Herd Health

Antibiotic Use Calls for Collaborative Approach

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:36:26 GMT

Source: National Institute for Animal Agriculture

The message emerging from the “A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Use & Resistance: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, Nov. 13-15, in Columbus, Ohio, was clear: Antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance are the responsibility of all communities—human health, animal health and environmental health—and solutions will require collaboration of these health communities.

At the end of the three-day symposium, which was coordinated by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, presenters and participants agreed on numerous points:

• Antibiotics dramatically improve human, animal and plant health, and increase life expectancy.

• Antimicrobial resistance is not going to go away.

• A historical look at antimicrobial resistance shows antimicrobial resistance is not a new phenomenon but existed before mankind.

The topic of antimicrobial resistance can be subtle, complex, difficult and polarizing. It is more than science and evidence. It’s about politics, behavior, economics and conflicting opinions.
Antimicrobial resistance is not merely a consequence of use; it’s a consequence of use and misuse—and each community—animal health, human health or environmental health—is responsible for antibiotic stewardship.

The finger pointing and blame for antimicrobial resistance need to end. The time has come to work together. “Finding a solution is not about compromise; it’s about reaching agreement,” stated Dr. Lonnie King, Dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “We (animal health, human health and environmental health communities) need to focus on interests and not positions and initiate options for mutual gain. We need to find common ground—something we all can agree to when we disagree on other issues.”

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture provides a forum for building consensus and advancing proactive solutions for animal agriculture—the beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, equine and poultry industries—and provides continuing education and communication linkages for animal agriculture professionals. NIAA is dedicated to programs that work toward the eradication of disease that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife and humans; promote a safe and wholesome food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal health and well-being. NIAA members represent all facets of animal agriculture.

Vouching for Cow Care

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

California will soon be able to prove its cows really are happy. Over the next year, the state’s 1,750 dairies will participate in an animal well-being evaluation developed under the new National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program.

The evaluations are required by California’s major producer-owned dairy processors, who want to demonstrate to buyers and consumers that their products come from dairies that take good care of their cows.

“We had been approached by a number of animal welfare programs, but FARM was something the entire California dairy industry could get behind,” says Eric Erba, director of producer and government relations for California Dairies, Inc. (CDI). “Our customers are aware of FARM, and they accept it.”

Launched in 2009, FARM is designed to demonstrate that U.S. milk producers provide excellent animal care. CDI, Dairy Farmers of America, Land O’Lakes and Hilmar Cheese Company have been educating producers and field staffs about the evaluation and verification process.

Workshops have been held across California to let producers know what to expect as the program unfolds. “Attendance was so good, we are providing additional sessions,” says Denise Mullinax of the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program, which organized the workshops.

Most of California’s on-farm evaluations will begin in July and be completed in mid-2011. These “second-party” assessments involve a series of questions for the dairy owner and animal observations by the evaluator. Each dairy will be evaluated once every three years.

In most cases, the processor’s field staff will conduct the evaluations. Each processor will bear the financial cost. Evaluators will be trained for consistency and uniformity.

In March, Jamie Bledsoe volunteered to be the first California producer to undergo a FARM evaluation.

“It went smoothly,” says Bledsoe, who milks 1,000 cows west of Fresno. “It’s a very simple process. It’s not pass/fail. It helped us get an accurate picture of the care we provide our ani-mals, so our customers can be assured we’re committed to high standards.”

Each evaluation should take two to four hours, says Jim Reynolds of the University of California’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Reynolds conducted Bledsoe’s evaluation.

“Producers should take these evaluations seriously and be positive about them,” Reynolds says. “It’s a good opportunity to see how management and labor are taking care of the animals, and that’s key to success in the industry.”

FARM’s final step will be third-party verification, beginning in 2011. That will include only randomly selected dairies from a national pool of FARM participants.

Bonus content:

California Dairies Inc., Land O’Lakes Put FARM Into Action

Is FARM Too Stringent?

National FARM Progrm manual

Antibiotic Treatment of Hoof Lesions Can Trigger Milk Residues

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:02:15 GMT

New research from the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the University of Guelph in Canada suggests antibiotic treatments of hoof lesions can trigger milk residues.

As the Food and Drug Administration ramps up antibiotic testing for drugs other than beta lactams in the coming year, those residues could show up in screening tests.

Researchers sampled 50 cows in two herds that were in five hoof
lesion treatment groups. Tetracycline was applied as either a wrap or paste, and then milk was sampled at various times after treatment.

