February 2017 Farm & Ranch Living

Off to the Races Chuckwagon races return to Diamond B Ranch in Neches, Page 2

Winter ďŹ shing Bass and crappie move shallow in January, Page 11

The next generation

FDA Regulations

Barstow Pro Rodeo Equipment in Corsicana riding into new generation, Page 16

Veterinary feed directive and effect on show animals, Page 6

Published January 26, 2017

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January-February 2017

Chuckwagon Races returning to East Texas

By Michael Maresh Palestine Herald-Press

F

or nine days in April, the 1836 Chuckwagon Races are returning to East

Texas.

This year, like other races in the past, will be at the Diamond B Ranch in Neches.

Moon Swanson, who owns the ranch with his wife, Samantha, have been putting on the chuckwagon races for five years.

The chuckwagon races will be held at 1 p.m. April 21-23.

The 1836 Chuckwagon Race

takes place during the celebration of Texas’ independence every year at the Diamond B Ranch in Neches. There are four divisions of wagon races, Bronc Fann’n, a cowboy-style match race, pasture roping and a mounted shooting competition.

Swanson pointed out there will be something for everyone this year, including trail rides, a barrel-race clinic, hoof-care clinic, arena activity and karaoke on the main stage.

The gates will open at 7 a.m.

April 14, with the Hitchmasters Driving Clinic taking place at 8 a.m. in the barn.

“Folks are encouraged to bring their horses and trailers,” Swanson said.

Activities include trail rides, dutch-oven cooking classes, cowboy poetry, herd-dog demonstrations, hoof-care clinics, bullwhip demonstrations, horse auction, wagon race Calcutta, barn dances, live music, cowboy church and much more.

He said people don’t have to be cowboys or cowgirls to have a good time.

A big reason for the chuckwagon races is to tell people about the past, Swanson said.

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“The whole event is Texas history and the Texas Revolution,” he said. “Come and learn about Texas history.”

In years past, participants from as far away as Canada and Australia attended the 1836 Chuckwagon Races, About 5,000 people participated in 2014, and Swanson thinks that number will

increase this year.

Swanson believes the chuckwagon races will bring in a lot of money for Palestine, as the people who spend all nine days at the event will have to come into the city to purchase supplies.

“It’s a great event for the city of Palestine,” he said.

Swanson thinks there will

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January-February 2017

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Questions continue on costly fuel production

W

hy do so many politicians get bent out of shape when taxpayers question the need to subsidize ethanol and biodiesel plants that cost us an arm and a leg. Probably because of big campaign contributions that continue to roll in from those who are paid by the alternative fuel makers. The “ethanol lobby” is backed by corporations that have a vested interest in keeping the billion dollar government payments to make ethanol from corn and other grains. No matter that so much ethanol is being produced that our oil and gas companies can’t use

be a mixture of people participating, some of who will come for the races and others who will visit one or two times during the day.

There will also be many who will set up camp April 14 and stay until the end of the event.

A well-known horse at the ranch will also be on display, though Swanson said the chuckwagon races

all that is available. So, the ethanol companies are selling the overproduction to other countries—at a price far less than they get here. The subsidies still make the production of ethanol a winner for the producers and a disaster for our taxpayers.

As for “biodiesel”, used in diesel powered machinery, that’s another rip off of the taxpayer.

The fuel is made from soybean oil, used restaurant grease and animal fats. Several foreign nations have got into the act.

In 2015, over one third of the biodiesel consumed in the U.S.— over 700 million gallons--was brought in from other countries.

are what he thinks attracts people to the Diamond B Ranch.

Tourism Marketing Manager Mary Raum, whose organization has given the chuckwagon event $7,500 through hotel occupancy tax funds, said there are events for both younger and older kids.

“It’s a unique gathering,” Raum said. “It’s a re-

enactment type.”

Like Swanson, Raum thinks campers and others will be visiting Palestine for supplies. If the weather is cold during the event, she thinks many will decide to stay in motels.

In 2016, a map of Palestine hot spots favored by the chuckwagon organizers and directions were handed out to participants, Raum said.

Camping at the event

And, yes, again the taxpayer paid the price. The imported fuel producers in South America and other nations put our citizens on the hook to subsidize the imports.

The foolishness needs to stop— and with a new Sheriff in the White House, maybe common sense will prevail.

Some folks seem to find time to groan, moan and file lawsuits that never should have come to pass. One West Virginia mother said her son is being subjected to being taught Christian principles in elementary school, and she wants it stopped! Her contention is that prayer and Bible classes in school are unconstitutional. Her

son, and any other students who objected to the classes, were told they did not have to attend the classes. However, the hovering mother said her son would be ostracized and ridiculed by the other students if he did not attend the classes. By the way, the Bible classes are electives for students in the school.

Weather seems to be almost spring-like. And most of us are ready for green grass, plenty of sunshine—and above all, higher cattle prices and lower feed costs.

Wouldn’t that be an achievement?

costs $20 a day for adults and $10 a day for children between the ages of 5 and 12. For visitors who come for the day, the cost of admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children between the ages of 5 and 12.

Sponsors of the event include Priefert, Atwood, city of Palestine, BVEH, Olathe and the Ben E. Keith Budweiser plant.

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January-February 2017

Stray stock poses problems

By Rich Flowers Athens Daily Review

O

n January 2, a woman driving in a rural area of Henderson County died after she collided with cattle that had wandered onto the roadway.

Two weeks later, near Kemp, a car stuck a horse during dense early morning, killing two people.

In 2011, a Smith County Deputy died when directing traffic around an accident on a Farm-to-Market Road where a cow had been struck by traffic.

During the five years from 2005 to 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks Texas first in fatalities caused by vehicles striking animals. That includes wildlife like deer and hogs and livestock. In that span, Texas had 88 fatalities.

Although deaths from vehicles striking livestock are relatively rare, they happen. And several times as many injuries occur every year.

In addition to injuries, when cattle, horses, hogs, or donkeys get loose they can cause numerous problems and keep authorities busy. Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said there are civil and criminal consequences that came come if a livestock owner ignores repeated efforts to get them to keep their animals fenced in are penned up. But, even with the best efforts, sometimes animals From time to time, livestock may get out of the fenced pasture or area they are being kept.

Sheriff ’s departments in Texas are charged with the responsibility of picking up abandoned livestock and trying to reunite the animals with their owners. According to the state statute regarding stray animals, when one wanders onto another person’s property or is loose on the highway, and no owner can be located, the sheriff ’s office is required to pick it up.

Once the Sheriff ’s Office brings in stray livestock, a notice that

the animal is in custody must be posted in a public place.

The sheriff ’s office posts notices on the county website as well as pictures of the animals. If the animals are valuable, such as cattle or horses, the owner usually claims it.

According to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association livestock brands should be registered with the County Clerk’s Office. Brands can be registered anytime but the re-registration process takes place every ten years on years ending in 1.

In 1935, the Texas Legislature passed laws prohibiting livestock owners from allowing animals to roam on highways that had fences on both sides and enacted penalties for law breakers.

Hillhouse said Henderson County is a “closed range� county.

So are its neighbors.

The distinction between a closed range and open range is in an open range the land owner build fences to keep livestock out, and in closed range areas, they build fences to keep the animals in.

The Texas Agricultural Code states that the freeholders of a county, or area within a county, may petition Commissioners Court for an election determining if horses, mules, jacks, jennies, donkeys, hogs, sheep or goats are to be permitted to run atlarge. More than 60 years ago, Henderson County voted to close the range to all but hogs, sheep and goats. In 2012, Henderson County voted to close the range for those animals.

The state law also sets standards for fencing. The code states the types of fencing, heights, materials to be used and the distance between posts as guidelines.

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January-February 2017

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High Wire Act One slow summer afternoon I was down at the calving shed near the river. For two months each spring it was like salmon spawning at rush hour! Hundreds of heifers, covies of calves, never ending nights, dozens of days, aches, dings, scratches, sutures, sleeves, scours, shots, dry eyes, chapped hands and sticky stuff in the hair on your arms. But that was last spring.

Now I was puttering around in the quiet barn. I was picking up empty bottles and trash, straightening the corner room with its heater and cot. The sun’s ray sliced through the cracks in the wall and spotlighted dust motes floating around.

I was trying to free up the tailgate on the squeeze chute when Dale’s shadow filled the door.

“What’s up, Doc?” he asked, not for the

first time in my life. “I was passin’ by and saw yer pickup. Need some help?”

Dale was a good cowboy who ran one of the outer ranch operations. My friend, but one of those fellers who is plagued by the angel of Bad Luck, Saint Misfortune.

Gremlins followed him around dropping rocks on his toe, slipping ropes underneath his horse’s tail, and laying banana peels in his path.

