Farm Help

Over time, thousands of breeds have evolved or been created within each livestock species.  For example, there are several hundred known breeds of cattle.  Each breed has a unique combination of genes which have been exploited across a wide array of environmental conditions worldwide to ultimately provide human consumers with meat, milk, fiber and a variety of by-products necessary for our survival.  The opportunity to select individuals from a diverse spectrum of genetic material is the basis for the productive breeds of livestock that are utilized in the commercial sector of agriculture today.  Moreover, hybrid vigor or heterosis, which is the increase in performance of a crossbred animal over that of its purebred parents, is only possible if genetic diversity exists. The application of hybrid vigor is considered by many as one of the most important contributions of genetics to scientific agriculture.

We’ve come a long way from the days when cows were milked two or three at a time in a bucket. From the step-up barn through the herringbone, parallel, and parabone to the circular 60 stall barn. All of these barns have some common equipment concerns. According to State Dairy Specialist, Dr. Barry Steevens, Professor of Animal Science at the University of Missouri, all equipment should be checked on a regular basis. The bulk tank should have the milk cooled to 45 degrees at the end of each milking, and continue to cool to 38 degrees. Pulsators should be checked to see that they’re working properly and there are no loose wires. The rubber wear inspection should be coupled with a regular replacement schedule. The washing system also depends on a vacuum, and the washer cups should be inspected to insure there are no leaks during the washing and sanitizing of the equipment. Dr. Jodie Pennington, Dairy Specialist at the University of Arkansas, said mastitis is often caused by improper vacuum or pulsation rate. “The pulsation ratio can also get out of whack,” said Pennington. Acute mastitis can be treated with approved antibiotics. Subclinical mastitis, which causes the high Somatic Cell Count, must be monitored and individual cows tested, treated or culled.

When the pocketbook gets thin sometimes the first thing to get scrimped is the livestock’s diet. We glean a little bit more from the hay, a little bit more from the field and supplementing becomes less of a priority. Whether it’s time or money that’s running low, how long can the cattle really go, lacking some of those essential nutrients, and still produce?

A panel of foodservice experts recently agreed beef consumers want quality. That includes everything from meals to service to psychological impact. “Beef’s Steak in Foodservice” was part of the Pfizer-sponsored Cattlemen’s College at the February beef industry meetings in Reno, Nev.

Over time, thousands of breeds have evolved or been created within each livestock species.  For example, there are several hundred known breeds of cattle.  Each breed has a unique combination of genes which have been exploited across a wide array of environmental conditions worldwide to ultimately provide human consumers with meat, eggs, milk, fiber and a variety of by-products necessary for our survival.  The opportunity to select individuals from a diverse spectrum of genetic material is the basis for the productive breeds of livestock that are utilized in the commercial sector of agriculture today.  Moreover, hybrid vigor or heterosis, which is the increase in performance of a crossbred animal over that of its purebred parents, is only possible if genetic diversity exists. The application of hybrid vigor is considered by many as one of the most important contributions of genetics to scientific agriculture.

An alternative watering system for livestock can increase animal health, grazing efficiency and environmental stewardship.

We’ve come a long way from the days when cows were milked two or three at a time in a bucket. From the step-up barn through the herringbone, parallel, and parabone to the circular 60 stall barn. All of these barns have some common equipment concerns. According to State Dairy Specialist, Dr. Barry Steevens, Professor of Animal Science at the University of Missouri, all equipment should be checked on a regular basis. The bulk tank should have the milk cooled to 45 degrees at the end of each milking, and continue to cool to 38 degrees. Pulsators should be checked to see that they’re working properly and there are no loose wires. The rubber wear inspection should be coupled with a regular replacement schedule. The washing system also depends on vacuum and the washer cups should be inspected to insure there are no leaks during the washing and sanitizing of the equipment. Dr. Jodie Pennington, Dairy Specialist at the University of Arkansas, said mastitis is often caused by improper vacuum or pulsation rate. “The pulsation ratio can also get out of whack,” said Pennington. Acute mastitis can be treated with approved antibiotics. Subclinical mastitis, which causes the high Somatic Cell Count, must be monitored and individual cows tested, treated or culled.

Those tiny flies that stay put on the cattle, unless disturbed, could be causing more trouble than it appears. Horn flies, about 3/16” long, usually rest head down, often with wings in the delta position, on the back, sides or belly of cattle. A horn fly has piercing, sucking mouth parts and can take 20 to 40 blood meals per day.

For many farmers, tedding is a necessary evil requiring extra time and money in terms of labor and fuel costs. But a close examination of tedding and tedding equipment proves the process not only offsets the cost, but helps farmers produce quality hay that can be sold at a higher price.

Alfalfa weevils have increased to threatening levels in central and northern Missouri, said a University of Missouri Extension entomologist. What does this mean for southwest Missouri farmers? Farmers should scout fields for signs of damage so weevil populations can be managed now.