Farm & Ranch
Livestock skin diseases
By Jessica Crabtree and
Dr. Jered Harlan, DVM
One of the most common skin diseases in cattle is ringworm. A fungal disease, ringworm often appears on calves and yearlings during winter, but normally vanishes by spring. The fungal skin disease is most often transferred by Trichphyton verrucosum, spore-forming fungi. The highly transmittable, infectious disease can spread from species to species, including humans. The spores, in a dry environment, can live for years. Having so many species of Trichophytin and Microsporum fungi, it is hard to build immunities against them. Direct contact with an infected
animal is the most common form of spreading the infection. Other ways the disease is spread is when an infected animal has rubbed on something in their natural environment such as a rope, halter and other equipment. The fungus establishes itself to the skin of the susceptible animal and is infiltrated through the hair follicle. The best way to halt the spread of the fungus is by disinfecting any equipment used on or around the animals.
Although unattractive, ring worm does not cause economic loss and does little to cause any permanent damage. Most common symptoms associated with the disease include grey-white areas of skin with an ash like surface, usually circular in outline and slightly raised. The size of lesions varies and can become extensive. To read more pick up the September 2015 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
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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