Farm & Ranch
What to expect when your cow’s expecting
By Jessica Crabtree and Dr. Jered Harlan
As a cattle producer, your ultimate goal is bred cows, successful pregnancies and deliveries with weaned calves at the end with little to no problem at each stage. That is in a perfect world. Reality is, problems can occur before pregnancy, during the pregnancy and after the pregnancy. The majority of these issues come on rapidly and require rapid treatment. Fortunately, if tended to early, little to no permanent damage on subsequent breeding occur.
Pre-calving problems range from vaginal/rectal prolapse to ketosis/pregnancy toxemia. Prolapse occurs when the tissue around the birth canal becomes relaxed as the cow begins the last third of gestation. Due to increased pressure in the abdominal cavity, the vagina or rectum will protrude. If that tissue is trapped outside the birth canal, it will swell and become infected. The bladder may also become trapped, making it impossible for the cow to urinate. This is more common in older cows or even first-calf heifers. To read more pick up the January 2016 issue of NTFR. 
Abnormal calving positions. (Courtesy photos)
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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