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Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
The rains finally came to North Texas, and we are so very grateful for every drop that fell. In last month’s column, I was apparently on my pity pot, and thanks to Phyllis Berry from Nocona, Texas, who assured me that things would get better. They did.
This is the first time in my memory that the hot weather broke in August and a significant rainfall event occurred at the same time. It reminded me more of the latter part of September, but thank goodness this happened with another 60 days or so of good growing weather ahead of us.
At our place, we depend on our native grasses to double as our hay source in addition to warm season grazing. Hopefully, we will be able to grow our standing hay supply and not have to rely on baled hay, which at today’s price equals to a minimum of $3 a head per day if this was the cows’ only source of roughage. I knew we would not be able to add at another $90 or more per month per cow so the writing was on the wall. I felt like the folks that sold out in July were the smartest folks around, and they still may be. We will find out in the next several months.
To read more pick up a copy of NTFR magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
One of my professors out at Texas Tech University always told us that we aren’t just raising cattle, we’re raising grass, because without grass there is no cattle business. The same applies to most livestock species and crops we seek to raise- without good land management, no good yield can grow.
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.
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.
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