April April2017 2017——Issue Issue22
Safety first To apply or not to apply?
Take care when baling, hauling hay PAGE 12 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX PAGE 12
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JAMES NOT OKTHOMPSON WITH OAK
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April 2017 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
I
News From the General Manager
never know what day Easter will land on. I know that, depending on your mailman, this issue will get to you right around the holiday. I’ve been told how to figure out the date for Easter, but I still fail to get it right. It’s something like the third Sunday after the second full moon in a fortnight when Jupiter aligns with Mars. As I said, I don’t really remember or know what kind of math used to calculate the date, but I know it was really late this year. Since it is smack-dab in the middle of April, that means Easter candy has been in stores only since July.
It’s been a tough few months, walking past all that Easter candy, and I’m sure it will be even tougher once my kids bring home literal baskets of the stuff. I’ve been trying to eat better and JESSE WRIGHT cut down on sweets, and I’ve been doing a decent job. But this time of year is the hardest, because my three favorite styles of eggs are Cadbury and
Reese’s Peanut Butter, with scrambled coming in a distant third. But I think I can stay strong here in the final stretch. I gave up stealing candy from my children for Lent. Pretty clever on my part. But, that means come Easter Sunday, all bets are off. Come that day, I no longer can guarantee the safety of their sweets stash, or my own blood sugar. It is impossible to guarantee the safety of anything, but there are always steps you can take to make sure you are doing all you can to stay out of danger. In this issue we look at harvesting and handling hay, and the safety
measures you can take to make sure you get that hay cut and put away without any damage to person or property. We also have an article about oak toxicity in our Vet’s Voice feature, as well as news and information from around the ag industry. Hope you enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading. ’Til next time,
• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse.wright@ theeagle.com.
State program conserves Texas ranch and farm land By KIM MCGUIRE Houston Chronicle
WEST COLUMBIA — The Brazos River passes wide and muddy through the Griffith family ranch. Floodwaters frequently prompt family members and an armada of cowboys for hire to round up their cows and move them to higher ground. Historic flooding on the Brazos last summer made much of the ranch accessible only by boat for weeks. “You’d have to be crazy to want to put a subdivision here because of the flooding we get,” Wilson Griffith told the Houston Chronicle. “About all the land is good for is ranching, and maybe growing a few pecan trees.” Griffith and his brother, Jamie, never have wanted to sell the land, which their family has owned for more than 100 years. They want to give it to their children some day but worry about the tax implications. Thanks to a state program designed to assist landowners who want to conserve working farm
See PROGRAM, Page 17
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April 2017 — Issue 2
www.circlexbrangus.com 3
News
Got oak? Beware that it can be toxic to animals By Dr. MereDyth Jones Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
T
he Brazos Valley is fortunate to be beautified and shaded by an abundance of oak trees. Springtime brings on new leaves, buds and blooms in response to warmer temperatures and rains. Spring winds can cause these new leaves and buds to abandon their branches and, where these trees are present in or adjacent to pastures, cause problems with livestock. The exact cause of the toxicity is not known for, but a longheld theory is that tannic acid, present in all parts of the tree, is the toxic principle. Many experiments have been conducted in which tannins were fed and injected into a variety of species. The results of these studies often have failed to produce the exact syndrome seen in
Vet’s Voice livestock consuming oak. Regardless of the exact cause, we do know that the buds, small leaves, flowers and stems are toxic and all are palatable to livestock. As the leaves age, they become less palatable and therefore pose less risk. For this reason, poisoning most commonly in the spring, although acorns can cause toxicity in the fall or winter, particularly after summer draught. It is also interesting to note that oak can be toxic to humans. Native Americans produced a meal from acorns, but
they removed the outer hull and leached the meal repeatedly prior to consumption in order to remove the toxins. All livestock species are potentially at risk, with cattle and sheep most commonly affected. Goats, because they are a browsing species like deer, are designed to be a bit more resistant to some toxic plants as compared to grazing species such as cattle and sheep, but they still are susceptible and, because of their climbing behavior, often have better access to plant parts. Additionally, horses and chickens may be affected, while swine appear to be resistant. Calves that are nursing seem to be more susceptible, but oak toxicity can occur
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rhea, and stool produced may be bloody or black and sticky like tar. Livestock will lose their appetite, have a rough hair coat and dry muzzle, and they may act colicky. If you are able to observe urination, the urine may be reddish or brown, but this typically is short-lived and may go unnoticed. Treatment of oak toxicity can be successful if initiated early, with the principles of therapy being fluid therapy to support kidney function and measures to stimulate and maintain appetite. Cattle that will continue to eat often make a complete recovery. In one study of affected steers, those affected by oak
See OAK, Page 5
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at any age. As a historical note, in April 1935, 502 cattle and 426 sheep died in Sutton County after a drought caused no other forage to be available. This pattern of oak toxicity continues to this day. Where forage otherwise is limited, cattle will search and be attracted to consume toxic plants of all types. Unfortunately, death can be sudden from oak toxicity, with sheep and cattle sometimes dying within 24 hours of onset of illness or they may live up to 10 days. The tannins or other toxic components of oak cause direct damage to the lining of the stomach and intestines and the kidneys. The symptoms may include constipation or diar-
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April 2017 — Issue 2
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News Oak, from Page 4 bud toxicity actually showed improved weight gains and feed efficiency in the feedlot, showing that they could catch up and compensate. I always encourage livestock producers to have unexplained deaths on their operation investigated through necropsy of freshly dead animals. Oak toxicity has very specific signs that can be seen in the carcass and help you, along with your veterinarian, identify the cause of death and develop a plan to limit toxicity in the remainder of the herd. As with all disease, we like to focus on prevention over treatment. So, what can you do short of total oak tree removal from your property to limit their potential toxicity this spring and fall? • If available, put livestock in pastures without oak during the riskiest times of year (spring, fall). • Always have adequate feed and forage available. Cattle who are satisfied
are less likely to eat oak and if they do, the toxic oak will be diluted in their system by the appropriate feeds. • Make sure fresh water always is available. This helps with overall kidney health and can help wash the toxic tannins out of their system to limit damage. • Toxicity has occurred from livestock drinking water from sources where oak leaves had been soaking. Be sure to clean leaves out of water tanks regularly. • Remove any downed branches from the pasture when first noticed. • Don’t forget that oak can be toxic to humans — monitor children around trees and don’t allow them to chew on leaves or acorns. Your veterinarian always is a great source of information on potential risks and opportunities to improve the environment for animal health on your operation. Don’t hesitate the next time he or she is out to ask them to help you identify these risks and opportunities.
