Farm & Ranch
Learning the ins and outs of Leptospirosis
By Jessica Crabtree & Dr. Jered Harlan
The term Leptospirosis was applied to the aspiral-shaped bacterium known as Leptospira interrogans of animals and humans caused by numerous distinct serovars.
Such serovars are harbored by a wide range of animals. Leptospira serovars Pomona and Harjo are particularly important in livestock; however, the number of other serovars detected in domestic animals and in humans is growing and causing slight concern to experts.
Leptospirosis sounds like a large, scary word. There are actually two different kinds of Leptospirosis Harjo, called lepto by producers. The two kinds are Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Harjo and Leptospiria interrogans serovar Hardjo. The bacteria infects through urine and the aftermath of abortion contamination in water sources as well as through infected wildlife.
Moisture is seen as a factor in survival of the bacteria. Lepto typically occurs during spring and summer months while animals prosper in pastures. Vermin or wildlife carry Leptospira Hardjo; however, sheep may carry it and excrete the bacteria, resulting in risk during mixed grazing.
Bovine risk
There are several scenarios as to why animals become infected. As for cattle, producers must be aware during mixed grazing of cattle with sheep, sharing bulls, in open herds and sharing water sources.
To read more pick up a copy of the April 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe 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.
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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