Farm & Ranch

[AgriLife Today] Poultry program in Fort Worth June 28 focuses on reducing heat stress for flocks

Published

8 years ago

June 14, 2016

NTFR

By: Adam Russell

Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, [email protected]
Contact: Fred Hall, 817-884-1946, [email protected]

FORT WORTH – Summer heat can zap the production quality and quantity of poultry flocks, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Flock owners can learn many best management practices for keeping hens cooler at a program scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. June 28 at the AgriLife Extension office in Tarrant County, 200 Taylor St. in Fort Worth.

“Some of the things backyard flock owners do don’t help their chickens dissipate heat and in fact, make it worse,” said AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resource agent Fred Hall, Tarrant County.

Hall said little things, like maintaining good bedding, which helps insulate and moderate hens’ temperature, and ensuring chickens have access to plenty of cool water, can help a flock through hot Texas summers.

Ignoring heat-stressed chickens can mean fewer and lower quality eggs from layers and decreased weight gains from broilers, he said.

While there is no charge for the program or parking, attendees are asked to reserve their seat online at: http://agrilife.org/urbantarrantag/program-registration.

The deadline to register is 5 p.m. June 27. For more information and to preregister, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Tarrant County at 817-884-1946.

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Find more stories, photos, videos and audio at http://today.agrilife.org

Farm & Ranch

Acorn Toxicity

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

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.

Farm & Ranch

Silver Bluestems

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2024

NTFR

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.

Farm & Ranch

Meanwhile Back At The Ranch

Published

2 weeks ago

November 12, 2024

NTFR

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.