By Krista Lucas Wynn

            Young cowboys grow up idolizing the likes of Trevor Brazile, 26 time world champion and all-around cowboy. From the time he picked up a rope, Chantz Webster, of Ponder, Texas, dreamed of competing at the same level as his idol, and he has worked for many years honing his craft with a rope.

            “My parents both grew up in rodeo, and my brother and I followed in those footsteps. I’ve rode horses for as long as I can remember,” Webster said. “I started competing when I was maybe five or six and really started roping when I was 10. All I ever wanted to do after that was rope.”

            Webster got his first taste of winning at a high level in high school. As a junior, he won a calf roping and all-around state title. After high school, he went on to attend college in Weatherford, Texas where he competed on the rodeo team for coach Johnny Emmons. 

            “I competed in the calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling,” Webster said. “High school and college rodeo taught me to just not beat myself, to control what I can control, and just go do my job. I think the benchmarks of making it to nationals in high school and making the college finals really helped me as well, like making the NFR was a goal I could actually focus on and accomplish.”

With that dream in mind, Webster has hit the rodeo road full time, traveling across the country in hopes of cracking into the top 15. In 2026, he has qualified for the finals at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo and finished second in the average at the La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros rodeo in Tucson, AZ. He currently sits number 15 in the world standings, headed into the summer run.

He has had his best start to date, with over $30,000 won, competing on a 16 year old gelding he calls “Buddy.” Webster continues to stack up the accolades in the professional ranks, but the win that has meant the most to him may come as a surprise.       

            “My biggest win would probably have to be winning state in high school. You only get a couple of chances to do that,” Webster said. “It didn’t pay much, and you probably won’t hear about it on the Cowboy Channel, but it means a lot to me. It helped shape the roper I am today for sure.”

            Rodeo cowboys do not get much free time at home, but when he can, Webster enjoys watching sports, training horses and spending time with his wife, Olivia. He will continue to use what he has learned rising through the ranks, in order to reach his next goal of qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.

By Martha Crump

Whether you have a few head of cattle or quite a few, you’ve no doubt had to give them injections at some point. If you are managing your herd correctly, that means you’ve established a good working relationship with your local veterinarian, as that is now the protocol for obtaining any medications or vaccines for your herd.

But has anybody ever talked to you about the “What, When, Where, Why and How” of injections? I suspect many of us have watched family, and when we graduated into the designated role of “Shot Boss,” we were given some quick directions, and after that we were on our own. After all, just how difficult could it really be?

Surprisingly, there are quite a few “whys” to consider when we are responsible for the injection side of vaccinating or doctoring our sick cattle. It is no surprise that over the last 20 or so years, as with many practices in the beef industry, progress has been made in standardizing beef cattle injection techniques and methods. These injection techniques are recommended to help with animal safety and the production of safe, quality beef for the consumer.

I’m only mentioning the “What” of this equation briefly, as most all know that the purpose of vaccines is to protect against disease, prevent pregnancy loss and promote passive immunity. Each of these points could rightfully be an article on its own. If you are running a program like your livestock deserve, then the “When” and “Why” is a customized protocol for your herd and will vary across ranches and regions. Producers should work closely with their veterinarian to customize this plan.

This now leaves us with the “Where” and the “How” of giving injections.

The first safety measure is to make sure your cattle are safely restrained and that you have easy access to the neck. A moving animal creates the potential for a missed shot, a misplaced shot or, worse yet, an injury to the “shot boss.” Animals that are not properly restrained are more likely to suffer from tissue trauma, incorrect injection technique and location, and are at a higher risk for needle breaks.

An old saying around cattle pens is, “Slow is faster, because it’s smoother.” Everyone should know what they’re doing, where they are standing to do their specific job and have a clear setup to get it done.

Understanding the route of administration (ROA) for the vaccines or medicine being given is critical for the efficacy of the product being used. Most vaccines are either given subcutaneously (SQ), just under the skin, or intramuscularly (IM) in the neck. Some vaccines are now given intranasally with a specialized blunt plastic attachment.

Starting with the Sub Q injection, it is given at a 45-degree angle, while injections that are given intramuscularly (IM) are positioned at a 90-degree angle and inserted more deeply. When label recommendations are followed, an animal’s ability to absorb, distribute, break down and excrete a drug are predictable. The problem arises when directions are not followed. There are distinct differences in the rate of absorption of drugs depending on how they are delivered, and when given incorrectly, there is no guarantee of drug effectiveness.

Most injections are given SQ, or just under the skin, as they are generally less irritating and therefore the preferred ROA. It is advisable to avoid the temptation to use the hand not holding the needle to pull the skin up or “tent” it as you are injecting. This practice quite often leads to injecting yourself instead of the cow. We won’t talk about how I know this fact!

It is a common tendency for a person who has never given shots, as it makes it easy to feel the syringe path. Instead of this technique, keep the 45-degree angle and try for slight back-and-forth movement of the syringe tip once inserted. If it is mobile, then you are under the skin, but not into the muscle.

For the intranasal vaccines, we have tried a couple of different tips by different manufacturers, and the one we prefer has a large circular guard that prevents the tip from being inserted too deeply into the nasal passage. One brand had a smaller guard, and it was difficult to control depth as the circular guard passed right into the nostril. With a moving target, this had the potential to cause trauma, so we made sure to avoid that brand with future treatments. No matter how well you have them secured, there will be head movement.

