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 Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
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 Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
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 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.
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