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[ March/April 2005 ]

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HIDDEN DANGER
by Lana Kaiser, DVM

Agriculture is a high-risk occupation. When you think of accidents on your farm, you probably think of tractor rollovers, getting hung up in the PTO shaft, or being charged by a bull or kicked by a cow. Over 10 percent of agricultural injuries occur secondary to needle sticks - most commonly in the hand. Big deal, you say, a little blood, a little pain, no big thing, it happens all the time. Did you ever think about dying from an accidental injection of a drug used to treat cattle?

Last time you treated a bovine, did you put the syringe your pocket and walk nonchalantly into the barn? Because you were pressed for time and carrying a lot of stuff, did you put it in your mouth when you walked through the barnyard? Or maybe you figured you would save time, so you took the needle cover off and carried it to the chute.

In 2003, a 38-year-old Nebraska cattleman, husband, father and son died as the result of an accidental injection of Micotil (tilcomisin). As reconstructed by the Nebraska Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation, “He was carrying a 12cc plastic disposable syringe in his right hand when a cow that was in an adjacent pen charged him, striking the fence between the two. The victim was knocked to the ground. When struck from the fall, he was injected with an unknown amount of the antibiotic. He immediately began to feel dizzy and nauseous. He was able to return to the “vet room” inside the barn to call his wife who was nearby in the house. An ambulance was called and the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died less than an hour later.” By all accounts, he had used Micotil in the past and was an experienced and careful individual.

We become very lackadaisical with the drugs we use to treat cattle, and this lack of knowledge and care can kill us. Use of drugs in cattle requires knowledge and care. Use of Micotil requires a little more of both. Read the label! Micotil can be fatal to humans, but it is not the only potential lethal cattle drug.

Micotil
Micotil is an antibiotic developed for the treatment of respiratory disease (pneumonia, shipping fever) in cattle. Micotil is not a human product. Micotil is an excellent bovine antibiotic, because it requires a low dose with only one injection given subcutaneously. Virtually thousands of doses of Micotil have been administered without incident. To date, there are two confirmed fatalities and several individuals having required hospitalization after inadvertent injection of Micotil. By the numbers, you are more likely to be hit by a drunk driver than to die from Micotil. But the numbers are meaningless if you or your loved one is the person who dies from an accidental injection of Micotil.
The target organ of Micotil in humans is the heart. Some drugs used in emergency rooms to treat people with heart problems (i.e. epinephrine and beta blockers like propranolol) make Micotil toxicity worse. If you are inadvertently stuck by a syringe containing Micotil, take the product information (see Micotil product information in this article) with you to the emergency room. It contains information about treatment as well as the numbers to call.

Micotil may be the most rapid lethal drug we use in the cattle business, but don’t be fooled into believing that it is the only dangerous drug or compound on the farm. Here are a few of the other drugs on the farm that can kill you or make you really sick.

Organophosphates
German scientists prior to and during World War II originally introduced organophosphates as pesticides; however, there was considerable speculation that these highly toxic substances could be used as antipersonnel devices in chemical warfare. That history should be enough to tell you that these are toxic compounds and should be used with care. They are primarily used as insecticides and antiparasitics. Organophosphates act by permanently inhibiting an enzyme in the nervous system (in both parasites and humans). They have a narrow margin of safety. This means that there is very little difference in the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose. Organophosphates can be absorbed thorough the skin as well as the lungs, so you should always wear protective clothing when using them. Some of the more common organophosphates are diclorvos (a.k.a. DDVP, Task) and coumafos (a.k.a. Meldane).

Xylazine
Xylazine (a.k.a. Rompun) is a prescription analgesic (pain reliever), sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant that is used in cattle for a variety of purposes. It is classified as an “alpha adrenergic agonist” and has effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. Xylazine can decrease the function of the heart and drop blood pressure. Almost every veterinarian knows someone who knows some veterinarian who has self injected him or herself with xylazine and fell right over, leaving the farmer to call 911. The veterinarian nearly dies and ends up in the hospital for a while.

Lutalyse
Lutalyse is a prostaglandin F2 alpha analog. This means it basically does what naturally made prostaglandin F2 alpha does. In the cattle business, we use it to synchronize cattle for breedingand to abort pregnant cattle. Lutalyse is readily absorbed through the skin. According to the label, "Women of childbearing age, asthmatics and persons with other respiratory problems should exercise extreme caution when handling this product... and can cause abortion and/or bronchospasms." So, if you are pregnant or have emphysema or asthma, have somebody else synchronize the cows. If you accidentally get Lutalyse on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If you are accidentally injected with Lutalyse, get to a hospital.

