Protein Producers Spring 2017

PROTEIN producers

Feedlot Cow-Calf Swine Dairy Equine Spring 2017

TRUST IS EARNED Winning the praise of cattlemen and veterinarians requires top performance, reliability and a fair price.

Norfenicol® (florfenicol)

Shorter Sub-Q Withdrawal Time Than Nuflor® Less Viscous and More Syringeable Than Nuflor* New Plastic Bottles Eliminate Breakage and Product Loss FDA-Approved for Sub-Q Use in Cattle at High-Risk of BRD Broad Spectrum Treatment and Control Against BRD Unique Formulation

orfenicol

®

(florfenicol)

*Data on file

www.norbrookinc.com Observe label directions and withdrawal times. Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment or within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which may result in trim loss at slaughter. See product labeling for full product information, including adverse reactions.

The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. Nuflor is a registered trademark of Merck Animal Health.

0816-495-I01A

FOR VETERINARY USE ONLY

ANADA 200-591, Approved by FDA

PROTEIN Producers For intramuscular and subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only.

BRIEF SUMMARY (For full Prescribing Information, see package insert.)

INDICATIONS: Norfenicol is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, and for the treatment of foot rot. Also, it is indicated for control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with M.haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol.

NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Consult physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation. Consult physician immediately. The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more, talk about Norfenicol with your veterinarian.

For customer service, adverse effects reporting, or to obtain a copy of the MSDS or FDA-approved package insert, call 1-866-591-5777.

PRECAUTIONS: Not for use in animals intended for breeding. Effects on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Intramuscular injection may result in local tissue reaction which persists beyond 28 days. This may result in trim loss at slaughter. Tissue reaction at injection sites other than the neck is likely to be more severe.

RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 28 days of the last intramuscular treatment. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 33 days of subcutaneous treatment.

Not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows as such use may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves.

Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Inappetence, decreased water consumption, or diarrhea may occur transiently.

Manufactured by: Norbrook Laboratories Limited, Newry, BT35 6PU, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

The Norbrook logos and Norfenicol ® are registered trademarks of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.

2017 Volume 5 Issue 1 Editor: Kelly Terrell Associate Editor: Lisa Taylor Editorial Assistant: Brandi Bain

THE PAC TEAM Dr. Wade Taylor Technology identification and deployment Dr. Tom Noffsinger Animal handling, staff development Dr. Doug Ford Reproduction, lameness Dr. Corbin Stevens Diagnostics and clinical evaluation Dr. Nels Lindberg Leadership development, field research Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz Animal handling, field research, facility design Dr. Jim Lowe System design and management, team education Dr. Shane Terrell Feedlot lameness, field research Dr. Kev Sullivan International veterinarian Animal handling, heat stress management Dr. Dan Thomson Field research, team education Dr. Tom Edwards Associate member Ultrasound technology Dr. Matt Fruge Associate member Ted Howard Animal stewardship, horsemanship Jose Valles Bilingual education & training, research monitoring Garrett Taylor Information management Kelly Terrell Marketing and communications Lisa Taylor Business and data analysis Brandi Bain Marketing and business administration

We want to showcase unique photographs from our readers here!

Please submit your photographs to Kelly Terrell at kelly.terrell@pacdvms.com.

Bird’s-Eye View Heartland Cattle Company McCook, NE Patsy Houghton, Owner

21 25 Contents

35 29

32

13 Animal Stewardship:

23 The Irrigatin’ Blues

17 Chuckles from Down Under

25 Cow-Calf:

Processing

18 Animal Stewardship:

Building Trust in Our Cattle

19 Newest PAC Members 21 Faciltiy Design:

A Bit of Institutional Knowledge

Nutrition Impacts Feedlot Health, Part 2: Preweaning Nutrition

29 Clinical Case Review:

Bloat in Feedlot Cattle

31 Chuckles from Down Under

39

Spring 2017

42

45

32 Revisión de Caso Clínico:

42 The Pot Roast

35 Swine:

44 Cartoon by Doug Gaswick

Timpanismo en Ganado de Carne

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaeUnderstanding Infected Herds

39 Leadership:

We are All Leaders, Not Just the “Titled” Leaders

41 Congratulations:

Vicki Johnson Inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame

Discovering Recipes from Agriculture’s Finest.

45 Getting to Know the PAC Team: Brandi Bain

47 Calendar

PRODUCT INFORMATION NADA 141-299, Approved by FDA.

(Florfenicol and Flunixin Meglumine) Antimicrobial/Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug For subcutaneous use in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle only. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older or in calves to be processed for veal.

BRIEF SUMMARY: For full prescribing information, see package insert.

INDICATION: RESFLOR GOLD® is indicated for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis, and control of BRD-associated pyrexia in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin.

WARNINGS: NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing.

Consult a physician if irritation persists. Accidental injection of this product may cause local irritation.

Consult a physician immediately. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) contains more detailed occupational safety information.

For customer service or to obtain a copy of the MSDS, call 1-800-211-3573. For technical assistance or to report suspected adverse reactions, call 1-800-219-9286.

Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes.

The effects of florfenicol on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. Toxicity studies in dogs, rats, and mice have associated the use of florfenicol with testicular degeneration and atrophy. NSAIDs are known to have potential effects on both parturition and the estrous cycle. There may be a delay in the onset of estrus if flunixin is administered during the prostaglandin phase of the estrous cycle. The effects of flunixin on imminent parturition have not been evaluated in a controlled study. NSAIDs are known to have the potential to delay parturition through a tocolytic effect.

RESFLOR GOLD®, when administered as directed, may induce a transient reaction at the site of injection and underlying tissues that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter.

RESIDUE WARNINGS: Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment.

Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Use of florfenicol in this class of cattle may cause milk residues. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Transient inappetence, diarrhea, decreased water consumption, and injection site swelling have been associated with the use of florfenicol in cattle. In addition, anaphylaxis and collapse have been reported post-approval with the use of another formulation of florfenicol in cattle.

Consumers count on the care you provide to make sure that your animals are healthy and comfortable.

And when an animal does get sick, Resflor Gold® (florfenicol and flunixin meglumine) helps you do both of those things. Resflor Gold effectively targets the most common causes of BRD – and it provides relief from the fever that comes along with it.

High-quality food starts with the right care. Visit ResflorGold.com to learn more.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. This product contains material that can be irritating to skin and eyes. Animals intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 38 days of treatment. This product is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. Do not use in animals that have shown hypersensitivity to florfenicol or flunixin. Not for use in animals intended for breeding purposes. The effects of florfenicol and flunixin on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and lactation have not been determined. When administered according to the label directions, RESFLOR GOLD may induce a transient local reaction in the subcutaneous and underlying muscle tissue. Brief summary available on adjacent page.

2 Giralda Farms • Madison, NJ 07940 • merck-animal-health-usa.com • 800-521-5767 Copyright © 2015 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved.

7/15 BV-RG-53719

In cattle, rare instances of anaphylactic-like reactions, some of which have been fatal, have been reported, primarily following intravenous use of flunixin meglumine.

Made in Germany Intervet Inc. Roseland, NJ 07068 ©2009, Intervet Inc. All Rights Reserved.

May 2009 US 3448_IV

Welcome Several months ago, a good friend asked me if I had any regrets after 40 years in practice. My initial response was, “Heck no, I’m part of the greatest profession on the face of this earth.” As I thought about his question over the next few days, my realization was I did have one major regret. In the early years of practice, my ego and insecurities wouldn’t allow me to surround myself with individuals that were better and smarter than myself.

Thankfully that changed. Over a decade ago, two great men of vision changed my world. You know them as Dr. Wade Taylor and Dr. Tom Noffsinger. They began hosting brainstorming sessions several times a year wherever they could find a vacant room in Oakley, Kansas. The first meetings were simple and to the point, hosting like-minded professionals from Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado. As time passed the meetings lasted longer and longer and eventually there were always more questions than answers.

I remember dreading the 4 ½ hour drive home. My dread always turned to joy when Dr. Tom would call before I could even reach the interstate. We would talk shop until he made it to Benkelman. For weeks after our meetings I would walk around like I was 10 feet tall with my shoulders back and my head held high. I became more confident in areas where I was lacking and my attitude was full speed ahead.

Who could have known that the core group of our friendly sessions would become PAC. An acquaintance becomes a friend and a friend becomes a brother or sister.

Being part of PAC has truly been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. As I watch the Lord connect the dots of our lives, I am in awe! Professionally, I have the privilege of interacting with the best friends, producers, and veterinarians in the industry. It is trust, vision, intellect, integrity and our unique talents in the melting pot of life that change us personally and professionally.

To subscribe to Protein Producers visit pacdvms.com and click on our Subscribe link!

I believe that this desire to grow and advance both personally and professionally is a trait that sets PAC apart. Not only do we want to work with you to provide the best animal health care solutions available, but PAC is concerned about the human condition as well. It is my hope that just as “iron sharpens iron” as noted in Proverbs 27:17, we might sharpen each other, both professionally and personally, by working together. (Yes, sparks might occasionally fly, but we will get “sharper” and better.)

I recently heard a quote stating, “I’m not concerned about being successful. I’m concerned about being successful at something that didn’t ultimately matter.” We put most, if not too much, of our lives into this business. By working together on the animal, human, and spiritual condition, we hope to look back and without regret say, “My life mattered.

I made a difference in the things that really matter. I’m leaving my faith, family and friends better off than when I started.”

Thanks to my wife Jan, my tech Jimi, and the entire PAC family for encouraging me to grow every day.

Dr. Doug Ford

Follow us on Twitter @PACVets

BRD Commercial vaccines contain a generic selection of disease organisms from around the country.

YOU

Don’t wait, order your custom made BRD vaccine today!

