Edgecombe County Animal Agriculture Review

Transcription

1 Edgecombe County Animal Agriculture Review Summer 2011 Circuit Show & NC State Fair Information is OUT! Circuit Show & NC State Fair Info Large Animal First Aid Extension Horse Elluminate Goat Medications Good Husbandry Grant 11 Feeder Calf Sales Info. Heat Protection Fire Ants Heat Stress in Sheep & Goats Selling Eggs in NC Testing your Feed Upcoming Events Women s Ag Committee Tanya Heath, Extension Agent Agriculture and Livestock N.C. Cooperative Extension Service Edgecombe County Center College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 201 Saint Andrew St, PO Box 129 Tarboro, NC Phone: Fax: Find us on Facebook: Edgecombe-County-4-H- Livestock/ If you are interested in participating in the upcoming Carolina Youth Meat Goat Circuit (CYMG) and/or the Eastern Carolina Showmanship Circuit (ECSC), it s time to start registering for shows! The first show begins in less than one month and it s time to get your animals ready for the ring! To find out the specific dates to each of the shows, please find their information on the following websites. CYMG website: CarolinaYouthMeatGoatCircuit ECSC is posted on Facebook...just put the Eastern Carolina Showmanship Circuit in the search box and it will contain the rules and dates for all the shows. If you need this information as a hard copy, please call the office ( ) or Tanya at Tanya_Heath@ncsu.edu. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NC State Fair: Oct Go to their website for detailed description of rules, show dates/times, etc. Livestock Entries are due by September 15th! Registration is online! For a listing of all shows, please visit their website. Here is a short listing of junior youth livestock shows, if you re interested in attending. Junior Market Steer: Oct. 14 Junior Beef Heifer: Oct. 15 Junior Market Barrow: Oct. 14 Junior Ewe Show (Meat Breeds): Oct. 15 Junior Market Lamb: Oct. 14 Junior Meat Goats (Wether): Oct. 14 Junior Meat Goats (Does): Oct. 17 Junior Breeder Doe: Oct. 18 Sale of Livestock Champions: Oct. 15 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NC Cattlemen s Foundation has a book that might interest you. North Carolina Cattle Reflections Connecting the past to the present. By: Katharine L. Brown & Nancy T. Sorrells Reserve your copy today! Order before Sept. 1st to receive a 10% discount. Call or kim@nccattle.com

2 Large Animal First Aid Essentials Information from David Wolfgang, Extension Veterinarian (PSU) revised by Tanya Heath Just last week, I had a problem and found that I did not have what I needed to fix the minor problem on my farm. I thought others might be in the same situation that I found myself in by not having what I needed...when I needed it! With that being said...never is an animal emergency ever at a convenient time or location! Therefore, it is important to take the time now to prepare yourself for the JUST IN CASE situations. First, always consult your veterinarian in case of emergencies! Having the phone numbers to your local veterinarians are a must (post on the barn, post on the refrigerator at home and have them on speed dial in your mobile phones). Also have these numbers posted in your first aid kit for those just in case moments where you are not present and you have others with the duty of caring for your livestock. Proper restraint is needed to ensure treatment to the injured animals & safety of the handler. Cuts, scrapes & puncture wounds are some of the most common injuries suffered by livestock. Wounds can be washed with a mild skin cleanser with plenty of water or saline. A large syringe with a large bore needle can be used to irrigate wounds. Water soluble ointments with antiseptic properties are preferred to expedite healing versus the occlusive ointments or sprays that dry the tissue. Petroleum jelly based ointments should be reserved for use on very superficial wounds due to containing compounds that aren t appropriate for use in food animals (nitrofurazone) or have withdrawal times, so make sure you check for active ingredients prior to use. Foreign objects can be flushed from eyes with body temperature saline. If animal can not be restrained properly, it is best to allow the veterinarian to sedate prior to any attempt to treat eye &/or head injuries. Bleeding can be controlled with the use of several gauze sponges held over the wound with firm direct pressure. Gauze should be held in place with a wrap snug enough to hold the gauze on the clot, but not too tight as to restrict blood flow to nearby normal tissue. Any bleeding that can not be controlled with direct pressure or after several minutes, should be examined by a veterinarian. Compounds such as Blood Stop Powder can also be used on superficial wounds, not deep wounds or punctures, due to the potential for excessive scarring, tissue damage or abscessation. Hooves are a challenge...wounds in hooves should be flushed clean and allowed to drain in a clean, dry environment. Many vets recommend an absorbent wrap cover the wound and that the wrap be changed every few days. A small child s disposable diaper held on with duct tape can be an effective wrap or use roll cotton with Vet Wrap. Be careful when using elastic type wraps that it is not too tight and constrict blood flow. Ruminants are susceptible to bloat and precautions for free gas and frothy bloat are recommended in preparing for emergencies. Frothy bloat is normally seen following the ingestion of large amounts of very succulent legume forages. Commercial products (Bloat Guard) can be purchased to have on hand for those just in case. However, if you don t have this available...you can use vegetable oil as a drench (1 cup for adult sheep or goat and 3-4 cups to cattle. Free gas bloat can be relieved with a speculum and a garden hose through the animal s mouth, but in extreme cases the use of a bloat trochar through the left flank of the animal into the rumen might be necessary. In these cases, a Screw type Bloat Trochar is much better than simply stabbing the rumen, this type holds the rumen wall against the skin while allowing the gas to escape. The risk of contamination in the abdomen is greatly reduced. Suggested items for your First Aid Kit (keep in an easy to find, carry, remain clean & dry)- Plastic totes, tackle boxes, plastic tool boxes can be an inexpensive and convenient carrier. Heavy duty scissors Flashlight Needle nosed pliers, wire cutters Disposable Gloves 4x4 gauze sponges Skin cleanser Several small bottles of sterile saline Water soluble ointment Frothy Bloat treatment (see above) Several rolls of vet type wrap, 1 medical tape, duct tape Several large syringes (35-60cc), needles, small syringes Small child s disposable diaper or some rolled cotton Thermometer 1 bottle of Calcium borogluconate or 1 oral calcium gel Mineral oil (Pepto Bismol is in my kit) Hoof nippers & knife Optional: Stethoscope, OB chains, handles, sleeves, lubricant Page 2 Edgecombe County Animal Agriculture Review

