Farm & Ranch
Ag Elsewhere : California – Let’s Talk H20
By Lainey Smith
Come November 6, most media attention will be focused on the heavy mudslinging happening on Capitol Hill. The 2018 midterm elections are bringing controversy to many facets of politics, which makes it easy to shift focus from the issues affecting our own communities. In my own California farming community, the hot button issue, once again, is water—more specifically, Proposition 3.
Let’s break it down to the Reader’s Digest version. If passed, Proposition 3 will allocate nearly $9 billion in bonds for water related infrastructure and environmental projects. Those supporting the proposition include Agricultural Council of California, California Wildlife Foundation, California Watershed Network and Center for Sustainable Neighborhoods. Those opposing Prop 3 include Southern California Watershed Alliance, Sierra Club and Friends of the River. While agricultural, environmental and civil lobbying groups overwhelmingly support Prop 3, it is met with fierce opposition. California passed a similar water bond during the height of the drought in 2014. Those opposed to the current Proposition argue that the 2014 water bond should be sufficient in meeting California’s sustainability goals.
To read more pick up a copy of the November 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
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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