Land and Livestock Post

January 2014 — Issue 1

Treat them right

Low-stress handling benefits cattle and producers PAGE 12

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Straight New computer from the programs horse's mouth. help pond managers.

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January 2014 — Issue 1 

The Land & Livestock Post

Beef Symposium to help industry turn the corner to recovery from drought

Beef Producers.

Additional afternoon sessions include changes in agriculture lending policies, Larry Fluhman, president of Farmers & Stockmens Bank in Clayton; emerging beef sustainability issues, Tom McDonald of JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding in Dalhart and Ben Weinheimer with Texas Cattle Feeders Association in Amarillo; and a weather outlook

by Brian Bledsoe, chief meteorologist for KKTV News in Colorado Springs, Colo.

On Jan. 10, Cooperative Extension Service and AgriLife Extension specialists and university faculty from Kansas State University and New Mexico State University will provide strategies and considerations on rebuilding regional beef herds specifically focused on the economics of re-stocking, defining current pasture lease rates and effectively selecting and managing the nutrition and health programs for stocker calves and cows.

The symposium will wrap up with a panel discussion by regional ranch managers on their individual perspectives of rebuilding regional cattle inventories.

Shuttle service is available from all lodging locations to the Civic Center. Transportation also will be available from the Civic Center to the museum for the social hour.

For more information, go to the Southwest Beef Symposium website at aces.nmsu.edu/ces/ swbeef/ or contact McCollum at 806-677-5600 or email him at ft-mccollum@tamu.edu.

stockmanship. In our cover story, we look at the benefits of good stockmanship and how that can lead to profitability and efficiency. We also have news about upcoming programs and conferences, as well as some tips and advice from experts in the industry.

These stories should help you get off to a good start in 2014. Hope you enjoy them, and thanks for reading. ’Til next time, never tried to keep a house showroom clean and decorated with a toddler in the house, you should try it. It’s sort of like trying to use a rake and a leaf blower at the same time.

My other ambitions, (dunk a basketball, win the lottery) will have to wait a while until I get everything else settled.

One thing you should not wait for is practicing good

• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse,wright@ theeagle.com.

January 2014 — Issue 1

CLAYTON, N.M. — T he Southwest Beef Symposium, jointly hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, is set for Jan. 9-10 at the Clayton Civic Center, 124 N. Front St. in Clayton, N.M. “This is the 10th year of the Southwest Beef Symposium,” said Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo. “We continue to address issues of concern to the industry at large, but also at the ranch level.

“This year we are focusing on aspects as the industry hopefully turns a corner and begins to stabilize the national cow inventory and as the weather hopefully turns a corner and allows ranchers to continue the recovery from the drought conditions of the past few years,” McCollum said.

Individual registration is $70, which includes a steak dinner on Jan. 9, lunch on Jan. 10, refreshments and symposium proceedings.

Registration forms are available at aces.nmsu.edu/register/ swbeef/. Registration and payment can be completed online or via regular mail. If registering by mail, checks should be made payable to New Mexico State University and mailed to Southwest Beef Symposium, Box 30003, MSC 3AE, Las Cruces, N.M. 88003.

Although registration will be available onsite, those planning to attend are asked to complete registration by Jan. 3 to aid in meal planning, McCollum said.

Late registrations cannot be guaranteed a meal.

The opening session from 1-5 p.m. on Jan. 9 will address bigpicture emerging issues in the global beef industry, he said.

Leann Saunders of Castle Rock, Colo., co-founder and president of Where Food Comes From Inc. and chair-elect of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will open the symposium with a discussion on the Effects of Global Meat Exports on U.S.

don’t believe I’ll make any New Ye ar’s resolutions this year. I started a lot of things in 2013 that I haven’t quite finished yet, so I’m going to work on getting those done.

First and foremost on my list of things to get done is having a new baby — not me personally; my wife will do most of the work. We are having a little girl and she should be here a few weeks into January. I am both excited and terrified. I guess my one delayed resolution will be not to drop the baby. I think I made that one with my first kid, and I was able to stick to it, so here’s hoping for a twofor-two scenario.

The second item on my list is to sell my house. In my last column, I mentioned we were putting it on the market and I had hoped to be griping about moving at this point. If you’ve



By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

4

News

There’s an app for that

AgriLife Extension offers six new programs for pond owners, managers common problem of overestimating pond size is addressed within this app, which allows the user quickly and easily to calculate the surface area of any shaped pond and then calculate the number of acre feet, all without having to do any math. These calculations allow the user to determine accurate pond area and volume for the application of chemical treatments and herbicides.

• Texas Farm Pond Management Calendar, $1.99, iTunes.apple.com/us/app/texas-farm-pond-management/ id754847884?ls=1&mt=8.

The Texas Farm Pond Management Calendar is a virtual pocket guide/calendar to keep private pond managers up to

By Steve ByrnS Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

T

he Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has six new iPhone apps available for pond aficionados.

Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension fisheries specialist in College Station, provided the leadership to develop the new tools geared toward pond owners and managers.

“Sink has already communicated with AgriLife Extension agents about the apps and we now want to let the public know of their availability,” said Jim Cathey, AgriLife Extension associate department head and program leader in the wildlife and fisheries sciences unit at Texas A&M University.

The six apps are available in the iTunes store for iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Touch, Apple Macintosh and Windows platforms. The apps, their cost, URL and a brief description by Sink are: • AquaCide, $2.99, iTunes. apple.com/us/app/aquacide/ id722031732?ls=1&mt=8.

AquaCide is an aquatic herbicide selection, effectiveness and restriction guide for recreational pond managers and aquaculture professionals. It’s meant to help users select the most effective herbicides for all aquatic vegetation classes, including the most common North American algae and floating, submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation.

Only herbicides that provide good or excellent control are provided for each species. The app also provides the environmental restrictions of all aquatically labeled herbicides, including those for human use such as drinking, swimming and fish consumption, as well as livestock watering, irrigation of turf and crops and other general restrictions and differences in formulation.

• AmmoniaCalc, $1.99, iTunes.apple.com/

Photo courtesy of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

The six apps aimed at pond aficionados are available in the iTunes store for iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Touch, Apple Macintosh and Windows platforms. us/app/ammoniacalc/ id722048864?ls=1&mt=8.

The un-ionized ammonia calculator app is a resource for everyone from aquaculture producers and managers to home aquarium hobbyists.

Ammonia is the major end product in the breakdown of proteins in fish.

