Good nutrition is vital to keeping your livestock healthy and happy. Good nutrition directly impacts body condition score, fertility, and milk or egg productivity. A healthy diet also contributes to the ability of your livestock’s immune system to fight disease. Keep in mind your species, age, and health needs. Your climate is a factor too. … Read more
Most everyone has heard of rabies, especially as a danger to your pets. But rabies can affect your herd, your pets, and you. It is important to understand and take precautions to protect those important to you. What is rabies? Rabies is a preventable but dangerous disease. Rabies is deadly and affects all mammals, humans … Read more
Both large and small farms raise chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other birds for eggs. It is a great way for many to get children involved by giving them a job on your farm. Whether you enjoy eating farm-fresh eggs or selling them for additional income, proper handling techniques can help prevent foodborne illness. Often, it … Read more
Have you ever wondered why it isn’t the best idea to sneak a little cookie dough out of the bowl while making a batch? Why do diners put an asterisk by over-easy or sunny side up eggs? Or if the trend of drinking unpasteurized milk is all that safe? All of these foods have the … Read more
No matter the size of your herd or flock, diseases can be spread by animals in contact with each other and with you. How are diseases spread through direct contact? For a disease to be spread through direct contact, there must be a disease agent in the environment on an infected animal. Animals become exposed … Read more
A disease you may have heard about in the news recently is Monkeypox. Monkeypox is rare and relatively unknown in the U.S. If you work with non-human primates, you may be more familiar with this disease. There are currently 460 reported cases of Monkeypox in the U.S. as of July 1, 2022. Health officials are … Read more
Hand washing is very important when working on a farm or ranch. While it sounds too easy, hand washing is one of the easiest and best ways to protect your animals, yourself, and those on your farm from disease-causing organisms. Stations should be set up around the premises, so employees and visitors can wash their … Read more
Animals can be exposed to diseases due to various factors and agents. Diseases can be spread from animal to animal, to and from humans, and from the environment. Diseases that can spread between animals and humans are called zoonotic diseases. Regardless of the source of the disease, there are many ways the disease can … Read more
What is Bovine Tuberculosis (TB)? While bovine tuberculosis is uncommon in the United States, it is prevalent in many developing countries. A bacterium causes bovine TB. It is important to know the signs, to protect yourself and your herd. Bovine TB can affect various species, but primarily cattle and buffalo. Bovine TB can spread to … Read more
Animals need fresh feed and water to stay healthy. Clean feed and water are also needed to produce good quality meat, milk, eggs, and fiber. Feed Buy feed from trustworthy sources. Keep records of the date feed was purchased or delivered. Save the feed label or tag in case of a recall. Examine feed for … Read more