Country Lifestyles
L.J. and Ashley Young: All-Star Showpigs
By Dani Blackburn
“Many people do not recognize how largely agriculture impacts their lives. When we involve youth in these activities, it provides them with opportunities to learn about the depths of the agriculture industry.” – Ashley Young
Every individual on the planet is affected by agriculture in some shape or form, from the food they eat to the clothes they wear. There are many ways to show the younger generation its significance, including allowing them to take part in 4-H and FFA events such as livestock showing.
L.J. and Ashley Young, owners of All-Star Showpigs, hope to play a part in shaping the hearts and minds of the future of agriculture by raising quality show pigs that youth can care for and take to the ring.
“We like to think of livestock and showing as tools utilized to raise good people. We all want our children to grow up to be productive, kind, resilient people. There are multiple ways to achieve that, whether it be sports, arts, livestock, etc. Having kids be involved in something, stay committed and care for something larger than themselves are key components to achieving our goals of raising productive, kind and resilient people. Aside from teaching youth about work ethic, responsibility, empathy, honesty, integrity, etc., raising and showing livestock gives them exposure to the fast world of the agriculture industry,” Ashley said.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Martha Crump
Most cattle producers can tell you quite a lot about balancing cattle diets for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals based on the specific needs for their herd and type of operation.
A key factor, and one that is often overlooked, is that how your animals perform is also directly affected by their water intake.
Now many of you may already be thinking “well of course water is necessary, anybody knows that!”
In many years, as September marches into October, we are beginning to experience some return of rainfall. But as many of us know, that is not always the case. Often we are still experiencing hot and dry weather, and water supplies are dwindling.
When we find ourselves experiencing those types of fall conditions, it is critical to not only understand the daily water requirements for cattle, but also the impact that the quality of water can have on herd health and development.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Annette Bridges
A friend and I were recently talking about our husbands. She made a comment that I felt also perfectly described me and my hubby.
“He slows me and I hurry him. I’m sure that is why we do well together,” she said.
“Precisely!” I thought. Why?
Because when two different worlds collide, it can be magical.
No matter what those two different worlds are- a man and a woman with very different personalities, beliefs, or backgrounds, two partners with contrasting passions, strengths, or talents, or when a country boy marries a city girl.
To read more, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Watauga, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, is known for its rich history as a railroad stop, but over the course of the last year, one teen girl has put it on the map for agriculture as well. Emma Harvey has lived in Tarrant County her entire life. Despite being highly involved in her local 4-H chapter, she still felt there was more she could do. In the spring of 2023, she stepped up to the plate to take over the title of Tarrant County Teen Miss Agriculture USA.
“It all started when I put in an application for the teen title here in Tarrant County,” explained Harvey.
The Miss Agriculture USA program is a national non-profit, age-inclusive pageant program that offers both competition and non-competition titles to women dedicated to the promotion of agriculture.
Read more in the October issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available online and in print. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive NTFR in your inbox each week.
Photo by Hannah Claxton.
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