Penicillin
Penicillin is an inexpensive antibiotic that can be used to treat a variety of infections in cattle. It is estimated that penicillin is responsible for 75 percent of all deaths due to drug induced allergic reactions. In fact, anaphylactic reactions to penicillin are responsible for over 400 deaths in the United States annually. People who are allergic to penicillin are also likely allergic to two similar drugs - Ampicillin and Amoxicillin. A high percentage of persons allergic to penicillin are also sensitive to the cephalosporins, this would include Naxcel and Excenel. If you know you have a penicillin allergy, be careful. If you don’t know, you should be careful because you might!

Any sedative (Ace, Thorazine, Xylazine, etc.) by their nature is mind altering. Certainly they can be harmful if we are accidentally exposed to them, but just as importantly, these mind-altering drugs can cause animals to act out of their mind. Now in most cases, this change in behavior is what we expect - sedation and calmness. It can also give you a false sense of security - the animal looks calm, so you let down your guard. You should also know sedatives can cause a reaction opposite of the intended reaction, so instead of calming down, the animal becomes more excited.

Bangs Vaccine
The cause of Bangs disease (a.k.a. brucellosis) is bacteria, and the vaccine is made from live bacteria. In humans, this bacteria causes a disease called undulant fever. If you or your veterinarian is accidentally injected with the vaccine, it is very likely that undulant fever will occur. If you are stuck, go to your physician as soon as possible for antibiotics to prevent the development of the disease.

Chloramphenicol
Great antibiotic but is illegal to use in food producing animals, because it can cause fatal aplastic anemia in people. With aplastic anemia, the bone marrow quits making both red and white blood cells, making you both anemic and susceptible.

The Value of Time TIME - every moment there has ever been or ever will be. Really think about that - every moment of every day for the rest of your life! It makes me appreciate the value of time and how important it really is. To me, the true meaning of time is overlooked in everyday life. It's simply another oversight in a person's day, something less important and something you spend in large part fighting. Fighting to get to work on time, reaching a deadline, making it to a meeting or trying to spend more of it with family and friends. Yet, it is everything. You can chose to cherish your time and work

by Kyla Nesheim editor/director of communications

I bring up the issue of time because it has been over a year that I have been working for the American Maine-Anjou Association (AMAA). My time here has been great. The people involved with this progressive breed are truly wonderful and you have made my time here rewarding. It seems like yesterday I was packing my things up in South Dakota and making my way south to start a new job. An entire year, gone in the blink of an eye! Over this past year, I have come to realize how lucky I have been to be part of such a great thing - the cattle industry. It has been a large part of my life for as long as I can remember and I am grateful to be able to continue to be part of it.

Over this past year I have met some of the brightest and most dedicated people in the cattle business. The Maine-Anjou breed is blessed to have such a great group of breeders and promoters standing behind it. I have learned these breeders and promoters will take time to go that extra mile to achieve their goals and assist those wanting to be involved in this dynamic breed. Your time spent on improving the breed, promoting the breed and traveling to shows is amazing.

There is a special group of people that need to be commended for the amount of time they put forth. They spend countless hours improving the breed and helping out in any way they can. Their time and effort is enjoyed by everyone and they need to be recognized. They are the adult and junior AMAA board members. Their dedication to this breed is second to none. They are always willing to lend a helping hand and promote the breed to the fullest extent possible. Thank you!

Hats off to those taking their time to breed and raise Maine-Anjou cattle, who register their new calf crop, who travel to shows, who support the association, who take the time to talk with fellow breeders and cattle enthusiasts about the benefits of Maine-Anjou cattle and who give their all to the Maine-Anjou breed. Sure it's a lot of time and work, but it's also a lot of fun. It is also time well spent with people sharing the same interests.

As the Maine-Anjou Voice editor, I have gained a whole new outlook on time. When dealing with a publication, time is the number one factor! Managing time has become a key issue for me. With shows to attend, ads to sell and editorial to be done, time is a precious commodity. Patience becomes the key. Waiting on ad information, a phone call, photos or any other information pertinent to the magazine takes a great deal of patience. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Voice, please feel free to give me a call. I would love to hear from you.

