Farm & Ranch
Using recycled material on the farm or ranch
Ever thought about using old, worn-out tractor tires as tire tanks? Or how about standing pallets on their sides and combining them with old barn tin as walls for your new chicken coup? Have you considered using billboard vinyl as a tarp for your hay?
These are just a few examples of the creativity being put on display from some regional farmers and ranchers.
They say necessity is the mother of invention; and in times like these, you can see why. With farmers and ranchers continually bearing increased costs, it’s no wonder they’re turning to recycled materials in order to help ease their burden.
Some other examples of DIY projects that farmers and ranchers are turning to are: 4” pipe, cut in half lengthwise, to make grow beds. Cattle lick tubs and 45 gallon tree planters used as sub-irrigation reservoirs, cattle panels used as a 10’ x 70’ cucumber tunnel.
DIY projects represent just one aspect of recycled materials. Another major component is the professional aspect. For example, Rumber Materials’ Livestock trailer flooring products, which takes ground whole tire waste and recycled thermoplastics mixes, compresses and cools them; forming a product made from 100 percent recycled materials. Rumber flooring serves as a cushioning surface for livestock, giving them a firmer footing and minimizing the risk of injury and fatigue during transport.
Regardless of whichever component suits your needs, using recycled materials saves money, is more sustainable, less wasteful, more responsible and is environmentally friendly.
For more information visit www.rumber.com
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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