The vet likes to see us. Why? We don’t give him a lot of business. It’s the disposition of our stock. We take our cattle to the University of Missouri – Columbia Veterinarian Clinic which is a teaching facility for vet students. Dr. V. usually asks Don to play along and only answer questions the students ask, no volunteering information. So went the recent visit when we took Elizabeth’s bull in for a BSE, trich test and health papers. The students loaded him in the chute, took samples and evaluated him as Dr. V. taught and evaluated the students. All said and done, the bull stood for about an hour before really getting irritated by the confinement. My sympathies were with him. I’d rather be out in the pasture myself.

Back in July, we vaccinated the bulls in advance of the coming breeding season. We vaccinate at least 30 days in advance of bull turn out to avoid the vaccine reducing semen quality. While in the chute, we measured each bull and did a general look over. This information was documented and will be used for comparisons among the herd and future generations.

Some measurements include the top line, heart girth, flank circumference, rump width and length, shoulder width and frame score. A few attributes we look for are outward signs of a properly functioning gland system, conformation, disposition and gender specific traits. The final deduction… Yup, they’re good bulls.

Calving season has come and gone and it looks like the Bryans are in the bull business again. Just as last year, we have all bull calves with the exception of one heifer. This is the first year that we have calved through triple digit temperatures, however the girls are tough and are keeping good condition through the stress of heat and nursing their new calves.

We’ll register these calves as 100% purebred, category 1A breeding stock. As part of the registration process, each calf has to be weighed and that weight recorded with the RAAA. We have our weighing process down to a science. I stand on the bathroom scale and Don puts the calf in my arms. This year’s calf crop averaged 68 pounds.

I’ve noticed considerably fewer flies on the cattle this season and am trying to pin point the reason. I’ve narrowed it down to these few. We’ve changed our salt mix to a custom blend that includes vinegar and garlic. As the cattle sweat they secrete these components which are distasteful to flies. The triple digit temperatures and lack of precipitation are drying out the cow patties much faster than the normal 80 degree temperatures would. And, the cattle are in good health. Don and I began to wonder if other cattle folks were having the same experience of fewer flies so Don asked a few that he works with. Their response – lots of flies. This might eliminate the theory of the patties drying out faster.

Several years ago, we stopped using traditional commercial pesticides for fly control. We believe it affects the health of our animals and the health of the land. Think about it. Commercial pesticides can absorb into the the largest organ of the bovine body, the skin. Where do the pesticides go from there? Passively enter tissue and then metabolize out. Most likely, if the animal is healthy. Before I continue though, let me add that we all have our own way of managing our herds and I am not criticizing anyone who responsibly uses commercial products. That being said, we tried natural topical products. Some were outright disappointing and others worked but only for a few days. Then we had the opportunity to hear a couple of cattlemen speak about combating flies from the inside out; hence the custom salt mix offered along side of the mineral mix. Not having to corral the cattle to be sprayed is an added benefit.

Getting back to the health of the land, we now have noticeably more beneficial insects like dung beetles, birds, turkey flocks, bees and butterflies. Most likely because we have eliminated pesticides from our health management program. And what do birds and turkeys eat? Flies among other things.