Farm & Ranch
Producing Pigs – Farrowing Facts
By Jessica Crabtree
Show season is upon us and all are looking for or preparing for a grand champion York, Hampshire or whatever your breed of interest. What few consider is all the work it took getting that prize-winning animal into the world. Much effort goes into having healthy and live piglets. Ask any breeder; they will tell you plenty can go wrong.
Vincent Farms located in Dorchester, Texas, has been breeding and raising pigs for years. Owners Josh and wife Chyna Vincent both had a background in show pigs and a love for the species. Josh, a former ag teacher, started raising pigs in 2004, beginning with only two sows. Today he owns and breeds 40 sows. When asked why he took his operation to the next level, Vincent replied, “We took the program to the size it is today to meet clients demands and to be able to offer a variety of breeds instead of just focusing on one, even though crosses are primarily what we raise, we have integrated purebred in the heard the past couple of years. Also by having more we are able to take many different genetic paths in our herd.”
Together the Vincents work many hours to make sure their pigs get the best care possible.
Raising 200 plus pigs now, the Vincents choose to artificially inseminate (AI) all their sows, raising cross bred and a select few of Berkshire, Chester, and Yorkshire breeds. This allows for ease when farrowing, knowing birth weights, boar history, etc., and allows for different bloodlines within their barn. All of which add to the chance of being the next grand champion at the local livestock fair.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2016 NTFR issue.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
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 Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
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 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.
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