Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
May flowers will be in bloom this month, and along with them we will see what I usually consider the best month of the year for cattle. As we transition from cool season forages to warm season grasses, we can expect to see our cattle transform from a long winter to a robust spring look, and at this point in time I am hoping for a normal year. It has been a while since I have experienced normal.
With spring calving hopefully behind us, it is time to take care of our annual vaccinations for both the cows and calves. At Pullen Angus, the most important vaccination for calves is blackleg, and for cows it is Leptospirosis. These two diseases are by far and away the most costly pathogens we encounter. In addition, our calves will also receive their initial IBR complex vaccinations and be dewormed. Deworming calves, in my opinion, pays huge dividends for the increased weight gains we realize. At this same time, here on native grass in north central Texas, we will deworm all animals two years old and younger. In some cases, we will deworm some poorly doing cows. For folks in higher rainfall areas that run cattle in higher concentrations, deworming all cattle is probably necessary several times a year.
To read more, pick up a copy of the May issue of NTFR Magazine. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
By: Tony Dean
In volume 1 of “Old World Bluestems”, Tony Dean addressed issues surrounding the Old World Bluestem family, including the invasive nature of these grasses. In this issue, he examines OWBs as a forage for livestock.
OWBs were intially brought to the US as foragr for livestock and for erosion control capability. Ironically, some of the characteristics that make these species invasive also cause them to be desirable grass for grazing.
One of the primary survival characteristics of OWBs is their ability to withstand heavy grazing. OWBs are genetically prone to grow upright like our native bluestems; however, with heavy grazing pressure, plants begin to take a sod growth form.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Tressa Lawrence
It has been a hot, dry summer across northeastern Wyoming. Many ranchers are weaning and shipping early due to the dry conditions and lack of grass.
By: Lindsey Monk
The Four Mile Fire was 2,082 acres and very close to three other fires all started by lightning the same night. Together, the four fires burned a total of approximately 47,827 acres. That is a lot of feed for cattle, and ranchers were moving the cattle out of the way. They are mostly contained now, but it has been a very hot and dry summer.
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