Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile…back at the ranch
By Rayford Pullen, [email protected]
Winter arrived and with it came the challenges for those of us in the cattle business as it relates to taking good care of our livestock, specifically those of us that calve in the spring.
As we discussed in the past, our spring calving occurs during the middle of winter and with that, as has been the case the past few years, weather extremes present some real challenge we face in getting our new-born calves up and going.
Cold weather combined with wet weather presents some real challenges in getting new-born calves off to a good start. One thing we are doing here at Pullen Angus is creating an area devoted to those new-born calves to get them dry and their body temperature up to ensure their survival. This will include a lighted area out of the weather, dry bedding, a heat source and a good supply of old towels. Not all calves will have issues getting up and going, but in the case of first-calf heifers, we seem to have a few more issues since some of these new moms are not as familiar as mature cows in drying their calves and getting them nursing ASAP. To read more pick up the February 2016 issue of NTFR.
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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