Think Pink- For a Healthy Lagoon

By Eve H. Honeycutt

Extension Livestock Agent, Lenoir and Greene Counties

Even though we are in the dead of winter, it is never too late to think about maintaining a healthy lagoon.  It will be spring before you know it and many of you will be ready to use some of those stored nutrients.   While you are planning for the spring, plan for your lagoon too.

First a few words about the life cycle of a lagoon.  As solids build up in your lagoon, anaerobic bacteria also builds up.  These bacteria do not need oxygen to survive, so please don’t ever let anyone talk you into aerating your lagoon.  As these aerobic bacteria multiply, they “breathe” and release carbon dioxide, which we see as tiny bubbles on the surface of the lagoon.   Soon after the bubbling begins, the purple sulfur bacteria come to life.  These purple sulfur bacteria are named that because of the characteristic purple color they release as part of their digestion and the sulfur gases that give the lagoon it’s unique smell.  Once these guys are on the scene, you can bet your lagoon is working hard to digest the solids at the bottom.   This bacterial activity is 3-4 times greater in the summer, which is why most lagoons don’t turn pink until the weather warms up.

The key now is to maintain the anaerobic party going on and keep your lagoon from building up solids too quickly.  However the tricky part is keeping all of them “happy”.  Your bacteria can become “unhappy” and die off for many reasons.  Washing down the house with a disinfectant, overloading the lagoon with liquids or solids, heavy rain, and extreme temperatures can all affect the pH balance in your lagoon.  Collecting accurate and reliable waste samples is a great way to monitor your lagoon- especially the pH.  A good pH for a lagoon is about 7.5.  If the pH is too low, you can bring it up by adding lime at a rate of 1 pound per cubic foot of liquid.

If you find yourself with a lagoon that is collecting a lot of solids, black in color, or low bubble activity, you should take some action to improve it.  Lack of good management on your part can result in an expensive lagoon cleanout sooner than you may be ready for.  One good management tool is an agitator.  Using an agitator regularly, especially in the summer, can suspend the solids in the lagoon and allow for increased bacterial activity.  I have seen this method work very well for lagoons on more than one occasion.  If you are going to use an agitator, remember to sample the water AFTER you agitate since you will be releasing more nitrogen and phosphorus with the movement.  You also want to let the solids settle down a bit before  you pump so you don’t wear out your equipment. 

A little management and planning can go a long way.  Contact your local Extension office if you have any other questions.  Lagoons are a vital part of a hog operation, and they demand your attention.  Think Pink!

Heifer Development Considerations

Information compiled from 2011 Requirements for “Show-Me-Select” Program and Sales, and Impact of Heifer Development on Reproductive Success, D.J. Patterson, Ph.D., University of Missouri

Submitted by Eileen Coite, Extension Livestock Agent, Wayne County 

On December 6^th, many of us attended the Eastern Carolina Cattlemen’s Conference in Clinton and learned about many topics useful to cattlemen, with one very unique presentation on heifer development.  Dr. David Patterson from the University of Missouri shared with us details of the Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifer program.  Objectives of this program are to: 1. Implement a Total Quality Management (TQM) strategy to on-farm heifer development, 2. Enhance marketing opportunities for and add value to Missouri raised heifers, and 3. Provide a reliable source of quality replacements based on management, reproduction, and genetics. 

When I think of these objectives and what Missouri has accomplished with the “Show-Me-Select” heifer program, I wonder if we should look towards adopting a similar program in North Carolina.  Let me tell you more about it, and give you something to think about too. 

There are several “requirements” to participate in the program.  To be an eligible producer with eligible heifers for the program, the following steps must be taken.  First, a producer must officially enroll, pay a $5 enrollment fee, and join one of the nine regions of Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers, Inc. across the state of Missouri.  Next, producers must have owned the heifers enrolled in the program for at least 60 days prior to breeding, and they must be owned by residents of Missouri in order to sell in a sanctioned Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Sale.  All heifers must have a pre-breeding reproductive evaluation, specifically including measurements of their pelvic area six weeks prior to breeding. Additionally, all heifers must be included in a herd health vaccination program starting at weaning or before, under the guidance of a veterinarian.  Vaccinations for respiratory and reproductive diseases are a must, at very specific stages of their development.  Finally, a pregnancy examination must be done on bred heifers within 90 days of the breeding season.  Breeding dates, identification records, and fetal age must be recorded, and those that remain open or lose a pregnancy become ineligible for the program.

There are also specific “sale eligibility” requirements for the heifers.  Some of these include:  being enrolled at pre-breeding, be on a parasite control program, free of blemishes, horns or scurs, be a minimum of 800 pounds and be a body condition score in the range of 5-8 on the day of the sale.  All heifers will be inspected by a certified USDA grader for frame, muscle and body condition.  They also must have had a pregnancy exam within 30 days of the sale, confirming that they are “safe in calf” at the time of the sale.  Heifers in individual sale lots are grouped to calve within 45 days of each other based on expected calving dates.  Only heifers meeting requirements of the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program that are tagged and entered in the program database are eligible for certification, and a $10 per heifer certification fee is due as the heifer receives her official tag.  

The Show-Me-Select Program has earned many accomplishments for Missouri cattlemen over time.  Some of them are as follows:  There are nearly 100,000 heifers currently enrolled in the program, with producers being assisted by 205 veterinarians and seventeen extension livestock specialists across the state. Producers are now able to use resources and technologies for their on-farm heifer development that is also beginning to spill over to their cow herd management.  There is an increased interest and success in estrous synchronization and artificial insemination across beef herds, allowing for improved genetics and reproductive management, as well as increased value and sale prices of heifers. The program has provided a means for producers to sell over 23,000 heifers throughout Missouri and seventeen other states since the program began in 1997.

