January 15, 2011
Drying up HOW BAD IS THE DROUGHT AND HOW TO SURVIVE IT PAGE 12 DIGGING THE COUNTRY LIFE
CONSUMER INFORMATION
Appliations being take for rural internships.
Packaged meats to have nutrition labels.
YOU GOTTA NIP IT IN THE BUD
BEASTLY PROBLEM
PAGE 4
Control volunteer cotton in its early stages. PAGE 6
PAGE 16
Struggling to keep up with demand for bison. PAGE 18
The Land & Livestock Post âœŞ January 15, 2011
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From the General Manager
By KATHLEEN PHILLIPS Texas AgriLife Communications
EL PASO — Frustrated green thumbs in the desert, be patient. The days of groveling in gravel may be nearing an end, according to a Texas AgriLife Research horticulture scientist. “Be positive. We can find plants that can tolerate difficult weather and climate situations like in El Paso,” said Genhua Niu. As a researcher at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in El Paso, Niu has been putting everything from petunias to roses through heat, drought and salty water tests that would wither the stoutest of humans much less a helpless plant. It’s a project aimed at bringing more color to yards without sacrificing precious water and other natural resources. “My research project is on landscape water conservation,” Niu said. “In El Paso, we
January 15, 2011
Making the desert bloom with color
Like my Christmas lights, drought is another thing that has long overstayed its welcome. Beverly Moseley, public affair aff s specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shares an article about how drought has affected our area, and provides some methods ranchers can use to fight it. Grain producers are also experiencing a problem due to the dry conditions, and we have a story from the Texas Agrilife Extension explaining what it is, and how it should be dealt with. We have a lot more news and information for you in these pages, as well as upcoming sales and events. Hope you enjoy it, and maybe learn something along the way. ’Til next time,
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F
or those of you wondering, yes, I did put up Christmas lights this year. I managed to get them up without any serious injury, and they added a festive glow to the Wright household. However, I have yet to take them down. When I was a bachelor, I put Christmas lights up on my porch one year, and liked them so much I left them up year-round. Of JESSE WRIGHT course, I did live in a 30year-old trailer house, and I think it might have been against some code — either zoning or ethical— to take Christmas lights off a trailer home. I guess Groundhog Day is the next holiday coming up, and I just don’t think I can convince my wife or my neighbors that such an event is light-worthy. So, I suppose I’ll take them down, but I think I’ll tangle them up in knots myself as I do so, just so I’ll know next year how they got that way.
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011 4
News
Applications being taken for rural internships Special to The Post AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples on Dec. 30 announced that the Texas Department of Agriculture is accepting proposals from communities interested in participating in the Texas Rural Internship Program. This is the third year of the innovative project. The program introduces urban college students to rural Texas by inviting them to live and work in a small community for five to 10 weeks. The Department of Agriculture works with participating institutions of higher education to pair students with rural communities. This year, Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech are taking part in the program. The deadline for proposals is Jan. 31. “The Texas Rural Internship Program works to improve our economy by giving urban students a unique opportunity to experience the productivity found in rural Texas,” Commissioner Staples said. “Comunities that par- TODD STAPLES ST ticipate not only bring in a fresh set of eyes to help fill their needs, but also develop the leadership skills of talented young students.” Texas Rural Internship Program interns participate in a variety of projects that benefit the host community. They also offer fresh new ideas and updated skills in such areas as computer proficiency, technical abilities and social networking. Interns stay with a host family and receive a $1,000 stipend for a five-week internship. The following are testimonials from host community officials and former interns: • “This is a great program made available by TDA and I highly recommend it. The intern was delightful and the entire community benefited from her presence. Not only were we able to tackle extra projects, but the charities and service groups benefited from
her additional service.” — Jan Crouch, Hamilton economic development director • “While in Brady, the Texas Rural Internship Program was a tremendous experience for our community. It made us stop and honestly analyze the perception others have of our community and identify ways to improve our image. In addition, it created
another avenue for us to share our story with individuals in other parts of our great state.” — Wendy Ellis, former economic development director for Brady and current economic development director for Palestine • “The community was great and made me feel like family from the beginning. I learned so much. I would
encourage anyone to do this internship. You can learn so much about yourself, the community and how it works.” — Lindsay Byrd, Levelland intern and Food Service Management major at Sam Houston State University This is the third year for the program. Interested parties may
access the Request For Proposals at www.TexasAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Economic Development link. For more information about the Texas Rural Internship Program, contact your Texas Department of Agriculture rural economic development regional representative or Catherine Regan at 512-4750885, or catherine.regan@ TexasAgriculture.gov.
