Farm Help

"Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a very important economic problem in the U.S. beef cattle industry,” said Dr. Jeremy Powell, associate professor for the University of Arkansas’ Department of Animal Science. “Several factors can play a role in causing calving difficulty including heavy birth weights, abnormal fetal position, limited pelvic area and the female’s age (first-calf heifers have increased risk of difficulty). However, it would be difficult to identify if challenges may occur before labor actually begins.”

Thinking about silage due to lack of hay reserves on your small farm? Better think again. John Jennings at the University of Arkansas Extension Service explained the enormous up front expense of equipment and learning curve investment involved in a silage operation. Chopping the silage is the key and is not easy. Not only does it have to be chopped at the exact moment, but it has to be “just right” – not too dry and not too wet, but truly at the perfect time to create the best pH balance for making your silage. After you determine that it’s time to cut, then you use your equipment to chop and you then turn to storage, which is another huge adventure. You have to compact it, literally pressing it down in order for the mixture to ferment properly. Any additional moisture or oxygen can spoil the entire batch. You have to then wrap it properly and keep it out of the sun to allow it to ferment, all the while checking the pH levels to ensure that the fermentation process is moving along correctly.

Area cattle producers have pursued a number of options recently when weaning their calves.

"Due to the size of the animal and how they are housed, sheep and goats may need to be de-wormed much more often than cattle,” said Whitney Whitworth, associate professor of animal science at the University of Arkansas in Monticello.

It’s time to start preparing your equipment for spring and summer use. Know what is important and how to take care of issues prior to the first spring use. Routine spring maintenance will keep your equipment running.

Artificial insemination can bring high quality genetics to your herd.

Dehorning is not a new subject nor is it a new phase of veterinary medicine. However, in recent years, dehorning has taken on more importance and the potential of becoming a controversial practice in the future.

According to Dr. Tim O'Neill, owner of Country Veterinary Service, Inc., Farmington, Ark., there is no crystal ball available to predict if there will or will not be challenges with birthing before the process begins. Palpating daily before birth can be done, he warns this doesn’t always provide a sure prediction either.