farm euthanasia
Authors: Rousseau Marjolaine , DesCôteaux Luc , DenisRobichaud José , Denicourt Martine , Villettaz-Robichaud Marianne , Paradis Marie-Ève , Martel Morgane
Published: February 2023

Few data are currently available on euthanasia procedures carried out on Canadian dairy farms by veterinarians. The objective was to investigate euthanasia methods used and recommended by Canadian veterinarians.
But what does it taste like?
Authors: Dorn Corale
Published: February 2023

Neonatal enteritis in beef calves can be challenging because the timeline for intervention doesn’t leave room to delay if successful treatment is to occur. Possessing knowledge of disease, sampling techniques and prevention strategies is imperative if the new graduate hopes to achieve results that helps them move into the role of a trusted herd advisor.
Finding the answer in that mess of numbers
Authors: Jones Meredyth
Published: February 2023

A complete blood count (CBC) can be an important extension of the physical examination in ruminants, and may be used to suggest certain disease processes when exam findings are vague, and is useful for establishing a prognosis in many cases. Because of the high prevalence of inflammatory diseases in cattle, the CBC and plasma proteins are often the most valuable set of parameters to gather. Common abnormalities seen in ruminants include regenerative and nonregenerative anemias, blood parasites, inflammatory leukograms with left shifts, panhypoproteinemia, panhyperproteinemia, and transient or persistent lymphocytosis.
Becoming the associate
Authors: Rooker Eric J.
Published: February 2023

Young veterinary professionals today are often hired by practices right out of school, and unfortunately these practices often lack the skills and training to set them up for long term success. These professionals have been taught what and how to learn for the better part of 2 decades and are now expected to self-motivate, identify, and educate themselves in such a way that they can grow and develop while in practice.

These expectations often come with little to no formal guidance from the practice’s management team. Yet, these associates represent the best chance for practices to overcome the existing biases within their system and find new avenues to grow and expand. By understanding and harnessing their underlying psychology, associates can create an environment in which they can practice, identify, and excel in their own niche with, or in the absence of, qualified guidance and oversight. This psychology can then be used to create an environment of growth through pursuit of their purpose while leveraging their unique talents and routines. By educating our budding peers on the discussed self-development system, we can help them achieve their own niche by whatever definition they choose to use.
Starting from scratch
Authors: Moser Lesley M.
Published: February 2023

Opening up your very own veterinary practice can be daunting, almost like science fiction, especially if you are a recent graduate of veterinary school. I am here to tell you my story of how I made it my reality. This venture is not without a fair share of struggles, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Put on those muck boots, and let’s get into the nitty gritty.
Top 5 bovine emergencies - solved!
Authors: Jones Meredyth
Published: February 2023

Veterinarians face dynamic and changing situations daily as a matter of routine, but life-threatening emergencies on large animals can really take a toll, especially to the new graduate. Here, we will cover five common emergencies presented to bo¬vine veterinarians: bloat, down cow, dystocia, uterine prolapse, and the down neonate.
Different animal identification methods and application in disease outbreaks
Authors: White Brad
Published: February 2023

Individual animal identification can be useful for veterinarians to assist in management and prevention of disease outbreaks in cattle herds. Multiple methods exist for individually identifying cattle and the primary consideration matching the utility and ex­pense of the tag with the desired goal for identifying the animal. Animal disease traceability is an important aspect of regulatory veterinary medicine, and each practitioner plays a role in main­taining a consistent, safe supply of U.S. beef. Individual animal identification can be useful in managing a production-level disease outbreak to more rapidly identify commonality among affected cattle. One example of using data to make decisions is visualizing pregnancy distribution data to narrow differential diagnoses. Multiple methods of individual animal identification are available and veterinarians have an opportunity to work with their clients to capture value from a system to collect data.
Dairy consulting 101
Authors: Costello Nicole
Published: February 2023

“Consulting” is a highly sought-after area of expertise for many young veterinarians that is often ill-described and lacking di­rection. There are many different avenues to take in becoming a consultant, none of which are more correct than any other. A mindset shift combined with solid mentorship and a willing­ness to listen may be all it takes to adding consultative services to your clinic’s repertoire. A successful consultant will be ex­tremely passionate in their chosen area of expertise, will have a well-designed learning process, an understanding of the cost and return on investment, and will have developed several rough drafts along the way. This particular veterinarian will discuss in detail her process for developing a herd metrics con­sultative service for the clients in her practice area.
Responsabilidad social del Estado en la gestión del patrimonio cultural en la región Lima, 2019 - 2021
Authors: Cossio Hernández Francisca
Published: February 2023

El estudio realizado tiene que ver mucho con el cuidado de nuestro patrimonio cultural, el cual es importante, porque nos representa e identifica en nuestra historia, además es responsabilidad del Estado proteger nuestras reliquias, asimismo las instituciones y empresas encargadas de brindar un servicio turístico, el cual es necesario el ingreso de divisas, siendo beneficiosos para la población, así como de la sociedad en general para la implementación, construcción, refaccionamiento, entre otros.
Asset structure, leverage, and value of listed firms: Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Nkonge Habakkuk Barine , Samuel Nduati Kariuki , Peter Wang’ombe Kariuki
Published: February 2023

Firm value shows the performance of a firm while reflecting the present value of the firm’s future cashflows, hence affecting investment decisions. Therefore, this paper explores the relationship between asset structure, leverage, and firm value of 51 listed companies between 2010 and 2019 using secondary data collected from audited financial statements. The study applies panel data regression models and the causal-comparative research design. The quantitative data are analyzed using multiple regression. The result shows that plant, equipment, property, current, and financial assets influence the firm value positively. Nonetheless, the quotient of current to total assets was reported to yield the highest beta coefficient, implying that significant firm value creation is realized for every additional current asset held, weighed against the quotient of additional equipment, property, and plant to the value of total assets. Leverage had an insignificant influence on the value of firms, implying that no maximization of value is attainable in manufacturing firms through the astute use of borrowed funds. The study recommends that finance pundits consider firms’ asset structure and the use of borrowed funds when formulating financial and investment policies. The study enriches the scholarly world by developing a model for establishing the value of listed firms.