OKLAH OMA FARM & RANCH MayOKFR 2020 | www.okfronline.com | Volume 5 Issue 5 Keeping You Advised Meteorologist Gary England FREE 2 | MAY 2020 OKFR WWW.OKFRONLINE.COM MAY 2020 | 3 4 | MAY 2020 OKFR OKLAH OMA FARM & RANCH OKFR letter from the editor publishing contribution PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JM Winter Andy Anderson Everett Brazil III Throughout my EDITOR Ddee Haynes younger years, I re- Savannah Magoteaux Jim Johnson [email protected] Summer McMillen member feeling some Garrett Metcalf, DVM production trepidation at the start Lacey Newlin T of Oklahoma’s tumul- Bryan Painter ART DIRECTOR tuous spring weather. Kayla Jean Woolf Janice Russell [email protected] Beth Watkins Many times I’d watch Barry Whitworth as the sky darkened advertising executives to the west, forming COPY EDITORS a rigid wall cloud. I’d Rosemary Stephens Judy Wade [email protected] Krista Lucas race to the house to tell my mother, who, as Oklahomans would do for decades, said, “Let’s Kathy Miller distribution [email protected] see what Gary has to say.” MANAGER Of course she was talking about Gary England, who could be Sherrie Nelson Kayla Jean Woolf [email protected] [email protected] argued as being, at one point, the most well known Oklahoman. When severe weather struck, you knew he would have taken over the DISTRIBUTORS station, warning, advising, and helping his viewers get through what administration Pamala Black Brenda Bingham Pat Blackburn might be the scariest time in their lives. I hope you enjoy learning [email protected] Dylan Edwards more about his backstory in “Keeping You Advised.” Tina Geurin Speaking of storms, what a wild ride these several weeks have been. I’ve put off writing this letter until the 11th hour, because CONTACT US our world changes daily. As we watch our livelihood transforms Oklahoma Farm & Ranch magazine by the minute, there aren’t adequate words to describe what we’re 200 Walnut St., Bowie, TX 76230 feeling. 940-872-2076, www.okfronline.com Currently on repeat on my speaker is Casting Crowns and Praise You in this Storm. The first verse and chorus goes: in association with I was sure by now, God you would have reached down, and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen, That it’s still raining. As the thunder rolls, I barely hear your whisper through the rain, “I’m with you.” And as your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise The God who gives and takes away. OKFR and Post Oak Media are not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability And I’ll praise you in this storm, And I will lift my hands, That you for advertising content. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from are who you are No matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried, the publisher is prohibited. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine or its employees. You hold in your hand. You never left my side, And though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm. Wow! If you haven’t listened to it before, you might put it on ON THE COVER for a listen. In this time, many people who have turned to their faith, myself OKLAH OMA Gary England is a household FARM & RANCH included. My favorite verse has always been John 16:33. “I have told name in Oklahoma. He grew you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you up in the northwestern town MayOKFR 2020 | www.okfronline.com | Volume 5 Issue 5 will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” of Seiling before joining the Readers, we don’t know what will happen in the coming days. I United States Navy. He hope that soon we’re going to dinner, seeing our friends, taking trips, continued his education at and enjoying life out of isolation. the University of Oklahoma, I don’t know how far away those days are, but I have faith in the eventually becoming a One who has overcome the world. television meteorologist for Keeping You Advised more than four decades. Meteorologist Gary England (Photo courtesy of News 9/ Griffin Communications.) Savannah Magoteaux FREE Savannah Magoteaux, Editor [email protected] WWW.OKFRONLINE.COM MAY 2020 | 5 CONTENTS pg. 20 Gary England pg. 34 The Cowboy turkey call... pg. 14 Equine Cushings Syndrome pg. 29 Fried Morel Mushrooms 8 10 16 30 32 Blue Green Noble Get to Know Where the Paved Leading the Algae Learning Gary Leiter Road Ends Way Barry Whitworth, Consistency is key Learn more about Columnist Beth Two Oklahomans DVM, discusses how in trace mineral Oklahoma singer/ Watkins says greener are named to First deadly blue green supplementation for songwriter Gary pastures are coming; Next Generation algae can be. grazing cattle. Leiter. we just have to wait. Leadership Class. 