Oh My Goat
Page 2
Alligator gar regulations passed Page 5
A healthy bee population is critical Page 11
How to protect livestock in extreme weather
E
xtreme weather is seldom fun for anyone. Although people often have the means to escape inclement weather, animals are at the mercy of their caregivers. Protecting animals during extreme weather is not restricted to domesticated pets. Those who have livestock on their properties must recognize that these animals will need various levels of care as well. Animals such as chickens, cattle, goats, and llamas can be adversely affected by extreme weather. Individuals can heed these safety guidelines to avoid subjecting such animals to the stress, discomfort and illness that can result from exposure to extreme weather.
Suitable shelter One of the best ways to safeguard livestock from extreme weather is to ensure they have a place to escape the elements. Animals can get sunburned and may overheat, so make sure shelters can block the sun’s rays on hot days while also allowing for air to circulate through the dwelling. It’s also key that the shelter be capable of accommodating all of the animals at the same time.
Livestock shelters do not have to be complicated. They can be as elaborate as a barn or as simple as carports or tarps and shade cloth.
Fresh water Access to fresh, clean water is also essential. Dehydration can set in, particularly for animals with thick coats or those that are young or elderly. Animals tend to expend a lot of energy to cool down or stay warm, so they will need an ample supply of water to remain hydrated and healthy. Standing water can become a breeding ground for parasites and insect larvae. Therefore, change water frequently to make sure it is sanitary. Some farm experts advise aerating troughs to help prevent algae growth or mosquito infestations. A small amount of raw apple cider vinegar may help as well. However, always discuss water sanitation methods with a veterinarian before testing them out on farm animals.
Mold-free feed Hot, humid temperatures can cause mold to grow on hay and other feed sources. Cows do not like to eat
moldy hay and it can make horses ill. The University of Minnesota Extension says horses are particularly sensitive to dust from mold spores and can get a respiratory disease similar to asthma in humans called recurrent airway obstruction, or RAO, which is often referred to as heaves. Hay needs to be dried out before it is fed to animals. Any feed should be stored in cool, dry conditions and inspected before being dispersed to livestock.
Hair cut Wooly animals may benefit from a shear prior to the onset of hot weather, advises the Maryland Small Ruminant group. Do not shear too short. For instance, a one-inch fleece can dissipate heat and help the sheep keep cool.
Rest Livestock should not be worked and handled during the heat of the day. Their productivity levels may be diminished, and the extra exertion may affect their health. Rest will help them stay happy and healthy until the extreme weather has subsided.
2
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
Goats add kick to yoga By Lisa Tang
O
a sheep and goat enthusiast, heard about using goats and yoga for therapy, she wanted to bring the experience to East Texas. So far it’s working. Monthly classes usually draw 25-30 people from East Texas. Some even come from large cities. Oh My Goat advertises each class on social media. Classes are often followed by arts and crafts and other activities. Russell often photographs people with the goats as a memento. The beginner classes, taught by a yoga instructor, do not pose problems for most participants, but Russell recommends attending the class with a friend or group — to make the experience more fun. “If you bring a friend, you can look at each other and laugh,” Russell said. Though serious about animal therapy, Russell does not create products from her goats, such as milk and soap. She is not a breeder. All the goats are neutered, pygmy goats. The newest kids are the smallest, bred to petite size, for therapy purposes. Russell plans to “go mobile” with the goats, bringing animal therapy to people who can’t get to her farm, such as nursing home residents. Goat yoga might be too much of a stretch for seniors— but they will enjoy petting the kids.
Palestine Herald-Press
h My Goat of Montalba has launched a kind of animal therapy in East Texas called Goat yoga. Customers, who pay about $25 each for a class, use centuries-old low-impact yoga exercises from India, building strength through a variety of poses, while goats wander and interact with them. Participants stand, lunge, or lie flat on a mat — while goats freely mingle, lying next to participants, walking on their backs, or even jumping on them. Beginner yoga classes, taught by real yoga instructors, are more fun and relaxation than exercise. With all the stress these days, however, visitors appreciate the chance to kid around. “People begin laughing when they feel a young goat climbing on their backs,” said owner Cherry Russell, who aims to bring “people into nature with the goats.” Visitors come to Russell’s haven in Montalba to get a little exercise, but mostly to relax their minds and bodies. Most classes run Saturday mornings. Goat yoga started in Oregon a few years ago as medical therapy for cancer patients. When Russell,
Oh My Goat
214 ACR 469 Palestine, Texas 75803
903-549-2920
EMAIL: ohmygoatpalestine@gmail.com
ON THE WEB: ohmygoatyoga.com
MORE
BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS!
