Have You Herd? AABP PodCasts

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Epi. 202 - FARM Program Version 5 – Be Open to the Opportunities - Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Richard Doak to discuss the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program.

This episode of Have You Herd? is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and their 360 coverage mastitis portfolio. For more information, visit this link.

Doak begins the discussion by explaining why it is important to have a national dairy farm audit program to demonstrate continual improvement to milk buyers and consumers. Doak has a unique perspective because he is a private practice veterinarian, provides third party audits, trains evaluators and serves on the task force for NMPF that is charged with reviewing and updating the standards which are ultimately approved by the NMPF board of directors. Version 5.0 of the FARM program begins on July 1, 2024 and it is important for veterinarians to review with producers the updated standards so they are prepared for their next audit. There are not a lot of significant changes in this version but there have been updates to the standards on lameness, colostrum feeding and humane euthanasia.

We discuss training and the importance of training. Doak mentions that training occurs every day on dairy farms and veterinarians are an important part of training to protect the safety of people and animals, prevent residues, and improve animal health. Although training occurs all the time, it must be documented for the FARM program. The five focus areas for training occur when the animals are most vulnerable and include newborn calf care, down cow management, humane euthanasia, fitness to transport and stockmanship. This training can mitigate risk for dairy farms and is another reason to provide and document the training.

AABP members who are interested in preparing their clients for FARM Version 5.0 can attend a seminar during the conference. More information about this seminar can be found here and the registration page for the conference can be found on this page.

Find NMPF FARM information on this page. Click on the Resources menu to find resources mentioned in this podcast. Be sure to review the AABP Humane Euthanasia of Cattle Guidelines to ensure your euthanasia protocols are compliant with the guidelines.

Epi. 201 - Case-control Study to Identify Management Practices Associated with Morbidity or Mortality Due to Bovine Anaplasmosis in Mississippi Cow-calf Herds Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Isaac Jumper, Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine to discuss the paper “Case-control study to identify management practices associated with morbidity or mortality due to bovine anaplasmosis in Mississippi cow-calf herds” published in the Bovine Practitioner and available open-access in the online first edition. Jumper starts by discussing bovine anaplasmosis and the challenges associated with its control in cow-calf herds.

The objective of this study was to determine if management practices, such as feeding chlortetracycline (CTC), are associated with illness or death from bovine anaplasmosis in Mississippi cow-calf herds. We discuss some of the epidemiologic terms used in the paper and the results of the study. This study found that providing CTC was associated with case herd status and Jumper provides some possible explanations for this finding. Veterinarians should routinely review protocols, especially antimicrobial protocols for treatment, prevention and control of disease, to optimize antimicrobial stewardship and animal health.

Jumper, W. I., Huston, C. L., & Smith, D. R. (2024). Case-control study to identify management practices associated with morbidity or mortality due to bovine anaplasmosis in Mississippi cow-calf herds. The Bovine Practitioner, 58(2), 16–22.

Epi. 200 -- Case Series: Surgical Success and Reproductive Performance After Correction of Penile Deviations in 10 Bulls Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

In the 200th episode of the AABP Have you Herd? podcast, AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Jessican Klabnik, a theriogenologist on faculty at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Klabnik was one of the authors on a paper published in the Online First edition of the Bovine Practitioner. This case series paper evaluated the surgical success and reproductive performance of bulls undergoing surgery for correction of penile deviation.

Klabnik reviews penile deviation syndrome in bulls which can include spiral, ventral or sigmoid deviations due to an abnormality in the dorsal apical ligament. Surgical correction or culling are the only management considerations for these bulls; however, there is a lack of peer-reviewed data on the outcomes from surgical correction. Klabnik discusses some of the challenges with collecting data from these 25 cases with 10 cases meeting the inclusion criteria for the study.

The surgery does not have a high risk of complications and was deemed successful in seven out of the ten bulls evaluated. Of these seven, six bulls achieved intromission and five sired progeny. Although this study represents a small number of cases, the surgery appears to have a 50:50 success rate, but due to the low risk of complications, bulls that do not successfully return to herd sire capabilities can still be culled for salvage value.

