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 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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