Farm & Ranch
Planting the seed early: Kids on the Land sustaining their future
By staff Jessica Bartel
With an ever-changing ecosystem and never-ending drought, producers and agriculturists have said the younger generations will only know a time of drought. Even more staggering to think about, will this younger generation know anything about agriculture and care for it? Their window of opportunity comes in high school with such programs like 4-H and FFA. But, what if they could be reached before that, in elementary?
In 2003 executive director, Peggy Maddox, a former educator, formed a program by the name “Kids on the Land.” Maddox received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1985. Afterward she taught public school for 17 years and developed and taught the program for gifted/talented students in grades 5 through 8 in Sweetwater, TX. Maddox received honors throughout her career as an educator. To name a few, Maddox was named Teacher of the Year for her region two times and was the Texas Association for Gifted/Talented Teacher of the year in 2001. Maddox was also recognized by the Lt. Governor of Texas for her work as a teacher of young environmentalists. In 2002 Maddox also received the Rachel Carson Women in Science Award from a group of Texas environmental organizations.
Kids on the Land was based on the belief that kids need to reconnect to the land, especially in the land in their environment. To read more pick up the June issue of North Texas Farm & Ranch.
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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