In all, 442 milk samples were tested. Of that number, 105 samples of detectable tetracycline were found, with 35 having quantifiable results, says Gerard Cramer, a UMN veterinarian involved with the study. Five of the samples had residues above 100 parts per billion (ppb), testing in the range of 120 to 244 ppb.

In the U.S., the maximum residue limit for tetracycline is 300 ppb; in the European Union (EU), the maximum limit is 100 ppb. So while the milk samples with the higher residues would still be
legal in the U.S., they would likely not be eligible for export to the EU.

It’s unknown whether the tretracycline was being absorbed by the lesions and then transported to the udder, or whether teats were simply being contaminated when cows laid down and teats came in contact with the hoof.

In any case, the research shows tetracycline residues are possible. It’s important hoof trimmers and veterinarians applying the tetracycline pay very close attention to dosages, Cramer says. “Two to 3 grams per lesion is adequate,” he says. “That’s important to keep in mind
because treatment is not risk free.”

How Low Can You Go?

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:29:34 GMT

Decreasing ration protein is environmentally and economically sound

Research shows that milking rations as low as 14% in crude protein still yield 90 lb. to 100 lb. of milk per cow per day, even with midlactation cows. But does this work in the real world?

Larry Chase, a Cornell University dairy nutritionist, thinks it does. In fact, he knows it does.

There are, of course, some caveats:

On-farm feed management must be accurate and consistent.
Daily variations in forage quality and dry matter need to be minimal, and adjusted for when they change.
Forages must be accurately tested for fiber, fiber digestibility, protein and soluble protein.
Producers and their nutritionists must determine how much of a “safety net” of excess crude protein requirement is needed to minimize the risk of not meeting needs and jeopardizing milk flow.

The benefits of lowering crude protein result in more efficient use of the protein fed, less loss of protein in urine, lower ammonia emissions and improved income over feed cost (IOFC). Fewer acres are needed for manure application since nitrogen levels in manure are lower.

Bonus Content

Risk of Residues

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:29:46 GMT

Pfizer offers online assessment tool

Antibiotic residues—whether in milk or meat—are not something to mess with. Not only do they affect consumer confidence, they threaten producers’ ability to operate.

Key to minimizing the risk of residues is working with a veterinarian who is actively involved in setting up disease identification and treatment protocols. To that end, Pfizer Animal Health has developed an online tool that allows veterinarians and producers to assess how much risk a dairy has of residues based on current practices.

Bonus Content

Online residue risk assessment

The tool’s list of 10 questions was based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration findings from dairies that were investigated because of beef carcass residue violations.

“Two things really jump out from those assessments,” says veterinarian Mike Lormore, director of dairy technical services for Pfizer. “In the overwhelming majority of residue investigations, either no veterinarian is involved in the treatment decisions or producers don’t keep adequate treatment records. In fact, in half of all cases, both of these are true.”

The online tool weights the answers, depending on how a dairy implements antibiotic treatments, to assess the level of risk. For example, more weight is given to written treatment protocols that are reviewed every six months by both the veterinarian and producer. “It’s critical that protocols be reviewed on a regular basis, because there is a lot of turnover on dairies,” Lormore says.

It’s just as important that protocols are reviewed with employees every six months as well. “Over time, there is a lot of procedural drift. If employees aren’t retrained on the protocols with the veterinarian involved, they start doing different things,” Lormore says.

Training employees to identify specific diseases is essential. “When we review records, we often see the reason for treatment as ‘sick’ or ‘fever.’ How do you treat an animal with such a general diagnosis?” Lormore asks. “If she is diagnosed with metritis, you can use specific protocols.”

In sum, Lormore says, the keys to a successful residue avoidance program are working with your veterinarian, developing disease identification and treatment protocols, training and retraining employees to execute these, and maintaining excellent records.

Novus Launches C.O.W.S. Program

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:24:06 GMT

Novus Launches C.O.W.S. Program

Source: Novus International, Inc.

Novus International, Inc., is introducing an innovative program to help dairy producers enhance the comfort and well-being of their herds so they can better maximize productivity and enrich dairy industry sustainability.

“While dairy producers have been the model of efficiency and productivity over the past six decades the industry is under increasing pressure to produce more high-quality output with fewer inputs. With a growing world population, more improvements are vital to the continued success of the industry,” says Stephanie Gable, Novus Global Marketing Manager, Ruminants.

“C.O.W.S. is an exclusive program that has been tested to work. We are confident it will help our dairy customers – and the industry as a whole – achieve even greater levels of efficiency and productivity that will enhance overall sustainability.”

