Year after year, wildfires make headlines around the world. In a single year (2020), 10.3 million acres burned in the United States, according to the National Interagency Co-ordination Center. As of early August, over 40,945 wildfires have burned approximately 3.6 million acres across the United States this year alone. Globally, about 102 million hectares (approximately 252 million acres) burned by mid-2025, with Africa accounting for half of that total.

For my family, this will be remembered as the year our fishing camp at Florence Lake burned — a special place for nearly 20 years. Only ashes remained. Also razed was Chad’s Point, where my son, Jason, and I built an inuksuk and deposited an urn containing my son Chad’s ashes and those of my brother, Marvin.

Wildfires create smoke containing particulate matter 2.5 microns in size, less than half the diameter of the cross-section of human hair, which measures seven to 7.5 microns. The very small particles invade lung tissue and small vessels of the cardiovascular system.

Unlike fire, smoke travels great distances, affecting more people and animals than the fire itself. In regions where wildfire smoke is common, long-term exposure can compromise cattle health, particularly their respiratory systems.

Animal well-being during stressful environmental events can affect all species. Studies in California from 2017-18 demonstrated negative effects on the cardiovascular system in cats and pregnancy rates in Rhesus macaques at a research facility. While previous research in Australia and the U.S. has attempted to survey the effects of wildfire smoke in animals, focused studies on livestock remain scarce.

Cattle producers in North America are acutely aware of the hazards of wildfire as the frequency and intensity of these events increase. Grazing patterns change, feed supplies — including pastures — are lost, and suboptimal animal health are major concerns when wildfires break out.

The total lung capacity of an adult cow is only 2.5 times greater than that of an average person, yet its resting oxygen requirement is more than 10 times greater. A cow’s lung capacity is 12 litres, its resting oxygen requirement is 124 litres per minute, and it takes 30 breaths a minute to meet this demand.

Of all domesticated species, cattle have the smallest relative lung capacity. For context, humans have six litres, horses can have over 50 litres, and cattle have between 12-13 litres. As a result, their respiratory system is under constant pressure.

The bovine lung is distinguished by the very thick connective tissue septa that separates areas on the surface and extends inward to divide the lung substance into segments. The septa, which may help to localize infection, become even more obvious in certain diseases. The capacity for respiratory exchange is limited, when compared to other species, by the relatively small total alveolar surface area and lower density of capillaries. A larger part of the lung capacity in the bovine is required for basal needs, leaving little lung reserve available in stressful circumstances, such as conditions induced by wildfire smoke.

As stated by the University of Oklahoma research team, “Understanding the physiology of the bovine lung is key to understanding the bovine susceptibility to lung disease, the development of emphysema and the economic impact of wildfire smoke.”

Researchers at Oregon State University followed up on a 2021 study that surveyed livestock producers in California, Nevada and Oregon about the effects of wildfire smoke on their herds’ productivity after the fire season.

“Livestock in all sectors, including beef and dairy operations, reported lost productivity in some way,” Juliana Ranches, extension beef specialist and assistant professor, said in an article on BQA.org. “The producers helped us recognize both direct and indirect losses from wildfire smoke exposure.”

This article represents my final contribution to Canadian Cattlemen. After 55 years of putting pen to paper, it’s time to sign off. My writing career comes to a close with a cookbook (Fat Boys in the Kitchen) and as I gather stories about my wonderful family. I have nearly 400 articles/stories on file, and I want to gather and organize what I have. At 79, time needs to be managed judiciously. Thanks for your feedback and encouragement to continue through the years.

Adios and thanks.

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However, the bull came off pasture slightly lame. Jake diagnosed the right hind lameness as foot rot and treated the lame bull with long-acting tetracycline twice without any improvement. That fall, after the first frost, the bull slipped on ice in the corral and immediately became severely lame. Jake realized something else had happened and called the clinic for veterinary assistance.

Diagnosing lameness in mature bulls without a hydraulic table and X-ray machines capable of penetrating larger joints is a challenge. This means field diagnostic skills and experience are the only tools available to many veterinarians.

