Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch
By Rayford Pullen, [email protected]
While it’s the dead of winter, spring calving is under way and keeping those newborns alive and doing good can often be a challenge, particularly with first calf heifers. The biggest challenge is for calves born during cold and wet weather that are unable to maintain body temperature.
On our place we have done and tried many ways to get the body temperature back to normal as quickly as possible and after a year of battling this problem, we elected to purchase a warming box that is completely enclosed and equipped with a forced air heater.
Ever since we bought this device, the winters have been relatively mild and it has only seen action on one occasion. It did its job in about a minute and the calf was rip raring to go.
Before we purchased this tool, we did several things. First, drying the calf off as soon after birth as possible, next, putting the calf in the floorboard of the pickup with the heater on high and then, if needed, putting the calf in the bathtub in warm water. This can be particularly dangerous if you do not have your wife’s blessing before bringing the calf into the house and placing it into the bathtub because in most cases, there will be a significant mess made.
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.
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