RTV-X1100
• 24.8 Gross HP,† 3-Cylinder Kubota Diesel Engine • Premium Grand Cab with Factory Air Conditioner, Heater and Defroster • Variable Hydro Transmission (VHT-X)
RTV500
• 15.8 Gross HP,† 2-Cylinder Kubota Gasoline Engine • 4WD with 2WD Selection • Fits in the Back of a Long-Bed Pickup Truck • Orange or Realtree® Camouflage Models Available
RTV-XG850
• Powerful 48.3 HP,† Gasoline Engine • CVT-Plus Transmission • Selectable Full-Time 4WD • General Purpose, Worksite & Special Models Available
www.5starrbuilders.com
Sales
903-407-7627
$0 DOWN, 0% A.P.R. FINANCING FOR UP TO 48 MONTHS ON SELECT NEW KUBOTAS!*
METAL BUILDINGS OF ALL SIZES
1604 S. LOOP 304 • CROCKETT, TX 936-544-4596 houstoncountyeq.com
of Waskom, Texas
Shops • Garages • Barns • Equipment Sheds GALVANIZED BUILDINGS ALSO AVAILABLE
24x30x10 - 30x30x10 - 30x40x10 - 30x50x10
WE BUILD ANY SIZE
Includes all labor, tractor work and concrete slab with moisture barrier and electric stub. Standard doors (1) 10x10 roll up or 20x7 garage door and (1) steel walk-in door. (Pad dirt may be extra). We use all the best materials starting with 6x6 ground contact poles with a lifetime warranty and a 40 year warranty on our painted metal. We offer a 4 inch 3000 psi concrete slab reinforced with 3/8” rebar.
*
$0 Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 48 months on purchases of select new Kubota RTV Series equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualified purchasers through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Some exceptions apply. Example: 48 monthly payments of $20.83 per $1,000 financed. Offer expires 8/31/19. See us or go to KubotaUSAt.com for more information. † For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. K1173-04-142904-3
August-September 2019
3
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
Drought --- A Nasty Word!
F
rom the lap of luxury just a few months ago, East Texas—and a big chunk of Texas—is caught up in a growing dry scenario. Our saving grace is—hopefully— barns full of hay. According to those who keep weather records, 22% of our state is in a drought—and nearly half is abnormally dry. That “big dry” envelops most of East Texas. Some of our counties are approaching the mandatory burn ban level. A lot of our area has received only an inch of rain since July 1—and the current forecast is not promising. Some cattle raisers are starting to feed hay and many others are putting
out protein blocks, feeding cubes or filling lick tanks. Not a good omen for the next few months. One question often asked is “whether you can rely on sale barn reports of calf prices”? Well, it’s the best we have. A few sale barn operators do report prices that will apply to most of the calves and yearlings sold. But others report only the #1 large frame steers and heifers—leaving out the #2 and smaller frame cattle. The best way to get a more accurate estimate of worth of your cattle is to sit in on the calf sale at the local barn. Watch the cattle closely and identify what buyers are viewing on every calf that walks in the ring. There’s
lots of difference in a number1 or a number 2 calf—and frame makes a big difference. For too many years, the majority of our producers will show up at a sale barn on market day—to watch the cows sell. Since most of us raising cattle are selling on the calf market, we should be watching the calves sell. Grasshoppers are a growing menace for some farmers. And when it comes to chemical controls, there is huge difference in cost of control. One of the reliable chemicals has been Sevin for a long time. But that comes at a cost! According to Jamie Sugg, county agent in Rusk County, Sevin will cost
$11 to $17 an acre, and that is for chemical only. Some newer chemicals—Karate, Dimilin 2L and Tombstone cost $2 to $4 an acre. Saving a dollar makes sense! Microwaves come in handy. But putting strange items in the electronic marvel can be hazardous. A lady in England read a recipe on the internet about making hard-boiled eggs with her microwave. Of course the internet never lies! After six minutes in the microwave, the Englishwoman opened the door and the eggs exploded. Now she is facing lots of down time— with severe facial burns and an injured eye.
That’s –30—horace@valornet.com
Bus tour offers glimpse into sanctuary By Shelli Parker
B
Athens Daily Review
lack Beauty Ranch was originally founded in 1979 by Cleveland Amory. The United States Government had slated the burros in the Grand Canyon to be killed. Amory couldn’t handle this idea and hired his own helicopters and staff to capture and fly all of them to a sanctuary. There were no injuries or deaths and the ranch grew from that point on to include more animals of all different kinds. He opened the Black Beauty Ranch as a sanctuary. Although the ranch is not a zoo, it is home to more then 800 animals exotic and domestic. It offers occasional “pre-scheduled, exclusive, guided, educational tour of the sanctuary that respects the peace and privacy of the animals,”according to the ranch. “You’ll go on an inspirational journey through 1,400 acres and hear about more than 800 domestic and exotic animals that have been saved from lives of neglect and abuse,” according to the ranch. The trip starts with arrival at the ranch and boarding a bus. Guides show a video presentation of how many of the animals came to the ranch and how they have been rescued. Through rolling pastures and enclosures you will hear stories of animals such as Penelope the pig who was found wandering down the street, and Midge, a chimp, who was rescued from medical testing. Tour attendees will also see the facilities, groundskeepers in action, old buildings and their history and new projects being built. Traci Hanson, outreach coordinator, said visitors comment on seeing the changes and updates while many say they always see something new. Although the ranch cannot guarantee you will see all of the animal residents, you could see around 40 different species. You will also hear the history and stories of the animals and why Black Beauty Ranch is so important. The animals vary in needs and many come from near-death situations. They come to the ranch and enjoy the good life. The tour is rain or shine, but in cases of extreme weather may be cancelled. Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour with paperwork. A butterfly garden and shop are open to visit along with a picnic area. Remaining dates and times are as follow: 10 a.m. Sept 7 and 21 1 p.m. Oct. 12 and 26 The ranch is located at 12526 County Road 3806, Murchison. Please contact to schedule a tour visit.fundforanimals.org or call 903-469-3811 with any questions!
