Rocking M Farms

06/14/2026

Over the last two decades, great strides have been made to standardize beef cattle injection techniques. This printable checklist of recommended injection practices can help Canadian beef cattle producers maintain a safe and quality beef supply.

Download our updated beef cattle injection guide.⬇️
https://www.beefresearch.ca/content/uploads/2026/01/beef-cattle-injection-key-recommendations.pdf

06/14/2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has provided an important update on New World Screwworm which has been detected in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. Read the full press release here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-confirms-presence-new-world-screwworm-united-states

General information about New World Screwworm (NWS) can be found in the text below and in the attached infographic.

The adult screwworm fly is about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger), with orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along its back. It gets its name from the behavior of its larvae (maggots) as they burrow (screw) into the wound, feeding as they go. The maggots (larvae) cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts’ tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can quickly become enlarged and deeper as more maggots hatch and feed on living tissue.

Because they feed on live flesh, NWS maggots may burrow deep into wounds or openings, while other species of maggots may appear around the outer surface of the wound. In addition, even the smallest wounds have the potential to attract flies, so it is imperative that you keep a close eye on your animals for any signs of wounds.

Lastly, NWS infestations are a reportable disease! Immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots, or infestations to a local accredited veterinarian, your State Animal Health Official, or a USDA veterinarian.

For more information, reference this resource from the U.S. Department of Agriculture: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

He’s a looker for sure 🖤

05/10/2026

Wishing all the incredible moms out there a day filled with love and joy! 💕 Here's to celebrating the heart and soul of every family—Happy Mother's Day!

04/08/2026

WHAT IS LEPTOSPIROSIS? 🔎

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection horses can pick up from contaminated urine, reproductive fluids, or contaminated water/soil. Risk is higher with stagnant water, flooding/heavy rain, and exposure to wildlife/rodents.

Leptospirosis is most known for affecting the kidneys, pregnancy, and eyes. The main syndromes associated with it are:

• Kidney disease (acute renal failure): may include fever, not eating, changes in urine production, and abnormal kidney bloodwork; urine testing may show blood/inflammation.

• Pregnancy loss / foal illness: can cause placentitis, abortion (often late-term, typically after 8 months), or a sick newborn foal (weakness, jaundice).

• Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU): a painful, recurring eye inflammation that can happen months to years after the original infection and can threaten vision.

🩺 Symptoms of Leptospirosis can include:
• Fever, dullness, not eating
• Changes in urination or signs of illness consistent with kidney trouble
• Abortion, especially late in pregnancy (sometimes with no warning signs)
• Eye pain/squinting/recurring eye inflammation

Prevention:
An equine-approved vaccine is available. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss your horse's suitability and the appropriate vaccination protocol for your specific situation.

⚠️Human safety note:
Some types of Leptospira serovars can infect people. Use care while handling urine or aborted tissues/fluids and involve your veterinarian promptly.

If you have questions or concerns about Leptospirosis in regard to your equines, contact your veterinarian.

02/12/2026

Coggins Clinic coming in March!

02/05/2026

DID YOU KNOW? Here are three quick fun facts about equine nutritional requirements as they relate to forage.

1️⃣ Horses prefer to spend AT LEAST 60% of their time grazing.
- Limiting time grazing can lead to behavioral and digestive issues.
- Horses with not enough forage in their gut are predisposed to gastric ulcers.

2️⃣ FORAGE should be 60-100% of the total equine diet.
- Forage should be fed at a rate of 1.5-2% of a horse's body weight per day.

3️⃣ Forage must be no longer than a ¼ of an inch long by the time it is swallowed to maximize digestion.
- Functional teeth are required for proper mastication (chewing) of long stem forage.
- If a horse can't adequately chew, we need to support them in other ways so that they can properly digest forage and avoid choke.

If you have questions about feeding enough quality forage to your specific equine, contact your veterinarian.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.