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Land & Livestock Post
Most of Texas in a drought By ROBERT BURNS Texas AgriLife Communications
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lated the growth of winter grains, but the crops still needed significant moisture. Pecan crop was in excellent condition and prices were holding. Feral hog damage remained a major battle in pecan orchards. Producers were heavily supplementing all livestock. Coastal Bend: For four of the last five months of 2010, the region was extremely dry, making this fall and winter one of the driest in recent years. Soil moisture was becoming critical. The potential for wildfire potential was high. Winter crops were suffering and dry soils prevented growers from planting spring wheat. Livestock producers continued to provide cattle with hay and supplemental protein. East: Drought conditions prevailed across the area as rain-
fall was as much as 13 inches below normal 2010. Most counties received scattered showers that helped winter forages. In some counties, the rain came too late; forage stands had already died. Creek- and pondwater levels continued to drop, and some producers moved livestock to areas with water. Hay supplies were short, and producers continued to provide supplemental feed. Cattle were in fair to good condition, and winter calving was in progress. Feral hog damage continued to be reported throughout the area. Far West: The region remained very dry. Some counties had not received rain for more than 90 days by the first week of 2011. Extremely high winds, with gusts of up to 80 mph and sustained winds of 50 mph, further dried out soils and
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COLLEGE STATION – The state continued to dry out during the last weeks of 2010, with more than 20 counties now classified as being under “extreme” drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. According to the monitor, more than 50 other counties were under “severe” drought by the end of December. Most of the state’s other 254 counties were experiencing “moderate” drought conditions or were “abnormally dry.” Only the top tier of Panhandle counties had what was considered normal moisture conditions. By the Drought Monitor’s definitions, “extreme” drought conditions result in major crop and pasture losses and widespread water shortages or restrictions. “Severe drought” means that crop or pasture losses are likely, water shortages are common, with water-use restrictions apt to be imposed. And “moderate drought” means there will be some damage to crops and pastures, streams, reservoirs and well water levels will be low, with some water shortages developing or imminent. AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Central: Recent rains stimu-
• Ways to manage your land during a drought/P drought/Pag /Page age 12 • Drought Monitor/Page 14
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President - Jim Wilson...................................................Ext. 4613 Publisher and Editor- Kelly Brown................................Ext. 4656 Advertising Director - Ron Lee ....................................Ext. 4740 Advertising Sales/General Sales/Gener Manager Manag - Jesse Wright ........Ext. 4721 Fi Financial Director - Rod Armstrong..................................Ext. 4605 New Media Director - Mike Mik Albin ....................................Ext. 4663 Production Director - Mark Manning................................Ext. 4671 Director - Jack Perkins ..................................Ext. 4752 Cir Circulation Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Bryan, Texas 77805. E-mail: thepost@theeagle.com All offices are located at 1729 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan, Texas 77802. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan, Texas 77805-3000 The Post is printed in part on recycled paper and is fully recyclable.
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011 6
News
It’s best to nip volunteer cotton in early stages By BLAIR FANNIN AgriLife Communications
COLLEGE STATION – Though frustrating but manageable, some Texas grain producers are expecting to have Roundup-resistant volunteer cotton pop up in their corn and sorghum fields this coming season due to a dry fall and winter, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert. “We are facing a similar situation to the 2009 season, when volunteer cotton was a problem in corn,” said Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension cotton specialist. “Volunteer cotton in noncotton fields is especially important to producers in South and Central Texas who are actively GAYLON GA involved in the MORGAN Boll Weevil Eradication program.” Though a problem, Morgan said it’s important for producers not to get discouraged and treat volunteer cotton during the early stages. If left until later, treatment options begin to be limited. “We’ve found only four products that were effective at the five-to six-leaf stage,” he said. Attendees at the recent Texas Plant Protection Association Conference heard the latest research efforts led by the AgriLife Extension team of Danny Fromme, Morgan, Matt Matocha, Paul Baumann and Dale Mott. Research trials were funded by the Texas Corn Pro-ducers Board and the Texas Cotton Producers. The problem began during the drought of 2009 and has continued to escalate, Morgan said. “The key is to manage the volunteer cotton while it is small and while more herbicides are effective,” he said. “If the volunteer cotton is not destroyed early in the season, the cotton plants persist under the corn canopy, then following harvest the cotton plants will flourish and will be an excellent host for the boll weevil.” AgriLife Extension trials
were conducted at four locations across the state from the Panhandle region, South Central Texas and South Texas. Status (5 ounces), Laudis (3 ounces), and Halex GT + Atrazine (58 + 32 ounces) were the only over-the-top products that provided 99 percent control at the one/twoleaf stage with greater than 1 percent volunteer plants at 65 days after treatment. “Other products, such as Ignite 280 and Sharpen, were highly effective but must be applied through hoods or post-directed,” Morgan said. At the five-leaf stage, Starane Ultra (6.4 ounces), Status (5 ounces-10 ounces) and 2,4-D Amine (16 ounces) over-the-top provided greater than 90 percent control of volunteer cotton, Morgan said, but none completely prevented volunteer plants which ranged from 4 percent to 11
percent at 70 days after treatment. Producer costs per acre were minimized when applications were applied during early plant growth. At the one/two-leaf stage, the cost per acre for Status was $13.25; Ignite 280, $11.33 per acre; Laudis, $13.59 per acre. Some less expensive products were evaluated, like 2,4-D and atrazine, but they were slightly less effe ef ctive in this trial. “Looking ahead to next growing season, the problem is waiting to happen as many of the cotton seeds left over from pickers/stripper are in the ground, but it’s been too dry for germination,” Morgan said. “Based on the current weather patterns, producers will need to make plans to deal with volunteer cotton this spring. Additionally, producers will need to pay attention in post-harvest of corn
because any surviving cotton plants tend to flourish once corn begins to mature,” Morgan said. “After corn harvest, producers need to be take care of any volunteer cotton plants in a timely manner with chemical or mechanical methods,” he said. “Volunteer cotton is a concern both from the front end and after-harvest of the grain
crops. In a producer’s defense, they are juggling application timings and the economics of management options,” Morgan said. Volunteer cotton is a challenge to manage. This is an important issue, however, since it ties directly into the boll weevil eradication efforts and is enforced by the Texas Department of Agriculture.”
