IF YOU NEED A PRIVATE WEBSITE, PLEASE CONTACT ME.THANKS, KATHY
Red River Angus Association
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Membership Application
RRAA Member Waiver 
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If you have ANYTHING to share, PLEASE let me know. Thanks, Kathy

Don't forget we have the Classified and Cattle Sale pages. Just let me know what you have to add to either one.
                          NOTE:

                It is time to pay 2012 dues.  

                       Mail check for $25.00 to:
                                  PO Box 75
                     Gainesville, TX 76241-0075

Recognizing when cattle are about to calve.

As the spring calving season approaches, the cows will show typical signs that will indicate parturition is imminent. Changes that are gradually seen are udder development, or making bag and the relaxation and swelling of the vulva. These indicate the cow is due to calve in the near future. There is much difference between individuals in the development of these signs and certainly age is a factor. The first calf heifer, particularly in the milking breeds, develops udder for a very long time, sometimes for two or three months before parturition. The swelling and relaxation of the vulva can be highly variable too. Typically, in the immediate 2 weeks preceding calving, these signs become more evident, the udder is filling, and one of the things that might be seen is the loss of the cervical plug. This is a very thick tenacious, mucous material hanging from the vulva. It may be seen pooling behind the cow when she is lying down. Some people mistakenly think this happens immediately before calving, but in fact this can be seen weeks before parturition and therefore is only another sign that the calving season is here.
The immediate signs that usually occur within 24 hours of calving would be relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and strutting of the teats. These can be fairly dependable for the owner that watches his cows several times a day during the calving season. The casual observer or even the veterinarian who is knowledgeable of the signs but sees the herd infrequently cannot accurately predict calving time from these signs. The relaxation of the pelvic ligaments really cannot be observed in fat cows, (body condition score 7 or greater). However, relaxations of the ligaments can be seen very clearly in thin or moderate body condition cows and can be a clue of parturition within the next 12 - 24 hours.
These changes are signs the producer or herdsman can use to more closely pinpoint calving time. Strutting of the teats is not really very dependable. Some heavy milking cows will have strutting of the teats as much as two or three days before calving and on the other hand, a thin poor milking cow may calve without strutting of the teats. Another thing that might be seen in the immediate 12 hours before calving would be variable behavior such as a cow that does not come up to eat, or a cow that isolates herself into a particular corner of the pasture. However, most of them have few behavioral changes until the parturition process starts. Much more information about managing cows and heifers during the calving season can be found in the Oklahoma State University Extension Circular E-1006, “Calving Time Management for Beef Cows and Heifers”
Source: Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Before you pull a calf.

Before applying the obstetrical chains to "pull" a calf during a difficult birth, a proper analysis of the situation must be made. Wash the vulva, anus and the area in between using soap and warm water. Pulling on a calf should only be done when the presentation and posture of the calf are normal. Normal is defined as the "anterior presentation" with fore feet first, head resting on the limbs, and the eyes level with the knees. A backwards calf can be delivered only when both back limbs are presented. Before chains are applied, be certain that the cervix is completely dilated.
To properly use obstetrical chains when assisting with a difficult birth, follow the this procedure. To attach the chain, loop it around the thin part of the leg above the fetlock. Then, make a half hitch and tighten it below the joint and above the foot. Make certain that the chain is positioned in such a manner that is goes over the top of the toes. In this way the pressure is applied so as to pull the sharp points of the calves hooves away from the soft tissue of the vaginal wall.
Obtain a copy of "Calving Time Management of Beef Cows and Heifers" E-1006, an OSU Extension Circular that thoroughly discusses working with cows and heifers before and during calving season. It can be downloaded from: http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5171/E-1006web.pdf
Source: Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Minutes of the Red River Angus Association Board Meeting February 6, 2012

Board members present: Mike McGowan, Fred Schmidt, Roger Boyer, Butch Brundage, Rayford Pullen, Aaron Smith and Thomas Kemp. Board members not present: Lynn Williams, Lee Bulla, Neal Hunt, Gary Stanford and Steven Alexander.

President Mike McGowan opened the meeting at 6:30p.m. 
Treasurer’s report given by Butch Brundage: Checking account balance $2129.08; Savings balance $7638.50; Butch reported we are at 50% of dues paid in for the new year and ahead of last year at same point.

Old business: In a former board meeting a question was raised about the RRAA scholarship. It has been several years since a scholarship has been awarded and the question or purpose of the scholarship was raised. At a previous meeting it was suggested that a review of the need to continue the scholarship be done. Question was raised as why young people are not applying. Possible answer is scholarship is not widely known. Another possibility is that since the number of scholarships available has increased and the amount of those scholarships is far greater in dollar amount young people just are not interested in applying for ours. It was also pointed out that we currently do not have a revenue generating tool to generate funds. It was suggested that in lieu of the scholarship we simply make a donation toward the TAA scholarship fund for TJAA members and a like kind donation to the OAA scholarship fund for OJAA members. This would relieve us of having to make decisions, still benefit youth and receive good publicity in both states.

New business: First item of discussion was the March 13, 2012 general meeting. Mark Gardner of Gardner Angus Ranch in Kansas will be guest speaker. Meeting will be held at the regular place, the Smoke House in Lindsey.  

May meeting program will be cover all of the new tools found on the AAA website.
Adjourned 7:38p.m. 


The Red River Angus Assn. will meet Tuesday night at the Smokehouse in Lindsay, Texas. If you plan to eat, please arrive by 6:30 so we can get our meeting kicked off as close to 7pm as possible.

Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch, will be our guest speaker. We look forward to hearing Mark's insight on Angus cattle and his outlook for the future. I'm sure Mark will entertain any questions you bring to the meeting.

Next, Radale Tiner, Our new American Angus Association representative for Texas, will be on hand to meet the members of our association. Radale was named the replacement for Jared Murnin when Jared left for Montana.

Let's show our guest our gratitude for making the effort to make the Red River Angus Association meeting.

See you there.