April 2017 Farm and Ranch Living

Published March 30, 2017

The buzz about bees Malakoff family deep into beekeeping and honey, Page 2 Family Tradition

Iron Lake Ranch

Spring Expo

Hannah Dixon, of Slocum, continues legacy, Page 5

Athens rancher specializes in Hereford cattle, Page 9

Navarro County Youth Livestock Show, Page 15

Bedliner Headquarters of Palestine

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March-April 2017

Family near Malakoff deep into beekeeping

By Jeff Riggs Athens Daily Review

J

anelle and Robert Cole have already an interesting life. With both being graduates of the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, they served in the U.S. Army from 1996 until 2001. About one year after graduation, they married.

Today, they reside in Malakoff. Janelle is a homeschool teacher for their four children, while Robert works at Guardian Glass in Corsicana as a manager of the tempering line.

But, beyond their four children and their careers, there is one thing that they absolutely love. That is beekeeping. And, the love has spread throughout

their family.

“In the beginning, we just wanted to live in country,” Janelle said. “We moved out here in 2010 from Dallas-Fort Worth.

My husband wanted to get into bees. Our son, Jacob, started out with a scholarship four years ago. My husband took a beekeeping class with my son. Jacob became an East Texas Bee Keeping Association Ambassador in 2016. He goes around to schools in East Texas, talks to Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, and other groups.”

Janelle, and her family teach bee classes, and they put bees out at different places to pollinate crops.

“We are like a small hobby farm,” she said.

“We also have goats, and make soap from their milk.

We love it. We have lots

of things going on at the farm. We’ve seen more science in the bees than anything else. We are constantly having to study and learn and adapt.”

Janelle said she sees in the media news that the honeybees are suffering.

Pesticides is the No. 1 problem.

“We do not use pesticides at our place,” she said. “But bees travel up to three miles from you. If bees go out to a neighbor’s residence, the bees are affected by pesticides.

The chemical industry is impacting them bad. The weather we’ve had also impacts. Freezing after the warm temperatures is not good for bees. It wake bees up with warm weather, then when it freezes, they die trying to take care of the babies, instead of themselves.”

Janelle, who has taken courses with East Texas Beekeepers Association, out of Tyler, said bees are “fascinating.”

“You have to have three bees to make a hive,” she said. “You must have queen, worker bees and drones. Each tribe has a personality. The way the hive is set up, girls are fertilized eggs, and the boys are unfertilized eggs (drone). He is the genetic clone of his mother. The queen only gets mated one time. She stores sperm in a sack, and decides whether she wants to lay a fertilized egg.”

Janelle said there are about 60,000 bees in a single hive. She said she and her husband will have about 20 hives after they split the hives they have.

There are several advantages to splitting hives, including an increase in the number of hives, prevention of swarming

and production of nucleus colonies, small honey bee colonies created from larger colonies.

“It’s a profitable endeavor. I’ve been sold out of honey for two months,” she said. “And we could have sold twice as much honey as we did sell.”

She said she puts it in bottles, basically onepound jars. The jar of honey cost $10. An 8-ounce container costs $6.

“We work on the bees more in the spring,” she said. “We check the hives every two or three weeks.

It doesn’t take a lot of time, like any other sideline business.”

The Coles have also passed the talent on to

their children. They have four children, with the oldest, Jacob, a sophomore in high school. He is already an Advanced Master Beekeeper, Master Gardener. They there is high school freshman, Peter, who is a Master Beekeeper, apprentice level, a Master Gardener (also an Ambassador). There are also seventh grader Eli and fifth grader Anna.

Janelle’s husband, Robert Cole, said he very much likes beekeeping, but if his children had not gotten interested in beekeeping, he probably wouldn’t have been quite as interested.

“My youngest son, Jacob, who was 12 at the time, got a scholarship to the

East Texas Beekeeping Association, and I started working with him,” Robert said. “They are trying to encourage young people to get interested in beekeeping. Today, he is 16, and he did get the scholarship. Yes, that’s what got me interested.”

Robert said his family now teaches classes in beekeeping, and sell honey at Farmers Market from time to time and a lot of other activities. He believes that although he wasn’t that interested in beekeeping when his children got interested, he will continue beekeeping activities, even after they are married, and leave home.

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Jeff Riggs/Staff

Shown are Janelle Cole and her sons Jacob and Peter, who are on their property splitting colonies to make even more colonies of bees.

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March-April 2017

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Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

More Chickens Coming Our Way!

S

anderson Farms, headquartered in Georgia, has announced tentative plans to build a massive poultry complex north of Tyler. Cost of the new enterprise will be an estimated $200 million dollars. The eighty or so farmers raising birds under contract for Sanderson are expected to spend another $135 million on poultry production facilities.

The feed mill location is planned to be on Highway 80 west of Mineola. The hatchery and processing plants will be built near Winona and Lindale in Smith County. According to Sanderson officials, the plant

will process 1,250,000 broilers a week—and annual output will be 375 million pounds of poultry.

At full capacity, employment is expected to be about 1,700 not counting those on the farms raising birds. Pay at the processing plants is good—but not a preferred job for many folks.

County and city leaders in the areas affected by the proposed new construction seem to be running over themselves offering all sorts of tax abatements and other “treats” to get Sanderson on board. All the while many other long time businesses in Texas are having a hard time paying their

bills. Several of them—Macy’s, Sears, J.C. Penney’s, Gander Mountain and many more have

announced store closings across the state. Maybe our economic development gurus need to spend more time, and money, to help struggling local businesses.

After all, they were here first!

Sometimes we get more than we bargained for when a new business comes into our communities. Sanderson Farms has brought lots of new jobs to the Waco and Palestine vicinities where they have built new poultry plants—just like the one they plan to build north of Tyler.

Hopefully the folks in charge of the planned Tyler area facilities will do a better job of planning than they did at some of their

other locations.

Sanderson has contracted with some new growers who haven’t a clue about getting along with their neighbors. The smell from several of the poultry houses can be breathtaking when the wind is right—or wrong! Plus Sanderson seems to have no interest in making sure that new growers are located on roads that can bear the weight of the heavy feed trucks—and trucks bringing out birds going to the processing plant. Sanderson Farms needs to learn that to be a good neighbor you have to be one! That’s –30— Horace@valornet.com

Murphy donates $2,500 to Dawson FFA From Staff Reports Corsicana Daily Sun

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avarro County farmer Gary Murphy donated $2,500 to the Dawson FFA Chapter, where the funds were used to purchase improved class laboratory equipment for enhanced instruction.

As part of the American Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, more than $3

million dollars of financial support will be provided to nonprofit across rural America in 2017.

Since the program began in 2010, the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program has awarded more than $22 million in donations to a broad crosssection of organizations that reflect the makeup and character of rural America, including emergency response organizations, schools, youth agriculture programs and many others.

“We are excited to team up with farmers

once again to help support the causes that mean the most to them and that have an impact in their local communities,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president.

“Because of their commitment to this program, thousands of nonprofit organizations have been able to enhance the important programs and services they provide, having a positive impact on the communities they serve.”

The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications

and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com .

Farmers can enroll in the America’s Farmers Community Outreach program as well as a complete list of program rules and eligibility information, can be found at www.GrowCommunities.com or by calling 1-877-267-3332 toll-free. Consumers can follow Grow Communities on Facebook to learn more about the program at facebook. com/AmericasFarmers.

Courtesy Photo

Navarro County farmer Gary Murphy donates $2,500 to Dawson FFA pictured left to right are: Payton Carroll, Billy Robinson, Montana Steele, Gary Murphy, Hagen Richter, Bailey DuBose and Brycen Marberry.)

