Land and Livestock Post

September September 20152015 — Issue — 1

When summer ends ... and it will

How to prepare those winter pastures PAGE 20

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT # 23

JAMESFOR PLAN THOMPSON DROUGHT

JAMES GET TOTHOMPSON KNOW YOUR VET

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JAMES THOMPSON POISON CONTROL

JAMES SAIL AWAY THOMPSON

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Grande Valley.

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

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News From the General Manager

y kids eat fruit bars for breakfast most weekday mornings when I’m in charge of getting them to daycare. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a fruit bar, or even know the best way to eat them, but my children have developed a method that they seem to enjoy.

The first step is to squeeze the fruit bar as hard as you can, and then kind of smear it in the general vicinity of JESSE WRIGHT your mouth. After the fruit filling and grain-based outside of the fruit bar are combined to a sticky paste, you eat as much as you can and then — and this part is key — wipe the remainder on your father’s shirt.

These fruit bars come in many flavors, but anything that is not red may induce a meltdown.

I’ve tried putting bibs on the kids, I’ve tried using wet wipes after they’re finished. I’ve even tried to sneak in a beige-ish apple fruit bar. Inevitably, I end up with something on my shirt.

When you have two kids in daycare, you always end up with something on your shirt.

I could fret over this fact, and spend my days washing clothes, but instead I prefer to lower my standards of what a clean shirt really is. Just because a shirt has a stain on it, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s out of the rotation. I mean, would you wait for your hair to dry before you went swimming? I don’t look at it as being lazy. I look at as being economical.

If you do not have two kids in daycare, you probably can afford new shirts. But what you may not be able to afford is high feed costs during the winter months, This is where the impor-

tance of having a winter pasture comes in. In our cover story we look at options for winter forage in this region.

In this issue, we also have our Vet’s Voice column as well as news from Texas A&M AgriLife along with updates and information from around the 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.

Course attendees told ‘exciting times’ ahead for the cattle business

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

“Hot” described the temperature in College Station during the opening general session of the 61st Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, and it could also accurately have described a red-hot cattle market the past two years.

“These are exciting times indeed, but are they here to stay?” said Jason Cleere, conference coordinator and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, addressing one of the highest-attended short course events ever.

More than 1,680 beef cattle producers gathered at Texas A&M to hear the latest about the cattle market and future trends.

“I think there is a lot to look forward to down the road,” Cleere told attendees.

Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock marketing economist, said cattle

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Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock marketing economist, discusses the cattle market during the general session of the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course.

Cattle, from Page 4 market may have topped earlier this year, but don’t expect a downward spiral in prices any time soon. Peel, however, said to “prepare for lower prices” according to decades of past charts and data.

“It’s been fun on the way up. It’s been easy to make money on the way up,” Peel said. “There still will be some good times ahead, but you’re going to have to manage costs in relation to the market. It all goes back to cost management.

“Now is a good time to invest some of those good returns you’ve had to help manage costs over the next few years. That might be investing in (replacement) females or brush control.

“I’m still optimistic. The best cure for high prices is high prices,” Peel said.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, Peel said drought conditions have improved dramatically and beef producers “have been able to switch from defense to offense” in rebuilding herds.

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“We are on the way back to seeing expansion,” Peel said.

U.S. cattle inventory was up 2.5 percent as of July 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Beef cow numbers totaled 30.5 million July 1 as compared to 29.7 million in 2014.

Other indicators include a 6.9 percent decline in cattle slaughter so far for 2015 as well as an 11.5 percent decline in heifer slaughter.

“That’s pretty strong evidence we are expanding,” Peel said.

Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist in Uvalde, discussed emerging issues in the beef industry. He said the recent lifting of the ban on imports from Argentina and Brazil will weigh on U.S.-produced grass-fed and organic beef markets.

“It’s quite likely some of these imports could compete one-onone with some of the products you produce here,” Machen said. He advised those who produce grass-fed and organic beef in Texas and abroad to manage

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News Course, from Page 3 costs and keep a watchful on the issue as it could affect business.

When it comes to food and beef, millennials — born in the 1980s or 1990s — want to know who raised it, how it was treated, where it came from, whether it contains g enetically modified organisms, the environmental impact and whether it is sustainable.

“They want somebody that is tied to agriculture, somebody they can trust to answer their questions,” Machen said. “There is nobody better to tell our story than us.”

Machen encouraged beef producers to tell their story about stewardship and stockmanship and “tell it as often as you can.”

“Tell your grandkids to invite their friends to come

out to the ranch and tell your story. How we help the millennials, the kids they are raising, is going to have a profound influence on who is inheriting the ranch on down the line,” Machen said.

Other g eneral session speakers included Russell Woodward, senior manager of product marketing with the Texas Beef Council; Dan Halstrom, senior vice president of global marketing and communications with the U.S. Meat Export Federation; and Brian Bledsoe, Colorado-based meteorologist featured monthly in the Southern Livestock Standard.

This year’s short course was dedicated to David Bade, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist emeritus.Badethankedthemany beef cattle producers he has worked with throughout his

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist and Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course coordinator, led off the general session. career and was thankful for receiving the honor during Monday’s traditional prime rib dinner held at the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus.

The dinner also featured remarks by Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M President Michael K. Young.

The event showcases the latest research and educational programs offered by AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the department of animal science at Texas A&M. The annual event is one of the largest beef-education workshops in the country, according to organizers.

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News

AP Photo/Lisa Rathke

Beatrice LeVesque of Montreal feeds a horse atAllenholm Farm apple orchard in South Hero,Vermont. As more farms open up to visitors for apple picking, hay rides and corn mazes, extension officials are urging the owners to take steps so their facilities and equipment are safe to help prevent accidents.

Be aware of the dangers of opening your farm to visitors

By LISA RATHKE Associated Press

SOUTH HERO, Vermont — As more farms open themselves up to visitors for apple picking, hay rides and some extra income, experts are advising owners to take steps to prevent accidents — be they small or fatal.

Farming is one of the more dangerous occupations in the U.S. mostly due to the machinery and equipment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But a growing interest in local food has led to agritourism becoming a big business, with the number of U.S. farms reporting income from such activities rising 42 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to the latest Census of Agriculture.

Adding urbanites, who may not be familiar with hazards such as irrigation ponds or farm equipment that could pique a child’s interest, can be a recipe for accidents.

So, experts say farmers have to purchase the proper insurance, know where the hazards are and keep tourists away from

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those areas. Doing so can prevent injuries, lawsuits and notoriety and keep farms in business.

It isn’t known how many agritourism-related injuries have occurred in the U.S., said Marsha Salzwedel, an agritourism safety specialist with the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Two people were killed last year: A teenager who, along with other riders, was thrown off a hayride trailer into trees in Maine and a 2-year-old girl who was pinned when a van shuttling passengers from a New Jersey farm’s harvest festival rolled into another van.

But, Salzwedel said, “the majority of these incidents if not all of them are pretty much preventable.”

The first key is assessing the risks, said Brian Schilling of Rutgers’ Cooperative Extension in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

“If you’ve grown up on a farm you’re sort of blind to a lot of these things,” he said, advising owners to have an extension

See TOURISM, Page 17

September 2015 — Issue 1

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News Planning for drought when it’s wet promotes future success

By HugH Aljoe The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

One of the most meaningful quotes I heard in college came from Wayne Hamilton, a range management professor at Texas A&M University, who said, “The time to plan for a drought is when it’s raining, and the time to plan for rain is during a drought.”

I truly can appreciate these words of wisdom more today than ever in my career having the recent experiences of both drought (in 2011 and 2012) and surplus rain (flooding) in the spring of 2015.

