Northbound Veterinary Services

11/30/2024

Hey just a few things to get out there.

1) Starting December 1st the FCC rules on sending and receiving text messages are changing for some carriers. I use Grasshopper for my business line, so there will be some changes that happen. I am not sure yet if I won't be able to receive texts, send texts, or potentially both. I receive a lot of texts, as many of you it seems like that is your preferred way of communication, this may affect you. Remember, calling is always better as you will get my voicemail giving you information on my availability (I change it if I am on vacation or know I will be out of the area). I should know more on what will change in the coming weeks, but please be aware of the possible change.

2) For my beef clients out there, I came across a "newish" breeding synchronization with one shot of PGF2a (such as Lutalyse and Estrumate) for bull breeding herds that has some more research now. This comes out of the University of Nebraska and showed 75% of cows calved in the first 21 days of the calving season using the following protocol as compared to 63% of cows from a non-synchronized herd. Using this protocol it is VERY IMPORTANT to make sure that bulls have a proper BSE (Breeding Soundness Exam) prior to the breeding season, and they also recommend a bull-to-cow ratio of no more than 1:15 for yearling bulls and 1:25 for mature bulls. This also requires you to actually have a calving season. If the bull lives with the herd all the time, don't touch this!

Day 0: Turn in Bulls
Day 5: Give ALL Cows PGF2a
Day 6-10: Synchronized Breeding occurs
Day 10+: Normal Breeding Coverage continues until bulls are removed

The injection of PGF2a causes any cow with a MATURE CL on the o***y to regress, which causes progesterone production to stop, causing cows to come into estrus (heat) usually within 3-5 days.

But doc won't the shot of Lute cause them to abort if they get pregnant before I give the Lute shot!?!?

Nope, if the cow and bull have a little "rendezvous" between Day 0 and Day 5 the CL will not be MATURE enough and will not respond to the PGF2a injection. This is the same reason I tell you all to wait a week after pulling bulls out if there are accidental "rendezvous" involving fence jumping/smashings or heifer calves living with bull calves too long.

Like any synchronization protocol you have to be on point with timing! Don't push you PGF2a injections out any further than Day 5 for this one. This is also just a tool in the toolbox to potentially get more calves in a tighter window. Please remember that to first be successful with any breeding operation, animals need to have proper nutrition, body condition scores, health, and you have to have enough bulls that have had a BSE to get the job done!

Send a message to learn more

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all my amazing clients! I am very thankful for your business, but more importantly, I’m thankful that the animals in your care have amazing owners that love and care for them the way that you all do! Keep up the great work! Enjoy the day with family and loved ones and maybe spoil those critters a bit more today as well.

10/03/2024

Back in owners hands…Again. Thanks FB

Found this little lady at the intersection of MN70 and MN107 this morning at 9:45. Has a yellow and blue collar with no name that I can find. I don’t have my chip reader on the truck but will swing by a local clinic later today and check for one or check this evening when I get home. She’s a sweetheart and will be doing some chute work with me this morning. If she’s yours and you know what’s written on the collar you might save me some driving.

07/29/2024

Just an FYI, I will be unavailable starting today until mid-end of this week. One of my kids are currently in surgery (scheduled, nothing horrible), but it will likely be a few days until we get discharged for home. Thank you in advance for the patience. Voicemail will change once I am available again.

07/06/2024

Morning, thought I would give a little update on some things as fair season starts to roll around. Grab a chair, this one might get long.

H5N1 in dairy and poultry still sucks and remains an issue. Multiple tests by several organizations have proven that pasteurization renders the virus dead, meaning the commercial pasteurized dairy product chain is safe.

Several people have been diagnosed with H5N1, likely due to direct exposure to sick animals and raw non-pasteurized milk. At this time, it appears to be mild symptoms like pink eye, so the CDC is still classifying the human risk as a low threat.

Symptoms in cattle remain the same as previously mentioned in other posts. It is still highly pathogenic in avians. However, one big concern is the symptoms developing in cats. There have been a large number of barn cats that have been on known positive dairy herds and flocks that rapidly develop neurological symptoms, and often 50%+ that develop symptoms die. This is likely due to exposure from eating wild birds or drinking non-pasteurized milk. Either way it’s not what anyone wants to see.