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The exact cause of oak toxicity is not known, but a long-held theory is that tannic acid, present in all parts of the tree, is the toxic principle.
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April 2017 — Issue 2
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News
Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Paul Schattenberg
An onion field planted at the Uvalde center is helping determine the best cultivars for the area.
Vegetable breeding program to develop better cultivars By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
UVALDE — A unique vegetable breeding program at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde could bring improved onion, watermelon, tomato and blackeyed pea varieties to producers in South and Central Texas. “The uniqueness of this multidisciplinary breeding program, involving breeders, physiologists, pathologists and entomologists, is the screening and development of new germplasm and ultimately improved varieties are
conducted in real-life environmental conditions,” said Daniel Leskovar, center director and vegetable physiologist. “This will ensure the cultivars we breed are highly adaptable, as well as have abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and provide high yield and quality. Leskovar said the ultimate goal is to benefit directly the Texas vegetable industry, especially producers in South, Southwest and Central Texas. “The vegetable breeding program at Uvalde emphasizes breeding for host resistance for
See VEGETABLE, Page 8
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April 2017 — Issue 2
7
News
Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Paul Schattenberg
Some onion cultivars on the center’s plot are covered by mesh structures in order to help reduce biotic stresses such as insects and disease.
Vegetable, from Page 6 biotic stresses such as insects and diseases,” said Subas Malla, Texas A&M AgriLife Research vegetable breeder at the center. “The program also examines the interaction of host resistance and management practices to reduce insects and diseases in various crops.” Malla said the predicted rise in global warming will bring increased heat and drought stress conditions to the Texas Winter Garden area, where the center is located, as well as agricultural areas further south. “Our program will develop new cultivars to adapt to these stress conditions, “ he said. “Our breeding program will also develop mapping populations to identify diagnostic markers for quantitative trait loci for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.” He said the mapping to identify biotic and abiotic stress-tolerance markers will be used in the onion-breeding program via marker-assisted selection. “Onion takes two years to complete a crossing cycle and consequently takes longer for cultivar development,” Malla said. “By reducing the number of years to develop a cultivar, we can substantially increase the genetic gain per year in our breeding. We plan on using the doubled-hap-
8
loid technique, which allows for faster generation of inbred lines for hybrid cultivar and open pollination cultivar development.” Malla said the breeding program also will employ genomic selection, a breeding tool in which molecular markers are fit into a model to predict breeding values. “The expectation is the genomic prediction model will increase genetic gains and decrease the breeding cycle time,” he explained. “Markers across the whole genome will be used to select for lines as parents, to make crossing decisions, to enrich populations and to select for lines for cultivar development.” Malla said addressing pest and disease resistance especially will be important in developing improved onion and tomato cultivars. Pests such as thrips can have a devastating economic impact on onion crops, and thrips and whitefly can cause substantial tomato crop losses. Additionally, diseases such as iris yellow spot virus in onions and tomato yellow leaf curl virus in tomatoes can significantly affect quality and yield. He said the center will collaborate with other Texas A&M AgriLife facilities in the state to evaluate the interaction of biotic
See CULTIVARS, Page 18
April 2017 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Beef Cattle Conference and Ag Tour set April 25-26 in Canadian By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
CANADIAN — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hemphill County will be hosting the third annual Beef Cattle Conference and Ag Tour on April 25-26 in the Jones Pavilion, 1101 N. Sixth St. in Canadian. “This beef cattle conference addresses the huge market swings of the industry giving producers strategies and information on how to survive and make the most of this situation,” said Andy Holloway, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Hemphill County and event coordinator. “With the recent wildfires around the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Kansas, these speakers will address how producers can manage around the lack of pastures and the options available to assist their recovery from this tragedy,” Holloway said. A two-day ticket is $100 per person, with
additional spouse tickets $85 during early registration. If purchased at the door, the cost is $125 per person and $100 for the extra spouse ticket. To register or reserve tickets, go to hemphillcotxbeef.com, call 806-323-9114 or email Cynthia Ewing at cynthia.ewing@ ag.tamu.edu. Tickets will cover educational speakers, three meals, entertainment, two ranch visits and more than 40 agricultural trade booth vendors. Also, six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered at the April 26 program. The program will begin at 8 a.m. April 25 with registration and the trade show. Following introductions and announcements at 9 a.m., Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director from College Station, will open the program. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. with entertainment by the Jenkins Family Band and highlighted by keynote speaker Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller of Public
Accounts in Austin. Other topics and speakers on April 25 include: • The Facts, Stats and Future of the Beef Cattle Markets — Troy Applehans, CattleFax, Denver, Colorado. • Key Producer Indicators — Stan Beavers, The KPI System owner and former AgriLife Extension economist, Vernon. • How CAB is Adding Value to the Beef Industry — Mark McCully, Certified Angus Breeders vice president, Wooster, Ohio. • How to Prosper in a Hurricane — Salem Abraham, Abraham Trading in Canadian. The educational talks will conclude with a panel discussion led by Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo, who will summarize the day’s activities. Evening activities will include the Hemphill County Rancher of the Year presentation, a meal and Red Steagall and the Cowboy Corner as entertainment.
