Farm & Ranch
Pregnancy testing
By Jessica Crabtree and
Dr. Jered Harlan, D.V.M.
No matter the breed, the ultimate goal of any cow/calf operations is to have the highest reproductive efficiency. Much like we talked last month about bulls, cows, too, serve a vital purpose in achieving the objectives of breeding. As producers, pregnancy testing puts them in position to make the best possible decision. With high market prices and cost of feed, each cow must be a producer. If not, she is costing the producer money, especially when selling. Cows sold with a guaranteed live calf attract a higher price at market.
Producers concern themselves with pregnancy testing their cows for multiple reasons. Whether to manage their herds in specific calving periods, helping to determine sire in a artificial insemination program, adding value to cattle going to market, or to cull open cattle. In the latter case, early detection is key in a non-pregnant cow. Early detection of an open cow translates to less input without return. Reliable pregnancy testing can be initiated as early as six weeks from the end of a breeding season. To read more pick up the July 2015 issue of NTFR.
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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