C.O.W.S. stands for Comfort, Oxidative Balance, Well-Being and Sustainability. Each of these four key pillars of the program play an integral role in the objective, systematic approach Novus takes in helping dairy producers evaluate the major factors that impact productive efficiency.

“Overall comfort is critical to health and productivity. Housing plays a key role, but comfort and oxidative balance are closely linked. Cows stressed by environmental factors can show signs of oxidative stress,” says Gable. “The C.O.W.S. program provides perspectives on environmental factors that affect overall comfort, including free-stall design and management, and feeding areas.”

According to Gable, oxidative balance – the O in C.O.W.S. – is a linchpin for the other three pillars. Sound nutrition and proper oxidative balance are crucial in keeping cow immunity levels high for optimum health and performance. Oxidative stress can be induced by disease challenges, physiological conditions, environmental conditions and diet.

“Oxidative stress is displayed through a number of costly clinical signs that reduce profitability, from mastitis to reproductive inefficiency,” says Gable. “Dealing with that stress requires energy that cows could use for milk production, growth, longevity and overall productivity. A good nutrition program, with an antioxidant, can reduce stress and maintain oxidative balance, negate the effect of dietary fat on rumen microorganisms, and improve milk production and milk fat levels.”

Comfort and oxidative balance intertwine with well-being. C.O.W.S. evaluates well-being on the basis of gait scores that measure lameness, hock lesions and body condition scores. Lameness can mean less feed intake, reduced milk production, reproductive inefficiency and early culling.

The final pillar of the C.O.W.S. program is sustainability. Increasing the productive longevity of a herd by enhancing the overall health and well-being of the cows within that herd goes right to the core of improving the sustainability of individual dairy operations and the industry as a whole, says Gable. The C.O.W.S. program can be a valuable management tool to help producers achieve greater levels of productive efficiency and sustainability within their own operations.

“Novus products are geared towards maximizing output and minimizing waste. By leveraging our broad product portfolio, we take a comprehensive approach to optimizing health,” says Gable. “We can fortify cows against disease and lengthen their productive lives while also delivering higher quality milk production.”

Dan Meagher, Novus Vice President of the Americas views the C.O.W.S. program as a perfect complement to the company’s vision of helping feed the world affordable, wholesome food.

“Sustainability is a critical cornerstone of our corporate vision,” Meagher says. “The C.O.W.S. program is a shining example of our belief that through innovation, education and collaboration we can not only enhance sustainability but improve quality of life for people around the world.”
The C.O.W.S. program will be offered to individual key Novus customers as a complementary, value-added service. Confidential farm evaluations will be performed by Novus specialists and include:

Cow lying time measured with electronic data loggers;
Gait scores and hock health;
Facility design and management measures that affect cow comfort including bedding frequency, stall dimensions, neck rail placement, feed bunk space and more.

A customized report is provided to each farm, along with benchmarks of other operations in the region, so producers can gauge whether they have problems that should be addressed.
U.S. program benchmarks are currently being established through the evaluation of 140 dairy operations in California, New Mexico, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Texas. The program is based on a recently completed study by the University of British Columbia Animal Welfare Program that analyzed on-farm cow comfort assessment with 43 free-stall dairies in that province.

Dr. Bob Stoltzfus, with Lancaster Veterinary Associates in Salunga, Pennsylvania, encouraged several of his client dairy farms to participate in the benchmark herd analysis that Novus initiated in the Northeast region in the latter part of 2010.
“We had five farms participate in the C.O.W.S. program, ranging in size from 200 cows to 800 cows. All of the operations had a very positive experience,” Stoltzfus says. “From my point of view cow comfort is crucial both from the perspective of dairy profitability but also from the perspective of animal welfare, which is becoming an increasingly important issue for producers and the industry as a whole.

“The C.O.W.S. program is so valuable because it applies objective, concrete measurements to a range of aspects of cow comfort that have a direct impact on profitability on a dairy farm,” Stoltzfus adds. “The C.O.W.S. program provides producers with information they need to identify bottlenecks in their operations that they can then address to improve their efficiency, productivity and profitability.”

One of Stoltzfus’ customers who experienced the C.O.W.S. program firsthand is Steve Harnish, co-owner of Central Manor Dairy of Washington Boro, Pennsylvania. Harnish and his family partners milk approximately 200 cows three times a day in an operation that features both free-stall and compost bedded pack housing.

