Pregnancy testing of beef cows is generally done by rectal palpation, but many veterinarians also use ultrasound. The newest techniques include extension-arm ultrasound (a probe that doesn’t have to be taken into the rectum by hand or arm) and blood tests. Both of these technologies are easier on the person doing the testing – and the blood samples can be taken by the rancher.

As we make progress in the field of animal breeding and selection, many “new” technologies surface.

It seems that each new day brings some new technology that is either going to revolutionize our industry or at least make our work easier.

Lagoons and ponds are required storage facilities for large cattle operations. Their purpose is to collect watershed from the livestock areas and hold it until it can be properly dispersed according to nutrient management plans. However, as the effluent flows to lagoons, it tends to carry solid particles that over time can fill up the settling basin positioned in front of the lagoon to catch those particles.

Deciding what innovations to use almost requires the ability to forecast the future.

I’m riding high as a kite these days because after Big Al pumped our septic tank he said, “You have one of the most healthy septic tanks I’ve ever seen.” “I bet you say that to all your clients,” I blushed. But Big Al insisted that he’d never seen such a healthy septic environment, and he ought to know. I bet he’s drained 10,000 septic tanks in his 25 years as a septic superstar.

Earlier this fall, we had an old cow in the corral that I’d been doctoring and needed to be turned back out. I’d been planning to load her in the trailer and haul her four miles to the lower gate of the forest allotment and turn her out.