This leads to the questions “Are we still in a drought or long-term dry spell?” and “Should we be planning for drought or rain?” The short answers to those questions are “Yes,” and “Both — drought long-term and good moisture conditions short-term.”

If you as a producer take any stock into the climate and weather predictions, you are aware of the El Niño/La Niña phe-

Photo courtesy of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation A producer who has abundant grass at the end of the year has many options. nomenon and its effect on our region.

We currently are experiencing an El Niño effect, which means our region typically receives above-average rainfall.

Many producers in Oklahoma and Texas received their expected yearly rainfall in May and June this year. It has been a very moist first half of the year, providing much needed recovery of deep soil moisture and pond/lake water.

Due to the excessive rainfall amounts, however, many producers were not able to benefit in forage production. Although there was abundant rain in the spring, it did not equate to surplus forage. The good news is El Niño conditions are projected to remain with us through the remainder of the year. There is still a lot of the grow-

See DROUGHT, Page 27

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News Looking at nitrate and prussic acid toxicity in fall forages

By Dr. Glennon Mays Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital

C

onfusion exists regarding prussic acid and nitrate toxicities. This perplexity occurs at all levels of hands-on livestock management from owner and care taker to the veterinarian.

Technically, distinct differences can be illustrated between the two poisonings. We’ll elaborate more on these variations shortly.

At least for discussion purposes, it’s difficult to appreciate why one could ever become confused in categorizing clinical cases into the appropriate treatment protocol. Application of these principles, however, is more difficult under the stress of actual cases where cows suddenly have died and pasture mates are down and appear to be closely following the path of the cows that died.

Perhaps to better understand the differences, let’s first consider the similarities. Prussic acid and nitrate toxin exposure both exist on most livestock veterinarians’ list of possible causes for sudden death loss.

Either toxicity produces rapid death in ruminants — sometimes within minutes of exposure to the toxin.

With all intoxications, the onset and severity of symptoms

depends on the amount of toxin exposure — the dose received. I have driven as far as 75 miles to examine down cows only to discover they were affected with prussic acid poisoning. I then successfully administered the appropriate antidote, resulting in all affected cows surviving.

Alternatively, a colleague shared that he stood helplessly with antidote in hand amidst a pen of cattle watching the down cow’s last agonal breath when only a few moments before he watched her randomly snatch a mouthful of Johnson grass before falling to the ground. Even though he just returned from hurdling the fence to retrieve the antidote from his truck, he was too late.

The first noted similarity in the toxins: Death can occur right before your eyes or be delayed enough to allow antidote administration producing a recovery miracle. Neither of these toxins can be differentiated by how quickly affected animals die.

Second noted similarity: Ruminants poisoned with either toxin quickly display signs of difficult breathing, inability to walk normally, frothing/ salivating, weakness and collapsing to the ground. None of these signs allow separation of possible cause between the two toxins. Specific diagnosis

Vet’s Voice

remains obscure.

At this point, however, textbooks describe distinctions between animals poisoned by these toxins: • Nitrate-poisoned individuals reportedly have chocolate brown blood because the toxin prevents combining hemoglobin and oxygen as the blood returns through the lungs. The blood can’t re-oxygenate.

• Animals poisoned with prussic acid reportedly have

cherry red blood because the toxin prevents the hemoglobin from releasing oxygen as it courses through the body. The blood can’t release oxygen.

Now, it becomes easier to understand the similarities in symptoms. In either case, affected animals’ tissues are oxygen-starved.

These two points seem simple enough that ready diagnosis awaits placing a needle in the down animal’s jugular vein.

Often, reality is that recognition of dark or red blood color eludes the examiner — it simply looks like ordinary blood.

Prussic acid poisoning is synonymous with cyanide poisoning. Several plants are notorious for harboring prussic acid, resulting in sources for

poisoning cases. Accumulation of the poison in the plant occurs seasonally and is associated with environmental change.

The sorghum plant family is one such group. Johnson grass is one representative and usually receives most of the bad press. These plants historically serve as nutritional staples for livestock.

One seasoned rancher commented, however, he had seen a lot more cows die from not eating Johnson grass than from eating it. His experience with the toxins was gained during the drought of the 1950s.

Examples of sorghum family members include: sorghum, sudan, red top cane and Johnson

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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News Toxicity, from Page 8 grass. Other possible sources include Haygrazer and varieties and milo stubble.

Historically, sorghums can be dangerously high with cyanide at two stages of a plant’s growth cycle. Most experienced livestock managers consider the greatest threat when the plant has been stressed either by hot or cold weather resulting in a burned, wilted or frost-bitten development. Secondarily, plants experiencing a sudden growth spurt such as 5 or 6 days following a rain shower theoretically serve as another threat for poisoning livestock.

Successful treatment requires administration of the proper antidote in a timely manner.

Nitrate poisoning occurs with the aid of bacteria living in the cow’s rumen. In fact, we more correctly refer to this phenomenon as nitrite poisoning. Cattle ingesting dangerous levels of nitrate in forages or hay succumb when bacteria in the rumen convert the ingested nitrate into toxic nitrite. The adage “nitrates she ate; nitrites she died” describes this digestive downfall.

Horses consuming the same diet most likely are unaffected.

Several plants are known to collect nitrates from the soil environment: Johnson grass (yes, it can play this role, too), Careless weed or Pig weed, Russian thistle, Dock, Lambsquarters, and Nightshades. Plants prone to accumulate nitrogen from soils do so more readily when growing in soils high in nitrogen, such as fertilized areas or livestock pens.

Another potential risk for dangerous nitrate levels may develop from nitrogen application to forages. Lack of adequate rainfall following fertilization with nitrogen allows dangerous levels to remain in the plants rather than dissolve into the ground from adequate watering.

Photo courtesy of Tam Garland Young leaves of Johnson grass that develop this wavy appearance may contain high levels of prussic acid and animals should not be allowed to graze until testing determines the levels to be safe.

As with prussic acid poisoning, successful treatment of nitrite toxicity requires administration of the proper antidote in a timely manner.

Thankfully, diagnostic laboratory tests exist, allowing determination of the presence of prussic acid and/or nitrate levels in plant materials. Samples from standing forage or with the aid of a hay probe are submitted for analysis. Sometimes, plants contain unsafe levels of both poisons. Proper packaging and timely arrival of samples are key for accurate analysis, though.

Management considerations depend on which toxin exists and whether the forage is standing or baled.

Prussic acid levels unsafe in forage

Because cyanide is gaseous, it evaporates given time, but how much time is enough time?

Simply answered, more time is better. Realistically, the time frame usually is measurable in days. Baled product simply can be unrolled or broken open to increase exposure to air.

Secondary or tertiary sample submissions of standing forages to a laboratory should reveal a dropping level, thus reducing the risk from consumption.

If management’s decision involves turning cattle onto standing forage without laboratory analysis, several points are noteworthy: • Allow access to only a few head so individuals are more easily monitored and potential death losses are reduced.

Moreover, antidote availability often is limited. The responding veterinarian may not have ad-

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News Analysis, from Page 9 equate inventory to successfully treat numerous animals.

• Don’t turn hungry animals onto suspect forage. Allow the individuals accessing the standing forage to “fill up” on hay known to be safe for consumption.

• Observe the animals closely following turn in. Obviously, immediately remove any individuals able to leave if problems become recognizable. If no problems develop, remove the animals after 30 minutes to an hour. Repeat the process on subsequent days, allowing longer forage access until management feels safe in turning in more numbers and leaving them indefinitely for the grazing season.

• Select the earliest time of the morning possible during hot weather to trial graze the forage since the heat of the day appears to precipitate the danger — at least until cattle become adjusted or management becomes comfortable with the assumed risk.