Over time, the buildup of ammonia can kill fish. AmmoniaCalc allows the user to input simple, easily measured water chemistry measurements such as pH and temperature to instantly calculate ammonia concentration.

• AquaPlant, $5.99, iTunes. apple.com/us/app/aquaplant/ id722310302?ls=1&mt=8.

The AquaPlant app is designed to help pond owners and their advisers in the identification and management of aquatic vegetation. Aquatic vegetation management can be a perplexing problem. The first part of that problem is proper identification. Management of most aquatic plant species depends on properly identifying the desirable or nuisance plant.

After identification of the

aquatic plant is achieved with the visual index and description pages of AquaPlant, the user then can use the management section for each species to learn the correct treatment options including biological, mechanical and herbicide controls.

• AquaRef, $0.99, iTunes. apple.com/us/app/aquaref/ id704586063?ls=1&mt=8.

This aquaculture and pond manager quick reference guide features tables and conversion factors for aquaculture professionals. The app has useful information that includes pond filling time, pumping rate equivalents, discharge rates from standpipes, net mesh sizes for grading fish, length/weight relationships for fish, oxygen saturation points, pounds of fish that can be hauled at various temperatures, egg development stages, stocking guides and fertilization rates.

• PondCalc, $1.99, iTunes. apple.com/us/app/pondcalc/ id709517896?ls=1&mt=8.

PondCalc is another app for both recreational pond users and aquaculture producers. A

date with the activities needed during each month of the year in order to manage their pond for the best fishing possible.

The calendar may be accessed anytime, anywhere to determine the appropriate time to do activities such as stocking, liming, fertilizing, harvesting, weed control, drawdown, feeding and renovation if necessary. It also makes managers and anglers aware of how much they should harvest and the time of year that different species are spawning.

Cathey said to look for more apps coming soon, including wildlife releases for Texas deer management, feral hogs and a rangeland stocking rate calculator for grazing livestock.

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Windbreaks reduce cattle energy demands

By Deke Alkire The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation



Cattle naturally will seek windbreaks in the winter.

In cold weather, cattle require additional energy to maintain body temperature, and wind chill further increases energy demands. Typically, producers provide additional feed during cold weather, which means a higher feed bill.

For cattle with a dry winter hair coat, their lower critical temperature is 32 degrees F. Temperatures or wind chill below this will increase their energy requirements.

If the same cattle have a wet winter hair coat, energy requirements start increasing for wind chill values less than 60 degrees F. It is easy to see that protecting cattle from winter wind can quickly add up in feed savings.

January 2014 — Issue 1

Evaluate existing shelter

Many pastures have some kind of natural wind protection with varying degrees of effectiveness. It is obvious that trees and draws provide protection, but cattle also will shelter behind brush piles, below pond dams and terraces, and in low places. However, some natural windbreaks are not ideal, especially if cattle would be lying in mud. Mud can increase their energy requirements as much as 30 percent. Taking advantage of a good natural

See WINDBREAKS, Page 7

The Land & Livestock Post

News

Illustration courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation The materials used to construct a windbreak can vary widely. Consider the cost, safety and life span of your options.

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

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Portable or permanent?

If you identify the need for additional windbreaks, think about how often you will move animals and how many different pastures are used during harsh weather. Many cow-calf producers winter their herd in one or two pastures to make checking and feeding easier. Having a permanent windbreak in these areas might be the cheapest option. For those who plan to move cattle often or when grazing wheat pastures, however, a portable structure might be best. These typically cost more, but provide flexibility when planting and with rotational grazing. Moving the location of a windbreak often allows for more uniform distribution of manure and helps prevent damage to forage plants.

Location

Windbreaks always should be placed in a well-drained area to keep animals out of the mud and allow for drainage of any melted snow accumulation. Location is going to be site-specific, but consider how the surrounding terrain will affect the downwind effectiveness.

Buildings and tree lines can act as a funnel and increase wind speed. Additionally, avoid placing windbreaks close to riparian areas and immediately uphill from ponds to prevent manure contamination from runoff.

If located in line with a fence, orient the windbreak east to west to prevent access to the north side. If located away from a fence, consider orienting half of the windbreak to block a

Considerations

Research has shown that perforated windbreaks provide a greater area of protection downwind. This might sound counterintuitive, but allowing a small amount of air to pass through the windbreak helps prevent the downdraft that occurs with a solid windbreak.

Ideally, windbreaks should be 20 to 33 percent porous. For example, a windbreak that uses 6-inch-wide boards spaced 2 inches apart is 25 percent porous. This perforated design should provide an area of wind protection that is 10 times the height of the windbreak. Therefore, a windbreak that is 8 feet tall and 10 feet long should provide a protected area that is 800 square feet, adequate shelter for about 40 cows or 50 stockers.

The materials used to construct a windbreak can vary widely. Consider the cost, safety and life span of your options.

Treated lumber is safe and costeffective due to its expected life span, but cheaper options are available. With portable structures, it is generally recommended that the base be at least one and a half times as wide as the height, which will increase the cost. Be aware that skids may freeze in place due to the amount of ground contact.

Every operation is different, and each pasture will have a unique need for windbreaks.

The decision to construct a windbreak should be based on animal welfare and economics.

A relatively small structure will protect several animals, however, and, if well built, should last many years.

January 2014 — Issue 1

windbreak might be as easy as moving cattle from one pasture to another during winter.

If natural options are limited, however, consider a man-made windbreak.

Before building anything, decide if you have adequate shelter. It is generally recommended that calves up to 600 pounds need at least 15 square feet of protected ground surface per head. Larger calves and cows will need 20 square feet or more.

Take time to watch your stock on a windy day. They usually will tell you where the protection is by where they choose to bed down. Walk through these areas, making note of the wind direction and the size of the sheltered area.

north wind and the other half to block a northwest wind (the predominant prevailing winds in the Southern Plains during harsh winter weather).

Use caution when placing permanent windbreaks in small pens. These can be detrimental to air flow in the summer, which could compound the effects of heat stress.

ď‚Ť

Windbreaks, from Page 5

The Land & Livestock Post

News

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News FDA to phase out use of antimicrobials in food animals Special to The Post

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is implementing a plan to help phase out the use of medically important antimicrobials in food animals for food production purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency.

The plan also would phase in veterinary oversight of the remaining appropriate therapeutic uses of such drugs.

Certain antimicrobials historically have been used in the feed or drinking water of cattle, poultry, hogs and other food animals for production purposes, such as using less food to gain weight.

