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AG Elsewhere – Montana : Sundogs

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Photo and Details by Jean Stimpson

Montana rancher’s wife Jean Stimpson detailed this photo saying, “A cold front had moved in quickly. We got about two feet of snow and it was cold. It was time to bring the rest of the cows in from the back pasture, about two miles from our place. In this picture the elevation is about 3,400 feet and you can see a sundog, which looks kind of like a rainbow.” When asked to explain what a sundog is, Stimpson said, “The older generations said when you saw a sundog it meant a weather change and typically it was going to get cold. When we got back to the house this day it was -14 degrees Fahrenheit. That night it got down to -24 degrees Fahrenheit.” Stimpson finished saying, “Despite the snow and cold, over the hills, the cows came home. That sundog rainbow is God’s reminder —This is God’s Country. We love it here and love what we do.”

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Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

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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.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming

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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.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

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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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