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Protecting man’s best friend

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By Judy Wade

The feral hog population in Oklahoma is estimated to be between 600,000 and 1.5 million, according to a recent Noble Foundation newsletter. News on 6 reports these swine are costing $1.5 billion each year in agricultural and livestock losses. They are carriers of diseases such as brucellosis, leptospirosis and pseudorabies that can be passed on to people and other animals as well as carrying and transmitting other diseases. They compete with other animals for food resources.

On the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website, “Jeff Pennington, a biologist with the Oklahoma Wildlife Department, said eradication is not realistic. A realistic goal is to slow the spread and reduce the density of feral hogs.”

Eradication is not realistic for several reasons: feral hogs can live anywhere, they will eat almost anything, they can reproduce rapidly, both sexes are sexually mature as early as six months, litter sizes average six, but can be three to eight, females can give birth twice a year, they have a low mortality rate with the average life span of four to eight years, feral hogs have few natural enemies.

However, numerous methods of control are available. Box traps are widely used, and corral-type traps, some with remote controls, are gaining popularity. Helicopter hunts, drop nets, snares and hunting preserves are often used. Even a ‘Judas Pig’ is being used as a technique. A feral swine is caught, radio-collared, released and tracked so other pigs can be located.

To read more pick up a copy of the February 2017 issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Goats Get To Work

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One of my professors out at Texas Tech University always told us that we aren’t just raising cattle, we’re raising grass, because without grass there is no cattle business. The same applies to most livestock species and crops we seek to raise- without good land management, no good yield can grow.

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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Farm & Ranch

Acorn Toxicity

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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.

brown acorns on autumn leaves, close up
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Farm & Ranch

Silver Bluestems

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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.

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