Some of these antimicrobials are important drugs used to treat human infection, prompting concerns about the contribution of this practice to increasing the ability of bacteria and other microbes to resist the effects of a drug.

Once antimicrobial resistance occurs, a drug no longer may be as effective in treating various illnesses or infections.

Because antimicrobial drug use in both humans and animals can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, it is important to use these drugs only when medically necessary.

The plan announced today focuses on those antimicrobial drugs that are considered medically important (i.e., are important for treating human infection) and which are approved for use in feed and water of food animals.

In a final guidance issued recently, the FDA laid out a road map for animal pharmaceutical companies to revise voluntarily the FDA-approved use conditions on the labels of these products to remove production indications.

The plan also calls for changing the current over-the-counter status to bring the remaining appropriate therapeutic uses under veterinary oversight.

Once a manufacturer voluntarily makes these changes, its medically important antimicrobial drugs no longer can be used for production purposes, and their use to treat, control or prevent disease in animals will require veterinary oversight.

The FDA is asking animal pharmaceutical companies to notify the agency of their intent to sign on to the strategy within the next three months. These companies then would have a three-year transition process.

“Implementing this strategy is an

important step forward in addressing antimicrobial resistance.

The FDA is leveraging the cooperation of the pharmaceutical industry to make these changes voluntarily because we believe this approach is the fastest way to achieve our goal,” said Michael Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine.

“Based on our outreach, we have every reason to believe that animal pharmaceutical companies will support us in this effort.”

In order to help phase in veterinary oversight of those drugs covered by the guidance that are intended for medically appropriate uses in feed, the FDA also has issued a proposed rule to update the existing regulations relating to Veterinary Feed Directive drugs.

The use of such drugs requires specific authorization by a licensed veterinarian using a process outlined in the agency’s Veterinary Feed Directive regulations.

The proposed rule is intended to update the existing Veterinary Feed Directive process and facilitate expanded veterinary oversight by clarifying and increasing the flexibility of the adminis-

trative requirements for the distribution and use of such drugs. Such updates to the process will assist in the transition of over-the-counter products to their new Veterinary Feed Directive status.

“This action promotes the judicious use of important antimicrobials to protect public health while ensuring that sick and at-risk animals receive the therapy they need,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

“We realize that these steps represent changes for veterinarians and animal producers, and we have been working — and will continue to work — to make this transition as seamless as possible.”

The guidance for animal pharmaceutical companies is now in final form, and the proposed Veterinary Feed Directive rule is open for public comment for 90 days starting on Dec. 12.

To submit comments electronically on the proposed Veterinary Feed Directive rule, go to www.regulations.gov and insert docket FDA-2010-N-0155.

Send written comments to the Division of Dockets Management, Food and Drug Administration, Room 1061, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852.

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Preparation increases pig trapping effectiveness

The Land & Livestock Post

News

 January 2014 — Issue 1

Photo courtesy of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Josh Gaskamp, agricultural research assistant, monitors feral hog activity using an iPhone app developed with Roland Stolfa of the Computing Services Department.

By Joshua Gaskamp The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Trapping wild pigs can be a daunting task. Certain uses and types of traps may have caused them to become more aware of structures built for confinement. This is where we get the term trap-shy. Often, when traps are set up, pigs abandon the bait or consume bait only up to the gate, never crossing the threshold into the trap. Even the best trappers fail, but studying hog behavior and learning from our mistakes helps make us more successful.

The first thing to consider when trapping wild pigs is bait placement. A location where damage is observed is not always the best location to trap.

Take the trap to the pig, don’t try to bring the pig to the trap. In selecting a proper trapping location, follow the trail that leads to the damage. Find where the pigs are spending the daytime.

This is often in dense thickets near water. By placing the bait closer to their bedding area, the bait is the first thing that they encounter when they head out to feed and will allow us to more accurately pattern the sounder (group of hogs).

Many different types of bait have been used to attract wild pigs. No single bait is best in every situation, but avoid switching bait in the middle of trapping. When prebaiting (baiting a site before erecting a trap), place the bait near the timber and/or water source, and provide only enough bait so the pigs consume all of it in 30 minutes.

Photo courtesy of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

According to the Noble Foundation, the first thing to consider when trapping wild pigs is bait placement.

This forces the pigs to “eat like pigs.” Providing a large quantity of bait on a daily basis is expensive and allows pigs to take turns feeding. Avoid using tube feeders that limit the number of pigs feeding at one time. When the quantity of bait is limited, all individuals in the sounder are forced to eat immediately or risk not getting anything to eat. Later, when traps are set, there is a better chance of catching the entire sounder when the animals are conditioned to hurry to the bait.

Infrared-triggered trail cameras are a tremendous tool for effective pig trapping. They provide information to help select the appropriate trap style and size, and learn pigs’ active periods. If only a few pigs are using the bait, the trap does not need to be very large. Alternatively, if a large group is using the bait, the trap should be large enough to trap the entire sounder in one capture. Looking at photos helps determine the size of trap

needed.

Pay attention to the orientation of the pigs as they consume the bait. Look at the distance between the pigs as they eat, and use a trap that allows the pigs to maintain comfortable spaces. Also pay attention to the time when the pigs are using the bait site. A pattern likely will develop over a few days. Be mindful never to visit the site during those times.

Trapping pigs in corral or box traps is a process that occurs over several days, if not weeks.

Do not expect to set up these traps, bait them and catch pigs overnight. Prebaiting should occur until the pigs establish a pattern over three or more consecutive days. Using this surveillance information, set up the trap during a period of inactivity, and do not set the trigger.

The second part of the process is getting the pigs familiar with the trap. Leaving large openings in corral traps and/or trailing bait through the openings can accelerate habituation time. Use the camera to determine when the entire group is comfortable entering and feeding in the trap before setting the trigger.

For more information on wild pigs and new trapping technologies, see “The Feral Hog in Oklahoma” and “BoarBuster thinks outside the box trap,” available online at www.noble.org.

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News 4-week marketing, management program set in Vernon

By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

VERNON — The Master Marketer Program, only offered in a region about every five years, is set to return to the Rolling Plains in 2014, according to Stan Bevers, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Vernon.

The training dates will be Jan. 22-23 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center near Vernon. The 64-hour curriculum is offered as four two-day sessions held every two weeks, and is the most intensive marketing/risk management training provided

by Extension anywhere in the U.S., Bevers said. Other dates are Feb. 5-6, Feb. 19-20 and March 5-6.

The Master Marketer Program is a national, award-winning curriculum that provides in-depth, intensive risk management education training. It

teaches participants how to develop marketing plans, evaluate marketing alternatives, manage production and price risk, and helps teach the skills and discipline necessary to execute those plans, he said.

