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
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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