Farm & Ranch
Ranching Down Under
By Samantha Hall
Over the years Australia has had many different pests that have affected the rural industry in one way or another—from grasshoppers to mice to cane toads and rabbits, all of which have been able to be maintained, and in some areas eradicated. However there is one pesky problem that is a little harder to control: dingos, wild dogs, and their hybrid.
Dingos first originated in Asia 14,000 years ago and were brought to Australia by the Aboriginals 4,000 years ago. In 1788 when Europeans settled in Australia they brought with them domestic dogs, which over the years started to run free with the dingos that had long since escaped their Aboriginal masters. The dingos and the domestic dogs started to breed, and continue to do so today.
Almost all habitats in Australia are suitable for wild dogs, including bushland, coastal zones, grazing and cropping land, sandy and stony deserts, alpine regions and even urban residential areas. To read more pick up the February 2016 issue of NTFR.
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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