September September 20142014 — Issue — 1
Cold-weather forage getting hot Ways to feed cattle in the winter months PAGE 16
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September 2014 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News Nature manages native plant communities By Michael Porter The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Several things drive native plant communities: sunlight, soils, water, herbivory, fire and rest. They may be called processes, factors, cycles, tools, practices, etc., but whatever the semantics, native plant communities require them. These things are interconnected and codependent. Without appropriate amounts of each, native plant communities change and decline. These are the means by which nature maintains plant communities, and we could learn a few things by paying attention. Most people understand the importance of sunlight, soils and water, but fewer recognize the importance of herbivory, fire and rest to native plant communities. Sunlight is the primary energy source for most forms of plant life. Plants without adequate sunlight generally decline or die. We may not have any control over the amount of sunlight reaching our spot on Earth, but we can influence its impacts. Excessive grazing removes too much leaf material that is nec-
Photo courtesy of Dwayne Elmore
Eastern red-cedar invading a prairie with inadequate fire frequency
essary for capturing sunlight. This weakens plants, reduces their root biomass and provides other plants competitive advantages. An appropriate balance of rest (absence of disturbance) and disturbance (e.g., grazing,
See PLANTS, Page 4
I
From the General Manager
don’t have a lot of land. My family has some land, but I don’t do a lot on it. Some day I guess I will take the reins and tend the land, but for now I only have a small patch of St. Augustine on a half-acre lot in south College Station. I keep a nice lawn. I mow, edge, fertilize and weed the lawn. But, it’s all for show — or, more accurately, is more so my yard JESSE WRIGHT is not “that” yard on the block. No one depends on my lawn for sustenance, and if it dried up and died the worst that would happen is I’d get glares from my neighbors. My dog and my son are the only ones who I’ve ever seen eat grass on my place — the dog probably because he had a stomach ache and my son because he saw the dog do it.
But for those with land and cattle, pastures and forage are part of their livlihood. In this issue, we take a look at pasture options for winter forage. We also have forage tips and advice from some of the leaders in the industry. Along with forage information, we have news from around the state and nation about the cattle industry as well as other segments of agriculture. 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.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
located just off Hwy. 6 and OSR 1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • (979) 778-1055, home Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell
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News Plants, from Page 3 fire, etc.) is necessary to allow plants to regrow leaves so they can adequately capture sunlight and store energy reserves. Inadequate fire frequency or long periods of rest release or encourage woody plants, which overtop grasses and forbs, and capture their sunlight. This can be good or bad depending on goals. Without irrigation or moving soil, we do not control how much precipitation falls on our patch of Earth or the type of soil available on it; however, through proper management of disturbance and rest, we can influence soil health and the effectiveness of rainfall. Inadequate rest caused by excessive grazing removes most plant and mulch cover on the soil, which causes much of the rainfall to flow off the land rather than soak into the ground where it is more available to plants. Absence of plant and mulch cover exposes the soil surface, which increases erosion, evaporation and soil temperatures. Herbivory involves many
forms of plant consumption, whether it be by mammals, birds, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, etc. Although fungi and bacteria are not animals, they also consume plant parts through decomposition. Plant communities require herbivory and decomposition for recycling nutrients and providing space for new leaves so plants can continue to grow on a site. Inadequate herbivory causes a plant community to change and typically decline. Most upland native plant communities in temperate zones throughout the world require certain fire frequencies. Prairies and meadows depend on fire for long-term existence because without fire, plant succession changes them to woodlands or shrub lands. Even most upland shrub and tree communities depend upon fire. Fire favors certain species over others and, without fire, species composition changes, e.g., Eastern red-cedar replaces oaks and hickories in Cross Timbers woodlands; yaupon replaces diverse shrubs, grasses and forbs in
Winter Forage Workshop slated Sept. 23 in Bandera By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
BANDERA — The Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bandera County will host a Winter Forage Workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 23. The program will be held at the Mansfield Park Recreation Center, 2886 Texas 16 N. in Bandera. “This is sure to be an informative program as it will be presented by Larry Redmon, a professor and state AgriLife Extension forage specialist from College Station,” said Sam Womble, AgriLife Extension agent in Bandera County. “Redmon is one of the most knowledgeable and respected professionals on the topic of forages.”
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Womble said there continues to be interest in winter forages, whether used for grazing livestock or supplementing wildlife. “This program will address forage variety and site selection, planting and establishment, fertility, insect control and overall management,” he said. The workshop will offer 1.5 hours of Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units — one hour general and 0.5 hour integrated pest management. Registration is $15 per person, and includes a meal and program materials. To register, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Bandera County at 830-796-7755 by Sept. 16. For more information on this program, contact Womble at 830796-7755 or s-womble@tamu.edu.
Post Oak Savannah woodlands; shrubs and trees replace grasses and forbs in Pineywoods understory; etc. Fire recycles nutrients and provides space for new growth. Fire temporarily improves palatability and forage quality of many plants, which can allow them to be appropriately impacted by and appropriately benefit herbivores. Some plant species depend on fire for germination. Adequate rest from disturbances such as fire, herbivory, mowing, haying and herbicides is necessary to maintain and improve native plant communities. Prolonged excessive disturbance changes species composition, generally favoring less productive and less diverse species that tolerate such disturbance. Land stewards should try to understand and manage fire, herbivory and rest to successfully and efficiently manage the resources under their watch.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
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MARKETPLACE Sometimes you just have to shake News
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eff needed a workin’ pen for his little herd of cows. He decided all he needed was some panels and a head gate. He rounded up some 16-foot panels of continuous fence, a metal head gate and two 8-foot posts. Part of his intention was to involve his family with the cow project. Let them get a sense of what it takes to raise and manage cows. To teach them by example about the work ethic and Christian behavior. BAXTER BLACK Jeff was On the Edge of qualified; he Common Sense was a dealer for one of those companies that sell cattle handling equipment. Of course, he decided he could cut costs and labor because he knew the short cuts. He only had 20 cows, so a second-hand head catch would work. Some of the panels were damaged at the store, but he could use them. On roundup day he was ready. With his three kids, the oldest 9, and the wife, they made the cattle drive and herded them into the corral. He had patched together a short alley parallel to the fence that directed the cows to the head gate. Jeff had driven two 8-foot wooden posts into the soil with his tractor. The head gate was wired to the front of the posts, and the ends of the foot-long horizontal connecting rods were wired to the inside of the posts. The first cow into the alley was the out-of-control renegade cross-bred that stands back in the corner and glares at you! Jeff had not thought a “sweep” was necessary; in his dreams he thought they could just put a bar behind the cows as they
came down the alley. This meant directing his children to scare the cows and push them up. They were screaming, banging pots and pans, plastic whips and an empty dog food bag! Jeff was trying to get the bar behind the cow, then race up to the head gate to catch her, then back to push, then back to catch her … the cow banged into the head gate head-first! It was closed. Jeff ran forward to open the gate. The cow backed up. Jeff closed the gate and ran back to push her up. She beat him to the head gate again … banging it over and over! Each crash bent the posts further and further forward until they were at an angle. This managed to create a triangular space between the posts and the panels on both sides. The cow wedged her head into the space, enlarging it bigger and bigger — making room for one foot, then the other. Jeff, wearing his chaps and spurs and wielding a chunk of black plastic pipe, was valiantly trying to contain the beast. Alas, the aforementioned cow created her own side exit and bent the 16’ panel of continuous fence to a screeching 90 degrees, allowing her to make her escape. The family watched in awe. Jeff was mad, he mumbled something and the kids froze. The middle child said, “Dad … ?” Jeff looked at his family and the concerned expressions on their collective faces. He took a breath and sighed. He waited for them to say, “… are you alright? ... the cow’s running away! ... your shirt is torn! He waited. “Dad,” said the kid, “You said the ‘S’ word!” • Contact Baxter Black at www.baxterblack.com.