4
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
It’s almost cauliflower time! D
espite the seemingly endless heat advisories, the cool season garden is coming. It is almost cauliflower time! Why cauliflower, you ask? Well, anything vegetable that can be utilized in so many different healthy ways is an excellent plant to include in our gardens. Like most cole crops, cauliflower grows well for us here in East Texas, provided it is planted at the right time. It is a true cool season plant and wants nothing to do with our intense warm/cold/warm/cold cycles that happen in the spring time. Cauliflower is not an easy garden crop to grow and requires fairly constant moisture, high fertility levels and moderate temperatures. Cauliflower will not grow well where temperatures average above 75 degrees F. or where winter temperatures drop below 25 degrees F. Poor cauliflower is usually a result of improper planting time, low moisture or low fertility. The cauliflower plant is a very close relative of broccoli. The upper leaves of the plant just below the flower head are often used to blanch the immature head to keep it from developing a green or purplish tint. Cauliflower is harvested when the flower buds are mere primordia, in a stage referred to as the “curd” stage, a references to its similar appearance to cottage cheese curds. Blanching of cauliflower means protecting the heads from sunlight. Unblanched heads will be yellowish green or other colors while blanched heads are pure white. When the head begins to enlarge, pull the outer leaves over the head and tie them with a rubber band or soft twine. There are many varieties of cauliflower that grow well for us, including green, orange, and purple ones: Alverda (Green), Brocuverde (Caul/Broc hybrid), Imperial, Majestic, Snow Crown, and Violet Queen (Purple). It is recommended that you use transplants in your garden, rather than directly3 to sowing the seeds into the soil, and the time is ripe for those transplants. A good window for planting would be any time from the first of August through the middle of September. It is best to have your soil tested every 3-5 years so that you can directly address the needs of your garden, but if you do not have your soil tested, apply about 1 to 2 pounds of a complete fertilizer (such as 10-20-10) for each 100 square feet or about 30 feet of row to be planted. Spread the fertilizer over the soil surface after the soil is dug. Then mix the fertilizer into the soil 2 to 3 inches with a rake or tiller. After fertilizing, bed the soil by pulling it into ridges 12 inches wide, 6 to 8 inches high, and 36 inches apart (center to center). This is necessary for good drainage. Creating raised beds is most important in heavier soils as they do not drain very well. Bedding the soil also mixes the fertilizer into the row where plants can reach it. Apply more fertilizer as the plants grow during the season. Time from planting to harvest is 55 to 100 days for cauliflower grown from transplants, depending on the variety. Harvest when the heads are still tight, because they tend to loosen up as they get too mature. Keep an eye out for curds forming, so that you can blanch them if you so desire, and also watch for pests such as aphids, cabbage worms, or cabbage loopers.
Kim Benton
Cherokee County Horticulturist
Alligator gar regulations passed Staff Reports
S
Athens Daily Review
tarting Sept. 1, anglers must have special authorization through a random draw to harvest a large alligator gar from a section of the Trinity River and follow new regulations when fishing for the state’s largest and long-lived freshwater fish in public waters statewide. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports Trinity River alligator gar regulations going into effect Sept.1 include a 48-inch maximum length limit for alligator gar from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard, including the following counties: Anderson, Chambers, Dallas, Ellis, Freestone, Henderson, Houston, Kaufman, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Navarro, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker. Additionally, a ban on the take or possession of an alligator gar by means of lawful archery equipment or crossbow will go into effect on the same section of the Trinity River between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise (unless using a harvest authorization through the drawing system) From Aug. 15 through Sept. 30, anglers holding a license-year or year-from-purchase fishing license can enter a drawing for the opportunity to harvest one alligator gar over 48 inches from a section of the Trinity River using the My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile app or online. Anglers can choose to apply as an individual or as part of a small group. Winners of the random drawing will be notified by Oct. 15. Anglers can use any legal means or method to take an alligator gar over 48 inches day or night from a section of the Trinity River from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard, through Aug. 31, 2020. “This segment of the Trinity River has become one of the most popular destinations in the world to catch a large alligator gar, but concerns have recently been raised about the potential for overharvest and its risks to fishing quality,” said Craig Bonds, Inland Fisheries Director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “With the new drawing system being implemented this year, we will be able to give 150 anglers the opportunity to harvest the fish of a lifetime while also meeting our management goal to conserve this unique resource for current and future generations of anglers.” Also starting Sept. 1, all alligator gar harvested from the public fresh waters of the state (other than Falcon International Reservoir) must be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within 24 hours of harvest on the My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile app or online. “In order for us to manage our alligator gar populations among growing angler interest, it is crucial to know how many are being harvested in Texas,” Bonds said. “By gathering data on alligator gar harvest through the My Texas Hunt Harvest app and online, our fisheries management team will gain a better understanding of this species’ distribution, sizes, and numbers and can use that information to help manage for quality fishing in the future. A one-fish-per-day bag limit remains in effect for alligator gar statewide except for Falcon International Reservoir, where a daily bag limit of five fish and possession limit of 10 fish remains in effect. The My Texas Hunt Harvest app can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store and Google Play. For more information about alligator gar fishing regulations, visit The Outdoor Annual online.
