Ectoparasites with Dr. Will McCauley

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Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he's the Director of Business Development for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Dr. Will McCauley, Director of Industry and Government Relations Manager for Medgene. In this episode, Dr. McCauley and Dustin will dive into everything ectoparasites including, some examples of ectoparasites, how they harm cattle, and some preventative measures producers can take to minimize their damage. A three-time graduate of Texas A&M University, Dr. McCauley earned his DVM and MBA in 2012 and 2010, respectively. His career spans clinical practice, regulatory leadership, and corporate relations, including his previous role as Director of Corporate Relations at the Texas A&M Foundation. He is heavily involved in professional advocacy, serving on the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors and maintaining active roles with the AVMA and the Brazos Valley VMA. Dr. McCauley explains that ectoparasites cause harm in two primary ways: as vectors transmitting infectious diseases and as a direct drag on performance. He highlights ticks as a major economic concern, noting that they cause billions of dollars in losses globally, largely due to the diseases they spread rather than their feeding alone. A timely example is Theileria, a blood-borne protozoan transmitted by the invasive Asian longhorned tick, which is spreading across parts of the United States and producing clinical signs similar to anaplasmosis, including anemia, lethargy, respiratory difficulty, and jaundice. Ectoparasites also reduce productivity even when they are not transmitting disease. Horn flies illustrate this second category of harm. These flies are widespread and feed aggressively, biting cattle dozens of times per day. High fly pressure leads to behavioral changes—such as bunching in corners, seeking shade or brush, or standing in ponds—that reduce grazing time, slow weight gain, and decrease milk production, resulting in substantial economic losses for producers. Dr. McCauley reviews traditional control methods such as medicated ear tags, pour-ons, and fly bags, noting that their effectiveness has declined over time due to parasite resistance and longer parasite seasons associated with milder winters. He then describes Medgene’s prescription platform vaccines, which take a generational approach by reducing parasite populations over time, largely by decreasing reproductive output rather than causing an immediate knockdown. Because these are prescription products, he emphasizes the importance of a strong veterinarian–client–patient relationship and a multi-tool strategy that combines vaccines with other management practices to sustainably manage ectoparasite pressure and protect herd productivity. For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit: www.americancattlemen.com. [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

Fair Time Tips & Tricks Cattlemen & Veterinarians

Welcome back to Cattlemen & Veterinarians, a Partnership in Bovine Health, powered by American Cattlemen Media. Just ahead, we have Kaid Panek and Dr. Shynia Peterman, and they sit down with Dr. Dalton Newell, DVM of Oklahoma Beef Consultants. In this episode, they will dive into some tips and tricks for fair time to keep your animals as healthy and strong as possible. Dr. Dalton Newell was raised on a backgrounding operation in Minco, OK, where his family preconditioned cattle, sheep, and goats. Dalton judged livestock at Redlands Community College, Oklahoma State University, and graduated from OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Dr. Newell is a production animal veterinarian with the Oklahoma Beef Consultants; a consulting firm reaching from Nebraska to Texas and Missouri to California. Along with the services and consulting provided to producers, Newell volunteers as animal health official for Cattlemen’s Congress, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, EYO at the State Fair of Oklahoma, and the California Ag Youth Expo. Dalton, his wife Kass, who is the Executive Vice-President of OYE, and daughters Nyla and Nellie reside in Yukon, OK. Dr. Newell begins by explaining the importance of Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs). Requirements vary by state and by show, and can change rapidly with emerging disease threats such as screw worm, Theileria, and tick-borne conditions. Exhibitors are encouraged to review each show’s rules well in advance and provide those requirements to their veterinarian to streamline CVI preparation and avoid last-minute problems. He notes that CVIs are typically valid for 30 days, but that window may shorten during disease outbreaks. The conversation then turns to foundational husbandry. Dr. Newell stresses that preparation starts on day one of owning the project. Quarantine of new arrivals, daily observation of feed and water intake, clean bedding, appropriate vaccination protocols, deworming, and coccidia control are presented as non‑negotiable basics. At the fair, three pillars of husbandry—clean water, fresh feed, and a comfortable environment—are described as essential across species. Timing hauls to avoid heat stress, pre‑bedding stalls, running fans, managing water familiarity, maintaining feeding schedules, and using hay strategically all help keep show cattle eating, drinking, and coping with stress. For terminal shows, Dr. Newell highlights the critical importance of drug withdrawal times and meticulous treatment records to protect food safety. He recommends simple, consistent recordkeeping systems such as spreadsheets or shared digital documents, noting that documentation is vital if an animal ever tests positive on drug screens. Biosecurity when bringing animals home is addressed through quarantine, close observation for 7–10 days, and attention to equipment, trailers, and footwear to reduce disease spread. Dr. Newell closes by underscoring the life skills, work ethic, and human–animal bond developed through 4‑H, FFA, and showing livestock, encouraging families and educators to prioritize both animal welfare and biosecurity while enjoying the show barn lifestyle. Fair Time Tips & Tricks Cattlemen & Veterinarians For Future or Previous episodes visit our websites: American Cattlemen [https://americancattlemen.com/podcasts/] American Dairymen [https://americandairymen.com/] Cattlemen and Veterinarians: A Partnership in Bovine Health Sponsored by: Moly Manufacturing [https://www.molymfg.com/] Central Life Sciences [https://www.centrallifesciences.com/] Medgene [https://medgenelabs.com/] Forge [https://forge-ind.com/]

1 de jun de 202635 min

Ectoparasites with Dr. Will McCauley

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