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011
News
Research may lead to greater biofuel yields Special to The Post ARDMORE, Okla. — Scientists at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation have uncovered a gene responsible for controlling the density of biomass in two model plants. The outcome of the research could increase the amount of biofuels produced from an individual plant or improve the yields of forage crops. “This is a significant breakthrough for those studying plant-based biofuels,” said Richard Dixon, director of the Noble Foundation’s Plant Biology Division. “This discovery opens up new possibilities for producing plants that have been specifically engineered for biofuel production.” Huanzhong Wang, a postdoctoral fellow in Dixon’s lab, found a gene that controls the production of lignin in the
central portions of the stems of Arabidopsis and Medicago truncatula, species commonly used as models for the study of plant genetic processes. Lignin is a compound that helps provide strength to plant cell walls, basically giving the plant the ability to stand upright. When the newly discovered gene is removed, there is a dramatic increase in the production of biomass throughout the stem. Lignin is difficult for grazing animals to digest, so the majority of research on lignin modification looks at reducing its production within the plant. Increasing lignin in bioenergy crops, such as switchgrass, however, may be desirable for increasing the density of the biomass throughout the stem, particularly if the biomass is to be converted to gas. “In switchgrass, as the plant matures, the stem
Photo courtesy of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
The image on the left shows a normal cross section of a stem as viewed under ultraviolet light. The areas in red are chlorophyll. The blue areas are lignin, a compound that helps provide strength to the cell walls. The image on the right is a cross section of stem from the model plant, Arabidopsis, in which a newly discovered gene has been removed. Noble Foundation scientists have proven that the plant without this gene produces dramatically more lignin, cellulose and hemicelluloses, increasing its density and biomass production. becomes hollow like bamboo,” Dixon said. “Imagine if you knock out this gene and that hollow portion is then filled in with lignin. The
potential increase in biomass in these new plants could be dramatic. We are looking forward to doing these experiments.”
Further research by collaborators at the University of Georgia revealed that removal of the gene also increased the production of cellulose and hemicelluloses in the central portions of the stem of the plant. These are the components of the biomass that are converted to sugars for fermentation to liquid biofue of ls such as ethanol ofue or butanol. “Science often progresses in increments,” Dixon said. “Every once in a while, though, you have a significant breakthrough that helps redefine the research. This is certainly one of those moments for our biofuels program.” The project, which is supported by the United States Department of Energy and the Oklahoma Bioenergy
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Trying to act ‘wreck-less’ in chasing a stray cow I turned off and watched the slack go out of the rope. Back on the deck Junior realized he had about as much control of the situation as he would have ropin’ a doggin’ steer off a bareback bronc ‌ no place to dally! They regrouped. “I’ll try and run over the draggin’ rope with a tire!â€? said Tom. Junior clambered back on the flat-bed and Dr. Stan lined up on Tom’s right side. Across the plains they flew! Tom chased that rope, duckin’ and divin’, sluicing and careening in hot pursuit like a pinball machine gone haywire! The cow reached a cross fence and turned in front of the flat-bed. Tom’s right front tire caught the rope at the same time that Dr. Stan, who was hazing, hit the
fence, cutting off her escape! It took several minutes to heel the cow, restrain her and untangle Doc’s windshield wipers, side mirrors and antennae from the bob wire. They congratulated themselves for the great job, as only cowboys would do after such a successful wreck. Oh, and the abscess popped itself in the collision,
so lancing was not necessary. Talk about efficient! They all took credit, of course, and Doc sent’em a bill for consulting and navigation. • Baxter Black is a former large animal veterinarian who appears regularly on National Public Radio. His website is www.baxterblack.com.
January 15, 2011
in the back of the flat-bed. Son had been roping since high school and Dad figured maybe he could reap some payback for all the miles, horses and entry fees it had cost haulin’ him to junior rodeos since he was 12. Tom got the cow runnin’ down the tracks of the feed wagon. Junior was BAXTER BLACK leanin’ out like a flag pole on the Titanic. The deck rocked violently as Tom swerved and slid to stay on the left side of the cow. In one wild lunge, when the flat-bed hit a dip and came off the ground, Junior threw his loop. “A beeyootiful catch!� thought Tom, as he
âœŞ
magine the header clinging to the rack on the back of a flat-bed, chasing a cow across the high plains of Colorado with the hazer banging along beside him in a quarter-ton Ranger with a vet-box in the bed. Cowboy stories are about wrecks: horse wrecks, cow wrecks, dog wrecks, financial wrecks, Tyranosaurus Wrex, and flat-bed, mad cow, Ranger-with-a-vet-box-in-thebed, wrecks! Rancher Tom had Dr. Stan-the-Man out to his place. While there, they spotted a cow with a big lump on her jaw. “Better lance it,� suggested Doc to Tom, “Ya never know.� It was getting late, no way to gather the bunch. “Just rope her� said Doc. Tom put his son, Junior,
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011
News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORTS Bryan Results of Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Dec. 14 sale: Head: 1,123 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $110$172.50; 300-400 lbs., $103$157.50; 400-500 lbs., $100$142.50; 500-600 lbs., $95$125; 600-700 lbs., $90-$115; 700-800 lbs., $100-$109. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $100$127; 300-400 lbs., $105$132; 400-500 lbs., $93-$121; 500-600 lbs., $90-$108; 600700 lbs., $90-$102.50; 700800 lbs., $95-$100. Slaughter cows: $31-$62.50. Slaughter bulls: $52-$71.50. Bred cows: $480-$910. Cow/calf pairs: $760-$940.
Buffalo Results of Buffalo Livestock Commission’s Dec. 18 sale: Head: 1,369 Steers: 150-200 lbs., $125$210; 200-300 lbs., $125$185; 300-400 lbs., $140$178; 400-500 lbs., $118$155; 500-600 lbs., $107$127; 600-700 lbs., $106$116; 700-800 lbs., $101$111. Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $120$185; 200-300 lbs., $115$165; 300-400 lbs., $109$129; 400-500 lbs., $107$127; 500-600 lbs., $102$123; 600-700 lbs., $92$106; 700-800 lbs., $95-$96. Slaughter cows: $42$66.50. Slaughter bulls: $62-$73.50. Bred cows: $550-$1,010. Cow/calf pairs: $710$1,160.
