parasites

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 June 2018

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  Breeding’em Up   It’s Time to get down to the business of breeding’em up. It’s easy to become complacent about the breeding season when the grass is plenty and feeding chores are few. That being said, extra nutrition during the summer and fall can = higher conception rates and more calves next April/May.  The southern plains can also contain the reality of waning available nutrition from the grasses at the exact time the females need to be ‘on the gain’ to catalyze estrus. Caution: if you’re not calved out yet, be careful with excessive nutrition going to females in … Read more

Southern Plains Bison: Nov 2013

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November is a very interesting month for Southern bison habitats and operations. The definite and oppressive announcement of winter upon the landscape changes everything forever: once again. It is during this time of year that we humans, be-we: ranchers, park superintendents, consumers, lawmakers or bison stewardship-collectives and consortiums, also change things for bison forever: once again. If this sounds a bit extreme, the intent is for attention to decision-making – devoid of do-over’s or resets. One such decision that can be drastically different in the southern plains is the culling of mature brood cows. Sometimes they simply have to be … Read more