He strode over my way and walked

right into a tight wire we had stretched, hat high, across the barn. It knocked his sombrero in the dirt! He reached up and grabbed the wire. “What the (expletive deleted) is this doin’ here!” He pulled on it a couple times like he was trying to stop a train.

It was #9 wire. It was wound around two 16 penny nails we’d drove in the rafter plates. It took fencing pliers to twist it.

Stout wire.

“We use it to hang IV jugs and paper towels and stuff when we’re calvin’,” I explained.

“Well, by gosh, ya don’t need it now!” he said, “It’s dangerous!” He gave it a jerk. The south side nail came loose from the plate like a vindictive hornet! It whipped around on the end of the wire like a ten-foot bull-

whip and went right through his upper lip!

I heard him cry. It was not the first time. He was standing frozen to the floor.

The nail quivered in place and the wire hummed like a dial tone!

I gently pried his mouth open with a stick. There was a little blood on his mustache but it had broken his front tooth in half.

He went to the Doctor. I saw him that night at the big Game Feed. He was pretty well anesthetized and I joined him. We told the story for hours! I even built him a prosthetic tooth from a white ear tag. It worked good ‘till the straight pin broke. www.baxterblack.com

Winter pasture stocking strategies

By Adam Russell Texas A&M AgriLife extension agent

P

rofits in stocker production can be as green as winter pastures when conditions are right and producers apply correct stocking strategies, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research expert. And research trials at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton are focusing on identifying optimal strategies and stocking rates for producers.

Dr. Monte Rouquette, an AgriLife Research forage physiologist in Overton, said his research on proper stocking rates for winter pastures considers various hypothetical scenarios producers might face when investing in winter and spring forages.

For producers, success or failure in their investment in small grain and ryegrass seed, planting and fertilizing is determined by the weight gained by each calf and gain per acre by April or May, Rouquette said. The average daily gain, gain per animal and gain per acre will determine whether a producer’s decision to plant winter pastures was worthwhile.

Rouquette said evaluating profits after the fact is always easy but that his goal is to provide producers “advance warning” and expectation for gains from different stocking strategies.

“The research emphasis is to evaluate stocking strategies for stocker cattle and for cows and calves,” he said. “The opportunities are to know the extent of forage growth to expect in the fall, winter and spring, and what kind of stocking rate needs to be used to make appropriate forage utilization. That is where you can make or break an opportunity for profit.”

Rouquette incorporates different stocking strategies, or what he calls treatments, based

on the timing of forage production and stocking rates. He may use moderate to light stocking rates and strategies in the fall but then increase the stocking rate in the spring, February through April, to match the forage growth.

“Sometimes we miss the optimum gains with a treatment and sometimes we hit it, but that is what we are looking at, how to optimize the use of the

per acre and then receive between 150-200 pounds of nitrogen per acre in split applications.

Winter and spring stocking rates vary with climatic conditions, he said. Experiments with certain forage varieties and/or stocking rates last two to five seasons.

Rouquette’s research has historically involved several different varieties and variety mixtures of forages,

fertilize, when to initiate stocking and how many animals to stock per acre.

For a more comprehensive look at Rouquette’s stocking strategies go to: http://bit. ly/2iZ29uG. Previous small plot data suggests that cereal grain rye is the most productive forage during cold winter months, he said.

The rye-ryegrass mix has a minor forage production

properly.

Rouquette said the grazing studies he performs are done with replicated small pastures of about 3-4 acres each.

Producers have a lot to consider when it comes to maximizing their investment in animals, including forage, he said. Animal health is paramount because a dead animal is a total loss.

There is the cost of cattle,

Texas A&M AgriLife photo

A cow stands in a winter pasture. According to experts, correct stocking strategies are important during the cold, wet winter months. available forage,” he said.

To start his most recent trial, Rouquette recently placed two 600-pound winter-born weaned stocker calves, or 1,200 pounds of bodyweight, per acre on several separate winter pastures of Mayton rye and Nelson ryegrass mix planted in October and fertilized in late November.

Rouquette said the winter pastures are planted with 100 pounds of Mayton rye and 30 pounds of Nelson ryegrass

including Elbon rye, Gulf and TAM 90 ryegrasses.

The grazing strategies Rouquette incorporates are based on plot data information that has been collected over the past 30 years. This also includes data compiled by forage breeders, forage physiologists and soil fertility researchers at Overton.

The small plot research identifies varieties that are good for East Texas soils and weather conditions, when to plant, when to

peak in the fall, Rouquette said, followed by almost no growth in January. But

by Feb. 15, when days begin getting longer, and nights and days start to get warmer, the pastures begin what Rouquette calls the “spring flush.”

Rouquette said the winter pastures can produce forage from mid-February through late April to support stocking rates two to three times the fall stocking rate if weather conditions allow and pastures are fertilized

the estimated cost of gains by cattle before sale and eventual price of cattle at market, he said. Producers must also consider what the value of their cattle is in October and what the predicted value will be based on expected gains and the market in April or May. Producers should expect an average of 2-3 pounds per day gain from calves, but gains depend on stocking rates and the amount of forage available for consumption,

Rouquette said.

Too many animals can overgraze a pasture and too few can lead to unused forage, he said.

Producers should have a plan A, plan B and plan C that can be employed if factors such as uncooperative weather or overstocking occur, he said. For instance, moving the cattle to a pasture that is not overseeded where hay or supplements can be provided might be used as a sacrifice area when forage growth cannot provide adequate ration for cattle.

This would be better than allowing the winter pasture from being overgrazed below 2-3 inches, which doesn’t produce proper regrowth, especially during the spring flush.

“You’ve got to have an escape route in case you’ve grazed forage too severely,” he said. “Most producers don’t plan to overstock, but if they are not prepared for the next 30 days of weather events and prepared to make adjustments to their stocking rates, they could find themselves in trouble.”

Rouquette said winter grazing requires constant checking and possible adjustments, whether it’s removing or adding cattle, adding fertilizer or moving electric fencing. It’s better to be in a position where cattle are added to adjust to spring flush than removing cattle because pastures are overstocked, he said.

A great indicator of proper stocking rates can be made by a visual appraisal of the height of forage and spot grazing, which means areas of refusal where cattle have defecated and moved to graze other parts of the pasture, Rouquette said.

“Probably the most difficult thing in production is making a stocking rate work,” he said. “But it’s always better to be lightly stocked and have to put more calves and cows in a pasture for adjustment rather than have too many stocker cattle and not have options other than to sell at too light a weight.”

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January-February 2017

FDA issues new regulations Veterinary feed directive and effect on show animals

By Deanna Kirk Corsicana Daily Sun

G

one are the days when you could amble in the back door of your friendly neighborhood veterinarian, casually mention your cow’s got foot rot or a retained placenta, and the doc nod his head toward the medicine cabinet in a gesture for you to help yourself to the antibiotics.

“The FDA has decided that any type of antibiotics that are fed in feed for animals is going to have to be written up as a prescription by a vet,” said Ricky Rogers, DVM of Rogers Animal Hospital. “It’s a form that will be filled out by a vet that’s overseeing the cattle operation, and will have to be sent to the feed company or feed mills that are preparing the specific feeds for whatever operator you’re writing for.”

Basically, what it means is that any animal being fed a medicated feed, whether a show animal or commercial, will have to have a prescription. Rogers said the FDA is trying to “get a handle on” the antibiotics, by making sure they’re being fed at the correct amounts and when they’re supposed to be fed, not just at will.

With show season beginning with the Fort Worth Stock Show, how does this affect kids who have been preparing animals all year for the show circuit?

A letter from Texas AgriLife Extension dated Sept. 27, 2016 stated, “Beginning Jan 1, 2017, purchasing feed containing antibiotics or purchasing antibiotics for administration through water will require livestock exhibitors have a working relationship (VCPR) with their veterinarian. A Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) is similar to the relationship one would have with their family doctor ... and the livestock exhibitor should initiate the VCPR prior to the beginning of the feeding period.”

Donnie Grounds of Barry, whose son Noah has been showing black Angus heifers with great success for several years on the show circuit at all the major shows, said they did use a particular feed with an antibiotic.

“We fed that feed,” Grounds said. “It’s a filler that helps put weight on them and fills them up, we didn’t use it because it had an antibiotic. We’re not using it anymore, we’re using one that doesn’t have an antibiotic.”

Noah will also show a steer this year, and departed for Fort Worth Jan. 19 with his heifers. This is his last year to show, as he is now a senior, and he has always done well in competitions, winning the Heart of Texas, grand champion at East Texas, and grand champion at the State Fair with his heifer. The new rule didn’t affect him other than changing the feed, because he already had a relationship with a veterinarian.