I hope you found learning about the “Show-Me-Select” ™ Replacement Heifers, Inc. program as interesting as I have.  We may want to consider a similar heifer development program in North Carolina someday.  If you would be interested in learning more about the program, details can be found at:    http://agebb.missouri.edu/select/

One man’s friend is another man’s farm hand

Submitted by Emily Herring, Extension Livestock Agent, Pender County
   “It’s me again, Hank the Cowdog, Head of Ranch Security.” 
 

  That’s how each book of the classic Hank the Cowdog series starts. The famous children’s book about a scrawny, bumbling cowdog who interrupts his thoughts more than he thinks them, and always seems to get into more trouble on the texas ranch than he does solving problems of missing cattle, chicken thieves, and coyotes. While this dog is the above average dumbbell, he is like any dog. He is loyal, helpful, honest, and willing to please anybody even if it means going up and beyond the call of duty.

  Though we protect our livestock with the best fences, keeping them in good health, and making sure they are comfortable; we cannot always be with them 24/7. With predators like coyotes, bobcats, wild dogs and other carnivorous animals are on the rise of invasion on account of drought, lack of food, or loss of territory.  Farmers are starting to look for guard animals that can not only defend itself but can fight off wild animals if the need arises. That is where “Man’s Best Friend” comes in handy. Dogs have always been a considered a “working animal” for humans for hundreds of years. Though it takes tons of training and plenty of time; guard dogs have started to make a comeback for farmers who want to stop worrying about their livestock when they are not presently with them.

  Their jobs are quite simple really. The main focus of a guard dog’s job is protection of property and livestock from intruders. Depending on the severity of training on the dog, depends on the number of fatal or near-fatal attacks on livestock. Most farmers train their own dogs to guard while others purchase a dog that has already been trained by professional trainers. Some farmers keep their dogs in the pastures with the livestock so as they will be close-by at all times when there is no one else around. Other owners simply train their dogs to watch and protect along the perimeter of the farm property so not only can they watch livestock, but also let farmers know when cars approach and even protect young children from danger.

  Size is another factor in the livestock protection business. Small dogs like Jack Russell terriers, are mostly used to keep small animals like possums, raccoons, foxes, and rats that are susceptible to diseases away from the livestock; and larger dogs like Rottweiler’s or Great Pyrenees’ are perfect for fighting off larger animals like coyotes or bobcats.

  Though the number of working dog breeds is miles wide, the number of breeders who specifically raise dogs for guarding purposes is very rare in the area. The best way for finding the right dog for your farm is by looking through online websites, magazines, newspapers, and even at your local feed stores where people have posted flyers of certain working dog breeds. If you have a specific breed you are looking for; it is best to do some research on the breed of dog to see if that breed is perfect for your lifestyle and family.

  Guard dogs are not a guarantee that predator invasion will diminish; but they will give you the satisfaction and peace of mind knowing that your livestock, whether cattle, sheep, or goats, will have someone there to help them if any trouble comes. Yes, when it comes to having a guard dog for “Ranch Security”, we can be sit back, relax, and be worry-free. And as Hank would say after a good day’s work,

  “Case Closed.”  

Equine Coggins, Vaccination, & Teeth Floating Clinic

A great event is coming up in Lenoir County at the Lenoir County Livestock Arena on Saturday November 5th.  Livestock Veterinary Services is partnering with our local REINS (Regional Equine Information Network System) volunteers to provide a working clinic for horse owners.  See the brochure below for information on registration and costs.  Contact Dr. Justin Martin at 252-933-1483 or 252-527-4960 for more information.

Picking Up After the Storm On Pasture-Based Livestock Farm

Matt Poore,
Extension Beef Specialist, NCSU Department of Animal Science

Pasture-based beef, dairy, sheep and goat farmers need to be diligent in checking livestock, repairing damaged infrastructure, and looking for possible hazards in pastures caused by storm damage. Whether the storm was a severe thunderstorm, a hurricane, or a tornado, storm damage can cause acute injury and further damage to livestock if tending to animals and pastures is made a low priority in the recovery process. At a time when there often is damage to personal property including dwellings, outbuildings, and other non-livestock facilities, sometimes the livestock and the pastures take a lower priority. The health and well-being of livestock should be the second priority after the health and well being of farmers and their families.

Immediately after the storm subsides, producers should assess damage both to their infrastructure and their livestock. After they are sure friends and family are out of peril, they should check their pasture infrastructure to make sure that cattle or other livestock are in the pastures they were in before the storm, and that none of the animals are injured. If animals were injured by flying debris, the farmer should contact a veterinarian immediately if the injuries were severe. If conditions are so bad that livestock need to be evacuated, producers should contact their local extension agent, veterinarian, or emergency management officials.

Next, they should check to make sure waterers are operational and that fences are up and intact. If livestock are watered in a pressurized system and power is out, the producer should make haste to use a generator to restore power to the well system, or to provide another source of water (whether that be creating an emergency opening in the fence into a pond or stream, or by hauling water to the animals).
If hauling water, make sure the amount delivered to the animals is adequate. Adult lactating beef cows of average size need to be provided at least 25 gallons per day of fresh water, while dairy cattle would require more. Mature sheep and goats will need 1-3 gallons per day (depending on their size). Cattle in particular may be dangerous when very thirsty. If cattle have been deprived of water for 24 hours or more, producers should take great care when filling water tanks or restoring water flow to small tanks. Cows are likely to fight aggressively to get to the water source, and the cattle or even the farmer may be injured in the struggle.

