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 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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