Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on July 13 2009 15:01

The Industry No matter if you are a feedlot operator, a cow-calf producer, backgrounder, or a dairy farmer, BVD impacts your daily life This disease is believed to cost our industry over $3 billion per year, in death loss, abortion, decreased milk production, increased treatment cost, and poor feed efficiency. What is BVD? BVD is a virus Other viruses in this family include the border disease virus of sheep, and hog cholera. It was first documented in New York in the 1940's BVD m... [More]

Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on July 13 2009 13:39

Mycoplasma bovis - 3 clinical syndromes:   Feedlot pneumonia/arthritis Mastitis Calf pneumonia/arthritis/otitis media An emerging cause of bacterial pneumonia in cattle Mycoplasma bovis* M. bovirhinis M. arginini M. dispar M. californicum *Most common/significant Mycoplasma bovis -Feedlot pneumonia/arthritis Clinical signs: Acute - chronic pneumonia Nasal discharge Depression Rapid respiration Polyarthritis (may or may not be seen) Affects lower joint... [More]

Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on July 13 2009 11:33

  What is it? Cryptosporidiosis (crypto), a disease affecting both animals and humans, is caused by the organism Cryptosporidium Not a bacteria or a virus... a protozoa Can affect mice, pigs, lambs, calves, dogs, cats, horses, and PEOPLE... so be careful!!! How does it cause diarrhea? Invades the lining of the gut, kills the cells that absorb nutrients  Diarrhea is caused by the lack of absorption of nutrients and subsequent loss of water into the gut leading to seconda... [More]

Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on June 26 2009 11:29

Factors that impact the cows Authored By: Dr. Dorcey Feeding space per cow Pre-fresh housing Fresh cow housing Planned transition pen moves Fresh cow screening and exams Transition diet ration sorting Body condition, pre-calving

Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on June 09 2009 12:29

Study I Implant data for suckling calves in Saskatchewan, Canada Test Animals: Cross bred steer and heifer beef calves Number of Study Calves: 158 total; 79 RALGRO, 79 No Implant Implant Date: May 5, 1999 Final Weight Date: October 13, 1999 Test Group Days on Test Average Initial Weight Average Final Weight Weight Gain Average Daily Gain RALGRO 161 183.6 616.4 432.7 2.69 No Implant 161 184.6 601.8 417.2 2.59 Advantage: 15.5 lbs Discussion Calves impl... [More]

Posted by Dr. Brian Dorcey on January 29 2009 10:23

Acceptable Death Loss (Post Circo Vaccination) Wean to Finish - 6-8% Finish (80-240) - 3-4 % Grower (30-80) - 2-3% Nursery (12-30) - 2-4% Important "things to know" Do the pigs have a fever >103 F What clinical signs are present Are pigs responding to treatment Are you able to identify pigs prior to their death Are all pigs affected or only certain pens Catagorize the death loss What age are the pigs when they die Early nursery or week 1 Middle nursery or grower Wha... [More]