Call us at 800-220-2522 www.newportlabs.com

®The Newport Laboratories Logo is a registered trademark of Newport Laboratories, Inc. All other mark belong to their respective owners. ©2016 Newport Laboratories, Inc., Worthington, MN. All rights reserved. NLRBU065.V2 (10/16)

Contributors Jacob Mayer

Jacob is a project engineer for Settje Agri-Services & Engineering (www.settje.com) located near Raymond, NE. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and has a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Iowa State University and M.S. in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University. He resides in Wahoo, NE with his wife, Katie, and daughter, Kirkland. He does not wear a pocket protector and does not know how to use a slide rule.

Dr. Jeremy Martin

Dr. Martin is a nutritionist with Great Plains Livestock Consulting, Inc. and resides in Lexington, NE. He has a Masters and Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition and reproductive management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Pot Roast

We want to showcase the talented chefs that read our magazine. In this issue we are featuring Arturo and Wrenn Pacheco who run cattle in the Flint Hills of Kansas while also maintaining a fun and unique cooking blog which can be found at cookingwiththe cowboy.com. If you have a recipe that you would like to feature in The Pot Roast section of the magazine, please email us at kelly.terrell@pacdvms.com.

Our goal is to continue discovering recipes from agriculture’s finest.

Thank you to all those contributing multiple stories and insights to Protein Producers.

Cover Photo Credits: Thank you to Katie Jorgensen from Exeter, NE for the photograph, “And so it begins.”

Thank you to all sponsors for supporting PAC & Protein Producers.

Alltech American Animal Health Animal Health International Bayer Boehringer Ingelheim Chr. Hansen Daniels Manufacturing Co. Diamond V DOCTalk Elanco Lallemand Merck Animal Health Micro Technologies Midwest NetPro Newport Laboratories Norbrook Nova Microbial Technologies Randall Bumgarner SSG Fusion Zinpro Zoetis

pacdvms.com 11

Processing By: Dr. Tom Noffsinger and Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz, Production Animal Consultation, & Dr. LeeAnn Hyder, Robinson Hospital for Animals Excerpt from “Feedlot Processing and Arrival Cattle Management,” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 31.3 (2015): 323-340.

Processing is the initial induction of new arrivals into the feedlot, typically scheduled 2 to 3 days after arrival. The goals of processing are to improve cattle health, increase performance, and continue training cattle. Activities involved in processing can include identification, parasite control, vaccination, hormone implantation, pregnancy management, and treatment if necessary. Veterinarians differ in their recommendations as to which actions are required for new arrivals. Gathering proper history on the cattle aids in making the best decisions for each group.

Cattle risk category has the largest impact on specific recommendations for a new group of cattle. In a survey of feedlot consultant veterinarians, cattle risk category was deemed the most critical factor in predicting cattle health.18 Risk category is influenced by cattle origin, castration status and method, heifer pregnancy status, transit time, weaning status and method, vaccination history including dates and products, implant history, previous antibiotic usage, and any previous health problems.

As such, great effort should be made by the feedlot manager to gather this information on new arrivals.

A sample questionnaire form is shown in Fig. 9 on the next page. Knowing the history of new arrivals allows producers to implement a targeted, cost-effective intervention strategy.

Cattle coming from a single source are at a decreased risk compared with those coming from multiple sources in which they are highly commingled. Single-source cattle have established the social fabric of the herd and had uniform exposure to pathogens, whereas cattle from multiple sources do not have an established social hierarchy and can be introduced to new pathogens, increasing the risk of disease in the herd. In addition, purchase through a sale barn increases stress and places cattle in a higher risk category.

A study performed in Australian feedlots tracked the mixing of individual animals before their induction into a feedlot.

They found that mixing of cattle less than 12 days before entering a feedlot increased risk of BRD. However, mixing of cattle more than 27 days before entry to the feedlot was protective for BRD. Mixing 4 or more groups of cattle and moving through a sale yard within 12 days before arrival at the feedlot both increased BRD risk.19 pacdvms.com 13

Figure 9: This document guides purchase interviews to gather cattle history.

Cattle Procurement History Form Orgin: Salebarn Multiple Sources Ranch Single Source Geographic Location:____________________________ Expected Transit Time:___________________________ Date Weaned and Method: _____________________________________________ Castration Status and Method: _____________________________________________ Heifers: Pregnant Guaranteed Open Spayed Unknown Bull-Exposure Dates of Bull-Exposure and Additional Comments: _____________________________________________ History of Implants: Yes No If Yes: Brand:____________ Date:________________ Vaccination History: Respiratory Viruses: Yes No Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ Pasturella Products: Yes No Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ 7-Way/Clostridial Products: Yes No Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ Autogenous Vaccine: Yes No Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ Anthelminthic Usage Yes no Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ Antibitotic Usage Yes No Date(s):_________________ Product:_______________ Health Comments: Castration and pregnancy status affect how a group of animals is managed. Multiple studies have shown a decrease in ADG and an increase in morbidity when calves are castrated after arrival.20 Thus, animals that require castration postarrival are placed in a higher risk category than steers. Post-arrival castration methods differ with weight class and facilities available. Similarly, pregnancy decreases ADG, as energy is diverted to pregnancy requirements instead of growth. Many feedlot managers choose to abort pregnant heifers, despite the associated costs. Knowing the castration and pregnancy status of arrivals allows proper processing plans to be implemented according to the appropriate risk category.

Another factor affecting risk category is transit time.

Transit time, including marketing, can affect the health status of the animal as explained earlier relative to hydration, nutritional status, and cortisol levels. The Australian study tracking BRD risk factors found a greater risk for BRD in cattle that were transported more than 6 hours compared with those transported less than 6 hours.19 The implications of changes in climate and geography from origin to destination varies with season.

Cattle that experience a drastic climate change are at a greater risk for disease than those that remain in a similar climate. Research performed on cattle transport climates has shown that temperatures and microclimates within trailers can vary between -42 degrees C and 45 degrees C, which extends beyond the thermal neutral zone for cattle,21–23 and this has been shown to negatively affect animal welfare.

Preconditioning has been promoted to reduce risk of BRD in cattle. Some preconditioning programs include only weaning, whereas others incorporate vaccination, dehorning, and castration. Regardless, multiple studies have shown preconditioning to reduce BRD morbidity in feedlots, with the greatest effect being attributable to weaning.24 Weaning method should be considered when assigning risk category. Step and colleagues25 evaluated the effect of weaning and immediate shipment compared with weaning, with or without vaccination, and remaining on the ranch for 45 days before shipment. Calves with unknown histories were purchased from market sources to serve as a control group.

The study found that calves that remained on the ranch for 45 days post-weaning had reduced morbidity compared with calves that were immediately shipped or calves purchased from a market source. A pilot study by Dewell and colleagues26 provides preliminary evidence that acclimation and low-stress cattle handling may be associated with performance benefits when applied to abruptly weaned calves in a feedlot.

Another study by Fell and colleagues27 evaluated the effect of 3 methods of weaning (yard weaning, yard training, and paddock weaning) on the ADG of feedlot cattle. Yard weaning is a method of weaning in which cattle receive some handler interaction on a daily basis; this interaction is lacking in paddock weaning. Yard training involved teaching the animals to eat out of a bunk and drink from a trough.

The investigators found yard-weaned and yard-trained cattle to have higher ADG than paddock-weaned cattle. In addition, they found the highest weight gains in calves that were yard weaned and vaccinated. It is evident from these studies that preconditioning has benefits in reducing BRD morbidity and reducing economic costs to producers. As such, animals that are preconditioned are at a lower risk than those that have not been preconditioned.

Age and vaccination status influence the presence of antibodies in cattle and are therefore important in assigning risk category. Scientific reasoning indicates that vaccinating before antigen exposure with adequate time for antibody development should provide greater protection than later vaccination. Cattle are at the greatest risk during the transition from passive immunity, when they rely on maternal antibodies, to active immunity, when they rely on their own antibody production. Thus, cattle arriving at the feedlot

during this immune status transition are more susceptible to disease. A study by Loneragan28 found that for each 45.4 kg decrease in arrival weight, mortality rates attributable to BRD increased 20% to 30%. A main factor contributing to failure in response to vaccination is an increased level of stress in animals on arrival at the feedlot. By vaccinating before arrival, stressors can be spaced out, increasing the likelihood of appropriate vaccine response.24 Although vaccination is common in the beef industry, evidence supporting the practice is limited. Taylor and colleagues24 noted that, although research has shown antibodies to be protective against disease, other studies have found the antibodies produced in response to vaccine exposure are not always protective. Still, vaccination may help improve performance, and evidence-based medicine indicates vaccination of animals in commercial feedlots can reduce morbidity and mortality. The type of vaccine used affects the antibody response and duration of antibodies, with modified live vaccines having the greatest duration of antibody response.29 A study by Step and colleagues25 found an increase in the arrival weight of calves that were vaccinated at the time of weaning and remained on the ranch for 45 days before induction into the feedlot. Another study conducted on recently weaned beef calves in a Portuguese feedlot found 3% morbidity and 0% mortality in the group vaccinated at the feedlot with a multivalent BRD vaccine compared with 14% morbidity and 4% mortality in the unvaccinated group. The odds of getting BRD were 4.822 times greater in the unvaccinated group compared with the vaccinated group.30 In a survey of 23 feedlot consultants, nearly all consultants recommended vaccination for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and more than 50% recommended including vaccination for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), parainfluenza 3 virus (PI3), and clostridial bacterin-toxoids.18 Clostridial diseases cause sporadic death loss in feedlot environments. Without documentation of 2 prior doses of appropriate clostridial vaccine, feedlot managers should consider including a multivalent clostridial vaccine at processing.

