A bird of prey, as their name indicates, is any species of bird that hunts other animals such as small mammals, fish, and other birds for food. Birds of prey are commonly referred to as raptors and possess powerful, sharp talons and hooked …
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey in Alabama, ANR – 1386.
Typically about half the size of the red-tailed hawk, the red-shouldered hawk is most often found in floodplain forests. Features distinguishing the red-shouldered h…
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey in Alabama, ANR – 1386.
Almost anyone who has ever taken a long car ride has probably seen a red-tailed hawk. This species, which is frequently seen perched along telephone lines or in tree…
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey in Alabama, ANR – 1386.
With a North American range limited to the southeastern and central United States, the Mississippi kite is a fairly uncommon raptor. As with the swallow-tailed kite,…
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey in Alabama, ANR – 1386.
The swallow-tailed kite is listed as a species of high conservation concern in Alabama and is uncommon across its range in North America. These birds are found in th…
*This is an excerpt from Common Birds of Prey in Alabama, ANR – 1386.
Feeding exclusively on fish, ospreys are usually found along coasts, lakes, and other large bodies of open water. At an average weight of 3.5 pounds, the osprey is a…
The first step in providing assistance during calving is assessing the problem. There are several common situations encountered when delivering a calf. In some instances, the calf is too big to deliver. This most frequently …
The first step in providing assistance during calving is assessing the problem. There are several common situations encountered when delivering a calf. In a normal delivery, the calf’s forelegs and head protrude firs…
A successful calving season is the result of good planning and hard work. A defined calving season, or one restricted to a certain period of time, begins with a defined breeding season, allowing you to concentrate your efforts on su…
Taking control of your financial life involves having and using the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage your financial resources. Whatever your situation, there are things all consumers should know and be able to do. One of th…
The Golden Egg Contest assesses the ability of 4-H members to raise chickens that produce high-quality eggs. Participants submit up to three sets of one dozen eggs, which are judged for uniform appearance and consistent interior quality usi…
Everyone involved in beef cattle production will at some time work cattle. Sound cattle handling practices will affect the well-being of cattle, individual animal health, and herd productivity. These practices are the result of deca…
Johne’s (pronounced “Yo-nees”) disease is a chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Johne’s disease usually refers to a clinical condition characterized by profuse, wat…
Trichomoniasis is a bovine venereal disease that can cause substantial reproductive and economic loss in cow-calf operations that use natural service. The disease is caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) and is c…
Feed costs represent the largest single cost item in most beef operations. In many economic analyses, feed costs represent more than 50 percent of the variation in profit or loss differences between herds. Many beef producers utiliz…