August-September 2019
5
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
Sir Loin D
o you have any friends named James Roberto, Barnard or Elizabeth who don’t go by Jim Bob, Barney or Liz? If you do, they are no doubt a hangover from parents who insisted that their children be addressed by their legal name. Unfortunately, some who are so named don’t quite fit the image. Like a Terrier-Possum cross who goes by the moniker “King”. Names engender certain expectations...”So, what do you do, Elizabeth?...Oh. A professional wrestler, I see...” History tells us that an ancient king liked the haunch of beef so
well that he knighted it. It was thereafter call Sir Loin. It is my opinion that, like some of my friend’s appellations, Sir Loin is misnamed. Because of its regal sounding name it is often touted by restaurants, supermarkets and fast food steak houses as their specialty. I am occasionally served a sirloin steak in good faith by folks. I gnaw and tear my way through the six-ply slab, gritting my teeth and trying to smile. But no more! In the name of Sir Rib Eye, true heir to the throne, I proclaim the Sirloin steak is the most overrated piece of meat on the carcass. Its
next-door neighbors, the Rump and Round, make no pretense of being tender. They accept being pounded with a ballpeen, cut thin or roasted for hours as part of their lot in life. But Sir Loin has let his name go to his head. He forgets sometimes that he comes from a working class neighborhood. Hangin’ around the hip bone, developing his muscles by driving 1,100 pounds of beef around for two years. He looks up the block at the T-bone and the Tenderloin and envies their popularity. This is not to say that the Sirloin is a bad cut of meat. But it should not pretend to royalty.
I think with proper counseling it could seek a niche where so much was not expected of it. Like the Brisket and Flank steak have done. It could have a future in fajitas, hamburger or kabobs. I am aware that from a marketing standpoint the name Sirloin on the menu commands
a higher price. Then somewhere down the line we carved off the Top Sirloin to market to people with less stamina. But you cannot make a silk purse out of a gluteus medius muscle. We have unfairly saddled a journeyman piece of meat with a name it can never live up to. Had we named it properly, Sir Loin wouldn’t feel so inadequate. He would have no need to put on airs. After all, he is not a Reginald or Montgomery. He is a Mo or a Bubba. Sir Loin could learn a lesson from Chuck.
Antique Tractor & Engine Show Showcasing equipment, raising funds for youth scholarships By Jo Anne Embleton Jacksonville Daily Progress
A
Sept. 7 Antique Tractor & Engine Show hosted by the Lone Star Antique Tractor & Engine Association, Inc., in Whitehouse will feature an array of antique tractors and farm equipment, all the while raising scholarship funds for college-bound kids. The certified non-profit corporation, organized in February 2000, devotes “a large portion of our income to scholarships for our area youth,” said president Charles Parmley. “Most of our scholarships in recent years have been to club members’ children or grandchildren, and in June, we just presented six $1,000 scholarships.” Funds also are used toward club activities, such as family shows and parade participation. The club’s mission, according to www. lsatea.org, “is to promote interest in the collection, restoration, preservation and exhibition of antique tractors and engines and other equipment of historical value as a part of our heritage and to share the history of our past with others through family activities.” The group participates in various events throughout the year, such as parades, exhibitions, displays and tractor and engine shows. In 2000, the year it was founded, LSATEA hosted its first Antique Tractor & Engine show, now held annually on the first Saturday following Labor Day at a site
Courtesy photo
Visitors at a customer appreciation event held in March by Steele’s Feed & Seed in Troup enjoy looking at the various antique farm equipment on display, as well as swapping information. outside of Whitehouse. “Our club, as well as visitors to our show, is composed of a very diverse age group,” Parmley noted. “We have several children’s activities at our show as well as antique tractors and equipment that the older generation enjoys. We’ve always had favorable feedback response from visitors, and many return each year to enjoy our
event.” This year’s event, which begins with an 8 a.m. pull weigh-in, features a 10 a.m. small tractor pull, followed by larger-sized tractors in pulling events. There also will be displays of stationary engines, antique tractors and engines, antique trucks and an antique tractor parade, along with a barrel train and Home Depot activities, which Parmley said “are very popular with the kids.” Live and silent auctions – the live sale begins at noon – also are popular, he said, and this year, a restored Farmall Super A tractor will be auctioned to benefit the scholarship program. The show site is located just outside Whitehouse, along FM 346 East: From the State Highway 110-FM 346 intersection in Whitehouse, travel east for approximately three miles, then turn right on Dudley Road, following signs to the event, which will be posted along the way. Admission is $5 families, $2 adults and $1 for youths ages 12 and older. Children
younger than 11 enter free. To learn more, contact Parmley at 903571-8767 or email cjparmley@gmail.com, or Stan Kindig, 903-595-3277, or by email at stan.kindig@gmail.com. Learn more from the group’s Facebook page, “Lone Star Antique Tractor and Engine Assn.” or visit www.lsatea.org. The association is open to all, regardless of location. “We have members as far away as the Dallas, Houston and Shreveport areas,” Parmley said. The group meets the first Thursday of the month, with visitors always welcome. A Sept. 5 meeting is a working meeting at the the showgrounds, while an Oct. 3 meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Traditions Restaurant in Tyler.
