Wound botulism is caused by toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum. Infant botulism is caused by consuming the spores of the botulinum bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release toxins. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies. The following references aid in recognizing disease characteristics and hazards associated with botulinum toxin.
Budd suggests that a prospective buffalo rancher look up the recommended beef cow-calf stocking rate for the area and multiply by 10 to get the acreage necessary for stocking buffalo. He keeps a 30:1 cow:bull ratio. His land will support a cow-calf pair on 15 acres and a yearling over summer on 5 acres. Buffalo are easier on pasture than cattle, says Budd, because they roam and they graze all year around, reducing the stress placed on any particular area of the pasture.
Feed represents the largest single cost (60 percent of total) in a cow-calf enterprise. The old adage, a penny saved is a penny earned never resonated more strongly. Science tells us that a 1300 lb. dry pregnant cow in good condition needs to eat about 27 lbs. of hay per day to maintain herself and grow her calf. But when farmers project the feed inventory they need for the winter, they may actually estimate their cows feeding needs at 35-40 lbs. of hay per day.