Metaphylaxis is often executed at the time of processing. At present, 95% of feedlot consultants recommend metaphylaxis in high-risk cattle.18 Metaphylaxis has been argued for because individual sick animals are difficult to identify, it is preventative as well as therapeutic for those already experiencing disease at the time of arrival, and it improves ADG while reducing BRD morbidity and mortality.31 Those in opposition to metaphylaxis argue that acclimation can improve individual animal detection, and there is growing pressure from consumers for more judicious use of antibiotics. Ultimately, the decision to use metaphylaxis in a group of new arrivals needs to be based on cattle risk

category, cost analysis of treatment, and a determination if metaphylactic treatment will improve cattle health and welfare.

Anthelminthics are commonly applied to all cattle at processing to aid in parasite control. It has been shown that strategic deworming can increase weight gain in animals both on pasture and after entry into the feedlot. Not only was ADG improved but feed efficiency was also improved for steers that had been dewormed compared with those not receiving fenbendazole.32 In a survey of feedlot consultants, most preferred injectable parasiticides only.18 Studies

by Reinhardt and colleagues33 showed that treatment with oral fenbendazole and ivermectin pouron together was associated with reduced parasites and improved performance when compared with treatment with either a pour-on ivermectin or injectable dormectin alone. The management team must determine the best course of action for each arrival group.

Hormone implantation is a main component of processing new arrivals. Implants are intended to increase average rate of gain and feed conversion; they do so by increasing circulating levels of insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and by stimulating cellular production of protein. IGF-1 stimulates production and differentiation of cells, whereas trenbolone acetate (an anabolic agent) stimulates protein production and decreases the catabolism of protein through reduction of ACTH levels.34 The manager, nutritionist, and veterinarian should be involved in developing the implant program. The manager’s goals for carcass quality and grade and prior implant usage are important considerations when choosing the most effective implant program for each group of cattle. The nutritionist’s feeding program determines when hormone levels need to be adjusted for each phase of the feeding period.

The veterinarian is often responsible for training the processing crew on proper placement of implants.35 A team approach to developing the implant program is necessary to maximize efficacy and efficiency.

Processing speed depends on cattle temperament, crew experience, and the specific activities involved, but implanting is the most time-consuming step because of the importance of proper placement in avoiding adverse effects.34 Processing crews that use acclimation and low-stress handling methods can process cattle at a rate of up to 8 head per minute.

Processing is a team effort. It is just as important for the persons bringing cattle to a Bud Box or tub to practice low-stress handling as it is for those working at the chute.

Handlers sending cattle to a tub or Bud Box must focus on timing and draft size. Cattle should never be placed in the tub or Bud Box when the snake is full of cattle. The draft size (the number of cattle brought to the tub) is determined pacdvms.com 15

by how many cattle immediately fit into the snake. The goal of the handler is to create a steady flow of cattle through the system while minimizing the time cattle spend in the system.

Bringing a draft to the Bud Box or tub is a simple process when working from the front of the group. The handler asks the first 1 or 2 animals to pass by and then walks with those animals to relieve pressure on the remainder of the cattle, allowing them to follow (Figs. 10–12). Once the appropriate number of cattle have followed, the handler can simply move across the alley at an angle to cut-off the remainder of the group (Fig. 13).

This change in handler position stops cattle motion behind the handler while encouraging the draft to continue moving forward. The same principles used when emptying a holding pen apply when emptying cattle from a Bud Box. Moving cattle through a tub requires cattle to have adequate space to turn and find the snake. Direction can be provided by applying pressure past the animal’s eye (from head to tail)

and by moving a hand or arm in a gentle swaying motion as if directing traffic toward the snake.

Moving cattle through a snake requires the handler to work from the animal’s head and move past their eye toward the tail. The animal moves away from this handler motion.

Cattle attitude during processing can be measured by observing behaviors including vocalization, chute exit attitude, and speed of exit from the chute. This exit behavior is a function of facility design and handler expertise.

References 18. Terrell SP, Thomson DU, Wileman BW, et al. A survey to describe current feeder cattle health and well-being program recommendations made by feedlot veterinary consultants in the United States and Canada. Bov Pract 2011;45(2):140–8.

19. Hay KE, Barnes TS, Morton JM, et al. Risk factors for bovine respiratory disease in Australian feedlot cattle: use of a causal diagram-informed approach to estimate effects of animal mixing and movements before feedlot entry. Prev

Figure 10: The handler initiates cattle movement from the front of the group.

Figure 11: The handler must ensure that the first 2 animals continue toward the Bud Box.

Figure 12: Orderly motion in the front cattle draws additional cattle into the draft.

Figure 13: Handler movement can stop flow of additional animals while maintaining their alignment for bringing the next draft.

Vet Med 2014;117:160–9.

20. Thomson DU, White BJ. Backgrounding beef cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2006;22:373–98.

21. Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Faucitano L, Dadgar S, et al. Road transport of cattle, swine and poultry in North America and its impact on animal welfare, carcass and meat quality: a review. Meat Sci 2012;92:227–43.

22. Gonzalez LA, Schwartzkopf-Genswein KS, Bryan M, et al. Benchmarking study of industry practices during commercial long haul transport of cattle in Alberta, Canada. J Anim Sci 2012;90:3606–17.

23. Curtis SE. Assessing effective environmental temperature. In: Curtis SE, editor. Environmental management in animal agriculture. Ames (IA): Iowa State University Press; 1983. p. 71–7.

24. Taylor JD, Fulton RW, Lehenbauer TW, et al. The epidemiology of bovine respiratory disease: what is the evidence for preventive measures? Can Vet J 2010;51:1351–9.

25. Step DL, Krehbiel CR, DePra HA, et al. Effects of commingling beef calves from different sources and weaning protocols during a forty-two-day receiving period on performance and bovine respiratory disease. J Anim Sci 2008;86:3146–58.

26. Dewell GA, Dewell RD, Noffsinger T, et al. Impact of low stress cattle handling on calf health and performance.

Proceedings of Academy of Veterinary Consultants Summer Meeting. Colorado Springs (CO), August 2–3, 2013.

27. Fell LR, Walker KH, Reddacliff LA, et al. Reducing feedlot costs by pre-boosting: A tool to improve the health and adaptability of feedlot cattle. Meat and Livestock Australia 2002. Available at: http://www.mla.com.au/ Research-and-development/Search-RD-reports/RD-report-details/Productivity-On-Farm/Reducing-feedlotcosts-by-pre-boosting-A-tool-to-improve-the-health-andadaptability-of-feedlotcattle/1774. Accessed January 19, 2015.

28. Loneragan GH. Feedlot mortalities: Epidemiology, trends, classification. Proceedings of Academy of Veterinary Consultants Summer Meeting. Colorado Springs (CO), August 5–7, 2004.

29. Fulton RW, Confer AW, Burge LJ, et al. Antibody response by cattle after vaccination with commercial viral vaccines containing bovine herpesvirus-1, bovine viral diarrhea virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, and bovine respiratory syncytial virus immunogens and subsequent revaccination at day 140.

Vaccine 1995;13(8):725–33.

30. Stilwell G, Matos M, Carolino N, et al. Effect of a quadrivalent vaccine against respiratory virus on the incidence of respiratory disease in weaned beef calves. Prev Vet Med 2008;85:151–7.

31. Nickell JS, White BJ. Metaphylactic antimicrobial therapy

for bovine respiratory disease in stocker and feedlot cattle.

Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2010;26:285–301.

32. Smith R, Rogers K, Huse S, et al. Pasture deworming and(or) subsequent feedlot deworming with fenbendazole (Safe-Guard®) I. Effects on grazing performance, feedlot performance, and carcass traits of yearling steers.

Available at: http://www.safe-guardcattle.com/uploads/ MOAT_OK1.pdf. Accessed February 26, 2015.

33. Reinhardt CD, Hutcheson JP, Nichols WT. A fenbendazole oral drench in addition to an ivermectin pour-on reduces parasite burden and improves feedlot and carcass performance of finishing heifers compared to endectocides alone. J Anim Sci 2006;84(8):2243–50.

34. FD Lehman, Rains JR. Implants: a valuable tool for the cattle feeding industry mechanism, strategy and technique.

1998. Available at: http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/resources/ cattlemens/1998/01%20Raines.html. Accessed March 1, 2015.

35. Smith RA, Hollis LC. Interaction between consulting veterinarians and nutritionists in the feedlot. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2007;23:171–5.

Chuckles From Down Under By: Jane Sullivan, Bell Veterinary Services

Up in Heaven, the pastor was shown to his eternal reward.

To his disappointment he was only given a small shack.

Down the street he saw a taxi driver being shown a lovely estate with gardens and pools.

“I don’t understand it,” the pastor moaned. “I dedicated my whole life to serving God and this is all I get, yet a cabbie is awarded a mansion?”

“It’s quite simple,” Saint Peter explained. “Our system is based on performance. When you preached, people slept; when he drove, people prayed!”

pacdvms.com 17

Animal Stewardship

Building Trust in Our Cattle By: Ted Howard, Production Animal Consultation

In today’s society, some of the cattle we are receiving into our yards have not been introduced to horses. With the use of four-wheelers and even helicopters in some remote areas, cattle haven’t been given the opportunity to become comfortable with the presence of a horse. Therefore, we must make a good impression on their first introduction to our horse when they step off the truck.

Our horse needs to be positioned so that the cattle can see them as they file off the truck. The horse we choose must be very confident and relaxed. Normally a relaxed horse will have a very level headset that is reassuring to cattle.

As we ask cattle from the holding pen, we position our horse on their left eye. It is important to lead our cattle to their home pen. As we arrive at their home pen, we need to position ourselves on the left side of the gate to introduce the cattle into their new environment.

After the cattle have gotten comfortable in the pen for a few hours, we need to acclimate them into each corner of their new surroundings. Finally, we need to settle them at

the bunk. This is how we offer five-star accommodations that allow the cattle to relax and trust they are in a safe place with access to food and water.