Groesbeck
10
Results of Groesbeck Auction & Livestock Co.’s Dec. 16 sale: Head: 1,116 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $140$155; 400-500 lbs., $125$139; 500-600 lbs., $117$128; 600-700 lbs., $110$120; 700-800 lbs., $105$109. Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $120$132; 400-500 lbs., $110$125; 500-600 lbs., $105$115; 600-700 lbs., $95$107. Slaughter cows: $40$68.50. Slaughter bulls: $60-$71.
Bred stocker cows: $560$1,000. Cow/calf pairs: $700$1,100.
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Jordan
Results of Jordan Cattle Auction’s Dec. 16 sale: Head: 2.465 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $140$165; 300-400 lbs., $130$151; 400-500 lbs., $120$138; 500-600 lbs., $114$126; 600-700 lbs., $108$118; 700-800 lbs., $103$109. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $120$137; 300-400 lbs., $115$124; 400-500 lbs., $110$122; 500-600 lbs., $105$115; 600-700 lbs., $97-$108; 700-800 lbs., $92-$96.50. Slaughter cows: $43-$66. Slaughter bulls: $52-$67.50. Stocker cows: $570-$1,090. Cow/calf pairs: $700$1,090.
Milano
Results of Milano Livestock Exchange’s Jan. 4 sale: Head: 807 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $125$155; 400-500 lbs., $115$135; 500-600 lbs., $107.50$130; 600-700 lbs., $99-$116; 700-800 lbs., $104-$110. Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $115$136; 400-500 lbs., $110$125; 500-600 lbs., $100$121; 600-650 lbs., $105$111. Slaughter cows: $47.50-$71. Slaughter bulls: $68-$79.50. Stocker cows: $700-$810. Cow/calf pairs: $940$1,025.
Navasota
Results of Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Dec. 18 sale: Head: 1,762 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $110$195; 300-400 lbs., $110$175; 400-500 lbs., $105$152.50; 500-600 lbs., $95$140; 600-700 lbs., $92-$117. Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $100$180; 300-400 lbs., $100$140; 400-500 lbs., $95$127.50; 500-600 lbs., $90$111; 600-700 lbs., $88-$107. Slaughter cows: $38-$66.50. Slaughter bulls: $55-$77. Stocker cows: $550-$1,075. Cow/calf pairs: $850-$975. — Special to The Post
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the region was very cold and dry with nighttime temperatures as low as 11 degrees. High winds continued to deplete soil moisture levels, which were already short. Producers finished harvesting cotton during the Christmas holidays and several gins completed their ginning season as well. Field activities included stalk shredding, reshaping beds and applying fertilizer for spring crops. Winter wheat was in fair to good condition but needed moisture.
• See DRY/Page Y Y/Page 23
January 15, 2011
North: The year ended with rainfall accumulations several inches less than average. Soilmoisture levels ranged from short to adequate. Stock-water tanks were low. Rains helped wheat and winter pastures, but crops are behind in growth. Many pastures were in poor condition due to overgrazing and overstocking. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with producers feeding hay and supplements daily. There was some grazing in winter pastures. Beef producers reported feeling optimistic, while dairy producers hoped to make it through anoth-
all counties reported short to very short topsoil moisture levels. Supplemental feeding was at a high level because of declining forage quality and quantity. Body condition scores of cattle also declined, but overall, livestock were in fair condition. In the northern part of the region, producers were baling hay, mostly peanut hay. In the eastern part of the region, winter failed to become established because of the lack of rain. In the southern part of the region, growers continued to harvest sugarcane, soybeans and corn. South Plains: Weather across
high winds during the first days of 2011 evaporated most of the moisture. Foard and Motley counties were under burn bans. Dry conditions continued to decrease the value of the wheat crop. The cotton harvest neared completion. However, many cotton modules remained in the fields, waiting to be hauled to the gin. Cotton producers reported average to a little above average yields. Although some producers expressed a concern about contract and pool prices, most were pleased with the high current prices compared to previous years. Winter wheat was in poor to very poor condition. Rangeland and pastures were in poor condition as winter grasses and forages struggled to emerge and grow under the dry conditions. Cattle producers reported decent body conditions going into winter good supplies of hay. With the poor grazing conditions, producers increased supplemental feeding to livestock. South: Cold days, near freezing nighttime temperatures and lack of rain took their toll on rangeland and pastures. Most
âœŞ
rangeland. Burn bans were still in effect. The pecan harvest was nearly completed. Producers were preparing fields for the planting of annual crops. Fall-planted onions had good stands but are now dormant. Winter wheat stands looked good in some areas.
