Ag News and Views: January 2012 Table of Contents

January, 2012 Table of Contents News & Views Archive Issues

Economics
Exploiting the Financial Fruits of Farm and Ranch Records by Job Springer
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to analyze your agricultural operation's economic performance. For those who maintained accurate operational production and financial records, the good news is that a great deal of valuable information can be gleaned from them.

Livestock
Preparing Livestock for Winter by Clay Wright
We have a tendency to balance winter rations for cows in two phases: non-lactating, in the middle third of pregnancy (dry); and then post-calving, in peak lactation (wet). Using nutritional requirements for the average weight of the cow herd, it's simple to come up with two feeding regimes; one for before calving and one for after calving.

Pasture and Range
Plan Stocking Rate Based on Rainfall by Hugh Aljoe
Even with the rains during the fall of 2011, much of Oklahoma and Texas is still under drought advisories. Long-term forecasts are not promising for abundant rainfall during the spring or summer of 2012.

Research
Value of Data Analysis When Receiving Stockers by Ryan Reuter
During the course of conducting grazing research at the Noble Foundation, we routinely receive and "straighten out" stocker cattle.

Soils and Crops
2012: Drought Recovery or Drought Persistence? by James Locke
As I write this month's article, most producers are feeling more optimistic because we have had some rain and it has cooled off. The 100-plus degree days of the past summer are a bad memory.

Wildlife
Oklahoma and Texas Resources for Feral Hog Control by Will Moseley
Winter is an excellent time to implement control of feral hogs. There are a few resources available for Oklahoma and Texas hunters and trappers.