I encourage everyone to take the time given to you and do your best with it. The value of time is taken for granted far too many times. Sit back and enjoy your time - enjoy it while it lasts. Because you can never have enough time!
 

I want to take this time to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone here at the AMAA office in Platte City, Mo. You have been great! I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with. Thanks for a great first year! — Kyla

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OPEN SHOWS
California State Fair - Sacramento, Calif. - Aug. 31, 2004
Judge: Steve Reimer, Chamberlain, S.D.
Grand Champion Female - War Bonnet Many Tears 201M
Exhibited by: Clayton, Heather and Allison O'Neal, Madera

Reserve Grand Champion Female - War Bonnet Black Rose 301N
Exhibited by: Clayton, Heather and Allison O'Neal, Madera

Grand Champion Bull - Payoffs Red Stud 356N
Exhibited by: Linda Schmidt, Pomona

South Dakota State Fair - Huron, S.D. - Sept. 10, 2004
Judge: Craig Schrader, Michigan
Grand Champion Female - MIL Miss Keonna 10N
Exhibited by: Brittany Bruns, Baltic

Reserve Grand Champion Female - DJ Neat N2
Exhibited by: DeJong Ranch, Kennebec

Grand Champion Bull - DJ Pilgrim
Exhibited by: DeJong Ranch, Kennebec

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - JDS Nike
Exhibited by: David Stout, De Smet

Oklahoma State Fair - Oklahoma City, Okla. - Sept. 24, 2004
Judge: Doug Parrett, Illinois
Grand Champion Female - RSCC Miss Kadabra
Exhibited by: Russ Salton, Ayrshire, Iowa

Reserve Grand Champion Female - RSCC Miss Energizer
Exhibited by: Cody Green, London, Ark.

Grand Champion Bull - 4E Ice Cube N370
Exhibited by: Diamonds In The Rough Cattle Co., Oolagah

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - Thickset 316M
Exhibited by: Diamonds In The Rough Cattle Co., Oolagah

World Beef Expo - Milwaukee, Wis. - Sept. 25, 2004
Judge: Montie Soules, Oklahoma
Grand Champion Female - Bowling Miss Pearl 405P
Exhibited by: Lindsey Hansen, Owatonna, Minn.

Reserve Grand Champion Female - Marby's Natalie
Exhibited by: Borchers' Maines, Eaton, Ind.

Grand Champion MaineTainer Female - Wolf Creek Nunja 26N
Exhibited by: Cheryl Jeske, Sheboygan Falls

Reserve Grand Champion MaineTainer Female - Rocking B Life Saver
Exhibited by: Rocking B Cattle Co., Panora, Iowa

Grand Champion Bull - GCC Schmoozer 4N
Exhibited by: Jerry Ott, Churubusco, Ind.

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - Rocking B Final Drive 212N
Exhibited by: Rocking B Cattle Co., Panora, Iowa

Keystone International Livestock Exposition - Harrisburg, Pa. - Oct. 1, 2004
Grand Champion Female - SJCF Serena
Exhibited by: Sara Jo Campbell, Sycamore

Reserve Grand Champion Female - Miss Liliann
Exhibited by: Christine Yoder, Conneautville

Grand Champion Bull - We-Glow Petey Papalo
Exhibited by: Robin A. McCabe, Rochester

Tulsa State Fair - Tulsa, Okla. - Oct. 3, 2004
Grand Champion Female - DRCC Miss New Fortune
Exhibited by: Diamonds In The Rough Cattle Co., Oolagah

Reserve Grand Champion Female - RSCC Miss Kadabra 100N
Exhibited by: Abby Salton, Ayrshire, Iowa

Grand Champion Bull - 4E Ice Cube N370
Exhibited by: Diamonds In The Rough Cattle Co., Oolagah

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - WC Moneymaker
Exhibited by: Abby Nielsen, Granby, Mo.

Arkansas State Fair - Little Rock, Ark. - October 14, 2004
Judge: Dr. Ron Gill, Texas
Grand Champion Female - RSCC Miss Energizer
Exhibited by: Cody Green, London

Reserve Grand Champion Female - KC Bedazzled
Exhibited by: Cody Green, London

Grand Champion Bull - ALP Under Cover Brother 8
Exhibited by: Chad Koop, Pulaski, Tenn.

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - 4E Ice Cube
Exhibited by: Diamonds In The Rough Cattle Co., Oolagah, Okla.

