Farm & Ranch
Dry Valley Dairy
By Jessica Bartel, editor
In today’s society it has become more important for the agriculture industry to educate its consumers. The head of the household, mother, makes the decisions on what her family eats and drinks. It’s become more apparent that these super-moms are making more healthy-conscious decisions for their family. At Dry Valley Dairy, Charles Steadham and his family make the effort to cater to those looking for un-pasteurized milk and grass fed beef.
In March of 2011 the Steadhams started milking Jersey cows and in June of that same year they started selling their milk. Prior to that, the Steadhams milked Holsteins and sold their milk commercially for 20 years. Selling 80-100 gallons per day, the Steadhams sell fresh raw milk from pastured Jersey cows. Raw milk, as Charles put it is, “Just the way it came from the cow! Jesus made milk!”Raw milk is not pasteurized with cream and butterfat still intact. Butterfat contains vitamins A and D needed for absorption of calcium and protein found in the water fraction of milk. Without them, protein and calcium are more difficult to utilize.
Butterfat is rich in short and medium chain fatty acids, which protect against disease and stimulate the immune system. To read more pick up the September 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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