Farms.com Home   News

Rain Brings Oklahoma Ranchers More Challenges With Flies And Pinkeye

Oklahoma ranchers are see more pinkeye this year than normal. Pink eye is a bacterial infection that causes irritation in the eyes of cattle and other livestock. State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall said pinkeye causes an animal’s eye to water, which can lead to the infection being transmitted to other animals. 
 
Rain Brings Oklahoma Ranchers More Challenges with Flies and Pinkeye
 
“Flies can get on the skin below eyes, where the tears carried the bacteria and then they can go land on another animal,” Hall said. 
 
Pinkeye seems to be more prevalent from time to time. The wet spring and summer across much of the state has lead to more pinkeye cases this year. The wet weather causes higher than normal fly populations and Dr. Hall said having more flies can spread the infection. 
 
Grass conditions have been better than average this summer. By this time of year, the grass resources begin to deteriorate. Dr. Hall said cattle become pickier as the taller grass gets tough and it becomes less appealing to cattle, so cattle will often graze closer to the ground eating the younger, tenderer grass. 
 
“As they push their heads through the seed heads of those grass, it can cause irritation,” Hall said. “Any irritation then to the eyes, makes it easier for that bacteria to get a hold and get started and cause the infection.”
 
Pinkeye can also be transmitted by animals sharing a bale of hay. There are several strains of that bacteria. Hall said that’s why some commercial vaccines might not work against certain strains of the bacteria. 
 
Click here to see more...

Trending Video

Moisture, Temperature, and Extreme Weather – What 2025 Has in Store

Video: Moisture, Temperature, and Extreme Weather – What 2025 Has in Store

Beef cattle farmers and ranchers are preparing for spring 2025 and all that comes with it — calving and planting. Meteorologist Matt Makens once again joins the podcast to highlight the weather challenges in the months ahead, namely dry conditions in many western parts of the country. As beef producers evaluate their ability to retain heifers and build up their herd numbers, much of those decisions are reliant on moisture, so listen in to hear Matt’s thoughts and advice to producers. Plus, we chat with our friends at Farm Credit to hear why creating a relationship with your ag lender is important and what you can do to establish that long-term business partnership that will sustain your operation in the good times and the bad. Learn more at farmcredit.com.