As of June 28th there have been 7 positive cattle herds in MN ranging from 5 different counties. This has lead to changes in Exhibition rules in MN as fair season rolls around and other dairy shows continue to figure out how to let these kids still show the animals they all love and care for. Unfortunately, a lot of these shows have canceled or denied entry of animals meeting the lactating label specifications. As it currently stands in MN as of June 18th, until further notice, for animals going to shows (exhibition) in MN:

*Any LACTATING DAIRY BREED animal, even if originating from MN, now needs to have a negative H5N1 test and Veterinary health paper (CVI) done no sooner than 7 days before the exhibition begins.*

https://www.bah.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/documents/Exhibition-Requirements-for-Lactating-Dairy-Cattle.pdf

In other news, the USDA now decided with all the chaos going on why not toss another stick in the flame. They ruled on May 9th, and the MN BAH then had to follow suit, that the type of official ID in CATTLE and BISON only is changing. As of November 5th 2024 the only form of official ID allowed to be placed will have to be both visually and electronically readable (think the 840 button RFID tags). This change is the type of tag only, and currently there is NO CHANGE in what animals need official ID.

**So if it needs a tag now, plan on updating what type of tags you will be required to use.**

This would include but not limited to, animals at exhibition, animals traveling across state lines with a CVI (every state has their own rules on what needs official ID), and animals sold at livestock markets and other sales that would be going out as breeding/show/replacement stock.

Wyoming is currently having a “hold my beer” moment with the USDA, and I’d expect several other states to join in the fight soon. But as it stands now, you may want to contact the MN BAH, and with your premise ID get on the list to get some of the tags that they are offering for free if your herd qualifies. They are significantly more expensive then the metal clip tags or other non-RFID tags (think fair tags) that will no longer be able to be used after November. If it is an old style official ID placed before November 5th those tags are grandfathered in, so no you will not have to cut tags out and start over or place another tag.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3a65242

As always: Here’s to a happy, safe, and successful show season! And maybe, just possibly, a government that can slow its roll just a bit and try to focus on us here at home, and not making the wants and needs of the international markets a priority. Take care until next time!

06/06/2024

First H5N1 positive dairy in MN. Read the attached report if interested. No changes to current regulations. Contact me if questions or concerns.

Press release: Amid uptick in poultry detections, Minnesota reports first case of avian influenza in a dairy herd Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 06/06/2024 10:01 AM CDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. ---Press Release--- For Immediate Release Contact...

04/27/2024

Another update on H5N1 - I’ve been fielding A LOT of questions on this in the last 24hrs and honestly what I’m saying now could be different tomorrow. As it currently stands:

Too Long Didn’t Read: changes happening involving movement of dairy cattle. If it doesn’t mean anything to you don’t waste your time on this post.

Effective Monday April 29th 2024

- LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle that are currently producing milk of any volume that originate from MN can move within MN as they always have.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle that are currently producing milk of any volume that originate from ANY other state coming to MN, or if from MN and moving to ANY other state, a CVI (Health Paper) must be issued. Depending on the type of movement, a negative test via individual animal milk sample (not bulk tank) that has to be collected by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an accredited Veterinary Lab may be required. The collection and testing cannot occur any more than 7 days before movement and one should expect results 1-5 days after collection. The USDA is paying for the testing only (direct lab charges). Veterinary services to collect samples and shipping will not be covered at this time.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle from MN can be sold directly to MN packing plants with no CVI or testing. If sold to a livestock market (sale barn) in the same state as the animal origin no CVI or additional testing is needed. From there if the animal will move across state lines from the livestock market, a CVI will be required and possibly testing depending on reason for movement. If the animal will NOT move across state lines after purchase from the livestock market normal steps are in place.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle not from MN can be sold to MN packing plants directly from farm to plant with a CVI only. If sold to a livestock market NOT in the same state as the animal origin location a CVI & NEGATIVE test will be required to sell at the livestock market. Testing will follow animal to final destination and new CVIs need to be made depending on where the animal is going.

-This DOES NOT apply to DAIRY BREED youngstock, pregnant heifers, steers, bulls, or DRY cows. This DOES NOT apply to BEEF BREED cattle. All previous movement requirements for these animal classes remain as they have been.
-“DRY DAIRY BREED” cows is currently a gray zone and all should expect more info to come - most would like to believe that a cull cow leaving the herd for market regardless of lactation status is now DRY as they are no longer milked….some say “yay” some say “nay” as they are still producing milk of some volume that could contain the virus- I have no desire to milk each DAIRY BREED cow at the sale barn to find out. So before licking lips to find loop holes please wait for this to be discussed further.

Why all the focus on LACTATING DAIRY BREED cows. It is what is currently being focused on to ensure the safety of our local, national, and overseas dairy products. At any moment this could all change for the better or unfortunately for the worse. I’m not going to lie, this is a giant turd sandwich of a mess on federal, state and local levels and it is constantly changing. Hell it’s changed 3 times since noon today. However we have a lot of great minds working together from the producer level all the way up to big brains that might not even know what a LaCtAtInG dAiRy BrEeD cow looks like or that even understand that dairy cows also move to our beef supply. Only time will tell, and we will make it to the other side.

Until next time: Honestly I have nothing witty to say so I’m just going to go to sleep before Jack and Jill call with another OB or prolapse up on the pasture hill, or my USDA or MN BAH reps read this and tell me I’m completely wrong as it changed again.

