Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, back at the ranch….
By Rayford Pullen, [email protected]
Now that we have the bulk of our calving behind us here in North Texas, our thoughts turn to doing what is best to get the most profitable return from those calves that are running rampant across the pasture and reminding us of the youthfulness we once possessed.
When calves are between two and three months old, we can begin our vaccination program and expect to get good immunity. This is also when we will be controlling internal parasites in our calves and first-calf heifers. We haven’t always dewormed our calves when they receive their first vaccinations for blackleg, but since we did it the first time it has been a practice we have continued because I believed we could see the difference in our calves.
First and foremost in our vaccination program for calves is blackleg. Many of us get a little complacent when it comes to giving an annual vaccination for this disease. In our past experiences, this particular malady seems to strike the healthiest, best-doing calves in our herd when they are in the 400 pound range and most of the time, the first indication we have a problem is when we find a dead calf. I think in all my years of raising cattle, I have only seen one calf with blackleg that wasn’t dead. Another interesting observation, at least to me, is that we often find these cattle close to our watering holes. To read more pick up the March 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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