The mesquite tree is one of the toughest and most invasive species of brush there is. It has come to populate several million acres in Texas alone. As any rancher will tell you, if left unchecked it will quickly take over a pasture. Though it is a bit of a nuisance, it does have some value to both livestock and wildlife. Here are some ways that you can use to control the mesquite that is in your pasture.
Tag: range (Page 3 of 4)
Do you know what your stocking rate is? Let me rephrase that: Do you know what your real stocking rate is? Many people follow just a general rule of thumb that was developed years ago. The truth is that cattle will not always graze on every acre that is available. You could have the scenario where certain areas are being overgrazed while others are not being used at all. This is where determining your grazeable acreage will help.
Things like the brush density, rock coverage, accessibility and other factors will have an impact on how many acres that the herd will use. Determining these factors will give you a more accurate measure of what your stocking rate is. There are many ways that you can look at these but the best way will always be walking the property and looking at them from ground level.
Cedars are a very aggressive and destructive woody plant here in Texas. They are known to take over a pasture quickly. Along with taking forage space they are a very thirsty plant. A large infestation of cedars will completely suck dry a spring or other pasture water source.
Getting control of any cedars in your pasture is achievable. Much like with mesquite it is not something that will occur after just one application. Here are some things to consider if you are looking to take back your grazing pastures from cedars.
Well spring has arrived here in Texas, the temperature has gotten warmer and the grass has begun to turn green as well as grow. Along with this one typical problem has also started growing with them: WEEDS.
Weeds can reduce both the quantity and the quality of the forages that you have. They also reduce the nutrients available that your cows can eat. With this in mind now is the time to begin planning on controlling them.
A study done by Dr. Steve Livingston an Agronomist with the Texas AgriLife extension service for every pound of weeds/acre that is eliminated there is 2 to 7 pounds of grass that is produced. Here are some tips on how to get the most use out of your herbicide.
If you were to ask any producer about which nutrients they are concerned with chances are they would tell you protein, energy, and minerals. Now while these are important there is another that is just as important: water. Ensuring that cattle have an adequate amount of clean water is necessary for them to function.
Water is an essential part of life. A certain amount of water is needed for growth, fetal development, lactation, and overall production.
Pastures represent a very valuable resource for producers. In order to become an efficient cattle producer you must maximize your pasture’s forage output. But are you getting every bit out of it that you can?
Education is one of the most valuable resources and the investment that pays the highest dividend. Being able to produce top quality beef in today’s world requires a rancher to be a life long learner.
With the wide selection of information available out there in books and on the internet it can be a little confusing trying to find the correct information out there. Here I compiled a list of the 5 best books that could help you in improving your operation.
Although it is just February it is not too early to begin planning ahead for the upcoming grazing season. Your grazing plan should include the stocking rate, as well as the planned turn out dates. If you will be using multiple pastures a pasture sequence should also be planned out. Here are some things to consider when drawing out your plan.
As winter begins to wind down now is the time to consider getting your soil tested for the coming year. A soil analysis is a good management tool because it tells you what your soil may be lacking, saving you money on fertilizer. A soil test however is only as good as the samples that you collect to give to the testing lab. Here are some things to consider with soil sampling:
The couple of cold fronts that have come through the last couple of weeks has signaled that winter is on its way. With winter it brings it’s own set of challenges for a cattle producer. Intense cold weather can leave cattle struggling as well as stressed, which can affect their health, as they go about their normal activities. Here are some ways you can help to reduce that stress:
Products
-
I love my wife
$22.99
-
Farm Strong
$22.99
-
Hay There
$22.99
-
Ag Philosophy Classic Hoodie
$41.99
-
Ag Philosophy Classic Tee
$24.99