Farm & Ranch
Understanding BVD- Bovine Viral Diarrhea
By Jessica Crabtree and Dr. Jered Harlan
First, to understand BVD you must know what it is. Bovine viral diarrhea is a viral disease that affects ruminants such as cattle and other ruminating mammals such as goats, sheep, deer, antelope and more. It is caused by the bovine viral diarrhea virus BVDV. BVDV is a member of the pestivirus genus and can be recognized by four different species, BVDV-1, BVDV-2, border disease virus of sheep and classic swine fever virus.
BVD is the regular cause behind respiratory and reproductive problems in producers’ herds.
Economically speaking, BVD-related issues may be the most important, and according to the December 2007 info sheet from the “APHIS: Veterinary Services -Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health entitled Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus,” there is evidence that the number of BVDV cases is on the rise in the United States. To read more pick up a copy of the August 2016 issue.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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