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West Nile Virus reaches Texas
By Dr. Molly Bellefeuille
Nineteen equine West Nile Virus (WNV) cases have been reported this year in Texas. Counties affected include Houston, Atascosa, Jefferson, Roberts, Sterling, Parker, Randall, Liberty, Scurry, Hutchinson, Taylor, Nolan, Trinity, Robertson, Midland, Orange, Harris and Victoria. The majority of the affected horses were not previously vaccinated against WNV. WNV was first detected in the United States in 1999; however, it is now considered endemic to North America. Since 1999 over 25,000 cases of WNV have been reported in U.S. horses. The virus has been detected in all of the continental United States, most of Canada and Mexico.
The virus is maintained through the transmission cycle between the mosquitoes and wild birds. The virus uses the bird as a reservoir host (area of virus expansion and amplification) and the mosquitoes as a vector host (mode of transportation). Thus the horse is infected with WNV predominantly through the mosquito. To date there is no evidence of horse-to-horse or horse-to-human transmission. To read more puck up the November 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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