Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
Spring is in the air and so are the weeds.
Before we get into weed control, I wanted to report on the results of the calves born out of our heifers from our herd sire “Lone Star Ten-Fold.” Of the 35 calves born, with the exception of one born on the due date and one born the day after, all the calves were born before the due date, assuming a 283 gestation. Birth weights of calves did not seem to be influenced by coming early but all birth weights with the exception of two were good. Although the largest ones were born unassisted and their dams were average in size when compared to the others. We’re glad to get that behind us and move on to other chores.
Why does spraying and killing weeds result in more grass? The answer is “spraying weeds allows maximum sunlight to contact the desired grass’s leaves.” As mentioned in earlier articles, plants, whether they are desirable or not, do not grow much in the shade, and while you may not have weeds in your home lawn, just look around, and if you have trees, the weakest grass will be under them. Although they have all the water and fertilizer they need, the one missing ingredient is sunlight.
To read more pick up a copy of the May 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-8729-5922.
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.
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