Lawn & Garden Supplies Vegetable & Fruit Plants Full Line of Purina Feed & Pet Supplies Fantastic Selection of Tack!

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If so, then submit your resume to the Palestine Herald-Press. We’re looking for the perfect fit in our Advertising Sales Department to lead sales efforts in our monthly Farm & Ranch publication. We also have other sales opportunities through our daily newspaper, magazines, websites, direct mail products, special sections, and digital entities.

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In addition we publish the Herald-Press Xtra, community magazines, digital products and numerous specialty publications.

Email cover letter and resume to jmienk@palestineherald.com

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Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

March-April 2017

Heritage Land Bank to mark 100th anniversary Special to the Progress Jacksonville Progress

I

n a special announcement, Heritage Land Bank CEO, William “Bill” Tandy, outlined the bank’s plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the bank’s founding (1917) with special centennial events, community projects and promotions, culminating this fall with “100 Days Celebrating 100 Years.”

“This is a special moment in our storied history,” said Tandy. “Heritage Land Bank has assisted generations of farm families and agricultural enterprises, helped to fulfill dreams of home and land ownership and played an integral role in the Texas agricultural economy.

“We are excited to celebrate with our bank patrons, staff and bank branch communities who have all contributed to the lasting success of Heritage Land Bank.

Plus, we are looking ahead to the future and what the next one hundred years will bring,” he added.

Heritage Land Bank centennial celebration activities include: • Development of a Centennial landing page on HLB website with a special timeline of historic milestones • Community appreciation events at each of the ten Heritage Land Bank branches featuring food, fun and prizes • Appearances by Dallas Cowboys legend Jay Novacek

• Creation of a special time capsule containing historic items and documents • Commission of a “heritage” quilt, which will be a part of traveling display • Creation of a 2018 commemorative calendar to kick off the bank’s next 100 years • Scavenger hunt “One of the things we’re most proud of this year is our company-wide commitment to 100 hours of service or acts of kindness by each of our branches for the betterment of their communities, stated Tandy. “We want to give back in a meaningful way.”

Heritage Land Bank Marketing Director Yaziri Orrostieta added, “We’re also looking at some fun social media outreach opportunities. We’d like to encourage anyone with bank-related memorabilia over the past 100 years, historical photographs, success stories or memories to get in touch with us at (903) 534-4975 or share them on any of our social media outlets. We would particularly love to hear from any of our customers, past or present, who are 100 years of age or older.”

Founded in 1917 through the Federal Farm Loan Act and the Farm Credit System, Heritage Land Bank has grown and thrived over the past century through world wars, the Great Depression, droughts, oil booms and busts and extraordinary changes in the agricultural, real estate and banking industries.

Heritage Land Bank serves North, East and Deep East Texas, specializing in financing for farms, ranches, country homes, recreational property, livestock, equipment and agribusiness loans. The lending cooperative is headquartered in Tyler, TX, and operates branch offices in Athens, Fort Worth, Greenville, Jacksonville, Lindale, Lufkin, McKinney, Nacogdoches, Palestine and Tyler.

Heritage Land Bank - Jacksonville 303 W. Rusk Jacksonville, TX 75766 Phone: 903-339-3173 Fax: 903-339-3176

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INVENTORY CLEARANCE SALE! With the passing of Mr. Wallace, THE BUSINESS IS FOR SALE Lots of Farming Equipment Hay Forks & Spikes Disc Harrow Weights Cutters • Box Blades • Farm Blades Post Hold Diggers & Much More Farmalls - Cubs, 140’s & Super A’s Fords - 8N’s & 2,000 Only 2 Cutters Left, Make an Offer!

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Lot’s of Planter Parts.

Wallace Garden Center & Equipment Call Brenda at 936-544-2127 or come by!

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March-April 2017

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Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

Grandpa’s Time

A

friend and I were reminiscing about our old folks. Simple farmers. Life today is more complicated today, we observed, more stressful.

He talked about his Grandma keepin’ house in the hill country of Texas. Simple, he said. No electricity, no phone, a hand pump outside for water.

Saturday was wash day. A big kettle over an open fire, the men sliverin’ homemade lye soap for the kettle.

Washin’ clothes in the boiling water and ringin’em out in the gas powered Maytag. Goin’ to church on Sunday.

Grandpa choppin’ wood, doin’ chores, whackin’ cedar for spendin’ money.

I remember my Dad’s family. Milkin’, cannin’, choppin’ cotton. Grandma lived for 85 years in a house with no runnin’ water. Killin’ a chicken for

Sunday dinner. Musicals anytime a fiddler rosined up. Plowin’ with a span of mules. Sellin’ eggs in town for pocket money.

Yeah, the good life.

I look around at the pressures of farming today and on the surface, it does seem more demanding. Government programs, environmental considerations, public land use, the EPA, unwanted horses. and the I.R.S. Commitments to home, church, county and country, the Soil Conservation Service,

the P.C.A., school board, Stockgrowers Assn., and the Fair Board. Kids with band practice, basketball practice, 4-H meetings, car payments and peer pressure. The constant barrage of national issues that the television insists we be concerned about!

But, do we really work harder and worry more than Grandpa did?

I ascribe to the Coyote Cowboy Proverb: “Be it work or worry, people expand to fill the vacuum.”

Does a family tryin’ to make a livin’ on 180 acres, work or worry less than the C.E.O. of General Motors? Does a migrant worker sleep any easier than the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? Does the editor/owner of a local newspaper put less effort into his job than the editor of the N.Y. Times?

I think it’s probably easier to raise

twenty acres of corn today than it was in the old days. Just the hand labor alone would support my statement.

But no modern farmer would raise only twenty acres of corn! He expands to fill the vacuum! Gotta justify the machinery!

But failure of the crop, regardless of size, kept Grandpa awake at night just like it does us.

So, was life less stressful in the good ol’ days? It’s hard to say.

Choppin’ wood to heat the house in 1935 required as many hours as it takes to raise the 100 extra acres we have to grow to pay the electric bill. It’s just that a tractor, a plow, a planter, and a combine cost more than an axe. www.baxterblack.com

Slocum senior continues family tradition

By Michael Maresh Palestine Herald-Press

C

ontinuing the family tradition is one reason why a Slocum High School senior began breeding animals four years ago for the Anderson County Livestock show.

Hannah Dixon, 18, said she became involved in the eighth grade, when her cousin asked her to show a pig. She also showed a lamb that year.

Dixon now will be showing a lamb that she has been caring for since August.

“I showed both of them my first year, but I like sheep better,” Dixon said.

She continued showing sheep after the eighth grade, simply because it was a lot of fun.

Dixon has learned a lot in the past five years, and now she knows what the judges look for when looking at her lamb.

To care for her lamb, Dixon needs to provide the proper watering and feeding, as well as giving the animal room to roam and graze.

The judges look for the structure of the animals and their

muscles and fat content, Dixon said.

“You kind of know what they look for,” she said. “Each year you find out something different.”

Raising an animal and going to judging competitions was not something she thought much about until the eighth grade.

Those who do well at the livestock judging contests are awarded ribbons or plaques for the first-place winners.

To date, Dixon has won one third-place ribbon, but she said that is not the reason she competes.

“I don’t do it for the trophies. I do it for the fun,” Dixon said.

Dixon is not the first member of her family to compete in livestock shows. Her mom’s siblings competed during their high-school days. Her brother, now an eighth-grader, has caught the bug, too, she said.

Dixon’s parents, while supportive of her wishes to compete in livestock events, knew doing this would mean getting the supplies for water and the proper equipment to care for the animals, she said.

