Farm & Ranch
Vernon College Agriculture Department
By Jessica Crabtree, [email protected]
First called Eagle Springs by the Tonkawa Indians as early as 1858, the town went through a series of names before settling on Vernon. In the 1880s when the town was applying for a post office, the town wanted to apply as Eagle Flat; however, the post office refused the name, saying there were too many Texas towns with the name Eagle in them. Vernon was named after President George Washington’s hometown, Mount Vernon. Vernon is known for its vast history in cattle, especially for the millions of head driven through the town during the Great Western Trail of 1873 and 1890s. With a history like that, it’s no wonder the town coined the phrase, “Steer our way,” as their motto.
As the county seat of Wilbarger County, Vernon presently has a population of approximately 11,002 residents. Still today agriculture acts as a large, driving force in the community’s economy. Perhaps one of the little-known facts about Vernon is the existence of its community college.
To read more pick up the December 2014 issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
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.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
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: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
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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