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Farm & Ranch

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…

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By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]

While we associate August with plenty of hot weather, now is really the time to think cool, as in cool season pastures, while at the same time knowing that successfully farming and growing pastures and crops outdoors is at the mercy of the weather.

What to do is the question on everyone’s mind when it comes to feed, fuel, fertilizer and all the other expenses associated with ranching. While our bottom line has not increased proportionally to the costs associated with running cattle, there are still necessary requirements with the one at the top of the list being forage followed closely by feed, which in many cases are one and the same if cool season pastures are utilized.

To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

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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.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming

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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.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

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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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