3 NC Extension Horse Educational Elluminate Sessions...starting soon! The NC Extension Horse Department is offering free educational seminars at local Extension offices on an internetbased training site (Elluminate). The Edgecombe County Extension office will hold these meetings for anyone interested, however sign up is essential to reserve sessions. Here are the classes provided: September 20: Disaster Management for your Horse Farm, Dr. Yoder October 18: Equine Deworming Programs November 15: Fencing Options for the Horse Operations, Dr. Gary Robertson January 17: Foaling Management, NCSU Veterinary Medicine February 21: Legal Issues to Consider as a Horse Owner, Dr. Yoder March 13: Ask the Professional Trainer Question & Answer Session, Robin Lynn-Moderator We must have 5 attendees to reserve these sessions. Please call the office at or Tanya_Heath@ncsu.edu to reserve your spot in this unique educational experience. Medications Commonly Used in Goats & Withdrawal Times The drugs listed in this report are commonly used in goats & listed as approved drugs by FDA, but those listed as extra label is legal ONLY if prescribed by your veterinarian. Consult your veterinarian before beginning any treatment listed in this report. The information was compiled by Dr. Mobini of the Georgia Small Ruminant Research & Extension Center and updated by Dr. Luginbuhl (March 2011). If you would like a copy of this information, please call the office. Grant Proposals Due...Good Husbandry Grants Deadline: September 30, 2011 Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) Good Husbandry Grants program is open to receive applications for grants that will improve farm animal welfare. Since the program s inception in 2008, AWA has awarded nearly 100 grants to farms and slaughter plants across the U.S. to fund projects which will help improve animal welfare. Good husbandry grant funds are regularly used to meet welfare goals on the farm. Many of the farms and plants take advantage of these grants to reach or maintain compliance with AWA standards, such as buying mobile poultry housing or outdoor arcs for pigs. Funding priorities for the grant cycle include projects which will introduce genetic improvement for pasture-based system; outdoor access (mobile housing); welfare improvements in the slaughter process; and non-lethal predator control and/or exclusion. Interested applicants should read the AWA Good Husbandry Grant Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions. Slaughter plants are encouraged to contact Emily Lancaster ( ) to determine eligibility prior to submitting an application. Applicants should submit the application for their operation no later than September 30th Feeder Calf Sales Information has been published! If you would like a copy or need more information.contact the office at Summer 2011 Page 3

