Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen
Hopefully those of us that plant fall grazing for our cattle are seeing results at this time. When you farm outdoors, you never know the hand you’ll be dealt. It seems we are only as smart as the weather and cattle markets will allow us to be.
Fall is a great time of year as cooler temperatures bring a return to better quality forage and gains improve both for our mature cattle and calves as well. October is the traditional time of year when spring calves are weaned and marketed, and the weaning usually occurs on the way to the sale barn. Now these calves have never been out of sight of their mothers for the past six to eight months and will now be exposed to everything regarding the disease world while all they can think about is momma, nursing and wondering where they are. If that is not reason enough to get sick, I’m not sure what is.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2021 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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