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News
Waggoner Ranch, among largest in U.S., listed for sale By EMILY SCHMALL Associated Press
FORT WORTH — One of the largest ranches in the U.S. and an icon for Texas horse and cattlemen has been listed for $725 million, marking the end of a decadeslong courtroom battle among the heirs of cattle baron W.T. Waggoner, who established the estate in 1923. The estate includes the 510,000-acre ranch spread over six North Texas counties, with two main compounds, hundreds of homes, about 20 cowboy camps, hundreds of quarter-horses, thousands of heads of cattle, 1,200 oil wells and 30,000 acres of cultivated land, according to Dallas-based broker Bernie Uechtritz, who is handling the sale along with broker Sam Middleton of Lubbock. Heirs and stakeholders cur-
Photo courtesy of www.waggonerranch. com
The main entrance to the 510,000-acre W.T. Waggoner Ranch, which is spread over six North Texas counties. The ranch has been put on the market with a list price of $725 million.
Photo courtesy of www.waggonerranch.com
Dan Waggoner, a native of Tennessee, began cattle ranching in 1849. rently occupy two of the three principle houses and much of the estate has not yet been explored
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for oil and other mineral reserves. The Waggoner Ranch is the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. W.T. Waggoner’s father, Dan Waggoner, started ranching in 1849, and the Waggoner name was prominent in the development of Hereford cattle and pedigree American quarter horses. “What really sets it apart is that all this land has been kept together under one fence by one
See RANCH, Page 11
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The Land & Livestock Post
BROADER LEAF. BIGGER YIELDS. BETTER GRAZING. “I was really pleased with Nelson ryegrass, the earliest we have ever started grazing after planting and the best hay crop we have ever had. Compared to Gulf, Nelson made over twice as much hay per acre. We are doubling our Nelson acreage next year. Nelson is easy and economical to establish and with todays cattle market, Nelson is extremely profitable to our operation.” John Pullen - Greenville, Texas “Nelson really took off fast and we had grazing until the first of June. The production was outstanding and it took the freezing weather and the drought last fall without missing beat. I have been absolutely impressed with Nelson ryegrass and it will definitely be our winter forage choice.” Larry Shrum - Pittsburg, Texas “Our experience last year with Nelson was outstanding. We ran a test with 65 acres of Nelson and 44 acres of Jumbo, a very good product we have used for a number of years. They were planted on adjacent fields on October 14 in well-prepared seedbeds. While Jumbo looked good, Nelson was truly outstanding. I would estimate that we produced 10% more forage with Nelson over Jumbo. I could only describe Nelson as ‘lush’. It was beautiful and the cows never wanted to move for recovery. It is a great product and I will use it again this year.”
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September 2014 — Issue 1
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News
Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
There are numerous cool-season annual species that can be used, alone or in mixtures, for winter pasture forage grazing.
Wheat alternatives expand winter pasture choices By Jim Johnson The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
The vast majority of the winter pasture in the Southern Great Plains is wheat. There are many reasons for this, including culture, the opportunity to harvest and sell grain, and government and insurance programs. There are numerous other cool-season annual species that can also be used, however, alone or in mixtures, for winter pasture forage grazing. Rye is popular on sandy soils or for overseeding into bermudagrass. Rye germinates easily and can be drilled or broadcast-planted at seeding rates and dates similar to wheat. Rye produces forage earlier in the fall but also matures earlier in the spring compared to wheat. Rye will continue to grow at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while wheat growth typically ceases at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Rye for-
• See CHILLIN’ OUT, page 16 age quality is similar to wheat, but palatability may be slightly lower. Rye tends to reseed if given the opportunity to set seed. Oats will out-produce wheat on heavier, wetter soils. Oats can be broadcast but will do better if they are drilled. The bushel weight of oats is only 32 pounds per bushel. Planting rate is typically two bushels per acre. Oats can be planted in the fall, like wheat, but also can be planted early in the spring. Oats have vigorous seedling growth so they can make high fall forage yields. Oats, however, are less tolerant than wheat to cold temperatures and can freeze out in winter. Oat forage quality is similar to wheat, but oats probably have the highest palatability of all the small grains. Barley is often overlooked for forage, but it will perform simi-
See WHEAT, Page 10
The Land & Livestock Post
September 2014 — Issue 1
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News Wheat, from Page 9 larly to wheat. Planting rates, dates, fertility needs, production and quality are all basically the same as wheat. The big advantage for barley is that it does better on salty soils than any other small grain. Triticale is an interspecific cross of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rye (Secale cereale). Its production timing is about midway between wheat and rye, and planting rates and dates are similar to wheat and rye, as would be expected. Just as a mule is superior to its parents, however, triticale has superior forage production compared to wheat or rye. Triticale easily can produce 50 percent more forage than wheat or rye. Annual ryegrass is not a small grain, but it is a cool-season annual grass. It does well on heavier, wetter soils. Annual ryegrass is planted at 5 to 20 pounds per acre, depending on if it is mixed with other small grains or if it is planted as a pure stand. Annual ryegrass can be planted from early fall through late winter. Most of its forage production occurs late in the spring. The lateness of annual ryegrass forage production works well with the earliness of rye forage production to provide a long grazing season of fall, winter and spring grazing. However, when overseeded into bermudagrass, the lateness of annual ryegrass production is often at the expense of bermudagrass during its production season. Annual ryegrass tends to reseed if given the opportunity to set seed. There are other forages that can be added to small grains potentially to increase diversity,
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forage production and forage quality; add nitrogen to the soil; break compaction; or increase soil health. Hairy vetch is a legume that often is used on sandy soils. It can be planted in mixtures with other winter forages or overseeded into bermudagrass in the fall. Planting rates vary from 5 to 10 pounds per acre. Most of the production from hairy vetch will come in the spring. There are also other vetches, such as cahaba, chickling, common and woolly pod, but these are used much less than hairy vetch. Hairy vetch tends to reseed if given the opportunity to set seed. Austrian winter pea is a legume that can be planted with winter pasture mixtures. Austrian winter pea does well on silty soils. Planting rates vary from 15 to 30 pounds per acre. Like vetch, most of the production will come in the spring. Turnips and rape are members of the brassica family that can be added to small grains for additional forage and diversity. Seeds of these are very small, so planting rates can be as little as 0.5 pounds per acre. Turnip and rape seed can be broadcast ahead of the drill or mixed with the small grain seed. Other brassicas that sometimes are used are Ethiopian cabbage, collards, kale, mustard and radishes. There are many clovers, but their production is typically too late in the spring/summer to be a major component of a winter pasture system. In addition to the forages listed in this article, there are others, such as safflower, which The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation is experimenting with and may find a place for in winter pastures in the future.
