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.

By: Jelly Cocanougher

A delicate balance of hard work and nature’s ever-present influence. Even though there are a handful of skilled men working a set of pens, there is always a brave calf to cause a bit of a ruckus. Carefully con- veyed to the ground, the calf gets worked and set off to on a journey of growth. Cowboys understand that the dealings of unpredictable nature such as this young calf is part of the journey. Prowling the pastures for green grasses and hay so sweet, the calf is released back into the pastures, able to roam and be drawn to the nutritious offerings of the land.