Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch: Pregnancy testing heifers
By contributing writer Rayford Pullen
The results are in. Our first set of pregnancy test results are in on our virgin heifers and there were a few surprises.
First off, our conception rate for the first 65 days of breeding using bulls was 87 percent. We normally expect 95 percent or higher. Out of the 104 head we were breeding, 12 came up open based on the Biopryn test we received from Progressive Molecular Diagnostics in Tioga, Texas.
While we leave our bulls turned out for 90 plus days, we need to know which heifers breed early as these same animals tend to calve earlier throughout their productive life while late breeding heifers tend to calve late. Early is good for weaning weights.
The Biopryn test will determine pregnancy at approximately 28 days post breeding. We simply send in two cc of blood from each animal through the mail and get results in a couple of days. No refrigeration is necessary.
The heifers that came up open will be retested in 30 days and their future with us is undecided as some of our management practices have changed. To read more pick up the September 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
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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