• Plant appearance may provide clues of possible increased risk. The recent heat-wilted or frost bitten appearance may suggest wariness. One toxicologist also suggests plant leaves displaying a ribbon-edged look likely are higher in cyanide content.

Nitrate levels unsafe in forage

Nitrate levels in baled forages are permanent. Since the nitrogen level in the plant is stable and will not evaporate,

it will not diminish over time.

Consideration of feeding these forages to non-ruminant animals should be discussed with livestock health professionals.

What to do if death loss occurs: • Remove surviving animals from source as quickly as possible • Quickly involve your veterinarian • Permit post mortem examination and laboratory sample submission • Diagnosis of cyanide toxicity depends on rapid collection of samples and proper packaging • Diagnosis of nitrate toxicity is less time sensitive since this compound is more stable If good quality forage is plentiful, livestock often avoid many poisonous plants because they are unpalatable or cast an offensive odor. This expectation is not true with many plants containing unsafe levels of prussic acid or nitrates, however. Since many sources are natural forages livestock readily consume, proper management decisions serve as the animal’s defense and protection.

Risk assessment regarding forage consumption doesn’t need to rely on guesses or conjecture.

Seek advice from your veterinarian or state diagnostic laboratory. Communication is key in avoiding calamity.

Be aware and be educated but avoid fearfulness.

Remember the seasoned rancher’s comment: not eating these plants has caused more harm to livestock than has ever been caused by allowing them to properly be consumed.

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News

Water-Energy-Food Nexus Symposium set for Nov. 19 AUSTIN — In a time of increased competition for limited natural resources, evolving social preferences, expanding global markets and climate uncertainty, the agriculture industry needs to be talking about how it will feed 9 billion people by 2050.

Navigating Agriculture through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus is a symposium designed to do that, according to David Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist in College Station.

The event will be Nov. 19 at the Omni Austin Hotel Southpark, 4140 Governors Row, Austin.

The program is aimed at AgriLife Extension educators, technical service providers, regulatory agencies, academic institutions, agricultural commodity groups, producers and agricultural science teachers, Smith said.

Some questions to be addressed include: What are the linkages between water, energy, and food systems? What are the interdependencies and tradeoffs that will influence future policy and sustainability of agriculture? How does the water-energyfood nexus function from local to regional scales and can it be a useful tool for future planning? Is agriculture prepared to manage risks from climate variability and does it have a voice in climate change policy?

“This will be a unique opportunity to hear from a distinguished panel of experts as they discuss these and other issues facing agriculture and the rural communities that support this vital industry,” Smith said.

Registration is limited and opened Aug. 15 at agriliferegister.tamu.edu/Nexus.

This event is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-NIFA project “Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate,” led by Smith and Saqib Mukhtar, former AgriLife Extension engineer and

The Land & Livestock Post

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By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

associate head of the Texas A&M University department of biological and agricultural engineering.

Mukhtar recently became the associate dean and agriculture program leader at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Gainesville,

September 2015 — Issue 1

Florida.

Topics and speakers on the program will be: • Water-energy-food nexus — Applications for agriculture communities, Rabi Mohtar, endowed professor with the Texas A&M department of biological and agricultural engineering, College Station.

• Water supply and demand — Trends and challenges for the Southwest, Robert Mace, Texas Water Development Board deputy executive director, College Station.

• Value of water to agricultural communities — Jason Coleman, High Plains Water District general manager, Lubbock.

• The shale boom — Impacts for agriculture production and producers, Thomas Tunstall, The University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development research director, San Antonio.

• The future of renewable energy and agriculture — Wendell Porter, University

See SYMPOSIUM, Page 19

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News Relationship with veterinarian prepares producers for change

By Bryan nichols The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Noble Foundation consultants always have encouraged producers to have relationships with their local veterinarians. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship is necessary so the best decisions and practices can be put in place to maintain a healthy herd.

Key elements of a such a relationship include that the veterinarian engage with the producer or caretaker to assume responsibility for making clinical judgments about the animal’s health, have sufficient knowledge of the animal by conducting examinations and/or visits to the facility where the animal is managed, and provide any necessary follow-up evaluation or care.

Also included in this relationship is an agreement by the client to follow the veterinarian’s instructions.

Most producers probably are aware of the need for a veterinarian-client-patient relationship since it already is required to purchase certain medications. Many medications, however, have been available over the counter for use by producers as a means of therapeutic treatment and growth promotion.

Much of this is changing. On June 3, the Veterinary Feed Directive final rule was issued. This includes Guidance 213, which was finalized in December 2013.

Guidance 213 gives detailed information regarding the defini-

tion of “medically important” antibiotics, a process for updating product labels and the data required for companies to obtain approval of any new therapeutic uses.

The important date to remember is Jan. 1, 2017. This is the deadline by which drug sponsors must withdraw approved production uses, and veterinary oversight will be required for drugs that are deemed “medically important.”

Remember, the label is the law.

Regarding a veterinary feed directive, not even a veterinarian is allowed to prescribe extra-label use of an in-feed antibiotic. An example of this is chlortetracycline, which in the past has been labeled for increased rate of weight gain and improved feed efficiency, and could be purchased without a veterinarian’s consent.

It is widely used in mineral mixes. As soon as the label is changed chlortetracycline no longer can be used for growth promotion; its in-feed use for therapeutic purposes, such as anaplasmosis, will have to be authorized by a veterinarian through a veterinary feed directive. Chlortetracycline is just one example. Ask your veterinarian about others that may affect your operation.

It is important to note that ionophores are not included as a medically important antibiotic.

Ionophores are classified as a polyether antibiotic, but they are not used in human medicine.

A veterinary feed directive will not be necessary to purchase

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It is important for producers to have a relationship with their local veterinarian.

ionophores unless they are being used in combination with another antibiotic that is deemed medically important, such as chlortetracycline and lasalocid (Bovatec).

A veterinarian-clientpatient relationship is more important now than ever before. A veterinarian should be and will have to be your main source of information regarding use of antibiotics.

If you do not currently have a relationship with a local veterinarian or are not sure if you do, start the conversation. Get to know your veterinarian.

5 $19.s9 ues 24 Is

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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News

Key performance indicators can lead to cattle profits

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Key performance indicators track pounds weaned, total investment per female and other metrics.

Key performance indicators have been used in business applications for many years, but not as much in cattle operations.

Stan Bevers, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Vernon, discussed 13 key performance indicators, also known as KPIs, at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station recently.

“Key performance indicators are measurements to evaluate factors that are crucial to the success of an operation,” Bevers said. “They provide a rancher with an analysis of the operation and detail whether the operation is fulfilling the goals of ownership.”

Bevers said KPIs can become a report card for a cattle operation and provide “targets” that can be met to maintain profits. KPIs include: • Pounds weaned per exposed female

• Revenue per breeding female • Nutrition base expense as a percent of total expenses • Labor and management expense as a percent of total revenue • Operating expense as a percentage of total revenue • Net income ratio • Cost per hundredweight of weaned calf • Current ratio • Total investment per breeding female • Debt per breeding female • Equity-to- asset ratio or market basis • Asset turnover ratio on cost basis • Rate of return on assets on market basis “KPIs identify activities that are incredibly important to the success of an opera-

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See KPI, Page 14

September 2015 — Issue 1

13

News KPI, from Page 13 tion,” Bevers said.

The KPIs are developed from standardized performance analysis of actual ranch data, he said.

During his short course presentation, Bevers emphasized the most expensive operational costs for a ranch are depreciation, labor and feed.

