For a run-down on how the availability of livestock antibiotics will be changing, just click through to this article on the OSU Extension page:
Over the counter sale of livestock antibiotics will cease June 11, 2023. How you can prepare?
Author Archives: Jenifer Cruickshank
About Jenifer Cruickshank
OSU Extension CALVING SCHOOLS
- April 6, 1:00pm, Tillamook (dairy-centric, English)
- April 7, 1:00pm, Corvallis (dairy-centric, English)
- April 14, 1:00pm, Corvallis (beef-centric, English)
- April 17, 1:00pm, Corvallis (dairy-centric, Spanish)
Topics will include maternity pen management, the calving process, dystocia, newborn calf care, and include a hands-on activity.
Free! Snacks will be provided. Space limited.
Pre-registration is required. (There will be a couple of steps to sign in with an email address if you haven’t used OSU’s system before.)
Register through this link: https://beav.es/SwN
If you have any questions or need to request accommodation related to a disability, please contact Jenifer Cruickshank at 971-600-1222 or jenifer.cruickshank@oregonstate.edu
AI School, December 2022, Corvallis
Cattle Artificial Insemination Short Course at OSU
December 14, 9:00am – 5:00pm
December 15, 9:00am – 5:00pm
December 16, 9:00am – 12 noon
Oregon State University, Corvallis
registration fee: $600
For questions and to register, contact Kathryn.Younger@oregonstate.edu.
Voles, Drones, and Dogs: a Workshop
OSU is hosting a workshop on Voles, Drones, and Dogs to introduce two current vole management projects. Please consider joining us.
When: Thursday, December 1, 2022, 1:00-4:30
Where: Chemeketa Community College Agricultural Hub (Building 60) Room 102, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem. (The Ag Hub is on the corner of 45th Ave and Fire Protection Way.)
Register here: Registration is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Additional information:
Join us to learn about vole ecology and management, how OSU is exploring the use of canine-assisted detection to locate active vole tunnels in pastures and crop fields, and how drones may help assess crop damage in grass seed. The workshop will include time for discussions and, if weather permits, outdoor demonstrations. Presenters and facilitators include (from OSU) Dana Sanchez, Nick Andrews, Christy Tanner, Jenifer Cruickshank, Vanessa Blackstone, Tim Stock, and (from ODA) Matthew Bucy.
AI School, September 2022, Corvallis
A cattle artificial insemination school will be offered at Oregon State University in Corvallis in September. Topics will include sire selection, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, estrus synchronization, along with training in artificial insemination technique.
When: September 12-14
Where: Oregon State University, Corvallis
Cost: $600
Contact for more information: Kathryn.Younger@oregonstate.edu
Probiotics for Calves
Diarrhea, or scours, kills too many calves. For those heifers that fall ill and don’t die, they tend to experience reduced growth, higher age at first calving, and lower first-lactation milk production. Prevention is always our best bet for managing animal health.
We have learned a lot about how the gut microbiome (all the microbes living in the digestive tract) functions and interacts with its host (here, the calf). Several types of bacteria, when prevalent in feces, have been associated with increased weight gain and lower incidence of diarrhea: good gut bugs! We know early colostrum feeding has many positive benefits; one of them is helping to establish the population of good bacteria. (Feeding waste milk containing residual antibiotics seems to be associated with more frequent imbalances in the gut microbiome.)
Is there something else we can feed calves to help establish/maintain/enhance the gut microbiome? Maybe so? Probiotics are live strains of particular microorganisms (specific fungal or bacterial strains). There have been a fair number of studies that have examined the effects of giving calves probiotic supplementation. These are briefly summarized in the table below.
