Farm & Ranch
Vernon College Agriculture Department
By Jessica Crabtree, [email protected]
First called Eagle Springs by the Tonkawa Indians as early as 1858, the town went through a series of names before settling on Vernon. In the 1880s when the town was applying for a post office, the town wanted to apply as Eagle Flat; however, the post office refused the name, saying there were too many Texas towns with the name Eagle in them. Vernon was named after President George Washington’s hometown, Mount Vernon. Vernon is known for its vast history in cattle, especially for the millions of head driven through the town during the Great Western Trail of 1873 and 1890s. With a history like that, it’s no wonder the town coined the phrase, “Steer our way,” as their motto.
As the county seat of Wilbarger County, Vernon presently has a population of approximately 11,002 residents. Still today agriculture acts as a large, driving force in the community’s economy. Perhaps one of the little-known facts about Vernon is the existence of its community college.
To read more pick up the December 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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