Farm & Ranch
Mycoplasma ovis
By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma
Mycoplasma ovis, which was formerly known as Eperythrozoon ovis, is a blood parasite that infects sheep, goats and deer. The organism attaches to the surface of red blood cells. This results in the cell being destroyed by the animal’s immune system. This can lead to anemia, icterus, dark colored urine, and death. Additional problems associated with anemia are weight loss and bottle jaw, which could easily be confused with gastrointestinal parasites, commonly referred to as “worms.”
Most small ruminants infected with the bacterium will not have any clinical signs but become lifelong carriers of the organism. The disease tends to be a greater problem in young, immune naïve, immunocompromised, and pregnant animals. Infections in lambs/kids can result in poor weight gains and stunted growth.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2020 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 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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