Written by Allen McReynolds
The Mississippi Small Cattle Group (MSSCG) and the Winston County Self Help Cooperative kicked off their fall herd health initiative on Saturday, November 10, 2024, at Taharga Hart Farm in Lexington, Mississippi.
The National Weather Service and local meteorologists predicted a 60 to 70 percent chance of rain on Saturday, with a greater chance of precipitation arriving in the afternoon. Allen McReynolds said, “You could feel and see weather conditions from above shifting as they prepared to vaccinate over 90 cows, bulls, and calves. The team of expert cattle herders assembled and moved expeditiously to complete the task at hand. Taharga Hart shuffled the cattle into the corral in advance. This process allowed the cattle to adjust and relax before starting the health treatment program.”
Veterinarian Dr. L. C. Peyton, Tri-County Veterinary Service, Bay Spring, MS, said, “This method reduces stress on the animals as they move through the squeeze chute. Additionally, this allows my team members to assess each animal’s structure thoroughly. My suggested treatment plan usually includes shots, injections, and a dose of spray.”
As the animals moved through the chute, Walter Jackson collected fecal samples to assess the parasite count within the herd. The cattle herders also removed the summer fly tags, and the animals were treated for parasites, viruses, and diseases. The team aged and graded the herd for production. The nonproductive cattle were loaded and transported to the stockyard.
Allen lamented, “We completed the task without major interruption from the rain. Thank you, Mr. Hart and team members, for conducting an excellent animal health program to help small cattle herders.”
