Health

An Update on Ticks and Tick-borne Disease in Ohio: Plus the Buckeye Tick Test Lab

Dr. Tim McDermott, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Franklin County

It seems in Ohio it is never too early to start scouting animals for ticks. While we commonly think of summer as tick season, we actually see tick activity and positive detections of tick-borne disease all 12 months of the year in Ohio. One of the ticks of the biggest concern impacting livestock, especially cattle, in Ohio is the invasive Longhorned Tick(LHT). This tick was first discovered in Ohio on a dog in Gallia County in 2020 and has rapidly increased its range in Ohio since then. As of the beginning of 2024 we had positively identified LHT in 11 counties in Ohio including Franklin, Delaware, Ross, Gallia, Vinton, Jackson, Athens, Morgan, Monroe, Belmont, and Guernsey county. Since that point we have added Pike, Lawrence, Noble, Coshocton, Wayne, Muskingum, Washington, and Licking bringing our total up to 19 affected counties. We anticipate adding to that list in 2025.

The Longhorned tick can be a Continue reading An Update on Ticks and Tick-borne Disease in Ohio: Plus the Buckeye Tick Test Lab →

May Weed Report

Christine Gelley, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Noble County

(Cressleaf Groundsel)

(Poison Hemlock)

Warm temperatures and steady rainfall have accelerated the maturity of grass, legume, and weedy species in the landscape and on-farm so far this spring. Two main species of concern that have been actively growing quickly around the county include poison hemlock and cressleaf groundsel.

Poison hemlock is a biennial weed that does not flower in the first year of growth but flowers in the second year. It blooms on stalks 6-10 feet tall. All parts of the plant are toxic to all classes of livestock if consumed and it is prevalent along roadsides, ditches, and crop field borders. The earlier you can address poison hemlock with mowing and/or herbicide application, the better your control methods will be.

Poison hemlock is related to Continue reading May Weed Report →

There’s Something in the Water

Amber Friedrichsen, Managing Editor, Hay and Forage Grower
(Previously published in Hay & Forage Grower: May 6, 2025)

Natural water sources in pastures are only as valuable to a grazing system as the quality of water they contain. In other words, the health and performance of livestock will suffer if animals are subject to contaminated water, especially if that water is fraught with blue-green algae.

In a recent Beef Tips newsletter from Kansas State University Extension, AJ Tarpoff says the combination of sunny, hot, and dry conditions create an ideal environment for blue-green algal blooms to thrive in pasture ponds; however, the sporadic occurrence of these blooms makes it hard to prevent contamination. To be sure, the extension veterinarian adds that blue-green algal blooms are not even made up of algae — they are accumulations of cyanobacteria.

Tarpoff explains that some species of cyanobacteria can produce and release neurotoxins and hepatotoxins. Neurotoxins can Continue reading There’s Something in the Water →

Death by Lethal Ingestion

Mike Rankin, Senior Editor, Hay & Forage Grower
(Previously published online with Hay & Forage Grower: April 8, 2025)

(Image Source: Hay and Forage Grower)

The philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death in 399 B.C. for not believing in the popular Greek gods of his time and place. Without the option of an electric chair or firearm, the philosopher’s sentence — like that of many others — was to drink some poison hemlock juice. It’s not described as a pleasant or quick way to go.

Over 2,400 years later, poison hemlock still remains a lethal threat, but mostly to grazing livestock or where the weed is harvested in hay. In fact, it’s one of the first weeds to appear in pastures and hayfields, according to Kevin Bradley, an extension weed specialist with the University of Missouri.

Poison hemlock can be found growing Continue reading Death by Lethal Ingestion →

Vaginal and Cervical Prolapse in Ruminants

Dr. Jennifer N. Roberts, DVM, DACT, Michigan State University
(Previously published online with Merck Manual Veterinary Manual: September, 2024)

(Image Source: Dr. Robert M. Lofstedt)

Eversion and prolapse of the vagina, with or without prolapse of the cervix, occurs most commonly in cattle and sheep (cows and ewes) and usually occurs in mature animals in the last trimester of pregnancy. A form of vaginal prolapse also occurs in dogs.

Predisposing factors include increased intra-abdominal pressure associated with the gravid uterus, intra-abdominal fat, and rumen distention plus relaxation and softening of the pelvic girdle and associated soft-tissue structures of the pelvic canal and perineum mediated by increased circulating concentrations of estrogens and relaxin during late pregnancy. Increased intra-abdominal pressure in recumbent animals may contribute to eversion of the vaginal tissue. Continue reading Vaginal and Cervical Prolapse in Ruminants →

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Analysis Survey

Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Ohio Department of Agriculture

(Image Source: National Animal Disease Information Service)

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The Ohio State University – College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM) is conducting a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Landscape Analysis Survey designed to assess the level of producer awareness and knowledge regarding FMD preparedness and response, while understanding their role in managing a potential outbreak in the state of Ohio.

The data collected from this survey will be used to inform the development of the State of Ohio’s FMD Emergency Plan, as well as to identify opportunities for further learning and exploration in FMD preparedness and response addressing the specific needs of our producers.

By taking these steps to prepare for a potential FMD outbreak, the state hopes to minimize the potential impact of FMD on our agricultural sector. Continue reading Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Analysis Survey →

Stave Off Waterbelly in Sheep and Goats

South Dakota State University Extension
(Previously published online with: DakotaFarmer, FarmProgress: October 9, 2024)

Tips can help prevent disease that blocks urinary tract in male ruminants.

Male sheep and goats can be afflicted with waterbelly, which can lead to major production losses. Also called urolithiasis or urinary calculi, waterbelly can affect wethers feeding on a high-concentrate ration.

The disease is caused by small stones forming in the bladder that later block the urethra. The stones cause reduced urine flow, hunched backs and abdominal discomfort. Young wethers are more prone to the condition. The inability for the animal to urinate will cause the bladder to distend or rupture, hence the name, waterbelly.

To guard against the disease in your flocks, know the symptoms, forms of waterbelly and ways to prevent it. With

Continue reading Stave Off Waterbelly in Sheep and Goats →

Sheep Water Requirements and Quality Testing

Jaelyn Whaley, South Dakota State University Extension Sheep Field Specialist
(Previously published online with South Dakota State University Extension: February 09, 2024)

Water intake is critical in ensuring animal health, performance and mitigating heat stress. In general, sheep will drink 1.0 to 1.5 gallons of water for every 4 pounds of dry matter (DM) consumed. Sheep need access to fresh, clean water with adequate space to ensure proper intake. Unclean or poor-quality water can negatively affect consumption, subsequently decreasing productivity, health and growth.

Understanding Water Requirements
Water requirements for ewes are listed in Table 1. Actual water consumption will vary with changes in temperature and humidity. Additionally, water requirement changes with stage of production, as pregnant, lactating and ewes raising multiples have the greatest water requirements. It is generally recommended that ewes raising twins or more require double the amount of water to support fetal growth and lactation (NRC, 2007).

Water is considered the most-important nutrient, because of the vast number of biological functions that rely on water. Growth, development and reproduction may be inhibited by not providing enough fluid water to a flock. Continue reading Sheep Water Requirements and Quality Testing →