Hello every one, yes it IS me, after 9 months of absence from all getting killed out here doing ranch work, I rolled a 4 wheeler over while spraying thistles. Things have been really hard since, long road to even trying to feel better. Weeks in the hospital, and still never ending pointless visits to doctors, I am alive any way and thankfull that it was not my time to go.
I haven't been active for a long time, just haven't had it in me. This topic however, is one I MUST respond to.
34 years ago, I started learning ET the hard way, the COWS taught me, as well as having extensive A-I experience, and several years of Physiology degrees. I gave shots where ever I could reach in ther early days, with many bent needles as well as leaking sites. Over time, it became more and more obvious that there are good places, and bad places, for these tiny little shots to go and maximize the result.
I have done way over 9000 donors, so I don't take this lightly. Has anyone had to lance abseses due to site trauma?? Bent and/or dirty needles are hard on cows. If you can tell me, that a cow throwing her head around or kicking and moving is going to be easy to put a small needle (20ga x 1 1/2) in there and not have a problem, you have never done very many. I am with CAB, I give all my small injections between hooks and pins. It is a perfectly accessable area, causes minimal if ANY damage to tissues if given right, and WILL give the best, consistent results. I kept records like no other for 20 years, and it was really obvious. Those cows neck shot or lower quarter injected, were always lower producers, on average.
Unless you are using a bent crowbar for a needle, which no one does, there is very little any one can tell me that I am doing damage to the cow with this equipment. We are using 1.0 to 2.4 ml per injection TOPS. Think about it. Every single drop needs to be in the tissues, not on the ground or stuck in the skin where it will never get in the bloodstream. The neck , for some unknown to me reason, simply never did give dependable results consistently.
Today, we are all but out of donors. Every one who had cows here but one very good customer came and got them as soon as we called and the boysd said I was in the hospital. Really there was no reason for them to stay if I was going to be laid up for months on end. I will never be like I was before, BUT, I don't die easy. I am bored out of my mind, and I want to get going before I get so damn old I can't walk out there!! hehehe To say the least, things are and have been tuff. I love all you guys, I am sorry I have been gone for so long. Let the debates begin as they say. I am old school, and no, I ain't gonna change a damn thing! Smile every one, it keeps you young!! Sincerely and best to all -- Terry