The April 26 program will begin at 8 a.m. at the pavilion and the group will depart to the David and Sandi Cook Ranch at 8:30 a.m. Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension and West Texas A&M University range specialist in Canyon, will present Grass Grazing and Animal Management, followed by Jodi Stockett, Dow Chemical Co. representative from Claude, discussing weed and brush control. The group then will travel to the Jason Abraham Mendota Ranch for a lunch sponsored by Merck Animal Health. Jason Abraham and Ty Lawrence, director of the WT Meat Carcass Research Center in Canyon, will present The Bull Cloning Project at West Texas A&M University and Research to Enhance Beef Cattle Quality. Dr. Guy Ellis, veterinarian with Merck Animal Health in Clarendon, will make the last educational presentation: Cow,
See CANADIAN, Page 10
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April 2017 — Issue 2
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News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Buffalo
Results of the Buffalo Livestock Commission’s March 25 sale. Head: 985 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $160-$242; 300-400 lbs., $155-$210; 400-500 lbs., $150-190; 500-600 lbs., $145$180; 600-700 lbs., $125-$153; 700-800 lbs., $110-$137 Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $140$200; 300-400 lbs., $130-$170; 400-500 lbs., $120-$160; 500-600 lbs., $115-$150; 600-700 lbs.,$105$143; 700-800 lbs.,$100-$130 Slaughter bulls: $85-$105 Slaughter cows: $40-$82 Bred cows: $950-$1,650 Cow/calf pairs: $1,450$1, 800
Caldwell
Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s March 29 sale. Head: 454
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Steers: 200-300 lbs., $185$230; 300-400 lbs., $165-$200; 400-500 lbs., $155-$170; 500-600 lbs., $145-155; 600-700 lbs., $130$139; Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $175$230; 300-400 lbs., $160-$175; 400-500 lbs., $140-$150; 500600 lbs., $137-$180; 600-700 lbs., $130-$165; Slaughter bulls: $73-$89 Slaughter cows: $55-$82 Bred cows: $750-$1,025
Groesbeck
Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Company’s March 30 sale. Head: 224 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $150$200; 400-500 lbs., $145-$192; 500-600 lbs., $130-$175; 600-700 lbs., $120-$162 Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $150-
$195; 400-500 lbs., $132-$160; 500-600 lbs., $115-$155 Slaughter bulls: $86-$101 Slaughter cows: $57-$82 Bred cows: $700-$1,700 Cow/calf pairs: $1,200-$1,900
Jordan
Results of the Jordan Cattle Auction’s March 30 sale. Head: 1,532 Steers: Under 200 lbs., $160$182; 200-300 lbs., $160-188; 300-400 lbs., $160-$200; 400500 lbs., $152-$178; 500-600 lbs., $143-$166; 600-700 lbs., $135$159; 700-800 lbs., $120-$145 Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $145$162.5; 400-500 lbs., $135$157.5; 500-600 lbs., $125-$148; 600-700 lbs., $117-$134; 700-800 lbs., $107-$134 Slaughter bulls: $76-$96 Slaughter cows: $55-$79
Canadian, from Page 9 Bred cows: $950-$1,350 Cow/calf pairs: $1,010-$1,750
Navasota
Results of the Navasota Livestock Commission’s March 25 sale. Head: 1,008 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $115$250; 300-400 lbs., $110-$190; 400-500 lbs., $100-$187.5; 500600 lbs., $100-$170; 600-700 lbs., $100-$145 Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $100$235; 300-400 lbs., $100-$165; 400-500 lbs., $100-$160; 500600 lbs., $95-$150; 600-700 lbs., $90-$140 Slaughter bulls: $65-$95.5 Slaughter cows: $40-$70 Bred cows: $700-$1,250 Cow/calf pairs: $800-$1,300
Calf Health and Technology to Enhance Herd Health, Reproduction and Marketing. The program will wrap up with questions and answers and a cloned cutting horse demonstration by Jason and Luke Abraham. The program will be jointly sponsored by Plains Land Bank, Superior Livestock Auction and Capital Farm Credit. For more information, contact Holloway at 806-323-9114 or andy. holloway@ag.tamu.edu or go to the program website, www.hemphillcotxbeef.com/.
— Special to The Post
April 2017 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Beef Quality Assurance Training set for April 26 in San Angelo By Steve ByrnS Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
SAN ANGELO — A Beef Quality Assurance Training is set for April 26 in San Angelo. The program is a collaborative effort among AgriLife Extension offices in Tom Green, Coke, Concho, Runnels, Sterling, Irion and Schleicher counties, the Texas Beef Council, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and premier sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim. The training will start with a sponsored noon meal followed by the program from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center about eight miles north of San Angelo at 7887 N. U.S. Highway 87. Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County, said the Texas Beef Quality Assurance Program is meant to help producers learn proper management
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns
A Beef Quality Assurance Training Program is a collaborative effort among AgriLife Extension, the Texas Beef Council, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and premier sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim. techniques to ensure the beef they produce is a safe and wholesome product for the consuming public. “The training will offer an overview of the Beef Quality Assurance program, industry updates, recordkeeping, environmental stewardship and proper management practices associated with genetic selection,” Blanek said. “We’ll also address best practice cattle-handling techniques, culling and proper vaccination protocol.” Blanek said the program and meal are free and open to the public. Participants should RSVP by 5 p.m. April 21 to 800-2427820, ext. 192 or rsvp@tscra.org or to the AgriLife Extension office in Tom Green County by calling 325-659-6523.
