Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
By Rayford Pullen
Spring calving in the middle of winter has advantages and disadvantages, and in my opinion the advantages are worth dealing with in this unpredictable weather. Here are the tools we keep on hand during spring calving to ensure the health of our first calf heifers and their soon-to-be babies. Not all of these are a requirement, but they are things we have needed at one time or another if dystocia occurs or the weather deals the new born an extremely frigid beginning.
Powdered Colostrum
No matter the reason, if a calf does not get mother’s milk soon after birth, we will use an esophageal feeder to get this down them quickly. We feel this buys the calf much needed time before he starts nursing. A bottle will also work if the calf is cooperating but will certainly try your patience.
OB chains
I prefer the 60-inch version. See the website below on how best to attach them. (wikihow.com)
OB chain handles
This is used when a heifer only needs a little help. It simply hooks onto the OB chains, and you use your body weight to help the heifer out.
To read more pick up a copy of the February 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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