Spring flowers in a pasture in Independence TX. AgriLife picture courtesy Costanzo, 2024
Rainy days in February and March have led to spring flowers across pastures and roadsides in Texas. It’s the prettiest time of the year in the Lone Star State. Spring lambing and kidding are underway, and predators are on the prowl. Ensure you adequately feed your LGDs during this time, as they burn many calories, protecting lambs and kids from predators. Afterbirth and dead newborns are not adequate nutrition for your LGDs during this season. Purchase a good quality kibble with animal protein as the first ingredient.
AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program: Update and Events
Our next event will be our annual LGD Field Day on April 26. from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. at the AgriLife Center in San Angelo. In 2024, we will be moving to only one field day hosted by the LGD program, which will be held at the Center in San Angelo. This should allow us to provide a better variety of speakers and a set month and location that ranchers can plan for each year. The field day will include workshops on Canine Behavior, Canine Health, and Tech to Help Manage LGDs. The event will include a producer panel and a tour of the bonding facilities. LGD breeders and vendors will also be on site. You can register for the field day on the AgriLife events page. We also work closely with county extension agents to provide LGD presentations and updates at their local county meetings.
Our next webinar will be on May 16th at 3 pm. The webinar will cover the Anatolian Shepherd breed by long-time preservation breeder Heidi Krol from Stonecoat Farm STONECOAT FARM. To register for the event, check the events page on our website in late April. The workshop will be hosted on Zoom and free as always!
LGD First Aid Kit
An extensive LGD first aid kit is essential for all producers using LGDs on their ranches. I have attached a link to our list, which is a good
Tool bag for an LGD first aid kit. AgriLife picture courtesy Costanzo, 2024
starting place for producers acquiring their first LGD or those assembling a kit. We have found that a large canvas tool bag from a hardware store works well to keep some supplies in trucks should workers encounter a dog in the field that needs immediate attention. An extra collar and leash should always be in your kit if you need to restrain your LGD while applying medication or attempting to load them in the truck.
Bonding Project Update
Round Five Dogs
Belle in the kennel after having two toes amputated. AgriLife picture courtesy Saldana, 2024
Overall, the dogs from Round Five are all doing well. Maverick and Goose are still waiting with the AgriLife Cedar Eating (ACE) goats at the Center in San Angelo. The Stephenville Center has been having difficulty getting all the paperwork approved to have goats and dogs on their new research ranch. Smith and Wesson are doing well in Sonora and Viper in Ft. Davis. Pearl is giving her producer some challenges on and off with chasing young goats. He placed a dangle stick back on her.
We had an accident with Belle last month. While being rebonded to some new livestock on a producer’s ranch, she decided to jump or climb out of the bonding pen to go with Mabel and her charges. Belle caught her right rear foot in the fence and hung from it for several hours. Luckily, the producer had a neighbor checking on things while he was on vacation for a few days. The neighbor quickly cut her down, but the damage was already done. Our vet was able to save her foot but had to amputate two toes on the injured paw. She had her two middle toes amputated from her right rear foot. She’s doing well at the kennel in San Angelo, and our vet feels she will fully recover and be able to return to guarding livestock in Comstock soon.
Round Six Dogs
The puppies are all doing well in the current round. They were released from the 60’ x 60’ bonding pens
Lady getting in trouble for trying to get the Pup-Peroni treat bag. AgriLife picture courtesy Costanzo, 2024
into the one-acre pens last month. The Santa’s Reindeer pups (Anatolian Shepherds) are getting three days a week of socialization, and the “L” Girls (Karakachans) are getting one day a week of socialization. You wouldn’t know that when you go out to check on them, as the Karakachan pups are very friendly and come running up to you. Lulu and Lady are a little more friendly than Lilly, which is typical since they are pair-bonded. The pair-bonded pups always seem more friendly than the single-bonded pups in the project. We believe it’s because they have a partner to play with, and the single pup must bond to the livestock for companionship.
In closing
If you enjoyed this monthly LGD blog, please don’t forget to subscribe to it with this link: The Guardian Way | Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.
If you have feedback on this article or would like to suggest topics for future articles, please contact me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or 325-657-7311.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Livestock Guardian Dog Program is a cooperative effort by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board. Follow us on our social media sites and share them with your friends and family!
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube: @TAMUlivestockguarddog
Remember to check out the Texas LGD Association online! You can follow the organization on Facebook or YouTube at @TexasLGDAssociation or visit its website.