If electric fencing is in use, producers need to check the power level to make sure the system is operational, and if the power is out, they should restore emergency power to the fence energizer. The perimeter fence should be checked to make sure fallen trees or branches have not downed the fence. If fence damage has occurred, farmers should make every effort to get trees or branches off the fence and
should make temporary repairs to keep livestock from wandering out of the pasture. More permanent repairs can be made later in the recovery process. If the system is electric, putting up temporary polywire and temporary posts may be the quickest way to restore the perimeter.

After assessing damage to the livestock and infrastructure, producers should assess other potential hazards caused by storm damage. Debris blown into pastures such as insulation and other building materials (common following tornadoes) may be eaten by livestock, leading to digestive upset and possibly death.

As producers check pasture infrastructure and scout for debris, they should also look for downed wild cherry tree limbs (or fallen wild cherry trees) and immediately either fence them away from livestock or remove them from pastures before livestock consume them. PRUSSIC ACID POISONING FROM CONSUMING WILTED CHERRY LEAVES FOLLOWING STORM DAMAGE IS A VERY COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH IN CATTLE, SHEEP and GOATS. This is an especially great hazard if pastures are short and livestock are hungry, because they may rapidly consume a large amount of the toxic material.

Another potential poisoning that may result from late summer or fall storm damage is acorn poisoning. If there are oak trees in pastures and storms knock many of the green acorns down at one time, livestock may consume enough to be poisoned. As producers scout pastures for damage, they also should be aware of the potential for acorn poisoning. They should note which pastures have the highest levels of acorns, then take steps to keep animals away from them. As with cherry tree poisoning, the greatest risk is when livestock are hungry and pastures are grazed short.

Finally, farmers should make sure livestock have adequate forage or feed, and should check mineral feeders to ensure animals have access to dry mineral (and are consuming the targeted amount). When farmers are hit by storm damage, there is much to think about and sometimes farmers neglect to follow normal management practices once they see that livestock are not injured and that infrastructure is intact. It is very important for animals to continue to have access to adequate forage and mineral supplement. If there is extensive damage to infrastructure, it may be most convenient to confine livestock to one pasture and feed hay until repairs can be made.

After Hurricane Floyd hit the east coast in 1999, livestock specialists and veterinarians received numerous reports of livestock with various health problems for several months after the storm. Investigations of these situations by local livestock agents did not reveal specific issues caused directly by the storm, but rather that some livestock were undernourished because farmers had so many other problems to deal with. In a great many cases, the livestock had no access to a mineral supplement and were suffering from deficiencies. Many mineral feeders had been blown all the way out of pastures, the mineral present was soaked and hardened so that livestock were not consuming it, or minerals had simply not been put out. Trace minerals (including zinc, copper and selenium) are deficient in many areas of the country and are important for the animal to be able to deal with stress and immune challenge.

Storms are an inevitable part of life, and managing damage means more than just cutting trees off fences and making sure livestock are not injured. Immediately following the storm the safety and health of you and your family comes first, but remember to continue to protect the safety and health of the animals you care for as part of your livelihood.

Schedule of Events- Fall 2011

September 5- Labor Day; State/County Holiday- Extension office will be closed

September 10- Greene County Goat Show; part of the Carolina Youth Meat Goat Circuit.  Call Eve to register by September 8.  Spectators welcome.

September 23 & 24- Lenoir County Fair Youth Livestock Shows at Lenoir County Fairgrounds.  Registration deadline September 21.

October 13-23- North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh

October 29- NC Sweet Potato Festival, Snow Hill; Chicken and Rabbit Show 10 am

November 5 - Equine Dentistry Educational Series and Clinic at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension office between 6:00 pm and 8:000 pm.  To register, contact Craven County Cooperative Extension at (252) 633-1477

November 11- Veterans Day- State/County holiday- Extension Office will be closed.

November 17 – Southeast Regional Pork Conference; Lenoir County Extension office.   Call 252-527-2191 to pre-register.  Registration fee is $5 per person. You will receive 6 hours of CEC and a delicious meal.

Getting your Goats Ready for the Breeding Season

Submitted by Margaret Bell, Livestock Agent-Jones & Craven County

Written by: Jean-Marie Luginbuhl, NCSU

Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist

Breeding is a very important aspect of any meat goat operation. But, preparing the breeding does and buck(s) for the breeding season could have a large influence on the outcome and the profitability of the operation. 

Will body condition influence breeding success?

As the breeding season approaches, producers should be concerned with the body condition of their breeding does. Goat should not be allowed to become too thin or too fat. Failure in reproduction, low twinning rates and low weaning rates will result if does are too thin. Overly fat does can suffer from pregnancy toxemia, but fat does are rarely a problem.

The term body condition refers to the fleshing of an animal. Simply looking at an animal can easily be misleading. Rather, animals should be touched. The easiest area to feel and touch to determine the body condition of an animal are the rib areas, on either side of the spine, by running a hand over those areas and pressing down with a few fingers. In doing so, one is able to determine the amount of fat covering the ribs. In general, does in good condition will have a fat thickness of not more than 0.03 to 0.05 inches over the backbone. Other areas to monitor are the shoulders, the tail heads, the pins, the hooks, the edge of the loins and the backbone. Practice makes perfect, thus use your animals to get a feel for it. An easy way to start is to select a few animals that are over conditioned and some others that are thin to get a feel for extreme body condition. Then introduce a small group of animals and compare their body to the animals having extreme body condition. Producers should develop an eye and a touch for the condition of their animals and strive to maintain a moderate amount of condition on their goats.

