Farm & Ranch
Pinkeye
By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma
Pinkeye is properly called infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) in cattle, which translates to an infection that causes inflammation of the surface of the eye and the tissues surrounding the eye. Pinkeye can affect cattle at any age, but it is much more of a problem in young cattle because they have not yet had the opportunity to develop immunity to it.
Although cases can occur any time of year, it is more prevalent in the summer because that is the time of greatest irritation and the time for the presence of vectors. Although pinkeye is not fatal, it results in very significant economic losses due to costs of treatment, poor performance, and in the case of blindness, the value of the animal is decreased.
The infection is primarily due to the bacteria Morexella bovis, but other bacteria such as Morexella bovoculi and Mycoplasma spp have been implicated.
Respiratory virus infections, particularly Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), can be part of the picture by either causing an inflammatory eye condition that predisposes the animal to the more severe bacterial infection, or by acting as secondary invaders that make bacterial damage even worse.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2021 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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