6
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
Crockett chamber Keeping launches East Texas Jacksonville farm and ranch expo Beautiful
By PennyLynn Webb
T
Palestine Herald-Press
he Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the inaugural East Texas Farm, Ranch, Wildlife Expo from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Crockett Civic Center. Farming and ranching, including leasing ranch land for hunting, are pivotal to the East Texas economy, said Dan Huggins, executive director of the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce. So the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension service in Houston County, are putting on the inaugural East Texas Farm, Ranch, Wildlife Expo. The idea for the expo comes from another such event in Abilene that has become a two-day event, drawing hundreds of attendees annually. “It is our hope that our event will grow in coming years and address topics of farming, ranching and wildlife issues in East Texas,” said Huggins.
The one-day event will feature indoor and outdoor booths displaying and demonstrating equipment, along with several hour-long classes on farming, ranching, and wildlife topics. Other activities include classes on aquatic vegetation management in ponds, wild pig management, nuisance animal trapping, external parasite control on beef cattle, winter feeding, and how to make money in the cattle business. Admission is free. A barbecue lunch will be available for purchase. Booth spaces are available for vendors. Sponsors for this event include Houston County Equipment, Cutshaw Chevrolet, Crockett Farm and Fuel, Capital Farm Credit, Houston County Electric Co-op, KIVY/KMVL, South Pine Animal Hospital and Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation. Sponsorships and underwriting of the event is available by calling the Crockett Area Chamber of Commerce at 936-544-2359.
Staff Reports
Jacksonville Daily Progress
T
he “Project Daffodil” is underway, as the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Committee launches the sale of solid yellow Carlton daffodil bulbs for $25 a bag. Order forms are available at Jacksonville City Hall, 315 S. Ragsdale St., the city website or can be requested by emailing kjb@jacksonvilletx. org. The deadline to order is Oct. 7, with bulbs available for pickup at Jacksonville City Hall, Monday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The committee is helping to promote community pride and preserve natural resources through the bulb project, according to a flyer, which also recommends planting bulbs during the months of November, December or January for spring blooms.
Purple Paint Winter Pasture Law means Educational “Keep Out” By Guy Chapman Corsicana Daily Sun
H
ave you ever seen a purple post on the edge of someone’s property and wondered what it means? For the curious minded, it isn’t a fashion statement or a Prince tribute. It’s a warning to keep out. There are eleven states that currently adopt this practice and Texas is one of them, under Section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code. The Purple Paint Law is intended as a deterrent against trespassers, signifying that unlawful property entry means criminal trespass. As it turns out, many Texans are unfamiliar with this law, originally
enacted in 1997. The paint is used as an alternative to posted signs that could be stolen or eroded. Before you go out spray-painting trees and poles, however, there some requirements to make it an effective equivalent to a “No Trespassing” sign in Texas. The markings must be visible to those approaching the property, and are required to be painted vertically, with a minimum length of eight inches with a width of one inch. The marks should also be a minimum three to five feet from the ground, and spaced no more than one hundred feet apart in timberland, or one thousand feet apart on open land. There’s even a special can of spray paint that is used to mark “No
Trespassing” areas, complete with its own color shade: “No Hunting Purple.” There have been several misleading articles posted on the subject of Purple Paint Law, the most common subject being that if you see a purple post, you should leave the area immediately, as your life may be in danger. Painting a post purple does not authorize a landowner to use lethal force, but potential trespassers should keep in mind that if caught being in an area where one shouldn’t be, they are still subject to criminal or civil penalties. Be considerate to your rural neighbors. If you see purple, choose another path to explore.
Program
Staff Reports
Palestine Herald-Press
W
inter Pasture planting is right around the corner. Sponsors for this program are Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Anderson County Beef and Forage Committee, Heritage Land Bank, Anderson County Farm Bureau, East Texas Seed, Colony Ranch Supply and Eldorado Chemical. This program will take place Tuesday, September 3rd at the Anderson County Annex located at 703 N. Mallard Street, Palestine. Registration begins at 5:15 p.m., meal at 6:00 followed by the program. Program will end by 8:15 – 8:30 p.m. There is no charge for this program. 1-hour CEU in General will be offered. We ask that you pre-register by calling the Extension Office 903-723-3735 by August 30 and the very latest by 10:00 a.m., September 3. Pre-registering will help with the meal count. With the potential shortage of Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, Oats and Alfalfa due to the flooding in the Midwest producers are discussing winter pasture options. This could be the year to plant winter pastures because of the shortages of these crops. More than likely feed prices will be bigger this feeding season. This program will focus on varieties of grains, legumes and ryegrasses. We will also focus on fertilization, utilization and establishment. Hope to see you at this meeting! Speakers for this program will be Dr. Vanessa Olson, Forage Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service from Texas A&M Research and Extension Service in Overton, Texas and Andy Young of East Texas Seed Company.
Most of my best memories come from some old dirt road.
