Four practices to protect herd health on organic/alternative farms

Man holds black lamb while sheep graze on pasture in the background.

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

Vectors and disease spread in humans and animals

The left picture shows a young, tan calf laying down with flies on its face. The right picture shows a tick on the end of a blade of grass.

As we move into summer and the weather gets warmer, we tend to see an increase in vector-borne diseases (VBD). Vectors are insects, rodents, birds, or other animals that can carry disease pathogens. The most common vectors are insects that suck blood, such as mosquitoes and ticks. VBDs occur in both animals and humans. Every … Read more

Bovine Tuberculosis

Herd of black cattle graze on a grassy field.

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