“They tend to move around a bit,” Bevers said. “We hear all the time feed is the most expensive cost. But that’s not necessarily true. It’s labor and depreciation.

A lot of times we don’t even count or factor in our labor.

“Now, we are paying twice as much as what we used to for bulls. Depreciation has really jumped up in terms of costs.”

Bevers said 2017 is the target year to be watching for cattle prices to come down.

“We’ve had this record run up in calf prices,” Bevers said.

“From an economic standpoint, we know that expenses follow commodity prices.

“Now that calf prices have kind of been going sideways, we know

that in 2016 they could be lower and in 2017 could be lower still.

That’s the market side of it, but when we look at the financial side of it, expenses always followcommodity prices and they always lag.

“The point is expenses won’t come down as fast as commodity prices. Cow-calf expenses won’t come down as fast as cowcalf prices. 2016 will have lower calf prices but not to the extent it will affect these higher expenses.

During 2017, expenses still will not be coming down, where calf prices will be in their second year of decline. That’s what concerns me,” Bevers said.

Bevers said if ranchers still need things done in an operation, such as putting in new corrals, new fences, paying down debt or buying a new vehicle, now might be the best time.

“If there is something in the form of a capital asset, get it done in the next 18 months,” Bevers said. “Going into 2017, cash flow could be an issue as calf prices are anticipated to continue to come down.”

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Study examines decline of Texas livestock auction markets ing fewer markets to sell fewer cattle.”

“That’s exactly what we saw,” Anderson said. “Then we wanted to know if these fewer auction markets are handling more volume. Overall, the markets haven’t declined as fast as the number of animals. Drought will do that as producers sell cattle at an incredibly fast rate. Over time, the auction markets adjust to that at a much slower pace.”

Anderson said, “The implied

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

COLLEGE STATION – Declining cow numbers have led to consolidation in Texas livestock auction markets following devastating droughts of the past decade, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service study.

David Anderson, AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist, provided an overview of the cattle industry recently at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station.

“Things change over time, but we were interested in the changes in the beef industry’s infrastructure, particularly livestock auction markets,” Anderson said.

“Obviously we’ve experienced changes in cattle cycles, inventory numbers and how we trade.

We have the Internet, video auctions and direct sales.

“All of that has played a part in how we trade and market cattle.”

Other authors on the study were Andy Herring, associate

SALE EACH SATURDAY

TE PRIVA Y T A E TR

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photos by Blair Fannin

Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc. (979) 776-4444 or (800) 299-7355

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Published by Bryan-College Station Communications, Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Bryan,Texas 77805.

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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.

animal revenue keeps going up as drought occurs. The more animals that are sold, the higher that revenue is. But that doesn’t account for inflation.

“Overall, we found there are fewer markets and declining real implied value when you factor inflation into the equation.”

Anderson noted the study did not account for video or Internet auctions or other marketing services. Also, sheep, goats and hogs were not part of the study.

Top, Texas had 167 auction markets in 1969 but only 92 auction markets were left in the state by 2013, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service study. Above, David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist in College Station, discusses findings from a recent study evaluating Texas livestock auction markets at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, graduate student Trent Hester and assistant professor Ariun Ishdorj, all based in College Station.

Data was collected using sources such as the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Agricultural Statistics Service and other U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Anderson noted during the mid-1970s Texas beef cow numbers peaked about 7 million head. Currently, Texas has approximately 4.2 million cows.

The Land & Livestock Post

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Anderson said before starting the study there was an expectation that there were fewer auction markets than when data first was compiled in 1969.

The study proved their hypothesis correct, he said. Texas had 167 auction markets in 1969 and only 92 auction markets were left in the state by 2013. The study indicated that the decline could be attributed to a number of factors, such as producers using other means to market their cattle, “or overall, there being fewer cattle to market in the state, requir-

September 2015 — Issue 1

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News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Aug. 11 sale: Head: 839 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $285-$365; 300-400 lbs., $270-$355; 400-500 lbs., $230-$317; 500-600 lbs., $215$247; 600-700 lbs.,$195-$222; 700800 lbs., $195-$217.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $240-$290; 300-400 lbs., $225-$285; 400-500 lbs., $210-$237; 500-600 lbs., $195$230; 600-700 lbs.,$180-$206; 700800 lbs., $180-$194.

Slaughter bulls: $116-$132.

Slaughter cows: 87-$116.

Bred cows: $1,500-$2,550.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,650-$2,200.

Buffalo

Results of the Buffalo Livestock Commission’s Aug. 8 sale:

Head: 1,477 Steers: 150-200 lbs., $325-$425; 200-300 lbs., $325-$380; 300-400 lbs., $265-$355; 400-500 lbs., $245$310; 500-600 lbs.,$225-$275; 600700 lbs., $210-$240; 700-800 lbs., $190-$218.

Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $310-$400; 200-300 lbs., $275-$335; 300-400 lbs., $230-$305; 400-500 lbs., $210$295; 500-600 lbs.,$205-$275; 600700 lbs., $195-$235; 700-800 lbs., $172-$220.

Slaughter bulls: $110-$146.

Slaughter cows: $65-$122.

Bred cows: $1,750-$2,950.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,400-$3,175.

Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Aug. 12 sale: Head: 603 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $300-$365;

300-400 lbs., $300-$360; 400-500 lbs., $250-$300; 500-600 lbs., $215$260; 600-700 lbs.,$185-$230; 700800 lbs., $180-$215.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $280-$300; 300-400 lbs., $250-$350; 400-500 lbs., $220-$300; 500-600 lbs., $211$285; 600-700 lbs.,$195-$255; 700800 lbs., $180-$240.

Slaughter bulls: $110-$130.

Slaughter cows: $80-$106.

Bred cows: $1,500-$1,750.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,975-$2,100.

Groesbeck Results of the Groesbeck Auction and Livestock Co.’s Aug. 13 sale: Steers: 300-400 lbs., $330-$375; 400-500 lbs., $285-$320; 500-600 lbs., $225-$275; 600-700 lbs., $210$250.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $270-$330; 400-500 lbs., $275-$300; 500-600

lbs., $220-$260; 600-700 lbs., $190$235.

Slaughter bulls: $130-$140.

Slaughter cows: $81-$122.

Bred cows: $1,400-$3,300.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,700-$3,500.

Slaughter cows: $94-$118.

Bred cows: $1,500-$2,550.

Cow/calf pairs: $2,000-$3,000.

Jordan

Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction’s Aug. 8 sale: Head: 1,600 Steers: 150-300 lbs., $225-$410; 300-400 lbs., $225-$375; 400-500 lbs., $185-$305; 500-600 lbs., $175$245; 600-700 lbs., $170-$225.50.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195-$360; 300-400 lbs., $185-$300; 400-500 lbs., $185-$310; 500-600 lbs., $175$310; 600-700 lbs., $170-$275.

Slaughter bulls: $115-$141.

Slaughter cows: $80-$110.

Bred cows: $1,300-$2,575 Cow/calf pairs: $1,700-$2,750.

Results of the Jordan Cattle Auction’s Aug. 13 sale: Head: 1,661 Steers: Under 200 lbs.,$320-$370; 200-300 lbs., $300-$370; 300-400 lbs., $285-$372.50; 400-500 lbs., $245-$325; 500-600 lbs., $220$242.50; 600-700 lbs., $210-$224; 700-800 lbs., $200-$216.

Heifers: Under 200 lbs., $300-350; 200-300 lbs., $250-$300; 300-400 lbs., $225-$280; 400-500 lbs., $210$232.50; 500-600 lbs., $200-$280; 600-700 lbs., $190-$225; 700-800 lbs., $185-$225.

Slaughter bulls: $112-$151.