“To go to Fort Worth you have to have a health certificate,” Grounds said. “You

have to have a vet look at your animals, and you don’t get a certificate but he gives you a clean bill. Any animal going to the majors has to have clean health papers, at least with a heifer or a steer, and it must come from a veterinarian.”

Grounds also said each health certification is good for 30 days, which doesn’t cover the entire show season, but will cover more than one major show.

Son Noah will show at Fort Worth, San Angelo, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as the Navarro County Youth Expo.

“County shows do not require a health certificate,” he said. “The county agents and FFA teachers and 4-H people know the kids and inspect the animals and know what you can feed the animals and can’t feed them.”

Colby Reynolds at Williams Gin and Grain said the new mandate did not affect their business too much, as they didn’t have too many customers purchasing the medicated feeds in the first place.

“Now we sell the feed without the medication in it,” Reynolds said, “And most of ours is going to be cattle and pigs for the show.”

Rogers said where the medicated feed mandate is going to be a big deal is in feed yards, commercial grow yards, or where calves have just been weaned off their mama and they need the antibiotics to keep from getting pneumonia. His theory is the FDA is cracking down on the use of antibiotics in food animals by lay people, due to the belief it has something to do with bacteria resistance in people.

If antibiotics are not used properly, especially by vets who handle large animals and especially food animals, they are subject to fines by the state regulatory board.

“If they have antibiotics in them, they’re supposed to pull them out of the line and put them in the dog food,” Rogers said.

“They’re trying to make sure our foods when they get to the grocery market are safe.”

—————————— dkirk@corsicanadailysun.com soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com

Q & A with the FDA

Michael Taylor, FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Foods & Veterinary Medicine

William Flynn, DVM, MS, Deputy Director for Science Policy in FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine

Q

: What does the VFD rule do exactly? How important is this?

Taylor: We’re enhancing the framework for veterinary oversight of the use of antimicrobial medications in feed when they are necessary to protect the health of the animal. This is an important advancement in the larger FDA initiative to fight antimicrobial resistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States alone, at least 2 million people become infected annually with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. And at least 23,000 people die each year as a result of these infections. The non-therapeutic use of antimicrobial drugs in animals that enter the food supply contributes to this problem.

Flynn: What we’re calling the “judicious use” of these medically important antimicrobial medications in food producing animals requires the oversight of a licensed veterinarian, given the benefit of that individual’s scientific and clinical training. The VFD final rule provides veterinarians in all states with consistent standards (key elements) for authorizing the use of these drugs in feed when they are needed for specific animal health purposes. The rule also updates recordkeeping requirements and takes advantage of electronic tools to make the VFD process more efficient and flexible.

Q

: How will the FDA hold veterinarians accountable for ensuring that medically important antimicrobials are used judiciously?

Taylor: The VFD final rule requires veterinarians issuing orders authorizing the use of these medically important antimicrobials in animal feed to do so within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient- relationship (VCPR), and specifies the key elements that define a VCPR. Among these key elements is the expectation that veterinarians have sufficient knowledge of the animals for which they are authorizing the use of a VFD drug. FDA believes that “sufficient knowledge” is obtained through animal examination and/or visits to the facility where the animals are raised. Of course, this means providing some flexibility to account for the wide variety of circumstances that veterinarians encounter, such as managing disease outbreaks in large herds or flocks where an examination of all affected individual animals would not be physically possible.

Flynn: Most states have a set of VCPR requirements and, under the VFD final rule, veterinarians will be required to follow appropriate state requirements. In states where the FDA determines that no applicable and appropriate state VCPR requirements exist, veterinarians must follow federal VCPR requirements. The agency is working with each state to review their VCPR requirements and determine if they are consistent with federal standards.

From a practical standpoint, this change will enable individual states to adjust the specific criteria for a VCPR to appropriately align with current veterinary practice standards, technological and medical advances, and other regional considerations. This enables veterinarians to exercise their medical judgment to more effectively provide services to food animal producers in remote geographical areas where veterinary professional resources are limited and distances are great. The change also helps facilitate veterinarians working in consultation with other animal health professionals, such as poultry pathologists and fish health biologists.

What could happen if a veterinarian does not Q:comply?

Taylor: The practice of veterinary medicine is regulated by state licensing boards, and a veterinarian’s license is at stake if they don’t uphold the codes of practice. The agency will work with states to make sure that veterinarians appropriately authorize the use of medically important antimicrobials and will also work with states to take appropriate action if violations do occur.

Flynn: If a veterinarian authorizes the use of an antimicrobial covered by this rule without complying with applicable state licensing and practice requirements, including VCPR requirements, the state may take enforcement action and the FDA may determine the resulting animal food to be adulterated or misbranded. Similarly, if the federally-defined valid VCPR standard is applicable and the veterinarian fails to comply, the FDA may act to enforce compliance.

: What about medically important antimicrobial Q drugs that are used on an ongoing basis as a preventive measure? Will such use be allowed under this new rule?

Taylor: This is a concern that we’re working to address. There are currently products approved for therapeutic indications that have no limit on how long they can be given to the animal. In fact, there are some I think that can be given to the animal for its entire lifetime. We’re identifying these products and talking to producers to understand why they need to use them for undefined periods of time. We’re actively engaging veterinary organizations, animal producers and other stakeholders to express our position that medically important antibiotics labeled for continuous or undefined durations of use is not consistent with FDA’s judicious use principles. We’ll work with producers to identify alternative approaches to treating those diseases, and once that has happened, work with drug manufacturers to have them change their labels to meet the new needs of producers.

January-February 2017

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Raised-bed gardening

By Jeff Riggs Associate Editor

S

ince the beginning of time for planting crops, it has been a standard procedure to install a seed into the ground, supply water either by rain or on purpose, and water it grow.

Of late, the procedure continues, but there is a new procedure that has been added. That is raised-bed gardening.

Bob Erickson, 71, lives with his wife, Elizabeth, just over the county line into Van Zandt County on VZ 2914. Elizabeth is an art teacher at schools in Martins Mill.

Erickson has nine raised beds, three of which have been added in 2016, and he plans for three more in the near future.

He also has a goal of soon having a green house and tool storage building close to the gardens.

He has been a Master Gardener member for the past three years, and has given speeches to the group concerning gardening issues.

“I grow vegetables. My wife is more into flowers,” he said. “I grow garlic, onions, and in February will probably grow potatoes. In the late spring, I grow some peppers. I grow a variety for our own consumption, and at times, go to the Farmers Market.”

Erickson was raised in Dallas, after being born in California. He graduated from Texas Tech University. Later, he spent time in Plano. He also moved to Houston for 10 years, later settling in Arlington, and worked for Texas Instruments as technical writer/editor, and then transferred into marketing materials.

He spent 25 years in his family’s boiler business. He later left that, and got his teacher’s certificate, and taught in Fort Worth. In 2002 got interested in food, reading many articles written about the quality of food. He got into growing at his homestead that he lives in now.

“I have a half acre open that I call my garden,” he said. “There are trees and blackberries in the ground, and various vegetables in raised beds. Raised beds are about the smartest thing you can do, because pasture land in this area has lots of grass. A raised bed really a smart thing to do with the land.”

Athens Daily Review

Bob Erickson spends some time removing debris from one of his raised garden beds.

Erickson said where he lives, there is about two feet of sand, and then hard clay.

There is good drainage, but it doesn’t hold water that well.

“We don’t have livetsock,” he said.

“We’ve talked about it, but the practicality with my age – it’s not something that I know much about.”

Erickson said he feels his age.

“At 71, there are days I feel every bit of it,” he said. “But, I’m one of those people who stay active. I have self-published two novels. I have never met a superhero, so I don’t write about them. I never write about vampires, zombies or anything like that. Usually, I write about the rebuilding of one’s life. I write about good, smart, intelligent people with somewhat normal situations. Sometimes I write about romance.”

The Facts • Raised-bed gardening is a great way to grow vegetables, especially if the garden soil is poor, or compacted, or has poor drainage. And, there’s no bending over to pull weeds or harvest vegetables.

• Raised beds take very little space, and can be built right over a concrete patio. Drainage in a raised bed is superior to that in an in-ground garden bed. A 12-inch-deep bed provides ample room for most vegetable roots.

• The soil in raised beds warms up more quickly in spring, so planting can be done earlier. If the bed is narrow, three feet or less, there will be no need to step on the soil, and thus it prevents compaction.

It’s much easier for roots to grow in loose soil.

• Don’t build a raised bed on a wooden deck when the bed is full of soil and water, its weight could cause structural damage.

