Farm & Ranch
Dennis Charolais: Heritage and Hard Work
Every family farm has a story to tell. Some are generations deep, rooted in tradition, while others see younger generations diversify from its beginnings.
Some maintain modest-sized businesses, while other have turned into sprawling corporations. Too many times in this day and age, others see farms fade away with the generations that came before.
The Dennis Charolais Farm in Saint Jo, Texas, nestled among rolling hills and surrounded by wineries, a pizzeria and soon a bed and breakfast, is an accumulation of five generations in the Dennis family. Today, Eric Dennis operates the farm that was a piece of his heritage he took and made his very own.
Old signs can still be found dictating where the Dennis Farm once sprawled across thousands of acres, but as each generation took possession, the land slowly dwindled. “You can see signs where Dennises used to own it from the bluff all the way to the river,” said Dennis, as he points far off in each direction. “Sadly enough, what happens in most instances when land is passed down to the next generation is the kids don’t have use for the land or haven’t been around, and they will sell their parts off and gradually everything gets sold down and chipped away.”
Fortunately, Dennis’ father, Richard, refused to let go of any more of his family’s legacy. The elder Dennis had graduated from Texas A&M with his masters and doctorate, had a veterinarian license and was working as a professor at Ohio State University when he was informed his kinfolk were preparing to sell the family land.
To read more pick up a copy of the February 2019 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.
-
Country Lifestyles2 years agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
HOME8 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Equine1 year agoThe Will to Win
-
Country Lifestyles5 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
Outdoor10 years agoButtercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles9 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way