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 Tressa Lawrence
Ranchers across northeast Wyoming and the surrounding areas saw record moisture levels in 2023. The year 2024 has seen significantly less moisture to date.
By Lindsey Monk
People are finishing up brandings. Here, Danny Walter is shown getting it done.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
On July 6, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted in the Federal Register a proposal that radio frequency identification tags be used as official identification for cattle and bison. Following a period for public comment, the USDA APHIS released a statement on April 24, 2024, with the amended animal disease traceability (ADT) regulation for cattle and bison. The full press release may be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/aphis-bolsters-animal-disease-traceability-united-states. Under the new rule, cattle and bison will need to be identified with tags that are both visual and electronic.
The USDA defines ADT as knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they have been, and when the animal disease event took place. A system that allows for efficient traceability of livestock in the United States is essential for animal health and reducing the economic effect of a foreign animal disease outbreak and other diseases on livestock producers as well as others whose well-being depends on livestock production.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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