[Ag-eq] Bonny

Sat Jul 2 23:02:07 UTC 2016

Zac:

Do you know about a program called agrability?

I was told this group helps persons with disabilities get started in
agriculture jobs.

I've looked at their website some, but need to read more about the group.

Also do you know about the barber pole worm in goats and sheep?

I'm finding out it is a real problem in the south easterm states.  This worm
has built up a resistance to many of the dewormers that are available.  I've
lost 2 goats from this.  We tried more than one dewormer and it didn't stop
them.  I've been working with my vet and a researcher at the university of
Arkansas.  We are looking at the egg counts; they are telling me not to
deworm unless the counts are high.  It seems that some goats are just more
vulnerable to the parasites than others.  I'm very discouraged about this
and do not plan on breeding until I can get this under control.

I've also got to make some changes around here.  I have a very nice pasture,
but goats prefer bushes and such; they are browsers, not grazers.  My
pasture also tends to be wet, which the barber pole worms seem to like.  So
now I have to move the goats around, not letting them graze in the same
place for more than a few days.  I have a couple of pens that I can slide
around on the grass.  I put them out in the pens for a few hours each day
and keep them in the barn at night and if it is wet.  I shouldn't let them
graze if the grass is under 4 inches.

I'm learning more about barber pole worms than I ever wanted.  I can't
remember the scientific name for them.  I lost my buck goat and one of my
best dairy doe.  I have 3 dose that I'm milking and 1 young doe from this
years kids.  I only got 1 doe this spring and 5 bucks.  I sold the bucks and
am going to focus on keeping these girls healthy.  I hope I can figure out a
way to keep the parasites under control and breed and raise more goats.  I
am able to sell all the milk and even have a waiting list for the milk.

Any way if you have any knowledge about goats and parasites; please share.

Nella

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Zach via Ag-eq
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2016 3:09 PM
To: 'Agricultural and Equestrean Division List'
Cc: Zach
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Bonny

There was a study done by a Cornell faculty that tried pre-parturition
milking of colostrum. It had some interesting implications but I can't
remember if it had to do with somatic cell or milk yield. Either way, you're
right.  For the calf's sake I wouldn't pre-milk colostrum. It results in the
thin colostrum you mentioned which will not get the calf off to a good
start. 

I would also be very careful about taking any small samples before calving
as that really increases the risk of exposure to mastitis causing pathogens.

Did she get a dry-off therapy, or is this her first calf? My new research
project looks at milk quality on commercial dairy farms in the southeast; so
keep me up to date how things go and if you have questions, I'll do my best
or refer you to someone who knows. :) 

Zac

P.S. I've recently been referred to a blind high school student from
Virginia interested in careers in animal agriculture. If you're from the
state or near-by, and might be interested in advising,  please give me a
shout. 

Zachary Mason
M.S. Student
Animal and Dairy Sciences
Mississippi State University

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
Ag-eq
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2016 10:16 AM
To: 'Agricultural and Equestrean Division List' <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Nella Foster <jellybeanfarm at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Bonny

Jewel:

I milk a drop or 2 out of her to see what it feels like.  Right before birth
the colostrum will be very thick and sticky.  As the young animal nurses the
milk gets thinner until it is regular milk.  When I milk out a drop or 2 now
it is thin and oily, so that means the colostum is not fully formed.  If I
start milking out larger amounts she may not produce the thick sticky milk
which is the most important for the new born calf.

This is how I understood the vets explanation.  He keeps some Jersey cattle
and tells me to leave her alone until she calves.  Then I'm to let the calf
have all it wants for the first few hours.  After that I can start milking
out the colostrum.  She will have more than just one calf needs.  I will
freeze the colostrum and am going to give it to some friends with a ranch.
They can use it for any orphan calves or if a cow doesn't have enough milk.

Nella

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel via Ag-eq
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2016 11:33 PM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: Jewel
Subject: [Ag-eq] Bonny

Unless Bonny is having the litter as I suggested she might have been!  if
you were to milk off some colostrum to reduce the possibility of mastitis ,
would she not have ample to feed one calf? after all, the supply is not
static but is being replaced for the first 3 days of the calf's life before
it becomes normal milk.

Jewel 

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