We also try to have the head elevated for a few moments after spraying the mist into the nose so it will not immediately run right back out. Our grandson was administering the nasal vaccine for the first time a few weeks ago, and this was the correction he needed. Keep that head up for just a minute to eliminate it dripping right back out. That turns into an expensive puddle! It’s easy to miss the little points when you are learning new things.

This diagram shows exactly where the recommended injection safe zones are located. Injections outside of the indicated safe zone have the potential to cause injury and even death to the animal. The nuchal ligament runs along the top of the neck and is responsible for supporting the head. Injections placed too high have the potential to cause damage that can cause the animal to suffer severe and even permanent paralysis. The same results can occur if the spinal cord is inadvertently hit with the syringe.

Also to be avoided as an injection site is the jugular furrow along the bottom of the neck. This area contains the jugular vein and carotid artery. If medications or vaccines are injected too low along the neck, they can enter directly into the bloodstream and have the unintended effect of possible severe drug reactions.

Another consideration is to keep a hand-width of space between medication injection sites when having to administer multiple ones on an animal. This helps ensure that the tissue can adequately recover from the injections, and it will also prevent the medications from combining under the skin. If medications mix within the animal because they are given in the same spot, they can interact and cause drug reactions, or they can potentially inactivate each other, rendering them useless.

As for the actual equipment, the needle size should be based on the size of the animal. You will see some slight variations in recommended sizes, but generally, for calves less than 500 pounds, a 20- to 18-gauge needle that is 1/2 to 5/8 inch is used for SQ injections. For cattle greater than 500 pounds, an 18- to 16-gauge needle that is 1/2 to 3/4 inch is used. The needle should be slightly longer for IM injections, but the consideration is the same as SQ for weight. Always choose the smallest gauge needle that can still effectively deliver the type of medication needed. Disposable needles with an aluminum hub are preferred.

Now, about those needles. A box of 100 averages out to about 25 cents per unit. Walk into most cattle working pens and what will you find? Needles recapped and lying around, you know, just in case. In today’s economy, it does pay to be frugal, but ranchers have been hoarding and reusing needles for as long as they’ve been in use. Folks, they are one of the least expensive pieces of equipment that we use. You and your animals are better served if the needle being used is replaced when needed.

So, exactly when is it necessary? If a needle is burred, bent or dull, it will increase the likelihood of tissue damage and abscessing. It is even recommended that the needle be replaced every 10 to 15 injections and every time it is necessary to enter a multidose vial. If a needle is bent, you should never attempt to straighten it. You should replace it with a new one.

I’m pretty sure this train of thought will cause a collective gasp. Seriously, they’re not expensive, and they’re not meant to be used for the duration of your lifetime. Replace those suckers!

As for the syringe, proper cleaning is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing cross-contamination. Whenever possible, you should designate specific syringes for each product and use only with that product.

And this next point is very important. Syringes should NOT be cleaned with soaps or antibacterial agents, as they may affect the efficacy of vaccines because of residue left behind after cleaning. Instead, you should perform a quick pre-rinse with only warm water immediately after use. If disassembly is possible, separate the barrel, plunger and needle, then wash using hot water and a brush. Once cleaned, the syringe may be hung upside down to air dry or placed on a clean towel to dry. Do not reassemble and/or store until fully dry.

When you are utilizing best management practices, your herd stays healthier and more profitable for you. Even if you are throwing away more needles!

On most ranches, a cattle guard is something you drive over without thinking about it. It sits across a road or at a pasture entrance, doing its job without needing attention. No gate to open, no chain to fasten, no reason to stop. It’s simple, and that’s exactly why it stuck.

Before cattle guards, gates were the only way to control livestock. That worked when travel was slower and less frequent, but as trucks and equipment became part of everyday ranch work, gates became a problem. Every one meant stopping, getting out, opening it, driving through, and closing it again. Over the course of a day, that added up. More importantly, a gate left open could cause trouble fast. Cattle didn’t need much opportunity to end up where they weren’t supposed to be.

The cattle guard solved both issues at once.

The idea is straightforward. A series of parallel bars is set over a shallow pit. Vehicles pass over it easily, but livestock usually won’t. The spacing between the bars makes footing uncertain, and cattle tend to avoid stepping onto it. It doesn’t rely on force. It relies on behavior.

Early cattle guards were built from wood, using poles or timbers laid across a trench. They worked, but they didn’t last. As steel became more available, the design improved. Metal rails held up better under traffic, required less maintenance, and provided more consistent spacing. Over time, that became the standard.

By the early 1900s, cattle guards were becoming more common as rural roads expanded and vehicle use increased. In places like Texas and Oklahoma, where roads often cut through grazing land, they offered a practical way to keep cattle contained without slowing down movement. Fewer gates meant less labor and fewer chances for mistakes.

Modern cattle guards follow the same basic design, with adjustments for durability and use. Heavier versions are built to handle highway traffic and loaded trucks, while lighter ones are used on private roads. Proper installation matters. If the pit is too shallow or the spacing is off, cattle may be more willing to cross. If dirt or debris fills in the gaps, the guard loses effectiveness.

They’re not perfect. Young or pressured animals will sometimes try to cross, and poorly maintained guards can fail. But when built and maintained correctly, they remain one of the most efficient tools for managing livestock around roads.

What makes the cattle guard stand out is its simplicity. It doesn’t require daily effort, and it doesn’t depend on someone remembering to use it. It solves a specific problem in a way that fits how ranches actually operate.

It’s easy to overlook because it works the way it’s supposed to. But across ranch country, it’s one of the reasons things move a little smoother every day.