“I’ve found the C.O.W.S. program to be very effective in measuring metrics on the farm that directly affect cow comfort and operational profitability,” Harnish says. “As dairy farmers I think we all tend to be a bit biased towards our own facilities and management. We assume this is as good as it gets, or this is all I’m capable of. But the C.O.W.S. program provides us with an independent unbiased perspective that’s important to help us identify areas of improvement that we might not recognize on our own.

“I would definitely recommend the C.O.W.S. program to other producers,” Harnish adds. “It can verify strengths but it also identifies problem areas that can be addressed to achieve higher production and greater efficiency and profitability.”

More information about the C.O.W.S. program can be obtained through Novus representatives or by visiting www.NovusCows.com . Learn more about oxidative balance in dairy cows by visiting the web site www.dairybalance.com .

Novus C.O.W.S. Program Q&A

What is the C.O.W.S. program?
The C.O.W.S. program is a joint collaboration between Novus International, Inc., and the University of British Columbia Animal Welfare Program.

The aim of the program is to provide U.S. dairy producers with an objective, systematic approach to improving management systems in order to optimize cow comfort, well-being and productive efficiency. C.O.W.S. is based on a recently completed University of British Columbia Animal Welfare Program project that analyzed on-farm cow comfort in 43 free-stall dairies in that province. The ultimate goal is to achieve greater herd productivity and industry sustainability.

Why is Novus offering the C.O.W.S. program?
Sustainability is one of the cornerstones of our corporate vision of helping feed the world affordable, wholesome food. The U.S. dairy industry has been the model of efficiency and productivity over the past six decades, but sustainability is critical to its ongoing success.

The total U.S. dairy herd decreased from 25 million cows in 1944 to nine million head in 2007, while milk production increased from 117 to 186 billion pounds over that same timeframe. However, U.S. dairy farms are under more pressure than ever to produce even more high-quality output with fewer inputs.

We believe the C.O.W.S. program can help the dairy industry as a whole, as well as serve as a valuable tool to help producers maximize the comfort and well-being of their own animals for peak productivity and efficiency and enhanced sustainability.
What specifically is included in the C.O.W.S. program?
The C.O.W.S. program consists of four pillars that are key factors in productivity:

Comfort. Overall cow comfort is directly tied to the productive performance of dairy cows. C.O.W.S. evaluates comfort based on lameness, facility design and management.

Oxidative Balance. Sound nutrition and proper oxidative balance help keep cows healthy and productive. The program evaluates feeding and nutrition.

Well-Being. Environment and nutrition have a direct impact on the overall well-being of dairy cows. C.O.W.S. helps identify opportunities to enhance the well-being of herds.

Sustainability. Healthy cows with higher levels of productivity enhance sustainability through reduced carbon footprints and lower environmental impact per unit of milk.

Why is oxidative balance important to dairy production?
Oxidative balance is really a linchpin for the other three pillars of the C.O.W.S. program. Sound nutrition and proper oxidative balance are crucial in keeping a cow’s immunity levels high for optimum health and performance. Dealing with oxidative stress requires energy from the cow that could be used for milk production, growth, longevity and overall animal productivity. More information on oxidative balance is available at www.dairybalance.com .

What can producers expect from the program?
Each dairy farm that signs up for the program through a Novus sales representative will have an on-farm evaluation completed by Novus-trained personnel. Qualified representatives will:
Measure total lying time of cows with electronic data loggers;
Evaluate gait scores and hock health;
Perform body condition scores;
Analyze facility design and management measures that affect cow comfort, including bedding frequency, stall dimensions, neck rail placement, bunk space and more.

Each participating farm will receive a customized, confidential report that compares their operation to others in their region. Benchmarks can help producers identify whether or not they have problems that should be addressed. All individual farm information is anonymous and kept confidential.
Who can participate?
Novus is currently developing program benchmarks by evaluating 140 dairy operations in key dairy states, including California, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Texas and New Mexico. Novus representatives are currently considering operations in these and other key dairy-producing states as candidates for participating in the C.O.W.S. program. For more information, contact your local Novus sales representative.

What does it cost to participate?
We’re offering the C.O.W.S. program as a complimentary, value-added service to key customers. Consult your Novus representative for more information.

Where can I get more information or sign up for the program?
Contact your Novus representative, or visit www.NovusCows.com .

New York Dairy Welfare Program Gains PAACO Ok

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:26:08 GMT

The New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP) animal welfare review program for dairy producers is the second of its kind to be granted certified program status by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization, Inc. (PAACO).

Earning the PAACO-certified distinction signifies that the New York dairy program has met or exceeded all of PAACO’s minimum standards from start to finish as a rigorous, comprehensive audit program and instrument.

