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Winter is just around the corner. For farmers, winter can be a time of relaxation, but it can also be a time of stress. Winter is hard on herd animals. Cows, especially, can be quite vulnerable to changing weather and winter conditions. When your cows get unhealthy, you may notice weight loss and a change in milk production that can affect you and your family for months. To prevent this, you'll want to keep your cows in peak condition. Here are 3 tips to protect your herd this winter. Tip #1: Schedule a Veterinary Visit Even if your herd seems...

Dogs can have many different reactions to visitors, from excited piddling and jumping to fearful growling and anxiety to barking and aggression. Every dog owner should take steps to train their canine companion to react appropriately when guests arrive, and there are several ways to help dogs have better "company manners" when greeting guests. Socialization Is Essential Many dogs react poorly to visitors because they aren't used to being around strangers. Proper socialization and training from an early age – either from puppyhood or as soon as a dog is adopted – will help dogs learn how to behave around...

You want your pastures to perform in top condition. A healthy pasture provides nourishing forage and comfortable home to your horses, cattle and other grazing animals. Using the right kind of seed will help meet the nutritional requirements for your livestock.  Step 1 A healthy pasture starts with healthy soil. Testing your soil can be daunting at first though not hard to do. Simple test kits can be purchased online or you can have your local extension office, ag. Office or a local college come and test the soil for you. Knowing the health and quality of your soil will...

Wet conditions can be challenging to proper hoof care, but it is easy to keep your horse on sound footing even during extensive periods of wet weather. How Wet Conditions Affect Hooves Soft, wet ground can dramatically affect horses' hooves. When the ground is very soft, hooves don't wear down as quickly, and can become overgrown or may grow unevenly. A horse's balance can be affected by soft ground and uneven hooves, which may lead to joint pain, limping or lameness, as well as increasing the risk of falls. In time, knee and hip problems can also develop. If the...

Warmer weather is approaching and with that comes the pesky flies that torment your livestock. Flies are not only annoying, they also spread diseases that can lead to digestive and growth problems for your livestock. Some of the conditions flies cause and diseases they transmit include summer sores, eye worms, pigeon fever, equine infectious anemia virus and onchocerciasis. To prepare for battle, here are some tips that will help you reduce the number of irritating barn flies in and around your barn. Proper Manure Disposal It is important to keep your stalls clean on a daily basis. The less manure...