• If the raised bed sits directly on the soil, line the planting bed with hardware cloth or chicken wire at building time to prevent visits from burrowing animals such as gophers and moles.

• The bed may be made of wood, stone, brick, cinderblocks or any other material from which you can build a base at least 12 inches deep. Choose a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

• Almost any type of vegetables can be grown in raised beds. Exceptions are potatoes, whose roots need a lot of room, and corn, which would grow so high that harvesting would be difficult.

The preceding statements are from a raised-bed gardening website.

Then, there is his love for gardening.

“With raised-bed gardening, I don’t have to bend down too far to plant,” he said. “Young people are busy being busy, and don’t have time to garden. Getting down on your knees, and getting into the dirt is hard on the back. In raised gardening, with a stool to sit on, you can do whatever you need to do.”

Erickson said he is also thinking about keyhole gardening. That is a method in which rocks are piled up circular, and soil is put into the center.

“I’m seriously thinking about keyhole gardens,” he said. “Rocks are piled up circular, and soil is put into the center of it. They should be constructed with an easy way to get to the center. I may do one near the house. My wife wants a kitchen garden. Height is a good thing. Rabbits,

squirrels don’t get into it.”

Erickson is considering future construction of a keyline garden with a compost area or path of 3-feet-by-3-feet, and an access path to the compost area of 2-feet-by-4-feet. By his method, he can simultaneously plant six tomato plants, six pepper plants, 22 left lettuce plants, six basil plants, 22 green onions, three summer square plants, 12 spinach plants, eight snap bean plants, 15 onions, 55 carrots and one cucumber.

But, that is in the near future, for now, it’s raised planters. For now, his raised planters are one foot high by eight foot long by 4 feet wide. Most plants have a root zone of less than 12 inches high. That allows for 12 inches of soil on top of the ground, and blocks weeds from growing inside.

How to plant a raised bed: 1. Fill the bed with good-quality potting soil or compost, and rake the surface smooth and level. Remove any rocks or debris.

2. Plants in raised beds may be spaced a little closer together because fertilizer and manure can be concentrated in the small gardening area.

3. Plant lettuce by poking holes in the soil with your finger at 6” intervals, and sprinkle a few seeds into each hole. Once the seeds germinate, thin to one seedling per hole.

4. You can also broadcast seeds over the surface of the raised bed. If you plant carrots, apply fine-textured potting soil over the top of the seeds. Carrots will attract some species of butterflies to your raised beds.

5. Cucumbers may be planted along the edge of the raised bed, where they can trail over the side.

Cucumbers will also grow right on top of your patio. g 6. Water the ggarden well immediatelyy after planting.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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January-February 2017

Fuel just as important as parts

By Kathi Nailling Athens Daily Review

B

uying the right gas is as important as purchasing the right parts for your motorcycle, boat or antique car. If you are looking for Ethanol free gas, look no further than Athens, Texas.

If the quality of gas is important, Southside Feed in Athens is one of the few places to sell Ethanol Free gas.

Lacey Loftis owner of Southside Feed says Ethanol free gas burns cleaner and more efficient than gas with Ethanol. “Using Ethanol free gas can improve your car’s fuel usage,” said Loftis.

Loftis said, “Whether you need gas for lawn mowers, weed eaters, tractors, All Terrain vehicles or classic cars ethanol-free is the better choice.”

“I have customers who comes from Dallas to purchase the ethanol free gas,” said Loftis.

“It is much cleaner for smaller engines.”

“We hear a lot of complaints about ethanol gas,” said Loftis. “The ethanol free gas may be a little more expensive, but the benefits outweighs the extra cost.”

Loftis, who has owned Southside Feed since 2011, knows her ethanol free gas is popular, but the feed store is much more than a gas station.

Southside Feed is one of the larger providers food for livestock. “We recently became a Purina dealership,” said Loftis.

If it is horse hay you are looking for, Southside sells Three String Arizona Alfalfa.

In addition, to feed the store sells Dillon deer stands.

Southside Feed is located on State Highway 19 in Athens.

The store is open Monday through Friday from 7 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm.

Gas pumps are open 24 hours a day.

According to the Bell Performance website there are many reasons to choose ethanol free over gas containing ethanol: • A gallon of gasoline provides one-third more energy than a gallon of ethanol.

• Blending ethanol and gasoline at a ratio of 85 percent to 15 percent (E85), the blended fuel is nearly thirty percent less powerful than pure gasoline. Ethanol is similar in acceleration, power, and cruising ability, but ethanol miles per gallon are less than pure gasoline. Ethanol causes damage to fuel systems and engines that pure gasoline does not. The most critical problems are water contamination and fuel separation. Ethanol attracts and absorbs water, including water from the air. When the gasohol absorbs enough water, fuel water contamination occurs in the car’s gas tank and that affects engine performance. If the car sits for a while, fuel separation occurs; this is where the gas and water form layers in the gas tank and if the motor sucks up the water layer into the engine, serious costly, damage happens.

• Ethanol is alcohol, and alcohol causes corrosion in the fuel system. Metal parts rust and plastic parts become deformed or cracked.

• Ethanol is not an ideal fuel additive, and older cars especially have problems with ethanol fuel.

January-February 2017

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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The Rustic Market

By PENNYLYNN WEBB reporter@palestineherald.com

A

nyone looking for a fun and unique shopping experience should stop by the Rustic Market in Crockett.

This quant little shop, which offers rustic and farmhouse décor, opened in October 2015.

“Everything in our store was made in Texas; while most of everything is made locally, we do buy some things outside of the area, but make sure it’s from within the state,” said Sherry.

In fact, Sherry works with 11 other local artists and craftsmen to create many of the items they sell, she said.

The store offers a huge selection of both rustic and barn-wood furniture, creative lighting fixtures, homemade candles, hand-painted signs, hand-crafted jewelry, an array of hand-crafted crosses, tea towels, speciality foods — including homemade fudge — coffee mugs, wreathes, handmade soaps and stylish purses.

“We have a line of candles with our own signature Sweet Tea scent,” said Sherry.

The unique home-lighting fixtures include wagon wheels with mason jars, lighted metal bed springs, and minnow buckets.

“We take old things and make them beautiful again,” said Sherry of the store’s unique home décor and furnishings.

The store’s line of crosses are made out of an assortment of materials, including metal bed springs and wood.

“We have a lot of gift items available, so stop by and let us help you find the perfect gift for you or a loved one,” said Sherry. “We also offer bridal registries.”

The store also offers its services for custom-made items.

“If someone sees something in our store but would like it made to certain specifications, we can do that,” said Sherry. “And if someone is looking for something and thinks we might could make it for them, they can visit with me and see what we can work out.”

Sherry said she begins the process by making a sketch of what the person wants, if they don’t already have a picture of what they are looking for. She then checks with her team to see if they can make the item and, if they

decide they can, they then determine a price proposal, and she takes that back to the customer. Once they have an agreement, she works out a pickup date for the item by the customer.

Patrons of the shop share stories of their shopping experiences, commenting on the store’s social-media page how pleasant and helpful Sherry is during their visits.

“Our goal has always been 100 percent customer satisfaction,” said the store owner, who simply wishes to go by Sherry.

Beyond extending good customer service, Sherry and the Rustic Market artisans look at their creations as a lesson in faith and an outreach of love.

“All of the men and women I work with are faithful Christians,” said Sherry. “We had people tell us that this business would never work here, but it has. This business has been such a blessing. We have customers who travel great distances to shop with us, and the community around us has been so gracious. I have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of friendship and love that we have received since we opened. God has been so good.”

The Rustic Market 2306 North 4th Street Crockett, Texas 75835 Phone: 936-222-7155 Email: rusticmarkettexas@gmail.com Facebook: The Rustic Market in Crockett Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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January-February 2017

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Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Conference in Nacogdoches

By Robert Burns rd-burns@tamu.edu NACOGDOCHES – Commercial vegetable growers are facing a new problem: Some commercial composts can contain herbicide residues that will cause mutant tomatoes and other vegetables, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist.

The herbicide aminopyralid is primarily used for control of broadleaf weeds in pastures, said Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, College Station. The problem arises when growers use straw mulch composted from hay pastures or composted manure from animals grazing on treated pastures.

“This is a very serious concern for all growers,” he said. “The herbicide can survive the animal digestive system and for three years or longer in the compost pile.”

Masabni is one of the featured speakers at the East Texas Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Conference, set Feb. 24 at the Nacogdoches Expo Center, 3805 NW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches.

Registration before Feb. 20 for the conference is $30 per person, $50 for couples. There will be a $5 late fee added to registration after Feb. 20. Lunch is included with the registration. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m., with programming beginning at 9 a.m. The conference will adjourn at 3 p.m.

