Farm & Ranch

The Revolution

Published

6 years ago

September 7, 2018

NTFR

By Krista Lucas

Western sports are continuously growing and expanding, whether it is rodeo, cutting, working cow horse or barrel racing. The most recent association to form out of the barrel racing world is Revolution Barrel Racing.

These new races have gotten off to a great start and will continue to bring a new format to the sport.

In 2017, barrel racer Stephanie Gilliam Ritchey had an idea to build a group of barrel races with higher fees and bigger payouts.

The races strive to provide excellent service to every contestant. The crew in charge is some of the best in the industry, with the goal of providing a safe but competitive atmosphere. The RBR website is easy to follow, making entering any event stress-free.

RBR offers a membership to allow contestants to compete in qualifying races, which are held at nine tour stops around Texas and Oklahoma. The finale has $25,000 added and will be November 15 thru 18 in Glen Rose, Texas.

The races also have an open section with a lower fee at each event, along with a youth race, and are all Women’s Professional Rodeo Association approved.

To read more pick up a copy of the September 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2024

NTFR

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.