Acclimating cattle into their home pen allows the stockman to pull the cattle in a much easier manner. When cattle start to trust their environment, they are much more confident in being handled. It is important to ask these new cattle to leave their pen the day after arrival. We need to assess the cattle for any soreness or bruising from their recent transport. Once the cattle have been processed, we need to exercise them for three days in a row to help alleviate any shipping or processing soreness. It is very important to use a very confident and relaxed horse to accomplish these stockmanship goals.

Getting off to the right start with our new cattle will build a foundation of trust. This trust will ensure their stay in our feed yards is one of better health and therefore better gain.

Newest PAC Members

Newt Owens

Parents: Cade and Jacqueline Owens

Jaxx Owens

Parents: Tyrel and Jessica Owens

Three Generations of Owens’ boys at Ottawa County Feeders Minneapolis, KS Cade holding Newt, Perry Owens, Tyrel holding Jaxx pacdvms.com 19

A Bit of Institutional Knowledge By: Jacob Mayer, P.E., Settje Agri-Services & Engineering, Inc. In the last issue, we discussed the importance of and challenges with staying on budget. It may seem like a daunting task, but with a little discipline it is a realistic expectation. After being involved in the design and construction of numerous new working facilities, there are two areas where owners, managers, and employees either cuss you or sing your praises when the work is completed: maintenance and service work.

Routine Maintenance It is no secret that manure is corrosive and we all know that anywhere we are working cattle is going to get dirty. The key to the longevity of your new facility is keeping it clean. How easy it is to wash down the build-

pacdvms.com 21

ing is directly correlated to the quality of a job your employees will do. Simple things like having access to hot water where you need it and having hoses that are not too short or too long make all the difference here. One place that I’ve found often gets neglected is under the chute. It’s just hard to get to. I recommend putting a recessed pit under the chute and burying a water line to wash that pit out for you (like a toilet). It is also a big plus to be able to ventilate the building properly while you are washing down.

Repairs Stuff breaks. Ever had to repair a water line buried under concrete? Ever gone to shut off the water to that damaged line to find out that it also killed the water to 1,000 head of cattle or that someone put the hot water tank in front of the valve because the mechanical room was too cramped?

Commence swearing. Hydraulic hoses are just as bad. Running water lines and hydraulic hoses in appropriately sized conduits can save a lot of headaches down the road.

Being cognizant of regular and unexpected service needs during the planning and construction phases are important pieces to a successful project. I hope this series has been beneficial to you. If I can ever be of assistance, feel free to contact me. Until then, God Bless.

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The Irrigatin’ Blues...

By: Dr. Greg Quakenbush, Geissler Corp., & Dr. Doug Ford, Production Animal Consultation

Several years ago, I passed through the town of Weldona, a small close-knit community about 30 minutes east of Greeley, Colorado. Like so many rural communities, Weldona seems to be lost in time. Similar county meccas like Orchard, Grover, Hereford, Stoneham and New Raymer all played a significant role in the eventual development of large metropolitan areas along the Front Range.

Explorers, fur traders, mountain men and the railroad paved the way west from civilization along the Mississippi corridor. Avid history buffs can never forget the literary genius of the novel Centennial written by James Mitchner.

Mitchner actually spent several years researching the development and evolution of northeastern and north-central Colorado before writing his novel. He started with the geological template of the area and then showcased the exciting fur trader era, the discovery of gold, the white man’s intrusion of the Indian nation in this area, cattle drives and the development of the ingenious irrigation systems and farming.

Two of the main characters in his #1 best-selling novel were the South Platte and Cache La Poudre Rivers. Fifty years have passed since Mitchner predicted with great accuracy the battle that would ensue between agriculture and urban areas, with water being the common denominator. If he only knew! Props from the movie mini-series of Centennial can still be seen in the Weldona area.

On this particular sunny August morning, I made a quick stop for a cold drink. The only store in Weldona masquerades as a pool hall, coffee shop, and morning and afternoon gathering place. Sometimes you can even get a burger or chicken strip basket if the proprietor is so inclined.

I confidently grabbed the faded and worn “It’s Miller Time” placard handle of a rickety old screen door and entered the dark cool abyss. Sitting at two tables in the corner were several of my clients and close friends. They were adorned with sleeveless denim collared shirts, seed corn caps, and knee high irrigation boots.

I pulled up a chair and declined several generous offers for a quick cup of coffee. Our conversation touched on the hot dry summer, crops, irrigating, and hungry mosquitos the size of blackbirds gracing the midnight tube sets.

Suddenly, one of my longtime friends blurted out, “Man, I hate to irrigate! These rubbers boots are miserable, the gophers keep messin’ up my sets, and the ditch rider is a complete idiot! Man, I hate to irrigate! I could care less if I ever set another tube.” I felt obliged to share in his pain by

telling him, “You should have to palpate dairy cows in this heat. You sweat in places that you really shouldn’t and don’t want to sweat.”

We laughed and joked about our poor abusive working conditions and said our goodbyes.

Several weeks after our chance meeting, a horrendous widespread hail storm destroyed the area. It was so extreme it totaled the exterior of dozens of homes and out buildings. There were even dead whitetail deer in the pastures and on the side of the road. Corn and alfalfa fields looked like the surface of the moon. Concerned about the devastation, I called my friend who had intensely declared his disdain for irrigating. As we spoke, he shared that they were completely wiped out. He didn’t know what they were going to do. “It’s hard enough we lost our crops, but how are we going to feed our cattle this next year? As if this isn’t bad enough, all we have done this last week is sit in the house.

I’m going crazy!”

The next thing out of his mouth rocked me to the core.

He said, “Man, I wish I could just go irrigate.” Through this disaster my friend ultimately realized what a privilege it is to even have water for his crops. He also realized it is a privilege to go out at midnight and set tubes.

That day, I purposed in my heart that I would be thankful for everything in my life. Thankful for the good and hard times. The hail storms of life are a time to learn, grow and put things in perspective. The hard times unfortunately reinforce how truly blessed we are. I now appreciate that it is “I get to” not “I have to”. Someday there will be a last smile, a last hug, a last I love you, a last sunrise and sunset, and yes, a last day to be a veterinarian. I will be thankful for every minute.

Phil 4:12-13: 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (NASB) James 1:2-4: 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NASB) 1 Thess 5:16-18: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV) pacdvms.com 23

Nutrition Impacts Feedlot Health, Part 2: Preweaning Nutrition By: Jeremy Martin, PhD, Great Plains Livestock Consulting Inc.

In the last issue of Protein Producers, this series started with a review of the effects of cow nutrition during gestation on feedlot health of her unborn calf. As the spring calving season gets underway across much of the country, we turn our focus to nutrition of the calf from birth until weaning and the role that period plays in feedlot health later in the life of the calf.

Colostrum is the first source of nutrition for calves and their source of passive immunity. Calves that fail to receive adequate colostrum are more likely to experience sickness before weaning and as much as three times more likely to require treatment during the feedlot phase. Prior to birth, immunoglobulins (Ig) are not able to cross through the placenta to the calf but are concentrated in the colostrum. Transfer of Ig to the colostrum begins about 5 weeks before calving and is most prevalent in the last 2 weeks of gestation. After birth, the intestines of the calf are permeable to Ig contained in colostrum, but this permeability spontaneously ceases within 24 to 36 hours after birth in calves that have not nursed. In calves that have nursed, intestinal permeability to Ig comes to an end much more rapidly, meaning the quality and volume of colostrum consumed during the initial nursing episode are the primary determinants of calves receiving adequate passive immunity. One factor in Ig content of colostrum is immunity of the cow, so take the time to discuss cow vaccination programs with your veterinarian.

The biggest issue for the newborn calf in most cases is simply making sure colostrum is received in a timely fashion – essentially the sooner the better. As far as beef breed calves go, this means that calves born in situations where weather, calving difficulty, maternal behavior, cow udder quality, or other aberrations in the natural process occur become prime candidates for sickness later in life. Cow age is also a factor.

Calves from first-calf heifers are less likely to get adequate quality or volume of colostrum than calves from mature cows. One concern worth noting is the estimated 20% or more of Holstein steer calves that do not receive colostrum prior to being sold as dairy-beef calves according to Penn State Extension. The other issue with Holstein calves is that Ig concentration tends to be low in colostrum from Holstein cows, so a greater volume of colostrum must be administered to achieve sufficient immunity. The passive immunity a calf derives from colostrum serves it well through 5 to 6 months pacdvms.com 25

of age, after which the calf ’s own immune system must develop with the help of appropriate vaccinations.

Before weaning, the majority of nutrients received by beef calves come from their dam’s milk and pasture. Limited data indicate creep fed calves may experience less morbidity in the receiving phase, but a small percentage of calves are creep fed. Additional research comparing preweaning mineral programs to feedlot health is available and is important since trace mineral status of calves affects immune function, including the ability of a calf to respond to preweaning vaccinations. Zinc, copper, manganese, cobalt, and selenium are trace minerals that play roles in immune responses of cattle, along with vitamin E. Since forages across most of the country are deficient in these elements, supplementation is necessary to achieve adequate mineral status prior to weaning. Preweaning is a critical time since the stress of weaning, transportation, etc. typically reduces calf intake and the stress response occurs before feedlots have had an opportunity to correct pre-existing deficiencies known to exist in approximately 35% of incoming cattle (Spire, 2002 Kansas State Vet Quarterly).

Research from western Nebraska (Grotelueschen et al, 2001 The Bovine Practitioner) compared feedlot health of calves based on the mineral program fed to cow/calf pairs before weaning. Pairs were supplemented with no trace minerals, inorganic trace minerals, or organic trace minerals

from Zinpro 4-Plex through the grazing season. At weaning and feedlot entry, those calves supplemented with organic trace minerals had statistically higher liver stores of zinc, copper, and manganese than controls while calves supplemented with inorganic minerals had greater liver copper concentration than controls. More importantly, calves receiving organic mineral supplementation had higher titer response to vaccination and reduced morbidity (0.51 vs 0.80 total treatments per head) during the feedlot phase. When today’s economics are applied, the marginal cost of using organic minerals is minimal compared to the cost of feedlot morbidity.