To register or for more information, call the AgriLife Extension office for Nacogdoches County at 936-560-

7711. Checks should be made out to Nacogdoches Master Gardener Association and mailed to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 203 W. Main St., Nacogdoches, TX 75961.

Masabni will discuss the latest research results on using activated charcoal to neutralize aminopyralid herbicide in soils. He will also discuss how to calculate herbicide rates for a small volume like a backpack sprayer when labeled amounts are only shown for large acreages. And, he will discuss the finer points of both organic and conventional weed control.

Morning topics and speakers will include: — Blackberry, Blueberry and Kiwi Production, Dr. David Creech, Regent’s professor at Stephen F. Austin University and director of the university’s Mast Arboretum, Nacogdoches.

— Muscadine Grape Production, Dr. Justin Scheiner, AgriLife Extension viticulturist, College Station.

— Something Sprouts in Nacogdoches: A New Student Edible Garden at SFASU, Dr. Jared Barnes, professor of horticulture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches.

–Veggie Tales from a Lifetime Gardener, Greg Grant, research associate at the Piney Woods Native Plant Center, Nacogdoches, and contributing editor to Texas Gardener magazine.

The video “Protecting Your Pollinators for Fruit and Nut Growers,” produced by Erfan Vafaie, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist, Overton, will be shown during lunch.

After-lunch speakers and topics will include: — Peach Production: Challenges and Opportunities, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, College Station.

— Rainwater Harvesting and Irrigation, Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture, Dallas.

— Vegetable Diseases, Dr. Thomas Isakeit, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist, College Station.

Holders of Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator licenses will earn two continuing education units in the general category for attending.

Master Gardeners will earn five hours of continuing education recertification credits.

Sponsors include Irrigation Mart Inc., Heritage Land Bank and Earthwise Organics.

East Texas Turfgrass Conference approaching

By Robert Burns rd-burns@tamu.edu OVERTON — The East Texas Turfgrass Conference has been scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton.

The annual conference is primarily for professional grounds and landscape managers for local school districts city parks and recreation departments, said Randy Reeves, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Harrison County, and one of the conference organizers.

However, there will also be plenty of information presented that private homeowners will find interesting and useful.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and is $30 per person, payable at the door by check or cash. Attendees will be eligible for five continuing education units toward the renewal of their Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator licenses. Two continuing education units in the general category, two in integrated pest management and one in laws and regulations will be offered.

“Be sure to bring your pesticide license or

pesticide number with you to ensure proper CEU credit,” Reeves said. “Your driver’s license number alone will no longer serve.”

The program will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m., with an all-you-caneat catfish noon lunch, which will be included with registration.

Morning program presentations will include: “Feral Hog Control and Management,” Dr. Billy Higginbotham, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Overton; “Preand Post-Emergent Weed Control Methods,” Dr. Matt Elmore, AgriLife Extension turfgrass specialist, Dallas; and “Turfgrass Disease Updates,” also by Elmore.

After lunch presentations will include: “Soil Fertility, Sodic Soils and Lime Quality,” Dr. Tony Provin, AgriLife Extension soils specialist with the soil, water and forage testing laboratory, College Station; “Pesticide Laws and Regulation Update,” Dr. Don Renchie, AgriLife Extension pesticide safety specialist, College Station; and “IPM Practices in Local School Districts,” Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension school integrated pest management specialist, Dallas.

Reeves said morning

and afternoon breaks will allow attendees to visit with industry sponsors and view their exhibits.

A program flyer can be found at http://bit. ly/1Kq7fIL. The conference is sponsored by the 22-county East District 5 Texas County Agriculture Agents Association and AgriLife Extension, the East Texas Seed Company, Tyler; Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing, Tyler; and ASCO Equipment, Tyler, Reeves said.

Find maps and driving instructions at http:// overton.tamu.edu/about/ maps/.

For more information, contact Reeves at 903-9358413, dr-reeves@tamu.edu.

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Gone Fishing with Jerry Miller

January-February 2017

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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Bass and crappie move shallow in January

L

ast week winter turned into spring. We had spring-like conditions for several days.

When this happens the bass react in a very positive way. They become active and move shallow to feed.

Bass are cold blooded creatures, which means they have a body temperature that varies with the external environment. When the water warms up they warm up and begin to feed aggressively.

I’ve always wondered what would happen if we experienced really warm weather in January during a full moon. That is exactly what happened last Thursday when we experienced a full moon.

I called Frank Lusk last Saturday.

He reported that he happened to go fishing on Lake Naconiche last Thursday with Mike Smith. The two were bass fishing in the upper creek area near creek bends and in water approximately 8 to 10 feet deep. These two fishermen had been catching some bass in this area in the mostly one to two pound range. This day was different.

Lusk told me that same area produced 40 bass in the three to five pound weight. The bass were schooling and feeding heavy. Lusk said he saw some bass schooling that would possibly weigh about seven pounds. The bass would readily eat a shad colored Fluke near the surface.

The next day (Friday) I took John Armitage to fish on Bobby and Hazel Tosh’s 20-acre lake in Rusk. We started off fishing for bass around the bank with a 1/8 oz. lime/chartreuse spinner

with a Colorado blade and a 1/4 oz. red Rattle Trap. Most of the bass were small, ranging from 1/2 to 1-1/2 pounds each. Occasionally we would catch a crappie near the bank.

On a previous trip we had been catching a lot of crappie on a 1/8 oz. chartreuse/white jig in deeper water (10-16 feet). We would cast the small jig out, let it sink to the bottom and very slowly crawl the bait back. Most of the time we never felt a bump; we only felt pressure on the line. That was the signal to start reeling and set the hook.

Tosh Lake is split in half. One side that has the dam is much deeper (20 feet in places). After fishing till noon on the deeper side with little luck on the crappie, I decided to explore the shallow side. Normally I wouldn’t fish this side in January because fish were either dormant or had moved deeper.

We soon discovered that the fish

John Armitage found the big crappie in shallow water last week.

His first eight casts with a jig yielded crappie up to one pound each. were very active in the shallow part of the lake. At first we caught a lot of small bass. Eventually we arrived at a small pocket with a shallow point.

We anchored up and began fishing a 1/8 oz. white/red head Road Runner and a small jig. Armitage caught 8 crappie in a row out of about a foot of water. We sat in that one spot and caught crappie for about an hour.

Most ran from 3/4 to one pound. We had a ball!

I have never caught crappie this shallow in January, but the conditions were perfect. We had just experienced three days in a row of warm weather and a full moon phase. Bass and crappie will move shallow during a full moon in January if the conditions are right!

------------------------------Jerry Miller may be contacted at: gonefishing2@suddenlink.net

Rain benefits agriculture, horticulture

By Alyssa Massingill reporter@jacksonvilleprogress.com

M

ost folks in East Texas are accustomed to strange weather patterns as they go about their daily grinds, however local experts say the most recent wet weather has been “unusual business.”

Other than East Texans not knowing the appropriate attire for each day, the effects of the increased rainfall and unusual alternating temperatures can benefit

horticulture and agriculture.

“For those that have season forages planted for grazing livestock, this rain is very welcomed and much needed, as conditions were getting dry, prior to this rainfall.” said Aaron Low, Cherokee County extension agent.

Fresh rain water is essential to healthy plants and soil. Most benefits of rain make for greener pastures. But too much of a good thing could pose some negative effects such as, flood damages destroying crop fields/pastures, land erosion and hazardous road conditions.

Progress photo

Rain pelts a city street in Jacksonville on Jan. 18.

According to Larry Stein a Texas AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, most soils are composed of varying amounts of sand, loam and clay.

“Typically sandy soils take in water, but hold very little and plants will dry out very quickly,” Stein said.

Even in an unusual climate change such as this, increased rainfall and warmer temperatures can be beneficial to horticulture and agriculture.

“Right now the rain isn’t really hurting much agriculture in the county as our hay meadows and warm season perennial

pastures are dormant.” Low said.

Most agricultural benefits of fresh rain water is replenishing the soil and providing nutrients. Texas AgriLife Extension said, “it’s beneficial to livestock, wildlife, firefighting and drinking water with correct filtration and sanitation through harvesting the fresh rain water.”

According to Weather Underground, next month’s weather predictions for the area are projected to be sunny with slight chances of rain and warmer temperatures.

Progress photo

Vegetation soaks up the rain as it falls in Jacksonville earlier this month.

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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January-February 2017

Waiting Game Biologists awaiting final numbers on 10-year antler restriction study

By Matt Williams Outdoors Writer

A

wildlife biologist’s job is plump with diversity. One week you might be assessing wild turkey habitat, writing deer management plans the next and counting sets of fiery red eyes to get a handle on an American alligator population the week after that.

