Gary Lawson, OSU Department of Brand Management
Charlie Day (left) draws upon the expertise of the Pond Creek Veterinary Clinic’s Dr. Harry James – Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine class of 1960. Antimicrobial stewardship can help maximize disease-prevention and ensure proper use of antimicrobials.
Every livestock producer’s to-do list for February should include an in-depth review of his or her operation’s antimicrobial stewardship program, according to Oklahoma State University Extension recommendations.
Since the introduction of antimicrobials in the 1940s, illness and deaths in both people and animals from infectious diseases have been greatly reduced. However, given that these drugs have been used so widely for so long has resulted in bacterial adaptation, with many becoming resistant. Antimicrobial stewardship is a coordinated effort by physicians, veterinarians, animal caretakers and agricultural producers to preserve the eff
Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services
Calves typically will stand, walk and nurse within an hour after birth. They quickly can be found hanging close to mom in the days and weeks following. Vet stresses the importance of reconizing each stage to parturition.
A review of the stages of parturition can help lessen anxieties of cow-calf operators and protect producer investment during the upcoming calving season, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts.
There are three stages to parturition. It is not unusual for stage one – the dilation of the cervix – to occur completely unnoticed, but stage two – delivery of the newborn – and stage three – shedding of the fetal membranes – may require assistance from the cattle producer.
Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services
Zoom sessions provide pecan production and orchard management information. The first session to focus on scouting and treatment of scale and planting bareroot trees, along with an explanation of the new USDA Pecan Research and Promotion Program Monthly Zoom program focuses on pecan production and orchard management.
Virtual sessions focused on pecan production and orchard management will continue in 2021.
An online workshop, sponsored by Oklahoma State University, will be held monthly through November. Oklahoma pecan growers are encouraged to attend virtually, ask questions and forge new relationships in the industry, according to a press release.
Cow-calf operators who have not already stored several doses of colostrum or colostrum replacer should do so before the start of spring-calving season, said Barry Whitworth, Oklahoma State University Extension veterinarian and food animal quality and health specialist.
“Calves born after a difficult birth are at a high risk of failing to receive adequate colostrum by natural suckling because of greatly decreased colostrum intake,” Whitworth said.
Some calves born to a prolonged stage II of parturition – delivery through the pelvic canal – can suffer from severe respiratory acidosis. Such calves are less efficient at absorbing colostral immunoglobulins or antibodies even if artificially fed colostrum. The only disease protection baby calves will receive is from the passive transfer of antibodies from the colostrum they ingest. Colostrum also contains transferrin and lactoferrin, which bind iron and restrict bacterial growth. These factors, together with immunoglobulins, he
Shelley E. Huguley
Visiting between presentations at the 2020 Red River Crops Conference, Altus, Okla. The 2021 conference will be held virtually. Red River Crops Conference targets Southwest Oklahoma and Texas Rolling Plains producers. 2021 conference to be virtual.
The eighth annual Red River Crops Conference (RRCC) is set for Jan. 20-21, 2021. The conference, tailored to agricultural producers in the Texas Rolling Plains and Southwest Oklahoma, alternates its location each year between Texas and Oklahoma. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will be virtual.
The RRCC is a joint effort of Extension personnel from Oklahoma State University Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.