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The Land & Livestock Post
News Ranch, from Page 6
Map courtesy of www.waggonerranch.com
family for nearly 100 years, and its history in the settling of the West,” said court-appointed receiver Mike Baskerville. W.T. Waggoner’s granddaughter, Electra Waggoner Biggs, was a noted sculptress after whom Buick named a luxury car and Lockheed named a plane. In 1991, she filed a lawsuit seeking the liquidation of the family
estate, spurring a 12-year family feud. Biggs died in 2001. When a district judge ruled in favor of liquidation in 2003, one of the estate’s primary stakeholders, A.B. “Bucky” Wharton III, appealed. The family agreed to list the estate after the court said it was considering ordering an auction of the assets, Baskerville said. The listing already has attracted attention from interested buyers.
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The Land & Livestock Post
September 2014 — Issue 1
11
News Texas beef producers can apply for federal disaster aid due to drought By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
AgriLife Communications photo by Rod Santa Ana
Luis Ribera, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service international trade economist in College Station, worries about the effect on Texas producers on a Russian ban on U.S. agriculture products.
Russian ban on U.S. agricultural products to affect Texas producers By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
A Russian ban on U.S. agricultural products would be costly, especially to Texas, with the biggest impact to beef and poultry exporters, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist. The proposed ban is in retaliation for U.S. sanctions against Russia and its war with Ukraine. It’s unclear on how the restrictions will be applied. Luis Ribera, AgriLife Extension international trade economist in College Station, said the value of U.S. food and agricultural exports to Russia is $1.3 billion annually, which accounts for 10 percent of all exports. “In Texas, beef is a big export item and poultry is important, particularly dark meat items,” he said. “Texas also produces some soybeans and horticultural crops, so those industries could be affected.” According to U.S. Department
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of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service, poultry is the primary U.S. export to Russia at 25 percent valued at $323 million; oilseed, $186 million; farm machinery, $185 million; and live animals valued at $149 million. Russia is also the fifth-largest export market for U.S. pork and the eighth-largest export market worldwide for U.S. beef, according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. “There will be a ripple effect among all industries, everything from shipping and transportation to retailers,” he said. “There will be a multiplier in there, so the potential economic impact could be significant.” Ribera said the ban could lead to rising food prices and increased inflation rate to Russians. “Russia had an inflation rate of 7.9 percent during the first half of 2014,” he said. “Food prices have the potential to go way up as result of this ban. The issue there is this will hurt their own people as 40 percent of their total food supply is imported.”
Federal disaster aid for Texas cattle producers is available and officials are encouraging producers to act quickly in applying for programs. U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency Texas administrators gave updates on livestock disaster programming in College Station at the 60th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the department of animal science at Texas A&M University. Ranchers are encouraged to call the Farm Service Agency office in their county to set up appointments, as deadlines approach for these programs. The disaster programs are part of the Agricultural Act of 2014 — the new farm bill — which will help Texas cattle producers rebuild and recover drought losses dating back to 2011, said Judith Canales, Texas state executive director for the USDA-Farm Service Agency. “[As of Aug. 6], $258 million in livestock disaster payments have been distributed in Texas,” Canales said. “We have 173 offices here in Texas to work with you, and we encourage you to schedule an appointment.” Highlights of programs are: • Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance provides assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to a natural disaster. This includes grasses planted for livestock production. A fact sheet on this program is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap. • The Livestock Indemnity Program provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. To be eligible, a producer must have legally owned the eligible
Judith Canales, Texas state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency. livestock on the day the livestock died. A fact sheet on this program is available at 1.usa.gov/1slsUaj. • The Livestock Forage Disaster Program is retroactive to cover eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land that is native or improved pasture-
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land with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing. The program provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses on rangeland managed by a federal agency if the producer is prohibited by the federal agency from grazing normal permitted livestock on the managed rangeland due to a qualifying fire. The grazing losses must have occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011. Payments are based on animal units. A fact sheet on this program is available at 1.usa. gov/1sAsEWe. For more information on the disaster programs, go to 1.usa. gov/1sFkON6 or contact a local Texas Farm Service Agency county office.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News
Despite rains, Texas remains hot and dry By RoBeRt BuRns rd-burns@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION — Except for a few isolated areas, the entire state received some rain in in mid-August, from barely a trace to as much as 2 inches in parts of the Panhandle and West Central Texas, according to the National Weather Service. For most, the moisture received was not enough to prevent soils from drying out as the dog days of summer wound down, according to the following reports by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agents throughout the state: • Andy Holloway, Hemphill County, northeast of Amarillo — “August heat plus some winds have zapped a lot of the moisture on the topsoil profile we have been enjoying. Pastures that are overgrazed most particularly are getting very dry again. Overall, the summer has been excellent with above
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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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Eagle, P.O. Box 3000, Bryan,Texas 77805-3000 The Post is printed in part on recycled paper and is fully recyclable.