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April 2017 — Issue 2
11
News
Be careful out there
Safely harvest and handle round bales By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Post
H
ay harvest has presented a potential work hazard since its inception. During the period when hay primarily was harvested as square bales, it wasn’t uncommon for a man to lose an arm or hand resulting from a sleeve caught in a baler. Risk of injury during hay harvest still exists after advent of the large round baler. Both harvesting and handling round bales is hazardous if it is done carelessly. Round bales often cause accidents because of their size, weight and tendency to roll. Publication 442-455 titled Large Bale Safety, written by Robert Grisso, John Cundiff, Bruce Stone and Ray Smith and published by Virginia Tech was included in the proceedings of the 62nd Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. This article is taken from that publication, which can be found at pubs.ext. vt.edu/442/442-455/442-455_pdf.pdf. The key to safe and efficient systems for harvesting and handling large round bales is an operator who knows the hazards involved and follows safety practices that can prevent accidents. Operators must remain constantly alert for situations that may cause injuries to themselves or others.
Baler safety
Developing safety awareness begins with the operator’s manual. Take time to read the manual and become reacquainted with the machine at the beginning of each season. Insist that all operators receive training on equipment operation and acquaint themselves with all safety precautions discussed in the manual. This is important particularly for youth who probably need their train-
12
Photo by Robert Fears
When moving round bales with a front end loader, keep the load low to the ground to prevent a side roll-over. Cover photo byJustin Kalisek. ing reinforced periodically. One of my assignments, during his career with an agricultural chemical company, was manager of a crop research station in Mississippi. A previous manager had designed an “M” (machinery) card system to help enforce farm equip-
ment safety. When a piece of equipment was purchased, practices required for operating the machine safely were taken from the owner’s manual and written on 5-inch X 8-inch index card. These “M” cards were filed by equipment name. Before any employee operated a piece
April 2017 — Issue 2
of equipment for the first time, he had to study the appropriate “M” card and then review it with another person. If he didn’t operate a machine for more than a month, the employee would have
See SAFETY, Page 13
The Land & Livestock Post
News Safety, from Page 12 to repeat the process before he again used it. “M” cards were prepared on every piece of field and shop equipment, regardless of how easy it was to operate. The farm had an excellent safety record.
Table 1. • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Unique problems
Large round baling creates unique safety problems for farmers and ranchers. Large round balers have many moving parts that can cause injury or death if a person becomes entangled. Never leave the tractor seat until the power take-off has been disengaged and all moving parts have stopped. When harvesting large round bales, assure the size of the tractor matches the baler size. A tractor too small for the baler may be pushed down a hill.
Round Baler Safety Tips A round baler is bulky and reduces operator vision to the rear. Watch when backing. Assure no one is near the rear gate when it is being raised and lowered. Keep everyone clear of the rear of the baler during unloading a bale. Before servicing, cleaning, or adjusting a round baler, disengage tractor PTO and shut off engine. Never attempt to pull hay or twine from an operating baler. Block the gate before working under it. Use the safety lock system for the baler gate or safety stops for the gate lift cylinders. Shift tractor transmission into park and lock brakes before working on or under the baler. Block baler wheels if the baler is not hitched to a tractor. During operation, remain seated on tractor seat to reduce chances of falling into baler path. Raise baler pickup to clear humps and obstacles when passing over uneven terrain. Avoid sharp turns. When tractor wheels are set wide to straddle windrows, rear tires could strike the baler tongue on sharp turns. Never be in a hurry about anything connected with hay baling. Keep safety signs clean, readable and free from obstructing material. Replace damaged or missing safety emblems with new ones. Instruct all operators on hazard sign meanings.
Adapted from Large Round Bale Safety by Robert Grisso, John Cundiff, Bruce Stone and Ray Smith, Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 442-455. With insufficient traction on grassy slopes, tractor brakes may lock. This could cause the wheels to slide and the tractor to go out of control. Many fatal accidents have occurred when a bystander became entangled in a baler during its operation. When
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someone approaches, stop the tractor and disengage the baler operation. It is best to dismount from the tractor and walk a short distance away to have the conversation. Do not restart baling until the person has moved a safe distance from the machinery. Never
April 2017 — Issue 2
let anyone ride on the tractor with the operator or anywhere on the equipment. For protection for operators and others, keep original shields in place on all power shafts, chains and sprockets. Heat generation can occur due to friction created by con-
tact of dry hay or forage material with faulty bearings and baler belts. This friction and over-heating can cause bales to ignite. Always carry a 10-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher on the tractor.
See HAY, Page 14
13
News Hay, from Page 13 Replace moving parts when they become worn and lubricate machinery as described in operator’s manuals. Operating large round balers on a slope can present a different set of safety concerns. Bales on a slope have potential to roll downhill, break through fences and cross highways leading to bodily harm and possible property damage. Always orient the bale correctly before ejecting it from the baler chamber. Sometimes this means backing the baler in an angle allowing ejection of the bale perpendicular to the slope. The objective is to make certain that the bale will come to rest securely on the hillside. Steep slopes may require bales to be hauled to a flat location before ejection.
Handling safety
Photo by Robert Fears
When placing round bales on hilly terrain, orient them perpendicular to the slope. Square bales usually range in weight from 35 to 85 pounds and can be handled manually. Large
round bales weigh between 500 and 2,500 pounds and, therefore, require mechanical handling.
