Of all domesticated species, cattle have the smallest relative lung capacity, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke.
Vet advice
Effect of wildfire smoke on respiratory health in beef cattle
Of all domesticated species, cattle have the smallest relative lung capacity, making them particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke
Body condition, nutrition and vaccination for brood cows
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
One of the remarkable events of the past century related to ranching has been the genetic evolution of brood cows. The industry moved from scrawny Texas Longhorn-crosses with 25 per cent calf crops to hardy European and English hybrids producing 90 to 95 per cent calf crops with offspring weighing upwards of 50 per cent […] Read more
A case study of lupines and crooked beef calves
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Jim called one night concerned that his Holstein milk cow could not deliver a calf. The cow, a seven-year-old female bred by artificial insemination, had never had problems. But a trip to the Maritimes two summers ago was an unexpected catalyst for a new issue. Nova Scotia offered an array of “new things” for Jim […] Read more
Skeletal deformities of beef calves
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Much is written about genetic mutations in beef calves: why it happens, pathological descriptions and how to manage the deformities. Pathologists love to describe structural abnormalities of organ systems and what else has been discovered. The literature on genetic mutations goes far beyond what can be covered in one column, so I will only address […] Read more
Preventing foreign animal disease in North America
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Experimental studies under controlled conditions have contributed enormously to our understanding of the pathogenesis and transmission dynamics of foot-and-mouth disease. The industry and scientific community must be complimented on the detailed plans developed to prevent introduction of diseases, such as foot-and-mouth in cattle and pigs, as well as plans to control foreign animal diseases, if […] Read more
Causes and risk factors of abortion in cattle
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
When examining abortion in cattle, it’s important to look at incidence, cause, definition, when to summon help and what to do. As an aid to producers, abortion can be defined as terminating pregnancy any time after around 42 days, when placentation is complete. Placentation is the establishment of membranes joining mother and fetal blood supply […] Read more
How barbed wire transformed ranching in the West
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Ranching in southern Alberta can be divided into two eras. One before the fence, and the one that came to stay, after the fences. From D. Larraine Andrews’s book, Ranching Under the Arch:“Responding to the new lease legislation, four corporate ranches, dubbed the Patriarchs, arrive under open range practices dependent on chinooks to keep grasslands […] Read more
Leptospirosis in people, dogs, horses and cattle
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
The story about leptospirosis started during a dog walk with good friends as part of our daily outing. They knew little about zoonoses and the importance of disease transmission between animals and humans. A recent article on “Leptospirosis” Linda read in an agriculture journal piqued her interest on the diseases shared by humans and animals. […] Read more
Oil and cattle: When major industries collide
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
There are currently just under 500,000 gas and oil wells in Alberta. Although difficult to find exact numbers, it appears nearly 5,000 new oil and gas wells are drilled across Western Canada every year. Capital investment for the Canadian oil and gas sector could reach $40.6 billion in 2024. It’s big business and much of it […] Read more
Hemlock: A deadly poison affecting spring and summer pasture
Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke
Poisonous plants are a major cause of economic loss to the livestock industry. It’s estimated poisonous plants adversely affect three to five per cent of cattle, sheep and horses grazing the western range.
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