Dixon realizes this year will be the last time she will be able

to compete in the livestock show and competition.

“I am going to miss it a lot,” she said.

The 18-year-old senior plans on using what she has learned after graduating from high school.

“I plan on using it,” she said. “I would like to start my own farm and take the animals I raise in breed classes to major shows.”

Anderson County Youth Livestock Show 2017 ACYLA Livestock Show Schedule Sunday, April 9 • 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. CHECK-IN - all animals EXCEPT Broilers, Rabbits and Breeding Goats (Commercial heifer recordbooks are due at this time) • 5:30 P.M. Official Weigh-in of Market Animals Order: Steers, Lambs, Goats, Hogs

Monday, April 10 • 7:00-9:00 A.M. CHECK-IN BROILERS • 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. CHECK-IN PROJECT SHOW • 10:30 A.M. Broiler Judging* *Non-placing broilers go home by 10:00 P.M. on the day of the judging.

• 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. CHECK-IN - Market Rabbits, Breeding Rabbits • 1:00 P.M. Commercial Heifers Interviews • 1:30 P.M. Commercial Heifer Judging • 3:00 P.M. Market Rabbit Judging ** Market Rabbit Pictures will be taken following rabbit judging. **Non-placing rabbits must be removed from the

show grounds at the conclusion of the judging. (unless participating in showmanship class) • 7:00 P.M. Breeding Gilt Show. No showmanship for this class. (Pee Wee Hog Show after Breeding Gilt Show.)

Tuesday, April 11 • 9:00 A.M. Breeding Rabbit Judging (then showmanship) • 10:00 A.M. Project Show Judging • 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. CHECK-IN Breeding Goats • 1:00 P.M. Breeding Goat Show (breeding goats must be out of barn at end of breeding show) • 3:00 P.M. Market Goat Judging— Followed by Junior and Senior Showmanship & SALE ORDER PLACING. • 6:00 P.M. Market Swine Judging followed by Junior and Senior Showmanship & SALE ORDER PLACING. ** Market swine pictures to be taken as sale order is placed.

Wednesday, April 12

the Premium Sale may start checking out - must be removed by 12:00 Noon.

• 3:30 P.M. Lamb Judging to be followed by Junior and Senior Showmanship & SALE ORDER PLACING. ** Broiler and Lamb pictures will be taken Monday evening following the judging.

• 5:30 P.M. Breeding Heifer Judging (There will be at least a 15 minute break between the heifer and steer show.)

• 7:00 P.M. Market Steer Judging - Followed by Junior and Senior Showmanship & SALE ORDER PLACING. (Showmanship is open only to Anderson County 4-H and FFA youth who meet the general rules and guidelines for exhibitors.) (Market Steer pictures to be taken as sale order is placed.)

Thursday, April 13 • 5:30 P.M. BUYER BAR-B-QUE • 7:00 P.M. PREMIUM AUCTION SALE

Friday, April 14

• 8:00 A.M. Market swine that did not qualify for

• ALL ANIMALS MUST BE OUT *** CLEAN UP.

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March-April 2017

Farming – It’s a family affair

By Kathi Nailling Athens Daily Review

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salm 127:3-5 says “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”

Mike and Debbie Sams, owners of Full Quiver Farms of Kemp, said they decided on the name Full Quiver Farms due to the fact they have their quiver full with nine children and 31 grandchildren. The full service dairy farm is a hidden jewel located in the Styx Community near

Kemp.

They raised their nine children on the dairy farm in a 1924 three bedroom Sears and Roebuck mailorder residence. The kids range in age from 22 years old to 47 years old.

“We actually bought our house from someone in Athens and moved it here to Kemp,” said Sams.

In a recent interview with Edible Magazine Mike told the reporter he and Debbie married when they were 16 years old.

“I wouldn’t recommend it,” said Mike. Somehow this down home couple made it work for them and their large family.

Every day, twice a day, the cows get milked and the Sams will tell you their

Full Quiver Farms Full Quiver Farms is located on Farm-to-Market Road 3396 in Kemp.

The store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

For directions to the farm, call 903-498-3384 or visit the website www.fullquiverfarmstexas.com.

cows produce a Grade A raw milk. What is left over is made into cheese – fresh mozzarella, cheddar, Colby, Monterrey jack and pepper jack.

In addition to their cheese the family business sells yogurt, farm fresh eggs, grass-fed beef and pastured chickens.

“Farming is a lot of hard work, but it is satisfying work,” said Sams. “The farm is more than food, it’s a way of life.”

Mike and Debbie both are 64 years old and ready to turn the 65-acre farm over to the next generation – three of their sons Joshua, Jesse and Levi.

“Our boys grew up working the farm every day,” said Sams. “It’s seems natural for them to take it over.” He doesn’t plan on going too far. “I will still be here to help make the cheese.”

In addition to the 65acre farm the couple owns a 57-acre farm very close to Quiver Full Farms where they raise beef cows and pigs.

The couple told Edible Magazine Debbie’s driving force is the reason they got into farming.

“This is the way I have always wanted to live,” said Debbie. “I love the farm, but its time to retire.” She wants to step back and let her sons take the reins of Quivers Full.

The working dairy farm has not always been as profitable as it is today.

“In the beginning g g we

didn’t make much money,” said Sams. “All we did was go in debt.”

After struggling to keep p the farm afloat theyy

contacted Joel Salatin owner of Polyface Farm in Virginia. Salatin philosophy about farming included enhance land and animals, rather than deplete them. His idea was to sell products made from the farm.

Cheese was the couples last ditch effort to save their farm. Once Whole Foods Market started buying their cheese they were well on their way to success.

Full Quiver Farms cheese can be found in Whole Foods Markets, Central Market (Owned

by HEB Grocery Store) and the small farm market located on the Full Quiver Farms. The Come and Take It store in Athens carries products from Full Quiver Farms.

On a recent sunny Saturday morning Athens resident Serena Thompson was at Full Quiver Farms to buy her raw milk.

“I come here about twice a month,” said Thompson.

Thompson found the

farm while shopping at Whole Foods.

“I always bought the raw milk from Whole Foods,” said Thompson. “One day I notice the address said Kemp, close to where I live.

Been coming here ever since.”

The farm has been good to Mike and Debbie, now the hope is the farm will give their sons as much enjoyment as it did their parents.

“It’s made a pretty good living for us,” said Sams. “I hope it does the same for the boys.”

The Farm Market is open to the public and the Sams invites everyone to come shop the little market store.

“Come visit us here on the farm where we have a store with all our products,” said Sams. “We have homemade soaps and handmade aprons, also homemade jams and jellies.”

Don’t forget the raw milk, eggs and cheese can be found in the Farm Market Store.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

Family-owned business now has two locations Pineco Tractor and Equipment offers exemplary service, quality equipment

By Michael Kormos Corsicana Daily Sun

P

ineco Tractor and Equipment is a familyowned business that prides its self on exemplary service, and quality equipment.

They offer a large inventory of many top name brands including: Bad Boy Mowers, Mahindra Tractors, Big Tex Trailers, and all types of implements you may need to get any job done.

“We are family owned and we have a great service department,” said co-owner Chad Hammer.

“And have a strong belief in taking care of our customers.”

Hammer said his family started the business because they wanted to do something they could enjoy together and help the community.

Chad owns and operates the business alongside Royce, Harold and Coy Hammer.

Pineco has two locations, one at 11104 E State Highway 31 in Kerens and one at 6186 South IH-35 in Waco and Hammer said they are soon planning to open a third dealership somewhere in East Texas.

They currently staff a dozen employees.

