Energy From Manure

Recent developments in renewable energy sources have been able to use cattle manure as a potential source for electricity. This is no big development, seeing as pioneers on the plains in the 1800s used cow pies as fuel for fires as they settled the land. But modern cattle producers could use the waste generated by their cattle to help in energy production for their local communities by “harvesting” cow pies, converting the manure into methane and generate electricity.

Building an income stream from a by-product of a cattle operation isn’t a new idea, but developing a new energy source from cattle waste could prove to be profitable for small farmers in the near future. Using an advanced composting process, farmers could become energy independent by simply cleaning up after their cattle.

The process involves placing manure into a tank. As the manure breaks down it generates methane gas, which can be used to power a generator and produce energy. The United States Department of Agriculture has already seen the potential in this process and recently funded a $357,251 grant for the project. Read more about this process in a recent article featured on My Cattle.com.

A Spring Illness Could Show Up in Fall

Grass Tetany and Metabolic Pneumonia might pop up this fall due to late summer rains and fast growing grasses. Magnesium and Calcium deficiencies in fast growing pasture grasses could lead to these diseases showing up in cattle herds. The best way to prevent any of these diseases is to insure nutritional supplementation is closely monitored. Often symptoms of these two diseases are difficult breathing and breathing with mouths open. Some of the early symptoms include muscle twitching, hypersensitivity and nervousness, which can lead to muscle spasms and convulsions. Often the animal can develop these symptoms so fast that it is not noticed until the animal is down or found dead. Keeping a close eye on a cattle herd and the nutritional supplementation will help guard against losing any cattle to this disease. Read more about this on Cattle Network.com.

Cattle Drives In Big Bend State Park

The Texas Longhorns that call Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas home have been a big draw for tourism. Cattle drives have always been a historic emblem of the Old West, but in modern times visitors to Big Bend Ranch State Park can participate in a real cattle drive. Even with an $895 fee the twice annually cattle drive is a hot ticket. For more information on the cattle drive or visiting the park check out the Big Bend Ranch Web site.

E-Trails Note: Send your interesting news and ideas to - Cole@tlbaa.org.

-Cole Dowden