The solution to a veterinarian shortage

The solution to a veterinarian shortage

Michael A. McLaughlin, DVM

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

So, let’s see if I have this straight. According to the June 2010 issue of DVM Newsmagazine, there is an ongoing critical rural veterinarian shortage; more males than females reported an interest in rural practice; more males cited real-life experience in family farming as part of their motivational interest in rural practice; more females cited James Herriot’s romanticized tales of veterinary medicine as part of their rural practice attraction.

Full Story

Can BVD Cause Disease in People?

Can BVD Cause Disease in People?

Dr. Ken McMillan

DTN/Progressive Farmer

Q&A: Is it dangerous to be around cattle with bovine viral diarrhea, or BVD?

There is no evidence that bovine viral diarrhea, or BVD, can cause disease in people, but there are many diseases that can pass between animals and humans. These are call "zoonotic diseases," or "zoonoses."

Full Story

Bovine Virus Test Kit Aims to Help Cattle Industry

Bovine Virus Test Kit Aims to Help Cattle Industry

Steve Sinovic

San Diego Business Journal

If current sales efforts go as planned, Life Technologies Corp.’s new detection kit for a bovine virus could potentially be a cash cow for the Carlsbad-based company, which manufactures biotech tools for customers across a wide spectrum of industries.

Full Story

Farmers take livestock precautions in cold weather

Farmers take livestock precautions in cold weather

KWWL

Frigid temperatures mean livestock farmers are taking extra precautions.

Dubuque County beef farmer Paul Vaassen said it boils down to three basic rules — keep the animals well-fed, make sure they have water and that it doesn’t freeze and make shelter available, especially for the young calves born in the fall.

Full Story

Congressional Tide May Be Turning For Cattle Producers

Congressional Tide May Be Turning For Cattle Producers

BEEF

“This administration needs to stand up and look carefully at the unintended consequences occurring in rural America as a result of the unnecessary and burdensome regulations that lack science and a cost benefit analysis,” says Steve Foglesong, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

Full Story

Rural veterinary shortage caused by retention issues, not attraction

Rural veterinary shortage caused by retention issues, not attraction

Rachael Whitcomb

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

Two companion studies that delve into the motivations to enter and leave rural veterinary practice could provide key insights for recruiters and veterinary colleges trying to sway incoming veterinarians into practicing in underserved areas.

Full Story

Indiana Beef Producers Need Forage Supplements

Indiana Beef Producers Need Forage Supplements

Hay and Forage Grower

Heavy spring rains and late-summer drought were the perfect storm for the forage issues that now plague Indiana’s beef producers.

Forages are in short supply in some parts of the state and of low quality in others, leaving beef producers to deal with the high prices of alternative feeds to meet the energy and protein needs of their herds, says Ron Lemenager, Purdue University Extension beef specialist.

Full Story

Plummeting Temperatures Now Can Cut Profits Come Spring

Plummeting Temperatures Now Can Cut Profits Come Spring

Becky Mills

DTN

"You’ve got to be prepared," says Alice Koupal. "If you’re not, you can have a disaster." The Dante, South Dakota, rancher should know. Come January and February, when temps are well below zero, this cattle operation is focused on calving chores for the family’s 450 to 500 Angus cows.

Full Story

GIPSA: NCBA President, USDA Undersecretary spar over rule

GIPSA: NCBA President, USDA Undersecretary spar over rule

Amanda Radke

Tri State Livestock News

Like two bulls butting heads in the pasture, so did Steve Foglesong, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president, and Edward Avalos, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs when discussing the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) proposed rule.

Full Story

As corn, soybean prices rise, distillers becomes more high value

As corn, soybean prices rise, distillers becomes more high value

SUE ROESLER

Farm & Ranch Guide

More volatility in corn prices is expected in 2011 and that affects livestock feed costs, says Michele Thompson, assistant animal scientist and Southwest Feeders Coordinator at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center.

Full Story