At his time last year, Micah Poteet and other East Texas-based field staff with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s wildlife division were busy working the graveyard shift with white-tailed deer on the Davy Crockett National Forest in Houston and Trinity counties.

They weren’t just running the backroads and counting deer with spotlights, either. Instead, they were carrying rifles, lining up does in the crosshairs and pulling the trigger.

It was all part of a multi-year study aimed at determining whether or not antler restrictions have worked the same magic on deer breeding activity across the region as they have on the antler quality of East Texas bucks.

First implemented as a experiment in the early 2000s in six southeast Texas counties, antler restrictions are now in effect in more than 100 East Texas counties. The current regulation limits hunters to two bucks per season. One of the bucks must have an inside spread 13 inches or more, while the second must be a spike or have at least one unbranched antler.

The regulation is centered largely around antler dimensions and is aimed at improving the age structure of a deer herd with a deep history of getting shot up at a very young age. Historically, 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old bucks have comprised as much as 70 percent of the annual buck harvest East Texas.

One of TPWD’s main objectives for implementing the antler restriction was to reduce the harvest pressure on young bucks and to improve the overall age structure of the buck herd by allowing more deer to reach at least 3 1/2 years of age before they become legal to shoot.

Essentially, the antler reg is built-in management because it more or less forces hunters to lay off adolescent bucks.

TPWD Photo

Antler restrictions implemented in the early 2000s in more than 100 East Texas counties have helped protect young bucks from hunter harvest, but the verdict is still out as to whether or not the regulation has had a positive impact on deer breeding chronology and the overall health of the region’s deer herd.

Biologists also believed an older age structure among the buck herd would lead to some positive biological implications including a more defined rut and a shorter breeding season that would ultimately put more fawns on the ground

TPWD Photo

TPWD wildlife biologists have shot around 300 does on the Davy Crockett National Forest since 2006 as part of a 10-year study. The study involved the aging of fetuses to determine breeding timelines of the individual does.

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at close to the same time, promote better fawn survival and lead to a healthier deer herd overall.

Poteet says the more fawns you have on the ground simultaneously the less the risk of losing big numbers to predation.

“It’s always best to flood an area with fawns at about the same time,” he said. “You’ll lose fewer to predators if it happens that way as opposed to seeing fawns hitting the ground over a longer period of time.”

While plenty of hard evidence now exists to support the theory that antler restrictions have helped improved the age structure of the region’s buck herd, there is no solid data to indicate what, if any impact, the regulation may have had on whitetail breeding chronology since much of region was placed under umbrella roughly 10 years ago.

Not yet, anyway.

That’s the purpose of what has been a long-term study carried out on the Davy Crockett National Forest. Fittingly titled “Potential Effects of Antler Restrictions on Deer Breeding Chronology,” the study began in 2006 and has since been carried out in five-year increments -- one in 2011 and another in 2016.

Poteet says national forest was the ideal place for conducting the study for several reasons.

First off, biologists believed forest service land offered some of the most skewed sex ratios and poorest buck age structure any where in the region because it historically has received an abundance

January-February 2017

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

13

establish an accurate time line for when each does was bred. The meat from all of the does were donated for distribution at local food banks.

Most of the deer were shot from forest service roads by state wildlife biologists operating state vehicles and spotlights at night. Each collection phase was carried out during in late winter and early spring, usually over a twomonth period.

Poteet said the reasoning for the does being shot in early spring - several weeks after the end of the general hunting season - is tied to a 1990s breeding chronology study that indicates that peak breeding activity (the rut) in East Texas occurs during the first few weeks of November.

“If we were able to get our samples from hunter harvested deer during the regular season we would have,” Poteet said. “The problem is there is very limited doe harvest on the national forest. Plus, you can’t get any useful information from a deer that is harvested during the October bow season or in November. The doe has to be bred long enough for the fetus to be large enough to

find and measured.”

Poteet said the 79 does collected in 2006-07 were considered “pre-antler restriction” samples and provided baseline data for comparison with subsequent “postantler restriction samples” collected in 2011 and 2016.

The biologist says wildlife staff the TPWD’s Austin headquarters are still analyzing all of the data and crunching the numbers from the 10-year study, so there are no rock-solid results or figures to report at this time.

However, preliminary results are pointing to the idea that the antler restriction is doing more for East Texas deer that just put bigger bucks in the field for hunters to shoot.

“It’s not looking like there is any consistent pattern of earlier breeding, but it is starting to look like more does are getting bred in a shorter time period,” Poteet said.

If so, that’s a good thing.

Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.

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of hunting pressure from non-selective hunters, and sees limited doe harvest from one year to the next.

Secondly, its ownership and habitat are stable, so there was no threat of the property changing hands and stifling the project at the midway point.

“If poor buck age structure and skewed sex ratios were drawing out the breeding, we felt like the national forest would be the best place to test the theory,” Poteet said. “We chose the Davy Crockett largely because it overlaps in Houston County, which was placed under antler restrictions in 2006, and Trinity County, which was placed under the regulation in 2009. Plus, it has a pretty good deer density.”

The study has involved the harvest of around 300 adult does from the national forest land or adjacent private property (with landowner permission) over the last 10 years -- 79 in 2006-07, 104 in 2011 and close to 100 in 2016.

Fetuses were removed from pregnant does so they could be measured in order to determine their age in days. Using that data, Poteet says biologists were able to

OUTDOOR BRIEFS Iles/Shook bust crack 30 in Bass Champs record opener Danny Iles of Lufkin and Brian Shook of China topped a record field of 397 teams to win the Bass Champs East Texas division season opener held Jan. 14 on Sam Rayburn. Not surprisingly, they had to bring their A-game to get it done.

Iles/Shook weighed in 30.75 pounds anchored by a 7.44-pound kicker to grab the tournament’s top prize of $20,000, plus sponsor contingency bonuses. The anglers reported catching their fish on crankbaits worked on secondary points, but they weren’t the only team that found the big ones biting.

There were 16 limits topping 20 pounds brought to the scales, including a 28.31-pound sack caught by Jaret Latta of Cedar Park and Brian Lowrance of Nacogdoches. Latta/Lowrance said they caught their fish on jigs, earning them $10,000.

Rounding out the Top 5 spots were Ben Matsubu/Brandon Davidson, 25.57; Clayton Boulware/Albert Collins, 24.37; and Ronnie Bland/Malcolm Franks, 23.61.

The tournament paid back $106,900 to

53 teams. Last place earned $600 for 15.53 pounds. Big bass of the event was a 8.48 pounder……

The Southeast Texas High School Bass Fishing Association also drew a huge field of 517 teams at its season opener held Jan. 15 at ‘Rayburn.

Lumberton’s Jared Goebel and Bryce Roder won it with 18.79 pounds, followed

by Livingston’s Breckett Long/Ryan McGarrahan, 18.12; Brett Primrose/ Madison Stancomb, West Sabine, 17.87; Randy Wistner/Jace Mattingly, Nederland, 16.56; and Brennan Davis/Bret Herin, Kirbyville, 16.31.

Martin making speedy recovery Legendary East Texas angler and Toledo Bend fishing guide Tommy Martin of Hemphill appears to be making speedy recovery after suffering heart attack on Dec. 13 while at his Panhandle deer lease near Paducah.

“I’ve been going to rehab they’ve got me lifting weights and doing other exercises to help me regain my strength,” said Martin, 76. “It’s pretty easy, but I’m not going to push it. I decided to take off all of January and I’m passing off my guide trips to my

son, Brian. But come February I’m going to be back at it. We fished for five hours the other day and I didn’t get tired at all.”

Martin didn’t mince words when asked if he’ll be competing in the upcoming Costa FLW Series event on Feb. 23-25 on Sam Rayburn.

“I’ll be there,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the water. It’s going to be a great spring.”

Martin’s heart attack occurred shortly after he harvested a career best 10 pointer grossing close to 170 Boone and Crockett inches. A friend drove him to the hospital in Childress and he was later taken by life flight to Lubbock where doctors discovered blockage and inserted three stents.

Wipe out magnifies the importance of lifejackets Hunter Bland and Connor Young of the University of Florida bass fishing team are likely counting their blessings these days after surviving a nasty boating accident while competing in a recent FLW college fishing bass tournament on Lake

Seminole.

Bland an Young were reportedly motoring to their first spot shortly after the morning blast off when their boat crossed the wake of another and spun out of control, possibly because of a steering malfunction. The boat subsequently hooked hard right, slinging both anglers over the port side gunwale and into the water. They were reportedly traveling at 60 m.p.h. with the boat on pad.