One should also be concerned with the body condition of the breeding bucks. If bucks are overfed and become too fat, they may have no desire to breed does. Because of the increased activity and decreased feed intake during the breeding season, breeding bucks will most probably lose weight. Therefore, they need to be in good body condition and physical shape before the season starts.

Body condition is also used to determine whether flushing will be of benefit to breeding does. Flushing means increasing the level of feed offered to breeding does, mostly energy, starting about one month prior to the introduction of the bucks. By increasing the amount of feed offered, does will put on weight. This in turn will signal to the body that the doe can afford to raise several kids and ovulation rate and litter size will increase. Increasing the level of energy offered to does should continue throughout the breeding season and for approximately 30 to 40 days after removing the bucks for adequate implantation of the fetuses in the uterus. Does in extremely good body condition will tend not to respond to flushing. On the other hand, does that are in relatively poor condition, that is on the thin side, as a result of summer pastures of poor quality, high worm loads, late kidding of twins or triplets, will respond favorably to flushing by improving their body condition.

Flushing can be accomplished by moving breeding does to a lush nutritious pasture 3 to 4 weeks prior to the introduction of the bucks. This cost-effective flushing method or “feed flush” or “green flush” is underutilized in the Southeast where forage is abundant. Another method is feeding ½ lb/day of a high energy supplement. Corn is the grain of choice for flushing; whole cottonseed is another low cost, high energy supplement. The goal being to increase the intake and body weight, breeding does should be grouped according to their body condition and fed accordingly to first improve their body condition, then to maintain it.

What other measures will increase reproductive performance?

Several other important measures will affect breeding indirectly, such as trimming feet, the grouping of animals, deworming, using the “buck effect” to synchronize does, and vaccination.

1. Trimming feet. Feet and legs should be examined closely for sores, overgrown hooves and sources of strange smells that could be associated with infections or foot rot. Start trimming the feet of your animals several weeks before the breeding season to make sure that they will be in top shape during that period of increased activity. The buck in particular will cover a lot of territory. A lame buck will cover does only sporadically, or might give up altogether. Similarly, limping does may not let bucks breed them.

2. Grouping of animals. Goats are very social animals and should be grouped together several weeks before the breeding season so that the pecking order of the animals is established. Forming groups just prior the breeding season will disrupt the pecking order of the animals. The fighting that will ensue to establish a new pecking order within the newly-formed groups will be a source of stress and will influence reproductive performance.

Young does should have reached approximately 70 to 75% of their estimated mature body weight to be bred successfully without adversely affecting their mature size.

3. Deworming the breeding does and the buck(s) before the start of the breeding season is an important management tool. If flushing is planned, it is advisable to deworm prior to flushing. Wormy does will not increase their body condition during the flushing period and therefore flushing may not increase ovulation rate. In addition, wormy does will not breed well or may not breed at all, or may conceive and abort later.

4. The “buck effect”.

Keeping the does away from bucks is important in the development of sound breeding programs that should be paralleled with feed resources and market demands. The best approach to separate does from bucks is to develop a secure buck pasture. The buck pasture should be far enough from the breeding doe herd, otherwise scent emitted by glands located behind the base of the bucks' horns will induce estrous in does. Due to this "buck effect" does will come into heat approximately 7 to 10 days after the introduction of the buck. It is a good strategy to use to naturally synchronize breeding does at the start of the breeding season.

5. Vaccination. Although some producers have had no problems so far without implementing a vaccination program, it is recommended that goats be vaccinated against overeating disease (enterotoxemia) and tetanus prior to the start of the breeding season.

Is the buck ready for breeding?

Bucks may be easily overlooked but one cannot assume that they are reproductively sound.  A buck that was sound one year may not be the next. The results of using a reproductively unsound buck will be reduced kidding rates and profits. It is a good idea to watch bucks for normal urination and also for signs of sexual behavior as the breeding season approaches. For a more thorough breeding evaluation, immobilize the buck and examine the testes. They should be roughly the same size, fairly firm to the touch and devoid of lumps. The presence of testicular abnormalities could indicate that the buck is unsound for breeding. Next, examine the sheath (also called the prepuce) and the penis if you can protrude it. It requires some experience to push the prepuce down to reveal the penis. The penis should be checked for sores and the pizzle (the thin worm-like process at the end of the penis) should not be hard anywhere. The presence of hard, small lumps could be an indication of urinary stones (a condition also called urinary calculi). A buck suspected of reproductive problems, whether in its testes or any part of the penis, should be examined by a veterinarian before allowing it to breed does.

Don’t Wait Too Late For Your Winter Pasture

 by: Emily Herring- Pender County Livestock Agent

            As of right now, the last thing on everyone’s mind is winter pastures with the warm days and the warm nights that seem to follow.  But now is the perfect time to prepare your pastures for the winter.  The importance of a winter pasture is going to be even more important this winter due to the drought we have experienced this summer.  Local hay is going to be short and the need to sustain your own animals will be greater. 

         For this article, the focus will be on winter annual ryegrass with the best dates being September 1- September 30, and the possible dates being September 1- October 31.  But first things first, be sure to take representative soil sample of the field you want to seed/overseed with ryegrass and get that sent off to the lab for results as soon as possible. OR if you have taken a soil sample within the last three years those results can be utilized for gaining information about the pH.  The recommended pH level for winter ryegrass is 6.5 which is the same as Bermuda and Fescue.  The pH is the most important part of the equation when establishing pastures of any kind.  Once this is completed and the results come back, apply the nutrients as the soil test indicates.  Keep in mind if you are using an old soil test report and you have already applied lime at the recommended rates then lime may not be necessary and the other nutrients may not be the same for ryegrass as for other grasses. 

