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Grazing North Texas – Green sprangletop
By Tony Dean
Green sprangletop is a native perennial bunch grass. It can grow from 12 to 48 inches in height and leaves are from four to 18 inches long. An interesting thing about this grass is that the stems are unbranched anywhere above the base of the plant.
Green sprangletop is most adapted to rocky hills and medium textured soils, but it can also grow on deep sands and deep clay. It is moderately tolerant of alkaline soils, and weakly tolerant of saline sites. It can be found in most states across the southern United States.
Green sprangletop is good forage for livestock but poor forage for deer. Crude protein levels run from 4.5 percent to 6.5 percent in the fall.
Ecologically, Green sprangletop behaves as a pioneer species, establishing quickly to give soil protection and shade, thereby giving other species a chance to germinate. For this reason, it has long been used as a nurse crop in seeding mixes, providing quick cover until the other species establish.
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2017 NTFR issue.
(Below) The seed head of Green sprangletop is an open panicle spreading four inches to 12 inches in length and with numerous branches up to six inches long. The large seed head below matured during the summer months and the smaller seed head on the right began growing recently, indicating this plant was attempting to produce a second seed crop. (Photo by Tony Dean)
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas area is located within USDA Hardiness zones seven and eight. The zones are categorized by predicted low temperatures for winter and timing of the first and last frosts.
Zone seven usually has winter low temps between 0 and 10 degrees F with the average date of the first frost falling between Oct. 29 and Nov. 15 and the average date of the last frost falling between March 22 and April 3.
Overall, these two zones have similar climates and growing conditions, making the options for timing and variety within a garden very similar.
In these zones, cool-season crops should go in the ground in March, meaning that soil preparation should start now.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Lloyd
Vaccinations are a critical component of maintaining the health and well-being of horses, especially in environments where they are exposed to other animals, such as in the sport, show and performance arenas. Horses, like all animals, are susceptible to various infectious diseases that can spread quickly and cause serious harm.
A routine vaccination schedule helps prevent the spread of these diseases by preparing the horse’s immune system.
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.
Having herds on a controlled breeding schedule means that we have a predictable calving schedule, and while it’s only over a couple of months, for us it does fall right after the start of the year. I lobby annually to call ours the “Winter calving season”, but I am outvoted and my husband still refers to it as Spring. Unlike producers in our Northern States, we don’t have to contend with brutally harsh winter weather, and on those rare times we do, thankfully it is not for extended periods. Regardless of whether you have a Spring or a Fall calving schedule, the health of a newborn calf begins with the mother’s health, and the mother’s health is largely dependent on the producer.
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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