Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…
By Rayford Pullen | [email protected]
The new year has arrived and along with it comes the unknown of what is going on in our economy, our country and particularly our industry, the cattle side of things.
While we all have hope the new year brings positive news in the cattle business, we realize the big picture, world events, will continue to dictate our direction. The year 2023 was great for cattle prices while we also experienced the highest operational costs we could imagine. Hang on tightly and we will see if we can continue to at least reap the best return on our investment while also enjoying our chosen way of life.
Fall breeding season is underway and many folks are turning bulls in a little later than normal this year to avoid the heat and calf losses that occurred in 2023. While the drought was bad enough, the heat made life almost stop for many plants while also taking its toll on the newly born calves.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January 2024 issue of NTFR magazine.
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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