         Next, decide on the ryegrass seed that you want to plant.  While at the store deciding on the different seed, be sure to look at the label on the seed bag for germination rate, percent of the desired seed, inert matter, and weed seed.  Compare the different varieties of seeds based on those seed labels to make a logical decision on the right choice based on high germination rate, high desired seed, and low inert matter and weed seed.

         Getting the field (seedbed) ready to plant should be the next step.  If there is a substantial amount of yield left on the perennial summer pasture be sure to graze it down to keep other grass competition down when seeding with ryegrass.  If

grazing is not an option, mowing the perennial summer pasture down is another way.  By doing either one of these methods it’s called overseeding and it’s a good option to keep a warm season stand of grass while utilizing the land for winter grazing.  If overseeding is your preferred method, then seeding by a grain drill will be the most beneficial way of establishment.  When deciding on having a pasture that is solely ryegrass (no other grass being present, like Bermuda) then total elimination of weeds will be necessary by applying roundup (glyphosate) at the recommended rates on the label for the weeds being controlled.  Getting the seedbed prepared will be necessary by lightly disking and lightly packing the soil back.  After this is completed, then broadcasting seed can take place with a light drag to cover the seed.  When dragging over the seed keep in mind the seedbed needs to be clean and free of debris because it can cause more soil to cover the seed therefore making the chances of germination lower.  

 After deciding on the ryegrass and getting the field prepared, plant at the recommended seeding rates of 30-40 pounds per acre when broadcasting it and at 20-30 pounds per acre when drilling.  The planting depth should be at only ¼ inch to ½ inch deep.  Good seed-soil contact needs to be met when planting ryegrass but special care needs to be taken to make sure the seed is not too deep.  The most common problem seen when trying to establish pastures is planting depth and planting hen the soil is too dry.  Adequate moisture needs to be in the soil when planting any type of seed. 

When the ryegrass is getting established, keep livestock/horses off of it until it reaches 6-10inches in height and then grazing can be allowed until ryegrass is 3-4 inches in height.  When this level is met animals should be moved off the pasture to another area and fertilization with nitrogen is required for optimum re-growth.  If overgrazed more than 3-4 inches, then grazing on the pasture will be a one time occurrence and money will be wasted. The total amount of nitrogen in the entire growing season is 80-100 pounds per acre so split applications of nitrogen after each grazing segment should not amount to more than 100 pounds at the end of the life cycle of the plant (until April). 

Don’t wait too long to get your winter annual pastures established, remember the possible recommended dates for planting annual ryegrass is September 1^st until October 31^st.  Waiting too late into the fall can affect yields greatly and reduce the chances of a stand. 

Understanding the New Swine Transportation Law

by Eileen A. Coite, Wayne County

Have you heard of House Bill 432, better known as the “Transportation of Swine”?  If you produce and market swine in North Carolina, and transport hogs on public roads, you will want to be familiar with the details of this new law as of June 27^th, 2011.  The law takes effect October 1, 2011, and will very likely be a concern of some small and mid-sized swine producers.

Most producers identify all animals on their farm with some form of identification, whether an ear tag, tattoo, ear notch, or combination of these.  However, after October 1, each animal that is transported either to another farm or a processing facility must be identified with a method approved by the State Veterinarian.  Producers are invited to give input to determine which methods will meet requirements of the law, but also be of little hassle, cost, and inconvenience to them.  In fact, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Veterinary Division will be providing tags for identification, free to producers. Producers may contact the NCDA office to order these tags.  

What has caused the need for this legislation?  Feral swine is the sole purpose for this law.  This new law is not intended to trace animals back to a particular farm, but is only intended to distinguish between domestic and feral swine. Feral swine have become a major problem in North Carolina, and identification of domestic swine is critical to identifying those that are transporting feral hogs. 

It is important to note that even though the law is in effect October 1, 2011, the State Veterinarian’s office will be using this first year to educate producers and not penalize those unaware.  However, anyone that is found blatantly conducting illegal activity and transporting feral swine will be fined, at a rate of $5000 per feral hog being moved.  This is why identification is so critical.  

For more information on the Swine Transportation Law, to order tags, or give input to the State Veterinarian’s office, producers are asked to call 919-733-7601 and ask for someone in the livestock section.  Additionally, producers may be added to an email distribution list to stay in tune to any changes, notices and items of interest with regard to this law.  Anyone interested should send an email to Joe.Web@ncagr.gov and request to be added to the “swine ID distribution list”. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission can give details on trapping and/or hunting feral swine, which is legal for anyone with a hunting license.  For more information on this, please contact the NCWR Commission or visit http://www.ncwildlife.org/hunting/index.htm

Fecal Egg Counting Service Available

by Eve Honeycutt, Lenoir & Greene Counties

For those producers who are battling drug resistant parasites on their farm, or if you just want to know whether or not you need to de-worm your animals, I will now offer fecal egg counting as a free service at the Extension office. 

 All you have to do is collect a fresh sample of manure- less than 30 minutes old.  Use a plastic zip-top bag to collect the sample and bring it to the Extension office.  If you can't get to the office right away, refrigerate the sample and bring it to the office as cool as possible without freezing.  I can perform the fecal egg counts at your convenience, in less than 30 minutes.  Knowing your worm load before you use a chemical de-wormer can help you determine if you need to de-worm at all, or help you choose the best product. 

If you are planning to bring a sample, please call me at least one day in advance to check my schedule and make sure I will be in the office that is most convenient for you.

Common Cattle Diseases and Treatments

By Eve H. Honeycutt

Extension Livestock Agent, Lenoir and Greene Counties

There are many common cattle diseases that occur in eastern North Carolina cow/calf herds.  Below is a discussion of two of these diseases, possible treatments, and advice on veterinary care.