er year. The mild fall and winter weather, including the drier conditions, allowed producers to cut back on supplemental feed and hay. The pecan harvest was nearly over, but yields were terrible. Feral hogs continued to be a major problem. Rangeland and pasture conditions ranged from poor to fair. Panhandle: The region had dry and windy weather. Temperatures held near the long-term norm for most of the last week in December until a cold front dropped temperatures to below average. Soil-moisture levels varied from very short to adequate with most areas reporting short. The cotton harvest was almost completed. Wheat varied from very poor to good with most reporting fair to poor. Rangeland and pastures varied from very poor to good with most reporting poor. Cattle were in good condition, with producers providing supplemental feed. The danger of wildfire was high. Rolling Plains: The region needed moisture. Some areas reported receiving 0.5-0.7 inches the last week of 2010, but
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PARCHED
January 15, 2011
✪
Texas facing below-normal precipitation
12
By BEVERLY MOSELEY Natural Resources Conservation Service
A
s 2010 drew to a close, extreme weather besieged much of the country. On the West Coast, California was inundated with flood waters. On the East Coast, frigid temperatures and snow blizzards blanketed states. Nestled in between these forces of nature was drought-stricken Texas. Across much of Texas, landowners approached the New Year with a watchful hf eye to the sky hopeful for hful rainfall that would slack the drought’s thirst. Many ranchers are faced once again with watching their water sources, soil and winter forages dry up, with not much relief in sight. “We already have a strong La Niña set up in the Pacific. That usually means dry, warm weather for Texas,” said John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist in College Station. “Through March, we’ll be looking at above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.” According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought conditions have reached across 13 counties in Southeast Texas as of Dec. 23. Eight counties in the Big Bend area also were suffering under extreme drought. Abnormally dry to severe drought conditions covered almost all of the state’s 254 counties due to rainfall deficits that reached upwards of 20 inches in some areas. On Sammy Catalena’s Brazos County ranch in late December, the drought could be measured in the dry stock ponds and brittle winter pastures with soils as hard as concrete. “It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen it like this before,” said Catalena, as he approached a dry stock pond that a dozer operator was cleaning out and enlarging. “I can’t remember when it’s been this bad.” Catalena’s 2,400-acre ranch is home to Catalena Rodeo Company’s numerous bucking bulls and horses, along with his commercial cattle operation. The drought has depleted his existing forage of valuable nutrients so he’s been providing hay to his livestock since early November — a month ear-
Photo by Stuar Stuart Vi Villanueva
Debris hanging on the fence shows how low the water level has dropped in one livestock tank on Sammy Catalena’s droughtlier than in 2009. Many farmers and ranchers tried no-tilling winter pastures for oats and rye. This conservation practice can prove beneficial during drought because it helps to conserve soil moisture. In 2009, Catalena no-tilled 150 acres with oats and rye for his commercial heifers to forage on through the winter. In 2010, with no rain in sight, what land he did no-till, fertilize and plant in oats and rye for his livestock, lay barren by late December. Catalena knows about managing through a drought. He knows when this one breaks, there will be another. He works to manage his land and forages productively so his weakened landscape will have the best opportunity to recover when the drought does break.
stricken Brazos County ranch. Catalena said some levels have dropped 10 to 12 feet and steadily are shrinking.
ON THE WEB • www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/ • drought.unl.edu/dm/ • animalscience.tamu.edu/ academics/beef/index.htm • atmo.tamu.edu/osc/ He keeps a close eye on his rangeland’s livestock carrying capacity or stocking rate, culling when necessary, and he strives not to overgraze his pastures. These are management practices experts say can help land and forages weather a drought better. “When it comes to stocking rates, they must be flexible and balanced with the forage inventory that the ranch is capable of supporting,” said Kent Ferguson, Texas’ rangeland management specialist for the USDANatural Resources Conservation
Service. “In the state of Texas, there are more dry years than normal or wet years. You have to stock your ranch for a dry year and keep your base herd stocked for a dry year,” Ferguson said. Ferguson recommended stocking ranch’s at 75 percent of the carry capacity of the land. “That will allow for a 25 percent buffer buff ffer to take you through ug the bad ugh times,” he added. Ranchers also should take into account all animals making a demand on forages, such as deer or horses. “A real common mistake producers make is not taking into account everything in the pasture,” Ferguson said. He also recommended ranchers:
• See DROUGHT/Page DROUGHT 13
Drought From 12
Photo by Stuar Stuart Vi Villanueva
Rodeo Company’s numerous bucking bulls and horses, along with his commercial cattle operation.
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Sammy Catalena surveys a dried up stock tank that he’s having cleaned out and enlarged. Catalena’s 2,400-acre ranch is home to Catalena
• See WATER/Page TER TER/Page 14
✪
• Utilize local experts, along with evaluation tools such as a web-based drought monitor and indexes to assist in assessing the situation. • Inventory and monitor forages. • Take into consideration ground coverage. • Monitor stocking rates. • Keep in mind that it can
take some drought-stricken land up to two years to fully recover. A drought will drive home to a rancher just how critical it is to know their forages and what their land is capable of producing. “You’ve got to know your plants and the requirements for those plants to be healthy, sustainable and productive,” Ferguson said. “If you do not know your crop, it’s real hard
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January 15, 2011
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The Land & Livestock Post
News
Photo by Stuart Villanueva
The face of drought can be seen in the dried up stock ponds and brittle winter pastures with soils as hard as concrete. Sammy Catalena said some water slews on his Brazos County ranch that have always held water now are dry.
Water From 13 to manage because you don’t know the requirements.
14
That’s why it’s so critical to keep your animal numbers in balance with the actual on the ground forage production.” • Beverly Moseley is a public affairs specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Rural folks are juggling modern technologies I Both boys were barefoot so as to wade in the creek they weren’t supJULIE CARTER posed to be COWGIRL SASS anywhere AND SAVVY near. The younger one could run like a deer across the pasture, shoes or no shoes, and so he did. The other one, a true tenderfoot, gimped and hobbled his way toward the house fueled by the sting of the willow branch on his backside. Willow-switch moments have no rank and privilege. The early spring waters of Muddy Creek hold many memories for us all. Mine are similar to the boys in that I couldn’t resist the temptation of wading in the sharply cold waters after a long winter of deep snow and long days indoors.
As promised by Dad if I were so bold as to disobey his warning to stay out of the creek, I also made the yipping and skipping trip back to the house with a willow switch encouraging my every step. The generation that followed found different ways to turn parental hair gray. Now in their 20s and 30s, these young adults find the freedom to share their close calls with discipline, death and worse yet, having to call home for bail money. While the latter didn’t happen it could have, with the borrowing of her daddy’s pickup to drive a few blocks. The young blonde driver not only didn’t have permission, she didn’t have a driver’s license. The acronym GTA (Grand Theft Auto) has been tagged
to her name for life, or at least as long as her sister lives. For a family with strong roots in rural America, having evolved from a world of wood cook stoves, coal oil lanterns, crank telephones and living off the land, we’ve evolved with the rest of the world. Part of the original Etch-a-
Sketch crowd, we now juggle laptops, iPhones, iPads, GPS equipment, e-mail, texts, voice mail, Skype, Revue and Google TV. George Jetson always was a family favorite. In a way, he’s now part of our family gathering. • E-mail Julie Car ter at jcar ter@tularosa.net.
