Have You Herd? AABP PodCasts

Latest Episodes:

Laboratory Diagnostics for Mastitis Pathogens Jul 25, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Drs. Andy Lefeld, Justine Britten, and Allan Britten in this podcast brought to you by the AABP Milk Quality and Udder Health Committee. You can find information about the Milk Quality and Udder Health Committee on this page and find all AABP committee resources at this link. The Brittens manage Udder Health Systems with labs located in Washington, Utah and Idaho. Lefeld is a member of the Milk Quality and Udder Health Committee and a veterinarian at Maria Stein Animal Clinic in Maria Stein, Ohio, providing milk quality services to dairy farms.

Mastitis is the most costly disease in the dairy industry with an economic impact estimated at $2 billion annually. Our guests discuss the types of mastitis pathogens and the importance of identifying the pathogens causing mastitis on dairy farms to know if the infections are due to contagious or environmental pathogens. It is also important to obtain diagnostics to the species level for some pathogens. Monitoring pathogens can include bulk tank cultures, individual cow cultures, or string sampling. We discuss how veterinarians can get involved in mastitis diagnostic programs, including setting up and monitoring on-farm culture programs, in-clinic milk quality laboratories or utilizing an outside diagnostic lab. There are several newer technologies that labs now provide including PCR, MALDI-TOF, and chromogenic agars. Veterinarians have the opportunity to assist producers in developing diagnostic programs to manage mastitis on the dairy farm. We also discuss that a diagnostic test should be utilized if the results will alter an intervention, either treatment or prevention.
Antimicrobial sensitivities on mastitis pathogens are not routinely recommended since an antimicrobial sensitivity test is unlikely to change the intervention on the farm due to the limited number of intramammary tubes available and the lack of break points for most intramammary antimicrobials. Finally, it is important for veterinarians to develop quality control programs for both in-house cultures as well as cultures from on-farm programs. One such program is the QMPS program from Cornell University. Veterinarians should discuss with their dairy farmers how they can utilize diagnostic testing as a part of a total milk quality control program.

Extra-label drug use and FARAD resources Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by three AABP members on this episode of Have You Herd? where we discuss decision-making for utilizing extra-label drug use, working with producers for ensuring appropriate oversight of antimicrobial use, and utilizing resources from the Food Animal Avoidance Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD). The three guests are current AABP Committee on Pharmaceutical and Biologic Issues members including Chair, Dr. Kevin Jacque from The Ohio State University, Dr. Virginia Fajt from Texas A&M University and Dr. Fiona Maunsell from the University of Florida and FARAD.

We start the conversation by discussing considerations for extra-label drug use in cattle, including the different production classes of beef and dairy cattle that should be considered and how this use may affect the determination of a withdrawal interval. The veterinarian of record is the party responsible for ensuring appropriate oversight of drug use and assigning that withdrawal interval, and our guests discuss that veterinarians should take pride in being responsible for extra-label drug use. Dr. Maunsell discusses the FARAD program, where it receives its funding and the fact it is an advisory, not regulatory, program. We discuss how veterinarians can improve the accuracy of information received from FARAD by filling out their online submission entirely and accurately. The group also discusses inadvertent prohibited drug use and how to communicate with FARAD to assign a withdrawal time as well as working with clients to ensure we correct the errors that led to the inadvertent use.

LINKS:

Extra-label drug use regulations:
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-530

Definition of food-producing animals:
https://www.fda.gov/media/70157/download (see p. 29)

Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank:
http://www.farad.org/

AABP VCPR Guidelines:
https://aabp.org/resources/aabp_guidelines/VCPRGuideline_032020.pdf

AABP Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines:
https://aabp.org/resources/AABP_Guidelines/AntimicrobialStewardship0322Final.pdf

