Farm & Ranch
Breeding Bull Management
By Barry Whitworth, Senior Extension Specialist, Department of Animal and Food Science
For most cow/calf operations, bulls are a substantial investment. In fact, some experts believe in actual dollars, bulls represent the largest investment in cow/calf operations. They also have a dramatic impact on the future genetics in the herd. For these reasons, producers should manage bulls for optimal production.
A breeding bull should be considered an elite athlete. To perform at his best, the bull must be in top physical condition. A bull needs to be on a good nutrition program that meets his energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral needs. At the beginning of the breeding season, a bull should be in a body condition score of six to seven on a scale of nine. Producers should avoid overfeeding a bull since an overweight bull is more prone to lameness issues as well as accumulating fat in the neck of the scrotum which has a negative association with spermatogenesis.
To read more, pick up a copy of the May issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, 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.
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