Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch….
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
It looks as though this winter will be a repeat of the past two winters regarding hay supplies. Several have asked me if we have enough hay to make it through the winter and my standard reply is, “Ask me again in the middle of March.” One of the biggest snows I’ve seen occurred the first week of March when we certainly needed to feed hay and cubes but were unable to get through the gates due to the large snow drifts. So, check back in with me about the hay situation around our place in the middle of March.
As of this writing, the cattle market appears to be holding its own this year. With the cost of running a cow year-round running about $930, and assuming you have a 90 percent calf crop, for every calf you sell, you have more than $1,000 in feeding costs alone, so the market needs to keep pace with our overhead plus room for a profit.
To read more, pick up a copy of the February 2024 issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Rayford Pullen
Watching our pastures over the years, I have noticed our forages quit growing when nighttime temperatures begin hitting that 45-degree mark, and in North Texas, that will usually be around October 20.
While growth stops, our forages will still be high quality which allows our momma cows to gain weight for another 40 days or so.
Getting these cows in better condition is key to getting them through the winter and breeding after they calve.
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.
By: Tony Dean
In volume 1 of “Old World Bluestems”, Tony Dean addressed issues surrounding the Old World Bluestem family, including the invasive nature of these grasses. In this issue, he examines OWBs as a forage for livestock.
OWBs were intially brought to the US as foragr for livestock and for erosion control capability. Ironically, some of the characteristics that make these species invasive also cause them to be desirable grass for grazing.
One of the primary survival characteristics of OWBs is their ability to withstand heavy grazing. OWBs are genetically prone to grow upright like our native bluestems; however, with heavy grazing pressure, plants begin to take a sod growth form.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September 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.
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