What is it? Composting is the process of recycling organic matter into a usable product that can return nutrients to the environment. The composting process involves microorganisms breaking down the material and consuming oxygen, which creates water vapour, carbon dioxide, and heat [1]. This heat, which can cause the compost to reach temperatures of over […]
What is it? An Auto-Dosing Gun, also referred to as a Smart Dosing Gun, is a tool used to administer veterinary medicines to livestock. Administration methods such as injection, oral drenching, or pour-on may be used with different attachments to the device. The aim of the device is to deliver accurate and consistent doses. To
What is it? The Bacteriophage. Video produced by Kurzgesagt – In a nutshell and created with scientific advice and editing by James Gurney. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria [1]. Phages are smaller and more abundant than bacteria and can be found all around the globe. Similar to viruses, phages are species-specific and
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
What is it? Nearly all beef cattle will be transported at some point in their lives, whether it be to an auction mart, a new farm, or the abattoir. As transport is an important part of the livestock industry, the welfare of cattle during transportation is a highly regulated process and certain considerations must be
Transport Considerations Read More »
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
Handling Facilities Read More »
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