Ozarks Farm & Neighbor Newspaper – written for, by & about farmers

One of the most common diseases among cattle during the summer months is pinkeye or ‘bovine infectious keratitis’. Many producers battle this disease every year even when preventative measures are taken. Thankfully, mortality with this disease is generally low or absent, however, morbidity may be as high as 80 percent. Economic losses are generally realized in treatment costs, reduced gains/milk production and reduced sale prices for animals with blindness or chronic lesions of the eye.

Name:  Trista Ingle
FFA Chapter:  Carthage FFA Chapter
Family:  Parents, Teresa and Terry Ingle; brother, Travis

Name:  Patrick Eslinger

GrassWorks Haybarn

Owners:  Bobby Umberson and Linda Reed

There is a lot of proposed legislation and regulation being debated in both Congress and in the USDA’s halls right now. From The National Animal Identification System “listening sessions” (including one well-attended in Jefferson City, Mo.,) to the House's “Cap and Trade” bill and another, similar measure in the Senate, there are heated, and vastly differing opinions on what effects the proposed changes might mean to agriculture. I know for sure there were provisions in the “Cap and Trade” bill that could have meant a “cow tax” targeting livestock’s greenhouse gas emissions, which would drastically affect all of us. Fortunately, there were enough ag-minded Congressmen and women out there to stop that legislation from staying in the bill, thus far. Then there's NAIS'  three sides of the issue – supporters for mandatory ID systems, those for voluntary ID systems and those opposing all national ID programs. There is a lot of debate out there on this issue, and make no mistake – the outcome of this debate will affect you! I encourage you to research these issues, and let your voice be heard. The NAIS website has places you can submit your opinions. Go to www.ozarksfn.com to find a link to that site.

Monte Ritchie – Part II
Frank recalls one of his great interviews with the Texas Rancher Monte Ritchie. He's been intimidated by Monte on his visit to Monte's JA Ranch, but things have only begun to get good…