Education is one of the most valuable resources for anyone. It is also the investment that will pay the highest dividend when used correctly. Books are a very good resource for education. The thing to remember is that though you may no longer be in school education does not end during your life.
Being able to produce top-quality beef in today’s world requires a rancher to be a lifelong learner. With the ever-changing world that we live in it is important to stay up to date on things. We are constantly learning more about animal behavior and better low-stress handling techniques. Experience can be the best teacher but using the right books lets you learn from the experiences of others.
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.
Cedar, more accurately known as juniper, can be a very difficult plant to control. It is a very aggressive woody plant that grows here in Texas as well as in other places. It is often viewed as invasive because if left unchecked it can quickly take over a pasture choking out any grass growth.
Spring is almost around the corner. The temperatures will soon start to rise and the grass, hopefully, will begin to grow again. For most people, pasture management comes to mind when the temperatures start to rise but that is not necessarily the case. It is important to get a start on it now.
Mesquite trees are the most popular “trash” tree out there. Though mostly that popularity is due to the excellent firewood that it provides. Despite it being able to provide us with some really good firewood it does pose some problems for range managers.
Well here we are. at the beginning of a new year. And with this new trip around the sun brings both optimism for what the future can hold. As well as potential challenges. While I will mention the optimism it is also important to plan ahead for any speedbumps that may be coming to us.
Drought is one of those things that every cattle producer will have to deal with at some point. It ranks right up there with Death and Taxes. Just like those two though it is unavoidable it is also something that most producers find themselves unprepared for.
Prescribed burning, also known as controlled burning, is for lack of a better term just a fire that you have set intentionally. Despite the fact that the word “fire” often brings up negative images of nothing but destruction a prescribed burn can be a good thing. It is a management tool that is used by land managers and land owners to improve the diversity of their vegetation. It can also be used to control any invasive plants that are present in your pasture.
A summer pasture can be a producer’s greatest resources for his cattle. When managed correctly it provides all of the nutrients your cattle need going into fall breeding season.
Pasture thistles are a group of plants that are considered a serious threat to rangelands. Like most weeds they propagate very quickly and choke out any grasses that are growing there.
Mesquite trees, everyone’s favorite “trash” tree. It can provide us with some really good firewood but it does pose some problems for range managers.