average moisture and cooler temperatures for the most part.” • Bryan Reynolds, Lynn County, south of Lubbock — “Continued hot and dry conditions are stressing the crops. Irrigation systems are operating to try and keep up with water demand. Many cotton fields are starting to cut out and finish up setting bolls because of the heat and lack of moisture.” • Justin Gilliam, Archer County, south of Wichita Falls — “Hot dry days have really taken a toll on soil moisture. Areas of the county did receive some rain this week but more is needed. Lake levels are still extremely low.” • Ralph Davis, Kaufman County, east of Dallas — “Hot, dry weather has eroded pasture conditions across the county. Producers are busy getting in the hay harvest. Grasshoppers are still heavy in some areas.” • Caleb Eaton, Ward County, southwest of Odessa — “Parts of eastern Ward County received up to 0.75 inch of rain. Triple-digit highs continue to plague Ward County, with range conditions deteriorating. Many ranchers are weaning and shipping calves early due to dry conditions.” • Wade Hibler, Burnet County, northwest of Austin — “Very hot and dry conditions have stopped all hay operations and put our pastures in fire danger.” • Roy Stanford, Orange County, east of Beaumont — “Dry hot conditions are stressing pastures and timber stands. Pastures that have not been grazed off are in fair condition. Timber die off is more evident in the last 30 days.” • Austin Kirmer, Uvalde County, west of San Antonio — If drought-like conditions persist, livestock herds will have to be culled back to adapt.”
The Land & Livestock Post
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September 2014 — Issue 1
hudsonlivestock.com 13
News
Mild summer provides optimum growing conditions By DAVID PITT Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa — A mild summer across much of the nation’s heartland has provided optimum growing conditions for the nation’s corn and soybean crops. Pair that with highyield seeds and other new farming technologies, and the U.S. is looking at breaking records come harvest time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture already has predicted a record soybean crop of 3.8 billion bushels. And the corn crop, it said in July, would be large but not bigger than last year’s record of 13.9 billion bushels. Many market analysts and some farmers, however, expect the USDA to revise expectations upward in a report based on field surveys. “Conditions look just fantastic across most of the country,” Texas A&M University grain marketing economist Mark Welch said. In a typical growing season, at least some corn-growing states would have experienced drought
TE PRIVA Y T A E TR
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or other production problems. But the 18 states that grow 91 percent of the nation’s corn have experienced nearly ideal conditions this year, as adequate rain fell when plants emerged and cooler summer temperatures minimized heat stress. That’s the case in Illinois, one of the nation’s top corn and soybean states. “Illinois has largely been dealt to date pretty close to a royal flush on weather and I’m sure that the yields are going to be very high here,” said Scott Irwin, a University of Illinois professor of agricultural and consumer economics. The expected large harvest has driven corn and soybean prices significantly lower, but it isn’t expected to make much of a short-time difference in consumer food prices. Since the grains are staples in livestock feed, however, lower prices could eventually lead to a decline in the cost of beef, pork, chicken and milk. “Eventually the economics
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A crop duster flies over a corn field bins near Ladora, Iowa. A mild summer across much of the nation’s heartland has provided optimum growing conditions for the nation’s corn and soybean crops. will feed through but I wouldn’t expect much relief in 2015 yet. It just takes time to go through the systems,” Irwin said. Weather doesn’t deserve all the credit for the amount of grain
farmers are getting from each acre this year. Agriculture companies have developed genetic characteristics in seeds that allow plants to be packed more densely per acre
See CROPS, Page 24
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September 2014 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
The Land & Livestock Post
September 2014 — Issue 1
15
News
Chillin’ out
Forage and pasture options for wintering cattle
S
By ROBERT FEARS and JANELLE FEARS Special to The Eagle
uccessful ranchers, whether they realize it or not, grow forage as their primary business and use cattle to harvest it. The primary forage base for pastures and rangeland in Texas is warm-season perennial grasses. These grasses have restricted to non-existent growth after the first killing-frost and during the winter months, so an array of options and associated costs need to be considered for wintering cattle. Options for wintering cattle were discussed at the recent 2014 Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course by Monte Rouquette Jr.of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Overton. The following paragraphs were primarily taken from Rouquette’s presentation, which is printed in the Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings.
Stockpiled Forage
One of the options for wintering cattle is stockpiling forage by grazing deferment during late summer/early fall for subsequent use after frost occurs. Cattle may graze the dormant forages during late fall and winter. A forage sample for quality analysis is a good investment for determining whether supplement is needed. If it is required, decisions can be made from the analysis on whether the supplement should be energy-based or protein-based. Management strategies can be developed on grazing duration by estimating the amount of standing forage. Clipping of quadrats is the most accurate way of measuring forage production. A quadrat or frame can be made from steel rod or ¼-inch pipe. A common size is an 11.5-inch by 22-inch frame which equals a 1.92 square foot area. Se-
16
Photo By Robert Fears
Annual ryegrass is a common winter pasture forage. It is not a small grain, but it is a cool-season annual grass that does well on heavier, wetter soils. Annual ryegrass can be planted from early fall through late winter. Most of its forage production occurs late in the spring. On the cover: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kay Ledbetter lect locations that represent the average forage production for the pasture and randomly throw the quadrat a distance of approximately 10 to 15 feet for each clipping. Work the frame through veg-
etation to the ground in the spot where it lands. Take a photograph of the vegetation in the frame from an angle and sun position that offers the best perspective
September 2014 — Issue 1
when viewed. Clip at ground level the vegetation rooted within the boundaries of the frame. Place each sample in a pre-
See FORAGE, Page 17
The Land & Livestock Post
News Forage, from Page 16 weighed paper bag and weigh each sample using a gram scale. Sample quadrats until there is confidence that a representative sampling has been obtained, usually 10 clippings. Sample dry weights are used to calculate carrying capacity. Forage utilization and stocking strategies may range from a continuous, nonrestrictive access to an entire pasture to
a rotational process of grazing a part of the pasture to a certain vegetative height and then moving the cattle to a different area by relocating electric fencing. Since the bottom third of a plant is always lower in nutritional value than the top third, animals in a rotational grazing system that are forced to consume the bottom third of the plant may need sup-
See WINTER, Page 18
Table 1. Estimated hay costs for cows with variable costs per ton and duration of feeding. Cost/ton Cost/lb Cost/day2
1
80 0.04 1.00
Duration of Haying (days) 60 90 120 150 180
100 0.05 1.25
Hay Costs ($) 150 200 0.075 0.10 1.875 2.50
Hay Costs per Cow ($) 75 113 150 113 169 225 150 225 300 188 281 375 225 338 450
60 90 120 150 180
250 0.125 3.125
300 0.15 3.75
188 281 375 469 563
225 338 450 563 675
Taken from “Forage and Pasture Options for Wintering Cattle.” Monte Rouquette, Jr., PAS, Proceedings of the 60th Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, August 4-6, 2014. P B-80 through B-94. 2 Assumes hay fed at 25 lbs/da per cow which approximates free choice quantity for a mature cow.