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TEXAS TOUGH + BRAND BERMUDAGRASS America’s Number One Seeded Forage Bermudagrass!
meta R f ng meta B d ng s HAYBARNS CARPORTS STORAGE SHEDS AND MUCH MORE.
an individual. Many people use front-end loaders to move and stack large round bales. Use caution when hauling large round bales or any heavy load on a front-end loader to avoid side overturns and being crushed from a bale rolling down upon the tractor. It is extremely important that size of tractor and loader are matched properly to size and weight of the bales being handled. Side overturns result from forward movement in the tractor’s center of gravity due to additional bale weight. Moving center of gravity forward causes a transfer of weight from the rear wheels to the front, making it much easier to bounce a rear tire off the ground when passing over bumps or holes. A loss of trac-
Number one yielding seeded bermudagrass in production Number one yielding seededtrials at TAMU Agrilife bermudagrass inExtension production&trials Research Center, Overton, at TAMU Agrilife Extension TX & and Mississippi State University. Research Center, Overton, TX and Mississippi State University. Lower planting rate (10# per acre) due to being pure seed and Lower planting rate (10# pernot acre) coated. due to being pure seed and not coated. Economically priced to avoid the high cost and risk of sprigging Economically priced to avoid the hybrid-bermudagrass pastures highbeefing cost and of sprigging and uprisk existing hybrid-bermudagrass pastures bermudagrass pastures. and beefing up existing bermudagrass pastures. 15% higher yield (four year average) than Coastal 15% higher yield (four year Bermudagrass. average) than Coastal Bermudagrass. Planted in twenty states surpassing 500,000 acres since 1994. Planted in twenty states surpassing 500,000 acres since Hay show winner with quality at 1994. 22.5% digestible crude protein. Hay show winner with quality at Virtually disease free, drought 22.5% digestible crude protein. tolerant and easy to establish. Stands stay productive year after Virtually disease free, drought year. tolerant and easy to establish.
SEEDED BERMUDAGRASS STUDY ANNUAL DRY MATTER FORAGE YIELDS 2011, 2012, & 2013 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI Variety
Total Yield
Harvest Date LB / ACRE
LB / ACRE
LB / ACRE
3 YEAR
2011
2012
2013
AVG
RANK
Texas Tough +
4,646
11,488
7,618
7,917
1
Sungrazer +
3,516
11,281
6,599
7,132
2
Buckaroo
3,979
10,881
6,428
7,096
3
Cowboy
3,426
10,054
7,301
6,927
4
Ranchero Frio
3,051
10,374
7,013
6,713
5
Numex Sahara
3,201
10,293
6,772
6,755
6
Amarillo King
3,586
9,873
6,561
6,673
7
Laredo
3,410
9,975
6,654
6,680
8
Highlander
2,379
10,880
6,159
6,473
9
Mohawk
3,163
9,739
6,321
6,408
10
Cheyenne II
3,612
9,334
5,941
6,295
11
Rancher
2,830
9,740
6,085
6,218
12
Planting Date: 6/4/11 (Replanted 7/13/11) 10 lbs (P.L.S.) Planting Rate, LSD (0.05) Commercially available varieties only included in these results.
I first planted Texas Tough + Bermudagrass for grazing and baling. I now have over I planted 210 acres of Texas Tough + Bermuda, and started year. 200I acres production. It has Tough remained+free of disease and the have remained in 45 days. It has been in our rotational and first in planted Texas Bermudagrass inyields the Spring of 2009grazing for grazing and baling. My Texas Tough +grazing has been free ofTexas disease no loss My yields consistent with no production through consistent. Tough +with establishes fast of withstands. excellent forage quality have and fineremained stems. I has held up under our loss Floridainconditions very even well. We hope our drought of the last four years. It establishes fast with excellent forage quality and much finer stems than Coastal am Bermudagrass. very pleased with my It Texas +, it has increased my grazing time from 90 90 days to plant moregrasses in the future when the on rightmyland is available. days Texas Tough hasTough increased my grazing time from days on native to 150 stands. I plan planting more in 2015. TX. Bertram, TX on native pasture to 150on days. Denny Chaney – Bertram, Dan Ryals, Ryals Citrus & CattleDenny CompanyChaney– Fort Ogden, FL Stands stay productive year after
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April 2017 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News Bales, from Page 14 tion occurs when weight is transferred from the rear tires during hay handling. Additional weight on the front tires may exceed the axle and tire load-carrying capacity. When using a hay-spear attached to a three-point hitch, avoid lifting the bale to a point where front tractor wheels are barely in contact with the ground. This causes steering and stability problems. At least 30 percent of front tractor weight should remain on the front wheels. It is better to handle bales with rear attachments rather than with a front-end loader. Rear tires are better suited to carry the extra weight, and there is less chance of side overturns because the bale is not lifted as high.
Transport safety
Install brakes on any transport trailers carrying loads. Never use a hay trailer on the highway unless it is equipped with brakes. Electric, hydraulic, or surge brakes make stopping easier and safer. A breakaway device is available which locks brakes if the trailer comes loose from the towing vehicle. Remember, farm vehicles are subject to all traffic laws. Secure Large round bales to the trailer with a strap with tensile strength greater than 1.5 times load weight. Large round bales stacked side by side on a trailer probably constitute a wide load. These loads are illegal on interstate highways. Do not allow bales to rest against trailer tires. At transport speeds, friction of hay against a rotating tire can gen-
Table 2. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Front-End Loader Safety Tips Never walk or work under a raised loader. Raise and lower loader arms slowly and steadily. Allow for the extra length of the loader when making turns. Use care when handling loose materials or loads which might shift. Never move or swing a load when people are in the work area. Stay away from the outer edge when working along high banks and slopes. Watch for overhead wires and obstacles when raising the loader. Carry the load low to the ground and watch for obstruction in the tractor’s path. Always use recommended amount of counter-weight to ensure good stability. Add recommended wheel ballast or weight to the rear of the tractor. Operate loader from the operator’s seat only. Move tractor wheels to the widest recommended settings to increase stability. Do not lift or carry anyone on the loader, bucket or attachments. Lower the loader when parking or servicing. Assure all parked loaders are on a firm, level surface and all safety devices are engaged. Visually check for hydraulic leaks and broken, missing or malfunctioning parts. Make necessary repairs. All tractors used to move bales should have roll-over protective structures (ROPS). ROPS can either be a protective enclosed cab or roll bar with canopy. Tractor operators should utilize tractor seat belt when operating a tractor, regardless of the task.