This case series report can help to guide veterinarians performing bull breeding soundness exams when they observe a penile deviation, and also help veterinarians in private practice or referral institutions when evaluating bulls as surgical candidates.

Mossallam, A. F., Schumaker, O. J., Mulon, P.-Y., Dohlman, T. M., Meisner, M. D., Jarrin-Yepez, P., Anderson, D. E., Rush, J. B., Prado, T. M., Armstrong, C. L., & Klabnik, J. L. (2024). Case series: Surgical success and reproductive performance after correction of penile deviations in 10 bulls. The Bovine Practitioner, 58(2), 9–15

Epi. 199 - Impacts of Hematogenous Mycoplasma Infections in Dairy Cattle May 27, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by AABP member Dr. Dave Krahn to discuss a disease that may be unfamiliar to many listeners – infection from hematogenous mycoplasma species. Krahn has been a practicing dairy veterinarian in central Wisconsin since graduating from veterinary school in 1989.

This episode of Have You Herd? is sponsored by Addison Biological Laboratories, manufacturers of MAXI/GUARD Pinkeye Bacterin and Moraxella bovoculi bacterin to protect your herd before pinkeye season. For more information, visit https://addisonlabs.com/.

We start our conversation by reviewing the characteristics of the hematogenous mycoplasmas and clinical signs that may be attributable to infection. Diagnosis of the disease is done via PCR and a presumptive diagnosis can be made via a blood smear to look for the organism on red blood cells. Krahn worked with university partners to do a study on his client’s herds as well as a prevalence study in Michigan and Wisconsin which found that 100% of farms were positive for one or both of the organisms. The within herd prevalence for hematogenous mycoplasmas was 75%.

Krahn has implemented protocols for use of pasteurized colostrum for feeding calves and individual needle use for all injections to control the spread of the disease. He reports that herds show a resolution of clinical signs within 4-6 months after implementation of control measures.

Schambow RA, Poulsen K, Bolin S, Krahn D, Norby B, Sockett D, Ruegg PL. Apparent prevalence of Mycoplasma wenyonii, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos, and bovine leukemia virus in Wisconsin and Michigan dairy cattle herds. JDS Commun. 2021 Jan 22;2(2):61-66. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2020-0033

Ep. 198 - Water-based Medium-expansion Foam Depopulation of Adult Cattle May 20, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director is joined by Dr. Justin Kieffer, a Clinical Veterinarian Associate Professor at The Ohio State University to discuss a paper published in June 2023 in Translational Animal Science. The paper evaluated a water-based medium-expansion foam as a method for depopulation of adult cattle. Kieffer defines depopulation and euthanasia as well as describing the differences between the two terms. Euthanasia methods can be used for depopulation, however limitations can make them difficult to implement in cattle should a large scale depopulation event be required. Kieffer discusses currently approved depopulation methods for cattle described in the AVMA Guidelines for Depopulation of Animals and the limitations of currently available methods.

This study evaluated if a water-based foam could be used to depopulate cattle in a specially designed trailer. Kieffer mentions that a small pilot study was first performed with the animals under general anesthesia to validate their methods before moving to the large study in un-anesthetized animals. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Ohio State. Biologgers were used to track activity and electrocardiograms. Average time to fill the trailer with foam was 90 seconds, cessation of movement was 2.5 minutes and time to cardiac death was 8.5 minutes which is similar to euthanasia methods such as gunshot or penetrating captive bolt.

Kieffer reviews some of the advantages identified with this method as well as considerations for what method of depopulation may be employed on a farm. Consideration should be given to the effect on human mental health during these events. He also mentions some the importance of research in this area to ensure that in the event a mass depopulation event occurs, we have the tools needed to perform the procedure.

Vittoria M Capria, Andréia G Arruda, Ting-Yu Cheng, Magnus R Campler, Brad L Youngblood, Steven J Moeller, Andrew S Bowman, Justin D Kieffer, Water-based medium-expansion foam depopulation of adult cattle, Translational Animal Science, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2023, txad065, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txad065

AVMA Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals (2019)

AABP Humane Euthanasia of Cattle Guideline

Epi. 197 - Practice Applicable Beef Cow Nutrition May 13, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Jeffery Hall, a technical services veterinarian with Huvepharma and the coordinator for an AABP seminar titled "Practice Applicable Beef Cow Nutrition.” AABP recognizes the challenge of attending seminars before the conference and has expanded our CE offerings to include seminars outside of the annual and recent graduate conferences. The purpose of these seminars are to offer a small group setting where attendees can go home and immediately offer a new service or improve and expand a service they are currently offering to clients.

