Farm & Ranch

Producing Pigs – Farrowing Facts

Published

8 years ago

October 27, 2016

NTFR

By Jessica Crabtree

Show season is upon us and all are looking for or preparing for a grand champion York, Hampshire or whatever your breed of interest. What few consider is all the work it took getting that prize-winning animal into the world. Much effort goes into having healthy and live piglets. Ask any breeder; they will tell you plenty can go wrong.

Vincent Farms located in Dorchester, Texas, has been breeding and raising pigs for years. Owners Josh and wife Chyna Vincent both had a background in show pigs and a love for the species. Josh, a former ag teacher, started raising pigs in 2004, beginning with only two sows. Today he owns and breeds 40 sows. When asked why he took his operation to the next level, Vincent replied, “We took the program to the size it is today to meet clients demands and to be able to offer a variety of breeds instead of just focusing on one, even though crosses are primarily what we raise, we have integrated purebred in the heard the past couple of years. Also by having more we are able to take many different genetic paths in our herd.”

Together the Vincents work many hours to make sure their pigs get the best care possible.
Raising 200 plus pigs now, the Vincents choose to artificially inseminate (AI) all their sows, raising cross bred and a select few of Berkshire, Chester, and Yorkshire breeds. This allows for ease when farrowing, knowing birth weights, boar history, etc., and allows for different bloodlines within their barn. All of which add to the chance of being the next grand champion at the local livestock fair.

To read more pick up a copy of the November 2016 NTFR issue.

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

1 week 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.