Most hind limb lameness in cattle occurs in the foot, but where do we look when we can’t find anything wrong with the foot? Injuries to the stifle joint commonly cause lameness in breeding bulls. The stifle in large animals is equivalent to the human knee. Three structures, if injured, cause lameness: the patella, the menisci or inside (medial) or outside (lateral) cartilage pads between the femur and tibia, and the ligaments that hold everything together. The cruciate ligaments that cross front to back within the joint are primary structures stabilizing the stifle. The anterior cruciate ligament is frequently injured, similar to the anterior circulate injuries in hockey and football players and stifle injuries in dogs.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture due to a traumatic event is a common cause of lameness in cattle. Bulls specifically have a higher incidence of developing a cranial cruciate rupture secondary to degenerative joint disease along with injuries associated with mounting. Most often, cruciate damage is associated with being bunted while breeding. Poor conformation, such as post-like stifles, increases the incidence of stifle injury.

Stifle injuries typically manifest as non-specific hind-limb lameness. A physical exam should be used to rule out lower-limb injuries or problems. With stifle injuries, common signs include joint swelling, pain and crepitus (clicking, popping or crackling sounds, or sensation of crushing tinfoil). When the bull is lying down, one can initiate a “cranial drawer sign” with an increase in internal rotation. This joint laxity also indicates cranial cruciate ligament injury. Meniscus injury presents as non-specific stifle lameness and can accompany cranial cruciate injury. The medial meniscus is injured more frequently.

Two common medications can be used to offer relief: meloxicam orally every 24-72 hours and flunixin meglumine (Banamine) intravenously every 12-24 hours. Both drugs have withdrawal periods that need to be followed if salvage is chosen.

Once we determined the bull had stifle issues, Jake asked about the prognosis. In my experience bulls with stifle injuries remained high-risk breeders if on pasture where they were required to travel considerable distances, which most breeding bulls are expected to do. Salvage seemed the best option. Jake sought out a new bull for the next year. c

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All this means that fall can be very stressful for cattle producers.

Stress has direct effects on mood. Mood changes can include irritability, sleep disruption and cognitive changes, such as an impaired ability to concentrate. Indirectly, stress is often the pre-emptive step to depression.

Stress and depression are closely linked, with chronic stress often leading to depression and vice versa. While stress can be a temporary response to a challenge, depression is a more persistent mood disorder that significantly affects daily functioning. Depression requires treatment.

An article prepared by the Mayo Clinic on stress and depression points out that when people experience stress, they frequently stop engaging in some of the healthy coping strategies that usually help keep their mood on track. In other words, when stress triggers a lowered mood, it’s more likely that the person will skip their typical healthy mood regulation strategies such as running, reading and catching up with old friends. Mood changes often generate further stress. Stress often disrupts relationships. Alcohol abuse is frequently a beggarly result.

Depression is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, and changes in how you think, sleep, eat and act. It can affect anyone and is treatable through therapy, medication or a combination of both.

Many suffer in silence, embarrassed to admit something is awry mentally. I realized late in life that depression had played a part in how I thought about and approached challenges. Depression surfaced in my personal and professional life. It became worse as I grew older. I failed to respond to friends and clients who suffered from depression — something that seriously marred my connection with folks. Bouts of depression progressed into serious issues later in life to a point where life became optional, especially after the nightmare of losing two wonderful sons to suicide.

There’s no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies help:

• Take steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and boost your self-esteem.
• Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough spells.
• Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening.
• Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.

There are resources available across Canada. You can reach Canada’s national suicide crisis line 24 hours a day by dialing 988. Those needing immediate emergency assistance should call 911.

Counselling Alberta (counsellingalberta.com) provides low-cost counselling with no waiting list.

Saskatchewan producers can call the Farm Stress Line at 1-800-667-4442. They can also access up to six hours of therapy per year for free through the SaskAg Matters Mental Health Network (saskagmatters.ca).

Manitoba has the Farmers HelpLine available 24/7 at 1-866-367-3276, as well as more resources through the Manitoba Farm, Rural and Northern Support Service, at supportline.ca/farm. The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program provides no-cost, farm-focused counselling services.

Producers in Ontario can access free counselling, as well as other resources and programs, through Agriculture Wellness Ontario (agriculturewellnessontario.ca).

Do More Ag has a more complete listing of crisis contacts in regions across the country at domore.ag/crisis-contacts.

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