We walk through the topics that will be taught during this seminar and their importance to veterinarians. Hall describes how veterinarians can get involved with the vitamin and mineral nutrition program for the beef cow producer clients and make an impact on health, productivity, economics and immune function. This seminar is also being taught by Dr. Chris Chase, who will review the impacts of nutrition on immunology. Dr. Dave Rethorst will discuss cow-calf nutrition and impacts on fetal programming as well as some ration balancing skills for veterinarians. Attendees will also learn about feeding cows and evaluating feedstuff opportunities during drought situations.

This seminar was conducted at the 2023 AABP Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wis., and has been expanded to a two-day course based on feedback from participants. Additional topics included in this seminar will cover fly control and coccidiosis control for cow-calf ranches. Hall also discusses the wet-lab portion of this seminar where attendees will learn how to perform a liver biopsy on live beef cows. Attendees will be able to go home and implement this service to their cow-calf clients as well as interpret and make management recommendations to their clients.

This seminar will be held at The Ohio State University Marysville Large Animal Ambulatory Clinic June 27-28, 2024. This facility recently underwent a remodel with an excellent handling system to perform the wet-lab. The seminar has been approved for 15 hours of continuing education in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. A hotel block has been reserved for attendees to secure rooms. The cost of the seminar is $450 and includes lunch each day.

Attendance is limited to 20 attendees and we encourage interested AABP members to register today. For more information and to register for this seminar and book your hotel room, visit this link.

Epi. 196 - Case Report: Salvia reflexa-contaminated Hay Poisoning in Cattle May 06, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Clint Stonecipher, a rangeland management specialist with the US Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service - Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory. Stonecipher was the first author of the paper published in Volume 58 Number 1 in the Bovine Practitioner. Salvia reflexa is a plant in the mint family sometimes known as lance leaf sage and often is seen on dry range pastures. Stonecipher reviews this case report which affected two herds with mortalities due to the hepatotoxic effects of this plant. We walk through the clinical presentation and the diagnostic investigation. Stonecipher also discusses a survey as part of this publication where plant specimens were analyzed in 12 different states and submitted to the poisonous plant research laboratory. He also provides some tips for veterinarians who are investigating suspected intoxications and how to work with the laboratory for diagnostic submissions.

LINKS:

Stonecipher, C. A., Gardner, D. R., Webb, B. T., Laegreid, W., Welch, K. D., Stegelmeier, B. >, & Cook, D. (2024). Case Report: Salvia reflexa-contaminated hay poisoning in cattle. The Bovine Practitioner, 58(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol58no1p63-68

Bryan L. Stegelmeier, T. Zane Davis, Michael J. Clayton, Dale R. Gardner, Identifying Plant Poisoning in Livestock in North America, Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, Volume 36, Issue 3, 2020, Pages 661-671,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2020.08.001

Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory webpage

Epi. 195 – Epidemiologic Tools for Bovine Respirator Disease Risk Assessment in Dairy Calves Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by guest Dr. Sharif Aly, an epidemiologist at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center in Tulare, Calif. Aly graduated from Cairo University and practiced in Egypt before coming to the United States for advanced studies in preventive medicine and epidemiology. His team developed and published the BRD 100 and BRD 10K studies to identify various risk factors for Bovine Respirator Disease (BRD) in dairy calves.

Aly explains the incidence of BRD in calves and how it has failed to improve despite improvements in tools for detection and prevention. We review the risk of various areas on BRD including colostrum management, housing, season, environment and nutrition. He also discusses the role of on-farm diagnostics and the California and Wisconsin scoring systems that veterinarians can use with producers to manage BRD risk in dairy calves, including the BRD scoring system developed into an app for on-farm use.