Farmfair International - Edmonton, Alta., Canada - Nov. 12, 2004
Grand Champion Female - Jack Pine Red Lady 187J
Exhibited by: Jack Pine Maines, Redwater

Reserve Grand Champion Female - Miss Rusylvia 28N
Exhibited by: Rusylvia Cattle Co., Derwent

Grand Champion Bull - Anchor C Power Pack 211M
Exhibited by: Anchor C Cattle Co., Olds

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - Mr. Rusylvia Predator 1P
Exhibited by: Rusylvia Cattle Co., Derwent

Saskatoon Fall Fair - Saskatoon, Sask., Canada - Nov. 17, 2004
Grand Champion Female - Hall's Lisa Marie 321N
Exhibited by: Hall's Cattle Co., Craven

Reserve Grand Champion Female - SSK Liza Jane 12P
Exhibited by: Blair Boyz Cattle Co., Lanigan

Grand Champion Bull - Hall's Wells Fargo 521N
Exhibited by: Hall's Cattle Co., Craven

Reserve Grand Champion Bull - Hall's Drafted 043P
Exhibited by: Hall's Cattle Co., Craven

INDUSTRY NEWS

Cold Weather Tips for Spring Calving
With temperatures dipping well below freezing in parts of the plains and midwest, “spring” calving season poses a challenge for cow-calf producers. The cold, wet weather can affect the health of both the cow and her calf, said a Kansas State University veterinarian.

“During cold weather it is essential to get the calves to ‘mother up’ immediately after birth,” said Larry Hollis, a veterinarian for K-State Research and Extension. “Getting the colostrum of ‘first milk’ will help prevent scours (calf diarrhea) and help warm the newborn.”

Colostrum is a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, minerals and energy and also contains antibodies to diseases or vaccines that the mother has been exposed to. In the first 24 hours of life, calves can absorb antibodies directly through their gut wall and into the bloodstream, said Hollis, who specializes in cattle health management. The gut wall ‘closes’ by the end of that 24- our period. Calves can absorb more antibodies in the first one to two hours after birth than they can 20 to 24 hours after birth. Scours is thought to cause more financial loss to cow-calf producers than any other disease-related problem, Hollis said. The condition can result in death in calves due to dehydration or a lack of electrolytes, which are secondary to the infectious cause of the disease.

“It is also important to have enough dry and clean ground for the cows to give birth on,” the veterinarian said. “Giving birth on ground that is covered in manure can cause problems for the calves, like scours.” Also during cold weather, a cow’s energy requirements before and after giving birth are higher than in warm weather, Hollis said. The cattle may not get the energy they need from hay alone. Feeding grains or other high energy feedstuffs is important to the cow herd’s health.

Cattle-Wise.com Locates Online Auctions in Denver’s Historic Livestock Exchange Building
Cattle-Wise.com, the cattle industry’s one-stop online hub for e-commerce activity and information management, has moved its auction headquarters to Denver’s historic Livestock Exchange building. Cattle-Wise.com’s sales, marketing and information activities will take place in the new headquarters. Opened in 1916, the building was once a marketing epicenter for livestock producers in the western United States, with hundreds of thousands of cattle, sheep and hogs bought and sold there annually. “We believe our move into the historic Livestock Exchange makes a powerful statement about our company,” said Dr. John Evans of Path-Wise Corporation, the parent company of Cattle-Wise.com. “The building is an enduring symbol of the industry’s history, of free markets and capitalism. Cattle-Wise.com is a continuation of those things, and represents the future for the U.S. cattle industry. We look forward to having a long-lasting presence there.”

Cattle-Wise.com is currently featuring online semen, embryo and cattle auctions operating 24- ours everyday. The company will roll out other auction technologies that benefit beef producer, feeders and processors in the coming months. To sell semen, embryos or cattle, producers simply register on the website, then begin listing or bidding on items. There are no registration or listing fees, so there’s no risk for producers to participate. Cattle-Wise charges a flat 5 percent commission on successfully completed sales, and financial transactions are handled instantly and electronically.

Cattle-Wise.com is the e-commerce and information hub for the worldwide cattle industry. It supports the day-to-day business practices of cattle producers in four key activities: e-commerce and trade, herd management, business management and decision support. To reach Cattle-Wise, please call (303) 292-WISE or on the web at www.cattle-wise.com.