Farm & Ranch
Investigating lumpy jaw and wooden tongue
By Jessica Crabtree
Most producers are familiar with the terms lumpy jaw and woody tongue. To others, the two may seem unusual when talking about cattle. However, the condition is real and looks just as it sounds and is as painful as you’d think with lumps on the upper and lower jawbones, hence the name.
First familiarize yourself with the condition. Cattle of any breed, age and sex can be affected by lumpy jaw, although studies show younger cattle seem more at risk. However, a small percentage of animals are affected at any time. Even other species such as pigs and horses can be affected by lumpy jaw.
The specific condition is entitled Actinomycosis. The tricky thing is, cattle can come down with multiple other things that are similar to swollen or lumpy jaw. It is just a matter of contacting your veterinarian as soon as symptoms persist to accurately diagnose.
The cause of lumpy jaw is bacteria. To be exact, Actinomyces bovis, but other organisms may intrude the lesion other than A. bovis. A bovis is a common bacterium found in the mouth of healthy cattle. Issues typically begin when a sharp object, such as a stick or other jagged object, enters the mouth and punctures the lining allowing bacteria to invade further into the tissue.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2016 NTFR issue.
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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