Navasota

— Special to The Post

Oct. 13 JP Family Limited Partnership Hereford Production Sale, Ft. McKavett, TX Oct. 13 RA Brown Ranch Horse Sale, Throckmorton, TX

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Events Calendar

Oct. 17 Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch Brangus Sale, Poteet, TX

Sep. 3 Jordan Cattle Auction Stocker-Feeder & Premium Weaned Sale, San Saba, TX

Oct. 17 Central Texas BBA Beef “On” Forage Bull Sale, Brenham, TX

Sep. 5 South Texas Cattle Marketing Replacement Female Sale, Nixon, TX Sep. 14 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, Mason, TX Sep. 16 NETBIO Special Pre-Conditioned Weaned Calves & Yearling Sale, Sulphur Springs, TX Sep. 18 Nunley Bros Commercial Female Sale, Sabinal, TX Sep. 19 Jordan Cattle Auction Fall Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX Sep. 24 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, San Saba, TX Sep. 26 Live Oak Beefmaster Fall Sale, Three Rivers, TX October Oct. 1 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Bull Offering, San Saba, TX Oct. 3 Heart of Texas Replacement Female Sale, Groesbeck, TX

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Oct. 16 W4 Ranch Hereford Sale, Morgan, TX

September

Sep. 12 4-States Limousin Sale, Mt. Pleasant, TX

facebook.com/texasllp

Oct. 14 RA Brown Ranch 41st Annual Angus, Red Angus and SimAngus Bull & Female Sale, Throckmorton, TX

Oct. 10 CX Advantage Brangus Sale, Weimar, TX Oct. 10 Center Ranch Production Sale, Centerville, TX

Oct. 21 Texas Hereford Assn. Fall Classic Bull Sale, Buffalo, TX Oct. 10-23 Rutherford Angus Production Sale, Buda, TX Oct. 24 Oak Creek Farms Brangus Sale, Chappell Hill, X Oct. 24 Jordan Cattle Auction October Replacement Female Sale, San Saba, TX Oct. 24 44 Farms Angus Bull Sale, Cameron, TX Oct. 24 Northeast Texas Hereford Assoc. Fall Harvest Sale, Mt. Pleasant, TX Oct. 26 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Stocker & Feeder Sale, Mason, TX Oct. 29 Jordan Cattle Auction Special Bull Offering, Mason, TX Oct. -31 South Texas Hereford Assn. Sale, Beeville, TX

Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed?

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

September 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News

AP Photo/Lisa Rathke

Ron Hackett of Hackett’s Orchard talks with Lisa Chase of the University of Vermont Extension Service about measures the orchard has taken to protect the safety of visitors. As more farms open up to visitors for apple picking, hay rides and corn mazes, Extension officials are urging the owners to take steps so their facilities and equipment are safe to help prevent accidents.

Tourism, from Page 6 agent, emergency official or insurance agent walk the farm to identify hazards.

The New Jersey Extension has a safety checklist that reminds farmers, among other things, to designate areas that are closed to the public, train employees to property operate farm machinery, secure and restrict areas that contain chemicals, provide hand-washing or hand-sanitizing stations and have employees assist with parking.

Ron Hackett takes several safety precautions around his business, Hackett’s Orchard in South Hero, Vermont, including playground inspections and a Plexiglas guard around its applesorting machine. He also transports visitors on a tractor-pulled trailer and has an attendant making sure riders are sitting down and keeping their hands inside the trailer.

“You’ve got to be ever vigilant,” said Hackett, who is only one of three people who is allowed to drive the tractor, which is the newest in his fleet.

Being correctly insured is important, since a regular farm policy typically does not cover an agritourism activity, said Salzwedel, who added she’s seen a number of farms end up getting

sued over injuries.

“In some incidences, they’re able to work through it and they work with the insurance companies if necessary and things go on fine,” she said. “In other incidences, it actually will close down the farm.”

In last year’s hayride accident, a corporation that owns the Harvest Hill Farm property in Mechanic Falls, Maine, has filed for bankruptcy, citing personal injury claims as a liability.

The district attorney charged the farm with manslaughter, and brought misdemeanor charges against the driver and a mechanic; all pleaded not guilty in July.

Farm owner Peter Bolduc denied knowing about any mechanical problems with the 1979 Jeep that was hauling the wagon.

Visitors can help prevent injuries, too, by watching their children, making sure that hands are washed after activities involving livestock and following the farm’s posted rules.

Opening a farm to the public is not for everyone, so extension agents advise considering the implications first.

“In working with the farmers,” Salzwedel said, “a lot of them have plain out told me that you know I just sleep better at night when I know that I’ve done what I can to make my farm safe.”

The Land & Livestock Post

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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News

Fruit growers to gather in College Station Oct. 5-7

By Kathleen PhilliPs Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

The fourth annual Texas Fruit Conference will bring together commercial and recreational growers to hear the latest on production challenges and successes, according to Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist in College Station.

The event will be Oct. 5-6 at the College Station Hilton and Conference Center and will coincide with the annual meeting of the North American Fruit Explorer’s Southern Fruit Fellowship meeting.

The annual Texas High Tunnel Conference will follow on Oct. 7 at the same location.

The fruit growers’ program will be from 1-5 p.m. on Oct. 5 and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 6. Registration, at agriliferegister.tamu. edu/Horticulture, is $80 prior to Sept. 25 and $90 thereafter.

Registration for the high tunnel conference is $55. Attendees may register for both events for $125.

The College Station Hilton is offering a $149 rate for attendees who reserve a room by Sept. 13.

“The conference offers interesting topics on a variety of interests, from common fruit production such as peaches, strawberries and citrus, to less common ones such as kiwifruit and jujube,” Nesbitt said. “This program offers valuable information for seasoned fruit growers while also providing persons with no experience a place to learn how to get started.”

Talks will include peach tree pruning, fruit tree grafting, home orchard insecticides, weed management, organic fruit production, walnut production, beekeeping, fruit diseases and fruit business tips.

The Texas High Tunnel Conference is devoted to growing specialty crops — fruits, vegetables and ornamentals — in low-cost, plastic-covered greenhouses, according to Russ Wallace, AgriLife Extension horticulturist in Lub-

18

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips

Melons are sure to be among the fruits to be discussed at theTexas Fruit Conference in College Station Oct. 5 and 6. bock.

“High tunnels differ from greenhouses in their lack of supplemental heating or cooling and are increasingly being used throughout the world to extend the growing season or accelerate production and marketing of specialty crops,” he said.

Among the topics at this event will be a grower’s story about bringing fruits and vegetables from farm to table, irrigation, pest management, consumer expectations and pollination.

For more information about the fruit conference, contact Nesbitt at 979-862-1218 or MLNesbitt@tamu.edu. For information on the high tunnel meeting, contact Wallace at 806-723-8433 or rwwallace@ag.tamu.edu.

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Tracy Higginbottom 432-788-7977

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Matt Merritt 979-229-6026

September 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Ag Commissioner Sid Miller awards grants to 33 young farmers Special to The Post

AUSTIN — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced grant awards totaling $306,440 to 33 young farmers and ranchers. The grants were made through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmer Grant Program. The announcement comes as part of a larger effort to promote and sustain Texas’ position as an agricultural powerhouse, as well as support younger agricultural producers.

“With only 6 percent of our farmers and ranchers under the age of 35, now more than ever it is imperative that we support this critical segment of our industry,” Miller said. “The future of Texas agriculture lies partly in the hands of our next generation who are today’s young farmers.

“I’m pleased to be announcing this second round of grant awards. I cannot wait to see the impact these bright young folks have on Texas agriculture.”

