Wordless Wednesday: Morning in the Summer pasture
There’s nothing quite like being out in the summer pastures before it gets hot. If only this grass could be a little more green… Related articles Wordless Wednesday: Sitting with the cows (agricultureproud.com) Wordless Wednesday: Word Cloud And My Dirty Job (agricultureproud.com)
Arkansas Drought Worsens, Impacts Livestock and Crops
Arkansas was on the fringes of the 2011 drought that impacted much of Texas and Oklahoma. Cattle farmers culled a little deeper than normal, but most were able to retain the majority of their herds. However, this year things have not been kind to Arkansas cattle producers. The state started off on a dry note, […]
Tifton 85 Bermuda is a safe hybrid, GMO adverse effects not verified
Earlier this week a frenzy began in the media and on social networks when a CBS affiliate in Austin Texas incorrectly reported that a genetically modified grass releasing cyanide gas and caused cattle deaths. I wrote a brief post describing the condition known more commonly as prussic acid. The news station has since clarified the […]
Texas cattle died while grazing – Prussic acid information
There’s been much concern about GMO bermudagrass killing cattle after reports from Austin, Texas this weekend claimed genetic modification of the grass caused a fatal release of cyanide gas. Don’t go crying “GMO kills” until you have done some research. (More detailed information on the difference between GMO and Hybrids here) Bermuda grass has many […]
Livestock numbers and drought dictate cattle and forage managment
Drought will not release its grasp of the Southern and Western regions, Spring stockpiles of forage are impacted, and cattle numbers have yet to recover from last year’s devastating drought. These ingredients spell out the need for well thought out management of forage supplies and cattle herds across the country. Last week I shared a […]
Dry Conditions Drying Up Business for Cattle Farmers
Watch out! I HERD on the news tonight that my dad “spends his life surrounded by these beautiful females!” Haha, no he’s not in trouble, but my dad was featured on the Little Rock ABC news tonight in a story featuring the struggles cattle farmers are having with recent and long-term dry weather conditions. Be […]
The Thirsty Road Ahead: Be Thankful For Water
A Facebook friend recently forwarded this article from The Economist. THIS year Texas had the hottest summer ever recorded in any state. In September wildfires swept through the town of Bastrop, outside Austin, destroying more than 1,000 homes. Thousands of cattle have been sold. The town of Big Spring, up the road from the oil […]
Book Review: The Worst Hard Time
Not sure if you have checked out my Readings and Ruminations book list lately, but I have shared my thoughts on some recent reads. My latest book to complete is The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan. Despite some long chapters, this book is a definite page-turner for anyone interested in stepping into the shoes […]
Photo Friday: Cloud Watch
We have been pretty lucky this week in Arkansas. After being in the high 90s and 100s since May, we never even reached 80 degrees on Thursday as rain fell throughout much of the day. Almost two inches by the time I headed to the house! Of course I started the day by waking to […]
Heat and Drought Affect Cattle Production
Can you believe it’s already August? Time flies when you’re having fun. Things on the ranch have been fun, but I’ve been staying busy as well. Here’s a short vlog about things on the ranch including the heat, dry weather, water and hay problems. How are things in your neck of the woods as we […]