Ag-Visors

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle caused by an organism called Tritrichomonas foetus. It has caused significant economic losses in American cattle herds for many years due to the nature of the disease. Economic losses in affected herds occur due to smaller and less uniform calf crops, costs of culling and subsequent replacements and increased veterinary expense.

Nervous and aggressive cattle are a pain in the wallet.

An analysis of data on more than 30,000 head fed through Iowa’s Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF) documents the decrease in health problems as percentage of Angus breeding increases.

This last week a famous saying popped up again. Every time I hear this saying I either get mad or feel sorry for the animals involved. The saying is, “He’s had all his shots." Well my questions are:

In hobby loss audits, the IRS sometimes views various types of ranching activities as a means of generating tax losses, rather than a profit-oriented venture. Many cases that have ruled in favor of the taxpayer in livestock activities involve people who developed a superior line of animal. Taking a scientific approach to breeding is evidence showing a businesslike approach to the activity.

The whole of veterinary medicine is devoted to prevent animal suffering and disease. Over the years I have been in practice, I have noticed herds and the rate of infection in those herds. Mostly the infections I have seen with major outbreaks have been with scours and respiratory cases. Now, I will be the first to admit that there is nothing that is 100 percent to prevent these infections.  But, we can slow it down and minimize treatments and losses with prevention.

Nervous and aggressive cattle are a pain in the wallet.

The next damning facing animal agriculture is the bit about antibiotics used. It is said our use of antibiotics is creating the Methicillin Resistant Staph infections (MRSA) in people. It is said we are contributing to the resistant reservoir. I say show me the research demonstrating this.

For nearly 20 years, there has been ongoing litigation of some sort between Oklahoma and Arkansas regarding the Illinois Water Rivershed. The most recent courtroom battle, State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods, Inc., has nearly come to a close – the parties have made their best arguments and the waiting game has begun as U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frizzell contemplates a decision in the complicated case. As we patiently await a verdict, it’s interesting to consider the history of the previously fought battles over water and review the path the current case has taken.

Due to Congressional inaction in the final weeks of 2009, the estate tax has been repealed for individuals dying during 2010. This should be good news, but it can have a significant adverse impact on families with accumulated assets in excess of $1 million. Because of this surprising failure by Congress to address the estate tax situation and prevent the repeal as most commentators had expected, you should consider reviewing your current estate planning documents with your attorney.