Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
It has been a few years back but I remember saying in the early part of June that we had missed our spring season! That’s right, no rain, no green grass, no prospects of summer grass, no nothing.
How in the world were we going to survive the rest of the year? I am not sure what year “the year we missed spring” was but I do remember it occurring and in assessing this year’s spring season, how could it be any better?
We had plenty of rain, cool temperatures, and although we know it will end sooner than later, an endless supply of grass. Just a little reminder to readers: these articles are due to the editor about a month before you read them so if it is hot and we are in the middle of another drought as you read this, I apologize.
With spring calving behind us, breeding is in full swing and weed control is wrapping up. What’s next? If you have not vaccinated your calves for blackleg and dewormed them, you need to get on the stick and get that done. In my experience, calves that die from blackleg are usually the best-doing ones and for some reason, when you first see them they have already died and in many cases, they seem to be close to a water source such as a stock tank, pool or pond (depending on which side of IH 35 you live). To read more pick up the June 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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