“It’s been six years since the last Master Marketer training was held in Vernon,” Bevers said. “If a producer ever thought about attending the training or a past graduate wants a refresher, they need to sign up early. It may be their last chance for a while.”

The registration fee is $340, which includes meals and materials. The registration fees fall short of covering all costs of the program, he said.

Most of the costs are covered by grants and partnerships with other organizations, including the Texas Corn Producers Board, Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Board, Texas Farm Bureau, the Cotton State Support Committee, Texas Wheat Producers Board and the U.S.

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Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.

Anyone interested in attending may get more information by contacting their local AgriLife Extension county agent or by calling Bevers at 940-552-9941, ext. 231.

Registration is available online at agriliferegister.tamu. edu. Due to the hands-on nature of the course, attendance is limited. The deadline for registration is Jan. 15.

Bevers said in post-training surveys in the previous years, 186 Vernon Master Marketer participants indicated their gross income increased on average $34,000 annually based on what they had learned in the training.

“There is no reason that program graduates shouldn’t receive this level of increased returns for the next 10 years,” he said. “Interested participants should weigh carefully the registration fee, the time commitment and travel costs associated

with the program against the potential of a $250,000-plus increase in returns over the next decade when considering signing up for the program. Personally, I think it is a no brainer.”

The instructors are top professionals from industry and universities from around the

country, Bevers said.

Case studies, group discussions and simulation exercises will be utilized to provide students with experience using real tools they can apply on their farm and ranch operations when they leave the class, he said.

Feral Hog Workshop scheduled in Hamilton

By Steve ByrnS Special to The Eagle

HAMILTON — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Hamilton County Feral Hog Workshop beginning with registration at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at Hamilton.

The formal program is set for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Commission Company, located three miles north of town on U.S. 281.

Admission is free, but organizers ask those planning to attend to RSVP by contacting

Events Calendar

Happy New Year!

2014

Dan Gaskins, AgriLife Extension assistant at Gatesville, at 254-248-0562, or email him at dan.gaskins@tamu.edu.

Topics to be addressed include the basic ecology and biology of feral hogs, feral hogs and the Leon River watershed, regulations for transporting feral hogs and disease concerns.

Also planned are talks on control techniques and presentations of feral hog traps, population dynamics, hunting regulations, resources and hog topics specific to Hamilton County.

January – Jan. 8 – 10 - Equine Reproduction Short Course. College Station, TX Jan. 11 - Live Oak Bull Sale,. Three Rivers, TX. Jan. 17 - Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo starts Jan 23 - Special Bull Offerings, Jordan Cattle Auction. San Saba, TX Jan. 24 - Texas Angus Association Bull Sale. Fort Worth, TX. Jan. 25 - Texas Angus Association Female Sale. Fort Worth, TX. Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed?

Call Jesse Wright at (979) 731-4721 or email jesse.wright@theeagle.com

Texas Master Naturalists work to rescue turtles

By Rod Santa ana Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

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Lower Valley classes will be held at the Cameron County Annex Building at Williams Road and Texas 77/83 in San Benito.

Orientation will be from 6-9 p.m.

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January 2014 — Issue 1

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held at Bentsen State Park, 2800 S. Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission. Orientation will be from 6-9 p.m. Jan 9. Classes begin Jan. 16.

Enrollment will be limited to 24 participants in each class.

The fee for the training is $125.

To become a certified Texas Master Naturalist, trainees must fulfill several requirements, including attending a total of 40 hours in training and field trips, provide 40 hours of volunteer services within a year and take a minimum of eight hours of advanced training within a year.

For more information, contact Reisinger at 956-361-8236 or go to rgvctmn.org/next_class. htm .



SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — The ongoing rescue of comatose sea turtles stunned by a cold snap in South Texas illustrates the need for volunteers to become Master Naturalists.

Master Naturalists and others have been wading into the waters near South Padre Island to rescue and revive sea turtles stunned by cold temperatures, he said.

“This latest cold front came in so quickly and dropped water temperatures so rapidly in the shallow Laguna Madre that sea turtles didn’t have time to seek deeper, warmer water,” said Tony Reisinger, the AgriLife Extension agent for coastal and marine resources in Cameron County.

“They go into a comatose state and can drown unless they’re rescued by Master Naturalists and other volunteers who slowly warm them back up to room temperature then release them into deeper waters.”

The Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists

AgriLife Extension photo by Tony Reisinger

Texas Master Naturalist Jean Petit holds one of many cold-stunned sea turtles rescued recently in South Texas and revived at Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island.

Master Naturalist training begins next month in Mission and San Benito.

The Land & Livestock Post

News

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11

The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News

Handle with care

Benefits of good stockmanship and low-stress handling

By ROBERT FEARS Special to The Eagle

T

echnology used today in the beef cattle industry is far advanced from what was taught during my college education approximately 45 years ago. Our current depth of knowledge about animal nutrition, health and genetics is astounding and we still are learning.

Just as important are the improvements in stockmanship and adoption of low-stress handling techniques.

These two advancements have been key contributors to increased efficiency and profitability.

The Stockmanship Journal defines stockmanship as the knowledge and skillful handling of livestock in a safe, efficient, effective and low-stress manner.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said stockmanship is handling cattle to enhance profitability through the following methods: • Improve consumer confidence that cattlemen are good stewards of livestock.

• By working with the natural instincts of cattle during handling, animal and handler safety can be improved.

• Low-stress handling techniques enhance animal health and assure a higher response to medicines.

Consumer confidence

12

Key to survival of the cattle business is consumer confidence in our product.

As explained in the Texas Beef Quality Producer manual, food safety — or its perception — plays a major role in the buying decisions of health-conscious Americans all across the country.

Furthermore, consumers have become more environmentally conscious and are more closely scrutinizing agricultural practices that affect air and water quality and animal welfare. Although these factors may or may not directly affect the safety and quality of beef, they impact public perceptions of the beef industry, which may alter consumer acceptance of beef products.

Ron Gill and Rick Machen, professors and extension livestock specialists at Texas A&M University, along with

Photo courtesy of RJ Consulting

Glenn Rogers demonstrates the gentle disposition of his heifers by standing among them in a pasture. This is a result of low-stress handling. rancher Curt Pate, well-known animal whisperer and Beef Checkoff Program spokesman, have helped pioneer the low-stress handling concept. They contend that unfavorable press in recent years — a result of poor handling and sometimes outright abusive treatment of animals — can be avoided by educating and training people in the livestock industry.

