Farm Help

"The biggest concerns regarding health in sheep and goats this time of year appear to be body condition as parturition approaches and concerns with lambing or kidding,” said Jodie Pennington, region small ruminant educator for Lincoln University Cooperative Extension in Newton County, Mo.

It’s no secret that drought has caused a hay shortage in many parts of the country. So what can concerned livestock owners do to ensure that their farm animals are getting enough fodder to keep their digestive systems working properly? Added roughage could be the answer.

Early spring is the season for grass tetany, and ranchers need to be aware of its causes and symptoms, and ways to prevent it.

It’s called “pigeon fever” in horses, and it’s caused by the organism Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It doesn’t have anything to do with either pigeons or tuberculosis, and ordinarily it’s not seen in this region of the country. But over the last couple of years, it’s come on strong.

Vaccinating calves prior to marketing can add to their value at the sale barn, as well as improve their performance on your own farm.

Grazing stockpiled fall growth Fescue is an efficient practice, cutting the high cost and labor of feeding hay even through moderate ice or snow has covered the ground. February Fescue held over from the fall is often of better quality than Fescue hay. Holding livestock off of the forage until the day it is ready to be grazed prevents deterioration and loss of feed value caused by the bruising of leaves by hoof action. Called stripgrazing, by moving a portable electric fence, fresh forage is given each one to three days.

The amount of data available from Estimated Progeny Differences (EPDs) continues to increase – but you can make interpreting it as simple, or as complex, as you want.

"Quite frankly, the art of livestock branding is disappearing,” said Dr. Tom Troxel, professor of animal science at the University of Arkansas. Branding as a whole has been on the decline amongst producers over the past few decades.

Unfortunately, dead animals are something that every animal producer encounters from time to time. In Arkansas, there are guidelines established by the State Livestock and Poultry Commission that direct and regulate how dead animal carcasses are disposed of.

You can win at cattle breeding – if you know the score.