“Our parts and service center provides fast and friendly service and maintenance to ensure you get the most from your

equipment,” Hammer said. “Our mechanics have the hands -on training needed to take care of all your maintenance work. They will take the time to explain what’s needed to get you out of the shop and back in the yard.”

Hammer said there is nothing like seeing a new customer when they get their new tractor.

“Their faces say it all,” he said.

Their finance department will take the time to explain the different options available for your equipment needs. Being family owned, you won’t feel that sellers rush to get you in and out the door. They will take the time to answer your questions, and go over everything with you one step at a time.

Pineco doesn’t just service what they sell. Customers are welcome to bring in their older implements as well.

“We will help you maintain your lawn mower, dump trailer, utility trailer, excavator, rake and more so that it runs for years,” Hammer said. “If it is having problems, we can diagnose and repair it.”

Pineco is Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “if we’re not there just give us call, our business is local, and so are our homes,” Hammer said. “We’re here to provide the quality equipment you deserve at neighborly prices. Come and meet the family today.”

Pineco Tractor & Equipment 11104 E State Highway 31 Kerens, TX 75144 (254) 859-0380 6186 South IH-35 Waco, TX 76706 (254) 420-2990 Open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.pinecotractorequipment.com

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Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

March-April 2017

Crape myrtle bark Research finds Lymescale study reveals spreading ticks will be plentiful this year tree treatments to fight ugly pest Special to the Progress Jacksonville Progress

T

he second year of survey data tracking crape myrtle bark scale has provided researchers information they believe will help mitigate the pest’s effect on trees, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Erfan Vafaie, a AgriLife Extension entomologist and integrated pest management program specialist in Overton, and other collaborators in College Station, Huntsville and Dallas, have monitored pest numbers the past two years to help determine crape myrtle bark scale’s seasonal life cycle and peak crawler activity. The data collected has helped researchers develop strategies against them.

The crape myrtle bark scale, an invasive insect species from Asia, secrete a sugary solution, known as honeydew, that subsequently results in black mold along the branches and tree trunk, Vafaie said. The crape myrtle bark scale has not shown to be fatal for plants.

But the bark scale do affect the aesthetics for the very popular ornamental tree, especially in the Southern U.S., Vafaie said. Observations suggest the crape myrtle bark scale could be responsible for stunted growth in plants as well as reduced flowering.

Two years of data collected by Vafaie and his collaborators show bark scale crawler, or nymph, numbers peak between mid-April and the beginning of May. He suggests two treatment options – contact spray or systemic –

for landscapers or residents who have identified signs of crape myrtle bark scale based on data.

Trees can be treated with a contact insecticide spray as pest numbers peak, followed by another treatment two weeks later, he said. Insecticides with the active ingredient Bifenthrin have proved to work best during the study.

“Separate treatments in two-week intervals are good because you want to target bark scale in their immature stage,” he said. “You hit them during the peak and then two weeks later to catch those that have emerged following the first treatment.”

Vafaie said systemic treatments should be applied much earlier to allow the trees to uptake the insecticide for effectiveness.

The best time to apply systemic pesticides is mid-March to the end of March, after leaves begin to bud out and trees are actively taking up nutrients from the ground.

“You want to have a systemic like imidacloprid or dinotefuran that will be taken up into the plant so that by midApril to the beginning of May it will be present higher in the tree when the bark scale are feeding,” he said. “That way it will target them and kill them.”

Vafaie said the data collection has netted positive results so far and more research on crape myrtle bark scale is expected to follow in order to give ornamental growers, wholesalers and the public improved strategies against them.

“We’re collecting data this year and will in subsequent years to try and better understand how different temperatures during those years affect bark scale numbers,” he said.

Photo by Adam Russell/ Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Erfan Vafaie, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist, sets traps for crape myrtle bark scale in a stand of trees along Broadway Avenue in Tyler.

By Joe Mahoney CNHI State Reporter

T

he black-legged ticks whose bites cause Lyme disease are expected to be out in abundance in much of the Northeast this year, says a researcher whose forecast is based on the boom-bust forest population of whitefooted mice.

And it all has to do with acorns.

Richard Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, said oak trees left a bumper crop of acorns on the forest floor in 2015, contributing to a surge in the population of mice in 2016.

The mice, many of them infected with Lyme disease, are the main hosts for the tick nymphs that will be re-emerging in coming weeks, he said in an interview from his research center in New York’s Hudson Valley.

“They will be super-hungry because they haven’t eaten in a long time,” said Ostfeld, explaining the nymphs, after transforming from larval stage last year, “entered a state of suspended animation” for the winter months.

Ostfeld and his fellow researchers have been monitoring mice and other rodents since the early 1990s. Each summer, he explained, they use metal traps to livecapture mice, with the goal of gauging their population trends.

“It’s sort of like conducting a census, though it’s all done in the same zip code,” he said. “We kind of go door-to-door where the mice live.”

The mice are tagged, though not all of the ones that wind up in traps had been previously marked. The difference in the number of tagged mice and untagged ones in the traps provides an indication as to where the overall population is heading.

“The fact that we have been doing this for a very long time gives us a reasonable level of confidence in our predictions,” he said.

Some mammals will try to whisk off the ticks. But not mice -- even with scores of ticks trying to use them as hosts for a blood snack, Ostfeld said.

“They just seem to shrug it off,” he said.

The tick nymphs that will be reemerging this spring, Ostfeld said, will be “at a dangerous stage” because of their voracious appetite.

He also predicted that while May has

been designated Lyme Disease Month to raise public awareness about the need to take preventive measures, the risk will become great in April as the result of a relatively mild winter.

“There were hordes of mice during the summer of 2016, and so now we’re expecting a lot of infected nymphs of the black-legged tick this coming spring and early summer,” Ostfeld said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness in the nation, with 95 percent of reported cases coming from the Northeast and upper Midwest. The number of cases in the two regions doubled from 2001 to 2015, according to the federal agency.

Getting infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme can produce a red rash, fatigue, fever, headaches, swelling and joint pain.

Because the ticks can be difficult to spot, health experts recommend that people don light clothing before heading into woods and fields. Using insect repellant and inspecting one’s own body and pets for ticks are also recommended.

No vaccines have been developed to protect against the bacteria.

Researchers at the Cary Institute have found that one of the best allies in countering ticks is the opossum. Ostfeld said the mammal, unlike mice, are meticulous groomers who gobble up the ticks, thus leaving fewer available to target potential human hosts.

It is also likely, he said, that raptors help in countering Lyme, as they are known to dine on mice, though the challenge in studying the phenomenon has left researchers with insufficient data to make any firm conclusions.

The best news from the recent research, he said, is that the acorn drop decreased in 2017, which should lead to fewer mice this year and an expected decline in black-legged ticks in 2018.

But ticks are expected to be an ongoing problem, he said, noting climate change is already increasing the risks posed by the blood-sucking insects.

Ostfeld has also postulated that environmental changes from habitat fragmentation increases disease risk by reducing predators and biodiversity.

Joe Mahoney covers the New York Statehouse for CNHI’s newspapers and websites. Reach him at jmahoney@cnhi. com.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

9

Iron Lake Ranch specializes in Herefords

By Rich Flowers Athens Daily Review

I

ron Lake Ranch in Athens, just beyond the railroad tracks on Farmto-Market Road 1616 is home to some slick looking Hereford cattle.

The ranch has become a go to spot for cattle raisers wanting quality bulls for their herds. Manager David Caraway said Iron Lake Ranch’s Owner started Dimitri Mataragas had been in the oil and gas industry for years, but bought the ranch to raise a few cattle. He didn’t know at the time how big the operation would become.

