Farm & Ranch
Ranching Down Under
By Samantha Hall
In the early 1870s a traveler who was passing over a ridge in North Western New South Wales came across the bodies of a farmer, a dog and 200 head of sheep.
The cause of death was thought to be lightning strike. The area where they were found came to be known as Lightening Ridge.
In 1873 the first black opal was found in Lightning Ridge. It was not until 1903 that the high value of these stones came to be recognized and people started mining for them.
Because of the name Black Opal, people assume that the stone will be black and are often quite surprised when they see a black opal in all its colorful beauty.
The stones are called black opals as their base color is black or grey; therefore, the more vibrant colors stand out as opposed to the more common white opal.
To read more pick up a copy of the October 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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