What is it? Gut health refers to the health of one’s digestive system, as well as the ability to properly digest food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste. Cattle are ruminants and have a four-chambered stomach [1]: Rumen: contains a large community of microbes that help aid in digestion and fermentation processes, Reticulum: this is where […]
What is it? Oregano is a herb, and its oils have broad-spectrum antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [1], [2]. These properties can be attributed to the carvacrol found within oregano, which also has uses in the food and cosmetic industries. Supplementing feed with oregano has been shown to improve growth performance and feed efficiency, and
What is it? Like all animals, cattle require a proper balance of macronutrients (i.e., protein, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as micronutrients including vitamins and minerals. Nutritionists are often involved in the feed management of an operation, to ensure the proper nutrients are supplemented with the feed. This supplementation will be different at every farm
What is it? Colostrum is the first milk provided by the dam (mother cow). It contains special antibodies which help the calves develop a strong immune system, along with proteins and fats to provide the calves with energy and nutrients. Unlike other mammals, calves do not receive antibodies from the cow’s placenta during pregnancy, and
The use of mechanical restraints for routine handling and treatment of cattle requires an understanding and application of behavioral principles to ensure safe and humane handling of cattle [1]. As cattle move through a chute system toward a restraint such as a squeeze chute, they can be kept calm by [2]: Ensuring visual contact with
Low-Stress Restraint Read More »
Well-designed facilities are essential to reducing cattle injury and stress during handling or treatment. Ideal facilities have: Good lighting without shadows, Ample space to reduce crowding, Working chutes that are curved and sufficiently narrow to maintain forward movement and prevent cattle from turning around, Dry and level ground conditions. An animal standing in the crowd
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What is it? Principles of cattle movement is one of the key areas to be considered in low stress animal handling. Cattle move smoothly and more willingly for handlers with calm and quiet handling techniques and an understanding of cattle behavior related to herd instinct, flight zone and points of balance, and reactions to wind,
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Delivery Methods Traditional vaccine delivery is by means of a needle and syringe, administered by hand, usually into a large muscle group. Alternate delivery methods have been developed to reduce the labor required, increase the efficiency and accuracy of dosing each animal, and explore different methods of introducing antigens into the body. Timing Because it
What is it? Animal handling principles are meant to support and facilitate the movement of livestock in a safe and minimally stressful way. By understanding how livestock naturally behave, handlers can work with the animal to get them where they need to be, while reducing the risk if injury to both the animal and the
What is it? Telemedicine consists of medical assessment and advice administered remotely. A virtual platform for veterinary examinations can be necessary to maintain contact, such as in remote areas or in the winter months. While assessing the body condition score (BCS) of cattle visually is not as ideal as putting actual hands on the body,
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