Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By contributing writer Rayford Pullen
The rain finally arrived the middle of March in North Texas on just about the same day we are supposed to have our last spring freeze, March 15. Time will tell.
The weather has certainly been on the strange side with thunder and lightning in both February and March. And with Easter coming rather late this year, who knows, we may be in for another round of cold air in April.
Around our place it has been busy with lots of calves having been born and hopefully all should be here before the end of March. As noted in an earlier article, calves born after April 1 in North Texas, at least on our place, will not wean off as heavy as those born before then which is due to the fact that when the calf’s rumen begins functioning at around eight weeks of age, it will be June and the high quality spring forage will only be around for another six weeks.
With the momma’s milk production and forage quality both declining with the onset of hotter temperatures, lower gains will be the result. Calves born just two weeks prior to this time will have about a 50 pound weight advantage resulting in an extra $100 at sale time. Late-born calves cost you money. To read more pick up the April 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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