OCR Text |
Show Rancher Says 'Blackleg' Cattle Problem is Over TROPIC Prominent cattle -rancher Robert Ott, owner of Ott and Sons said today, "the blackleg problem in the Bryce Valley area is over." The outbreak occurred several weeks ago on the Bureau of Land Management Summer Allotment south of Cannonville known locally as Sheep Flat. Ott lost 12 calves to the disease while six other local cattlemen lost at least 14 more. The virus that causes Blackleg is not usually found at this low altitude, Ott said. However once the onslaught occurred, oc-curred, the ranchers were quick to react. The common treatment is in-noculation in-noculation with a combination of Blacklegol and penicillin. The course of the disease brings a swelling to the rear legs of calves over three months of age into yearlings and sometimes beyond. Under three months of age, the calves have a natural immunity from their mothers. The disease brings a flood of blood to the rear legs and when the leg is examined, it is found to be black and blue as though bruised all the way through. All calves in the Bryce Valley are have been vaccinated and Ott said that calves should get a booster shot at one year. Ott said "the danger is over here, but we would like to warn other cattlemen to be on the alert for outbreaks." He said that calves are worth approximately $250, so that the monetary loss is significant to cattlemen as well as the herd-building herd-building loss. |