Farm & Ranch
Trich Testing is NO Bull
By Jessica Crabtree & Dr. Jered Harlan
What is trichomoniasis-
Better known as “trich,” it is a venereal disease of cattle that causes reduced calf crops, decreased weaning weights due to open cows and a prolonged breeding season. Trich is caused by Tritrichomonas foetus which is a microscopic flagellated protozoan parasite that is confined to the reproductive tract in an infected animal, in this case bulls. It can be transmitted from the infected bulls to heifers or cows at the time of breeding. Trich ultimately results in cows losing pregnancies, causing a disrupted breeding season and low yield in calf crop. Bulls with trich carry the protozoa in their preputial sheath and penis. The cow, in contrast, harbors the organism in the vagina and uterus.
What does trich look like? What symptoms can I look for?
Bulls affected by trich show no outward clinical signs of having any issues. Even more aggravating, the parasite does not affect a bull’s semen quality nor sexual behavior when breeding. Bulls will breed cows as normal, transmitting the infection during breeding. Therefore, the only way to prevent entry of trich into a herd is to test each bull prior to using.
How will my cows be affected?
Trich presents itself in two different forms. The first is cows affected may become pregnant, undergo embryonic death and cycle regularly without showing any signs. It is only realized at pregnancy diagnosis when higher numbers of open cows are presented. The second way a cow can be affected is she cycles regularly and builds up immunity after three days.
To read more pick up a copy of the January 2018 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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