In summary, nutrition from birth to weaning has an effect on feedlot health of calves, with failure of a calf to receive adequate transfer of passive immunity through colostrum being the first risk. Beyond that, the most comprehensive study currently available suggests calves supplemented with organic trace minerals prior to weaning experience fewer treatments in the feedlot. Any opportunity to manage risk prior to weaning is a bonus, but it is important to be aware of the opportunities to manage calf immune status at the ranch level as we move to discussing receiving nutrition in the next article of this series.

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Clinical Case Review: Bloat in Feedlot Cattle By: Dr. Dan Thomson, Production Animal Consultation Rumen tympany, commonly known as bloat, is a frustrating disease in feedlot cattle. Bloat is characterized by extension of the rumen by either free gas or rumen contents due to froth accumulation. Many times, bloated cattle are found dead due to the acute nature of this disease. While we manage pens of cattle and intakes, acidosis and bloat are individual animal illnesses similar to respiratory disease or lameness.

There are two types of bloat syndromes in cattle: frothy bloat and free gas bloat. Frothy bloat occurs most commonly in cattle that are consuming wheat pasture or legumes such as alfalfa. Free gas bloat occurs most frequently as a sequela to acidosis in feedlot cattle. Feedlot cattle over-consume grain concentrates which leads to a rapid decrease in rumen pH. The drop in rumen pH and increased acid load in the rumen due to rapid fermentation of soluble carbohydrate can decrease rumen contractions and prevent eructation. Without eructation, the cattle cannot relieve their rumen gas build up from the fermentation process. As rumen fermentation proceeds, the gases cause distention of the rumen and bloat is diagnosed (figure 1).

There are three main categories of causes for cattle bloat: ration composition, human error and weather. All cattle are different and will react differently to changes in

Figure 1: Life-threatening rumen distention pacdvms.com 29

their daily feed consumption based on weather, ration or people causes.

In general, the higher the percentage of concentrate and the more processed the concentrate source, the higher the likelihood for acidosis and bloat in feedlot cattle. Also, consistency of the fat source in the diet needs to be maintained to not cause a disruption in feed intake or rumen function.

Abrupt switches of high quality to low quality fat sources, or vice versa, can cause bloat issues in feeder cattle. Bunk reading, feed calls and determination of when to change rations can be risk factors associated with bloat due to human error (figure 2).

Figure 2: Improper ration mixing and delivery

The severity of the bloats in cattle can be graded 0 through 3.

Bloat score 0 = Cattle are not distended in the paralumbar fossa area.

Bloat score 1 = Cattle are mildly distended (puffy) on the left side of their body.

Bloat score 2 = Cattle are severely distended on the left side of their body but not on the right side (papple shaped).

Bloat score 3 = Cattle are distended on both the right and left side of their body.

Cattle that have bloat scores of 3 tend to have stunted growth the rest of their life based on wheat pasture research at the TAMU Vernon, TX research station.

Cattle that die of bloat have collapsed lungs and anterior carcass congestion and reddening (figure 3). Hind quarters are pale with edema located between muscle groups.

Treatment of bloat is straight forward. Determination of free gas or frothy bloat can be determined by passing an oral gastric tube into the rumen. Free gas bloats will immediately begin to go down as the tube enters the cardia region of the rumen. Frothy bloat will have froth regurgitate up the oral gastric tube.

We treat frothy bloat with poloxalene (trade name Therabloat) oil. The oil breaks up the surface tension of the froth in the rumen. In the free gas bloat, we let the gas escape and place the calf on a hospital ration with increased hay access.

The general rule is that we will let a calf down up to three times. At the third free gas bloat treatment, this animal should be considered a chronic bloat. These animals should Figure 3: Bloat-induced collapsed lung and anterior congestion

Lastly, weather, season of the year and population of the cattle are probably the most common cause of bloat.

Spring is the bloat season in feedlots. During the spring, the feedlots are full of cattle that are at peak consumption of feed. We also have increased day length which stimulates a spring “pop” in intake of usually one pound per head per day across the entire feedlot.

Spring winds and showers will tend to send cattle to the back corners of the pen to ball up as a group. When the wind lays down in the evening, the cattle are hungry. They then charge the bunk and over-consume. This can lead to acidosis and bloat.

A lesser cause of free gas bloat can be cattle laying down in a position that they cannot get up, otherwise termed overbalance. Overbalance cattle have their feet uphill and cannot stand up due to pen maintenance or mound maintenance. When laying on their side, the gas cap in the rumen moves from the cardia region to the side and the calf cannot eructate causing bloat due to expansion of the gas cap.

be sold to salvage slaughter or we should put a fistula in the left paralumbar fossa that allows gas to escape continuously through the external hole.

If you have an emergency bloat case, do not let the animal lay down. A severely bloated calf that lays down will suffocate and die quickly. A caregiver should use a bloat needle or knife to stick the calf on the apex of the bloated left side of the animal to relieve the gas pressure.

Bloat prevention is not easy when increased performance and improved feed efficiency are necessary for profitability. Working with your nutritionist on ration balancing, grain processing, feed mixing and feed delivery are extremely important.

Also, consult with your nutritionist on the use of non-nutritive feed additives such as ionophores that might modulate feed intake and control bloat issues.

Preventing chronic respiratory disease might also prevent some bloat cases by decreasing cattle with vagus nerve damage (“vagal” calf). Watch weather patterns and realize the population of cattle you have at the yard as both will be indicators for risk of bloat.

On wheat pasture, the number one risk factor for frothy bloat is the amount of fertilizer applied to the pasture causing a lush growth of wheat and providing more substrate for a similar number of calves. Poloxalene blocks, ionophores and other treatments can help prevent cattle from bloating on wheat pasture.

Chuckles From Down Under

By: Jane Sullivan, Bell Veterinary Services At a wedding ceremony, the pastor asked if anyone had anything to say concerning the union of the bride and groom. It was their time to stand up and talk, or forever hold their peace.

The moment of utter silence was broken by a beautiful young woman carrying a child.

She started walking toward the pastor slowly.

Everything quickly turned to chaos.

The bride slapped the groom.

The groom’s mother fainted.

The groomsmen started giving each other looks, wondering how best to help save the situation.

The pastor asked the young woman, “Can you tell us why you came forward? What do you have to say?”

The woman replied, “We can’t hear in the back.”

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Revisión de Caso Clínico: Timpanismo en Ganado de Carne Translation provided by: Jose Valles Production Animal Consultation El timpanismo ruminal, también conocido como meteorismo, es una enfermedad frustrante en ganado de engorda. El timpanismo se caracteriza por la extensión del rumen causada por gas libre o contenido ruminal debido a la acumulación de espuma. Muchas veces, el ganado timpanizado se encuentra muerto debido a la naturaleza aguda de esta enfermedad. Mientras manejamos corrales de ganado y los consumos, la acidosis y el timpanismo son enfermedades de animales individuales similares a las enfermedades respiratorias o problemas de cojera.

Hay dos tipos de síndromes de timpanismo en el ganado: timpanismo espumoso y timpanismo gaseoso. El timpanismo espumoso ocurre mas comúnmente en el ganado que esta consumiendo pasto de trigo o leguminosas como alfalfa. El timpanismo gaseoso ocurre con mayor frecuencia como secuela de acidosis en ganado de engorda. El ganado de engorda consume en exceso concentrados de grano, lo que conduce a una rápida disminución del pH ruminal. La disminución del pH ruminal y el aumento de la carga de acido en el rumen debido a la fermentación rápida de carbohidratos solubles puede disminuir las contracciones del rumen y prevenir la eructación. Sin eructación, el ganado no puede liberar la acumulación de gas ruminal producido por el proceso de fermentación. A medida que avanza la fermentación del rumen, los gases causan distensión del rumen y el timpanismo es diagnosticado (figura 1).

Hay tres categorías principales de causas de timpanismo en ganado: composición de la ración, error humano, y el clima. Todo ganado es diferente y reaccionara de manera diferente a cambios en su consumo diario de alimento en base a el clima, la ración o causas por personas. En general, entre mas alto el porcentaje de concentrado y entre mas procesada sea la fuente de concentrado, mas alta será la probabilidad de acidosis y timpanismo en ganado de engorda. También, la consistencia de la fuente de grasa en la dieta debe mantenerse para no causar una interrupción en el consumo de alimento o en la función del rumen. Cambios repentinos de fuentes de grasa de alta calidad a baja calidad, o viceversa, pueden causar problemas de timpanismo en ganado de engorde. La lectura de comederos, llamadas de alimento y la determinación de cuando cambiar las raciones pueden ser factores de riesgo asociados con el timpanismo debido a error humano (figura 2).

Figura 2: Mezcla y entrega inadecuada de ración

Por ultimo, el clima, la estación del año y la población del ganado son probablemente la causa mas común de timpanismo. La primavera es la temporada de timpanismo en los corrales de engorda. Durante la primavera, los corrales de engorda están llenos de ganado que esta en etapa de consumo máximo de alimento. También hemos aumentado la duración del día, lo cual estimula un “aumento repentino” de consumo de usualmente una libra por cabeza por día a través de todo el corral de engorda. Los vientos y las lluvias Figura 1: Distensión del rumen potencialmente mortal

de la primavera tienden a enviar el ganado hacia las esquinas traseras del corral para agruparse. Cuando el viento se calma por la noche, el ganado tiene hambre. Luego, atacan el comedero y consumen en exceso. Esto puede conducir a la aparición de acidosis y timpanismo. Una menor causa de timpanismo gaseoso puede ser ganado acostado en una posición de la cual no se puede levantar, de otra manera llamado sobre equilibrado. El ganado sobre equilibrado tiende tener los pies cuesta arriba y no se pueden levantar debido al mantenimiento del corral o mantenimiento del montículo.