The initial step in the process was submission of the program materials and audit for third-party peer review. An independent panel of dairy welfare professionals made up of veterinarians and dairy scientists with welfare backgrounds reviewed the materials against 12 minimum standards that PAACO’s board of directors has established.

“More and more, we see in the animal industry a call to validate husbandry practices related to welfare through credible audit instruments, professional training and qualified auditors that our organization supports,” says PAACO Chairman David Hermes, DVM. “We are confident that the people responsible for the care of livestock and poultry do a fine job, but consumers are seeking some independent assurance that their food products come from a humane process.”

The NYSCHAP Cattle Welfare Certification module was developed by experts in veterinary medicine and animal husbandry and is exceptional among similar programs in its comprehensive review of participant farms’ facilities, programs of animal care and actual animal well-being. All criteria for evaluation are firmly grounded in current scientific literature. Producers who choose to participate in NYCHAP’s animal welfare module must be dedicated to meeting the requirements of the program, including training for any farm employees who work with cattle. Field veterinarian Melanie Hemenway, DVM, serves as the NYSCHAP program coordinator and believes PAACO brings additional recognition to the NYSCHAP program and the high standards it promotes. NYSCHAP’s website is http://nyschap.vet.cornell.edu .

PAACO is an organization of five animal industry organizations with extensive expertise on best management practices and current science in animal agriculture. The organization’s purpose is to promote the humane treatment of animals through education and certification of animal auditors as well as the review and/or certification of animal audit instruments, assessments and programs. Founding and current organizations that comprise PAACO are the Federation of Animal Science Societies, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Association of Bovine Practitioners and American Association of Avian Pathologists. PAACO’s website is www.animalauditor.org .

New Mexico State University Collaborates on $9.75 Million Grant to Study Bovine Respiratory Disease

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:33:37 GMT

CLOVIS, N.M., June 8 -- New Mexico State University issued the following news release:

New Mexico State University is partnering with Texas A&M and other universities across the country on a $9.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to research bovine respiratory disease and how to reduce its prevalence in beef and dairy cattle.

NMSU’s Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium, a Cooperative Extension Service program in Clovis aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability of New Mexico’s dairy industry, will play a key role in making this research a success.

“NMSU got involved in this research because of the consortium and we can use this resource as a wraparound tool for this grant,” said Robert Hagevoort, an Extension dairy specialist. “The consortium is a multi-state, multi-university, multi-disciplinary entity. We already have the tools in place for the teaching and extension side of this grant. By combining these with the research aspect of the grant, we are maximizing and leveraging the available resources that might not otherwise be available to NMSU or its students.”

Milton Thomas, professor of animal and range sciences, and Tim Ross, department head of animal and range sciences, are co-principal investigators on the research.

Bovine respiratory disease is recognized as one of the leading causes of death in beef and dairy cattle, resulting in significant economic loss for farmers and ranchers, Hagevoort said. Typically, it is the calves that are affected by the disease.

“We have good medication to treat the disease, " Hagevoort said, “but we don’t know if there is a subsequent effect that could influence their performance down the road after they are cured and go on to live their lives.”,” he said.

Researchers plan on finding 500 affected and 500 healthy dairy heifers in New Mexico and monitoring them from birth to calving and their first lactation. Hagevoort said there are indications that the disease could be genetic. Through this research, they will try to identify genetic markers for cattle that might be predisposed to the disease.

The data will be used to develop diagnostic tests and genetic selection tools to identify animals that are resistant to the disease. Animal welfare will also be assessed.

Scientists will already have contacts with dairies in New Mexico that are participating in the consortium that may be willing to participate in the project.

On the teaching side of the consortium, students from participating universities attend a six-week summer program that gives them hands-on experience learning large herd dairy management.

Hagevoort said the consortium’s goals fit right in with what is being accomplished through the grant.

“We are already talking about the bovine respiratory disease through the consortium,” Hagevoort said. “Now, we can pass along the information we find through this research and make that an emphasis of what we teach.”

Scientists from the University of California-Davis, Colorado State University, the University of Missouri, Washington State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service are also studying BRD in their respective regions through this grant.

On-Demand Webinar for Drug Residue Avoidance

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:26:22 GMT

Source: American Farmers for the Advancement of Technology

American Farmers for the Advancement and Conservation of Technology (AFACT) has posted a free webinar on avoiding drug residues in dairy cattle.

