It has been a wet two weeks here at the Stiles Farm. Since the fields have been too wet to do much we have been fixing up broken equipment, like our four wheeler, deep cleaning our ranger, and cleaning out some scrap metal we had here at headquarters. We have started feeding hay to two of our herds on a regular schedule and our other two are still maintaining condition. Last week I joined Ryan to a cotton co-op meeting and learned about how co-op’s are run and what the members roles are, and the marketing required to sell the cotton. We are hoping for some dryer weather this week to get back in the fields to prep for some winter crops. 

 

Georgina Macias Fall 2018 Intern 

This week I started small mammal surveys. For these surveys, I will be setting Sherman traps along my vegetation transect lines that I established earlier this year. As I walk along the 150-meter transect line, I will set 2 traps at each point (on either side of the line) in order to reduce the number of “trap happy” individuals captured.  When checking the traps, I will record species trapped (if any) and some morphological data including: foot length, ear length, and total length.  This weekI also continued to prepare for mesomammal trapping. I practiced my trap sets and set up “dummy sets” with scent lures and game cameras to see which species the scents attract and how they react to my fake trap set area. At the end of the week, as I was conducting my weekly raptor survey, I spotted these white pelicans that stopped in the Blacklands during their winter migration.  AnMarie Ulery-Wild Life Intern

   

 

 

 

It was a cold and wet week at the Stiles Farm. The week got off to a slow start and we did some minor fence repairs around the farm before they became an issue in case cows become more stressed for food later this winter. Throughout the week I worked on some plans to work our herds and possible situations for culling cows, getting replacement heifers, and possibly new bulls. I’m working on the economics side and consulting with some of our extensions specialists to figure out the best plan for the farm. On Tuesday I attended an extension crops committee meeting with Ryan and listened to different speakers that are experts in their field talk about different issues planting, growing, and harvesting cotton, corn, wheat, and grain. Some of the speakers talked about economics, regulations on chemical applications that farmers must follow, pests and issues that may damage their crops, and the outlook for commodity prices. Later in the week as it dried off we were able to drive around the farm and fed hay to some of the herds that needed it. On Sunday we had cows get out, which was a tough, but good learning experience on how to get them back into the pasture and minimize any damage to the cows, the farm, or people.

 

Our heifer calf Milkshake, who used to be a chocolate color, has now turned black as her winter coat comes in.

 

-Georgina Macias Fall 2018 Intern

This week I continued to prepare for our meso-mammal surveys by dipping all of our leg hold traps, snares, and earth anchors in a full metal jacket trap and snare dip. This dip works as a wax-like coat over the traps to keep them from rusting. This week I also began conducting raptor surveys. As we transition into fall here at the farm we begin seeing a larger diversity of raptors as they are passing through on their migration south.  So far on my survey routes, I’ve seen several red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and a few coopers hawks. I’ve also started to see an abundance of loggerhead shrikes while conducting my raptor surveys and was able to capture a photo as shown below.

AnMarie Ulery Wild Life Intern 

This week at the Stiles farm started off with feeding hay to the Southern cows after realizing some were losing their condition. On Tuesday we made the decision to put the cows on a patch of Johnson grass and allow them to graze it down. We had to mend barbed wire and electric fence before we put the cows to graze so I was able to learn from Bobby how to properly put up and repair and electric fence, and got more experience fixing barbed wire fence. Towards the end of the week we moved them to new pasture and the cows were eager to be on plush forage. On Wednesday I was able to get some experience driving the hay tractor on the road so I can eventually feed hay on my own. Bobby showed me the routes we take to feed hay to the Northwestern cows and the best ways to turn and maneuver around where we feed hay. On Friday I went to observe our southern herd and took notes on potential replacement heifers for the farm, and checked fence so we can move cows this coming week. 

-Georgina Macias Fall 2018 Intern

On Monday and Tuesday Bobby, Jimmy, and I hauled hay bales out of the Johnson grass plot and moved them to storage so we could feed cows later in the winter. In the middle of the week I helped Ryan fix some issues with the sprayer and got it back up and running properly. On Thursday I rode in the tractor with Bobby and chisel plowed the long rows,  I was able to drive the tractor for a couple of passes under Bobby’s supervision.  Before we came back from lunch I was able to see how the cotton harvesters pick up the modules from the field to take to the gin. On Friday morning we moved cows and mended fence on the northwestern pasture.  Friday afternoon I followed Ryan to Granger to help him spray cotton for harvest.

 

Georgina Macias Fall 2018 Intern

This week I was able to get more practice with operating the tractor. First, I learned how to detach the hayfork and replace it with a bucket. Then, I was able to get lots of driving time from scooping up old hay with the bucket and transporting it around headquarters for the cows. This week I also continued to work on my carpentry skills by building saddle racks for the horse barn.  At the end of the week, Dr. Tomecek and I went into the field to begin practicing methods for meso-mammal trapping (specifically coyotes). I learned where to place a trapping site in relation to a trail and how to choose a spot with “backing” that will make it to where an animal can only come at the trap from one direction. I then learned how to properly set up a station, dig a hole for the trap, set the trap, and then conceal the trap all while leaving minimal trace of disturbance.   Wild Life Intern AnMarie Ulery

2018 Crops Conference Flyer

2018 Crops Conference Agenda

This week I started to prepare for our upcoming meso-mammal surveys by hiking around the property and looking for areas where our target mammals are most active.  On the southern end of the property near the hay barn, I found armadillo, coyote, fox, bobcat, and raccoon tracks. In addition to looking for tracks on my hikes this week, I also did some opportunistic herping and birding and saw this green tree frog and red-bellied woodpecker. At the end of the week, Georgina and I both helped move and work the cows in 4 corners. We were both able learn how to palpate cows to see if they are pregnant and learn how to tell how far along the pregnancy is.

A lot was accomplished this week at the Stiles Farm. On Monday and Tuesday we moved the main herds to new pastures so they can graze and maintain their body condition. We also did some repairs on two of the barns around headquarters, replacing the tin on the roof, the plywood, and the trimming on the outside, teaching me some basic carpentry work. On Wednesday Ryan and I worked on the cattle pens, fixing doors and gates and then moved the cows to the holding pens late in the afternoon so we could work them first thing in the morning. Thursday we worked the 4-corners herd, and with the help of our local veterinarian we were able to palpate, check for pregnancy, vaccinate, and wean the older calves.  We also worked the younger calves,  tagging and vaccinating, and castrating the bull calves. Thursday afternoon we sold the calves, and moved the bull to a new herd. Friday Bobby and I checked on the main herd and moved them to a larger pasture for grazing. Also that afternoon, Bobby taught both AnMarie and I how to mend barbed wire fences properly, and later how to run the shredder for shredding weeds and how we service and operate it safely on the farm. 

 

Georgina Macias Fall 2018 Intern

Stiles Blog 9-28-18