By Scout Nelson
Livestock health is an important part of successful farm management. Farmers now have access to many technologies that help them watch animals and identify possible health problems. These tools can provide useful information, but basic human senses remain valuable when caring for livestock. Watching, listening, touching, and smelling animals can help farmers notice changes that may need attention.
University of Minnesota Extension livestock veterinarian Dr. Angie Varnum works with producers, veterinarians and Extension educators to support better animal health. Since joining University of Minnesota Extension in 2025, she has helped connect scientific information with practical farm management. Her work shows how technology and human observation can work together to protect livestock.
Modern dairy and livestock farms can use many tools to monitor animals. Body sensors can track changes in an animal, while cameras can help identify problems such as lameness or infected hooves. Farmers can also use technology to control barn temperatures and other conditions. These systems can provide information that may help identify health concerns sooner.
“We can see if a cow is behaving differently; we can see and feel small wounds; a foul smell might indicate an infection, and we can hear changes in a cow's breathing,” says Varnum. “I have so much respect for people who are managing their herd day in and day out, and they know their animals well enough to sense when something needs attention.”
Finding a health problem early gives farmers more choices. Information from technology and direct animal observation can help producers decide what action to take. Each farm has different goals, herd sizes and management systems, so farmers can use the information that fits their operations.
“It’s all information that helps a producer make decisions according to the goals of their own operation,” says Varnum.
Extension educators also play an important role in helping farmers understand animal health. They work with producers in local communities and connect them with specialists when needed. Varnum works with Extension educators across Minnesota to bring veterinary knowledge to farm events and educational programs.
Brenda Miller, a Todd County Extension educator in agricultural systems, says Varnum's veterinary experience is useful during local field days. Farmers may need help with animal births, cow care during lactation and humane end-of-life decisions. Having a veterinarian available can help producers understand these issues from a broader view.
Varnum also shares practical information about sheep health. At a Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association field day in Brown County, she showed participants how to check sheep for parasites. She also discussed management of dangerous parasites such as the barber pole worm. Participants learned how body condition can provide useful information about an animal's health.
“Angie’s presentation at our GrazeHERs event was excellent,” says Matzke. “Participants got hands-on experience touching a sheep to assess its body condition score. They learned firsthand how an animal’s score relates to the parasite's effects."
Varnum also takes part in larger agricultural events. At Farmfest, an annual event in Redwood County that attracts more than 30,000 visitors, she joined leaders from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and Minnesota Beef Council. The group discussed risks related to New World screwworm, which has returned to the United States. Varnum has treated infected animals in other areas and has shared information about how to identify and report the disease.
Disease prevention is another part of her work. For concerns such as H5 influenza, Varnum works with veterinarians at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, state agencies and Extension specialists. These partnerships help farmers receive practical information about disease prevention and livestock care.
Varnum's background also includes working with people. She grew up with horses and continues to ride near her home in Wright County. Before becoming a veterinarian, she worked as a Spanish teacher for middle and high school students. She later earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a master's degree in public health from Colorado State University.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-pamwalker68
Categories: Minnesota, Livestock