Cuando están acostados de lado, la capa gaseosa del rumen se mueve de la región del cardias hacia el lado y el becerro no puede eructar causando timpanismo debido a la expansión de la capa gaseosa.

La severidad de timpanismo en ganado puede ser clasificada del 0 al 3.

Calificación de timpanismo 0 = El ganado no esta distendido en el área de la fosa paralumbar.

Calificación de timpanismo 1 = El ganado esta levemente distendido (hinchado) en el lado izquierdo de su cuerpo.

Calificación de timpanismo 2 = El ganado esta severamente distendido en el lado izquierdo de su cuerpo pero no en el lado derecho (forma de pera en el lado derecho, forma de manzana en el lado izquierdo).

Calificación de timpanismo 3 = El ganado esta distendido tanto en el lado derecho como en el lado izquierdo de su cuerpo.

El ganado que tiene calificaciones de timpanismo de 3 tienden a tener crecimiento atrofiado el resto de su vida en base a investigación de pasto de trigo realizada por la estación de investigación TAMU en Vernon, TX. El ganado que muere de timpanismo tiene los pulmones colapsados y congestión y enrojecimiento en la parte anterior de la canal (figura 3). Los cuartos traseros son pálidos con edema localizado entre los grupos musculares.

El tratamiento para el timpanismo es sencillo. La determinación de timpanismo gaseoso o espumoso puede determinarse al pasar un tubo gástrico oral al rumen. Los timpanismos gaseosos inmediatamente comenzaran descender cuando el tubo entre a la región del cardias del rumen. El timpanismo espumoso tendrá espuma regurgitando a través del tubo gástrico oral. Tratamos el timpanismo espumoso con aceite poloxaleno (nombre comercial, Therabloat). El aceite rompe la tensión superficial de la espuma en el rumen. En el caso de timpanismo gaseoso, dejamos que el gas escape y ponemos el becerro en una ración de hospital con mayor acceso a heno. La regla general es que vamos a dejar que un becerro se timpanice hasta 3 veces. En el tercer tratamiento de un timpanismo gaseoso, este animal debe considerarse como caso de timpanismo crónico. Estos animales deben ser vendidos para sacrificio de ganado de desecho o debemos ponerles una fistula en la fosa paralumbar izquierda que permite que el gas escape continuamente a través del agujero externo. Si tiene un caso de timpanismo de emergencia, no deje que el animal se acueste. Un becerro

severamente timpanizado que se acuesta se asfixia y muere rápidamente. Un cuidador debe utilizar una aguja o una navaja para perforar al becerro en el ápice del lado timpanizado izquierdo del animal para aliviar la presión del gas.

La prevención de timpanismo no es fácil cuando el aumento de rendimiento y la mejora de eficiencia de alimento es necesaria para obtener rentabilidad. Trabajar con su nutriólogo en equilibrio de raciones, procesamiento de granos, mezcal de alimento y entrega de alimento es extremadamente importante. También, consulte con su nutriólogo sobre el uso de aditivos alimentarios no nutritivos como inóforos que podrían modular el consumo de alimento y controlar problemas de timpanismo. La prevención de enfermedades respiratorias crónicas también podría prevenir algunos casos de timpanismo al disminuir el ganado con daño del nervio vago (becerro “vagal”). Monitoreé los patrones climáticos y este al tanto de la población de ganado que tiene en los corrales de engorda ya que ambos serán indicadores de riesgo de timpanismo. En pasto de trigo, el factor de riesgo numero uno de timpanismo espumoso es la cantidad de fertilizante aplicada al pasto causando el crecimiento exuberante del trigo y proporcionando mas sustrato para un numero similar de becerros. Bloques de poloxaleno, inóforos y otros tratamientos pueden ayudar a prevenir que el ganado se timpanice en pasto de trigo.

Figura 3: Pulmón colapsado y congestión anterior inducido por timpanismo

pacdvms.com 33

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Understanding Infected Herds By: Dr. Jim Lowe, Production Animal Consultation

Lack of information, lack of consensus Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) continues to account for a majority of the economic losses due to disease in the late finishing period. M. hyopneumoniae (Mhp) is a key contributor to PRDC in the late finishing period. While there are many things that we think we know about Mhp, under field conditions there is a paucity of peer reviewed published information to support most of the “conventional wisdom” of veterinarians in managing Mhp’s role in PRDC. This has resulted in many divergent and often directly conflicting approaches to controlling Mhp in modern production systems.

High costs, high risk With high market values and input costs, mortality late in the growing period from PRDC is costly. Solutions that are not evidence based will result in failure, economic losses for our producers, and further marginalization of veterinarians in science driven production systems. Evidence exists to better guide our decisions on the management of Mhp in production systems.

Fix the gilts, fix mycoplasma Control of PRDC associated with Mhp in late finishing will not be achieved until the Mhp infection status of gilts at the time of entry is managed.

•The number of pigs infected at weaning determines the disease load from Mhp in growing pigs.

•The number of pigs infected at weaning is directly related to the number of sows shedding Mhp at the time of farrowing.

•Females that are infected in the 200 days prior to farrowing are likely to shed Mhp to their piglets.

•Gilts are the animals most likely to be infected in the 200 days prior to farrowing.

Piglet infection is the root cause The first step in understanding the potential impact of an infectious disease in a population is to understand the root mechanisms of source and transmission. In the case of Mhp, a slow growing organism with long infection to clinical impact period, infection early in life is important. Without a sufficient period for the organism to grow in the host prior to harvest, clinically important disease does not occur.

This means that for disease to occur in the population, increased transmission early in the growing period is important. pacdvms.com 35

There are multiple ways to promote transmission but the simplest is to have more infected pigs in the population when the group starts, meaning that less transmission is needed to produce clinically important disease.

This hypothesis was tested by Fano et al1 where he clearly demonstrated that increasing the number of infected piglets at weaning produced earlier and more severe respiratory disease associated with Mhp. If more piglets infected at weaning are the cause of the disease in late finishing, how do piglets get infected?

Shedding sows mean infected pigs While it is possible that piglets could get infected from lateral sources during transport or immediately after weaning, this appears to be an unlikely source of infection. The dam is the most logical source of infection in pigs at weaning for most diseases and Mhp is no exception.

There have been numerous investigations of infection status of piglets at weaning and the impact of sow infection and antibody status on piglet infections2-4.

In a review of all the available evidence, Sibilia et al5 conclude that sow to pig transmission is a likely driver of clinical disease in infected herds. It is logical to assume from the available evidence that controlling this transmission could be key to improving clinical outcomes in late finishing pigs.

When, not if, is important The available evidence would suggest that some but not all sows are shedding Mhp to their piglets as the reported infection rates at weaning are all low.2-4 This raises the question of why some sows more likely to shed than others.

There is clear evidence in the literature that animals that are within 200 days of a recent Mhp infection are capable of infecting other pigs6. This means that any female infected within the last 200 days is capable and likely to infect her offspring, but those that are infected more than 200 days ago are not likely to infect their offspring.

Gilts, not sows, are the problem There is evidence to suggest that once an animal is infected with a single strain of Mhp, they are unlikely to be reinfected or shed the organism again7. This suggests that if the herd does not have new introductions for at least 200 days, Mhp shedding would stop. There is evidence to suggest that this does occur. In the case of Mhp elimination programs, herd closure for extended periods of time will stop sow to piglet transmission8.

In typical breeding herds with continuous or intermittent introduction and removals, the new animals are the most likely to be infected within 200 days of farrowing. There are two potential routes for this to happen. First, naïve gilts

Clinically Important Mhp Associated Disease

Enhanced transmission post weaning

Time from infection to harvest is long enough for disease to develop Early infection

Enhanced sow to pig transmission

High proportion infected at weaning More sows shedding due to infection in last ~200 days

Introduction of Mhp on fomites or aerosol Poor herd immunity allows continuous transmission and reinfection with Mhp

Gilts infected from resident herd post entry

Replacement animals shedding at time of farrowing Gilts infected in late development

Figure 1: The status of gilts at entry to the sow farm determines the number of infected pigs at weaning which in turn determines if there is clinically important disease associated with Mhp during the growing period. There is no other interpretation of the logic path because the alternative paths shown in red are either biologically implausible or there is sound evidence to suggest that they cannot be meaningfully changed with known interventions.

Figure 2: Multiple cross sectional samples from 2 farms at various ages demonstrate that declining Idexx ELISA Mycoplasma S/P ratios in gilts after they enter the herd leads to less Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae transmission in finishing as evidenced by lower S/P ratios during the finishing period.

A) Farm 1: Declining S/P ratios in gilts after entry leads to less M. hyopneumoniae transmission in finishing as evidenced by lower S/P in market weight pigs.

could be introduced into an infected herd and become infected during the gestation period. The second scenario is gilts that have been recently infected prior to arrival (late in the development period) and have not cleared the organism prior to farrowing.

Clinically both of these scenarios have the same outcome and from the view of late finishing PRDC are not distinguishable.

It is not the vaccine The other potential hypotheses for PRDC associated with Mhp are enhanced transmission post weaning and enhanced sow to pig transmission. In both cases there is clear evidence that these are not the likely problem. It has been demonstrated that PRRS infection does not enhance Mhp transmission in pigs9suggesting that co-factors would be likely to change the transmission rates of Mhp in pig populations. In addition there is clear evidence that conventional killed bacterins do not alter the transmission rates of Mhp in populations6,10. This means that while Mhp bacterin may improve clinical signs from Mhp in pigs11-19, it is does not alter the number of pigs that are infected. While bacterins will remain a valuable tool and serve as proven insurance for losses, they will not solve the root cause of losses or minimize the impact of Mhp on profit.

