Farm & Ranch

To the Season for Action

Published

6 years ago

January 9, 2018

NTFR

By Phillip Kitts

‘Tis the season—the all too familiar words that are connected with this festive time of year. But in the rodeo world “‘Tis the season” has a much larger gold influence. While the rest of the world is focused on celebrating and shopping, the hard-core competitors of the rodeo world gear up for two months of opportunity.

In the last few days of October and the first few days of November, the city of Las Vegas hosted the first of two major championship events. On Oct. 28 things kicked off with the Chris Shivers Miniature Bull Riders presented by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) then followed by the Real Time Pain Relief Velocity Tour Finals, all being at The South Point Arena. In between these action-packed events the South Point hosted action-packed days of futurity bucking stock as well as many other western sports-based activities. Fans had the opportunity not only to see all types of great action but could also shop the hundreds of vendors that filled the venue with anything from western fashion to farm, ranch or rodeo supplies.

The first three days of competition for the Chris Shivers Miniature Bull Riders was their last-chance qualifier for their World Finals also at South Point Arena from Nov. 1 through Nov. 4. Over these three days youngsters from age six to 14 matched up with miniature bulls in a one-on-one competition. Only the top 10 in each age group had the opportunity to advance to their finals and compete for World Championship Buckles and the big paydays.

Each night after the Miniature Bull Riders competed, the stage was set for the up-and-comers for the PBR. The Real Time Pain Relief Velocity tour brought in the top names from their year-end standings as well as provided invitations to a select group of other well-known bull riders.

To read more pick up a copy of the January 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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.