Farm & Ranch
Using recycled material on the farm or ranch
Ever thought about using old, worn-out tractor tires as tire tanks? Or how about standing pallets on their sides and combining them with old barn tin as walls for your new chicken coup? Have you considered using billboard vinyl as a tarp for your hay?
These are just a few examples of the creativity being put on display from some regional farmers and ranchers.
They say necessity is the mother of invention; and in times like these, you can see why. With farmers and ranchers continually bearing increased costs, it’s no wonder they’re turning to recycled materials in order to help ease their burden.
Some other examples of DIY projects that farmers and ranchers are turning to are: 4” pipe, cut in half lengthwise, to make grow beds. Cattle lick tubs and 45 gallon tree planters used as sub-irrigation reservoirs, cattle panels used as a 10’ x 70’ cucumber tunnel.
DIY projects represent just one aspect of recycled materials. Another major component is the professional aspect. For example, Rumber Materials’ Livestock trailer flooring products, which takes ground whole tire waste and recycled thermoplastics mixes, compresses and cools them; forming a product made from 100 percent recycled materials. Rumber flooring serves as a cushioning surface for livestock, giving them a firmer footing and minimizing the risk of injury and fatigue during transport.
Regardless of whichever component suits your needs, using recycled materials saves money, is more sustainable, less wasteful, more responsible and is environmentally friendly.
For more information visit www.rumber.com
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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