Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
Seems like only yesterday that we were so excited to see spring finally roll around, but here we are expecting the first freeze of the year which usually comes around the middle of November for us in north central Texas.
What happens to our grass quality, for those that have grass, when this occurs? The quality doesn’t decrease immediately when a freeze occurs but actually declines over a period of two weeks or so. If we have grass, it will be around the first of December before we will begin feeding a protein supplement and or hay. This will usually continue for 120 days or until about the first of April.
As I mentioned in an earlier article, we doubled our acres of ryegrass and clover this year and with each month of grazing we get between the first December and the first of April, we will be saving approximately $120 per cow. After that, we will be able to let our grasses rest until around the first of June while grazing winter annuals that are at their highest quality and quantity. For our fall-born calves, we would expect gains of three pounds per day for at least 100 days for a total of 300 pounds and at two dollars, that’s worth $600. If these calves were weighing 400 pounds going on the winter annuals, we are looking at calves that, based on today’s market, will be worth $1,500 to $1,700 per head.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tressa Lawrence
It has been a hot, dry summer across northeastern Wyoming. Many ranchers are weaning and shipping early due to the dry conditions and lack of grass.
By: Lindsey Monk
The Four Mile Fire was 2,082 acres and very close to three other fires all started by lightning the same night. Together, the four fires burned a total of approximately 47,827 acres. That is a lot of feed for cattle, and ranchers were moving the cattle out of the way. They are mostly contained now, but it has been a very hot and dry summer.
The Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Beef Council, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension banded together to bring the Beef Quality Assurance coursework to Texas. Dedicated to promoting best management practices for cattle producers in an effort to strengthen consumer confidence in beef as a wholesome food product, the program focuses on best husbandry practices for quality beef. The BQA coursework is available both in-person and online, with three types of certification available- Cow/Calf, Stocker/Backgrounder, and Feedyard. Courses are offered in both English and Spanish.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photo courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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