The 58-minute webinar features: Mike Lormore, director of U.S. Dairy Operations for Pfizer Animal Health; Jennifer Garrett, a farmer and nutritionist; Greg Jans, a Minnesota dairy producer, and Jim Misna, a veterinarian and Wisconsin dairy producer.

Simply click here to view the webinar at your convenience. It’s a good review and refresher for every dairy producer and dairy employee who administers antibiotics to cattle.

Parts of Michigan Designated "Potential High-Risk Area" for Bovine TB

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:38:12 GMT

Officials in Michigan have designated parts of the northern region of the state as a “Potential High-Risk Area” for bovine tuberculosis.

On April 12 , the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development the designation was made for parts of Iosco and Ogemaw counties.

These designations follow the confirmation of a free-ranging white-tailed deer in Alcona County testing positive for bovine TB. The case was confirmed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Whenever a deer tests positive, all cattle or bison herds located within a 15-mile radius of the deer must be tested for bovine TB within six months. The required testing excludes counties where annual testing already occurs, like Alcona County.

Testing of cattle and bison ensures that bovine TB has not spread from deer to cattle or bison, helping protect not only the Michigan cattle herd but the national herd.

The radius includes the following township sections in Iosco and Ogemaw counties:

Iosco County, Oscoda Township

T24N R6E sections 1-34
T24N R7E sections 4-9 and 17-19

Iosco County, Plainfield Township

T24N R5E sections 1-36
T23N R5E sections 1-6
T23N R6E sections 5-6

Ogemaw County, Rose Township

T24N R3E sections 1-17, 21-27, and 36

Ogemaw County, Goodar Township

T24N R4E sections 1-36

Ogemaw County, Hill Township

T23N R4E sections 1-5

Cattle or bison owners in those township sections will be contacted by MDARD to schedule testing.

There will also be an information meeting held to discuss testing and the “Potential High-Risk Area” designation. Details are as follows:

Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 7:00 p.m.

Rose Township Hall
3380 Lupton Rd., Lupton, MI 48635

Cattle or bison herd owners in these township sections who have questions about testing can contact MDARD’s Atlanta Office at 888-565-8626.

Michigan’s Bovine TB Status

While a deer was recently identified as being a positive bovine TB carrier, there has also been a cattle herd identified in the past year in Michigan. On Oct. 9, a large beef cattle herd in Alcona County was confirmed to have bovine TB . This was the 73rd time since 1998 a cattle herd in Michigan had been identified as having bovine TB.

Here is a breakdown on the statics for white-tailed deer TB testing:

2018 White-tailed Deer TB Testing As of February 22, 2019

Zone	Goal	Total Tested
4-county area	2800	3277
7 surrounding counties	1500	2002
Lake 10-mile circle	300	550
Newaygo 3-mile circle	30	312
Ottawa10-mile circle	300	311
Kalamazoo 10-mile circle	300	164
Totals	5230	6616

Tested in Remainder of State	28962
Statewide Total	35578

County Name	Total Tested	Number Positive
Alcona	954	11
Alpena	1184	10
Cheboygan	159	0
Crawford	152	0
Iosco	240	0
Montmorency	715	1
Ogemaw	308	0
Oscoda	424	4
Otsego	209	0
Presque Isle	577	0
Roscommon	357	0
Total to date	5279	26

Prevent Alfalfa Winter-Kill

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 21:20:53 GMT

Source: Pioneer Hi-Bred

Timing the final alfalfa cutting before mid-September offers regrowth opportunities to reduce the risk of winter injury, say experts at Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.

“Whether a grower is in a three- or four-cut alfalfa program, cutting from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 in most northern climates rarely allows the crop enough regrowth time to withstand winter months,” says David Miller, Pioneer alfalfa research director. “Poor fall harvest timing can negatively affect stored root food reserves, which can lead to poor winter survival.”

Generally, an alfalfa stand needs about six weeks of regrowth time after the last cutting to gain appropriate nutrients to avoid winterkill. During winter months and the following spring, alfalfa utilizes regrowth nutrients gathered by the roots.

“It’s a matter of arithmetic,” Miller says. “Depleting the energy source prior to dormancy will not allow the plant enough energy for adequate spring growth. If a final cutting is a necessity for ample feed, growers should wait until two consecutive days of a hard freeze - 24 to 26 degrees.”

According to the University of Wisconsin, the hardening process in preparation for cold weather begins when temperatures drop below 40 F. This process allows the plant to tolerate freezing temperatures for extended periods.

“Following a hard freeze, growers have the opportunity for a final cutting,” Miller says. “Leaving more stubble than typical summer cutting is recommended. For all fall cuttings, leave at least 4 inches of stubble to help catch insulating snows.”

