Farm & Ranch
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
By Rayford Pullen
I’ve always liked the saying “It’s ok to be in a rut if you are headed in the right direction,” and it seems that sometimes we’re in that rut but cannot figure out which direction we are headed. That’s why another favorite saying “Don’t get so busy chopping trees that you forget to sharpen your ax” also reminds me just because we have it figured out today doesn’t mean we’ll have it figured out tomorrow because of this rapidly changing world. In other words, where are you going and how will you know when you get there?
I’ve been waiting about six months for spring to arrive, and as I’ve mentioned in prior articles, April 15 is normally my favorite day of the year due to the abundance of grasses and legumes in our pastures. Winters seem to get longer and longer each year, and the cost associated with supplemental feeds and proteins seem to get larger and larger, so in the meantime, we’ll concentrate on getting the most out of the livestock we raise so we can do it all over again.
To read more pick up a copy of the April 2019 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Farm & Ranch
Hazards of Backyard Poultry
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Having backyard poultry is a popular agriculture enterprise. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 0.8 percent of all households in the United States have chickens. People keep chickens for a variety of reasons with table eggs being one of the more common reasons.
Unfortunately, some of these poultry producers are not aware of the hazards that come with keeping poultry because many times they carry pathogens but appear healthy.
Chickens are carriers of several zoonotic diseases. These are diseases that can be passed from animals to humans. According to a recent survey in Pennsylvania, a majority of backyard poultry producers were aware of the dangers of avian influenza. However, this study also revealed that far fewer producers were aware of the risk of possible exposure to Salmonella and Campylobacter.
The lack of knowledge about the hazards of raising poultry likely contributes to the continued issues of Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry. In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,072 illnesses of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, and 272 of those patients required hospitalization. Oklahoma reported 43 individuals with the disease.
To read more, pick up a copy of the April issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Farm & Ranch
Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming
By Tressa Lawrence
Babies are tucked away in every nook and cranny. Many ranchers across Wyoming have baby animals popping up all over this time of year.
Farm & Ranch
Ag Elsewhere: Montana
By Lindsey Monk
Another load of grain in to keep feeding the calves until the green grass can really start popping.
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