BuLLS of ALL BReedS foR SALe oR LeASe
January 15, 2011
bank of the creek off. No reason, just boy stuff and because they could. The heavy industrial distraction was sufficient enough that they didn’t see Dad arrive, cut a willow switch and head their direction.
✪
t should happen more often, but none the less, every few years the family gathers for a holiday or some other reason for everyone to come home. Besides the copious amounts of food and late night chats, the best part of these gatherings is the stories. We are always entertained how the memories vary among people of assorted ages who were all there at the same time at any given event. Mothers always have their own version of the story and then there is what really happened. I am the older sister with three younger brothers. Although “young” no longer applies to any of us, we all can remember something unique of a similar memory. That night’s story was about our Dad’s clear and direct instructions to the boys to stay away from the creek in the early spring when it was running high, fast and cold. Of course, they didn’t. With a piece of an old steel rod, they began caving the
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011
News
Packaged meats to carry nutrition labels by 2012 By P.J. HUFFSTUTTER Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES — Coming soon to a grocery store near you: Those nutrition labels slapped on everything from cereal to soda pop will soon be required on packages of meat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Dec. 29 morning that the new rule — slated to go into effect Jan. 1, 2012 — requires that 40 of the most common cuts of poultry, pork, beef and lamb include labels that disclose to consumers the total number of calories, the number of calories from fat and the total grams of fat and saturated fat. The labels also must include details about protein, cholesterol, sodium and vitamins in the product, according to federal officials. The rule will apply to whole cuts of meat and poultry, including boneless chicken
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Starting Jan. 1, 2012, the government will require packaged meats to carry labels listing nutrition information. American consumers be better informed about the health benefits and drawbacks of the meats they buy. All this comes as consumer advocates and lawmakers alike rail
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ries — and women 18 percent more — than they did in 1971. These “nutrition facts” labels were revised in the early 1990s to give consumers uniform information about serving sizes and nutrients and became mandatory on virtually all processed food by 1994. But meat was, except under a voluntary measure, left out of the labeling overhaul. Now, federal officials say they are taking the first step to making such labels mandatory for meat. “More and more, busy American families want nutrition information that they can quickly and easily understand,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement released Dec. 29. “We need to do all we can to provide nutrition labels that will help consumers make informed decisions,” Vilsack said.
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011
News
Bison producers struggle to keep up with demand sumers by touting the health benefits of the low-fat, lowcholesterol meat. “Now our challenge is keeping up with that demand,” Carter said. Eichten’s family has about 250 head near Center City, about 40 miles north of Minneapolis. He sells meat at farmers markets, over the Internet and through the family’s retail store and restau-
By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The deep snow blanketing the Midwest prairie didn’t bother the bison on Ed Eichten’s ranch one bit. The animals evolved to survive — even thrive — year-round on the open range, and with their big heads, they can plow right through drifts 5-feet tall or more. The maje ma stic beasts are a hot commodity these days, as consumer demand for healthy meat has sent prices soaring. But although bison are what one rancher calls “a self-care animal,” most farmers are struggling to increase their herds and keep up with demand. Bison grow slower than other livestock, and a heifer can’t have her first calf until she’s 3, said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association in
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• See BISON/Page BISON 19
AP photo/Jim Mone
Ed Eichten checks some of the 250 bison he raises on his family’s farm near Center City, City Minn. Despite soaring prices, Eichten doesn’t see a slowdown in consumer demand for the lean meat.
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website: www.rsdeerranch.com Cajun Bakerman 216 @ 5 Hicks Baker-44 and Oscar line Over Hicks Banana and Gonzales Double Trouble
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Member of the North American Deer Farmers Association, Texas Deer Association, Deer Breeders Co-Op, Texas Trophy Hunters Association, and Houston Safari Club
Bison From 18
Bison brave the Minnesota winter on Ed Eichten’s family farm north of Minneapolis on Christmas Eve. The bull at left weighs about 2,200 pounds
January 15, 2011
AP photo/Jim Mone
• See DEMAND/Page DEMAND 20
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“growing exponentially,” he said he might even look at finding a second supplier to keep up. Bison fans say the meat doesn’t taste gamy — it has a rich, beefy flavor but is a little sweeter. Since it’s so lean, chefs say preparing it properly requires slower cooking over lower heat than beef. While retail prices vary,
ground bison has been selling for about $7 a pound, compared with a little over $5 a year ago, Carter said. But it’s still a niche product. About 92,000 head of bison were processed last year in North America, according to the association. That’s less than one day’s beef production in the U.S. alone. “It will take us five-plus years to ramp up and keep a consistent supply,” said Gail Griffin, who’s been raising
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and is between 7 and 8 years old. Bison grow ow more slowly than beef cattle, making it harder for producers to keep up with the booming demand.
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The Land & Livestock Post ✪ January 15, 2011
News
Demand
Eichten, who has been raising bison for 22 years, said he doesn’t see demand falling off as it does with many food fads. People “want that fresh, locally grown product and they’re willing to pay a premium for it,” he said. He and other producers say bison can be easier to raise than cattle, but there are
From 20 bison for 20 years and is the executive director of the Minnesota Buffalo Associa-tion and immediate past president of the national group. “But there’s every indication, for sure this year and indications over the last three actually, that people are shifting to larger herds or creating new herds.” South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado are the top bison states, but the animals are raised in all 50, Carter said, including a herd on the Big Island of Hawaii and one on Long Island in New York. The U.S. Department of Agriculture counted about 4,500 ranches and farms with nearly 200,000 bison in the U.S. in its 2007 Census of Agriculture. The total North American herd, which includes animals in state and national parks, is estimated
some unique challenges. It’s tough to keep them fenced, Eichten said. And, he never walks through his herd; he always uses a vehicle. “The animal is pretty wild,” he said. “You have to watch your butt around them. ... I’ve clocked them at 40 miles an hour. They can rock and roll.”
