The Herd Health Podcast

Dry off is a high-risk period for new mastitis infections, making prevention strategies critical to maintaining udder health and productivity. In this episode, host Dr. Phil Meadows is joined by Dr. Simon Dufour, Professor at the Université de Montréal, and Dr. Christian Heyerhoff, dairy practitioner in Eastern Ontario, to discuss the role of internal teat sealants in modern dairy herd management....

La prise en charge du tarissement est importante pour assurer le bien-être et la productivité future de la vache laitière. Dans cet épisode, Nathalie Hilborn et la Dre Anne-Claire Brisville, vétérinaire des services techniques chez Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale Canada, discutent de BOVIKALC® DRY, la plus récente innovation de Boehringer Ingelheim. Apprenez comment ce bolus par voie orale agit...

The first hours of a calf’s life are critical, especially following a difficult birth. In this episode, host Dr. Tim Nickel is joined by Dr. Claire Windeyer, consultant for Acer Consulting, to explore how dystocia affects calf health and what steps producers can take to help the calf get off to a good start. From assessing calf vitality to ensuring successful colostrum intake, this episode provide...

After a difficult calving, attention often shifts to the calf, but the cow’s recovery is just as critical. In this episode, host Dr. Tim Nickel is joined by Dr. Jennifer Pearson, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, to focus on the health, productivity, and fertility of the dam following dystocia. They discuss common post-calving complications, practical monitoring strategies, and how m...

Even the best vaccine can fail if it is not handled properly. In the final episode of this three-part series, Heather Hargrave and Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, focus on the practical aspects of vaccine handling, storage, and administration. Using clear, relatable examples, Dr. Nickel outlines best practices for maintaining vaccine integrity, including proper refrigeration, temperature monitoring, handling...

Difficult calvings, known as dystocia, can significantly affect both calf survival and cow health. However, with proper preparation and informed decision-making, many of these challenges can be managed successfully. In this episode, host Dr. Tim Nickel, welcomes Dr. Jen Pearson, Assistant Professor at Oregon State University, to discuss the essentials of difficult calving. They define dystocia, hi...

Which diseases should cattle be vaccinated for and when is the right time to do it? In part two of a discussion on vaccines and vaccination, Heather Hargrave continues the conversation with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, focusing on disease risk and building vaccine protocols for your herd. They explore core and optional vaccines for beef and dairy herds, explain how disease pressure shifts throughout the p...

What defines an effective calf oral electrolyte solution, and when should producers reach for one? Host Nathalie Hilborn, PhD, welcomes Dr. Phil Meadows, DVM, Technical Services Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada. Together, they dive into the important roles oral electrolyte solutions play in calf health, including hydration, buffering, and gut support. With Phil’s unique pe...

Qu’est-ce qui caractérise une solution orale d’électrolytes efficace pour les veaux, et quand les producteurs devraient-ils l’utiliser? Nathalie Hilborn, PhD, reçoit la Dre Anne-Claire Brisville, DMV, vétérinaire en services techniques chez Boehringer Ingelheim Santé Animale Canada. Ensemble, elles explorent le rôle essentiel des solutions orales d’électrolytes pour la santé des veaux, notamment l...

Vaccines are a cornerstone of herd health and disease protection. In the first episode of this three-part discussion on vaccines and vaccination, host Heather Hargrave welcomes Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to break down the fundamentals of vaccines and vaccination. They clarify the difference between vaccination and immunization, explain how an animal’s immune system responds to vaccines, and discuss why...

How can Canadian beef and dairy producers contribute to the fight against antimicrobial resistance? In this episode, host Dr. Phil Meadows, DVM, chats with Dr. Jan Sargeant, DVM, a Professor Emerita at the University of Guelph and a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS). Together, they dive into key findings from a recent CAHS report, examining the growing threat of antimicrobia...

Dry cow management is not about taking a break - it's about building a strong foundation for the next lactation. In this episode, Heather Hargrave chats with Dr. Phil Meadows about the essential components of dry period management, from nutrition to housing to minimizing social stress. Learn why attention to detail during the dry period is critical for fresh cow health, milk production, and long-t...

Managing the transition from lactation to dry off is critical to cow welfare and future performance. In this episode, Heather Hargrave and Dr. Phil Meadows discuss Boehringer Ingelheim’s latest innovation BOVIKALC® DRY. Learn how this oral bolus works to reduce milk production, when and how to administer it, and why it’s a valuable addition to a comprehensive dry off strategy. Plus, hear insights...

The dry off period is not a holiday for dairy cows – it lays the foundation for success in the next lactation and overall udder health. In this episode of the Herd Health Podcast, Heather Hargrave chats with Dr. Phil Meadows, DVM, about the challenges and strategies involved in managing cows leading up to the dry period. Learn why controlling milk production before dry off is essential for udder h...

How is antimicrobial use monitored and measured in Canada? In part two of this series, host Dr. Phil Meadows returns with Dr. Herman Barkema to explore how antimicrobial use is tracked and assessed at the farm level. Dr. Barkema shares insights from his ongoing research on antimicrobial resistance, including global collaborations and Canadian studies on selective dry cow treatment and clinical mas...

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern for both human and animal health. In this episode, Dr. Phil Meadows sits down with Dr. Herman Barkema, Professor in Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary and United Nations University Chair in Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate. Dr. Barkema provides an overview of global trends in antimicrobial use and resistance, expl...

Parasite resistance is becoming an increasing challenge for cattle producers. In this episode, Heather Hargrave speaks with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to break down what parasite resistance is, how it develops, and why it threatens the long-term effectiveness of current treatment options. They discuss practical strategies for slowing down resistance, including proper dosing, strategic treatment timing,...

​Effective parasite control is more than just choosing a treatment—it's about using the right approach at the right time. In this fourth episode of our parasite management series, Heather Hargrave speaks with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to discuss treatment options, application strategies, and how they complement broader management practices. Learn how producers can work with their veterinarians to build...

​Effective parasite control goes beyond treatment—proper herd management plays a crucial role in reducing parasite exposure and improving herd health. In this episode, host Heather Hargrave sits down with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to discuss key management strategies for limiting parasite burdens in cattle. From nutrition and biosecurity to pasture rotation and stocking density, learn how proactive pla...

In this episode of the Herd Health Podcast, Heather Hargrave sits down with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to continue the conversation on parasite management in cattle. They discuss practical diagnostic tools, including fecal egg counts, and ways producers can assess both internal and external parasites. Dr. Nickel offers insights on working with veterinarians to implement effective testing and control str...

Parasites can have a silent but costly impact on your herd. In the first episode of our five-part series on parasite management, Heather Hargrave sits down with Dr. Tim Nickel, DVM, to explore what parasites are, why they’re hard to detect, and their prevalence in Canadian herds. Learn how both internal and external parasites affect cattle and why developing a tailored management plan with a veter...

In this second installment of the two-part series on antimicrobial stewardship, Dr. Phil Meadows returns with Dr. Frederic Tremblay to explore practical steps toward more sustainable antimicrobial practices. This episode delves into how producers can develop effective protocols, reduce reliance on Category I antimicrobials, and embrace preventive strategies like vaccines and environmental manageme...

In the first of this two-part series on antimicrobial stewardship in the dairy industry, we explore antimicrobial resistance and how dairy producers are adapting to evolving antimicrobial guidelines. Host Dr. Phil Meadows sits down with bovine veterinarian Dr. Frederic Tremblay to discuss how his clinic navigated the change in Quebec’s regulations on Category I antimicrobial use. Tune in to learn...