Farm & Ranch
AG Elsewhere – Africa
By Tiffany Thompson
On the first Friday of every December, farmers and leaders in the agriculture industry throughout Ghana gather to celebrate Farmers’ Day. This national holiday, dating back to 1985, recognizes the hard work of farmers and the importance of the agriculture industry to the country’s economy and growth. On Farmers’ Day, industry leaders network, exhibit agricultural advancements and discuss issues and improvements that can be made. Each district also awards the “Best Farmer” based on their contributions, records and production.
Through my role as an extension agent, I am working closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), meaning I will get to experience the celebrations first-hand. While I am excited to meet farmers through the field work I do with MOFA and see the festivities unfold come December, not all parts of this job appeared thrilling at first. Of the three components of being an AgriCorps Fellow- agriculture teacher, 4-H advisor and extension agent—extension work seemed to be the most intimidating. My agricultural background is in livestock production, and I had almost no knowledge of local crops prior to beginning my fellowship, so I figured I wouldn’t be much help to farmers here who primarily specialize in growing vegetables.
I discovered quickly, however, that extension work is a part of my job that I really enjoy. Hearing the stories of both new farmers and people who have been farming for more than 30 years has been intriguing and inspiring.
I’ve met farmers growing mushrooms, cabbage, squash, green beans, plantains, and cocoa. I’ve seen the ingenuity behind a man who single-handedly built a climate-controlled room to increase specialty crop production.
To read more pick up a copy of the December 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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