Survey shows how calf diseases are treated

A comprehensive survey was completed by Dr. Cheryl Waldner at the Western Veterinary College in Saskatoon looking at the incidence of early calfhood diseases across Western Canada. Surveys were distributed to veterinary clinics across this region and randomly distributed to their clients. Thanks to the participating veterinarians and their clients who responded and answered the



Diagnosing common problems in young calves

Every calving season veterinarians are called on to examine calves with a multitude of problems. Some are herd related but many are individual problems of no concern to the rest of the herd. Most cases fall into a few broad categories. Each category has a much different treatment regime. This article will break out these

Tubing Piglets Gives A Quick Energy Boost – for Mar. 31, 2011

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Wes tern Hog Journal. His columns run every second week in the Manitoba Co-operator. Larger litters have created a new challenge in recent years when it comes to maximizing piglet survival rates. It is not unusual to see barns averaging


Colostrum — Giving A “Jump-Start” To A New Foal

Colostrum is an essential ingredient to the new life of a vibrant newborn foal. So, a foal nursing shortly after birth is a very good sign. The first milk produced by the mare is energy and nutrient dense, most renowned for its ability to “jump-start” a healthy immune system. A vigorous foal stands and easily

Next Few Months Critical In Beef Operations

The next several months are crucial in securing potential profits in a majority of beef operations. “The No. 1 indicator of potential profits is the birth of a live calf, and to have a live calf next year, the cows need to become pregnant,” says Carl Dahlen, North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle


Tubing Piglets Gives A Quick Energy Boost – for Mar. 3, 2011

Bernie Peet is president of Pork Chain Consulting Ltd. of Lacombe, Alberta, and editor of Western Hog Journal. His columns will run every second week in the Manitoba Co-operator. Larger litters have created a new challenge in recent years when it comes to maximizing piglet survival rates. It is not unusual to see barns averaging

Are You Ready For Calving Season?

Cows are getting ready for the calving season, but producers may not be prepared, says North Dakota State University Extension Service beef specialist Carl Dahlen. Leading up to the breeding season, a portion of the cows in beef herds will be cycling. Even in situations where producers have good fences, bulls can manage to find


The New Arrival — Care Of The Foal And Its Dam

CAROL SHWETZ DVM Producing a healthy foal begins long before labour. It starts with having a healthy mare. Healthy mares have healthy foals, and healthy foals have healthy mares. Exercise is an essential part of a healthy pregnancy – after all the uterus is a muscle too. One can reasonably ride a pregnant mare up

Calf Survival Threatened By Late, Wet Spring

This spring’s snow, rain and floods have severely hampered the ability of calves to survive. “These weather conditions have been a real setback for our 2009 calf crop,” says North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian Charlie Stoltenow. “We can expect to see an increase in scours (diarrhea) and pneumonia in young calves and dystocia