Adapted from Large Round Bale Safety by Robert Grisso, John Cundiff, Bruce Stone and Ray Smith, Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 442-455. erate enough heat to ignite the hay. Trailer fires are difficult to control and can lead to loss of hay, trailer and tractor or
APRIL Apr. 1 Heart of Texas Replacement Female Sale, Groesbeck, TX Apr. 1 M6 Charolais Complete Dispersal, Alvarado, TX Apr. 1 Apr.State Limousin Sale, Perkins, OK Apr. 1 Stockman’s Choice Brangus Sale, Navasota, TX Apr. 8 Collier Farms Beefmaster Advantage Sale, Giddings, TX Apr. 8 Muleshoe Ranch Angus & Hereford Bull Sale, Breckenridge, TX Apr. 8 Jordan Cattle Auction Best of the Best Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX Apr. 8 Griswold Cattle Grass to Grid Angus Bull Sale, Follett, TX Apr. 8 Texas Shorthorn Association State Sale, Eastland, TX Apr. 8 Caldwell Livestock Replacement Female Sale, Caldwell, TX Apr. 8 Texas Best Brangus Sale, Poteet, TX Apr. 8 Queens of the South Spring Sensation Sale, Crockett, TX Apr. 15 Lone Star Angus Production Sale, Gainesville, TX Apr. 20 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Bull Offering Angus of
pickup. While driving on highways with any vehicle, assure the driver can see and be seen. Use
flashing lights and properly mount a slow moving vehicle
See TRANSPORT, Page 16
Clear Creek, San Saba, TX Apr. 22 Genetrust at Cavenders Neches River Ranch Brangus Commercial Female Sale, Jacksonville, TX Apr. 22 Springtime in Texas Beefmaster Sale, Brenham, TX Apr. 23 National E6 Beefmaster Sale, Columbus, TX Apr. 29 Live Oak BBA Spring Sale, Three Rivers, TX MAY May 6 Jordan Cattle Auction May Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX May 6 Texas Angus Assn. Spring Female Sale, Salado, TX May 6 18th Annual The Charolais Sale of Excellence, College Station, TX May 11 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, San Saba, TX May 13 44 Farms Angus Female Sale, Cameron, TX May 20 Genomic Gems Angus Sale, Giddings, TX
Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed? Call Jesse Wright (979) 731-4721 or email jesse.wright@theeagle.com
The Land & Livestock Post
April 2017 — Issue 2
15
News Table 3. Tractor Operations Safety Tips • Know how tractor implements work. Be thoroughly familiar with both the operator’s manual and tractor before starting. • Know where controls are located and how they work. Practice stopping tractor and PTO quickly in the event of an emergency. • Be familiar with terrain and drive safely. Use caution on slopes and slow down for all turns. • While on highways, use appropriate lighting and follow all rules of the road. • Never operate an engine in a closed shed or garage. Carbon monoxide is colorless and deadly. • Keep PTO properly shielded. • Keep hitches low and always tow or pull from the drawbar. Tr actors are designed to prevent backward overturns if the load is hitched properly to the drawbar. • Never chain rear wheels with a piece of wood to prevent slipping. Torque supplied by the transmission can lift the tractor and flip it over backwards. • Never jump off a moving tractor or leave it with the engine running. Never try to jump onto a runaway tractor. • Never refuel while engine is running. Never refuel an overheated engine. Do not add coolant or water to a radiator while engine is hot. • Do not transport wide loads after daylight hours, in poor visibility or bad weather. Adapted from Large Round Bale Safety by Robert Grisso, John Cundiff, Bruce Stone and Ray Smith, Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication 442-455.
Transport, from Page 15 sign on the equipment. Allow time to pull into or across traffic. Avoid sudden, erratic or unexpected maneuvers. Keep to the right, pull over at a safe place to let people by. Never wave vehicles to pass — let drivers use their own discretion. Additional safety tips are listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3. These tips may be appropriate for listing on “M” cards along with information from equipment operator’s manuals. Hay harvest
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News Program, from Page 3 and ranch lands, however, the Griffiths will be able to keep the property in the family in perpetuity, in exchange for promising not to sell it to developers. Keeping the ranch “as is” helps protect surrounding natural resources, such as wetlands that act like a magnet for migratory birds and soak up floodwaters. The Texas Farms and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, created by the Legislature in 2005, was meant to play a vital role in protecting agricultural lands, which are disappearing as a result of the population boom. A 2014 Texas A&M study found that the state was losing farm and ranch land at a faster rate than anywhere else in the country. The program provides state funds to nonprofits — often land trusts — to purchase conservation easements. Landowners who sell or donate those easements retain title to their land if they agree not to mine or build a residential subdivision or commercial development on the property. In most cases, that legal agreement leads to a win-win situation: working farms and ranches stay intact, and natural resources are protected.