August-September 2019
7
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
2019 Dove Preview
Experts forecasting banner season as opening day draws near By Matt Williams
Y
Outdoors Writer
ou can have those crowded pregame socials and hot parking lots. When it comes to September tailgate parties, I’d much rather settle in beneath the shade of a stately oak with a few close friends and share war stories on the heels of good dove shoot. Barring any last minute fumbles with the weather, it’s looking like Texas’ 325,000 dove hunters will have plenty to cheer about when the season gets underway on Sept.1 in the North and Central zones. The South Zone season begins Sept. 14. Just about every Texas dove season is a good one, but this season has the makings of being something special. That’s the word from Owen Fitzsimmons, webless migratory program leader with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “I’m hoping it turns out to be the kind of season it’s shaping up to be,” he said. Fitzsimmons says abundant moisture during spring spurred the growth of a summer buffet of natural forage like seed bearing grasses, weeds and forbs while optimizing nesting habitat around the state. Although the wet weather put a damper on planting and agricultural production early on, the biologist says many farmers are having success with late crops that could put a bounty of other tasty goodies on the ground for doves just in time for opening day. “The hot, dry conditions we’re getting now should result in grain crops heading out and ready for harvest right around the season opener,” he said. “There is ample forage available across the landscape, even up into the northern states, and we’ve seen some excellent hatches this summer. I’m predicting a good to excellent season this year.” Fitzsimmons says mid-August reports gathered from field staff were mixed with some of the most promising coming from the dove rich Hill Country and South Texas regions. “There are birds everywhere — they’re covered up,” he said. Things are different in the Cross Timbers and Rolling Plains, where biologists and outfitters say the birds are still scattered. “They haven’t seen quite as many birds as they were expecting to, but I think it’s just a matter of time until that changes,” Fitzsimmons said. “The birds typically start grouping up and congregating getting ready for migration in late August.”
Texas: Dove Hunting Central Even in a poor year, Texas dove hunting is usually outstanding in comparison to other states. That’s due to the staggering number of birds that live here. TPWD’s most recent estimates reflect a resident mourning dove population close to 35 million, 12 million white-winged doves and about 5 million Eurasian collared doves. No one knows how many mourning doves funnel through Texas from other states each fall on their way to Mexico and Central America, but Fitzsimmons says it is likely well into the millions. Not surprisingly, Texas hunters shoot a lot of birds. Fitzsimmons says Texas hunters typically account for about 1/3 (4-5 million) of the mourning doves killed nationwide and around 90 percent of nation’s white-winged dove harvest. According to TPWD’s 2018-19 Small Game Harvest survey, close to 300,000 hunters spent about 1.1 million hunter days in the field last year. They shot a combined total of about 6.1 million doves, including 4.1 million mourning doves, 1.6 million white wings, 361,000 Eurasian collared doves and 60,000 white-tipped
Photo by Matt Williams
More than 300,000 dove hunters are expected to head to the field on Sept. 1 for the 2019-20 season opener in the North and Central zones. Biologists are saying this could be banner year for wingshooters thanks to optimum habitat conditions and combined resident populations of mourning doves, white-winged doves and Eurasian collared doves estimated at close to 50 million. doves. Dove hunters spend a lot of money playing the game, too. Fitzsimmons cited a 2005-06 economic impact survey that shows the sport pumps about $316 million into state’s economy each year. “The survey is pretty old, though, so that figure could be laughably low,” Fitzsimmons said. On the local level, the dove hunting represents a fat cash cow that pumps millions of dollars annually into some rural communities. Coleman County, one of Texas top dove hunting counties, attracts thousands of hunters over the course of the 90-day split dove season. Chamber of Commerce officials there have estimated that dove hunting generates as much as $5-8 million for area businesses.
Legal in the Field One of the best ways to put a damper on a good dove hunt is to make a silly mistake that gets you in trouble with the law. Here are some legal tips to remember before heading to the field: • Make sure your hunting license and migratory bird stamp are current. Last year’s licenses and stamp endorsements expire at midnight, Aug. 31, 2019. Proof-of-license requirements may be met by showing a digital image of your license, an e-mail receipt, online purchase record or using a couple of free TPWD smart phone apps -- Outdoor Annual app or My Texas Hunt Harvest app. • Hunter education certification is required of every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. Be sure to carry proof of certification and identification with you while hunting. • If hunting with a pump or autoloading shotgun, make sure the firearm is “plugged” so it will hold no more than three shells, one in the chamber and two in the magazine. The same rule applies when hunting other migratory birds. • Eurasian collared doves are an invasive species that do not count towards your limit. If you shoot one, leave the bird whole or leave a wing attached for
Photo courtesy of TDHA, Burr Thorton
The Texas Dove Hunter’s Association plans to band 800 Eurasian collared doves by opening day as part of its 2019-20 Texas Banded Bird Challenge. Pre-registered hunters who kill one of the banded exotics will have a shot at winning a number of valuable prizes, including a new truck, ATV, shotguns and more.
positive identification in case you get checked by game wardens in the field. • If you are hunting in a group, be sure to keep your birds separate from those shot by others. Co-mingling birds makes it impossible for a warden to know for sure which hunter shot which birds. Place birds in separate bags labeled by name/date or individual ice chests until you reach your final destination. • The legal limit is 15 birds per hunter, per day. It’s alright to hunt during morning and afternoon (except for South Texas during special whitewinged dove days), so long as you don’t exceed the 15-bird total daily limit. You can’t kill a limit during a morning hunt and kill another limit during an afternoon hunt on the same day. • Legal shooting hours for doves is 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset, except during the special white-winged dove season (noon to sunset). • Never hunt doves or other migratory birds around a “baited area. A “baited area” is any area where grain has been placed or within 10 days after all such feed has been completely removed. It is every hunter’s responsibility to know if an area is legal to hunt; ignorance is no excuse.