Photo By Robert Fears
The pile of grass on the left is the amount of forage eaten daily by a 1,200-pound cow and the one on the right is the amount consumed daily by a 1,000-pound cow.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
17
News Winter, from Page 17 plement in order to maintain body condition. Supplement requirements in these systems will depend largely upon the cattle lactation or pregnancy stages.
Hay
One of the oldest methods of conserving forage is hay production. Although there have been major improvements in technology and mechanization of baling, storing and shipping hay, product costs continue to depend largely upon a supplydemand scenario. Excess forage for hay production becomes a limited commodity in prolonged drought conditions such as those experienced in Texas during 2010 and 2011. During periods of below average forage production, manag-
Photo By Robert Fears
Range cubes should only be fed as a supplement, not a substitute for forage. ers are forced to cull cattle and/ or initiate hay feeding prior to the onset of the normal winter feeding period. Perhaps the most concerning and distressing for managers is the general lack of hay availability in addition to the increased costs. Table 1 provides estimated hay costs for cows that consume 25 pounds per day during a haying period of 60 to 180 days, with cost of hay rang-
See OPTIONS, Page 19
Signup deadline is November 15, 2014 • Ask us about the new program for annually planted forage (fall or spring) • Insure a percentage of avg. rainfall on hayable land or native pasture • Based on RAIN GAUGES measured by NOAA • Insurance of native pastures NETTED as much as $5/acre in 2011, whereas Hayland in many areas exceeded $50/acre • Backed by USDA • Not billed until September 2015 • Hargrove Insurance has been serving farmers and ranchers since 1983
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September 2014 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News
$5,350
$16,399
Photo By Robert Fears
Feeding round bales in a hay ring reduces waste, thus saving money.
Options, from Page 18 ing from $80 to $300 per ton. The obvious spreadsheet information shows that expensive hay and prolonged haying periods cannot be tolerated except under specific circumstances. The best option is to continually manage pastures for drought periods and avoid the need to buy hay. Round bales fed with free access can result in hay loss that exceeds 25 percent. One way to prevent this loss is to feed round bales from a hay ring. Avoid feeding too much hay at time to help reduce waste. A cow eats about two percent of her body weight daily; so a 1,200-pound cow will consume approximately 24 pounds of forage daily. If she receives supplement, consumption of forage will be reduced.
Winter options
Texas cool season pastures normally contain annual plants that have to be planted every year. Choices include small grains such as oats, wheat, rye or ryegrass and legumes such as medics and clovers. Triticale, another annual grass has shown good winter hardness and production capabilities in winter forage trials at the Luling Foundation and may be
another good choice. In the absence of moisture and anticipated rainfall, annual plants may not be a viable, productive option. With the increased cost of hay and reduced availability of forage for grazing, however, use of winter pastures may offer an excellent option for wintering cattle provided there is sufficient moisture to grow the crops. Management and utilization of cool-season annual forages for optimum economic returns involve an integration of basic forage-animal production knowledge with ability to make decisions on implementing various tasks in a timely manner. The art and science of an economically successful grazing venture with winter annual pastures is not always easy to master. Managers are required to make projections on forage dry matter growth and production as well as forage removal by grazing in order to establish an initial stocking rate. These stocking rates need to be adjusted during the growing season based on forage utilization. When choosing winter feeding options, make sure that your selections fit the ranch environment and management system. Economic returns need to be calculated on each option.
The Land & Livestock Post
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September 2014 — Issue 1
Greenfield Mini Pivot, Designed To Irrigate 1 to 60 Acres.
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News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley
Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Market’s Aug. 12 sale: Head: 742 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $309$370; 300-400 lbs., $284-$340; 400-500 lbs., $239-$310; 500600 lbs., $214-$260; 600-700 lbs., $200-$227; 700-800 lbs., $204-$217. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $260$330; 300-400 lbs., $249-$310; 400-500 lbs., $209-$245; 500600 lbs., $195-$232; 600-700 lbs., $184-$215; 700-800 lbs., $190-$199. Slaughter bulls: $125-$149. Slaughter cows: $90-$132. Bred cows: $1,200-$1,975. Cow/calf pairs: $1,300-$2,250.
Buffalo
Results of the Buffalo Livestock Market’s Aug. 9 sale:
Head: 1,505 Steers: 150-200 lbs., $325$400; 200-300 lbs., $300-$355; 300-400 lbs., $285-$350; 400500 lbs., $235-$340; 500-600 lbs., $215-$290; 600-700 lbs., $200$240; 700-800 lbs., $195-$215. Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $285$390; 200-300 lbs., $270-$350; 300-400 lbs., $265-$345; 400500 lbs., $235-$295; 500-600 lbs., $205-$260; 600-700 lbs., $195$250; 700-800 lbs., $150-$210. Slaughter bulls: $110-$160. Slaughter cows: $65-$139. Bred cows: $1,350-$3,000. Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$2,900.
Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Aug. 13 sale: Head: 743 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $320-$360;
300-400 lbs., $260-$300; 400-500 lbs., $235-$280; 500-600 lbs., $220-$255; 600-700 lbs., $199$220; 700-800 lbs., $180-$205. Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $265$350; 300-400 lbs., $260-$345; 400-500 lbs., $230-$275; 500600 lbs., $210-$270; 600-700 lbs., $196-$265; 700-800 lbs., $175-$200. Slaughter bulls: $125-$1407. Slaughter cows: $85-$130. Stocker cows: $1,310-$1,825.