Table 1. Common probiotics and summarized effects on preweaned calves from a review of scientific studies.
| type of probiotic | effects on growth & performance | effects on health |
| yeast (various forms of product) | > positive or no effect on growth (may depend on yeast product, health status of animal, whether delivered via milk or starter) | > reduced incidence and severity of diarrhea > reduced mortality rate |
| bacterial-based products (genera include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, Enterococcus) | > positive or no effect on growth (may depend on health status of animal) | > reduced risk of diarrhea (especially for calves fed whole milk rather than replacer) > faster recovery from diarrhea when given a multispecies bolus |
Probiotic supplementation seems to work best during periods of high stress, such as the first two weeks of life or when there is a “bad bug” known to be present in the calf facility. There may be also be some interaction between a particular probiotic product (which microbial species are present) and the “typical” calf gut environment on a particular farm. If you decide to try feeding probiotics to your calves, keep good records! Track individual calf health and the supplementation regimen so you’ll know whether a specific product—and the way you’re using it—is making a difference.
For a deeper dive into the topic, see this review paper by Cangiano et al. 2020 (Applied Animal Science 36:P630-651): https://www.appliedanimalscience.org/article/S2590-2865(20)30135-X/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_etoc_email
AI School, December 2021, Corvallis
A cattle artificial insemination school will be offered at Oregon State University in Corvallis in December. Topics will include sire selection, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, estrus synchronization, along with training in artificial insemination technique.
When: December 7-9, 2021
Where: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
Cost: $500
Contact for more information and to register: Kathryn.Younger@oregonstate.edu
Post-wildfire Resources
Many evacuated livestock have fortunately returned home.
If you’re caring for livestock that were exposed to days of wildfire smoke, keep them quiet. That is, limit exertion, even for several weeks after the air quality has improved. Be extra sure to keep fresh water always available. For more information, see https://extension.oregonstate.edu/animals-livestock/beef/animal-exposure-wildfire-smoke.
See also https://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/AnimalHealth/CaringforLivestockAfterWildfire.pdf
If you lost hay or pasture in the wildfires or are feeding displaced animals that don’t belong to you, OSU Ag Extension is coordinating a statewide hay donation and distribution program to those in need over the next 3 months. Three regional locations are being set up for receiving hay donations and distribution, in Aurora, Roseburg, and Central Point. If you need hay due to wildfire loss or to housing extra, unexpected mouths to feed, please fill out this form: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8BCqXt7sgbM113
Some livestock have not returned home.
For livestock that may have gone missing, Oregon Department of Agriculture has established an animal tracking website with a database of “found” animals and a way to submit information on animals with unknown owners that you may be tending. https://data.oda.state.or.us/fmi/webd/AH_AnimalTrack?homeurl=https://data.oda.state.or.us/ah.html
For those with livestock that perished in the wildfires, there is the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) from USDA Farm Service Agency. General information about the program can be found here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/livestock-indemnity/index
An Oregon wildfire-specific fact sheet on the LIP is here:
Wildfire Resources (updated 1:00p.m. September 16)
We hope everyone stays safe through this wildfire emergency.
Here are several websites providing information (with maps) on specific wildfires and air quality.
- Map tool from the National Interagency Fire Center
- State of Oregon fires and hotspots dashboard
- US Wildfire disaster response map
- Oregon Smoke Information
- Northwest Fire Science Consortium Daily Fire Briefing, summary of evacuation orders
- Oregon DEQ Air monitoring
Here’s an article on Wildfires, Smoke and Livestock http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/files/220420.pdf The short summary is: minimize animals’ exertion when the air quality is poor and for 4-6 weeks after. There’s additional information about caring for fire-injured livestock.
Australian dairy farmers know about wildfire preparation: https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/farm/land-water-carbon/extreme-weather/preparing-for-bushfire
Options for evacuating livestock:
Benton County: Fairgrounds (110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis) — Evacuated Livestock and RV campers are being accepted. Call 541-243-2491. See https://www.bceventcentercorvallis.net/events/2020/benton-county-evacuation-information
Clackamas County: Fairgrounds is no longer an option. See alternatives here https://www.clackamas.us/wildfires/animals (some noted here). See also https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/773709353364775/?alias=773709353364775&source=search
Clatsop County: Fairgrounds (92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria) has space. Call 503-717-3824 to check; https://www.facebook.com/clatsopcountyfair/.
Columbia County: Fairgrounds (58892 Saulser Rd, St Helens) has space. Call 541-357-2899 to check.
Crook County: Fairgrounds (1280 S. Main Street, Prineville) has space. Call 541-419-6706 to check.
