Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By contributing writer Rayford Pullen
The rain finally arrived the middle of March in North Texas on just about the same day we are supposed to have our last spring freeze, March 15. Time will tell.
The weather has certainly been on the strange side with thunder and lightning in both February and March. And with Easter coming rather late this year, who knows, we may be in for another round of cold air in April.
Around our place it has been busy with lots of calves having been born and hopefully all should be here before the end of March. As noted in an earlier article, calves born after April 1 in North Texas, at least on our place, will not wean off as heavy as those born before then which is due to the fact that when the calf’s rumen begins functioning at around eight weeks of age, it will be June and the high quality spring forage will only be around for another six weeks.
With the momma’s milk production and forage quality both declining with the onset of hotter temperatures, lower gains will be the result. Calves born just two weeks prior to this time will have about a 50 pound weight advantage resulting in an extra $100 at sale time. Late-born calves cost you money. To read more pick up the April 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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