Fall Fertilizer, Weed Options

Fall is also an excellent time to start reviewing fertilizer and weed management options.

“Growers should make sure soil fertility is adequate, especially potash,” Miller says. “An application in the fall or spring is fine. Typically, the best time is after the third or fourth cutting - depending on yield levels during summer months - to help maintain conditions for winter survival.”

Weed management is applicable in the fall as well. Autumn is an optimal time to control perennial weeds.

“It’s smart to kill weeds before they establish,” Miller says. “The majority of the time, a great spring alfalfa stand is due to applying weed control measures in the fall or early spring while the alfalfa is still dormant.”

Genetics also are an important aspect of producing quality alfalfa. Pioneer® brand varieties are equipped with characterization charts that offer growers information on disease and pest resistance as well as maturity and yield information.

DFA Advances Its Animal Well-Being Program

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:18:35 GMT

Source: Dairy Farmers of America news release

As animal welfare issues gain prominence in the consumer and agriculture communities, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.'s (DFA) board of directors and management are taking a series of proactive steps to emphasize its commitment to proper treatment of animals.

“Animal welfare is a critical issue for our members and is vitally important to producing high-quality milk,” said David Darr, vice president of sustainability and public affairs. “We have a responsibility to clearly articulate our expectations regarding animal well-being and, equally important, to help educate consumers about those standards.”

A key initiative is the second round of DFA’s Gold Standard Dairy quality assurance program. DFA introduced the program in 2007 to proactively address the concerns of consumers, retailers and processors who are interested in how food is produced. The on-farm review includes animal well-being, environmental stewardship, employee training, and milk safety and quality. More than 90 percent of DFA member farms have participated in the Gold Standard process.

When the second round of the Gold Standard Dairy process begins in 2010, the program will incorporate measurement criteria from the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, a nationwide, verifiable animal well-being program that demonstrates U.S. milk producers are committed to producing high-quality milk in a high-quality environment.

Further demonstrating its commitment to animal welfare, at its March meeting, DFA’s board approved a resolution affirming that the public image of dairy, including animal housing and care, is of utmost importance to DFA and its dairy farmer members. The resolution states that DFA will continue to emphasize an expectation of proper and caring treatment of animals through individual dairy farm quality programs, the Gold Standard Dairy program, and participation with other dairy industry organizations to establish animal well-being standards for the U.S. dairy industry.

In addition, the board welcomed special guest Charlie Arnot to its March meeting to discuss the growing consumer interest in animal welfare issues, and how consumer perceptions influence demand and consumption. Arnot is chief executive officer of the Center for Food Integrity and president of CMA, a consulting company that works with companies across the food chain on issues management, communications and public relations.

University of Florida Finds way to Reduce E. Coli in Cows, Improving Food Safety

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:08:52 GMT

By: Brad Buck, University of Florida

A new biological treatment could help dairy cattle stave off uterine diseases and eventually may help improve food safety for humans, a University of Florida study shows.

Kwang Cheol Jeong, an assistant professor in animal sciences and UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, examined cattle uterine illnesses because they can make cows infertile, lower milk production and because those maladies are often linked to bacteria, he said. The UF researchers did their experiments in labs and at the Dairy Unit on the Gainesville campus.

Jeong and his research team infused chitosan microparticles - an antimicrobial material derived from dissolved shrimp shells - into diseased cow uteri. When bought in stores, chitosan can be used to treat many ailments from obesity to anemia. On its own, chitosan only works at acidic pH levels, Jeong said. For cattle, Jeong’s team developed chitosan microparticles, which work in acidic and neutral pH, because cattle uteri have a neutral pH.

The study’s findings suggest chitosan microparticles kill bacteria in the uteri, he said. Jeong said it may someday be possible for chitosan microparticles to be used to help humans who have become ill from consuming E. coli-contaminated food, but more research is needed.
Developing a new antimicrobial agent is critical to human and animal health, said Jeong, a member of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

“Dangerous infections are diminishing the role of some antibiotics, making them less able to treat infections, as pathogens are developing resistance to the drugs,” he said, adding that about 23,000 people die in the U.S. annually because of exposure to pathogens that don’t respond to antibiotics.

Once bacteria become resistant, whether on farms, hospitals or in the environment, they can infect humans, through water, food or contact with contaminated feces, Jeong said.

Further, some antibiotics used to treat humans and animals kill good and bad bacteria. Scientists can use the UF study’s findings to begin to develop better drugs that target bad pathogens but leave beneficial bacteria, Jeong said.

