Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen
In our neck of the woods, the abundant spring and early summer rains have us positioned for one of the best forage years in memory.
Our fall grazing was not too good because of the excess moisture in the soil, resulting in the exclusion of oxygen necessary for plant growth, but as we turned the corner and headed into spring and summer, our summer annual and perennial grasses have been turning the crank.
Hay producers have had a difficult time due to the poor drying conditions, but thinking back not so long ago, over abundant rainfall sure beats the heck out of a long-term drought.
Quoting Elmer Kelton in “The Time It Never Rained,” his historical fiction novel, “Some folks have several droughts during the summer, but around here, the Concho River area, we have several summers during the drought.”
According to information on grass production I’ve read over the years, 75 percent of our total forage production from perennial grasses is made by July 15, and since it seems as though it has been raining for the past nine or so months, hopefully we’ll get those summer rains that seem to elude us every year and keep on keeping on and those memories of $100 bales of hay will be just that, memories. Keep your fingers crossed, at least for those of us buying hay, that we have a great hay year.
To read more pick up a copy of the July 2019 NTFR issue. To subscribe 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.
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
Spring has sprung and hopefully the rains will continue where our country will heal from the previous droughts and our grasses will thrive. We are especially hopeful for the Panhandle of Texas where our neighbors and friends have been dealt a deadly blow to homes, ranges, livestock, and people. Keep them in your prayers as they will not be able to return to normal for many years if at all. Having lost their ability to benefit from this great cattle market is a double whammy for all of them.
Now is the time of year when we need to take care of business as it relates to our new calves that have been hitting the ground this spring. First and foremost is vaccinating for Blackleg followed by deworming with a white wormer and the IBR complex. Blackleg is a soil-born disease and with pastures extremely short this spring our calves have been grazing the green grass as soon as it shows itself, making them even more vulnerable to picking contaminates from the soil.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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