Dr. Michelle Proctor and Dr. Craig Payne, veterinarians at the University of Missouri write, “Public perception is paramount to the survival and sustainability of the beef and dairy industries. Consumers remain interested in food safety and wholesomeness, but are currently as much concerned with where and how their food is produced.

Consumers are more acceptant of low-stress handling techniques when

compared to aggressive handling.

Low-stress handling involves working calmly without shouting, whistling, poking or prodding cattle.

“Cattle are prey animals and can consider people as predators, especially if they are roughly handled,” Gill said. “Prey animals respond to what they perceive to be predatory behavior in one of two ways: flight or fight. A goal of stockmanship is to never elicit a predator-prey response. Cattle need to see us as a friend, not a foe.”

The role of a stockman is to create movement in cattle and then use position to control and manage that movement to the desired result. When cattle lose movement, they become reluctant to work for you and excessive pressure and driving aids may be required. Creating and managing movement is a key

On the Cover: Cattle handled under low-stress conditions perform better in the feedlot than those that are handled by conventional methods.

Photo courtesy of RJ Consulting

to effective cattle handling.

“Low-stress handling combines effective stockmanship skills and a management approach that creates an environment where cattle become comfortable with human interaction,” Gill said. “When cattle become comfortable with human interaction, they actually look to the handlers for guidance and reassurance. Handlers create an environment where cattle can relax and not stress their systems. People need to be good stockmen before they can practice low-stress handling.”

See LOW STRESS, Page 13

The Land & Livestock Post

News Low stress, from Page 12

Animal and handler safety

January 2014 — Issue 1

See HANDLING, Page 14



Safety of animals and handlers can be improved by working with the natural instincts of cattle during handling.

“One of the principles of cattle behavior is that cattle want to see you,” Gill said. “Cattle can see everywhere but directly behind them or in a blind spot in front. Movement toward the blind spot or from behind causes a cow to turn her head to keep you in her line of sight. This behavior can be used to change direction of cattle.”

The second principle is that cattle want to go around you. Position yourself so that when cattle do go around you, they are pointed directly at the gate or the destination you had in mind. They’ll think it was their idea to go there.

“Third principle is that cattle want to be with and will go to other cattle,” Gill continues. “A herding instinct is natural among prey animals. There is safety in numbers and they know it.

As stockmen we can take advantage of this natural instinct as we work from the front of cattle. If you start the front animal moving, the others will follow.”

Photo courtesy of RJ Consulting

Good working facilities make it easier to adopt low-stress handling, but they are not absolutely necessary. The handler’s attitude is the key factor in good stockmanship.

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News Handling, from Page 13

daily gain by 0.29 pounds.”

“We must handle cattle in a manner that eventually causes the animals to regard us as caretakers rather than predators,” said Glenn Rogers, owner and manager of Holt River Ranch near Graford. “When we are considered caretakers, cattle are more likely to let us know when they are hurt or ill, allowing immediate treatment of the condition. Early detection and treatment can often minimize production loss and prevent other animals in the herd from becoming sick.

Using the above three principles in working cattle calmly and quietly will reduce stress greatly in animals and handlers, which results in less injury. When handlers are not stressed, fewer mistakes are made and work efficacy is improved. Ranchers who use low-stress handling techniques say that they are less tired at the end of the day than when they worked cattle more aggressively.

Health enhancement

Animal health enhancement resulting from low-stress handling has been demonstrated numerous times. Grant Dewell of Iowa State University Extension described a feeding trial comparing conventional receiving practices with a lowstress system.

“We shipped 136 weaned calves from western Nebraska to an Iowa feedlot and randomly sorted them into four pen groups,” Dewell said.

“Two of the groups received a conventional regime the day after arrival. They were processed through a solidsided alley and tub, receiving ear tags, vaccinations and implants, and then moved to their home pen.”

The other two groups were allowed to acclimate for two days prior to processing, while caretakers worked them using low-stress methods. They were processed the third day using a Bud Box corral and

Photo courtesy of RJ Consulting

This animal stands quietly in the squeeze chute as a result of low-stress handling. open-sided alley. These groups received the same treatments as the conventional treated groups. Crew members continued to work the calves in their pens using low-stress techniques for four days following processing.

“Over the feeding period, 18.8 percent of the conventional group required treatment for respiratory disease, compared with 7.4 percent for the low-stress group,” Dewell said. “Average daily gains were slightly higher for the low-stress group and their hot carcass weights averaged 757 pounds compared with 728 pounds for the conventional group. Visual observations of the cattle indicated that

the low-stress groups spent more time loafing near the feed bunks rather than milling around.”

Gill has numbers from his family operation that show low-stress handling reduces disease incidence. Gill said, “When we adopted low-stress handling in our preconditioning enterprise, our death rates decreased from 2.7 percent to 0.7 percent. Originally, about 0.5 percent of the animals became chronics. This was probably due to late detection of disease as a result of animals masking symptoms from handlers. Improved stockmanship and low-stress handling reduced this number to zero. In addition, we increased average

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“If cattle perceive us as predators, they will hide their ailments by staying in the middle of the herd and acting normal when they are in our sight,” Rogers said. “These actions result from instincts inherited from their ancestors that roamed free. They know predators target sick, hurt or weak animals; so they make every attempt to avoid showing their vulnerability.”

Both cattle and employees have to be trained for lowstress handling, but the potential benefits make the effort worthwhile.

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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.

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Special to The Post

COLLEGE STATION — The Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program is seeking applicants for its new class, which will begin in July.

TALL is a two-year leadership development program managed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Applications for the newest class, Class XIV, are due March 15. Application forms are online at tall.tamu. edu.

“Texas agriculture has a need for individuals who can lead our industry as it faces new and unique challenges. These individuals will provide the leadership, insight and direction to ensure agricultural viability for the future,” said Jim Mazurkiewicz, AgriLife Extension leadership program director.

The program invests 455 hours of intensive training per person in seminars, speakers and domestic and international study trips over two years, Mazurkiewicz added. It is equivalent to the time spent obtaining a master’s degree in

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15

The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News Don’t be worried about hormones in the beef you consume

By Bruce Treffer University of Nebraska

There are a lot of concerns and mixed messages about hormones in beef. There are a few things to keep in mind the next time you hear that beef contains too many hormones.

