bison worms

Southern Plains Bison Pointers Sept 2018

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How Do ‘They’ Look?   There is a term in animal husbandry called ‘an eye’ or the ‘eye of the stockman’ in farming and ranching. The term simply refers to changes, or judgments of herd and animal health that are visible. I help many different types of folks from a wide range of backgrounds with their bison herds. I often ask, when questioned on a management calendar item, “How do they look?”  This is always part of the equation when taking care of any animal, but especially in the fall when caring for Bison.  They should be building up body … Read more

Southern Plains Bison Pointers Aug 2018

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‘There’s Somethin’  Happening Here’   Please forgive my artistic flair and the all to often song reference, but fall is the time when we are caught off guard, and absolutely the time of year that is the most important to pay the ‘attention due’ to your herd-health and garner higher production as a result. Nutrition is a big part of that, but equally important is attention to parasitic build up in the herd. Things happen fast in build-up scenarios that occur in late summer and fall and can cause disease that decreases the ability of a bison herd to yield … Read more

Southern Plains Bison Pointers May 2017

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Growing Seasons   Everything is changing and throughout the month of June, southern grasslands and prairies will go through 3 stages that affect herd health. While up north the first green-up is just now in full swing, in the south we are at the end of the first growing season and in the ‘green up’ of the second one – called the warm season.  This means a few things that you should be aware of as you watch and visually inspect the body score of the herd. April is lush and extra nutrition is plentiful during that period, but it … Read more

Southern Plains Bison: June 2014

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    Just a word before I write about southern plains bison realities that are current, but less about ‘meanwhile-back-at-the-ranch’ stuff. That word is worms!  I will follow that by saying worms, worms, worms, worms, worms!  They are the enemy and the #1 production and reproduction challenge to bison of the southern plains. In much of the southern plains we are enjoying plenty of moisture, guess what! – worms will come with that moisture and with specificity to a very real enemy, the liver fluke. This is a nasty little cuss that you should research for yourself and learn to hate … Read more