CALDWELL LIVESTOCK COMMISSION AP photo/Jim Mone
Bison run through the snow on Ed Eichten’s Minnesota farm. The animals evolved to thrive on the open range and can plow through snow drifts 5-feet tall or more. at 450,000, compared with fewer than 1,000 a little over a century ago. CNN founder Ted Turner is the world’s largest bison rancher with about 55,000 head. He co-founded the Ted’s Montana Grill chain in 2002 to help popularize the meat, and it now sells about 1.5 million pounds of bison a year, about 40 percent of its annual sales of about $100 million, chief executive and co-founder
George McKerrow Jr. said. The chain’s bison burgers typically run $12 to $15, or $3 more than the same burgers made from beef. When the company raised prices by $1 earlier this year, customers kept forking it out. “Right now the consumer loves the product enough to pay for it,” McKerrow said. But, he added, steak prices have hit a ceiling at $30 for a bison filet.
Switzer Auction Services 18th Stockmans Special All Breed Bull & Female Sale
Finishes 2010 Strong
WEDNESDAY, 1:00 PM Carl Herrmann (979)820-5349 Hwy 36 South, P.O. Box 542, Caldwell, TX 77836 Sale Barn Phone: (979) 567-4119
A u c t i o n
FARM, FA RM, RAN RANCH CH & CO CONST CONSTRUCTION NSTRU NST RUCTI RU CTION CTI ON EQUIPMENT EQUIPME EQUI PMENT PME NT Port
Mark Switzer of Switzer Auction Services shown with Mr & Mrs T L McCoy of Running 4 Charolais, Blum, Tx. Running 4 Charolais had the Grand Champion Grading Bull at the Stockman’s Special All Breed Bull Sale held in December. The Charolais bulls averaged $3,297 with Running 4’s bull selling for $3,400.
REGULAR SALE EVERY
t. Jan 29th, 2011 2011 at 10 am
Expecting Expec ting Early ting Earl Earlyy Cons Consignments Consign ignments fro from
Conveniently located 50 mi. W of Houston, Tx of off IIH-10 H-10 on Hwy 36N
Area Farmers & Ranchers, Estates, Farm Service Agency, Counties, Municipalities, Schools, Businesses & Individuals
2000 Ford F250 7.3 Diesel
ESTATE SALE
CM 1 ton Utility Bed
Mark Switzer of Switzer Auction Services shown
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with Ryan & Ashley Mimms of Mimms Herefords, Switzer Auction Services of Bellville, Tx Lorenzo, Tx. Mimms Herefords had the Reserve conducted their 18th Annual Stockman’s Special Champion Grading Bull at the Stockman’s Special All Breed Bull & Female Sale at 4 County All Breed Bull Sale held in December. The Horned Auction Center in Industry, Industry T Tx x on Dec 4th. Hereford bulls averaged $2,369 with Mimms 20 consignors brought 73 registered bulls Herefords bull selling for $3,100. representing Angus, Brangus, Red Brangus, Charolais, Hereford and Ultra Black breeds. The bulls were graded by Lee Compton of Bellville, Texas and Scott Jones of Bleiblerville, Texas. Grand Champion bull was a Charolais from Running 4 Charolais Unit 2, Whitney, Whitney Tx Tx and the Reserve Champion was a Hereford consigned by Mimm’s Herefords, Lorenzo, Tx. 173 bidders realized that again Switzer Auction Services had put together another high quality bull sale and the auction was on! 8 Angus bulls averaged $2,150. with the highest Angus selling for $3,000. 7 Brangus bulls averaged $2,493 with the highest Brangus selling for $3,500. 20 Charolais bulls averaged $3,297 with the highest Charolais selling for $3,400. 15 Horned Hereford Bulls averaged $2,369 with the highest Horned Hereford selling for $3,100. 19 Polled Hereford Bulls averaged $2,098 with the highest Polled Hereford selling for $2,600. 3 Red Brangus bulls averaged $1,467 with the highest Red Brangus selling for $2,000. 1 Ultra Black bull sold for $3,500. Switzer Auction Services’ website is www.switzerau www www.switzerauction.net. ction.net. Contact them to be involved in their upcoming Spring 2011 Bull Sale. 979-865-5468
1991 Sooner 20’ GN Stock Trlr
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also selling CM 1 ton Flatbed
We will be accepting accepting equipment for this sale daily daily. FForor your convenie convenience, we will be open the weekend befor before the sale. am too 5 pm pm & Sun. Jan 23rd, 1 pm pm too 5 pm. pm. We can assist you with your hauling needs. Sat Jan 22nd, 8 am SALE DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER PRINTED MATERIAL. Cash or check w/Bank Ltr of Guarantee. 10% BP on purchases of $500 or less.
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Join our EMAIL BLASTS!! Send an email to info@switzerauction.net to be added to our list!