All multi-cellular organisms contain hormones. That’s true for animals and vegetables, but some meat production systems use hormone implants, which cause the meat to have slightly more hormones than the nonimplanted. This is true in beef, but not in pork or chicken as federal law does not permit the use of hormones in raising hogs or chickens. Implants are used to increase efficiency (i.e. feed conversion to muscle more quickly) or more muscle from less feed more quickly, which keeps prices down and reduces the environmental impact of

All multi-cellular organisms contain hormones. production.

In beef, the implanted animals will produce meat that contains slightly more of the hormone estrogen (1.9 versus 1.3 nanograms per 3-ounce serv-

Photo courtesy of Troy Walz

ing — about the size of a deck of cards). Is that extra estrogen going to cause problems? Consider the facts. When hormones are eaten, they are digested, broken down and largely neutralized,

so they don’t act as hormones anymore. Even if they did, the 1.9 nanograms of estrogen in implanted beef seems miniscule when we consider that a child’s body produces around 50,000 nanograms of estrogen per day. A non-pregnant adult woman will produce 480,000 nanograms of estrogen per day.

The 1.9 nanograms of estrogen in implanted beef is also miniscule compared to 225 nanograms of estrogen in potatoes, 340 nanograms of estrogen in peas, 520 nanograms of estrogen in ice cream, 2,000 nanograms of estrogen in cabbage, 11,250 nanograms of estrogen in soy milk, and 170,000 nanograms of estrogen in soybean oil — all based on a 3-ounce serving size. One birth control pill contains 35,000 nanograms of estrogen. It may be surprising to learn that there are more

ROUND OVERHEAD FEED STORAGE BINS

LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley

Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Dec. 3 sale: Head: 1,131 Steers: 200-300 lbs.,$190-$270; 300-400 lbs.,$180-$240; 400-500 lbs., $174-$225; 500-600 lbs., $152-$192; 600-700 lbs., $140$172; 700-800 lbs., $138-$146.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $184$210, 300-400 lbs., $174-$200; 400-500 lbs., $150-$185; 500600 lbs., $135-$169; 600-700 lbs., $124-$145; 700-800 lbs., $125-$134.

Slaughter bulls: $82-$100.

Slaughter cows: $66-$89.50.

Bred cows: $935-$1,675.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,050-$1,875.

Buffalo

Results of the Buffalo Livestock Marketing’s Dec. 7 sale: Head: 559 Steers: 150-200 lbs.,$190-$235; 200-300 lbs.,$185-$230; 300-400 lbs., $170-$225; 400-500 lbs., $155-$202; 500-600 lbs., $145$170; 600-700 lbs., $142-$162; 700-800 lbs., $140-$145.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $180$215; 300-400 lbs., $160-$215; 400-500 lbs., $150-$200; 500600 lbs., $140-$175; 600-700 lbs., $135-$155; 700-800 lbs., $125-$138.

Slaughter bulls: $82-$101.

Slaughter cows: $55-$90.

Bred cows: $975-$1,375.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$1,350.

Caldwell 16

Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Dec. 4 sale:

Head: 666 Steers: 200-300 lbs.,$225-$250; 300-400 lbs.,$185-$225; 400-500 lbs., $170-$200; 500-600 lbs., $165-$200; 600-700 lbs., $145$160; 700-800 lbs., $130-$150.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $200$250; 300-400 lbs., $175-$220; 400-500 lbs., $160-$190; 500600 lbs.,$150-$180; 600-700 lbs., $140-$160.

Slaughter bulls: $73-$102.

Slaughter cows: $60-$96.

Stocker cows: $950-$1,750.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,425-$1,700.

Groesbeck

Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Exchange’s Dec. 12 sale: Head: 429.

Steers: 300-400 lbs., $195$227; 400-500 lbs., $182-$210; 500-600 lbs.,$168-$185; 600-700 lbs., $160-$175.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $185$215; 400-500 lbs., $165-$185; 500-600 lbs.,$155-$170; 600-700 lbs., $145-$165.

Slaughter bulls: $93-$103.

Slaughter cows: $60-$97.

Stocker cows: $900-$1,800.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$2,000.

Jordan Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Exchange’s Dec. 12 sale: Steers: 200-300 lbs.,$200-$227; 300-400 lbs.,$185-$235; 400-500 lbs., $175-$235; 500-600 lbs., $160-$204; 600-700 lbs., $150$182; 700-800lbs., $143-$163.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $190$200; 300-400 lbs., $175-$235;

hormones in commonly eaten food products than there are in beef.

So why do kids seem to be growing faster and reaching puberty earlier? Genetics play a role, but hormones make far less sense than calories consumed and increased levels of body fat (i.e., childhood obesity).

According to Dr. Frank Biro of the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, “BMI (body mass index) is, we found, the biggest single factor for the onset of puberty.”

It is easy to blame hormones and sometimes just meat for that matter, or food in general for health problems because the general public is removed from actual food production and processing.

It is human nature to be fearful of things we aren’t familiar with or that we don’t fully understand.

“This can mean the difference between taking a loss or making a profit in the cattle business.”

400-500 lbs., $160-$204; 500600 lbs., $150-$171; 600-700 lbs., $140-$169; 700-800 lbs., $130-$155.

Slaughter bulls: $75-$99.

Slaughter cows: $89-$103.50.

Stocker cows: $1,000-$2,350.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,300-$2,600.

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Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Dec. 10 sale: Head: 202.

Steers: 300-400 lbs., $132$271; 400-500 lbs., $120-$207; 500-600 lbs.,$125-$165; 600-700 lbs., $110-$161.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $130$207; 400-500 lbs., $125-$197; 500-600 lbs.,$117-$193; 600-700 lbs., $111-$139.

Slaughter cows: $60-$82.

Stocker cows: $985-$1,500.

Cow/calf pairs:$1,200-$1,500.

Navasota

Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Dec. 7 sale: Head: 209.

Steers: 150-300 lbs., $150$260; 300-400 lbs., $150-$225; 400-500 lbs., $125-$200; 500600 lbs.,$120-$180; 600-700 lbs., $115-$165.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $135$220; 300-400 lbs., $130-$185; 400-500 lbs., $120-$185; 500600 lbs.,$115-$165; 600-700 lbs., $115-$150.

Slaughter bulls: $75-$105.

Slaughter cows: $65-$91.

Stocker cows: $850-$1,500.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,200-$1,725.

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Drones increasingly are being used in agriculture

By GOSIA WOZNIACKA Associated Press

rk An a l C

January 2014 — Issue 1

TE PRIVA Y T A E TR



PORTLAND, Ore. — Idaho farmer Robert Blair isn’t waiting around for federal aviation officials to work out rules for drones. He and a friend built their own, outfitting it with cameras and using it to monitor his 1,500 acres.