PINKEYE

Pinkeye is one of the most common diseases in cattle.  It can affect all ages of cattle and it is highly contagious.  Multiple strains of bacteria can cause the disease, and it can be difficult to determine which one is the culprit in your herd.  In the early stages of pinkeye, the animal will be very sensitive to light, and you may see a bluish spot on the lens of the eye, followed by watery discharge.  Once the animal has pinkeye, it will be bothered easily by vectors such as flies, dust, and tall grass seedheads. 

Treating Pinkeye:

Pinkeye can be treated with over the counter medication such as LA-200 or penicillin.  If these treatments do not improve the eye, a vet should tend to the eye in order for the animal to recover.  Over the counter treatments or home remedies that involve powder, sprays, or salt should not be used due to the irritating nature of these products.  Cancer eye should not be confused with pinkeye, since cancer eye is much more serious and usually is first noticed by lumps or bumps growing around the eye.  Animals with cancer eye or pinkeye should not be taken to a stockyard in order to safeguard the human food supply and prevent other animals from contracting the diseases. 

CALF DIARRHEA/SCOURS

Calf scours is one of the most common diseases in newborn calves.  Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible to tell what bacteria is affecting the animal based solely on the color of the feces.  However, a good guess can be made about the possible bacteria present based on other factors.  If the scours occurs in a calf less than 10 days old, the bacteria present is probably E. Coli, Rotavirus, or Coronavirus.  Cryptosporidium is a protozoa that can cause scours in calves at 5-35 days of age.  Salmonella is severe bloody diarrhea and a high body temperature.  Calves less than 21 days old will not be troubled by Coccidia because of the incubation period of the disease in the calf’s body.  When treating calf scours, it is important for the animal to continue to drink (or be forced to drink) milk to prevent further dehydration and provide adequate nutrition.  Because of the diarrhea, metabolic acidosis may occur which will cause the animal to breathe heavily.  If the calf is lying on the ground and willing to accept your intervention, then it should be treated.  If the animal readily gets up to follow its mother, even with diarrhea, then it will most likely recover quickly.

Treating Calf Scours (Clell V. Bagley, DVM, Extension Veterinarian, Utah State University):

There are a variety of fluid and electrolyte formulas available and most will work to some extent. Consult with your veterinarian about his choice and why. If the products are not working, re-evaluate with him again. Some formulas also contain a gel substance which helps to add bulk and may absorb some toxins (poisons) from the gut. Most calves with scours tend to be acidotic (their system is too acid). It will help these calves to receive electrolytes that are alkaline (basic) in nature for 24–36 hours. After that they should be changed to non-alkaline electrolytes.

If being used with or near milk feeding, an acetate form should be used. If this is not a problem them bicarbonate or lactate can be used. The use of systemic antibiotics by injection may also be of benefit if a bacterial infection has become generalized in the calf’s body. The major problem encountered in treatment with fluids and electrolytes is that producers give too little, too late. Plan to give 2 qts., 2–4 times per day. Determine the frequency of treatment needed by the amount of dehydration present; this is evidenced by sinking of the eyes and elasticity of skin on the neck and withers. Don’t mix the fluid and electrolytes with milk; that prevents curd formation and the milk is then of no benefit. If you are feeding milk, wait for 15–20 minutes before giving the fluid and electrolytes.

Irrigation Guidelines for Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, and Flood Watches

All farms covered under a permit in North Carolina need to be aware of the regulations you are expected to abide by as a tropical weather system approaches.  Your permit states in Section II.22:

"Land application of waste shall cease within four (4) hours of the time that the National Weather Service issues a Hurricane Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, or a Flood Watch associated with a tropical system including a hurricane, tropical storm, or tropical depression for the county in which the permitted facility is located.  Watches and warnings are posted on the National Weather Service's website located at: www.weather.gov"

You can also call the National Weather Service office that serves our area.  For Lenoir and Greene Counties, it is the office in Newport/Morehead City.  The phone number is 252-223-5737.  

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis Found in Eastern North Carolina

North Carolina’s Office of the State Veterinarian and the Center for Disease Control were notified August 18^th that one horse in eastern North Carolina had tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE).  Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of all members of the equine species.  EEE is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning humans may also contract the disease.  Healthy adults who contract EEE may show flu-like symptoms including high fever and headaches, while older adults and children may become severely ill.  Death may result in cases involving both equine and humans.  The equine mortality rate due to EEE ranges from 75 to 90 percent.

Equine infected with EEE may show signs that include fever, depression, loss of appetite, irritability, weakness, excitability,  central nervous system disorders (ie. circling, lack of coordination, head pressing, the tell-tale “saw horse” stance, sensitivity to light, and blindness).  In rare instances, horses have been known to show no signs of the disease prior to death.

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis is spread when a mosquito feeds on an infected horse, then moves on to a healthy horse.  Dr. Ray, Director of Livestock Health Programs for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Veterinary Division noted that in many years we would have had one or more cases of the disease prior to early August and, that recent rains following drought conditions in eastern North Carolina may be partially responsible for the presence of the disease.

The best way to protect your equine against EEE is to keep their vaccinations up-to-date.  Work with your veterinarian to be sure your horses are vaccinated annually.  In addition, measures to limit mosquito populations will help decrease spread of the disease.  It is also important that horse owners report to a veterinarian, any cases in which signs of EEE are observed.  While a few cases of the disease are reported in North Carolina annually, it is thought that many more cases go unreported.  Reporting any suspicious signs to your veterinarian may save other equine and possibly human lives.

Do you have the right driver’s license?