Bands Are a Plus State and federal biologists frequently place metal leg bands on doves and other migratory birds in an effort to learn more about survival rates, harvest rates, population abundance and migratory habits. Hunters should be on the lookout for banded birds in their bag and report it if they happen to kill one. Bands will have a I.D. number to help scientists identify the time and place at which the bird was released. Report banded bird harvests to www.reportband. gov. Past recoveries have yielded some interesting insights about doves. One study showed mourning dove shot in Texas come from 21 states including Texas, with the most out-of-state banded birds coming from Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. A few banded birds traveled all the way from Pennsylvania and Ohio, according to a 2011 TPWD news release. Biologists aren’t the only ones banding birds these days. The Texas Dove Hunter’s Association is running a Eurasian collared dove banding program called the Texas Banded Bird Challenge. The second-year program gives hunters shots to win some valuable prizes in exchange for paying a $20 entry fee. Youths 10-13 are free. Bobby Thornton with the TDHA says 800 Eurasian collared doves will have been trapped, banded and released in all areas of state by the end of August by TDHA volunteers. Pre-registered hunters who kill TBBC birds between Sept. 1, 2019 and Jan. 23, 2020, are eligible to win prizes including a new truck, an ATV, exotic hunt, a shotgun and more. See texasdovehunters.com or call 210-7641189 for more information.
Dove Hunting: Low cost, high quality Dove hunting represents one of the best low cost, high quality hunting options available to Texas hunters. Reputable outfitters typically charge $75-$125 for day shoots on private land or you can hunt all
season long on public land for the cost of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit. Some national forest and Corp of Engineers properties can be accessed for free. The APHP permit provides access to 112 private land dove and small game leases included in TPWD’s public lands hunting program. The leases total about 42,500 acres. Most of the leases are located in close proximity to metro areas, 18 of them totaling 5,300 acres in vicinity of Dallas and Fort Worth, according to Kelly Edmiston, TPWD public hunting coordinator. Maps of all public hunting areas totaling more than 1 million acres can be viewed at tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/ hunt/public/annual_public_hunting.
Being Successful and Staying Safe Fitzsimmons says it would be a good idea to shoot a few rounds of skeet or trap at a local gun range help take the rust off before heading to the field for the first time. He offered a few other tips to help hunters ensure a safe, enjoyable and successful dove season: • Get out and Scout: Scouting is one of the most important factors for success. Doves are migratory; they can be here one day and gone the next. • Hide Out: Doves have extremely good eyesight. Wearing camo clothing, a hat and sitting in the shade can vastly improve your hunting success. • Bird to Bag: Bringing down a double or triple is great, except when you can’t find the birds because you failed to watch them fall. Dove are extremely hard to find without a good spot. When you bring down a bird, watch it to the ground and retrieve it immediately. You must make a reasonable effort to find downed game. Any wounded bird retrieved must be immediately killed and made a part of the bag limit. • Eye/Ear Protection: Ear plugs and shooting glasses are cheap protection that will save your hearing and eyesight. There is no excuse not to use it. • Shooting hours/Property Lines: Don’t push the shooting hours for an extra bird or two. Don’t shoot across property lines, shoot birds that fall across property lines or cross property lines to retrieve birds without permission. • Hydrate: September weather can be extremely hot in Texas. Bring plenty of water for you and the dog. Be sure to keep yourself and your dog hydrated and cool. • Clean Up: Pick up your hulls and trash. Be responsible whether you are hunting your land or public land. No one wants to see piles of spent shells or other trash on the ground.
Texas Dove Seasons • North Zone – Sep. 1 - Nov. 12, 2019 & Dec. 20, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020 • Central Zone – Sep. 1 - Nov. 3, 2019 & Dec. 20, 2019 - Jan. 14, 2020 • South Zone – Regular season: Sep. 14 - Nov. 3, 2019; Dec. 20, 2019 - Jan. 23, 2020 • Additional days for Special Whitewinged Dove season: Sep. 1, 2, 7, 8 (special regulations apply) Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches. He can be reached by e-mail, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com.
8
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
The ups and downs of saddle bronc competition
F
or saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley, it’s a good thing that every competitor who qualifies for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas receives $10,000 at the beginning of the 10-day show. The $10,000 up front turned out to be the only check that Crawley received at the 2018 National Finals in December. He made only five qualified rides at
the Las Vegas championships, but never once placed. But Crawley, a former Sam Houston State competitor who is from Huntsville, snapped out of his slump soon after the 2018 NFR and he consistently has finished in the money on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit in 2019. Crawley’s performances last weekend were a prime example.
He and his brother, Jacobs, tied for first in the saddle bronc riding title race at the Aug. 9-10 Summit County Fair and Rodeo in Coalville, Utah. They each turned in scores of 83 and they each earned $2,556. Sterling Crawley, a five-time National Finals qualifier, busted a bronc named Alotta Class, which is owned by Diamond G Rodeo. Jacobs Crawley conquered a Diamond G horse named Jack B Nimble. Sterling Crawley also clinched the saddle bronc riding title at the Aug. 7-10 Lawton Rangers Rodeo in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he pocketed $3,638. He turned in an 87 aboard a bronc named Capone, which is owned by the Andrews Rodeo Co. Crawley also tied for fourth place in saddle bronc riding with an 83 at the Aug. 7-10 Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, New Mexico, where he picked up a $1,371 check. If that wasn’t enough, Crawley finished sixth in the saddle bronc riding title race with an 83 at the Aug. 7-10 Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, Missouri, , where he collected $729. After all that, Crawley was ranked No. 3 in the PRCA’s 2019 saddle bronc world title race with $103,434 (in the world standings released on Wednesday, Aug. 14). Ryder Wright, the 2017 world champion, was ranked No. 1 with $198,208. With $103,434 in regular season earnings, Crawley has all but clinched a berth in the 2019 National Finals, which is scheduled for Dec. 5-14 in Las Vegas.