Symposium, from Page 13 of Florida agricultural and biological engineering department lecturer, Gainesville, Florida.

• Global market impacts and implications for local farms and ranches — James Richardson, Regents Professor and codirector of the Agriculture and Food Policy Center, Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M, College Station.

• Innovation and technology applications for agriculture production — Reza Ehsani, University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center agricultural and biological engineering associate professor, Gainesville, Florida.

• Turning climate change into opportunities for agricultural producers — John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas state climatologist, College Station.

• Policy alternatives for promoting sustainable agri-

Agriculture producers between the ages of 18 and 45 are eligible for the Young Farmer Grant Program. Funds are used to help create, sustain or expand agricultural businesses in Texas.

Among the 33 recipients are producers specializing in all areas of agriculture, including horticulture, livestock, apiary and cheese-making.

“Our young farmers are facing challenges different from the preceding generations with more and more mouths to feed,” Miller said. “It won’t be an easy task, but I know these grant winners are up for the challenge.”

By supporting young farmers, the Texas Department of Agriculture aims to maintain a vital agriculture industry for generations to come. Grant recipients must be able to match grant awards dollar-for-dollar.

The Young Farmer Grant Program is funded by agricultural vehicle registration fees paid for by farmers. culture — Steven Rhines, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation vice president, general counsel and director of public affairs, Ardmore, Oklahoma.

• The rapidly evolving legal and regulatory framework for agriculture producers — Jim Bradbury, attorney, Austin and Fort Worth.

• Panel discussion — How can ‘nexus thinking’ take root in agriculture?

For more information, contact Smith at DWSmith@ag.tamu. edu.

The Land & Livestock Post

Saturday, October 3, 2015 • 12 Noon Groesbeck Auction & Livestock Co. Groesbeck, Texas (Located 2 miles east of Groesbeck on Hwy. 164)

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

September 2015 — Issue 1

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News

Photo by Robert Fears

Winter pastures coupled with good warm season forage can provide year-round pasture, so it is critical for produxcers understand their soil and the correct grassess or legumes to plant for the best results.

Cover photo by Vanessa Corriher of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Getting ready for cool months Winter forage programs in the Brazos Valley

By ROBERT and JANELLE FEARS Special to The Post

A

majority of Land and Livestock Post readers live in the Brazos Valley, so it is appropriate that we focus our discussion of fall forage programs on this area.

The Brazos Valley is part of the Central Texas region consisting of Brazos, Burleson, Robertson, Grimes, Leon, Madison and Washington counties.

In this area, the Brazos River flows through intermingled parts of the Blackland Prairie and Post Oak Savannah ecoregions.

Soils on the Blackland Prairie are generally clay loams to clays.

In the Post Oak Savannah ecoregions, soils typically range from sandy loams in the uplands to loam and clay in the bottomlands.

20

These soil types plus mild winters allow planting winter pastures, which coupled with warm season forages can provide year-round grazing.

Sodseeding small grains, rye grass

Many producers in the Brazos Valley graze cattle on improved warm season pastures of hybrid bermuda grass which are either Coastal, Tifton 85 or Jiggs.

Bahia grass is quite common and some pastures have klein grass, dallis grass, or common bermuda grass.

Also utilized are native pastures that include little bluestem, Indian, eastern gama, and sideoats grama.

Under proper management, these warm season grasses can maintain cattle in good body condition from the last killing frost in the spring until the first killing frost in the fall.

If cool season pasture forages are not available during the winter months, supplemental feeding will be necessary.

See FORAGE, Page 21

Annual grass options for winter pastures in the Brazos Valley are small grains and rye grass which are normally overseeded (sodseeded) through existing warm season forage. Sodseeding small grains and rye grass in bermuda grass pastures was discussed at the recent 61st Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course by Clark Neely of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Some of his comments are presented in the following paragraphs.

When planting annual grasses, it is necessary to prepare the site in a manner to allow seed contact with the soil. First, remove competition from warm season forages by intensive grazing, haying or shredding. An-

September 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News

Forage, from Page 20 other option is light disking the sod at a depth of two to three inches without permanently destroying the existing grass. The disk should be set in a manner to slightly scarify the sod without turning vegetation or soil.

Herbicides, such as paraquat, also can be applied pre-planting to stop growth of existing vegetation. Paraquat is a contact herbicide and kills only what it touches. It burns the top growth of plants, but does not affect the roots. Roundup (glyphosate) is not recommended in this instance because it is systemic and will kill grass roots.

Grass seed can be planted with a no-till drill, a grain drill, or can be broadcast. Neely feels that a no-till drill usually provides the most consistent results.

Small grains for winter grazing include wheat, oats, rye, barley and triticale. Selection of the grass to plant should be

Photo by Robert Fears

A seedbed for winter forage can be prepared by light disking without destroying existing sod. based on soil type, management objectives, anticipated weather conditions and plant characteristics.

Ranking of these plants on cold tolerance is displayed below: (Most) Rye > Triticale > Wheat > Barley > Oats > Rye grass (Least) Oats can tolerate more water than the other listed crops and triticale is the most suited for dry conditions. Wheat is slightly less digestible than the others.

Recommended seeding dates and grazing periods for annual cool season grasses are shown in Table 1. Barley is not listed because it is not normally planted in Texas. The listed crops should be planted in September or October and grazed from December through April.

See WINTER, Page 23

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Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 12:30 pm Oak Creek Farms Sale Facility, Chappell Hill, Texas

Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 12:30 pm 60 Brangus • 60 Red Brangus • 5 Angus • 5 Red Angus Source Verified Commercial Heifer Sale to follow Bull Sale Pre-sale Activities, Friday, October 23, 2015: 6:00pm - Seminar followed by Ribeye Steak Dinner sponsored by Zoetis Seminar Speakers: Dr. Tommy Perkins, IBBA Executive Vice President & Kevin Milliner, Zoetis Ranch Tours Available Thursday and Friday

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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A large “communal” spider web at the Lakeside Park South section of the Dallas suburb of Rowlett.

Rowlett sees ‘eerie’ giant spider webs that intrigue

By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

DALLAS — While traveling down CA Roan Drive in Rowlett recently, people have been exposed to an “eerie” sight on a number of trees lining that route, said Mike Merchant, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service urban entomologist in Dallas.

“CA Roan Drive is a quiet stretch of road running through Lakeside Park South in the Dallas suburb of Rowlett,” Merchant said. “But in the trees along a football field-length stretch of the drive, the spiders have been taking over.”

Merchant said “glistening webs are draping the trees like shrouds at Lakeside Park,” near Lake Ray Hubbard.

“Someone stepping off the road for a closer look will see thousands of lanky spiders darting among the webs that extend up

22

to 40 feet into the trees,” he said.

“There is a surreal quality to the extensive webbing covering these trees.”

Merchant said while rare, it is not unheard of that such massive web-works may appear once in a while. For example, he said, in 2007 the media reported on a giant spider web found at Lake Tawakoni State Park, about 35 miles from Rowlett.

“At the time, the discovery of the web was more than creepy — it was a revelation to many arachnologists — spider experts,” he said. “That’s because spiders typically work alone to construct their webs. So finding spiders working together to build a huge web in what was more of a cooperative or ‘communal’ scenario was a real surprise for many experts.”

Merchant said in the case of the giant web that appeared in

See SPIDERS, Page 27

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News

Photo by Robert Fears

Cattle loafing during the middle of the day is a sign that pastures are supplying adequate amounts of roughage.

Winter, from Page 21 An exception is annual rye grass which doesn’t produce enough foliage for grazing until March. It can be grazed through May. Some producers plant combinations of a small grain and annual ryegrass for a longer grazing season. If oats are planted early, they can be grazed, rested and then grazed again.