Mental Health Resources for AABP Members Jul 11, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Murray Gillies, AABP Board of Directors representative to District 12, and Dr. Charlie Gardner, chair of the AABP Mental Health Task Force, for this episode to discuss mental health and well-being initiatives being developed by AABP. Gillies proposed the creation of a Mental Health Task Force to provide support to AABP members and create resources to aid in the prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health. We discuss that there is a stigma associated with mental illness and normalizing the conversations around mental health can support our colleagues in bovine practice. Prevention of mental illness and improving our own mental health is important and we discuss various tips for preventive medicine for ourselves as well as tips on how to find a counselor. The AABP Foundation has recently supported the Veterinary Hope Foundation through a $25,000 donation, to fund the creation of peer support groups that are available at no cost to AABP members to join. Find out more information about the Veterinary Hope Foundation at this link and the partnership with AABP and how to join on this page. AABP members who want to support mental health initiatives through the AABP Foundation can donate to this fund on this page. We encourage all members to take the AVMA QPR training program to recognize and assist colleagues who may be struggling. Find out information about this resource on the AVMA Well-Being page. AABP also encourages members to consider submitting a story to the Humans of AABP Facebook page by contacting fred@aabp.org or gwren@aabp.org. The intent of the series is to normalize conversations around mental health and support each other. Stories can be posted anonymously.

Resources:

AABP Mental Health Resources page

Mental Health in the Headcatch
Josh Tanguay
Proceedings of the 53rd Annual AABP Conference

Suicide Prevention Hotline Numbers
US 800-273-8255
Canada 833-456-4566

Dr. Charlie Gardner
charlesegardner@ptd.net
717-816-4246

Bovine Neosporosis Jul 04, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. BJ Newcomer from the VERO branch of Texas A&M University to discuss abortions due to the protozoal parasite, Neospora caninum. Neosporosis is the most commonly diagnosed cause of cattle abortions and is seen in beef and dairy herds. Transmission of the etiologic agent can be exogenous through a canid host that ingests the cysts from aborted tissues and then passes them in feces to be ingested by cows, or vertically from dam to fetus in utero. An adult cow can pass Neospora to the fetus which can result in a positive calf that is born normally and is a risk for future reproductive failure, or result in an abortion, typically occurring in the 4 to 7-month gestation window. Newcomer reminds our listeners to work with their diagnostic labs to facilitate testing of aborted fetuses as well as testing adult cows for Neospora antibodies through serum ELISA testing. Control measures involve culling positive animals, aborting animals, and controlling fecal contamination from dogs in feed ingredients. We also discuss capturing the genetic value of positive cows through implementing advanced reproductive technologies and ensuring recipient animals are Neospora-negative.

This episode of Have You Herd was brought to our listeners by the AABP Reproduction Committee. Gingrich suggests that AABP members who want to volunteer to seek out a committee to join by going to the committee menu at https://aabp.org.

55TH AABP Annual Conference – Preconference Seminars Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by AABP Vice President and Preconference Seminar Chair Dr. Michael Capel to discuss the preconference seminars that will be offered at the upcoming AABP Annual Conference in Long Beach, Calif. The seminars are held Sunday through Wednesday Sept. 18-21, 2022 prior to the conference Sept. 22-24. We discuss how the seminars we took during our careers tremendously impacted our practice lives, both in continuing education content teaching us skills to advance our practice, as well as networking and meeting experts and colleagues in the field. Preconference seminars can be added to a regular conference registration, or you can sign up for a seminar registration to take a seminar and then send another member in your practice to the conference sessions. Descriptions of the preconference seminars can be found at this link. A total of 14 preconference seminars are available and each will be approved for 8 hours per day of continuing education. Nine of the seminars are new or reworked versions of previous seminars so there should be something of interest to all beef and dairy veterinarians. Register for the conference and seminars on this page. Preconference seminars with an inadequate number of participants are subject to cancellation up until August 12, so enroll today! Seminars will either be held in the Long Beach Convention Center of the Hyatt headquarters hotel. Reserve your room in the AABP hotel block at this link.