“We run about 300 cows,” Caraway said. “We do a lot of embryo work AI work (artificial insemination). “That’s the quickest way to get some of the best genetics you can get for the Hereford business. We sell about 50 bulls a year.

They go all over the country, to Dakota and Canada/ Mataragas bought the ranch about ten years ago. By 2008, it was becoming more of a full time business and required additional labor. David Caraway, who had done part time work on the ranch as needed, became the full time manager.

Caraway. is originally from Parker County and formerly was involved with one of his uncles in the Southside Feed Store, south of Athens.

“I got out of that and got hooked up with Dimitri and started helping him,” Caraway said.

The ranch includes about 1,500 acres in Henderson County. Most of it is leased

land. The headquarters is located on Farmto-Market Road 1616, just a couple of miles north of Loop 7.

Caraway said he and two other full time employees stay busy doing the work of the ranch.

“We do all of our own farming and hay baling,” Caraway said.

You never know what’s going to come up in the ranching business Caraway said, but the market is currently the biggest challenge.

“The cattle market is low right now,” Caraway said. “The demand for bulls is a lot slower than a couple of years ago, but we’re still getting them sold.”

On of the major events for Iron Lake Ranch rolls around each fall.

“We have a production sale at the end of October every year,” Caraway said. “We’re coming up on the fourth one this year.”

The traditional red coat and white markings are trade marks of the Hereford breed.

“They’re very popular right now,” Caraway said. “A lot of people are using them on Brahma influenced cattle and a lot of the Brangus guys use Herefords.”

Caraway said there’s interest in the black Herefords with white faces. The ranch sells about 10 each year.

“All the time something pops up you’re not expecting,” Caraway said. “You think you’re going to have an easy day and you have a problem with a cow or something.

And weather plays a big role in it. The weather has been different every year for the past 10 years, it seems.”

Caraway said the embryos are sold,

not only around the United States, but overseas. Australia is a good market.

“That would be a long way to send a bull, but we can ship the embryos,” Caraway said.

Caraway said Iron Lake Ranch is proud of the product they sell.

“We really stand behind our cattle,” Caraway said. “If anyone buys one and has a problem with it, we make it right. We try to sell bulls the local guys can afford to buy. We try to raise good, functional bulls that will stay sound and breed a lot of cows.”

Size is good, but a bull can get too big if it has too much fat on it.

“We mostly develop our bulls on this place here,” Caraway said. “After we get them up and they’ve had all of their vaccines and everything, we develop them.

You have to develop a bull to get him in the right condition.”

The ranch advertises its bulls in many ways. The internet is becoming more and more important in marketing them. You can check out the ranch’s website and Facebook page.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

10

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

Cherokee County hosts Spring Conference Progress photos by Alyssa Massingill Jacksonville Progress

T

he Cherokee County Master Gardeners hosted their annual Spring Conference on Saturday, March 11 at First Christian Church, 222 Beaumont St. in Jacksonville. The conference was offered as a community - based education outreach by the Cherokee County Master Gardener volunteers.

Topics to be included are: “Make Your Garden Fit Your Life,� “Introduction to Aquaponics� and “How to Grow Great Tomatoes.�

Early spring conditions could extend growing season

By Adam Russell Texas A&M Agrilife COLLEGE STATION – Early spring conditions may have disrupted bedding plant producer schedules, but milderthan-normal conditions could mean an extended growing season, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Dr. Charlie Hall, professor of horticulture, College Station, said early spring conditions for Texas and much of the southeastern U.S. and Central Midwest have pushed the typical schedules ahead for bedding plant growers.

The problem for some midwestern areas is that temperatures could be in the 80s one day and well below freezing the next, Hall said.

The roller coaster

temperatures played havoc on retail stores and suppliers, he said. Retailers tried to avoid receiving plants too early, but consumer demand amid spring-like conditions led many to supply products despite possible freezes. “Stores have been holding off as much as possible to reduce consumer complaints,� he said. “They don’t want to have products out that might be stunted or killed by a freeze as soon as people get them home or right after they’re planted.�

Producers expect to have their plants ready for shipment to stores within a week or two-week window,  and the weather has pushed those schedules forward, he said. There are many time-sensitive factors at play within the production and supply chain that Mother Nature has altered. “They usually want to

meet specific schedules so you don’t have plants sitting, getting long in the tooth and possibly being placed as a mark-down item,� Hall said. “But then you have plants that are placed early and were purchased and a cold front kills or stunts them. The return policy at some stores places the responsibility on the grower, so the early spring could be a double whammy.�

Poor performing plants or plant kills could discourage homeowners from purchasing replacements or planting other varieties later in the season, Hall said.

But Hall said he is optimistic that consumer confidence and the early spring could be a great combination for producers and the bedding plant, ornamental and tree industries.

Early spring conditions could extend the growing

season to allow another eight-week crop, if weather conditions allow, Hall said.

Timely rains beyond midMay and a mild June would be good for producers hoping to capitalize on the extended growing season.

Hall said the consumer confidence is high, and shoppers are willing to spend and take on debt at pre-recession levels. “That’s why I am bullish on bedding plants, ornamentals and trees,�

he said. “The earlier-thanusual season could be disruptive, but it could also be an opportunity. The question will be weather and whether growers can extend the season another crop.�

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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

11

Gone Fishing with Jerry Miller

Major League Fishing Comes To East Texas

A

top six championship was held at Lake Jacksonville on March

10, 2017!

The Top 6 Pros, Kevin VanDam, Mark Davis, Greg Hackney, Jeff Kreit, Gary Klein and Timmy Horton, fished for about 7-1/2 hours to determine three qualifiers. These three will fish against three other qualifiers who have been fishing other area lakes. This last fish off will determine who will win the top spot in Major League Fishing.

I talked to Jon Hargett who lives on Lake Jacksonville and who recorded some of the Major League Fishing event with his drone. Hargett told me that a friend of his, Mike Lewis, was on the lake during the contest and had some good information.

When I talked to Mike Lewis he explained what was happening and how this event worked. The event is like a semi-sudden death contest where three contestants will be chosen out of the final six.

These three will compete with three more finalists who had qualified on three of our area lakes: Lake Nacogdoches, Lake Naconiche and maybe Kurth Lake. All three are centered around the town of Nacogdoches.

Major League Fishing headquarters is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and their computers were tied in with

headquarters in Nacogdoches to co-ordinate the production of the show.

Mike Lewis said, “The sudden death contest held on Lake Jacksonville consisted of three 2-1/2 hour periods.

After each period their weight was totaled and recorded.

The first three pros to reach the maximum weight that day (unknown) would be the winners. The first guy to leave the lake would be proof that he had finished first, and that was KVD.” Lewis further explained, “early in the third round about a half hour later, Mark Davis left.” About 20 to 30 minutes later, Lewis drove back to the boat ramp, and he told me that all four contestants came in all at once. That means one of the four won the last place in the qualifying contest. Lewis said, “I think it was probably Greg Hackney because he was the only one smiling. Gary Klein and Jeff Kreit were not happy.”

I don’t know who these three will be fishing against in this area. In other words, no one knows what lake will be chosen for the final contest. But it will be one of our area lakes. They have chosen smaller lakes so far, so it’s anybody’s guess.

I have a feeling that one of these Top Guns will be the ultimate winner of Major League Fishing.

Just one day before this contest, my fishing buddies

Frank Lusk and Mike Smith encountered some of the pros who were still trying to qualify for the elimination round on Lake Jacksonville.

Lusk said, “We were fishing up in Naconiche Creek on an old road bed when we saw several boats rapidly approaching.” The two were fishing near the creek in a narrow opening when the boats approached and idled close by. Lusk said, “Edwin Eavers, Bobby Lane and Boyd Duckett motored right past us.”