Eileen Coite, Livestock Agent, Wayne County

Having the right type of driver’s license and tags on your vehicles sounds simple enough, but is it?  I often find that things are not always as easy as it would seem, and sometimes just as we think we know the laws, there is a change.  I originally wrote this article a couple of years ago, but a few things have changed and I have heard that the state highway patrol have been more frequently stopping drivers hauling livestock and other agricultural commodities, so it might be a good time to review our driving rules for pulling livestock and horse trailers. 

The bottom line on licenses to pull trailers is to know the weight of your trailer.  Every trailer (and vehicle) has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) listed on the body of the vehicle.  Look for a small metal plate on the front end or side of your trailer which lists all specifications, including the GVRW.  For regular passenger vehicles, a class C regular license will suffice.  According to the DMV, a class C license allows you to “operate any combination of noncommercial motor vehicles that have a GVRW of more than 10,000 pounds and less than 26,001 pounds, as long as the driver is 18 years of age or older”.  Furthermore, according to the DMV “most drivers need only a Regular C license to operate personal automobiles and small trucks.”  So, if your horse or livestock trailer is rated with a GVRW which is less than 10,000 pounds, you are fine with a class C license. Most small livestock and horse trailers fall into this category, such as a two horse tag-a-long or even some aluminum goosenecks.  If it’s over this weight, read on.  

There are two other classes of “regular” licenses.  These are a Class A and Class B.  The only real difference between the two of these is that the Class A is for any vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 pounds or more and the Class B is for a vehicle that weighs 26,001 pounds or more.  Most truck/trailer combinations with a trailer over 10,000 pounds would require a Class A license, since small or passenger trucks weigh less than 26,001 pounds.  If you have a large or long bodied horse or livestock trailer, you most likely will need a Class A license to haul. Occasionally, horse or livestock owners have been stopped and asked to see their license, and some have had to find drivers to get their rig back home!  Don’t let this happen to you. Check your trailer now and make sure you are in compliance. 

Another thing to consider is vehicle tags.  In addition to having the correct license, most vehicles must have a weighted tag if hauling a trailer or carrying weight that goes over 7000 pounds.  So, if you are hauling a livestock or horse trailer, you will need weighted tags, or possibly farm tags, and should weigh your loaded trailer to know how much weight you are pulling and how much to have registered for your tags.  Farm tags are only offered if you can document that your vehicle is used for farming as your source of income.  There is an official form with questions that must be submitted to qualify for farm tags.  Finally, make sure to give your trailer a good overall inspection.  Checking the brakes, the floor, and lights is critical. Especially if you are ever hauling after dark, all lights should be operational and I’ve been told that just one non-functional light could cause problems if you are stopped.  In fact, if your trailer has a gross weight of over 4000 pounds it also needs a yearly state inspection, so that might be something else to check into.

Much of the information I have provided here can be viewed at the NC Division of Motor Vehicles website, at www.ncdot.org. Otherwise, contact the closest DMV office for questions you may have.

Updated Publication for Calibration of Stationary and Traveling Systems

By: Emily Herring- Livestock Agent –Pender County, Publication courtesy of NCSU, AG-553-09 and Amanda Hatcher, Duplin County Livestock Agent

North Carolina State University has released an updated version of “Calibration and Uniformity Assessment for Animal Wastewater Application Equipment” to give updated information on hard hose travelers and solid set systems.  Irrigation systems wear and develop buildup, therefore affects their performance, both from an irrigation standpoint and from an economic standpoint.  Calibrations are required once every two years for swine facilities in North Carolina with a state general permit and required once a year for swine facilities with an NPDES permit.

Here’s a summary of things to keep in mind before starting a calibration:

·      A manufacturer’s chart for your system’s sprinkler and nozzle combination is needed for your irrigation design or wetted acreage determination.

·      Perform calibrations during periods of no to very light wind (less than 5 mph).

·      Check wetted diameter and flow pressure under periods of normal pressure.

Equipment needed to complete a calibration:

1.     Pressure gauge, either a mounted gauge or a handheld with pitot tube. (Which will cost roughly $38.00 offline.)

2.     Flow meter with in-line adapters IF field-measured nozzle pressure and manufacture’s charts will not be used to obtain flow rate.

3.     Measuring tape, 200-300 feet or wheel. (A measuring tape will cost roughly $25 offline.)

4.     Flags for checking wetted diameter. (Roughly $5 for a set of flags.)

5.     Caliper for measuring nozzle size. (Roughly costs $10.)

6.     Calibration forms for recording measurements.  These can be found at your local Extension Office.

For hard-hose travelers and stationary systems (solid sets), the following steps are needed:

1.     Measure the nozzle size of traveler guns.

2.     Measure pressure at the nozzle or sprinkler.

3.     Measure the wetted diameter of the nozzle or sprinkler.

4.     Measure the flow rate.

5.     Compare the measured pressure, wetted diameter, and flow rate against the manufacturer’s chart, irrigation design documents, and/or the wetted acreage determination.

Although the rain gauge method that was once needed every three years is not required now to determine uniformity, sprinkler spacing (or lane spacing for travelers) must be within design specifications and pressure must be within the ranges provided by manufacturer (Liu, 2009; 9^th SB 1217 Guidance Document, North Carolina 1217 Interagency Group, 2009).  To check for uniformity:

1.     Compare field-measured wetted diameter and pressure to manufacturer’s charts.

2.     Calculate the sprinkle or lane spacing as a percentage of field-measured wetted diameter to determine if spacing falls in the recommended range.

