Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
The new year has arrived and along with it comes the unknown of what is going on in our economy, our country and particularly our industry, the cattle side of things.
While we all have hope the new year brings positive news in the cattle business, we realize the big picture, world events, will continue to dictate our direction. The year 2023 was great for cattle prices while we also experienced the highest operational costs we could imagine. Hang on tightly and we will see if we can continue to at least reap the best return on our investment while also enjoying our chosen way of life.
Fall breeding season is underway and many folks are turning bulls in a little later than normal this year to avoid the heat and calf losses that occurred in 2023. While the drought was bad enough, the heat made life almost stop for many plants while also taking its toll on the newly born calves.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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