protect the land where the rain falls.” Despite initial enthusiasm for the program, state lawmakers did not fund it until recently, and they initially put it in the hands of the General Land Office. The Land Office secured some federal dollars for coastal work but that limited the scope of projects. Many in the statewide conservation community thought the
Photo by Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle
Willow Glenn Plantation in West Columbia benefits from a state program aimed at conserving land. “In Texas, the focus has really been on protecting water resources,” said Blair Calvert Fitzsimmons, chief executive officer of the Texas Agricultural
TE PRIVA Y T A E TR
Land Trust. “When the state is looking at spending $63 billion on a plan that includes pumps and pipelines and desalination plants, you need a strategy to
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Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc. (979) 776-4444 or (800) 299-7355
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See CONSERVE, Page 18
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General Land Office was miscast to manage the program: Part of the agency’s mission is maximizing revenues through land leases, yet conservation easements actually reduce the land’s taxable value. So in 2015, the program was moved to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and received a $2 million appropriation
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News Conserve, from Page 17 — its first. Many land trust leaders say the program now is experiencing a rebirth. “Clearly, Texas Parks and Wildlife is a much better fit,” said Lori Olson, executive director of the Texas Land Trust Council. “Managing lands for conservation is their bailiwick.” Over the past year, the agency has funded seven projects spearheaded by groups such as The Texas Agricultural Land Trust, the Hill Country Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy and the Valley Land Fund. In all, those groups have been able to protect about 10,000 acres through conservation easements. Ted Hollingsworth, land conservation director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, said all the projects conserve land with immense ecological value while maintaining the landowners’ ability to utilize the land. “My own personal bias might be toward wildlife, saving the snakes, lizards, mice and things like that,” he said. “But the fact is, like most people, I really like to eat, too, and this is working land. The
beauty of this program is that we’re helping to ensure that Texas landowners are still producing cattle, still raising crops.” Initial returns on the revived program are good. An evaluation by Texas A&M’s Institute of Natural Resources last year found that the funded projects were saving water at a rate that was about six times more cost effective than conventional conservation strategies. The evaluation also found the program is growing in popularity among landowners and conservation groups. Consequently, the department has asked lawmakers for more money, but it’s unclear what will happen given current budget constraints. Mark Steinbach, director of the Texas Land Conservancy, said it would be a shame if the program stalled again. The effort helped provide his group with $1.7 million to secure a conservation easement on the Griffith ranch in Brazoria County. The easement lowered the value of the land, reducing the family’s tax burden. At 3,000 acres, it represents the largest piece of private property being con-
served in the Columbia Bottomlands, one of the most ecologically valuable regions in Texas. The vast stretch of hardwood forest serves as a crucial stopover for birds trekking across the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also threatened by Houston’s population creep. “I think the most significant thing about this property is just its sheer size,” Steinbach said. “This was the kind of opportunity that just doesn’t come along all that often in conservation.” The Griffith family always has been conservation minded. Family members love to fish and hunt. Several years ago, they granted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service a conservation easement on about 1,400 acres. They’ve been interested in working with a conservation group to further protect their land but had some reservations. Steinbach and the Texas Land Conservancy, however, shared their vision — allowing the family to control its future while protecting natural assets. “I think it’s going to be a good fit,” Griffith said. “We get to continue to enjoy this land and now so do our kids.”
Cultivars, from Page 8 and abiotic stresses on yield and quality. “The program will evaluate Texas A&M onion and tomato germplasm for resistance or tolerance to these pests and diseases,” he said. “In onion, germplasm will also be assessed for pink root resistance.” He said watermelon germplasm and advanced lines will be screened for anthracnose resistance in the greenhouse at Uvalde to identify their respective levels of resistance. In addition, mapping populations of watermelon germplasm from the University of Georgia will be evaluated for anthracnose resistance. Anthracnose is a fungal disease of plants causing round dead spots or lesions on leaves or fruit. “Diagnostic molecular markers for each anthracnose resistant gene will be identified and utilized via marker-assisted selection in the Texas watermelon breeding program,” he said. Malla said the breeding program also is interested in promoting the planting of cowpeas — black-eyed peas — as a summer crop for Central and South Texas producers. “Due to the short period from sowing to harvest, the cowpea fits well into the Texas cropping system,” he said.
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April 2017 — Issue 2
The Land & Livestock Post
News New rangeland book addresses recent developments, future needs ment series by Springer Publishing Company. The electronic version can be found or a hardcover purchased at bit. ly/2mcHYhA. Briske earned a bachelor’s in botany from North Dakota State University and a doctorate from Colorado State University. His scholarship and pedagogy emphasize the ecological function and management strategies of global rangelands. He has served as editor of the book Conservation Benefits of Rangeland Practices and the
By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Rangeland Systems — Processes, Management and Challenges, an unprecedented compilation of ecological and management knowledge regarding global rangelands has been released, according to the Texas A&M professor who is the book’s editor. D av i d B r i s ke, t h e T. M . O’Connor Professor in the Texas A&M University department of ecosystem science and management in College Station, said the book represents a major work involving the collective experience, knowledge and commitment of 80 authors in 15 countries who work in rangelands throughout the world. The book has been published in the Environmental Manage-
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major themes, Briske said. The first summarizes recent conceptual advances for rangeland science and management. The second addresses the implications of these conceptual advances with respect to management recommendations and policy decisions. The third evaluates some of the major challenges confronting global rangelands in the 21st century. “This book is intended to compliment applied range management textbooks by evaluating the conceptual foundation of the profession and recommending changes to promote future development and greater effectiveness,” Briske said. “It is written in a style intended for a broad audience, including ecosystem
42,000 readers
Bosque
Mill s
became apparent that rangeland science had advanced so rapidly
in the 25 years since that book had been published, its scope was no longer sufficient to accommodate the newly created knowledge.” Consequently, he said, the authors decided a new book with an expanded scope and greater relevance to contemporary rangeland challenges was required. Briske said the new book assesses why these major advances occurred so rapidly following a half century of limited conceptual change. “Major advances have primarily been represented by scientific contributions such as non-equilibrium ecology and resilience theory, but sociopolitical events, including new policy and increasing societal demand for rangeland services, have also been important,” he said. The book emphasizes three
Reach
Nav arro Comanc he
journal Rangeland Ecology and Management. “Originally, we had discussed updating Grazing Management: An Ecological Perspective, a book f irst published in 1991,” he said. “ H ow ever, i t
For information on display play rates contact Jesse Wright at 979.731.4721 9.73 31.4721 or jesse.wright@theeagle.com gle.com
April 2017 — Issue 2
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News Book, from Page 19 managers, educators, scientists and policy makers.” Collectively, the authors indicate a more comprehensive framework is necessary to address the complex challenges confronting global rangelands in the 21st century. Rangelands represent integrated social-ecological systems, in which societal
values, organizations and capacities are of equal importance to those of ecological processes. “It is our assessment that a more comprehensive framework of rangeland systems may enable management agencies, and educational, research and policy-making organizations to more effectively assess complex problems and develop appropriate solutions,” Briske said.