Field data sheets at the end of the publication help calibrations to go more smoothly.  If you would like to receive a copy of this publication contact or if you have any questions about calibrations, contact your County Extension Agent.  For a total estimated onetime cost of the equipment needed to do a calibration at the most roughly being $78 it would be a good way to save money on the farm versus paying a company to do it. 

Hardware Disease In Cattle

By: Margaret A. Bell, Livestock Agent – Craven & Jones Counties

Adapted from: ‘Hardware Disease in Cattle’ from Michigan Extension

Have you ever heard of Hardware Disease? Did you know that it could cause serious problems with your cattle’s health? Hardware Disease is when some type of sharp objet pierces the wall of the stomach and then has access to the heart. Then the object may pierce the heart sac causing even more problems.

So, what symptoms will your cows have if they have Hardware Disease? They will be depressed, have a poor appetite and will most likely be reluctant to move. Cattle may also have indigestion, or show signs of bloat. These symptoms may disappear but will most likely show back up within the next seven days. If you suspect Hardware Disease in your cow and the animal is slaughtered, it is possible to find a wire of nail that is poking through the reticulum wall. A cow has four compartments to its stomach and the reticulum is one of those four compartments.

What type of treatment is there for Hardware Disease? Treatment for this disease varies from animal to animal. If the animal is extremely valuable, you may consult with your veterinarian to see if a rumenotomy is recommended. This is when your veterinarian approaches the problem surgically to the reticulum. Also, they may palpate the area to verify a foreign object or some type of adhesions. If any object is found, it is possible for your veterinarian to make an incision into the wall of the animal’s ruminal wall and manually remove the object. Much care are needed with all of the above options, so please consult with your veterinarian and make sure you have a good patient – client – veterinarian relationship. Another option in a case where the animal is not exceptionally valuable would be to slaughter the animal and try to diagnose the problem that way and use it as an example for future possible cases of Hardware Disease in your herd.

As for prevention, a popular way routine is to use magnets in the reticulum. As with other procedures, it is recommended you ask your veterinarian to perform this procedure. The goal of the magnet is that it simply keeps foreign objects that are metallic and they will adhere together in a ball. This will reduce the chances that this object will penetrate the reticulum wall causing major medical problems.

The prognosis of Hardware Disease varies due to several factors. The main factor is how much infection is present and how long the animal has had the foreign object. However, if this is caught early enough, sometimes it can be fixed and the animal will live a normal life after.

Supplementing Cattle on Drought-affected Pastures

Submitted by Eve H. Honeycutt, Livestock Agent, Lenoir and Greene Counties

 Adapted from an article by Greg Lardy, Extension Beef Specialist, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, North Dakota State University

As I write this, it is too early to tell if the recent rain will do enough to improve the effects of the recent dry, hot weather on our forage crops.  With any luck, there will be more rain in the near future to increase soil moisture and forage yield.  But just in case, I thought some good information about drought affected pastures would benefit those of you with grazing animals.  Cattle producers generally have two main options for meeting the nutrient requirements of cattle on drought affected pastures and ranges. The first is to provide supplemental feed to ensure the cow herd has adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The second is to reduce the nutrient requirements of the cow to a point where they can be met with available forage.

Drought-affected pastures generally do not produce adequate forage to maintain "normal" stocking rates, so producers must provide supplemental energy to meet the needs of the cow herd. Pastures that are dormant due to drought conditions may be low in vitamin A, phosphorus, and protein.  Meeting the need for these nutrients is important if cow herd productivity is to be maintained.  Reductions in stocking rate will benefit plants by reducing stress and will also provide more forage for the remaining cattle. When stocking rates are reduced in accordance with production, only small effects on weaning weight may be noted.

Providing Supplemental Feeds During a Drought

Minerals. Provide the same salt and mineral mixture during drought as you would during normal conditions. However, during drought phosphorus supplementation is critical.  A mixture of 50 percent trace mineralized salt and 50 percent dicalcium phosphate supplied free choice to the cow herd will meet the phosphorus requirement. The salt mixture should be placed close to stock watering locations.

Vitamin A. Lack of vitamin A may be a problem during fall and winter for cows that grazed drought-affected pastures during summer. Vitamin A is lacking in forages during drought and hay produced from drought-affected forages. Cows should receive vitamin A and D booster shots approximately 30 days prior to calving and their calves should receive vitamin A and D at birth.

Protein. Pastures dormant due to drought conditions may be deficient in protein. If these conditions occur during the breeding season, reductions in pregnancy rate can occur. Provide dry cows with approximately 0.5 to 0.75 pounds of supplemental crude protein and lactating cows with 0.9 to 1.2 pounds of supplemental crude protein per day. This can be fed as approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds of soybean meal for dry cows and 2 to 2.5 pounds of soybean meal for lactating cows. Protein supplementation may be necessary for optimum breeding rates during drought conditions. Alfalfa hay, sunflower meal, safflower meal, as well as other protein meals may also be used as protein supplements.

Energy. Since forage production is generally limited during a drought, energy may be the most limiting nutrient for grazing cattle. Several options are available for supplying energy to cattle on drought-stressed pasture. Hay, grain, and crop processing byproducts can all be used to supply energy to grazing cattle.

Grain processing coproducts, such as wheat midds, soyhulls, barley malt sprouts, beet pulp, and corn gluten feed, which contain highly digestible fiber provide energy while alleviating much of the negative impact that grain supplementation has on fiber digestibility. In addition, these byproducts provide protein which may also be limiting in drought-stressed forages.

Drylot Feeding. If pasture conditions are extremely poor, producers may consider feeding cows in drylot. This may be more cost effective than supplementation if large amounts of supplement must be transported and fed to cows daily. In addition, it may allow pastures a much needed rest period to begin recovering from the drought.