04/24/2024

Another new update as of today, this one more grim unfortunately.

The USDA issued today that any interstate movement of DAIRY cattle as of April 29th can only happen with a negative test for Influenza Type A prior to movement.

The dairy cattle from Kansas testing has showed a shift of H5N1 in the ability to adapt to mammals. The CDC has conducted additional testing and they as well as the FDA still feel the risk to the general public is very low and food supply is safe.

Infected cattle continue to respond with supportive care with minimal mortalities (death) reported. I will be contacting my USDA rep to discuss details regarding animal movement between markets and more general information. If there are questions please reach out and I will answer as best that I can.

Below is the USDA posting

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2024 – To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions that we are taking with our federal partners to help us get ahead of this disease and limit its spread. Today, USDA’s A...

04/20/2024

Avian Influenza (Type A H5N1):
Update- 20 states have implemented DAIRY cattle travel restrictions into their states (MN currently not included but SD neighbors have) as of April 18th. This does not include BEEF cattle or other livestock at the moment.

In SD currently adult dairy cattle (18 months+) can potentially still move after receiving a permit and CVI (Veterinary Health Paper) as normal. However if they are coming from a known H5N1 positive herd a risk assessment must be performed before those animals can move.

This comes on the heels of finding H5N1 in a SD dairy on April 9th. Calves were moved from a known H5N1 positive herd in Kansas to the dairy in SD. This could possibly imply bovine to bovine transfer, however, officials are still not sure if this occurred or if there was environmental avian transfer from infected avian exposure.

At this point in confirmed dairy herds, we are not seeing high mortality rates (cattle dying) or morbidity rates (cattle showing symptoms) when compared to infected avian systems. Dairy cattle have severe drops in milk production, loss of appetite, and the milk can appear thick and sticky. Isolated animals return to normal within a week or two with supportive care. In the SD herd, 50 of the 2,700 cows were showing symptoms of possible H5N1 at time of report.

Currently the USDA and APHIS strongly recommend minimizing CATTLE movement as much as possible but there are no federal quarantine orders at this time and states are allowed to address as seen fit.

On April 7th the AABP (American Association of Bovine Practitioners) issued that they are wanting to refer to H5N1 as BIAV (Bovine Influenza type A Virus) in order “to better distinguish the disease syndrome in cattle from the pathogenesis observed in birds”. This name change may or may not stick so just keep that name in the memory bank if you are researching.

In addition there still appears to be no risk to our food chain as long as you cook your food properly and do not consume raw products (milk, cheese, eggs, and others). If you so choose to eat raw products do so at your own risk, but please be smart and do not use if animals are showing symptoms of H5N1 or any other sickness for your sake and the ones that you are feeding it to that don’t have a choice.

Below is a a link from the AVMA:

In an effort to prevent domestic cattle from being exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI, more specifically avian influenza Type A H5N1), 20 states have restricted cattle importations from states where the virus is known to have infected dairy cows.

03/25/2024

So there has been some crossover with the avian influenza virus into ruminants. One was a goat kid from Stevens County, MN and another was just confirmed from milk from dairy cattle from Kansas and Texas. This same virus has been causing devastation in offspring of seals, elephant seals, and other aquatic mammals in South America.

It is not uncommon for influenza viruses to mutate and cross into other species, however due to the highly pathogenic nature and the total “sh*t show” (should probably be more politically correct but let’s call a spade a spade am I right) this has caused in the poultry world, this virus is being monitored very closely.

The goat kid was from a farm that was already quarantined due to an influenza outbreak in poultry in February. The dairy cattle were dealing with symptoms of decreased milk production but do not appear to have any direct links with known positive flocks.

It does not appear that the virus can spread mammal to mammal as it does currently between bird to bird. The virus is likely getting into ruminants and other species that share environments with either infected domestic or wild avians (water, feed, f***s, or other fomites).

At this point there is no threat to commerce or human health as the virus should be destroyed via pasteurization. People who drink and sell raw milk need to be aware of the risk, but they already know that because of other pathogens that can possibly cause problems. Also, producers should do as they always have done, and make sure to protect their own herds and flocks by doing their best to limit disease transmission and be aware of current risks.

I will be monitoring this as the MN Board of Animal Health and USDA release information and will update as needed. With the announcement of it being in dairy cattle milk I just wanted to get the word out before anti-agriculture messages start flying in like a massive flock of infectious Canadian Honkers. Links below are for those looking for more info. Take care out there, the roads are getting slicker!

