Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
In our area of the world, I’ve always considered January 15 through February15 as the worst part of the winter where gains are hard to come by due to calories being spent on just keeping warm with little left over for gain.
Having our cattle in really good condition as the result of a late freeze in the fall allowed extra time for gain in our cow herd after weaning spring born calves while forage quality was good. As a result, we expect these cattle to be in better condition when they calve this spring (in the middle of winter) and subsequently have fewer calf health problems with the cows breeding back more quickly.
We will probably feed our cattle like we always have but with them in such great shape, they will remain in better shape throughout the winter.
Somewhere along the line in my lifetime, I read that cows will normally lose approximately 150 pounds during the winter without sacrificing production but if they are not in above average condition going into winter, then that’s not weight we can afford to give up.
To read more pick up a copy of the January 2020 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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