E. coli are everywhere, including the human gut, but can contaminate beef, unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses made from raw milk and raw fruits and vegetables that haven’t been washed properly.

The most recent outbreak of meat-traced E. coli was in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That year, 21 people in 16 states fell ill from the pathogen, including one in Florida, the agency reported. A foodborne “outbreak” happens when two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the CDC says.

Jeong’s latest study was published online March 21 by the journal PLoS ONE. Jeong co-wrote the paper with Soo Jin Jeon, a doctoral student in the UF animal sciences department and Klibs Galvao, an assistant professor in the large animal clinical sciences department at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Methane: Can Farmers Lead The Way To Lower GHGs?

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:38:47 GMT

“The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) within agriculture is enteric fermentation – i.e. the methane produced by livestock during digestion and released by belches. In 2011, this accounted for 39 percent of the sector’s total GHG outputs.” April, 2014 – UN Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The good news is that, through a group effort between Switzerland’s AgriTech firm Mootral SA and a growing number of farmers, it is now possible to lower the amount of livestock-based methane (CH4) being released into the atmosphere.

Methane – The history

Scientists have shown that methane from any source – wetlands, industry, transportation or agriculture - has around 80 times the global warming potential (GWP) of CO2.

So some years ago, when the impolite global warming habits of dairy cows and beef cattle first hit the headlines, the cry immediately followed that we should change our diets and stop eating beef.

Fortunately for farmers, milk-lovers, butchers and backyard barbeque aficionados, the pendulum soon regained its equilibrium.

That didn’t mean the warnings could be ignored, though, because, for 20 years after the creation of any CH4 emission, the resulting greenhouse gas is far more intense than any caused by our better-known nemesis - carbon dioxide (CO2).

So although reducing all greenhouse gases remains an urgent global objective, the Mootral team believed that lowering the type of methane discussed by the UN Food & Agriculture Organization could be one of the fastest ways to achieve significant results.

On that premise, and knowing that 14.5 per cent of total emissions arise from a cow’s four-stomach digestive process, Mootral set out to prove that modifying a cow’s traditional diet by including natural-source supplements could significantly reduce the overall amount of methane produced.

Mootral - The supplement

With varying degrees of success, many different supplements – including certain types of seaweed - have been tried for more than a decade. Unfortunately, while some recipes showed promise digestion-wise, farmers’ costs to implement them have been discouraging.

“Our team met those challenges head on,” says Mootral’s Head of Digital Marketing, Kate Seiler.

“Our scientists found that, depending on breed and farming practices, by including only 10-15 grams/day of our proprietary mix of natural garlic and citrus-based ingredients in the feeding regime, a steer’s CH4 emissions can be reduced by up to 38 per cent,” she explained.

“In part, Mootral does that by killing off some of the bad bacteria in the cow’s digestive system. This, in turn, preserves the animal’s energy and boosts its milk and protein production,” she said.

In turn, research at the University of California, Davis, found a 23% reduction in methane production “over 12 weeks when supplemented with 15g of Mootral,” said Ermias Kebrab, director of the World Food Center and a professor of animal Science at UC Davis.

Notably, Mootral has no adverse effects on the good bacteria so crucial to proper digestion of the feed material in the rumen – the animal’s first stomach.

The cost at present is around $70 annually per cow, but the proven reduction in CH4 emissions may allow farmers to claim the benefits of carbon offsets.

Mootral – An opportunity for farmers to lead the way?

Until restraints imposed by the coronavirus pandemic caused a hiccup in their plans, the Swiss firm and its Welsh sister, Neem Biotech, were poised to ramp up their activities across North America in early spring 2020.

Undaunted, and despite gloomy predictions that some farms might have a tough time surviving the trials of COVID-19, the consortium adjusted its approach to accommodate what has fast become the ‘new normal’. Today, they are again ready to seek active support from farmers and investors to pilot Mootral in dairy and beef farms across the country.

“Farmers are close to the land,” Seiler said. “They and their families depend on a pollution-free climate not only for themselves but also to promote and conserve a healthy agricultural world for future generations,” she said.

“Small or large, no matter the size of the operation, we invite all dairy- and meat-industry players – including researchers and governance - to contact us, learn more, and join our goal to have the agricultural sector lead the battle against climate change – cow by cow and farmer by farmer – as Mootral lowers methane emissions and atmospheric greenhouse gases the natural, affordable way.”

Elizabeth James is a freelance writer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada.