Farm & Ranch
Texas Agriculture Memorial Day: Honoring the Sacrifices of Farmers, Ranchers
Texas Agriculture Memorial Day is a day to remember the lives and honor the sacrifices of Texas farmers and ranchers who contribute so much to our state and our economy.
On Nov. 21, 2022, the Texas Department of Agriculture and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller hosted the annual event at the State Capitol where one of North Texas’ own was recognized.
Jake Toler grew up in Forestburg, Texas, and found a love of agriculture at an early age, following in his father’s footsteps. He pursued his passion as he worked hard to build a life as a rancher, but that dream was cut tragically short when he lost his life in a tractor accident at the age of 24. His family hopes by spreading awareness of the event, others might have their loved ones honored.
Jake Toler
Jake was born on April 8, 1996, the son of Floyd and Patricia Toler and became the older brother to one sister, Jodi. As a youngster, he quickly fell in love with agriculture, and couldn’t get enough of helping his dad.
“When he wasn’t in school, he was with me,” Floyd recalled. “He had so much to offer this world.”
He was active in both 4-H and FFA, holding an officer position from third grade through his senior year and was presented several scholarships and awards. Conservation was important to Jake, and he attended the Texas Brigades Bass and Bobwhite camps for youth. He could even operate a truck or tractor from an early age. His dad’s lifelong friend, Mark Colley, who Jake referred to as Uncle Mark, was often part of the trio that spent their days farming and ranching.
To read more, pick up a copy of the June issue of NTFR Magazine. 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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