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
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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