Legume/grass mixtures

Many producers plant legumes in their pastures to add protein to the cattle diet and nitrogen to the soil through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Gerald Smith of Texas A&M AgriLife Research discussed the use of legumes in winter pastures during the Beef Cattle Short Course. He began his presentation with the following list of problems that can occur in winter pasture establishment: • Drought or low rainfall — Soil moisture must be available for germinating the seed and promoting plant growth.

• Warm season grass competition — Solutions for this problem were discussed by Neely in the previous presentation. • Acid pH — Legumes don’t grow well on acid soils and often, lime has to be applied on pastures east of U.S. 35 to raise soil pH. • Wrong choice of legume species — Select legume species that are adapted to the area in which they will be planted to help ensure good performance.

Crimson, arrowleaf (Blackhawk and Apache varieties), white and Ball clovers are common species planted in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion.

White clover is better adapted to bottomland and doesn’t do as well on upland sites.

Ball clover tends to cause cattle to bloat, but this problem can be avoided with proper management such as ensuring availability of hay, grass, or anti-bloat supplements. Armadillo burr medic, Devine little burr medic, hairy vetch, and annual sweetclover are popular in the Blackland Prairie ecoregion.

Legumes should be planted

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during the same period as annual grasses (September and October) and never later than mid-November.

it is a bunch grass. “The only supplement, we feed regularly, is to our freshly weaned calves to help them get through the post weaning stress period. After they recover from weaning, they are expected to thrive on pasture forage alone.

The only other time we might supplement is during extreme drought,� Densmore said.

John Kopycinski, owner and manager of Oak Creek Farms in Chappell Hill, aerially seeds annual rye grass over his coastal bermuda in late October through the first week of November.

After seeding, he intensively grazes the pastures so that cattle hooves will loosen the soil and bury the grass seed to a shallow depth. Heavy grazing also reduces competition from the bermudagrass. Ball and Persian clover naturally reseed each winter.

September 2015 — Issue 1

Solid Rock Ranch

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meta R f ng meta B d ng s

What works for producers

“We calve in the fall and develop the calves on winter pasture,� said Steve Densmore, cattle manager for Circle X Land and Cattle Company with ranches in Bryan and Easterly. “In early fall, we heavily graze our winter pastures and then plant a mixture of annual ryegrass and oats with a no-till drill. We broadcast commercial fertilizer, based on soil tests, when the grass becomes two to three inches high. “In the past we used chicken litter, but it has become hard to find and there is too much variance in the nutrient analysis,�

Densmore said. “Our clovers which include white, ball and arrowleaf naturally reseed every winter,�

Densmore said. “The warm season grasses are Tifton 85 bermuda and klein. It is easier to sodseed through klein because

“I plant annual ryegrass to prevent bloat from the clover,�

Kopycinski said. “The combination of ryegrass and clover provides a good winter diet and the clover provides nitrogen to the soil. “I don’t use fertilizer and I don’t supplement my cattle.�

In most years, winter pastures in the Brazos Valley offer a more economical way to feed cattle than supplements.

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News A&M transfers floating laboratory to UT-Rio Grande Valley to become a floating classroom,” Reisinger said. “She made her maiden voyage in October of that year and made her home at Matagorda Harbor, but eventually moved to Corpus Christi.”

From there, the boat traveled to other Texas ports to teach thousands of students of all ages

By Rod Santa ana Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

BROWNSVILLE SHRIMP BASIN — After serving almost 14 years as an Aggie floating classroom for thousands of students along the Texas Gulf Coast, the R/V Karma is changing hands — and names.

The floating classroom now is docked at the Brownsville Shrimp Basin for cosmetic and mechanical repairs.

Formerly owned and operated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Sea Grant, the R/V Karma is now the property of The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, said Tony Reisinger, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agent for coastal and marine resources in Cameron County.

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O V E R 1 2 0 E X C E P T I O N A L FA R M / R A N C H PROPERTIES OFFERED CONTACT A HALL AND HALL PARTNER: Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Rod Santa Ana

Karma’s old name is barely legible on UT-Rio Grande Valley’s new floating classroom soon to be renamed the R/V Ridley.

“The 60-foot fiberglass shrimp trawler was refurbished back in

2001 in a joint project of AgriLife Extension and Texas Sea Grant

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the wonders of the underwater universe of the Texas coast, Reisinger said.

“Once out on the open water, instructors brought up larger species with her shrimp nets and the smaller species with her

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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News Tyson Foods ends beef production at Iowa plant NEW YORK (AP) — Tyson Foods said it will end beef production at a plant in Denison, Iowa, laying off about 400 workers as it cuts back on its capacity.

There is too much beef production capacity in the region and cattle supplies remain low, the company said.

“This was a very difficult decision because it affects the lives of our people, their families and a community that has supported this plant for more than 50 years,” said Steve Stouffer, president of Tyson Fresh Meats in a prepared statement. “However, the realities of the beef business have changed and we must continue to change with it to remain successful.

“The cattle supply is tight and there’s an excess of beef production capacity in the region,” he said.

“We believe the move to cease beef operations at Denison will put the rest of our beef business in a better position for future success.”

Tyson Foods said its Denison plant employees will be able to apply for jobs at other Tyson locations, and it plans to offer financial incentives to hourly workers who qualify for openings at a facility in Lexington, Nebraska.

Tyson Foods Inc. has six other beef plants in the U.S. The Springdale, Arkansasbased company said it won’t close the plant entirely. It will continue to render by-products from other locations and around 20 people will work there.

Tyson Foods said its beef business lost money in its latest fiscal quarter because cattle costs were up and supplies decreased, which meant it couldn’t sell as much beef.

“Unless beef market conditions improve rapidly, we will not achieve our previous guidance,” CEO Donnie Smith said.

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High feed costs and lower production of beef cattle have been a continuing problem. In its last fiscal year, Tyson’s beef business processed fewer cattle than it had the year before, and it was the only Tyson Foods division that didn’t report an increase in sales volume.

Tyson Foods said several years ago that it might close the 54-year-old Denison plant, but said in March 2014 that it would stay open.

The Denison beef plant has a long, rich history in the meat industry, the company statement said..

It opened in 1961 as the first plant operated by Iowa Beef Packers, a start-up company that grew to become one of the world’s leading beef processors.

IBP was acquired by Tyson Foods in 2001 and renamed Tyson Fresh Meats.

Tyson Fresh Meats’ other beef plants are located in Amarillo; Dakota City, Nebraska; Finney County, Kansas; Joslin, Illinois; Lexington, Nebraska; and Pasco, Washington.

Among Tyson’s brands are Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farms and Ball Park Franks.

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September 2015 — Issue 1

hudsonlivestock.com 25

News

Bountiful spring rains bring abundant weeds So, naturally, wildfire danger is bound to increase also

By Kay LedBetter Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

AMARILLO — Record rainfall almost certainly will lead to a dangerous wildfire year if proper management actions are not taken before everything dries down, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

“We’ve had a phenomenal year for rainfall, and we’re really grateful for it to help our rangeland recover from the drought and give cattle plenty to eat,” said Tim Steffens, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Canyon.

“But the downside is we’ve built up fuel loads where wildfire can travel fast across the countryside and across roadways once the kochia weeds and Russian thistle dry down and begin tumbling across the country,” Steffens said. “Those can scatter fire all over in high winds. So we have to be careful about how we manage before, during and after drought.”

The question, he said, is “what needs to be done about fuel loads and how do we manage wildfire damage?”