Gathering the Herd for the 55th AABP Annual Conference Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by the 2022 AABP program chair and AABP President-Elect Dr. Sandra Godden, and AABP President Dr. Pat Gorden, to discuss the 55th AABP Annual Conference September 22-24, 2022, in Long Beach, Calif. The theme for the conference is a nod to our desire to get together as cattle veterinarians again after two years of challenges for “Gathering the Herd”. Gorden discusses the board’s decision to offer the conference in-person only and the challenges of continuing to offer a hybrid conference in terms of labor resources and financial risks to the organization. Godden discusses the keynote address from Dr. Vernard Hodges with the topic suggestion from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. We will also welcome introductions from the 2023 AABP Vice-President candidates, Dr. Jessica Gernhard and Dr. Callie Willingham. Each of us discusses session highlights and the wide variety of talks which are geared toward continuing to provide the major focus of AABP which is providing educational resources for the practicing veterinarian. New this year will be a joint beef/dairy session discussing beef on dairy strategies, feed additives to decrease enteric methane production, antimicrobial use monitoring strategies, and plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives. AABP would like to thank all of the sponsors of our conference, including the sponsors of our social events by Boehringer-Ingelheim, Diamond-V, Endovac, and Zoetis. Find the schedule and registration information at this link. AABP asks our attendees to please utilize the AABP hotel block to decrease the financial risk the organization assumes when contracting conference locations. Book your hotel rooms through our secure housing link found on this page. We also encourage members to donate to the Amstutz Scholarship Auction through this portal. Donations of equipment, products, artwork, vacations, books, custom items and gift baskets are all encouraged. The Mark Hopkins Bronze Bull will also be available to purchase again this year and the Amstutz Scholarship Committee and AABP Foundation Board of Directors encourages groups to form consortiums from alumni groups, districts, and others to increase the bid for auction items. Establishing a consortium is easy by using this online link.

The 2022 Program Committee invites you to attend the conference in Long Beach, Calif. September 22-24, 2022 to gather the herd!

Managing heat stress in dairy cattle Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by the “father and grandfather of cow comfort”, Dr. Gordie Jones. Jones has developed his bovine veterinary career into a cow comfort consultant, designing facilities to maximize cow comfort. Today we discuss heat stress in dairy cows and how to cool cows in a variety of facilities and environments. We discuss that cows are happiest at around 40 degrees F and cooling cows and their environment is critical to manage the effects of heat stress which includes decreased intakes, reproductive efficiency and milk production losses. Jones states that reproductive losses are hidden and typically are equal to the losses that are evident from decreased milk production. It is critical that dairy farms soak cows in the holding pen, exiting the parlor and in feed lanes. Fans should provide 5-7 mph range over cows and are utilized to move air in the environment after evaporatively cooling cows with soakers. A good rule of thumb is to have cows away from beds or feed no more than 3.5 hours per day. Maintaining dry matter intakes is critical to maintaining production, and Jones reminds our listeners that fresh air brought to the cows will increase intakes and make sure that cows receive more than 50% of dry matter when exiting the parlor after the morning milking. We discuss different types of facilities that can be designed to manage heat stress and improve ventilation as well as evaluating cows' access to water. Jones encourages veterinarians to expand your impact on dairy farms through observation and to continue to speak for the cow and work with dairy producers to maximize cow comfort.

Links:

Cargill Heat Stress Relief Handbook – Jeff Brose
Elanco Dairy Heat Abatement Manual

All season hybrid barn video

Developing systems to minimize heat stress in dairy cattle
John Smith, Mike Brouk, Joe Harner

Managing heat stress in feedlot cattle Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Dan Thomson from the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University to discuss the effects and mitigation strategies resulting from heat stress in feedlot cattle. We discuss that heavy and black-hided cattle are at increased risk of heat stress, and control strategies should first target these groups of cattle when the temperature-humidity index (THI) is greater than 70 degrees F. Thomson states that the first thing cattle will do when experiencing heat stress is stand up, pant and decrease intakes. Bedding placed in pens can reduce surface temperatures by 20-30 degrees F, and providing shade that moves with the sun will also help to cool cattle. Building mounds for cattle to be further away from surface heat and allow more exposure to moving air will also decrease heat stress in cattle. Thomson reminds our listeners that water is the most important nutrient to cattle, especially in times of heat stress events. Cattle will drink 3x dry matter intake normally, but during hot weather they will drink 5x dry matter intake. Ensuring access to clean water with adequate trough space is important. We also discuss removing barriers to airflow in feedlot pens and using low stress handling techniques or stopping all movements during times of intense heat stress. Thomson also discusses his television show Doc Talk which is available on RFD TV and has a wide audience for discussing issues important to cattle veterinarians and producers. Find show times or stream the show online at this link.