Dairy Cattle MN BAH link
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3929206

Goat MN BAH Link
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3917b59

More info on the elephant seal issues if curious
https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/catastrophic-mortality-elephant-seals-argentina-identified-outbreak-avian-influenza

Veterinary Alert: HPAI detection in Texas dairy cows Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 03/25/2024 04:29 PM CDT Veterinary Alert HPAI detected in dairy herds The USDA confirmed the detection of HPAI in milk from dairy herds in Kansas and Texas. Testing occurred in herds clinicall...

03/09/2024

Just a shout out about a crafty producer I worked with a few weeks ago. I was scheduled to go out to ultrasound a flock of sheep and they asked prior to arrival, “How should we set up for it?” All I said was to set something up so that I can reach underneath the ewes on their right side, but if you build something, build it so that it makes your life easier for trimming feet and routine work to make your aching back happy. Well I got permission from the client to post this, Dusty Tchida….you done good! Only thing we talked about changing was adding a 2x6 to the top or a few 2x4s as we had some jumpers. He built it from scraps he said he had laying around. So I thought maybe others are clever like him and may be looking for ideas.

02/27/2024

If you’re looking for bulls this year. Great family and great animals, definitely worth the look if you are in the market.

Read 2024 Great Northern Bull & Female Sale Catalog by heritagecattleco on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start ...

02/10/2024

I was able to slip away over the last few days for the annual MVMA (MN Vet Med Association) confernce to catch up on some continuing education. It also has given me some time to sit down and just think about how lucky I really am.

I have an amazing wife that really is an angel sent from above. Two amazing kids that keep us on the go non-stop, and I’m told they are decent little human beings (some days I think I’m being lied to). Being that both my wife and I are from the Ogilvie area, we have an amazing extended family system all close by that make our hectic schedules somehow flow. And importantly, a community that has embraced my crazy little business that just keeps growing.

Many of you know that two years ago I took a chance, went on my own, and started Northbound Veterinary Services. To say I was nervous would be a major understatement. However, like I said above, I really am one lucky guy. All the producers and animal owners out there that tolerate me on a day to day basis to aid in the health decisions of their animals, man I really appreciate all of you. Without you, I couldn’t do what I have a passion for.

Honestly though, learning to run a business has been amazing. I never expected how all the different businesses just fit together like puzzle pieces. So to all the people that deal with me on a day to day basis that really could care less about what I know about animal health, man I appreciate what all of you do as well.

So here I am, no plans to go anywhere and proud to be a part of this community for the foreseeable future. I still just work out of my house and truck. For me, I was taught that the most important call of the day is the one I’m at. So I will always give you and your animals the attention they deserve during your appointment, but when you see me parked at the end of your driveway for some time returning phone calls, just remember that someday you will be that person waiting for me to call you back. I’m still just a one man band, and my focus has been and will hopefully always be livestock as long as there are livestock to work on in this area. However, what I need to know is what would all of you like to see from me in the future? Feel free to message or contact me directly, or comment below and start the discussion.

Growth is awesome and terrifying all at the same time. It’s easy to say hire more vets, hire support staff, put up a clinic…but is that realistic in this day and age as agriculture has steadily declined in central MN and the grand majority of the good ‘ol USA as well?

I apologize this got lengthy, but if you made it this far let’s just finish this up like always: here’s to angry mama cows that damn it doc she raises one hell of a calf every year, and farm wives that just love slimy frozen calves in their bathtubs!

And once again Thank You for everything!

01/28/2024

Just a notice for all the sheep and goat producers out there. There is a new lamb and kid powdered colostrum available that I hope will be much better than some of the multi-species supplements currently on the market. It is whole bovine based colostrum powder with no plant or other animal fat sources.

If you have questions please let me know. I do carry the product, but so do many other sources so it can be picked up wherever your heart desires. Good thing to have on hand if mom does not make enough, or is unable to feed babies in the first few hours. Colostrum is the most important thing any baby can receive to get it going on the right path. The dams fresh colostrum is always the best but this is a tool to help.

01/20/2024

I would like to take a moment to thank the Snake River Valley Cattlemen's Association for having me out Thursday night for a great meeting and having a great turnout on their end. It was wonderful to see so many producers show up and ask some awesome questions. Also, it was nice to be a fly on the wall at the end of the night and get to listen to some of the great things this organization has planned for the future. If you are from the central MN area and new to livestock or have been doing it for years but have a desire to improve or help this region improve, I’d strongly recommend checking them out.

As always: keep those water tanks from freezing solid, and start double checking those calving/lambing/kidding kits to make sure you are ready to go…it’s already on for some!

01/13/2024

This is Dr. Dan’s wife and I just wanted to wish him a very Happy Birthday! He works so hard for this family and has such a passion for large animal veterinary medicine. He just reached a huge milestone in his practice of two years! Can’t wait to see what you do in the future! Make sure you wish the very special, Dr. Dan, a Happy Birthday today!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from my family to yours! Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Holiday season! Enjoy the beautiful whi….green grass and rain?