By Tressa Lawrence

As the crisp mornings of fall start to break, many Wyoming ranchers start to move their cattle and sheep from their mountain pastures back to the lowlands. Many ranchers rely on good neighbors to get through this busy season filled with long days.

By Rosslyn Biggs, DVM and Barry Whitworth, DVM

As the year progresses many producers look to move cattle to alternative pasture. Unfortunately, certain weather conditions, including drought or freezing, can set up some plants in the sorghum family, including Johnson grass, to become toxic. Even after limited grazing, deaths may be seen due to the ingestion of prussic acid, also known as hydrocyanic acid or cyanide. A classic call to the veterinarian is, “My cattle are dropping like flies.”

Prussic acid toxin is created when the harmless hydrocyanic glycosides in plants are stressed and break down. Once the hydrocyanic glycosides in the plants are damaged through actions like cattle chewing or a swather and crimper, they quickly convert to prussic acid.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

By Steve Collins | cctranch@gmail.com

Family farms and ranches form a foundation of American agriculture and support the values and viability of our rural communities. The sustainability of family farms and ranches is now being challenged by many trends, including, among other factors, an aging agricultural producer population and taxes.

The age of producers has increased substantially during the last 20 years. Planning by families for the preservation and succession of the family farm or ranch is complicated by legal issues, tax rules and family dynamics. In an effort to assist family farmers and ranchers, the Northern Prairie Grazing Land Coalition, a chapter of the Texas Grazing Land Coalition, is offering The Next Generation of Ranching: Generational Transition Conference.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.