The Beef Cattle Health and Nutrition Podcast

Subfertility in Bulls with Dr. Colin Palmer - Part 2

 Dr. Colin Palmer, one of our reproductive specialist veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine here at the University of Saskatchewan  joins the podcast again this week to discuss the important topic of subfertility in beef bulls.  Today we focus on the parts of the breeding soundness exam that greatly impact fertility - scrotal circumference and semen morphology.  Dr. Palmer describes some of the most common sperm defects and why they occur.00:00 –Welcome and introductions01:05 – Importance of body condition score in bulls03:16 – Scrotal circumference and it’s impact on fertility10:02 – Identifying testicular and scrotal problems16:05 –  Accessory sex glands and seminal vesiculitis18:45  – Evaluating the semen sample21:55 – Abnormal sperm morphology – why does it occur?24:12 – Common sperm morphology abnormalities – Distal midpiece reflexes and proximal droplets32:00 – What does the term “Rusty load” mean in terms of sperm defects?35:05 – Genetic sperm abnormalities37:12 – Why is 70% normal sperm considered acceptable?40:21 – Summary and wrap up

Subfertility in Bulls (Part 1) with Dr. Colin Palmer

Dr. Colin Palmer, one of our reproductive specialist veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine here at the University of Saskatchewan  joins the podcast to discuss the important topic of subfertility in beef bulls.  Why do we need to perform bull breeding soundness exams? What are the implications of various factors such as lameness and other physical problems on bull fertility?  These are just some of the topics we discuss in this first part of a two part episode.00:00 –Welcome and introductions03:54 – Importance of herd fertility in cow-calf operations and factors that affect it10:45 – Value of a limited breeding season14:22 – Subfertility vs Infertility16:08 – Importance of the breeding soundness examination of the bull19:21 – Meaning of the various classification categories27:22 – Impact of lameness on bull fertility31:06 – Other factors that may affect fertility that can be identified in physical examination34:23 – Summary and Wrap-up

Bovine Influenza A virus

This week, Dr. Nathan Erickson and Dr. John Ellis join me to discuss the emergence of Bovine influenza A virus in cattle.  We discuss what is currently known about this emerging disease issue at this point in time.  New information is being acquired about the impacts and spread of Bovine Influenza A virus and this podcast gives information on the disease as known around April 12, 2024.   Please rely on your local veterinarians or government veterinary offices for the most up to date information on this issue.  Emerging diseases remind us of the importance of preventive practices.  Using raw colostrum only from your own herd, not introducing orphan calves or nurse cows from dairy herds and quarantining new animals for 21 days will help prevent the introduction of diseases like Bovine Influenza A virus, Foot and Mouth Disease, and many other diseases.  Find tips at https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/biosecurity/00:00 –Welcome and introductions04:10 – Clinical signs seen in dairy cow outbreaks in US08:06 -  A primer on Influenza viruses10:28 – Influenza D virus role in respiratory disease in cattle12:15 – Hosts for Influenza A virus16:09 – High pathogenic vs low pathogenic influenza viruses18:21 – How influenza viruses change and jump to other species20:00 – Possible ways of spread of Bovine influenza A virus25:00 – Possibility of Bovine Influenza A virus in beef cattle27:14 – Human health implications28:29 – Herd to herd spread and biosecurity precautions31:59 – Summary and Wrap-up

Treating calf scours with Dr. Chris Clark

Dr. Chris Clark, an internal medicine specialist from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine joins the podcast to discuss how best to treat neonatal diarrhea in calves.  We discuss how to detect dehydration and acidosis in an affected calf and the best ways to utilize oral electrolytes.  We also discuss when a calf will need intravenous therapy and the limited value of antibiotic therapy.  Check out the great resources on the Calf 911 section of the BCRC website for more information.https://www.beefresearch.ca/producers/calf-911-resources/00:00 – Welcome and introductions02:33 – Preventing calf scours is the best option06:02 - Causes of calf scours08:58 – Assessing hydration in a calf 14:36 – Acidosis20:43 – How to utilize oral electrolytes25:31 – What to look for in an electrolyte solution29:18 – Antibiotics are of limited value for scours therapy31:39 – Summary and wrap up

The Colicky Calf with Dr. Blake Balog

The calf that presents with acute abdominal issues or colicky symptoms is not uncommon on cow-calf herds around calving time. In this episode,  Dr. Blake Balog from Cattle Health Management in Brooks, Alberta joins the podcast to discuss the causes of colic in young calves and how the producer should approach these cases when faced with them.00:00 –Welcome and introductions04:08 – How do calves present with colic or acute abdominal problems?05:06-  What should you do if you identify a calf with colic?08:11– Atresia coli and atresia ani13:16 – Intestinal accidents 18:46 – Abomasal ulcers and other abomasal issues26:25 – Navel problems that may cause colic33:36 – Final advice for dealing with calves with colic34:39 – Wrap up 

Health protocols for calves across industry sectors

This week my guest is Dr. Mariana Guerra-Maupome.  Mariana is a veterinarian with PhD training in bovine respiratory disease.  She works as a feedlot consultant for Telus Agriculture and Consumer Goods and as part of her job, helps to provide feedlot consultation services to feedlots across North America and farther abroad.  She joins me this week to discuss the challenges of designing health protocols that help to protect calves as they transition from one sector of the industry to another.00:00 –  Welcome and introductions04:40 –  Segmentation of the beef industry 07:11 – Factors affecting the value of the calf at the feedlot12:16 – Importance and impacts of BRD14:15 – Strategies that lower the risk for BRD18:21 – How often do we currently utilize those strategies at the cow-calf level?20:55 – How can the cow-calf producer capture value?23:59 – The importance and value of data26:31 – How will things change in the future?28:21 – Summary and Wrap up