Under 10 pounds and 5 feet long nose to tail, the aircraft is the size of a turkey and Blair uses it to get a birds-eye view of his cows and fields of wheat, peas, barley and alfalfa.

“It’s a great tool to collect information to make better decisions, and we’re just scratching the surface of what it can do for farmers,” said Blair, who lives in Kendrick, Idaho, roughly 275 miles north of Boise.

While Americans are abuzz about Amazon’s plans to use self-guided drones to deliver packages, most future unmanned aircraft may operate far from population centers.

Experts point to agriculture as the most promising commercial market for drones because the technology is a perfect fit for large-scale farms and vast rural areas where privacy and safety issues are less of a concern.

Already, farmers, researchers and companies are developing unmanned aircraft systems equipped with cameras and

other sensors to survey crops, monitor for disease or precisionspray pesticides and fertilizers.

And the possibilities are endless: Flying gizmos could be used to ward off birds from fields, pollinate trees, do snow surveys to forecast water supply, monitor irrigation, or plant and harvest crops.

The technology could revolutionize agriculture, farmers say, by boosting crop health, improving field management practices, reducing costs and increasing yields.

So far, drones have been used mainly by the military. Interest is booming in finding other uses for them, but the possibilities are limited because of regulations on the use of airspace and privacy concerns.

Blair’s drone, built in 2008, isn’t breaking the law, because his aircraft is essentially a model airplane — allowed by the FAA as long as it’s flown below 400 feet, far from populated areas and no one is compensated for the flight.

Blair said the UAV gives him a complete, aerial view of his crops. He said he also uses it to gather historical data on his crops — which can help validate crop loss or animal damage when applying for government programs such as crop insurance.

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News Experts: Challenges, opportunities ahead for Texas

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Agriculture has made big strides in the Lone Star State the past 25 years, though there are still challenges and opportunities ahead in producing enough food and fiber for Texans and the U.S., according to experts at the 25th Texas Plant Protection Association conference held recently in Bryan.

Agriculture representatives from industry, Extension and research came together to discuss “A Vision for Texas Agriculture” at the conference, held at the Brazos Center, which attracted a record 280 attendees.

Doug Steele, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service director, told attendees the agency is extending knowledge and providing solutions.

“We think of Texas as urban,” he said. “But we’ve got a great rural population that doesn’t have access to services.

Approximately 80 percent of the Texas population lives near the seven AgriLife Extension and Research centers.

“One of the greatest challenges is translating what we do in rural areas to the urban population.”

He added that the agency’s resources are needed more than ever to solve water, food

CRAIG NESSLER security and health care needs of Texans.

“Those won’t be solved without agriculture,” he said.

Craig Nessler, director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, said the agency is grateful for the state and federal funding it receives, though it was not alone in budget reductions in past years. Nessler said, however, the agency has established partnerships with companies “built to the interest of our faculty” to carry out cutting-edge research and “assure those breakthroughs are getting to consumers.

“What we try to do is present opportunities for them to get their research funded.”

Nessler said Texas offers a variety of opportunities to “test new things” in conjunction and cooperation with Extension and research centers stationed in a variety of growing regions

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18

across the state and with different environments. That makes AgriLife Research attractive to prospective organizations looking to partner in testing potential technology, he said.

Charles Allen, Ag riLife Extension entomologist and integrated pest management program coordinator in San Angelo, provided a historical overview of insects in crops, including the boll weevil.

“In 1892 began a 120-year war with the boll weevil,” Allen said. “(In the beginning) farmers had nothing to fight it with.”

Through the decades came mechanical controls, mechanized harvest equipment and, eventually, insecticides and emulsifiable concentrates. In 1967, Extension integrated pest management began. Allen referenced the work of Edward Knipling and total population management in the 1950s, which eventually led to the boll weevil eradication program beginning in 1983.

Allen said the current challenges are insect and weed resistance to certain chemicals.

“Used to you would see one new pest every 20 years; and now we are seeing one a year.

I think that is due to globalization,” Allen said.

With a projected 9 billion people to feed by 2050, Allen said, “we need to increase the number of people trained in field-specific [integrated pest management].”

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Texas peanut crop showing improvement

By RoBeRt BuRns Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

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With about 120,000 to 125,000 acres harvested, and about average yields, this year’s peanut crop is certainly much better than it has been the past few growing seasons, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

“Starting off, it was geared to be an aboveaverage year, but I feel a rough August cost us a little bit of yield,” said Jason Woodward, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist and statewide peanut specialist in Lubbock.

Peanuts require a lot of water, as much as 2 feet per acre, much of which usually comes from irrigation, he said. But given pumping costs and water table levels and the need for higher quality, growers also rely on rainfall to supplement irrigation, and August was drier and hotter than normal.

Still, Woodward expects yields to be in the range of 3,800 to 4,200 pounds per acre.

“Still a little above-average year, and much better off than we’ve been the last two years,” he said.

Peanut production in Texas peaked in the 1990s, with as much as 300,000 acres grown

The Land & Livestock Post

News

January 2014 — Issue 1 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Jason Woodward

See PEANUTS, Page 20

After pollination, peanut flowers form a peg that rapidly grows downward and buries itself in the soil.

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

News Peanuts, from Page 19 annually, he said. For the past 10 years, competition for other crops, such as cotton, and the water needs of peanuts, have brought the average yearly production down to about 125,000 acres.

Increasing feral hog damage also has been a discouragement for peanut growers, he said. A troop of feral hogs, which is called a sounder, can root up several acres overnight.

They may attack the crop at all stages of production, from planting to pegging to digging.

“Feral hogs like peanuts for the same reason people do,” Woodward said. “They’re high in protein and essential oils.”

Most Texas peanuts are grown in the High Plains and Rolling Plains; however, Frio and Atascosa counties account for 15 to 20 percent of acres, he said. Harvesting times for peanuts in Texas are opposite of other crops. Harvesting begins first in the High Plains, followed shortly thereafter in the Rolling Plains.

“Central Texas is later, and harvesting typically concludes in South Texas, as they can plant later,” he said. “Overall, I would say peanut harvest is nearly complete.”

More information on the current

Texas drought and wildfire alerts can be found on the AgriLife Extension Agricultural Drought Task Force website at agrilife.tamu.edu/ drought/.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Southeast — Most counties reporting had cooler weather and a heavy frost, which slowed warm-season forage growth. Soil-moisture levels throughout the region varied widely, with most in the adequate range, but some counties reported from 30 to as much as 90 percent surplus. Rangeland and pasture conditions varied widely too, even within counties, from poor to excellent, with fair to good ratings being the most common.