B) Farm 2: Increasing S/P ratios in gilts after entry leads to increased M. hyopneumoniae transmission in finishing as evidenced by higher S/P in market weight pigs.

Understanding is the first step For long term success in Mhp management, understanding infection dynamics within herds is critical. Matching infection status of replacements with the herd (+/+, -/-) is the first step. In infected herds, understanding transmission patterns of Mhp during gilt development is necessary to understand any potential solutions to the problem.

To be successful this means that we need to monitor replacement gilts during the growing period and after they enter the sow herd. There are multiple ways to monitor Mhp infection but all have challenges. Mhp only resides on the lining of the airways deep in the lung. This makes sampling with PCR testing (to look for the organism) very difficult because the samples that are likely to have high levels of Mhp are difficult to obtain.

Oral fluids can be used for PCR testing but because of the low levels and intermittent shedding of Mhp in the upper respiratory tract there are many false negative tests (infected but test negative) with this approach in chronically infected herds making its use challenging. Johnson et al20 reviewed the sensitivity and specificity of antibody testing protocols under field conditions and determined that use of the IDEXX® Mhp ELISA as a screening test produced the most repeatable results under field conditions.

We have applied the ELISA test for monitoring herds for Mhp to understand the timing of infection in gilts and how we can predict growing pig Mhp stability that results pacdvms.com 37

from those litters.

Figures 1 and 2 demonstrate that when gilts have increasing S/P ratios on the IDEXX Mhp ELISA test after they enter Mhp positive sow herds, the pigs are more likely to have earlier seroconversion to Mhp in the finishing phase. Seroconversion with this test occurs 3-6 weeks after exposure. This means that early seroconversion is associated with earlier transmission which means more pigs were infected at weaning.

We know that the earlier that Mhp transmission occurs in a finishing population, the greater the economic losses.

Based on these facts monitoring gilt antibody levels with the IDEXX Mhp ELISA on a routine basis can be a leading indicator of future Mhp issues in finishing populations. This allows for a proactive management strategy to limit losses.

Without this leading information from a routine monitoring program that provides prospective information, it is impossible to understand when the current control program is not working. While it is counterintuitive, monitoring this single population of gilts between 60 and 90 days of gestation every 4-6 months provides the most sensitive and leading indicator of future health challenges due to sow farm instability.

References 1. Fano, E., et al., Effect of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonization at weaning on disease severity in growing pigs. Can J Vet Res, 2007. 71(3): p. 195-200.

2. Grosse Beilage, E., N. Rohde, and J. Krieter, Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity in sows from 67 herds in north-west Germany infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Prev Vet Med, 2009. 88(4): p. 255-63.

3. Sibila, M., et al., Exploratory field study on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in suckling pigs. Vet Microbiol, 2007.

121(3-4): p. 352-6.

4. Rautiainen, E. and P. Wallgren, Aspects of the transmission of protection against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from sow to offspring. J Vet Med B Infect Dis Vet Public Health, 2001. 48(1): p. 55-65.

5. Sibila, M., et al., Current perspectives on the diagnosis and epidemiology of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection. Vet J, 2009. 181(3): p. 221-31.

6. Pieters, M., et al., An experimental model to evaluate Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae transmission from asymptomatic carriers to unvaccinated and vaccinated sentinel pigs. Can J Vet Res, 2010. 74(2): p. 157-60.

7. Pieters, M., Duration of immunity following infection with M. hyopneumoniae J.F. Lowe, Editor. 2012: St Paul, MN. 8. Wallgren, P., et al., Control of infections with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in swine herds by disrupting the chain of infection, disinfection of buildings and strategic medical

treatment. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B, 1993. 40(3): p. 157-69.

9. Van Alstine, W.G., G.W. Stevenson, and C.L. Kanitz, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus does not exacerbate Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in young pigs.

Vet Microbiol, 1996. 49(3-4): p. 297-303.

10. Meyns, T., et al., Comparison of transmission of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in vaccinated and non-vaccinated populations. Vaccine, 2006. 24(49-50): p. 7081-6.

11. Okada, M., et al., Evaluation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae inactivated vaccine in pigs under field conditions. J Vet Med Sci, 1999. 61(10): p. 1131-5.

12. Pallares, F.J., et al., Vaccination against swine enzootic pneumonia in field conditions: effect on clinical, pathological, zootechnical and economic parameters. Vet Res, 2000.

31(6): p. 573-82.

13. Dawson, A., et al., Studies of the field efficacy and safety of a single-dose Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine for pigs.

Vet Rec, 2002. 151(18): p. 535-8.

14. Jensen, C.S., A.K. Ersboll, and J.P. Nielsen, A meta-analysis comparing the effect of vaccines against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on daily weight gain in pigs. Prev Vet Med, 2002.

54(3): p. 265-78.

15. Siugzdaite, J., K. Garlaite, and D. Urbsiene, Evaluation of antibody formation, daily weight gain and meat quality after vaccination of piglets against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Acta Vet Hung, 2003. 51(3): p. 273-81.

16. Moreau, I.A., G.Y. Miller, and P.B. Bahnson, Effects of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccine on pigs naturally infected with M. hyopneumoniae and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Vaccine, 2004. 22(17-18): p. 2328-33.

17. Baccaro, M.R., et al., Comparative efficacy of two single-dose bacterins in the control of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in swine raised under commercial conditions in Brazil. Vet J, 2006. 172(3): p. 526-31.

18. Tzivara, A., et al., Efficacy of an inactivated aqueous vaccine for the control of enzootic pneumonia in pigs infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Vet Rec, 2007. 160(7): p. 225-9.

19. Maes, D., et al., Control of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infections in pigs. Vet Microbiol, 2008. 126(4): p. 297-309.

20. Johnson, E. et al., Screening for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in suspected negative herds: What do we know? Final Project, Executive Veterinary Program, U. of Illinois, 2009.

Leadership

We Are All Leaders, Not Just the “Titled” Leaders By: Dr. Nels Lindberg, Production Animal Consultation Today, we are all leaders! We have all seen people go through the process of gaining a new position of authority or title, and I often cringe when they begin to wield their “new-found power.” We must realize, leadership is much like money -- more of either makes you more of what you already are. If you are a caring, compassionate person, with more money you will become more caring and compassionate. If you are a greedy, ruthless person, more money will make you more of a tyrant. Leadership is no different. If you are a self-centered, arrogant person, a new higher position or title will likely shoot your ego to Pluto and your people will become “short-timers” and a revolving door begins. If you are a caring person who wants to help people, you will likely have a team of people willing to walk through fire for you.

What you need to remember is this: we are all leaders.

Leadership is simply the opportunity to influence or affect the people around you each day. It requires no title, named position of authority, or ownership of a business. It is up to us as leaders to realize this and promote this within our organizations. We want all of our people to “lead from where they are” and be a positive force in their area of the operation.

There are a few key points to think about in this process for all leaders, if we want to influence and lead the people that we want to follow us. To gain our people’s trust and have them follow us, our top priority must be to lead with the utmost vulnerable transparency.

We need to open up parts of the operations to show,

on a daily basis, what we do and how we do it. If you want people to fully trust you and follow you, you must tell them where you have failed. You must tell them when you are wrong and admit when you’ve made a mistake. And to do it right, you must do it in front of your people. This process takes humility and guts, but it makes you a real and genuine human.

People will follow “human” in spite of mistakes and poor choices if you are able to admit them in front of everyone. Keep in mind there is a difference between a mistake and a poor choice. Great leaders know how to handle those two challenges in different manners as well. Vulnerable transparency does not make you weak! It makes you human, and people follow human!

Next, leaders must know how to get back on the right road if they or someone else takes a wrong turn. We all make mistakes and even poor decisions; it is impossible not to. We must be able to recognize we did so, to “know where the road is”, and to bring ourselves and our people back on the road to our goal. We must have a keen awareness throughout the “detour”.

Try to bring perspective back to the big picture and remain calm in the detour, crisis or conflict at hand. If people trust you in your vulnerable, honest transparency, they will trust you in crisis and will follow your lead.

Lastly, to be a leader, we must take every opportunity to take advantage of teachable moments with our people.

The greatest leaders of all time have an uncanny ability to do this.

My wife has taught me more on this aspect than anyone as I watch her navigate the challenges of parenting. She is pacdvms.com 39

a master at doing this in car rides home from school when kids often have “word vomit” about their day, as well as when they make a mistake or poor choice and she reviews the consequences they may or did experience. She recognizes it must be done very quickly after the conflict or issue or the true teachable moment is lost.

Often the teachable moment is from your mistake. How did you handle it? Did you teach your people from your mistake? Was it a situation in which your temper flared and you owe an apology? The apology from you will teach more lessons than you can teach in a week or even a year!

These awesome opportunities are unexpected moments in time that happen every day for each of us. We must be able to recognize the moment in time and take the time to teach from it, especially if it was your mistake. Even if it is at an inconvenient time, stop and teach, just for that split second.

That is all it takes, but we must be intentional or that inconvenient moment in time is gone, forever. #PassionForPeople #KeepAtIt #ChangingLives

Easy on cattle and your bottom line.

1

Titanium® vaccines have no impact on feed intake and result in little to no post-treatment side effects, so you can keep your cattle on track with health management solutions that don’t interrupt your day-to-day operations or affect your bottom line.1,2 It’s BRD protection that doesn’t impact performance, so you can be confident in every dose.

ELANCO.US/TITANIUM

A DOSE OF CONFIDENCE The label contains complete use information, including cautions and warnings.

Always read, understand and follow the label and use directions.

As measured by body temperature, feed intake, injection-site reaction or white blood cell count. 2Terhaar, B. 2001.

