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 Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
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 Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
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 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.
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