Special to The Post
Global drylands are dominated by rangeland systems that occupy 40 percent of the Earth’s land area and support 50 percent of the global livestock and approximately 2 billion humans.
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Call 776-SELL (7355) HorSES-cattLE ANGUS BULLS: Two year old bulls. Solid Rock Ranch, Matt Jones, Frankl in, TX, 979-777-7571 or 979-828-3410. www.solidrockranch.com BLACK ANGUS BULLS: Calving ease, tested, raised on forage, gentle, Wickersham Angus 979-219-0143, 979-220-0316 CHAROLAIS A+ BULLS: Reg Top Qualilty, Gentle, Polled, Tested. LBW, Fancy Charolais Heifers. Ranch Bred & Raised. Reg Black Angus Bulls. (254)729-8644, (254)747-2701 HEIFERS: 13 Angus Plus 1stCalf Heifers with calves at side, 2 yr. old heifers 900-1000 lbs. fleshy condition, frame med-lrg. Meds- IBR, PI3, OVC, Ivomectin. Calves sired by Brangus bull. Call for pictures. Available now near Hempstead. $1,900 per pair negotiable. 713-829-9661.
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Twos and coming twos. One breeding season guarantee. AI sires include Final Answer, Thunder, Cedar Ridge & VDAR Really Windy 4097. Matt Jones. Franklin, TX. 979.777.7571, 979.828.3410 www.solidrockranch.com
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PASTURE LEASE(S) Needed, Matt Jones, Franklin, Tx 979/777-7571, 979/828-3410 www.solidrockranch.com
MercHAndise MiSc For SaLE STEEL CULVERTS: variable length, delivery available, 713-822-8778
April 2017 — Issue 2
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News
Annual Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference set By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
KERRVILLE — Whether a longtime landowner or the new kid on the block, knowing what natural resources are present and how best to manage them is key to making an agriculture operation in the Hill Country work. Producers have a chance to hear from experts such as Megan Clayton at the fourth annual Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, scheduled for April 20-21 at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel in Kerrville. Clayton is an AgriLife Extension range specialist in Corpus Christi. She will kick off the first
day of the conference with a presentation on Getting to Know Your Resources. “Knowing what kind of resources you have on your land can help you determine if livestock or wildlife are your best investment, and what kind and how many you may be able to support on your acreage,” she said. Clayton said not all the land is equal and knowing what is out there is half the battle. “Do you have a successful livestock ranching operation, or is it time to think outside the box and consider alternative options that might better suit the natural resources available? “We hope to help answer some of those types of questions by in-
troducing technologies, including smartphone apps and websites ranchers can use to refine their land management,” she said. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension program leader and associate department head in the Texas A&M University departments of soil and crop sciences and wildlife and fisheries, said the conference will provide a comprehensive update on many aspects of ranch management in the Hill Country. The conference is $75 and includes all meals, break refreshments and tour transportation costs. Prere gistration will be available through April 14 at agriliferegister.tamu.edu/BennettTrust or 979-845-2604. The conference will open with registration for those who did not
preregister and check-in for all at 7:30 a.m. April 20. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. In addition to Clayton, the following topics and speakers will fill the morning program: • Managing Deep-Rooted Invaders — Robert Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Uvalde. • Top Laws Texas Landowners Need to Know — Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist in Amarillo. • Master Naturalist Program — Michelle Haggerty, Texas Master Naturalist program coordinator in Kerrville. • Landscaping for Wildlife — Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist in Uvalde. • Livestock Options for Smaller Acreage — Reid Red-
den, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist in San Angelo. • Rainwater Harvesting Options — Billy Kniffen, retired AgriLife Extension water resource associate in Menard. • Edwards Plateau, Where We Have Come From and Where We Are Going — Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist in College Station. The second day of the conference will be dedicated to tours. Attendees will pick from tours of the Hillingdon Ranch in Kendall County, “Wine and Roses” in Gillespie County, or the Kerr Wildlife Management Area. For more information, contact Redmon at l-redmon@tamu.edu or an AgriLife Extension agent in the region, or go to agrilife.org/ bennetttrust/.
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April 2017 — Issue 2
Offering a full suite of products and services with members in mind. www.fedstarcu.com 979.846.7456 MEMBER NCUA
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April 2017 — Issue 2
23
MAY 20, 2017
TOM JOHNSON
440 FM 246 • Wortham, TX 76693 • 903.599.2403 Mobile 817.291.5121 • Find us on Facebook!
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These cattle have all been screened to ensure you only the best quality commercial cattle will be offered. Cattle will be palpated and sold in uniformly sorted groups to fit any cattleman’s needs. On Thursday, May 12th, a complete listing of all sale cattle will be at www.johnsoncattlemarketing.com April 2017 — Issue 2
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