Evaluating the effects of vaccine-induced stress on productivity. Study No. TR-13. Published by Agri Laboratories Ltd. Do not vaccinate within 21 days of slaughter. Elanco, Titanium® and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned or licensed

by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. © 2015 Elanco Animal Health FYDH 35192 USBBUTIT00069

1

Congratulations: Vicki Johnson Inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame Information reprinted with permission from Boot Hill Museum, boothill.org.

Every year legendary Kansas cowboys and cowgirls are honored for their contributions to the western life as they are inducted into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Dodge City. Vicki Johnson, from Irsik and Doll Feed Yard, received the 2016 Working Cowgirl award and was inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame.

Vicki Johnson, the oldest of five girls, was born July 15, 1950 to LeRoy and Ruby Lohman in Lakin, Kansas. She was raised on a farm near Kendall, Kansas in Kearny County where she spent her entire childhood and early adult life helping her family farm 5000 acres and raise shorthorn cattle as she assisted her mother with household duties and cared for her younger sisters. Her caretaking extended to when she had to separate calves from their mothers, feed them when the cow was incapable, and keep them warm during the harsh winters.

Vicki was heavily involved in the local 4-H Club and was a member of the Peppy Workers 4-H Club until she graduated from Kendall High School. She participated in livestock showing and judging as well as the domestic arts. One of Vicki’s first loves was horses.

While in high school, she was honored as Rodeo Queen of Kearny County. Vicki attended Garden City Community College with the goal of pursuing a career in journalism.

With the birth of her son, Marcus, after a divorce, she became a single mother; the hardships of which helped her develop into the self-sufficient, strong and independent woman she is today.

In 1975, Vicki returned to her love of agriculture and livestock when she started working for A.I.D. Feed Yard in Syracuse, Kansas.

In 1979, she met and married Steve Johnson who was a teacher, coach and administrator.

In 1981, they had daughter, Marci, and soon moved to their current home in Holcomb. The owner of A.I.D., R.D. Lowrance offered her a job with Lobo Cattle Company in Garden City in 1982.

In 1994, Lobo became Irsik and Doll Feed Yard where she continues to work today. In the past 41 years, Vicki has been through the highs and lows of the cattle market and seen numerous changes.

The industry has gone from no computers to everyone

carrying a mini-computer – their cell phones. Vicki has been a mentor for women in the cattle feeding business as well as to students as a sports coach and cheerleading sponsor.

She has been awarded Beef Cattle Quality Assurance and Non-Ambulatory Cattle Care Management certificates.

Vicki has an excellent working relationship to those she works with and with her employers. She has worked tirelessly putting in extra hours and days in a highly organized and dedicated manner, while exhibiting the utmost in honesty and integrity.

Her son, Marcus, is a successful military officer and he and his wife, Sara, have blessed the Johnsons with three grandchilden, Emmalee, Gunnison and Lizzy.

Her daughter, Marci, is a nurse practitioner and will be getting married in the summer of 2017.

Congratulations to Vicki Johnson, we feel so blessed to work with someone who is a great caretaker and positive influence in the industry.

Thank you, Vicki, for all you do! pacdvms.com 41

The Pot Roast

Discovering recipes from agriculture’s finest.

The Cowboy’s Shish Kabobs Ingredients 2 lbs. of thick cut sirloin steak 3 tablespoons of grill seasoning 3 cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 cup of olive oil 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar Mushrooms Tomatoes Peppers Onion Begin by cutting the steak into 2 inch cubes. Place the pieces in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of grill seasoning and the minced garlic, mixing well with your hands to thoroughly combine the meat, seasoning and garlic. Next add the olive oil to the seasoned meat and again mix thoroughly to combine and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes or longer. When you are about ready to assemble the kabobs, add a 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar and toss the meat once again letting marinate for an additional 30 minutes.

Grill Seasoning

4 tablespoons kosher salt 3 tablespoons red New Mexico chili powder 2 tablespoons dried granulated garlic 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper 1 tablespoon ground thyme Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and shake.

While the meat is doing its time in the marinade, season the veggies with olive oil, salt and pepper and skewer the veggies randomly together. (We prefer to make separate skewers of meat and veggies so we can cook each to our preferred degree of doneness and not get either one over or under done.) We love mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and onion, but skewer up whatever you love! Once the veggies are ready and the meat is done marinating, skewer the meat.

Place your veggies on the grill first and give them about a 4-minute head start on the meat, turning the skewers frequently over the 4 minutes. Once the veggies have their lead, place the meat on the grill turning frequently for 4-6 minutes for medium rare.

When the meat is done remove both the meat and veggies to a plate and tent with foil to let rest a few minutes.

We enjoy ours with rice pilaf!

Thank you to Arturo and Wrenn Pacheco for sharing your recipe and pictures. Arturo and Wrenn are custom grazers located in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Their grazing operation consists of grazing double stock steers and custom heifer development for their clients. Arturo has his PhD in ruminant nutrition and owns and operates his own nutrition consulting business, Pacheco Cattle Services. Wrenn is a professional photographer and operates Wrenn Bird Photography. Together they have two little cowboys, Leo and Ross.

You can find more of their recipes at cookingwiththecowboy.com. pacdvms.com 43

Feedlot Shade Sytems that deliver: • Cost-effective shade solutions • Design flexibility • Spans to keep pens clear of posts • Uniquely designed canopy material

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Getting to Know the PAC Team: Brandi Bain Hello! I’m Brandi Bain and I have been with PAC for about 6 months. I grew up on a farm and ranch outside of Sharon Springs, Kansas.

Since I was young, I always wanted to have a profession in the dental field because the need for healthcare professionals was so great and I would get the opportunity to help people daily.

I attended Colby Community College followed by Fort Hays State University and graduated with a degree in Information Networking and Telecommunication with an emphasis in Television Broadcasting.

I had the time of my life in college playing volleyball for 4 years and meeting some of my life-long friends who I’m still close with today.

After graduating from Fort Hays, I got a call from the dental hygiene program in Colby that I was finally in the program after being on the waiting list for over 2 years.

My first job out of school was in Leoti, Kansas and then I moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 2012 to continue my career as a dental hygienist where I still work full-time.

I met Jackson, my wonderful husband, in Kansas City and we married 2 years later.

Jackson works for a finance company and enjoys playing basketball when he can.

Being brought up next to my family’s feedlot and my experiences in 4-H, beef production has been an interest of mine for many years.

I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work for this wonderful organization and I’m excited to continue to learn more and more!

Brandi and her extended family

Brandi and her husband, Jackson.

pacdvms.com 45

OTHER BRD TREATMENTS WERE 50% AS EFFECTIVE AS DRAXXIN® IN SEVERAL STUDIES.

Treat bovine respiratory disease (BRD) the right way with DRAXXIN® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution. DRAXXIN demonstrated 50% fewer re-treats and 50% fewer dead or chronic animals1 versus competitive products in several large pen studies.2 Which means your cattle stay healthier, and that helps keep your bottom line healthier, too.

BRD SOLUTIONS FROM ZOETIS

Get the numbers on DRAXXIN at draxxin.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: DRAXXIN has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days in cattle.

Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product. See Brief Summary of Prescribing Information on adjacent page and full Prescribing Information at draxxin.com/pi.

1

Data on file, Study Report Nos. 1133R-60-05-491, A131R-US-12-028, 2132T-60-01-050, 1133R-60-02-376, 2132T-60-01-063, 1133R-60-03-388 and 11RGDRA01, Zoetis Services LLC.

2

Data on file, Study Report Nos. 1133R-60-05-491, 1133R-60-05-492, 1133R-60-05-493, A131R-US-12-028, 2132T-60-01-050, 1133R-60-02-376, 2132T-60-01-063 and 1133R-60-03-388, Zoetis Services LLC.

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted. © 2016 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. DRX-00120

Calendar March

April

2nd - 4th Nebraska LEAD Program- Social

4th PAC Beef Summit, Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kear-

4th TVMA meeting, College Station, TX, Dr. Tom

5th Heat Stress Management Roundtable, Kearney,

Issues, Omaha, NE, Dr. Shane and Kelly attending

presenting

7th Illinois Cattle Feeders Meeting, Dixon, IL, Dr. Jim presenting

ney, NE, PAC members attending

NE, Dr. Tom, Dr. Kev and Dr. Kip attending

9th Animal Behavior Conference, University of Wisconsin, Dr. Tom presenting

15th Ohio Swine Health Symposium, Plainfield, OH, Dr. Jim presenting

19th Nebraska 4-H Foundation Board meeting, Halsey, NE, Kelly attending

20th - 31st Animal Stewardship International Tour, Australia, Dr. Kip, Dr. Kev and Ted Howard

26th - 28th Nebraska LEAD Program- Pan-

20th - 21st Executive Veterinary Program -

Beef Health management, Olathe, KS, Dr. Jim presenting, Dr. Wade, Dr. Dan and Dr. Kip attending

handle Agriculture, Scottsbluff, NE, Dr. Shane attending

30th - April 1st Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Irving, TX, Dr. Tom attending

May 3rd - 5th Bayer Feedlot Alumni Advisory Meeting, Kansas, Dr. Nels attending

3rd - 5th European Symposium on Porcine Health Management, Prague, Czech Republic Dr. Jim presenting

16th Shelter Valley Feedlot, Lethbridge, Alberta, Dr. Tom presenting

Service. Synthesis. Solutions. pacdvms.com

22nd - 25th BISA Lead Program, Guangzhou, China, Dr. Jim presenting

pacdvms.com 47

Production Animal Consultation PO Box 41 Oakley, KS 67748 pacdvms.com

2017 PAC Beef Summits Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 Buffalo County Fairgrounds Kearney, NE “Providing the Finishing Touches” Thursday, July 13th, 2017 Gateway Civic Center Oberlin, KS Theme TBD

For more information and to register visit pacdvms.com