News

The rumen is a fascinating and unique organ in ruminant animals. Proper development of the rumen is pivotal to digestive efficiency and overall productivity. Producers who prioritize rumen development in the early stages of life set their animals up for success, ensuring they thrive in both growth and production...

With wide eyes and sunken flanks, the calves looked up at me.  This scene was totally different from the one I saw a month ago on my previous visit to this same farm. What could have changed? A month ago, the calves were full, sleek, and spunky. Today they were dehydrated and lethargic. A lot can change in a month; a lot can change in 24 hours...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified nontyphoidal Salmonella as one of the top 5 pathogens contributing to foodborne illnesses in the United States. Ground chicken leads the pack when it comes to Salmonella contamination, but ground beef is also a common source of Salmonella outbreaks...

Last week (April 8-10,2025) Was the annual meeting of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association. In attendance there were 350 members from 27 different states, and 7 different countries. The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) provides networking and training for calf raisers across the globe. Here are some highlights from the conference!   Networking In my opinion one of the greatest benefits from attending the DCHA conference is the opportunity to network with other producers and industry professionals. It is always fun to see old friends and acquaintances and to meet new people!  This year in addition to connecting...

Antibiotics are a tool in our toolbox when it comes to keeping calves healthy. Resistance to antibiotics happens when the microorganisms evolve in a way that they are no longer killed off by the very medications used to treat them. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in both humans and animals. Although antimicrobial-resistant bacteria affecting human health have risen mostly due to the use of antimicrobials in human medicine, antibiotic use in livestock is still known to contribute. Worldwide, an estimated 73 percent of antibiotics important to human medicine are sold to be used in livestock production. We have the...