Links:

CA BRD Risk Assessment Brochure (English)

CA BRD Risk Assessment Brochure (Spanish)

UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center website

Epidemiology of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in preweaned calves on California dairies: The BRD 10K study
S.A. Dubrovsky, A.L. Van Eenennaam, B.M. Karle, P.V. Rossitto, T.W. Lehenbauer, S.S. Aly
J Dairy Sci https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14774

A novel risk assessment tool for bovine respiratory disease in preweaned dairy calves
G.U. Maier, W.J. Love, B.M. Karle, T.W. Lehenbauer, A.L. Van Eenennaam, S.S. Aly
J Dairy Sci https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17650

Epi. 194 - Review of Two Bovine Practitioner Papers on the Use of Internal Teat Sealants in Dairy Cows Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Pat Gorden and Dr. Michelle Buckley from Iowa State University to discuss two publications from the Bovine Practitioner Volume 57 Number 2, 2023. Links to the published papers are at the end of the podcast show notes.

Our guests review the use of internal teat sealants and some of the challenges with producer use of internal teat sealants. We also review the importance of equivalence studies for practicing veterinarians, who are the target audience for papers in the Bovine Practitioner. The first study discussed was an equivalence study comparing two different internal teat sealants. The take-home message from this study for practicing veterinarians is that both products studies demonstrated equivalent results when comparing the outcome variables studied.

The second paper evaluated the persistence of the internal teat sealant in the mammary gland during the dry period. This paper was from one herd and looked at migration of the teat sealant from the teat into the cistern of the mammary gland using radiographs as well as strip yields after freshening. The authors also investigated if location of the internal teat sealant impacted risk for new intramammary infection during the first 120 days in milk.

Both of these studies are relevant to the practicing dairy veterinarian as they work with clients to implement dry-off protocols to decrease the risk of mastitis and improvements in milk quality.

Links to publications:

Buckley, M. P., Bayne, J., Tomazi, T., Miller, B. E., Godden, S. M., Silva, G. S., & Gorden, P. J. (2023). A randomized equivalence study evaluating the efficacy of two commercially available teat sealants in dairy cows. The Bovine Practitioner, 57(2), 36–50. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol27no2p36-50

Buckley, M. P., Bayne, J., Tomazi, T., Miller, B. E., Silva, G. S., & Gorden, P. J. (2023). Evaluation of internal teat sealant persistence in the mammary gland during the dry period. The Bovine Practitioner, 57(2), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol27no2p51-59

Epi. 193 - An Iterative Approach to the Development of a Sole Ulcer Induction Model in Holstein Cows Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Gerard Cramer, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota and current chair of the AABP Lameness Committee. This podcast is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and their 360 mastitis portfolio. What’s in your cattle tool care kit? Experience the power of complete mastitis care at choose360coverage.com.

The topic of the discussion is to walk through a research project that was funded by the AABP Foundation to investigate a model for inducing sole ulcers in dairy cattle. Sole ulcers are one of the major causes of lameness in dairy cattle and yet we still have much to learn about the pathogenesis of this disease to improve prevention and treatment strategies. Cramer discusses the importance of proof-of-concept studies to benefit future research and how they approached the welfare implications of this study. Three induction model challenges were implemented in this study included lying time restriction, dry matter intake restriction and a lipopolysaccharide challenge. Cramer reviews the results of the study and the difficulties in successfully inducing sole ulcers in this group of cows.

We also discuss some of the limitations of this study and future research opportunities to improve our ability to prevent and treat sole ulcers in dairy cows which can improve the welfare of cows. The AABP Foundation supports advancements in the health, well-being and productivity of cattle through scholarship programs, educational opportunities, and applied clinical research that benefits present and future cattle veterinarians. Research projects that are funded by the AABP Foundation must be applicable to practicing cattle veterinarians, have limited opportunity for funding elsewhere, and can serve as seed money for future larger-scale projects. The AABP Foundation research projects are supported entirely by member donations. Please support this type of research by donating today at this link.

Publication:

G. Cramer, E. Shepley, W. Knauer, B.A. Crooker, S. Wagner, L.S. Caixeta, An iterative approach to the development of a sole ulcer induction model in Holstein cows, Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 106, Issue 7,2023, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22726.

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