Farm & Ranch

Ranching Down Under – Australian Quarter Horse Association

Published

6 years ago

November 2, 2017

NTFR

By Samantha Hall

When the King Ranch of Texas, United States of America, imported a large number of Quarter Horses to Australia to work on their rural holdings in Australia in 1954, it did not take long for people to recognize the abilities and positive attributes that the American Quarter Horse could and would have on the horse industry in Australia.

Of the first four stallions imported to Australia by the King Ranch, one of the stallions, “Mescal,” was gifted to the Horden Family of Yugilbar Santa Gertrudis Australia. The Hordens began crossing Mescal over their station-bred mares to improve their horse plant.

In 1963 King Ranch imported their largest consignment, which consisted of five stallions and 10 mares. The following year the Australian Quarter Horse Association was formed in New South Wales, Australia. The aim of the association was to further promote the breed in Australia whilst continuing to maintain the quality of the progeny being produced.

To read more pick up a copy of the November 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call us at 940-872-5922.

Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

Published

2 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.