Farm & Ranch
A Day at the Ranch
By Jessica Crabtree
On Friday, March 17 two worlds collided— the world of production beef with the world of beef retail. Certified Angus Beef ® brand and Sysco North Texas descended upon Pullen Angus Ranch in Bellevue, Texas.
The world of ag met the world of retail. This day was arranged as the first gathering of Sysco and its employees as a day to become educated on the various methods as to how the product they market is produced.
The day started with all participants being divided up into groups, rotating through three various portions of the day. First, rancher and producer
Rayford Pullen entertained and informed the group on his background. He with wife Carla Sue run 500 cows on 4,000 acres.
He shared with onlookers how he raises beef on 100 percent native grass as well as his stocking rate, eight acres per head, which varies throughout the state of Texas.
Afterward, Pullen described all the ranch’s methods, from feeding time associated with calving time, EPD’S and their importance, the importance of forage quality and more. Several questions were asked during Pullen’s presentation such as, “How do you introduce protein? or “What is the ratio of grass per cow?” and “How can someone make a living on as few as 40 head of cows?”
To read more pick up a copy of the May 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Rayford Pullen, center, explains to the Sysco North Texas employees a little about life on the ranch raising Angus beef. (Photo by Jessica Crabtree)
Kara Lee, Production Manager for Certified Angus Beef explaining the functions of the Pullen’s working chute to Sysco North Texas employees. (Photo by Jessica Crabtree)
Sysco North Texas employees and visitors were treated to Certified Angus Beef rib eyes prepared by famous chuck wagon cook Kent Rollins. Pictured is Rollins chuck wagon. (Photo by Jessica Crabtree)
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.
-
Country Lifestyles1 year agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Equine7 months agoThe Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
Country Lifestyles4 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
HOME7 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?