Farm & Ranch
Stocking Rate: Should I be that concerned? Volume 2
By contributing writer Tony Dean
How do I know if my stocking rate is correct?
We should guard against thinking that just because a pasture or a ranch has a history of running a certain number of head, that it is still capable of doing that without overgrazing the grasses. Lots of factors can change over time, such as amount of brush, that can influence the amount of grazing available. The number of head we have on the ranch should be a decision we make based on knowledge of the current health and productivity of the pastures.
Many variable factors influence stocking rate, such as annual rainfall, soil type, grasses present in the pasture and health of those grasses. But, there are some common factors that usually apply to most ranches that are using summer range grasses for forage production. An age-old rule of thumb for proper grazing on rangeland is to “take half and leave half” of the better quality grazing plants. To read more pick up the June 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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