4 The HEAT is here...protect yourself & your workforce! Not only do we need to protect our livestock from the summer heat...but we need to take care of ourselves! The heat and humidity in NC is upon us and we need to be reminded how to prevent heat related illness. OSHA reports that each year thousands of workers suffer from heat related illnesses, including fatalities, that can be prevented. Take the time to educate yourself and your workforce about the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather and the simple tips to avoid heat related illnesses as noted below. Drink Water Often Rest in the shade Report Heat Symptoms Early Symptoms can range from Heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion & heat stroke (which requires immediate medical attention). Know what to do in emergency OSHA provides resources (training tools & posters) that you can download for your workforce to educate them and hopefully prevent any illnesses. Materials are provided in Spanish too! Website: heatillness/index.html Red Imported Fire Ants: A Concern for Poultry Farmers Information edited from original version, derived from James Parsons, Area Extension Poultry Agent Fire ants continue to spread throughout NC. The bad news is, once they become established in an area, they are difficult to eradicate. The good news is, fire ants can be controlled. Poultry farmers need to control fire ant populations around poultry houses for several reasons. Fire ants can enter poultry houses as they forage for food and occasionally establish mounds in houses. However, the majority of the mounds around poultry houses are on the south (warm) side of the houses. Research trials show that turkey poults will eat fire ants. The problem is that before the ant dies, it may sting the poult in the esophagus. This may prevent the poult from eating feed and result in reduced weight gain and increased feed conversion. What can you do to control fire ants? Drenches and baits are the most commonly used control methods. Drenches work as a contact insecticide. To be effective, the drench must trickle down through the mound and contact most of the ants. Ants contacted by the drench die in less than 24 hours. You may want to contact the office to also get a list of approved drenches. Baits can also be used to treat individual mounds. Baits are insecticides that have been mixed with ant attractants. Baits are slow acting but are easier to apply than drenches and are best used in situations where many mounds must be treated. It is recommended to apply baits in early morning hours (unless heavy dew or late evening showers) due to high temperature & humidity degradation of the product. Remember to follow all label directions. Page 4 Edgecombe County Animal Agriculture Review

5 Heat Stress in Sheep & Goats With the high temperatures we have been suffering from...it is no surprise that the livestock feel the same. Signs of heat stress (stroke or exhaustion) include continual panting, rapid breathing, weakness, inability to stand, and an elevated rectal temperature (over 105 degrees F). The goal of treatment is to lower body temperature. Affected livestock should be moved to a cool, shaded area with plenty of air circulation. They should be offered cool water. The best way to cool sheep is to apply rubbing alcohol to the area between their rear legs. The sheep s fleece should not be wetted, as this will prevent cooling. Some livestock handle heat better than others. Sheep and goats tend to be more heat tolerate than other farm animals. The key to preventing heat stress and loss of productivity is to provide plenty of fresh, cool, clean water and to give livestock access to ample shade. Livestock housing should have good ventilation and air movement. Remember that livestock should not be handled or transported during the heat of the day! For more information on this subject, please contact the office. Selling Eggs in NC??? What you need to know. Farmers who sell eggs in NC must comply with state and federal laws designed to ensure that poultry produce sent into commerce are wholesome and properly labeled. Eggs: Farmers wishing to sell eggs must be familiar with the N.C. Egg Law that addresses labeling, standards, invoices, advertisement, displays, sanitation & marketing. Eggs that are for sale must be CLEAN (not necessarily washed). Anyone selling more than 30 dozen eggs per week must grade the eggs and label cartons with the grade (based on federal quality standards). Egg Cartons: does not require new cartons. Re-used cartons must be clean, unbroken and free of foreign odor. Any incorrect information on a re-used carton must be marked Have you had your farm feed tested lately? through. Exemption: If you sell under 30 doz./ week: cartons must include name, address and the words ungraded eggs. These eggs are then legal to be sold. Signage: any sign used to promote the sale of eggs that include a price must also include the grade. If the eggs are ungraded, the farmer must put ungraded eggs on the sign. Questions? Contact lyzed. If interested, collect a quart size portion of your forage sample; for hay/ grasses a gallon size is needed. This fee is $10 unless otherwise noted on the form. A complete analysis includes moisture, protein, If you have not had your hay tested lately...it might be a good idea to have this done. The NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services offer this testing for producers. No commercial samples are anafiber & minerals. You may bring your sample into the office and we will get it to Raleigh for analysis. Call if you have any questions! Summer 2011 Page 5

6 Tanya M. Heath Extension Agent Agriculture- Livestock PO Box 129 Tarboro, NC Phone: Fax: We re on the web: edgecombe.ces.ncsu.edu/ Check us out on Facebook: Search Edgecombe County 4-H and Livestock! Updates will be posted as needed! Upcoming Events: September 17: NC Angus Field Day Sept. 30-Oct. 9: Dixie Classic Fair Oct : NC State Fair November 13-16: NAILE December 3: Partner s Bull Sale Livestock Arena, Rocky Mount Please call the office if you have any questions! New National Pork Board Campaign Evolves... This campaign offers a unique way to add pork to your every day meal planning with easy to follow recipes. Check it out! Check out their website: Suggested Recipes to try: Honey Pork Tenderloin Kabobs Happy Pork Steak Balsamic Pork Chops Want to be part of the WAC? (Women s Ag. Committee) If you are interested in agriculture and would like to learn more about it...come and be a part of a newly formed Women s Agriculture Committee. We will meet once a month to review important agriculture issues facing the county, state and/or nation and learn how important agriculture is to us & our families! We will begin our WAC sessions very soon! Reserve your spot today! This workshop is free of charge! More information will be forthcoming! Please RSVP to Tanya at