Farm & Ranch

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Published

7 years ago

December 2, 2016

NTFR

By Rayford Pullen

First, this is the time of year we truly need to remember why we do what we do and be grateful that we can pursue our dream. Our families and our friends are the most wonderful assets we have in our lives and just like the land and the livestock we care for, we must also do the same with those who make our lives complete. Enjoy the holiday season; it’s that time of the year to give thanks for all we have and all that we are about. From the Pullen Angus crew, Carla Sue, Brad Liggett, Cliff and Jo Norman, James Lawrence and me, enjoy the season and keep our Lord and Savior in all that you do.

Stress can come quickly when dealing with cattle especially when it comes to calving heifers. The friends and family I mentioned above will get to see a side of you like what I imagine happens during a three-alarm fire. Case in point happened the day before this article was written but may provide good information as we close in on spring calving season although it is in the dead of winter.
We saw the feet appear at 4:50 p.m. and this first-calf heifer has absolutely no experience in delivering a calf. It is now 5:50 and there she is, up and down, walking around, and we are trying to decide what to do next. Our rule of thumb at Pullen Angus is to allow two hours for the heifer to have a calf before we intervene.

To read more pick up a copy of the December 2016 NTFR issue. Call 940-872-5922 to subscribe!

Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

NTFR

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.