Douglas County: Fairgrounds (2110 SW Frear Street, Roseburg) has space for smaller livestock; call 541- 440-4394 to check availability. For large livestock (cattle, horses), contact Douglas County Parks Department at 541-440-6040. https://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=5204
Hood River County: Fairgrounds (3020 Wyeast Road, Hood River) has space. Call 541-354-2865 or 541-490-2985 to check. https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Fairground/Hood-River-County-Fairgrounds-168670806623958/
Jackson & Josephine Counties: Southern Oregon Emergency Aid (for animal evacuations), call 541-226-1124.
Marion County: Oregon State Fairgrounds (enter at 2400 Silverton Road NE, Salem) has space. St. Paul Rodeo Grounds is almost at capacity; contact Cindy Schonholtz at 719-440-7255 for availability; https://www.facebook.com/StPaulRodeo. West Hills Stables (West Salem); call 503-851-2214 to confirm availability.
Lane County: Events Center (796 W. 13th, Eugene) has space for livestock. Contact at 541-285-8227 before arriving to confirm space availability; https://www.facebook.com/LaneEventsCenter. See also https://www.lanecounty.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=17035134 under Pet and Large Animal Resources tab.
Linn County: Fairgrounds (3700 Knox Butte Road E, Albany) is full. See other options at https://www.facebook.com/groups/linncountylivestock
Lincoln County: Livestock County Commons (633 NE 3rd Street, Newport). Call 541-265-4961. https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/seasonal-hazards-wildfire
Polk County: Fairgrounds (520 S Pacific Hwy West, Rickreall) has room. Call ahead at 503-623-3048 to let them know what kind of animal and how many; https://www.facebook.com/Polk-County-Oregon-Fair-199482210083788.
Tillamook County: Fairgrounds (4603 3rd Street, Tillamook) has space. Contact Hayden at 503-812-6189; https://www.tillamookfair.com/p/about/fire-evacuee-information.
Washington County: Westside Commons (801 NE 34th Avenue, Hillsboro), formerly known as the Fair Complex, has space; call 503-314-3433 to check; https://www.co.washington.or.us/News/fire-evacuations.cfm.
Yamhill County: Fairgrounds (2070 NE Lafayette Avenue, McMinnville) still has room. Check https://www.facebook.com/YamhillCountyFairRodeo/
For assistance with livestock transportation/housing or to offer assistance, see https://pnwfireanimalrescue.org/
Oregon Department of Agriculture has set up an animal reunification website: https://data.oda.state.or.us/fmi/webd/AH_AnimalTrack?homeurl=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.oda.state.or.us%2Fah.html&fbclid=IwAR1-CFxfYUlW5UP0KbRKbdQg0Em-mnfBTBP3iVBsFWuQ4oz8bf-uhewew1I.
Farm Law Resources (including for COVID-19)
Interpreting economic assistance programs–especially when they’re coming fast and furious–is challenging. Perhaps you have questions about labor and responsibilities to employees. Maybe you’re considering entering a lease (as lessee or lessor; bonus points if you can remember which of those does what in the arrangement!). To help orient you, answer general questions, or take a deeper dive, there are some good online ag law resources available.
One good resource is Farm Commons. https://farmcommons.org/
Farm Commons receives public funding (largely through USDA) and provides extensive written and video resources on legal aspects of business structures, employment, land matters, contracts, and insurance, among others. They’ve also been churning out resources specific to COVID-19 (example archived webinar title: Labor in the Time of Corona: Understanding Oregon Farm Employment Law During COVID-19). To download certain resources, you will need to create an account (yeah, another password to generate and remember), but it’s probably worth it.
Another good resource is The National Agricultural Law Center. https://nationalaglawcenter.org/
The National Agricultural Law Center is also publicly funded (again, through USDA) and is housed at the University of Arkansas. The website includes such resources as individual state law compilations, “reading rooms” on different topics (like Agritourism, Water Law, etc.), recent ag law and food news, and a COVID-10 resource library. Note that, while the Center’s website does have an extensive glossary, there’s plenty of legalese here. This is an excellent resource if you want well-organized links to federal or state statutes of interest.