Luckily, both anglers were wearing secured lifejackets and the driver had a kill switch attached that caused the outboard motor to shut down when he was thrown from the cockpit.

The entire accident was captured on a GoPro camera that was mounted towards the rear of the boat. It shows both anglers getting ejected, after which they begin conversing with one another before reentering the boat from the transom area.

Several other boats can be seen speeding by in the video before one stops to render aid.

You can view the video at www. youtube.com/watch?v=1AkgjPkCQXc. It’s purely speculation, but the outcome could have been much different had the young men not been wearing their lifejackets and the driver not wearing a kill switch.

FLW and other tournament organizations require anglers to wear secured lifejackets and boat operators to have their kill switches attached anytime the outboard engine is running.

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!

ONCE IT’S GONE, IT’S GONE!!

Lot’s of Planter Parts.

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

1800 Loop 304 / Crockett, TX (Across from Houston County Electric Coop)

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

14

January-February 2017

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

From Scratch with Love Stuffed Red Bell Peppers with Ground Chicken Total time: 50 minutes makes 5 servings Stuffed peppers don’t have to be beefy and ponderous. This recipe, which fills red bells with a savory filling of cooked rice, ground chicken, grated carrot, onion, and corn, is rich, satisfying, and definitely un-heavy. Crumbled feta gives the filling lots of added flavor; a final sprinkling of the cheese gives them character. You’ll need cooked rice for this recipe—our basic steamed white rice works beautifully. Serve these stuffed peppers with a simple mixed greens salad.

Ingredients • 5 large red bell peppers, as evenly sized as possible • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 medium white onion, small diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 pound ground chicken • 1 tablespoon tomato paste • 1 1/2 cups cooked rice

• 1 medium carrot, grated • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1/2 cup frozen corn • 5 ounces crumbled feta, plus more for topping • 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

IInstructions 11. Heat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

22. Use a paring knife to cut a wide circle around each bell pepper stem; remove and discard any seeds and membranes from the interior, being careful not to puncture or rip the peppers. Reserve the caps for some other use.

33. Warm the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat until shimmering.

Add the onion and sweat until translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

44. Push the onion mixture to the side of the pan, reduce the heat to medium low, and add the ground chicken. Cook until the chicken is completely done. Add the tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add the cooked rice, grated carrot, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and corn, stirring to combine, until the rice is hot. Remove from the heat and let cool about 10 minutes. Add the feta and parsley; stir to combine.

55. Evenly divide the filling among the peppers, packing them full, and arranging them upright on the prepared baking sheet (make sure they stand up straight!). Sprinkle the tops with feta.

66. Bake until the filling is heated through and the peppers are soft, 25 to 30 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Coreen Carroll via Chowhound

EAST TEXAS STOCK PRICES ANDERSON COUNTY LIVESTOCK

EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC.

Updated: 01/18/2017 Head Count: 103 Buyers: 18 Sellers: 16

Updated: 01/17/2017 Cows: 87 Bulls: 16 Buyers: 35 Sellers: 111

STEERS

STEERS

200lb - 300lb

1.90

2.00

300-DOWN

$109

$230

300lb - 400lb

1.20

1.83

305lb - 400lb

$105

$182

400lb - 500lb

1.15

1.64

405lb - 500lb

$105

$170

500lb - 600lb

1.00

1.49

505lb - 600lb

$92

$160

600lb - 700lb

0.95

1.12

605lb - 800lb

$89

$130

700lb - 800lb

0.80

1.00

200lb - 300lb

1.20

1.85

300-DOWN

$105

$190

300lb - 400lb

1.12

1.73

305lb - 400lb

$100

$176

400lb - 500lb

1.05

1.45

405lb - 500lb

$92

$154

500lb - 600lb

1.00

1.35

505lb - 600lb

$85

$140

600lb - 700lb

0.90

1.11

605lb - 800lb

$83

$115

700lb - 800lb

0.75

0.93

HEIFERS

HEIFERS

SLAUGHTER

SLAUGHTER

Cows

0.45

0.62

Cows

$41

$64

Bulls

0.65

0.85

Bulls

$67

$87

PAIRS

$950

$1400

PAIRS

STOCKER COWS GOATS

$725hd

$1400hd

$45hd

$200hd

TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 01/21/2017 Head Count: 490

STEERS

BRED COWS

NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

Updated: 01/19/2017 Head Count: 326 Buyers: 39 Sellers: 58

STEERS

$1650

$825

$1550

ATHENS COMMISSION COMPANY

Updated: 01/09/2017 Head Count: 630

STEERS

$1450

Updated: 01/20/2017 Head Count: 604 Sellers: 126

STEERS

UNDER 300lb

1.75

2.20

UNDER 300lb

1.25

2.05

200lb - 299lb

1.10

2.13

300-DOWN

0.80

1.90

300lb - 400lb

1.45

1.80

300lb - 400lb

1.05

1.82

300lb - 399lb

1.10

1.83

300lb - 400lb

0.80

1.90

400lb - 500lb

1.35

1.70

400lb - 500lb

0.95

1.60

400lb - 499lb

1.05

1.75

400lb - 500lb

0.80

1.75

500lb - 600lb

1.25

1.60

500lb - 600lb

0.80

1.60

500lb - 599lb

1.00

1.55

500lb - UP

0.80

1.65

600lb - 700lb

1.15

1.40

600lb - 700lb

NA

NA

600lb - 699lb

1.00

1.40

HEIFERS

700lb - 800lb

NA

NA

HEIFERS

700lb - 899lb

0.95

1.30

300-DOWN

0.80

1.80

300-DOWN

1.15

1.80

HEIFERS

300lb - 400lb

0.80

1.75

UNDER 300lb

1.35

1.90

300lb - 400lb

1.00

1.70

200lb - 299lb

1.30

1.65

400lb - 500lb

0.80

1.65

300lb - 400lb

1.15

1.55

400lb - 500lb

0.90

1.45

300lb - 399lb

1.10

1.57

500lb - UP

0.80

1.55

400lb - 500lb

1.10

1.45

500lb - 600lb

0.75

1.38

400lb - 499lb

1.10

1.41

SLAUGHTER

500lb - 600lb

1.05

1.40

600lb - 700lb

NA

NA

500lb - 599lb

1.00

1.33

Cows

0.40

0.72

600lb - 700lb

1.05

1.35

SLAUGHTER

600lb - 699lb

0.95

1.30

Heavy Bulls

0.65

0.83

700lb - 800lb

NA

NA

Cows

0.45

0.62

700lb - 899lb

0.95

1.17

PAIRS

Bulls

0.65

0.82

SLAUGHTER

$1600

Cows

0.45

0.60

Low-Middle

Bulls

0.65

0.79

PAIRS

$820

$1,450

STOCKER COWS GOATS

HEIFERS

SLAUGHTER Cows

0.40

0.70

PAIRS

Heavy Bulls

0.75

0.83

STOCKER COWS

PAIRS STOCKER COWS BABY CALVES

$1300 $750hd NA

$1525

GOATS

$1150 $575hd

$1400hd

$45hd

$150hd

$1400hd

BABY CALVES

$45

$200

STOCKER COWS

NA

HORSES

NA

NA

BABY CALVES

Top

$540hd $50

$1200hd

BABY CALVES

$190

HORSES

$1000

$1575

$800

$1000

0.75lb

1.60lb

$35hd

$300hd

$25hd

$300hd

$100hd

$550hd

January-February 2017

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

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

15

Herbs for Texas Landscapes Joseph Masabni* Texas A&M AgriLife Ext. Service

Ann Wheeler Log House Herbs, Magnolia, Texas

Mengmeng Gu* Texas A&M AgriLife Ext. Service

H

erbs are an ancient category of the plant world. Found almost everywhere, herbs have been defined generally as “the useful plants.” Besides adding beauty, herbs are used for cooking, making scents and perfumes, practicing aromatherapy, herbal healing in folklore and in modern medicine, and attracting bees and butterflies to the garden.

Because many herbs hybridize readily, new varieties are produced every year. Varieties are created for specific markets or needs, such as for patio gardens, container gardens, dry climates, or areas with salty water or soils.

Herbs can also play a role in landscaping: Does the location need tall plants, shade-tolerant plants, ground covers? Different herbs can meet a variety of needs.

The following are simple principles to help you choose an herb for your garden: • Your herbs need not be used for cooking; in fact, many herbs are not culinary at all.

• Many herbs, such as basil, are fragrant when brushed against. Consider planting them near a path or doorway. Match the herb’s sunlight requirements with sites that meet those needs.