Links

Dynamic Response Indicators of Heat Stress in Shaded and Non-shaded Feedlot Cattle, Part 1: Analyses of Indicators
T.M. Brown-Brandl, R.A. Eigenberg, J.A. Nienaber, G.L. Hahn

Influence of shade on panting score and behavioural responses of Bos taurus and Bos indicus feedlot cattle to heat load
A.M. Lees, J.C. Lees, V. Sejian, M.L. Sullican, J.B. Gaughan
Iowa State University Managing Heat Stress in Feedlot Cattle Resource

Johne's disease in beef cattle May 30, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Drew Magstadt from Iowa State University to discuss Johne's disease in beef cattle. Johne's disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis that studies have shown affects up to 50% of cow-calf herds, however a small percent of animals are infected (3% to 8%). Magstadt discusses some of the unique challenges of combating this disease in cow-calf herds where calves are raised with the adult cows, contrasted with calf separation from the adult herd on dairy operations. Some of the frustrating problems when implementing a Johne's control program in beef herds include the chronicity of the disease and the limitations of the various tests that are available. We talk through the tests that are available for beef herds and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Testing options include fecal culture, fecal PCR, complement fixation and serum ELISA antibody testing. Magstadt discusses a retrospective study he performed from submissions at the Iowa State University Diagnostic Laboratory looking at serum ELISA and fecal PCR submissions from the same animal and then evaluating if the submissions were from herd surveillance or non-surveillance sampling. They compared serum ELISA S:P ratios with fecal PCR results and found that high positive S:P ratios were highly correlated with a positive fecal PCR, a medium positive S:P ratio showed about 50% of cattle shedding MAP in the feces, and a low positive S:P ratio typically had a negative fecal PCR result. This information can help producers making culling decisions. Submitting both serum and feces to the lab is a good idea so that additional tests can be completed without the need to collect additional samples from the herd. He suggests that veterinarians should work with producers to develop a control program and to talk to your diagnostic lab about testing options, sample processing and pooling samples. Veterinarians can also decrease the cost associated with testing in pooled samples by looking at body condition and fecal scores on cows as they are processed for sample collection and separate those samples from non-clinical cows. Magstadt also reminds our listeners that contamination can be a significant issue when collecting samples and veterinarians and processing crews should be aware of the possibility of contaminating multiple samples if care is not taken to ensure clean samples. Eliminating Johne's disease from a beef herd is a multi-year endeavor that requires a team effort from the diagnostic lab, veterinarian and producer that also requires instituting management practices to decrease the introduction and spread of the disease within a herd.

Implant strategies for beef production May 23, 2022

Show notes

AABP Executive Director Dr. Fred Gingrich is joined by Dr. Matt Quinn from Feedlot Health Management Services located in Alberta, Canada. Quinn has a PhD in ruminant nutrition from Texas A&M University and provides his expertise on what implants are and how they can be used in all sectors of the beef industry to improve average daily gain and feed efficiency. Quinn describes the different categories of implants which include estrogenic, androgenic and combination products. He also describes traditional implants with long-acting or extended-release formulations. We discuss the definition and importance of the term “implant pay-out” and the training and monitoring programs that veterinarians can review with the their clients and employees to consistently achieve the results desired. Quinn walks our listeners through the considerations for implementing implant programs for suckling calves, including heifers, stockers or backgrounders, and cattle on feed, both native beef, beef-on-dairy crosses and dairy breed animals. He reminds us that the return on implants is maximized with a sound nutrition program, but that in general, implants will always return an economic advantage to the producer and should be considered in all facets of the beef production cycle.

LINKS:

Evaluation of long-acting implant programs for calf-fed Holsteins
M.J. Quinn, C.G. Stamm, A.L. Schreck, S.L. Parr, C.W. Booker, S.J. Hannon, M.J. Corbin, R.D. Rademacher, M.L. May
Applied Animal Science, Vol. 36, Issue 2, August 2020

Anabolic implant strategies in beef production
S.L. Parr
Proceedings of the 3rd AABP Recent Graduate Conference, February 2020

FDA Letter to Industry on Beef Cattle Ear Implants
December 2021