Farm & Ranch
Ag Elsewhere : California – Let’s Talk H20
By Lainey Smith
Come November 6, most media attention will be focused on the heavy mudslinging happening on Capitol Hill. The 2018 midterm elections are bringing controversy to many facets of politics, which makes it easy to shift focus from the issues affecting our own communities. In my own California farming community, the hot button issue, once again, is water—more specifically, Proposition 3.
Let’s break it down to the Reader’s Digest version. If passed, Proposition 3 will allocate nearly $9 billion in bonds for water related infrastructure and environmental projects. Those supporting the proposition include Agricultural Council of California, California Wildlife Foundation, California Watershed Network and Center for Sustainable Neighborhoods. Those opposing Prop 3 include Southern California Watershed Alliance, Sierra Club and Friends of the River. While agricultural, environmental and civil lobbying groups overwhelmingly support Prop 3, it is met with fierce opposition. California passed a similar water bond during the height of the drought in 2014. Those opposed to the current Proposition argue that the 2014 water bond should be sufficient in meeting California’s sustainability goals.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
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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