Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
Spring is definitely in the air and what a welcome sight it will be when green grass returns. It seems, as I age, winters last longer and are colder. While this is probably not the case, winters seem to roll around pretty quickly every year and my feed costs continue to go up.
March is when we want the last of our spring calves born each year so they are old enough to take advantage of their momma’s abundant milk and the best 120 days of pastures we normally see each year. Spring is also when we want to get the mommas rebred during this super forage time while also realizing that a cow’s mineral requirement is probably at its peak just prior to calving and for the next 60 to 90 days until she’s rebred. What is a good mineral? While it may depend on your area of the country, for us, it is a good, balanced mineral; i.e., calcium, phosphorous, loose, and feed free choice. A trace mineral salt block is not a good, complete mineral. Your local feed supplier can probably help you make the right decision for your part of the word. Most, if not all feed companies, have a high-quality product available.
To read more pick up a copy of the March 2022 NTFR issue. To subscribe 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.
By: Tony Dean
There are a handful of grasses on North Texas grazing lands ranchers need to know, not because they are highly desirable, but rather because they are not of much value. I call them “decom” plants, which is am acronym for “Don’t Ever Count On Me.” Silver bluestem is a “decom” grass.
Silver bluestem is a perennial which grows in all areas of Texas. It can survive in almost all soil types, and in full sun conditions or in semi shade. It grows up to three feet tall and is easily recognized with the presence of the white fuzzy seed head. Also, one of the identifying characteristics of Silver bluestem is a bend in the stems at each node, causing the plants to take on a rounded shape as they mature.
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: Rayford Pullen
Fall is here which means winter is closing in on us and before we officially get into winter, we need to make sure our factories are either producing or will be producing in a few months.
We have been pregnancy testing our cows this fall and if they are not bred or nursing a calf, we are bidding them adios. With annual costs somewhere between $900.00 and $1,000.00 per cow, those cows not producing a live weaned calf are costing us quite a bit.
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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