Lusk told me that he and Smith had just boated a 6.37 pound bass and others in the three to four pound range.

Lusk continued, “We had just started back to fishing when here they came back.

Edwin Eavers turned left and motored to the end of the road bed. Then he proceeded to blast his way through and over stumps, logs, brush, grass and anything else in his way.

Then he would stop and fish

for about five minutes and continue on. I don’t know how he could catch anything making all that noise!”

Lusk exclaimed, “The fish turned off, so we headed up the other creek to fish Telescopic Creek and another road bed.

When we arrived I saw Timmy Horton fishing on the edge of the creek catching several twopound bass.” They also saw Aaron Martin and Kelly Jordan fishing the opposite bank.

When the first period of fishing ended for the contestants, Horton spoke to them and said, “Guys, I’m gonna have to go in for a while and I would like for this spot to rest.” Lusk agreed not to fish his spot. Lusk told Horton, “I watched you on TV.” Horton replied, “Which episode?”

Lusk responded, “The drop shot one.” Horton replied, “I appreciate that.” Then he left.

I also talked to John Long, another fishing friend who happened to be nearby watching where the pros had launched on Lake Jacksonville.

Long said that he met A.C. Konkler, who is the assistant commissioner in charge of everything concerning the Major League contest. Konkler asked Long for help to get permission for them to be able to drive out to a restricted area near the swimming zone and gasoline pump area. They needed to use it to take lunches out to the contestants at noon.

Long was able to make the arrangements by calling up to City Hall.

Another of my fishing friends, David Nichols, was standing out on a lake dock and got to speak briefly with Mark Davis as he fished out in front of Nichols’ residence.

Nichols told me that Davis commented to him that they were expecting to fish a lake with grass, reeds and other cover. Davis exclaimed, “All you have is docks!” Nichols said that Davis had made a decision to skip under docks.

Danny Clark was also on the lake following his hero, Kevin VanDam. Clark said, “I saw him fishing by David Nichols’ place. He started fishing with a white Maribou jig on a spinning rod. Then he switched to a Finesse worm and finally he picked up a shad jerk bait and began to wear them (fish) out. He was fishing his KVD jerk bait in a shad color down the side of every pier. I saw him catch about six bass in about 30 minutes. This was the greatest moment of my life. I was like a little bitty kid in a candy shop!”

I was unable to confirm who the three finalists were, but I’m almost sure it was Kevin VanDam, Greg Hackney and Mark Davis. The winner of the contest is a Top Secret. I was told that the film would be aired in June and July on CBS and on a sports channel. Stay tuned!

Area beef producer elected to leadership role

B

eef producer Don Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas, has been elected to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board Executive Committee.

The election took place in early February during CBB’s annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Executive Committee operates under the direction of, and within the policies established by, the full Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) and is responsible for carrying out Beef Board policies, conducting business between meetings of the full Board and making decisions necessary to administer the terms and provisions of the Act and Order that established CBB.

Smith and his wife Marilyn are beef and dairy producers in Hopkins County, Texas.

He has been a member of Farm Bureau since 1953. In October 2005, the Texas Farm Bureau appointed him to the Texas Beef Council, where he served on the Beef Quality Committee. Smith has been active in beef and dairy organizations for decades, having served on the Texas Beef Council for seven years, including one year as chairman; the Federation of State Beef Council’s Board of Directors, both as a regional vice president and as a representative of the group on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive committee; and the Texas Farm Bureau, including two years as vice president.

In addition, Smith served on the Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company board of directors and the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company board of directors, as well as the Executive Committee of the Casualty Company. Smith

was named to the Governor’s Task Force on Agricultural Development in 1988, and served on the Texas A&M Congressional Internship Selection Committee from 1992 through 1995. He is a past director of the Texas Association of Dairymen and served as president for three years, and he was the Director of the Southwest Dairy Museum’s Board of Directors from 2001-2016.

The 100-member beef board is led by Chairman Brett Morris, Oklahoma; Vice Chairman Joan Ruskamp of Nebraska; and Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Coffey, also of Oklahoma. Immediate past chairman Anne Anderson, Texas, serves as an advisor to the executive committee.

All CBB members are volunteers, and those on the leadership committees are elected by fellow board members for a one-year term. Members of CBB include domestic beef, dairy and veal producers, as well as importers of cattle, beef and beef products.

For more information about the beef checkoff program, visit www.MyBeefCheckoff.com.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

12

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

March-April 2017

ET anglers enjoying banner crappie fishing

By Matt Williams Outdoors Writer

T

here is one thing you can count on when it comes to springtime crappie fishing…. the fish will only be where you find them.

Harum-scarum by nature, papermouths can be tough to pattern this time of year because they are rambling the shallows here and there and looking for a place to spawn.

The ritual is carried out similar to the bass spawn. Nests are built or fanned in shallow water, usually in close proximity some form of cover such as bushes, fallen trees, lily pad stems or stumps when available.

Often times they’ll fan out nests right in amongst the thickest junk they can find before carrying out the courtship that creates the next generation of crappie.

Curtain time can fall as early as February on lakes across eastern Texas, but it usually goes down sometime in mid-March through early April.

Judging from reports I’m hearing from fishing guides and recreational anglers, crappie are in all phases of the spawn in lakes across the region right now. The spawn is going full bore on some lakes, winding down or just beginning to get cranked up on others.

Either way, the fishing has

been outstanding for those anglers willing to spend the time necessary to sniff out the fish in skinny water. Lake Fork guide Gary Paris says he and his wife, Lisa, have been eating plenty of crappie fillets around their house lately.

“It’s been great for about three weeks,” says Paris. “We’ve been smacking them pretty good.

They’re big, too. We’ve caught a lot of fish the 1 1/4 pound range and several up to two pounds.”

One of Paris’ best trips this month produced 67 keepers for three guide clients. That’s just eight fish shy of a three-man limit of 75 fish.

“We went out another day and started out fishing for channel cat,” Paris said. “We caught several, then we went looking for crappie. There was shad spawning going on and we found the crappie running the shad completely onto the banks.

We caught 40 big ones in about two hours. I’m pretty sure a lot of those fish were post spawn, because they didn’t have any eggs. But they are still hanging around shallow because there’s plenty of cover and plenty to eat.”

The technique Paris is using to find and catch crappie is one that is will work in just about any lake with a reputable crappie population. It’s called dabbling, which involves the use of a 13 foot telescoping Black Widow

Courtesy Photo

Elizabeth Browning and her husband, Steve, caught several hefty slabs during a recent afternoon trip on Cedar Creek with fishing guide Jason Barber. Barber says he is catching fish off shallow beds in 1-3 feet and under secondary docks in 5-12 feet.

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Catching crappie in the spring means covering lots of shallow water until you find them. Spawning crappie love to hang tight to any available cover such as brush, weed bed, brush, docks and lay down logs, usually in skinny water ranging 1-3 feet deep. crappie pole, a slip cork and a 1/8 ounce crappie jig tipped with a live shiner.

The trick, says Paris, is to move slowly along the shoreline over a shallow flat and carefully place the shiner tight to available cover like brush, bushes, logs or pockets in the grass. When a fish takes the bait, the cork starts moving slowly to one side or disappears altogether. All of the bites are coming shallow, 1-4 feet.

“The main thing is to stay on the move,” Paris said. “The fish aren’t everywhere, but when you find them, they’ll munch.”

Lake Livingston fishing guide Dave Cox says he and his clients have been enjoying some outstanding crappie fishing lately, as well.

