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This winter caught many cattle producers by surprise, with the deep freeze and snow depleting feed supplies quicker than anticipated.
Livestock, Vet advice, Weather

Dealing with uncertain times

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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Cattle producers across Western Canada grow weary of the relentless 2018-19 winter. For those of us living on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, it started with a record snowfall in October followed by record cold temperatures that extended across the central and northern Prairies. From mid-December to the end of February the cold broke […] Read more
Scientists on both sides of the issue are quite convincing. Little wonder we confuse readers when we always stress that science is good. – Dr. Ron Clarke
Features, Livestock

Bold scientists and scientific scrutiny at odds in TSE research

To argue that prion diseases don't jump species barriers is wishful thinking

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An old friend called the other day. For years, Jim and I hunted together and have spent many hours discussing issues affecting hunters and the wild game industry. His concern centred around chronic wasting disease (CWD), how it had affected his family’s 2018 harvest of big game and a renewed optimism that researchers, armed with […] Read more
The majority of deaths due to bovine respiratory disease (BRD) occur shortly after arrival to the feedlot or within the first 45 days.
Beef Cattle, Vet advice

Chute-side diagnostics for bovine respiratory disease remain elusive

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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Speakers at the 2019 Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners addressed bovine respiratory disease (BRD) from several perspectives, including emergence of changing patterns of respiratory disease, economics of BRD, prudent use of antimicrobials in prevention and treatment of BRD, and diagnostics. BRD accounts for approximately 75 per cent of feedlot morbidity and 50 to 70 […] Read more
Tough questions can face livestock owners. If a calf recovers from illness, what caused the event to occur and what action can be taken to prevent it from happening again?
Features, Livestock

Getting help from a diagnostic laboratory

Animal Health: Diagnostic testing is geared for disease prevention and control

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Veterinarians and their large animal clients find themselves in a new era. Regulatory changes regarding the use and acquisition of antimicrobials through 2018 redefined the need for veterinary-client patient relationships between livestock producers and veterinary practitioners. Increasingly sophisticated electronic communication, the universal use of computers and a changing culture of service opened the doors to […] Read more
Proper planning is always a part of getting through calving season successfully.
Cow-Calf, Vet advice

Why calving season is different this year

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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The first major event facing cattle producers in 2019 is planning for calving season. This year there is a new wrinkle in managing animal health programs on the ranch: establishing a veterinary-client patient relationship with a veterinarian. This provides an avenue to access medically important antimicrobials through a prescription as needed. There are few ranches […] Read more
Features, News

Public still waiting for answers in romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak

The extensive romaine recall of 2018 is a testament to the difficulties in pinpointing tainted produce

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We are often reminded that nature, not mankind, controls the universe. There is no shortage of examples: draconian fires and floods linked to climate change and tragedies such as the influenza virus in the early 20th century that killed millions. We also see people’s reluctance to prevent the damage nature asserts even though appropriate tools […] Read more
Livestock, Vet advice

Climate change’s impact on managing animal health

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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I’m losing more arguments with grandchildren that our climate hasn’t changed significantly, prompted by signals that have only grown more evident through the last half of my lifetime. At one point, I convinced myself that climatic changes were part of a natural phenomenon — one of those things history would look upon and call an […] Read more
Livestock, Vet advice

African swine fever – watch and learn

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

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Many human infectious diseases travel at the speed of the fastest airplane. It’s critical for those involved in the animal protein business — be it beef, poultry or pork anywhere on the globe — to remain vigilant of what’s happening with international neighbours struggling with highly infectious diseases in animals, and learn. No one in […] Read more
Members of the Royal Scots Greys cavalry regiment rest their horses by the side of the road in France.
Features, History

History: Let us remember the horses

From the December 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

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A year ago, the Vintage Veterinary Committee embarked on a project to bring stories about veterinarians and the contribution they made to the early days of agriculture to life at Calgary’s Heritage Park. Remembering the Great War and the colossal contribution horses made to the war effort during a time in history when ranching had […] Read more
Producers need to ruminate on logistics, pasture conditions and animal welfare as well as feed costs during a shortage.
Features, News

Take-aways from the 2018 beef summit, Part 2

Second instalment of a two-part series highlighting “take-aways” from the 2018 Beef Summit in Calgary that combined the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare and the UCVM Beef Cattle Conference

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This is the second instalment of a two-part series highlighting take-aways from the 2018 Beef Summit held this summer in Calgary. This year’s conference combined the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare and the UCVM Beef Cattle Conference. Topics included applied research findings and emerging animal welfare issues facing the beef cattle industry. Dr. Dan […] Read more

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending May 17, 2019.

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