Farm & Ranch
Defending Livestock Against Ticks
By Jessica Crabtree and Dr. Jered Harlan
Livestock owners may have noticed an increase in external parasites this year. Farmers, ranchers and veterinarians agree we were blessed with a steady rain supply which aided populations, and, in turn, equaled no consistent, long dry spell. Some even speculate the vast difference in seasons as a contributing factor. In all, the population of external parasites such as flies, fleas and ticks has been on the rise.Livestock owners may have noticed an increase in external parasites this year.
Farmers, ranchers and veterinarians agree we were blessed with a steady rain supply which aided populations, and, in turn, equaled no consistent, long dry spell. Some even speculate the vast difference in seasons as a contributing factor. In all, the population of external parasites such as flies, fleas and ticks has been on the rise.Defined, a tick is a small arachnid that is part of the order Parasitiformes.
Ticks, along with mites, constitute the subclass Acari and are ectoparasites, meaning that it lives by feeding on the blood of its host, such as a mammal, bird, even reptiles and amphibians. That notion being understood, ticks act as a serious vector for disease transmitted to both humans and animals. The tick is known for transferring more, and a larger variety of infectious organisms, than any other blood sucking arthropod.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call us at 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
Spring has sprung and hopefully the rains will continue where our country will heal from the previous droughts and our grasses will thrive. We are especially hopeful for the Panhandle of Texas where our neighbors and friends have been dealt a deadly blow to homes, ranges, livestock, and people. Keep them in your prayers as they will not be able to return to normal for many years if at all. Having lost their ability to benefit from this great cattle market is a double whammy for all of them.
Now is the time of year when we need to take care of business as it relates to our new calves that have been hitting the ground this spring. First and foremost is vaccinating for Blackleg followed by deworming with a white wormer and the IBR complex. Blackleg is a soil-born disease and with pastures extremely short this spring our calves have been grazing the green grass as soon as it shows itself, making them even more vulnerable to picking contaminates from the soil.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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