“It’s been good just about every day for a while now,” Cox said. “We not catching limits -- about 20-22 fish is a good day for two people. We’re catching some nice ones, though. I’ve had several in the 16-17 inch range real slabs.”

Like Paris, Cox is covering lots of water to find fish and relying on long poles, slip corks and shiners to help his clients exploit them. He says the best areas have been towards the backs of major and secondary creeks in water

ranging 2-4 feet deep.

“White Rock, Harmon and Caney have all been good,” Cox said. “I’m finding them around cut banks with lay downs or any other kind of wood around them. It seems like the bigger wood is holding the bigger fish.”

The shallow bite has been equally good at the upper reaches of Toledo Bend.

According to Charlie Shivley at Bill’s Landing there are plenty of fish on the banks in backs of old sloughs and shallow flats adjacent to Tenaha Creek.

Shivley says the fish are relating primarily to old cypress trees and brush in water ranging 1-3 feet deep.

“Some of them are out away from the bank in middle of the sloughs, too,” Shivley said. “You just got to move around to find them. You might catch 3-4 out of a spot, then you have to move.”

Fishing guide Stephen Johnston said the bite has been more sporadic at the lake’s southern reaches and the fish are considerably harder to find.

“We’re not catching any limits at all,” Johnston said. “The ones we are catching are coming on tube jigs and Roadrunners along creek channels in 4-8 feet of water, but they are really scattered. Some days it’s better to

stroll than to cast. We haven’t be able to catch much at all on a jig under a cork. That bite should be on fire right now, but it’s not.”

There isn’t ton of shallow spawning cover on Cedar Creek Reservoir, but fishing guide Jason Barber of Gun Barrel City says there are plenty fish to be caught around boat docks right now. The best ones are in water ranging 1-3 feet and 4-10 feet, he said.

“I think there are a couple of things going on right now,” Barber said. “We’ve got fish spawning around shallower docks on secondary points towards the backs of spawning pockets and there are prespawn fish still staging around the deeper docks. Any type of emergent vegetation or cypress trees you can find in the edge of water also holds some potential.”

Barber says the most effective way to fish around Cedar Creek’s boat docks doesn’t involve a long pole and a shiner. Instead, it’s all about skipping or shooting a jig.

“These fish are taking advantage of the shade, so you need to work at learning how to get the jig as far up under the docks as you can get it,” he said.

“It’s a challenging way to fish for them, but it also can be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.”

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

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EVERYONE HAS THEIR FAVORITES! WE WANT TO HEAR YOURS! It’s easy to vote, just 2 simple steps!

1. Vote for your Favorite East Texas Business under each category.

2. Mail your Ballot back to East Texas Farm & Ranch.

Rules: All entries must be a business in the East Texas Area.

Must fill out at least 20 categories.

Entry Form must be completely filled out & signed.

Rules that are violated will void entire ballot.

No photocopies, emails, or faxes will be accepted.

All results are final as deemed by East Texas Farm & Ranch.

Official “Readers’ Choice” Entry Form Full Name______________________________________ Address________________________________________ City, St., Zip_____________________________________ Phone #________________________________________ Signature_______________________________________ All Ballots must have a signed entry form to be eligible.

One Ballot per person please!

Mail Your Ballot to:

P.O. Box 379, Palestine, TX 75802 Deadline: April 10th at Midnight • Entry Form MUST be Postmarked by April 10, 2017

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION! WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OUR SPECIAL “READERS’ CHOICE” SECTION PUBLISHED WITH EAST TEXAS FARM & RANCH LIVING ON APRIL 27th!

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

14

March-April 2017

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

From Scratch with Love Italian-American Chicken Marsala Total time: 30 minutes makes 4 servings Chicken Marsala probably originated in the 19th century with English families living in western Sicily, source of Marsala, a fortified wine produced in the region surrounding the town of the same name. It’s now a solidly Italian-American dish: boneless, skinless chicken breasts pounded to a uniform thinness, dredged in seasoned flour, and pan fried. You make a sauce in the same pan, after removing the chicken, with prosciutto, mushrooms, Marsala, and chicken stock, whisking butter in just before serving.

Ingredients

Instructions

• • • •

2/3 cup all-purpose flour Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), tenders removed • 1/4 cup olive oil • 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut cross-

• • • • •

1. Place the flour in a shallow dish, season generously with salt and pepper, whisk to combine, and set aside.

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and cut each breast in half to yield a total of 8 cutlets.

Place 2 pieces on a work surface, cover with plastic wrap, and pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet, a rolling pin, or the bottom of a pan; transfer to a large plate. Repeat with the remaining 6 pieces of chicken. Season both sides with salt and pepper and set aside.

33. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until shimmering.

44. When the oil is ready, dredge 2 pieces of chicken in the seasoned flour, turn to coat both sides, and shake off any excess. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until light golden brown around the edges and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a large warmed serving platter in a single layer and cover loosely with a piece of aluminum foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

55. Pour all but about 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan, return it to medium heat, and add the prosciutto. Sauté for 1 minute to render out some of the fat. Add the mushrooms and sauté until they’re nicely browned and most of their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

66. Add the Marsala and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, about 30 seconds.

Add the chicken broth, increase the heat to medium high, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until reduced and starting to thicken, about 3 to 4 minutes.

77. Whisk in the butter; the sauce should thicken slightly. Taste, seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, pouring the sauce over the chicken cutlets and sprinkling with parsley.

wise into thin strips 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and halved 1/2 cup Marsala wine 1/2 cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick) 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

Recipe courtesy of Coreen Carroll via Chowhound

EAST TEXAS STOCK PRICES ANDERSON COUNTY LIVESTOCK

EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC.

Updated: 03/22/2017 Head Count: 209 Buyers: 24 Sellers: 27

Updated: 03/21/2017 Cows: 238 Bulls: 20 Buyers: 53 Sellers: 141

STEERS

STEERS

200lb - 300lb

1.40

2.15

300-DOWN

$119

$255

300lb - 400lb

1.27

1.99

305lb - 400lb

$117

$196

400lb - 500lb

1.20

1.67

405lb - 500lb

$110

$192

500lb - 600lb

1.10

1.55

505lb - 600lb

$101

$168

600lb - 700lb

1.05

1.47

605lb - 800lb

$98

$154

700lb - 800lb

0.95

1.45

200lb - 300lb

1.35

1.80

300-DOWN

$105

$230

300lb - 400lb

1.25

1.79

305lb - 400lb

$100

$188

400lb - 500lb

1.15

1.69

405lb - 500lb

$92

$162

500lb - 600lb

1.10

1.59

505lb - 600lb

$85

$156

600lb - 700lb

1.00

1.31

605lb - 800lb

$83

$131

700lb - 800lb

0.85

1.35

HEIFERS

HEIFERS

SLAUGHTER

SLAUGHTER

Cows

0.45

0.78

Cows

$41

$83.50

Bulls

0.75

0.95

Bulls

$82

$98

$1600

PAIRS

NA

NA

PAIRS

$1050

STOCKER COWS GOATS

$675hd

$1600hd

$45hd

$150hd

TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 03/25/2017 Head Count: 950