Central — Overall, rangeland, pastures and crops were in fair condition. Livestock were in good condition. Stock-water tank and river levels remained high. Forages and grazing for livestock were plentiful, as pastures and small grains responded to sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures. Livestock producers began feeding hay. Livestock came through the cold weather in good condition.

Coastal Bend — Windy conditions dried out soils. Winter wheat and oats

Texas AgriLife Extension Service reporting districts

See CROPS, Page 21

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Crops, from Page 20

Rolling Plains — The region had freezing temperatures along with large amounts of sleet, snow and ice accumulations. Producers were kept busy dealing with the weather’s effects on livestock.

They were feeding extra hay, busting ice or hauling water. The recent moisture slowed the cotton harvest, but residents and producers were thankful for the moisture. In some areas, soil-moisture levels were improved, as was the condition of pastures and wheat.

Once the snow melted off, farmers were able to get back into fields and begin harvesting again.

In some areas, the cotton yields were higher than producers earlier expected. Wheat was coming along well. Some wheat fields just didn’t have the moisture needed during planting time, but the

moisture. The cold temperatures decreased forage quality and production there as well. Kleberg/ Kenedy County had a light freeze that lasted about three hours.

Despite the cold temperatures in that part of the region, producers continued fertilizing fields for next season’s crops. In the western part of the region, conditions were also colder with trace amounts of moisture helping stimulate winter weed growth. Winter conditions in that area were judged to be more favourable to agriculture than in past years. In Zavala County, steady heavy drizzle benefited dryland wheat and oats. Cabbage harvesting was very active, and onions progressed well with additional water applications applied late in the week. Livestock grazing was good on native rangeland and pastures, which were in fair to good condition. In the southern counties, citrus, vegetable and sugarcane harvesting continued.

In Starr County, fall vegetable crops progressed well thanks to rain early in the week.

South Plains — Most counties reported harvesting of all crops was winding down with very little left in the fields. However, the arctic cold front kept low tem-

peratures in the teens and wind chills in the single digits, hampering the final wind up. Some areas had light precipitation and cooler temperatures, a reminder the region was still on the winter weather rollercoaster. Gins were running day shifts only. Pastures and rangeland in the counties that received heavy snowfall a couple of weeks ago were improving, but additional precipitation was needed in most of the region.

Livestock were mostly in fair to good condition, with producers providing supplemental feed during the cold, wet spells.

West Central — Days were cool, and nights cold, with icy conditions. The ice and rain did help to replenish soil moisture. In most areas, soil-moisture levels ranged from short to adequate.

Some producers were waiting for the fields to dry out to complete planting and harvesting. There was also a wait-and-see approach for whether the ice storm damaged the remaining unharvested cotton. Warmer conditions in the next few days should allow cotton harvest and other field operations to continue. Early planted wheat looked good, and was being grazed.

January 2014 — Issue 1

Panhandle — Temperatures were below average early in the week but reached normal ranges by the weekend. A few isolated areas received some moisture, from a trace to 0.5 inch. Soil-moisture levels varied from very short to adequate, with most counties reporting short. The cotton harvest continued, albeit slowly, with producers trying to finish up the last of the cotton harvest before the next winter storm. Producers were wrapping up planting of winter wheat. The earlier plantings looked good. Rangeland and pastures continued to be mostly in very poor to poor condition. The cold weather was hard on livestock, and producers continued supplemental feeding.

majority of the crop was in good condition. Some producers had already turned cattle in to graze wheat, while some were waiting a little while longer. Stock-water tanks and lakes still needed runoff water.

South — Cold temperatures and wet conditions continued.

Counties in the northern part of the region reported adequate soil-moisture levels. Atascosa and Frio counties reported 100 percent adequate soil moisture, and McMullen reported 60 percent adequate soil moisture.

Damp conditions slowed the last of Atascosa County’s peanut harvesting. In Frio County, most peanut harvesting was completed, and wheat and oats were in good condition under irrigation. Rangeland and pasture conditions remained mostly fair but forage quality decreased due to recent freezes and grass dormancy.

McMullen County ranchers began supplemental feeding to help cattle herds cope with cold stress.

Atascosa County cattle producers put bulls in with cows for the fall calving season. A cold front moved through the eastern parts of the region early in the week, with some areas getting a little



were affected by the unseasonably cold weather. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued.

Rangeland and pastures were in poor to fair condition.

East — Cold and wet conditions continued. Several counties received freezing rain and ice with the cold front that pushed through earlier in the week. Soil-moisture levels were higher than they have been in several years, with surplus moisture accumulating in low-lying areas. Lake O’ the Pines water levels were up 2 feet since October. Wheat planting was finished, but fields needed some drying weather in some areas.

Winter pastures looked good.

Cattle remained in good condition. Producers were feeding hay and supplements. The fall calving season was well underway. Feral hog activity increased.

Southwest — Conditions remained about the same as last week, with some ice, rain, fog and light drizzle. Rangeland and pastures took a hit from the continued freezes, but overall remained in good condition. Wheat plantings were completed. Livestock were in good condition, and small grains were in fair to good condition. Soil-moisture levels remained fair. Livestock producers continued to provide supplemental feeding. Deer activity was high.

Far West — The area had temperatures from the low 30s and high 50s all week. Grain sorghum producers were harvesting, with most hoping to finish before the end of the year. Winter wheat still looked great; most fields were not adversely affected by last week’s freezing weather. The pecan harvest was poised to begin.

Livestock producers continued to provided hay and supplemental due to winter conditions and diminishing pasture quality.

North — Soil-moisture levels continued to be adequate in most of the region, with surpluses reported in a few counties such as Collin and Tarrant. Last week’s weather brought about 0.5 inch of ice and 2 to 3 inches of sleet to most of the area. Trees suf-

fered the most damage. Most producers said they weathered the storm well, but had to feed more hay and supplements while the ice was on the ground and cattle were stressed by the low temperatures. Breaking ice on ponds was a daily chore to ensure livestock had access to the water.

Even though the ice storm had its drawbacks, it provided some soil moisture as it thawed. There was minimal damage to small grains crops. Winter wheat was in fair condition across the counties.

Titus County reported continuing problems with feral hogs.

The Land & Livestock Post

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January 2014 — Issue 1 

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The Land & Livestock Post  January 2014 — Issue 1

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