Groesbeck Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Exchange’s Aug. 14 sale: Head: 621 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $285$350; 400-500 lbs., $275-$320; 500-600 lbs., $225-$255; 600-700 lbs., $200-$230.
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Milano Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Aug. 12 sale: Head: 658 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $221$351; 400-500 lbs., $247-$299; 500-600 lbs., $217-$255; 600-700 lbs., $196-$221. Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $236$291; 400-500 lbs., $230-$251; 500-600 lbs., $209-$243; 600-700 lbs., $193-$203. Slaughter bulls: $130-$144. Slaughter cows: $81-$125.
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Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Aug. 9 sale: Head: 1,685 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $200$435; 300-400 lbs., $200-$365; 400-500 lbs., $175-$315; 500600 lbs., $160-$260; 600-700 lbs., $155-$230. Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195$365; 300-400 lbs., $185-$295; 400-500 lbs., $175-$265; 500-600 lbs., $165-$507.50; 600-700 lbs., $160-$223. Slaughter bulls: $100-$148. Slaughter cows: $85-$129. Stocker cows: $1,200-$1,825. Cow/calf pairs: $1,500-$2,300. — Special to The Post
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September 2014 — Issue 1
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News
Viral disease chikungunya has arrived in Texas By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, has been identified in five Texas counties — four of them in South Central Texas — and may become endemic to the state, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologists. As far as the Texas cases are concerned, at this time it appears in each instance the disease was contracted in one of the countries where it is more common, said Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville. “The first confirmed case of the disease in Texas was in Williamson County, and the most recent confirmed case was in Bexar County,” said Molly Keck, AgriLife Extension entomologist and integrated pest management specialist, Bexar County. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, cases also have been confirmed in Gonzales, Travis and Harris counties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website notes chikungunya is not considered fatal, but can have serious symptoms, including severe joint pain and swelling, fever, muscle pain, headache and rash. Those most at risk are the very young, people 65 and older and individuals with chronic medical conditions. The virus is not spread from person to person, and there is no treatment other than managing the symptoms. Keck said the disease is fairly well known in Africa, Asia and Europe, but has more recently found its way into the Caribbean and the Americas. “The bad news is that the insect species that commonly transmit chikungunya, the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, are found in Texas,” she said. “So we have the mosquito that vectors the disease and we have
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Mike Merchant
The Aedes albopictus or Asian tiger mosquito (shown here) is one of the two mosquito species known to commonly transmit chikungunya. The other is Aedes aegypti. Both species are found in Texas. the host, humans. And since the sion of West Nile. But they are disease pathogen is also present, not necessary as a vector for chiwe have all three components to kungunya.” She said both Aedes aegypti potentially make the disease enand Aedes albopictus mosquidemic.” “Since the virus is known to toes can carry the disease, but be in the area, people who have A. aegypti is primarily found in symptoms should go to a physi- the southern U.S. while A. albopcian to determine what is causing ictushas has a much greater geotheir illness,” said Wizzie Brown, graphic range. For more information about AgrLife Extension entomologist in Travis County. “A blood test chikungunya, go to www.cdc. is required to test for chikungu- gov/chikungunya/. “While there’s not much you nya.” Brown said if people treat can do about chikungunya if you their symptoms at home with- get it, there’s still much you can out seeing a doctor, it can cause do to prevent mosquito bites in instances of the disease to be the first place,” Keck said. “For example, if you’re planning to under-reported. Keck noted it is “very likely” travel to the Caribbean or one that chikungunya can become of the countries where chikunendemic to Texas, possibly on a gunya is more common, be sure greater scale than the West Nile to pack some insect repellent to reduce your risk of contracting virus. “With West Nile, birds are the the disease. “And now that we have conprimary host and humans are the final or end host,” she said. firmed cases in Texas, it would “The virus never reaches a high also be wise to apply insect reenough level in our bodies for a pellent anytime you spend time mosquito to pick it up from us. outdoors, not just during dawn Therefore, there is a third player, and dusk when mosquitoes are birds, necessary for transmis- typically the most active. The
The Land & Livestock Post
September 2014 — Issue 1
mosquito species that transmit chikungunya are extremely active during the day.” Keck said the most effective repellents are those containing DEET. “Repellents with up to 30 percent DEET are usually safe for young children, but should not be used on babies or infants,” she said. “Extension recommends repellents approved by the EPA and recommended by the CDC for their ability to effectively repel mosquitoes for extended periods of time. These include DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus.” If you need to be outside, try to wear light-colored, loose-fitting shirts or tops with long sleeves and pants, she said. “It helps to spray repellent on your clothes too,” Keck added. Swiger said aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs on moist ground around the edges of water or the inside walls of artificial containers. After water accumulates, the eggs become submerged and hatch. “If conditions are too dry when the eggs are first laid, they will die,” she said. “But if the embryo can develop before it gets too dry, the eggs can withstand adverse conditions for long periods.” Keck said to help prevent mosquito proliferation, homeowners should empty any containers, tires, buckets, bags, birdbaths or other items that may capture rainwater and become a mos-
quito breeding ground. “During the hot months, mosquitoes can go from egg to adult within a week; be sure to dump standing water at least every three days,” she said. “You can also exclude mosquitoes by keeping doors and windows fully closed and making sure screen doors close tightly and don’t have any holes or tears in them.” Janet Hurley, an AgriLife Extension school integrated pest management specialist in Dallas, suggested emptying plastic wading pools weekly and storing them indoors when not in use. “You should also remember to repair leaky pipes and outside faucets and fill any holes or depressions in trees with sand or mortar,” she said. Hurley said another way to help reduce adult mosquito populations is to mow tall grass areas and reduce the amount of brush or other foliage to eliminate some adult mosquito resting sites. “You can also consider fog treatment or surface treatments for temporary relief in yards or high-traffic areas,” she said. “But only use insecticides that are labeled for that purpose and apply them according to product label directions.” The entomologists said while taking these measures may not keep someone from getting bitten by mosquitoes, they can significantly reduce the number of bites, which will reduce the chance of becoming infected by a mosquito-borne disease.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
The Land & Livestock Post
News Temple Grandin tells how to handle livestock carefully ers are shipping calves with little or no preconditioning. Many are penning and loading sale-weight calves onto the trailer for the first time without any pre-conditioning programs. “With prices high, calves are being weaned on trucks,” she said.
