Farm & Ranch
The Italian Breed – Chianina Cattle
By Jessica Crabtree
The breed Chianina isn’t a modern breed, but in fact has been around centuries as one of the oldest cattle breeds. Chianina cattle have very distinct characteristics that make them stand out from others. What gives these creatures away? Maybe it is their unusually long legs, white color and muscular body.
To understand the breed, one must understand where and how they originated. The Chianina received its name from the Chiana Valley in the province of Tuscany in Central Italy. That is where the breed primarily originated; however, according to an article titled, “Chianina” from the Cattle
Exchange website, the largest representatives of the breed originated from the plains of Arezzo and Siena, Italy.
In ancient times the breed was known as a draft breed used to assist in farming practices, even being the object of Roman sculptures. Today, through modernization in agriculture, the breed is better utilized for beef. According to the Cattle Exchange website, Chianina were first discovered by U.S. servicemen while stationed in Italy during World War II. It wasn’t until ’71 that the first Chianina semen was imported to the U.S., introducing the genetics.
To read more pick up a copy of the February 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Keith and Dana Schrick receiving an award for their 40 years of membership to the American Chianina Association during the national show in Louisville, Ky. (Photo courtesy of the Schrick family)
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.
-
Country Lifestyles2 years agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
HOME8 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Equine1 year agoThe Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles5 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way