• Many herbs attract beneficial insects such as bees and ladybugs. Examples are anise hyssop, borage, comfrey, fennel, and yarrow. Pineapple sage attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

• Herbs also repel less-desirable visitors: Rosemary (cabbage moths, carrot flies, and bean beetles), chives (aphids, mites), sage (flea beetles), and mint (aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles). The aromatic properties of some herbs (rosemary, Russian sage, bee balm) are even reported to fend off hungry deer.

• Anecdotal evidence tells us that pairings of specific herbs with specific plants benefit the plants; for example, rue planted near roses produces a root chemical that repels Japanese beetle grubs, which feed on the roses’ roots. Basil planted near tomatoes deters flies and mosquitoes. Catnip deters ants, flea beetles, and weevils. Hyssop planted near cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli deters cabbage moths.

• Think texture—herbs are champions in this area!

Growing basics Soil Success in growing herbs begins with the soil.

Keeping the soil healthy is the primary work of a gardener. Try to think about how to improve your soil every season before planting, and then take steps to improve and maintain it.

A neutral pH is fine. However, herbs must have

good drainage. If the subsoil doesn’t drain well, build raised beds so that the roots don’t sit in water.

A good method of planting is to avoid plowing up the soil; this technique is called no-till planting. But 18 inches of soil depth, however it is achieved, is a requirement.

Add amendments into the soil every year.

Amendments help maintain the desired soil depth, fertility, microorganism health, and tilth (the space between particles that makes air and water circulation possible). One excellent amendment is compost, whether homemade or commercial.

Mulch conserves moisture and keeps the soil cooler during the horrendous Texas summer temperatures and unrelenting sun. Organic mulches improve soil health as they break down and become another form of compost. Leaves and pine needles can be used as mulch; however, deep layers of large oak leaves may keep rain from soaking well into the soil, and they take forever to decompose.

Mulching advice that is specific to herbs: Don’t pile it up around 4-inch herbs; most small herb plants need good air circulation, or their stems will begin to rot. Pull back the mulch a bit when you plant lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme especially. For these Mediterranean natives, a layer of gravel around them can improve drainage and reduce stem rot.

Water Water annual herbs as you do other annuals; for example, treat basil as you do other heat-lovers.

Lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme grow best if the leaves stay mostly dry. Water them at ground level (almost essential with lavender; the others are a bit more flexible).

Gravel not only allows water to drain quickly away from the foliage, but it also reflects heat up into the plant’s dense center to help dry any wet leaves. Fatal to these particular herbs is the lingering moisture that encourages fungal diseases. Do not use lawn sprinklers where herbs are growing.

Fertilizer Contrary to urban gardening myths, herbs do need to be fertilized.

However, do not over fertilize herbs—it produces lavish growth but diminished flavor, especially in culinary herbs. For example, too much fertilizer encourages mints to flower, which reduces leaf production and flavor.

Another way to improve plant growth is to add mycorrhizal amendments, which are naturally occurring fungi that help healthy roots form.

Pruning and shaping The best way to keep herbs in shape is to use them.

However, it can be hard to keep up with some fastgrowing herbs such as basil in summer. Cutting off blooms will save more energy for the leaves.

The key is to prune gently and often to avoid excessive leaf drop that produces bare, woody stems.

Pruning woody lavender, rosemary, sage, or thyme nearly always kills the plant.

Pineco Inc.

$0 Down, 0% Interest, 0 Payments until 4/1/2017

11104 E. State Hwy 31 Kerens, TX • 903-396-3320

077212170296091

East Texas Farm & Ranch Living

16

January-February 2017

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

Barstow Pro Rodeo

By Deanna Kirk Corsicana Daily Sun

B

oredom as a result of a rodeo accident is what caused Neil Barstow to begin rebraiding his rope.

And thus began the seeds of a business that would blossom, spread across the nation, and become a legacy to pass down to his children.

The sport of rodeo is more than a sport — it is a lifestyle, and in some ways, a whole other world.

And in that world, a name which garners the utmost respect is that of Barstow Pro Rodeo Equipment, longtime makers of fine, durable, high-quality rodeo equipment.

But few may know that the ropes, riggings, chaps, spurs, rowels, straps and chinks are made right in the heart of Corsicana.

Barstow began his business in 1979, nearly 40 years ago. As a boy, he grew up on a ranch in Colorado, where horses were commonplace. The family moved to South

Dakota, but soon after, young Neil’s father was struck by lightning and killed. That tragic event changed the course of his life.

“My grandparents came from Kansas to stay with us, and my grandfather paid my entry fee to ride in a rodeo,” Barstow said in an interview in 2009.

“I didn’t have any of the right equipment, and after that experience, I knew I needed a bull rope.”

The family moved to Kansas to be near his grandparents, and as a freshman in college, Barstow was competing in his last college rodeo of he season when he broke his

neck.

“I was in the hospital for about six weeks,” he said.

“I couldn’t work, couldn’t rodeo, and was in a brace for about a year.

“Out of boredom, I took my rope apart and rebraided it.”

From there, Barstow began making ropes and selling them to other college cowboys. He attended many rodeos, and cowboys from all over the country started requesting Barstow’s custom-made ropes.

Then they started asking for other one-of-a-kind products.

“I bought a couple of sewing machines, and hired a neighbor lady to sew things in our basement,” he said. “At the time, I worked for a feed company, but I was still rodeoing, and I was going to stop making equipment.

“But during the night, all hours of the night, cowboys would have something break and call me for more equipment.”

His close friend Jim Houston called him in 1979 about purchasing his rodeo equipment business

in Burkburnett, Texas.

Barstow took him up on that offer, but moved the entire operation to Kansas, where they began selling Barstow wholesale through western stores.

“We were in a town of about 5,000, and I had trouble finding people to work for us,” Barstow said.

“We had also outgrown our building. Some of the cowboys suggested we move to Texas, where the warmer winters appealed to my family. We looked all over Texas, and one day while I was in Conroe, I opened my briefcase, and a pamphlet about Corsicana fell out.”

The rest of that story

went smoothly as silk, with Barstow settling into a portion of the Wolens Building as his base of operations in 1987. For 30 years, the business and the family have been happily ensconsed in the community, and his three daughters, Danna, Erica and Mandy, all graduated from Corsicana High School.

Neil and Belinda Barstow retired in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and daughter Erica Hodge and husband Brent took over, purchasing the business from the Barstows. Both had worked with Barstow since they were kids.

Everything is still custom-made, usually to each cowboy’s specifications. Bags for cowboys to carry gear, chaps for competition, bareback rigging for riding bareback broncs, handbraided bull ropes, pads, straps, and more are all made right there in the Wolens Building on South Main Street, Corsicana.

“I spent a lot of time over the years trying to figure out how to mechanize the process of braiding ropes, but you just can’t get the quality without doing it by hand,” Barstow said. “We get the rope in, break it down, then rebraid it to each cowboy’s specifications.”

There is a process for the rawhide, which involves soaking, cutting, drying with a de-humidifier, cutting and shaping.

Knives specially designed

by Barstow cut patterns and designs from colorful leather with the aid of a hydraulic press to make chaps that are unique.

Gloves for every event in rodeo are available in different textures and

colors, as well as protective, padded vests, many styles of spurs and spur straps, and hand-braided saddle bronc ropes.

“We still carry boots, built for rough-stock riding, but different than what regular people walk around in,” Erica said.

“They have a really heavy duty shank in them, the area that supports your arch, and have a heel counter of heavy-duty treated bullhide so the spur doesn’t hurt their foot.

There’s a very pronounced spur ridge that keeps the spur in place, holds it in place around the heel.”

Brent runs the back, where the magic happens, such as the building of the bareback riggings, as well as supervising, and handling much of the main sales. He also is the one

who takes the huge trailer and travels to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas to set up the Barstow Pro Rodeo booth, as well as the High School Finals in the summer (which have been in Wyoming the last few years, Erica said).

Erica handles the accounts payable and receivable, sales, the website and shipping.

“I started doing different bits of what I do when I was 15, and started cleaning the bathrooms when I was 10,” she said, laughing. “Dad would pay us girls to clean the bathrooms and sweep the whole place. Start at the very bottom and work my way up.”

Danna, the elder sister, resides in Grapevine, and younger sister Mandy lives in Fort Worth. Erica

and Brent are parents to Dalton, age 13, and Lila, who is 9, both of whom attend school in Corsicana Independent School District.

So, what are Neil and Belinda Barstow doing while their business reaches customers across the globe from a headquarters of 30 years in Corsicana?

“Dad does a lot of stuff at his church, and every now and then he’ll come in and do some shaping on the bareback rigging handles,” Erica said. “He really likes that part. And they have traveled a lot. But they have really enjoyed getting involved in our church, because they didn’t really have time for it before.”

——————— dkirk@corsicanadailysun.com

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