By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
When it comes to handling livestock, observing the little things can make for a more pleasant experience — both for the animal and the livestock, according to Temple Grandin, Colorado State University professor and animal scientist. “I stress to students the need to be observant,” said Grandin, who has advised ranchers, feedlots and meat plants throughout the U.S. and Canada on handling equipment as well as developing animal welfare guidelines for the meat industry. Grandin gave a lecture Aug. 14 to Texas A&M University’s department of animal science faculty. Grandin also was the commencement speaker and received an honorary doctoral degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences during graduation ceremonies at Texas A&M University in College Station. “I’m a visual thinker, and it’s all about the details when it comes to cattle and horses and what they are afraid of,” she told faculty members. “It’s the little things.” Such things as a dangling
That makes it even more difficult to eliminate stress on calves as they are sold off of ranches and transferred to feedlot operators and other segments of the beef industry, Grandin said. Many have never been exposed to handlers on foot, horseback or both, she said.
Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Blair Fannin
Temple Grandin, an expert in cattle handling and animal welfare, visits with Texas A&M AgriLife administrators before giving a lecture recently in College Station. chain in a loading chute or dogs roaming around the holding pen and chute all can make livestock frightened and hard to handle for producers. Grandin, who is autistic and was the subject of an Emmy award-winning HBO documentary in 2010, said her condition has helped her get a better understanding of animals’ sensitivities to bright light, sudden movements and strange objects. Grandin said much unwanted cattle behavior can be avoided if basic livestock handling practices are followed. Research has shown that yelling and whistling will elevate
the animals’ heart rate, Grandin said. “Never surprise an animal,” she added. With cattle prices at historic highs, Grandin said, many ranch-
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September 2014 — Issue 1
23
News Crops, from Page 14 grams can run at night if needed, helping farmers adjust planting when weather delays field work. “When conditions are right we have the ability to get in and get that crop established so much more quickly than we could in the past ...,” Welch said. “We’re just creating an environment that when the weather cooperates we’re capturing more of the
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File
Faced with tougher and more resistant weeds, corn and soybean farmers are anxiously awaiting government decisions on a new version of a popular herbicide — and on genetically modified seeds to grow crops designed to resist it. The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to rule in the fall on Dow AgroSciences’ application to market Enlist, a new version of the 2,4-D herbicide that’s been around since the 1940s.
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L A R G E S T
September 2014 — Issue 1
potential and the possibilities genetically that are within that corn plant.” During the lifetime of the average U.S. farmer, who’s 58, corn yields have more than tripled from a national average of 44 bushels per acre in the 1950s to nearly 150 bushels per acre in recent years. Average corn yields set a re-
R U R A L
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The Land & Livestock Post
News Summer, from Page 24 cord in 2009 with 164.7 bushels per acre. The USDA previously estimated 165.3 bushels per acre this year. The record soybean yield also came in 2009, an average of 44 bushels per acre for a 3.36 billion-bushel harvest. The USDA expects a national average of 45.2 bushels per acre and a crop of 3.8 billion bushels this fall. Wayne Humphries, who farms about 1,000 acres in southeast Iowa, recently attended a National Corn Growers conference in Washington. What’s unusual about this year, he learned, is that farmers who irrigate dry areas of Nebraska and Texas didn’t turn on the water until late last month — weeks later than normal.
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File
A farmer drives his tractor past a soybean field toward grain storage bins near Ladora, Iowa, early last month.This summer has provded the optimum growing season in many parts of the country. “People were there from all over in corn-producing states and they said it just looks really good,” he said. The downside of a bumper crop is depressed prices for the farmers’ haul, meaning they could break even or lose money. The price for corn scheduled for December delivery, widely considered a benchmark, was $3.66 per bushel in mid-August. That’s at least 50 cents a bushel below what most farmers spent on seed, fertilizer, pest- and weedcontrol chemicals and fuel. Some farmers will store grain and sell when prices improve, while others may use a portion of their federal crop insurance that kicks in when prices fall below certain thresholds.
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News
Unmanned aerial vehicles prove useful in agriculture By Corey Moffet Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
Unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly referred to as drones in a majority of media outlets, have played an important role in U.S. military operations. These sophisticated flying machines have proven their utility in this arena, albeit at a huge price. Now the unmanned aerial vehicle industry is looking to expand into the civilian world, and the agricultural sector is expected to play a large role in this expansion. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration is determining how unmanned aircraft systems might be integrated safely into the national airspace system. The FAA uses the acronym “UAS” to include the unmanned aerial vehicles and all the associated support equipment, such as control stations, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment. Often the image that comes to mind when thinking about drones is something like the iconic Predator with its nearly 60-foot wingspan and a loaded weight of more than 1 ton. This type of drone would occupy the same airspace routinely used by general and commercial aviation. The challenge the FAA has in figuring out how to integrate safely these large drones into the national airspace is not trivial. Agriculture, however, can benefit
Photo courtesy of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Small unmanned aerial vehicles have the potential to improve agricultural management. from drones much smaller than the Predator. A system with a takeoff weight less than 55 pounds is classified as a small unmanned aerial vehicle by the FAA, and the agency has made it a priority to propose new rules governing their use. These drones are more of the scale and type that legally are flown now at elevations of 400 feet above ground level and lower by hobbyists for recreational purposes. Many of these droness can be disassembled easily and transported in a case the size of a large briefcase. Like other classes of aircraft, small drones can be fixed wing or rotary wing. The fixed-wing aircraft tend to be more stable and require less power to stay aloft than the rotary-wing craft, but they are also less agile. Many drones use an autopilot system to sense their position and altitude, and make necessary corrections to stay upright and on path. Once this type of drone is airborne, the operator has little or nothing to do with the flight. Flight plans typically are designed using software on a laptop computer, and the flight path is communicated over a data link to the drone.