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www.switzerauction.net
McCormick CX95 90 hp
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Disaster program expanded Plants Special to The Post
Events Calendar
January
From 3 have limited water, so we need to try to use landscape plants that do not use a lot of water or that can be irrigated less frequently. And another thing is to (be able to) use the saline water or the recycled water to irrigate the landscape plants.” Her research plots in El Paso include numerous EarthKind and other roses that are potentially drought tolerant, heat tolerant and salt tolerant for West Texas and the whole southwest region, she said. The plots also include many bedding plants which have not been studied for their tolerance of heat, salt or drought. “In some gardens, (in other areas) you see so many beautiful, different varieties of roses,” she said. “They can grow well in certain places, but what if they are irrigated with saline water or recycled
Jan. 15: AQHA Best of the Remuda Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan. 21: Best of the West Angus Female Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan. 22: Stars of Texas Angus Female Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan 28: Cowtown Cattle Drive Charolais Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan 28: The Cowtown Classic Limousin Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan. 29: Farm & Ranch Equipment Auction - Port City Stockyards, Sealy, TX. (979) 865-5468 Jan 29: Fort Worth Red Angus Showcase Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan 30: 42nd Annual Commercial Hereford Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas. Jan 30: Dennis Charolais Beefgene Charolais Bull Sale, Sulphur Springs, Texas. Jan 30: Fort Worth National “Cowtown Select” Hereford and Polled Hereford Sale, FWSSR, Fort Worth, Texas.
January 15, 2011
program offered through the Risk Management Agency. Producers who meet the requirements of a socially disadvantaged, limited resource, or beginning farmers or ranchers, as defined in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, Section 2501 (e) (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)), do not have to meet this Risk Management purchase requirement. Livestock Forage Disaster Program applicants should note that in addition to risk management provisions, certain payment limitation and adjusted gross income eligibility requirements must be met in order to qualify for livestock disaster benefits. For more information or to apply for Livestock Forage Dis-aster Program, visit your local Farm Service Agency office. Information also may be obtained online at www. fsa.usda.gov
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COLLEGE STATION — USDA Texas Farm Service Agency Executive Director Juan M. Garcia, announced Dec. 30 that eight additional counties have met the trigger requirements for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. Counties recently determined eligible for program benefits for native and improved grasses are Anderson, Brewster, Burleson, Fayette, Lee, Pecos, Waller and Washington. Those counties also were granted a sign-up extension until March 1. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides payments to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. Fire losses apply only to federally managed rangeland. Eligible livestock under the
program include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. “It is imperative that livestock producers meet their deadline for disaster assistance as there are no late file provisions for Livestock Forage Disaster Program,” said Garcia. “To ensure a smooth application process, producers should have all required supporting documentation with them at the time they visit our office to apply for benefits.” In order for an Livestock Forage Disaster Program applicant to qualify for program benefits, the applicant must have purchased insurance coverage through Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program or the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage InsuranceRainfall Index for Grazing
water? Can they tolerate that?” Niu said. “And also in El Paso when the weather would be much drier, and with much heat you need to irrigate. But not every garden has a good irrigation system, and some people forget.” Her goal is to find roses and other garden plants tough enough to take the natural and human-made “abuse.” “People want to have beautiful roses of different colors and fragrances,” Niu said. “Many people think that in El Paso, they can just plant shrubs and trees and have a lot of gravel in their yard. But actually there are many potentials. In the past few years, we’ve found many bedding plants that can conform very well in El Paso’s climate. Some are tolerant to salt, some are tolerant to drought. “But for those that can tolerate drought it is not necessarily that they can tolerate salinity. So we need research to find out if they are tolerant to salt, to drought and to heat.”
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February
Feb. 2-5: 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, Denver, CO. Feb. 5: Double Creek Farms 3rd Annual Angus Bull Sale. Bryan, TX. 254-4352988 Feb. 10: Land & Livestock Post advertising Deadline Feb. 12: Bradley 3 Ranch Angus Bull Sale, Memphis, Texas. Feb. 23: Thomas Charolais 5th Annual Spring Bull Sale, Raymondville, TX. 956689-5162 Feb. 24: Land & livestock Post advertising Deadline Feb. 26: 44 Farms Prime Cut Spring Bull Sale. Cameron, TX. (254) 697-4401
Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed? Call Jesse Wright at (979) 731-4721 or email jesse.wright@theeagle.com
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The Land & Livestock Post
NATIONAL FINALS RODEO
Head over heels
Dry From 11
Lignin From 8
January 15, 2011
Center, also holds the potential to increase both biomass and digestibility in agricultural crops. Through decades of research, Dixon’s group has already demonstrated the ability to remove lignin from plants. If he can now combine that work with the recent gene discovery, then presumably new plants can be produced with both reduced lignin and more biomass from the additional cellulose and hemicellulose. This research was recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy em of Sciences, emy es es, one of the world’s most cited multidisciplinary scientific serials. Since its establishment in 1914, Proceedings continues to publish cutting-edge research reports, commentaries, reviews and perspectives.
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Pastures and rangeland were in fair to good condition but also needed moisture. The threat of wildfire was high. Livestock were in good condition with producers providing supplemental feed on colder days. Southwest: After three months without rain, the region received from 0.5 to 0.75 inches during the last week of 2010. However, December ended with less than a third of the long-term average for month. The recent rain may have helped settled loose topsoil, but dry grass along roadways continued to pose a high risk of roadside fires. Cold weather helped conserve the limited moisture. Fields were prepared for early spring crops, but producers will need more rain soon to make possible dryland planting. AP photo/Isaac Brekken Pastures and rangeland Bull fighter Darrell Diefenbach is flipped by bull Big Iron during the remained in winter dormancy, third go-round of National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Dec. 4. forage availability was below
average. Winter vegetables made excellent progress under heavy irrigation. The harvesting of cabbage, spinach and lettuce was ongoing. West Central: Temperatures were slightly warmer than normal for the season. Small amounts of rain were reported in a few areas. Burn bans remained in effect in most counties. The cotton harvest was wrapping up, and ginning was nearly finished. Some cotton modules remained in the fields, but it was expected they would be moved to gins soon. Dry conditions delayed small-grain growth and development. Small grains crops were a complete failure in some areas. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to decline due to lack of rainfall. Livestock remained in fair condition. Producers increased supplemental feeding of livestock during the last few weeks. Pecan yields were good, and the harvest was expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Prices have been excellent where quality is good.
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