Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
As usual, it has been one long winter, but if I climb on top of the overhead feed bin, I think I can see spring headed our way. With winter following another drought and hay supplies once again short, standing forage short and supplemental protein high, it seems as though our overhead costs just keep going up. Thank goodness the cattle prices are keeping pace with our expenses, and with the cow herd down another two percent this year things are still looking favorable on the horizon.
We doubled our overseeding of annual grasses in our pastures this past fall that will ultimately allow us to give our perennial pastures a break by letting us concentrate more cows on fewer acres until the first of June or so and maybe let our pastures get a little rest and get ahead of the cows. Ultimately, we are only as smart as the rainfall and cattle markets let us be, but with winter in our rearview mirror, our forages will now be able to get our cattle back in good shape, rebred and provide the nutrients to get our calves growing, our cows providing milk and everything going in our favor.
To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Tressa Lawrence
Ranchers across northeast Wyoming and the surrounding areas saw record moisture levels in 2023. The year 2024 has seen significantly less moisture to date.
By Lindsey Monk
People are finishing up brandings. Here, Danny Walter is shown getting it done.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
On July 6, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) posted in the Federal Register a proposal that radio frequency identification tags be used as official identification for cattle and bison. Following a period for public comment, the USDA APHIS released a statement on April 24, 2024, with the amended animal disease traceability (ADT) regulation for cattle and bison. The full press release may be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/aphis-bolsters-animal-disease-traceability-united-states. Under the new rule, cattle and bison will need to be identified with tags that are both visual and electronic.
The USDA defines ADT as knowing where diseased and at-risk animals are, where they have been, and when the animal disease event took place. A system that allows for efficient traceability of livestock in the United States is essential for animal health and reducing the economic effect of a foreign animal disease outbreak and other diseases on livestock producers as well as others whose well-being depends on livestock production.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
-
Country Lifestyles1 year agoScott & Stacey Schumacher: A Growth Mindset
-
Country Lifestyles7 years agoStyle Your Profile – What your style cowboy hat says about you and new trends in 2017
-
Equine10 months agoThe Will to Win
-
HOME7 years agoGrazing North Texas – Wilman Lovegrass
-
Country Lifestyles4 years agoAmber Crawford, Breakaway Roper
-
Outdoor9 years agoButtercup or Primrose?
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoDecember 2016 Profile, Rusty Riddle – The Riddle Way
-
Country Lifestyles8 years agoJune 2016 Profile – The man behind the mic: Bob Tallman