Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
El Nino finally made its showing in October albeit towards the end of the month instead of my preference for the first of the month. As we have come to know from past experiences, timing is everything and the difference in the amount of day light and the temperature change is pretty significant during the month of October. This is the hand we were dealt so as it relates to our fall pastures and winter supplementation, we once again will make it work.
And speaking of timing, what a difference a month or two make when it comes to weaning weights. As calves are born later in the spring, weights begin to drop off considerably because the nutrition available to the calves, forage quality and milk quantity drop off as we get into the hot days of summer. To read more pick up the December 2015 issue of NTFR.
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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