Farm & Ranch
When hours count – Calf scours
By Jessica Crabtree
Calf scours in actuality means calf diarrhea. Cattle of any age can develop diarrhea; however, producers must pay particular attention to calves less than one month old. A baby calf is most susceptible between three and 16 days of life. The three pathogens that lead to calf scours include viruses, bacteria and microscopic parasites doing damage do the intestinal tract.
Calf scours is the leading component to financial loss for cow/calf producers. It is important to understand calf scours is not a single disease, but a clinical sign to multiple diseases characterized by diarrhea. When born, a calf is roughly 70 percent water. With scours, a calf loses fluids and rapidly dehydrates. No matter the cause, scours prevents the absorption of fluids from the intestines. With dehydration, the animal will lose essential body chemicals, electrolytes, sodium and potassium and build up acid. Once dehydration from scours occurs, the calf suffers from electrolyte loss and acidosis. The infectious agents are to blame for the damage to intestine; however, death from scours is due to loss of electrolytes, acidosis and dehydration. To read more pick up the April 2016 issue of NTFR.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
-
Country Lifestyles1 year agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Equine7 months agoThe Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
Country Lifestyles4 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
HOME7 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?