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Grazing North Texas – Annual broomweed
By Tony Dean
Annual broomweed, sometimes called common broomweed or prairie broomweed, is a robust annual forb found in almost every part of Texas. It normally grows from a single stem but if damaged when young, the plant can form multiple stems. As Annual broomweed matures the stem becomes very rigid and erect and the plants develop a rounded tree-shaped top. Under good growing conditions mature plants can reach three feet in height and two to three feet in diameter of the top. When found in heavy stands, these mature plants can sometimes form almost a full canopy over the land.
Annual broomweed is in the sunflower family. In late summer, tiny yellow flowers appear on the ends of the many branches at the top of the plant. Heavy stands can cause pastures to take on a yellow appearance over many acres during late summer months. At the time of flowering, many of the leaves have dropped from the plant, leaving the stalk and branches bare except for the yellow flowers. To read more pick up the March 2016 issue of NTFR.
One of my professors out at Texas Tech University always told us that we aren’t just raising cattle, we’re raising grass, because without grass there is no cattle business. The same applies to most livestock species and crops we seek to raise- without good land management, no good yield can grow.
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 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.
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