6 | MAY 2020 OKFR MAY 2020 | 7 DO NOT DELETE!!! Blue Green Algae By Barry Whitworth, DVM / Area Food/Animal Quality and Health Specialist for Eastern Oklahoma This year an Oklahoma cattle producer in Payne County found seven dead cows and one dead deer in close proximity to a pond. The owner suspected something was wrong Twith the water. An analysis of the water was performed. “The analysis revealed that it was positive for blue-green algae and was above the lethal threshold,” according to Oklahoma State University Payne County Ag Educator Nathan Anderson. This year there have been reports of similar unexplained deaths by ponds. This would not be much of a surprise if these had occurred in late summer, but this incident took place in early spring. This should be a warning to live- stock producers to inspect ponds for blue-green algae accumulation when conditions are right no matter what time of the year it is. Blue-green algae is not really an algae but a bacterium, which is referred to as cyanobac- terium. The most common species found in the Midwest are Microcystis, Oscillatoria and Anabaena (Morgan, 2011). The bacterium is found in most bodies of water. However, they become a problem during times of rapid growth fueled by high nitrogen and phosphorus content and warm sunny weather. The overgrowth of the bacte- rium leads to the death of the organism, which then floats to the top and forms a “scum” on top of the water. These “scum” layers can be moved about the pond by wind movement. Pictured is Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in LeFlore County in March 2020. The producer lost Sometimes this causes certain areas in the pond seven cows overnight. (Courtesy photo) to be concentrated with the toxic levels of the signs of blue-green algae toxicity will depend to blue-green algae along with clinical signs or dead bacterium. Rain or wind disturbance can on the type of toxin ingested. The two types sudden death. If a producer suspects blue-green break up the “scum” and reduce the chance of of toxins associated with blue-green algae are algae is the cause of death in his/her cattle, he/ toxicity, but this is not always the case. a neurotoxin (affect the nervous system) or a she should immediately collect a pint of water All livestock, pets, wild animals, and hu- hepatotoxin (affect the liver). where large amounts of the algae exist. The mans are susceptible to blue-green algae tox- If seen early, cattle affected by the neuro- reason for quickly obtaining a sample is the icity. The amount of water consumed needed toxin will show muscle tremors, reluctance to toxin could be dispersed by the wind. Then to cause toxicity depends on the species of move, and breathing problems. This will lead the producer should contact a veterinarian to animal, concentration of the toxins in the water to convulsions and death. If cattle consume conduct a necropsy. A necropsy will rule out and how much water is ingested. Ingestion of water with liver toxin bacteria, they will have other causes of death. A veterinarian will most one quart of highly concentrated water is lethal weakness, pale mucous membranes, gastroen- likely take tissue samples for more testing and to cattle (Meehan & Mostrum, 2015). teritis, nervous signs, and death. rumen contents may be taken to examine for Most producers do not recognize a problem Animals that survive will lose weight and presence of blue-green algae. The water sample with blue-green algae until they find dead become poor doers. These survivors may also will need to be submitted for analysis. More livestock in the pond or in close proximity develop photosensitization. Animals with information for guidance about necropsy or to a body of water. Most cattle that ingest photosensitization are prone to sunburns on water sampling may be found at the Oklahoma contaminated water will die, but occasionally light colored skin areas. Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at (405) producers may find sick cattle. The clinical Typically, diagnosis is based upon exposure 744-6623 or https://cvhs.okstate.edu/oaddl. 8 | MAY 2020 OKFR Since there is no known anti- ers should take action to reduce the dote, treatment is usually unre- problem. An excellent fact sheet warding. For this reason, produc- is available from Oklahoma State ers need to focus on conditions University Extension Service on that favor the development of blue-green algae and how to best blue-green algae. Algae will manage the problem. The fact bloom with sunshine and warm sheet can be found at https://exten- weather.