On his list are: mowing or grazing large weeds at the right time and creating firebreaks around pastures so that if a wildfire breaks out, it will be on a small-

Rural Land Loans Country Home Loans Farm & Ranch Loans

Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Kay Ledbetter

Mowed strips along fence lines can provide a barrier to wildfire spread. er scale and can burn to those breaks and die out.

“So things like a light disking around fence lines or burning out or mowing that center part of the feeding road to create a wider non-vegetative strip will help. Another thing we can do through grazing management is decrease the overall fuel, making it patchier across the pasture so a fire will not be able to build up the intensity and momentum as it goes across the landscape.”

Another option is to use prescribed fire to change the overall fuel load, change the structure and change the continuity of fuels across the landscape, he said.

“A lot of people are really scared of prescribed fire. But the thing you need to keep in mind, as we know from several years ago when we had the huge wildfires in this part of the country, is this country will burn. We have plenty of people smoking cigarettes and automobiles backfiring or have bearings go out and dry lightning strikes. The country will burn.

Steffens said producers need to

See FIRE, Page 28

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September 2015 — Issue 1

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News Drought, from Page 7 ing season left to provide recovery from the drought years and build reserves headed into the fall and winter.

There are several management practices that can be implemented to ensure pasture recovery and additional reserves. To enhance native range pastures, defer cattle grazing on these pastures from now until after frost, allowing producers to stockpile forage to be used as standing hay and to improve plant vigor of the desirable native plants.

Introduced pastures can be fertilized in early September ahead of a rain event to increase stand vigor, forage production and quality.

This is true for both warmseason grasses (bermuda grass, Plains and B-Dahl bluestems, klein grass, etc.) and cool-season grasses (fescue).

Stockpiled bermuda grass, fall fertilized and left ungrazed until frost, can provide abundant highquality forage as standing hay for several months in late fall and early winter.

Had moisture come early in August, fertilizing for an additional hay crop would be another option to build an additional reserve.

Winter pasture established in

Spiders, from Page 22 2007, the spiders responsible for the nest construction were ultimately identified as Tetragnatha guatemalensis.

Merchant said while the specific identity of the massive webbuilding spiders is as yet unknow they are most likely a long-jawed spider of the family Tetragnathidae.

“Arachnologists had previously noted that this species is known to build communal nests when conditions are right,” he said. “But it is rare to see them building such large nests in the U.S. Spider experts have indicated that those ‘right conditions’ appear to include a glut of small insects like midges that emerge at night from lakes. Without lots of food, these communal webs just don’t seem to form.

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the early fall using small grains or a forage cropping mixture can provide abundant high-quality grazing for rapid weight gain on growing and poor-conditioned cattle.

Regardless of what your needs may be for your operation, planning is required to achieve successful outcomes. Early August is the perfect time to plan your fall forage management, especially in a year when El Niño is providing favorable moisture conditions.

A producer with abundant grass at the end of the year has options: build reserves, market surplus for grazing or hay, retain all or a portion of the calf crop, or increase the stock rate. I would be careful to increase the stocking rate, however, as the long-term climate predictors still say we are in a long-term dry spell.

The recovery our pastures have experienced in 2015 will be of greater benefit in the years to come. Therefore, through planning and good management, achieve the greatest amount of recovery possible this season and obtain the added benefit of a forage reserve this winter and perhaps beyond. As I would expect Wayne Hamilton to say: “Plan now — for both drought and rain.”

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landandlivestockpost.com landa

“These types of spiders are unusual in that they are not aggressive to other spiders of the same species on the same web,” he said.

“They also are not known to bite or be harmful to humans.”

Because of their lack of aggression, Merchant said there is really no need to treat for them.

“Insecticides or other treatments are really unnecessary as this spider is essentially harmless and, although the communal nest may look spooky, they too are basically benign and are a sight more to be appreciated than feared.”

Many people consider these nests natural works of art.

“If you get the chance to take a drive along CA Roan Drive in Rowlett, you might want to take a few moments to stop and admire this spider handiwork. But please don’t touch the art.”

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News

Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photos by Kay Ledbetter

Above, Tim Steffens, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service range specialist, looks at heavy weed and grass growth along a fence line in Randall County in the Texas Panhandle. Above right, Heavy weed and grass growth along fence lines can feed wildfires.

Fire, from Page 26 look at using fire to manage the vegetation by limiting brush and weeds and freshening up decadent forage.

“I use the term prescribed, because we don’t have controlled burns like people talk about,” he said.

“The minute you strike that match, your control is over. But you can do it under prescribed conditions and achieve the results you want.

Fits Right. Looks Right.

Feels Right.

“I hope people will start to consider prescribed fire a little more as a management option. We can do a lot of things with fire,” Steffens said.

“It’s a tool in the tool box. We just need to know how to use it safely.”

By employing both fire and grazing management that provides adequate recovery between defoliations, Steffens said, “We can go a long way toward getting the type of vegetation we want without a lot of expense.”

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Catalena Hatters 203 N. Main St • Bryan • 800.976.7818 September 2015 — Issue 1

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News Karma, from Page 24 plankton net,” he said. “Instructors, myself included, removed any wildlife that might pose a danger, then dropped the safer species into observation tanks that students could put their hands into and actually touch the swimming creatures.”

The Karma even was equipped with a microscope that projected images of microscopic plants and animals onto a TV screen, while teaching landlubbers the delicate balance between shore and sea.

The Karma was sold to UT-Rio Grande Valley, which will open its doors as a new university Sept. 1, Reisinger said.

Richard Kline, an assistant professor of biological sciences at The University of TexasBrownsville and soon to become faculty at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, said UT-Brownsville had been trying for almost four years to acquire such a vessel.

“When the Karma became available, we acquired it and decided to rename it the R/V Ridley in honor of the Ridley sea turtle, one of the local ‘residents’ of the beach here, an endangered species that everyone can identify with,” Kline said.

The Ridley currently is undergoing repairs at the Brownsville Shrimp Basin off Texas 48.

“We’ve done a bit of cosmetic work, repairing it, renaming it, and it will soon be repainted in UT-Rio Grande Valley colors.

We hope soon to have more students than we can handle from throughout the Valley,” Kline said.

“We’re in the process of upgrading the nets, the A-frame that handles the nets, the winches, other equipment and the areas where students can actually examine sea life.”

Having a floating classroom is dear to his heart, Kline said, because he started out in marine biology aboard the Katy, a Marine Science Institute floating classroom in Port Aransas.

“There’s nothing like being able to get out and see, touch and feel marine organisms that come up from the sea floor,” he said. “The look on children’s eyes

Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photos by Rod Santa Ana

Top,the former R/V Karma,a floating classroom,has been sold to UT-Rio GrandeValley.

Above,repairs are being made to the shallow observation tanks on the Karma’s deck.

The entire vessel will be repainted in UT-RGV’s school colors. when they get to handle a puffer fish or a stingray or a shrimp is just outstanding.

“My hope is that Valley students will be encouraged to pursue science degrees or a degree in marine science and come work with us at our Coastal and Marine Sciences program at UT-Rio Grande Valley,” he said.

Kline said UT-Rio Grande Valley recently has received a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to research marine debris along the Gulf coast.

“Marine debris is a big problem along the Texas coastline and also worldwide, so one of

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the components of the grant is to subsidize 30 trips per year on the Ridley floating classroom.

Students will get an educational experience at half price and we will give them a 30- to 45-minute educational explanation about marine trash while they’re on board.”

Kline said the Ridley should be seaworthy this fall and will be able to take as many as 25 students per trip in the Laguna Madre and surrounding waters.

AgriLife Extension’s Texas Master Naturalists will continue volunteering to assist with lessons aboard the vessel, Reisinger said.

September 2015 — Issue 1

29

Land & Livestock Post

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