Farm & Ranch

Youth Rodeo is Growing and Showing No Signs of Stopping

Published

5 years ago

September 23, 2019

NTFR

By Phillip Kitts

Rodeo fans and folks who follow the western sports have probably taken notice of the continued growth of youth focused events. As would be expected in a family-oriented sport, a lot of focus has been placed on the future. From small state youth organizations to junior high and high school rodeo associations, rodeo and western sports have many options for the young athlete. Add to this the continued development of upper level competitive groups like Little Britches, Miniature Bull Riders (MBR) and the recently renamed World Rough Stock Championship, the development of youth competition continues to reach bigger potential each passing year.

Unlike little league baseball or Pop-Warner football, the rodeo and western sports have a much bigger investment. In the traditional sports the reward comes with trophies and celebration, where in the western sports the reward adds in the additional benefit of a small payout. If you look closely at the western sports’ winning ‘payout’ it is obvious the financial reward is not comparable to the financial commitment.

To read more pick up a copy of the September 2019 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

Farm & Ranch

Hazards of Backyard Poultry

Published

7 days ago

April 21, 2024

NTFR

By Barry Whitworth, DVM

Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.

Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.

The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.

To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.