Remote Drug Delivery Devices with Dr. Roy Lewis

Dr. Roy Lewis joins the podcast again to discuss Remote Drug Delivery Devices (RDDD).  These are the dart guns, cross bows, and pole syringes that are sometimes used by producers to administer antimicrobials to cattle on pasture.   Dr. Lewis discusses their proper use and why they should be only used as the last resort if no other option is possible.  Here is a link to more information on the Beef Cattle Research Council website.https://www.beefresearch.ca/producers/remote-drug-delivery/00:00 - Introduction01:55 - Defining Remote Drug Delivery Device (RDDD)02:55 – Basic guidelines for injecting animals with any antimicrobial03:48 – How commonly are these devices used and what are the advantages of these devices?07:05 – What are the downsides of using a RDDD?08:32 – Withdrawal times and damage to tissues11:30 – Proper use of RDDD’s when warranted14:38 – Do pharmaceutical companies support the use of RDDD’s?16:13 – Getting a correct diagnosis when treating foot rot on pasture.19:07 - Closing comments and Wrap up

Nitrate toxicity with Jenifer Heyden

Jenifer Heyden, a livestock extension specialist from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture joins me again on the podcast to discuss high nitrate levels in feeds and how to prevent nitrate toxicity in your cow herd.  We discuss the details on the clinical signs of nitrate toxicity and how to interpret a feed test for nitrate levels as well.00:00 – Opportunity to participate in Cow-calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network02:07 – Welcome and introductions04:00 – Feed sources that might have issues with nitrates05:53 -  Drought and plant stress affecting nitrate levels06:53 – How does nitrate toxicity occur and what are clinical signs?11:40 – Difficulties in the treatment of acute nitrate toxicity10:23 – Confirmation of diagnosis and possibility of treating cases of lead toxicity12:26 – Prevention of nitrate toxicity14:03 – Understanding a feed test for nitrates17:10 – Utilizing feeds with higher nitrate levels20:35 – Advice for producers that might have high nitrate feeds23:00 – Wrap upSaskatchewan Agriculture Website on Nitrate Toxicity  https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/livestock/animal-health-and-welfare/nitrate-toxicityCanadian Cow-Calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network (C3H-PEN)Contact:  Jayce Fossen, Project Coordinatorc3h.pen@usask.ca306-966-7870  

Harvest maturity of cereal forages with Dr. Greg Penner

Dr. Greg Penner discusses some of his latest research findings on determining the optimum time to harvest cereal forages when feeding in bales or swath grazing.00:00 - Intro04:10 - Defining "Green-feed"05:50 - Stages of cereal maturity08:27 - Why do we need updated recommendations on harvesting cereal forages?10:47 - Changes in barley forage nutrient compensation at different stages of maturity12:45 - Changes in oat forage nutrient compensation at different stages of maturity14:18 - Impacts at the animal level in terms of digestibility17:05 - Impacts on body condition score and performance19:15 - Economic benefits22:00 - Recommendations for producers using cereal forages23:26 - Wrap upThe Canadian Cow-Calf Survey: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/discovering-the-realities-of-the-2023-canadian-calf-crop/The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is asking all Canadian cow-calf producers to share insight into their on-farm management and production practices, which will help inform future beef research and extension strategies. The 2023 Canadian Cow-Calf Survey is an online questionnaire set up to collect data to help understand longer-term trends in production methods and efficiencies. Collecting credible information directly from beef cattle producers helps the BCRC identify research priorities and information gaps, develop provincial benchmarks and examine changes over time that impact farms and ranches. Canadian Cow-Calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network (C3H-PEN)Contact:  Jayce Fossen, Project Coordinatorc3h.pen@usask.ca306-966-7870 

Lead Toxicity in Cattle with Dr. Vanessa Cowan

This week I'm pleased to welcome Dr. Vanessa Cowan to the podcast.  Vanessa is a veterinarian and a specialist in veterinary toxicology who has recently joined our faculty at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.  She joins me this week to talk about lead toxicity, one of the most common toxicities of beef cattle that also has important public health implications.Here are the links to some of the research opportunities that I talk about at the start of the podcast:The Canadian Cow-Calf Survey: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/discovering-the-realities-of-the-2023-canadian-calf-crop/The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) is asking all Canadian cow-calf producers to share insight into their on-farm management and production practices, which will help inform future beef research and extension strategies. The 2023 Canadian Cow-Calf Survey is an online questionnaire set up to collect data to help understand longer-term trends in production methods and efficiencies. Collecting credible information directly from beef cattle producers helps the BCRC identify research priorities and information gaps, develop provincial benchmarks and examine changes over time that impact farms and ranches. Canadian Cow-Calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network (C3H-PEN)Contact:  Jayce Fossen, Project Coordinatorc3h.pen@usask.ca306-966-787000:00 – Opportunities to participate in Canadian beef surveys and projects02:55 – Welcome and introductions04:58 – Sources of lead in the environment of cattle06:37 -  How much lead is necessary to cause toxicity?07:37 – Rapidity of onset and clinical signs10:23 – Confirmation of diagnosis and possibility of treating cases of lead toxicity13:04 – How commonly do we see lead toxicity in Western Canada – seasonality and age groups17:05 -  Public health significance of lead toxicity in cattle20:42 – How long does lead last in the tissues?22:37 – Prevention of lead toxicity24:56 – Wrap up