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 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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