This discussion is wonderful.
I am beginning to see a path ahead. I recently learned to do quantitative
fecal analyses for parasites, and plan to use that as a guideline for
whether things are going well, for our sheep in particular. I will plan to
test livers when they become available, recognizing that livers from older
animals tell us more. I will look into pasture sampling. I will try some
test plots on pastures.
Our beef animals don't all look ideal to me so I might try something more
experimental with them. Do you think there are indicators of deficiencies?
Last summer we had LOTS of flies on the cows. What exactly does it mean
that cows that have no deficiencies aren't bothered by flies? Does that
mean that there are fewer flies, or does it mean that there are lots of
flies but the cows don't care?
thanks, Ann