STEERS

BRED COWS

NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

Updated: 03/23/2017 Head Count: 942 Buyers: 74 Sellers: 117

STEERS

$1875/hd

ATHENS COMMISSION COMPANY

Updated: 03/30/2017 Head Count: 318

STEERS

$800/hd

Updated: 03/24/2017 Head Count: 1101 Sellers: 161

STEERS

UNDER 300lb

1.60

2.30

UNDER 300lb

1.40

2.35

200lb - 299lb

1.60

2.20

300-DOWN

0.80

2.30

300lb - 400lb

1.55

2.25

300lb - 400lb

1.25

2.20

300lb - 399lb

1.60

1.90

300lb - 400lb

0.80

2.10

400lb - 500lb

1.40

1.88

400lb - 500lb

1.10

1.83

400lb - 499lb

1.50

1.89

400lb - 500lb

0.80

1.85

500lb - 600lb

1.30

1.65

500lb - UP

0.95

1.55

500lb - 599lb

1.50

1.73

500lb - UP

0.80

1.75

600lb - 700lb

1.20

1.52

600lb - 700lb

NA

NA

600lb - 699lb

1.35

1.47

HEIFERS

700lb - 800lb

1.10

1.40

HEIFERS

800lb - 899lb

1.00

1.10

300-DOWN

0.80

1.90

UNDER 300lb

1.30

2.10

HEIFERS

300lb - 400lb

0.80

1.80

UNDER 300lb

1.40

1.85

300lb - 400lb

1.15

1.80

200lb - 299lb

1.65

1.95

400lb - 500lb

0.80

1.75

300lb - 400lb

1.35

1.60

400lb - 500lb

1.00

1.65

300lb - 399lb

1.30

1.57

500lb - UP

0.80

1.65

400lb - 500lb

1.25

1.50

500lb - UP

0.85

1.35

400lb - 499lb

1.20

1.47

SLAUGHTER

500lb - 600lb

1.15

1.70

600lb - 700lb

NA

NA

500lb - 599lb

1.10

1.40

Cows

0.40

0.79

600lb - 700lb

1.15

1.65

SLAUGHTER

600lb - 699lb

1.05

1.27

Heavy Bulls

0.70

0.98

700lb - 800lb

1.05

1.50

Cows

NA

NA

PAIRS

Cows

0.40

0.73

Heavy Bulls

0.85

0.94

STOCKER COWS

HEIFERS

SLAUGHTER

PAIRS STOCKER COWS LOW-MIDDLE

$1500 $900hd $1100

$1900

0.45

0.78

700lb - 899lb

Bulls

0.75

0.96

SLAUGHTER

PAIRS

$850

$1750

Cows

0.40

0.75

Low-Middle

Bulls

0.83

0.90

GOATS

$750hd

$1600hd

$45hd

$150hd

PAIRS

$1300hd

BABY CALVES

$50

$200

STOCKER COWS

$1400

HORSES

NA

NA

BABY CALVES

Top

$1,100 $350hd $120

$1250

$2000

$750

$1250

STOCKER COWS

0.70lb

1.50lb

GOATS

$35hd

$175hd

$1450hd

BABY CALVES

$25hd

$375hd

$165

HORSES

$50hd

$400hd

$1,530

March-April 2017

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

15

Spring means Expo time

By Deanna Kirk Corsicana Daily Sun

T

he one week all year where people come from all corners of Navarro County, the week where reunions take place around the red dirt, cedar shavings and scent of farm animals, the week that is the Navarro County Youth Expo is nearly upon us.

This year rather than the traditional March dates, the week will take place April 3-8. According to Nick Hoffman, general chairman along with Billy Roughton, the NCYE is always scheduled after the major livestock shows take place. This year, the Houston Livestock Show was bumped back in the schedule thanks to Houston hosting the Superbowl, so that threw NCYE behind into April.

“Our anticipation is that next year we will move back to the regular time, but we have to make sure it doesn’t conflict with testing going on in the schools,” Hoffman said.

The entire purpose of the event is to support the kids of Navarro County.

Those kids in 4-H or FFA who have worked hard for months or perhaps all year to create that one Arts project, or raise a hog, or track the progress of their commercial heifer all gather in the spirit of friendly competition.

The 59th Annual Navarro County Youth Expo has 1,388 total entries, with 1,073 exhibitors. There are 70 entries in the woodworking division alone.

“The woodworking competition blew up from last year, and hog entries are up a good bit,”

Hoffman said. “We had to do some rearranging due to increases in entries, but that’s a good problem to have.”

The woodworking contest was added just last year. Up until 2016, woodworking projects were a division of the ag mechanics competition, but that was not a good fit.

“We broke it out by itself,” Hoffman said.

“It’s hard to judge a woodworking project against welding projects.

And we had woodworking projects in Arts and Crafts ... so they needed some place to go too.”

Swine entries were up last year as well, and Hoffman said pens were

rearranged then, but still some hogs ended up sharing a pen. This year the market hog entries total 248. The hog area will expand into the space where woodworking projects were last year.

Woodworking will be moved to where the ag mechanics were last year.

And ag mechanics is moving to where the cows are stalled, which will give them much more space.

“Overall, this will be another good year,” Hoffman said. “Lots of kids and lots of projects, not slowing down much. Navarro County does a good job, has a good history with good volunteers.”

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In Hoffman’s line of work as a credit analyst for Ag Texas, he’s had opportunity to travel in other counties, and observe their county livestock shows. He said the volunteer base in Navarro County is second to none.

“With this volunteer base, then support from the community and businesses

with donations, when you combine those two together, it’s a winning combination,” he said. “I’ve always been impressed with it.”

As a county agent in Freestone County, Hoffman had occasion to bring his 4-H kids to the NCYE for the livestock judging contest. He got a glimpse

then of how the show ran with volunteers and community support, and was impressed. Now as he’s seeing it from the inside, he is even more impressed.

“We have two little boys,” he said. “I anticipate them showing livestock when the time comes. Let’s put it this way — I sure hope they do.”

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

16

Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy

March-April 2017

Island Tans has gone country

By Pennylynn Webb Palestine Herald-Press

I

sland Tans & Gift Boutique has always carried a unique array of gift items, but now this chic boutique is carrying a new line of farmhouse-chic home dĂŠcor, along with southern country-themed T-shirts.

Owned and operated by Gerald and Tabby Blevins, Island Tans opened in July 1997 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in July.

The initial concept was for an upscale tanning salon. “We saw a need for an upscale tanning salon in Palestine; so we opened with just four regular tanning beds and one stand-up bed and offered just a few gift items and lotions starting out,� said Tabby.

Over the years the salon has grown into an upscale gift boutique that offers clothing, gifts and tanning-salon services. “Island Tans & Gift Boutique has changed a great deal over the years, but we never lost our commitment to our tanning clientele to offer upscale and professional tanning services,� said Tabby. “Our tanning salon now offers 18 of the latest tanning beds, including top-ofthe-line, high-pressure units.

We also recently purchased a new state-of-the-art Norvell AutoRevolution Spray tan booth that provides clients with a private atmosphere to get a spray tan.�

They also have a professional

spray tech, Crystal Warren, who has been providing professional spray tans for Island Tans for over 10 years now, Tabby said. “And our gift boutique has gone from a small, 20-square-foot selection to over 2,000 square feet of gifts, the latest in fashion, jewelry, Conseula bags, home dĂŠcor, Christian books and gifts, and so much more,â€? said Tabby.

In fact, the store offers something for almost everyone, especially women and infants.

Island Tans & Gift Boutique also has a large selection of home dĂŠcor, for both indoor and outdoor.

There most popular product lines include Sanuk Sandals, Consuela Bags, Jewelry, Circle E, Capri, Woodwick Candle lines and FarmHouse dĂŠcor, Tabby said.

If you’ve never stopped by Island Tans & Gift Boutique, now is the time to go by and check them out.

Island Tans & Gift Boutique has two locations in East Texas, one in Athens and the other in Palestine.

The Palestine store is located at 1901 Crockett Road, and the Athens store is located at 504 South Palestine Road.

For more information, call 903-731-4621 or log onto their Facebook page at www.facebook. com/islandtans.giftboutique/

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