Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
With fall officially underway, our winter plans begin to occupy our minds, specifically as it pertains to hay needs and inventory, potential protein supplements and winter pastures.
In our neck of the woods, North Central Texas, grass growth usually ends when night time temperatures begin hitting the 45 degree mark, and if you have a vegetable garden, you’ll notice your summer- time vegetables take a dive about this same time.
While growth may cease, the quality of your forage is very good since forage quality is influenced negatively by high summer temperatures and as a result our cattle performance goes down but returns when our temperatures go down. Since the rains have come and the grass has grown, our pastures have made a really nice recovery after several years of drought.
Hay made in the fall should be a lot better than hay cut in the middle of summer when all things are considered. Fertilizer will add about three percent more protein to hay if it is cut after about a month of growth. The cooler temps this fall may offset this advantage in protein since most of us don’t do much fertilizing after June on our warm season pastures.
So, while quantity may be down, quality, including digestibility, should be up significantly. If hay stocks for your operation are still low, now would be a good time to bale with the only negative being the plants’ ability to translocate nutrients from the stems and leaves to the root system, which ensures better winter hardiness and a stronger start next spring.
In our area, winter pastures in plowed ground have been planted and those over seeded in warm season pastures are being planted now.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2016 NTFR issue.
By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
Since their introduction to the U.S. in the early 1900s, Old World Bluestems such as King Ranch bluestem and Dahl bluestem have become established on farms and ranches from the Rio Grande to Nebraska. With such a wide range of adaptability, these species are subjected to a wide range of management, depending on location and the goals of the rancher.
Due to the aggressive nature of OWBs, producers in far South Texas have been trying to find a way to eradicate OWBs in their pastures. Texas AgriLife Extension bulletin “Introduced Bluestem Grasses: Management on Native Lands” describes several methods being used in the effort to rid pastures of OWBs. In 2016, one project involved using chemicals, plowing, mowing, reseeding, summer burning, and combinations of these practices.
To read the about the researchers findings and hear Tony’s take, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Watching our pastures over the years, I have noticed our forages quit growing when nighttime temperatures begin hitting that 45-degree mark, and in North Texas, that will usually be around October 20.
While growth stops, our forages will still be high quality which allows our momma cows to gain weight for another 40 days or so.
Getting these cows in better condition is key to getting them through the winter and breeding after they calve.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
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