See DRONES, Page 29
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September 2014 — Issue 1
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News Replacement heifers with calf need to continue to grow and maintain body condition By DonalD StottS Oklahoma State University
STILLWATER, Oklahoma — While strong cattle prices are encouraging producers to develop replacement heifers to add to their current cow herd, cattle producers need to be paying extra attention to conditioning bred heifers for optimal health. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension emeritus livestock specialist, said bred replacement heifers that will calve in January and February need to continue to grow and maintain body condition. “Ideally, 2-year-old heifers should be in a body condition score of 6 at the time their first calf is born,” he said. “This allows them the best opportunity to provide adequate colostrum to the newborn, repair the reproductive tract, return to heat cycles, rebreed on time for next year and continue normal body growth.” In terms of production and management, the heifers typically need to be gaining about one pound per head per day from now until calving time, assuming that the animals are in good body condition coming out of summer. Also, the heifers will need supplemental protein, if the major source of forage in the diet is bermudagrass or native pasture or grass hay. If the forage source is adequate in quantity and average in quality, say 6 percent to 9 percent crude protein, heifers will need about 2 pounds of a high protein — between 38 percent and 44 percent crude protein — in supplement each day. “This will probably need to be increased with higher quality hay such as alfalfa or additional energy feed such as 20 percent range cubes as winter weather creates additional nutrient requirements,” Selk said. “Soybean
hulls or wheat-mids also may be used to ensure adequate energy intake of pregnant heifers.” Provided adequate rainfall produces necessary growth, wheat pasture can be used as a supplement for pregnant replacement heifers. Using wheat pasture judiciously makes sense for pregnant heifers for two reasons: • Pregnant heifers consuming full feed of wheat pasture will gain about three pounds per head per day. If they are on the wheat too long, the heifers can become obese and cause calving difficulty. • The wheat pasture can be used for gain of stocker cattle or weaned replacement heifers more efficiently. If wheat pasture is used for bred heifers, use it judiciously as a protein supplement by allowing the heifers access to the wheat pasture on alternate days. Some cattle producers have reported that one day on wheat pasture and two days on native range appear to work best. “This encourages the heifers to go rustle in the warm season pasture for the second day, rather than just stand by the gate waiting to be turned back in to the wheat,” Selk said. Whatever method is used to grow the pregnant replacement heifers, Selk reminds producers to be aware of how their management is ensuring the animals are in good body condition by calving so that the heifers will grow into fully-developed productive cows. Cattle and calves are the number one agricultural commodity produced in Oklahoma, accounting for approximately 50 percent of total agricultural cash receipts.
The Land & Livestock Post
Drones, from Page 27 When the flight is complete, the drone returns to a spot the operator has designated for safe landing. Some rotary-wing aircraft can return to the very same spot where they began flight. Initially, drones will be useful for agriculture because of their ability to deploy meaningful sensors, making it easy for users to observe resources from a vantage point not previously feasible. In some ways, drone technology is positioned where personal computer technology was in the late 1970s. Computers at that time were large and very expensive, but they had proven useful in government and business. The personal computer was mainly of interest to hobbyists and produced few real-world benefits. Many believed the personal computer would remain a curiosity of this small group of enthusiasts.
Photo courtesy of www.precisiondrone.com
Drones are increasingly being used in agriculture. At that time, it would have been hard to believe that one day many families would own multiple computers or even imagine the now ubiquitous smartphones and tablets. The high cost and difficulty of using a personal computer in the 1970s were big adoption hurdles. For the unmanned aerial vehicle today, the hurdles are regulatory (though for the small drones, these should be overcome soon),
cost and the lack of simple tools that can use sensor data to help producers make decisions. In crops such as corn and soybean, a number of tools already are available, and the development of similar tools for rangelands and forage crops will follow. If drones follow a similar path as the personal computer, low cost and useful tools will come — perhaps in ways we can’t even imagine now.
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September 2014 — Issue 1
29
News AgriLife growing colorful potatoes to appeal to younger consumers By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
SPRINGLAKE — A decline in overall potato consumption has Texas A&M AgriLife Research breeders working on “designer” spuds that meet the time constraints and unique tastes of a younger generation. Creighton Miller, AgriLife Research potato breeder from College Station, recently conducted the Texas A&M Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program field day at the farm of cooperator Bruce Barrett south of Springlake. “Potatoes are an important delivery system for nutrients to humans,” Miller said. “The average consumption in the U.S. is 113 pounds per year per person. But overall potato consumption in the U.S. has generally declined somewhat. “So what we are doing now is developing unique varieties that have a tendency to appeal to the younger set with high income who are willing to try something different,” he said. “This has contributed to an increase in consumption of these types over the russets, which are still the standard.” Miller said the objective of the Texas A&M potato breeding program is to develop improved varieties adapted specifically to Texas environmental conditions. “However, some of our varieties are widely adapted across the U.S.,” he said. “Three of them collectively represent the fifth-
Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photos by Kay Ledbetter
Above, purple potatoes. Right, in addition to the traditional russet potato, the Texas A&M Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program led by Creighton Miller is producing a variety of colored gourmet potatoes. Far right, yellow-flesh potatoes. largest number of acres certified for seed production in the U.S., so we’ve released some successful varieties, and we are developing more all the time.” The Texas Potato Variety Development Program currently has 412 entries at the Springlake trials and 927 entries at the Dalhart trials. Additionally, the 2014 seedling selection trials at both Springlake and Dalhart include 115,408 seedlings from 634 families or crosses. “We are always interested in new and improved red varieties and russet varieties, but there are some other types that have become more interesting lately,” Miller said. One type is a small potato, he said, adding that within the trials he is looking for varieties with a heavy set of small potatoes. “One of the reasons for the popularity of the smaller potato is with both spouses working, the amount of time required to pre-
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pare potatoes becomes an issue with some people,” Miller said. “With the small potatoes, they can be microwaved very fast and be on the table in a hurry.” Other varieties catching more attention are red potatoes with yellow and white flesh and the purple skinned potatoes with
yellow flesh, he said. The tubers with yellow flesh contain compounds that are antioxidants, and that appeals to the health-conscious consumer. “So in addition to having the unique appearance, they are healthier potatoes to eat,” he said.
And this year, Miller also has specialty potatoes with splashes of red and yellow on the skin that have a yellow flesh. “These are referred to as gourmet potatoes and that niche is receiving more emphasis lately,” he said. “These are generally boiled and add unique color to the plate when served.” But Miller was quick to say the russet potato is still the primary emphasis of the program, and a new russet being grown by the Barrett’s will soon be released for commercial production. “It promises to be very successful,” he said.
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