Athens cowboy injured
Bull rider Jeff Askey, a two-
time National Finals qualifier from Athens, is expected to miss a couple of weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in a bull riding accident, according to prorodeo.com. Askey suffered the injury when he was bucked off D&H Cattle Company’s Margin Call on Aug. 9 at the Lawton Rangers Rodeo in Lawton, Oklahoma. Askey, 31, who qualified for the National Finals in 2016 and 2018 and was ranked 10th in the Aug. 14 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $89,790, suffered the injury when he was bucked off D&H Cattle Company’s Margin Call on Aug. 9 at the Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo. “I’m just going to take two weeks off and get some physical therapy and get my shoulder back to where it needs to be,” told prorodeo.com writer Tracy Renck. “When I got bucked off, all my weight came down on my (right) elbow and it jammed my shoulder and dislocated it. I’m going to physical therapy. It helps that this is my riding arm and there will not be a lot of motion. My (right arm) stays on my side and doesn’t move a lot. This time of the year and where I am in the standings, I need to come back as soon as possible.” Askey, who hasn’t had shoulder problems in the past, is hoping to return to riding at the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo, which is scheduled for Aug. 30-Sept. 2.
PBR update
On the Professional Bull Riders’ circuit, 2017 world champion Jess Lockwood clinched the title at the Aug. 9-11 Unleash The Beast tour stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and earned $38,050. Cody Nance finished second and pocketed $14,550. Jose Vitor
Brett Hoffman, a Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame member, has reported on rodeos for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for more than three decades. Email him at bchoffman777@earthlink.net.
Leme, a Brazilian who lives in Decatur, finished third and collected $16,580. Lockwood was ranked No. 1 in the 2018 PBR world standings (released on Sunday, Aug. 11) with 4,200 points. Chase Outlaw was ranked No. 2 with 4,180. Leme was ranked No. 3 with 4,036.66.
In the money
At the Aug. 9-10 Stockyards Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth, 2013 National Finals heeling qualifier Boogie Ray of Mabank and his heading partner, Rowdy Rieken, clinched the team roping title with a 5.7 and each cowboy earned $893. At the Aug. 10, Mesquite Championship Rodeo in Mesquite, Ray and Rieken finished second and each team roper pocketed $262.
Cutting horse update The Metallic Cat West Texas Futurity began Aug. 10 and runs through Aug. 18 at the Amarillo National Center. The traditional show has drawn world class National Cutting Horse Association competitors.
August-September 2019
9
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
From Scratch with Love Grilled Teriyaki Pork Chops Total time: 45 mins, plus at least 8 hrs marinating time makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Instructions
• 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari • 1/4 cup mirin • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 4 bone-in pork rib chops, each about 1 inch thick • 4 thick slices fresh pineapple • 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish • Steamed rice, for serving
1. To make the sauce, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the mixture becomes slightly syrupy, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
Reserve the other half of the sauce. 3. Prepare a charcoal grill for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill grate. While the grill is heating, remove the pork chops from the marinade and let come to room temperature. 4. Arrange the pork chops on one side of the grill and the pineapple slices over the other side of the grill. Cover the grill and cook, turning the chops and pineapple occasionally, until the chops are nicely seared and cooked to medium (about 145–150°F) and the pineapple slices are nicely grill-marked. Transfer the chops and pineapple slices to a platter, tent with foil, and rest for 10 minutes.
2. Place the pork chops in a large zippered plastic bag. Pour half of the teriyaki sauce over the pork and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds. Serve with the rice, passing the reserved teriyaki sauce on the side.
Recipe by Kim Laidlaw via Chowhound
East tExas stock PricEs
ANDERSON COUNTY LIVESTOCK
EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC.
Updated: 8/21/2019 Head Count: 109 Buyers: 26 Sellers: 23
Updated: 8/20/2019 Feeder Calf Buyers: 17 Sellers: 136 Feeder Calf Companies: 31
STEERS
STEERS
200lb - 300lb
1.30
1.85
300-DOWN
1.45
1.92
300lb - 400lb
1.20
1.69
305lb - 400lb
1.41
1.94
400lb - 500lb
1.15
1.55
405lb - 500lb
1.28
1.64
500lb - 600lb
1.05
1.45
505lb - 600lb
1.21
1.54
600lb - 700lb
0.95
1.35
605lb - 800lb
1.14
1.40
700lb - 800lb
0.80
1.15
200lb - 300lb
1.20
1.75
300-DOWN
1.29
1.82
300lb - 400lb
1.15
1.60
305lb - 400lb
1.23
1.68
400lb - 500lb
1.05
1.59
405lb - 500lb
1.18
1.54
500lb - 600lb
1.00
1.42
505lb - 600lb
1.15
1.33
600lb - 700lb
0.90
1.28
605lb - 800lb
1.07
1.33
700lb - 800lb
0.65
1.10
Cows
0.35
0.70
Cows
0.50
0.68
Bulls
0.65
0.92
Bulls
0.80
0.89
PAIRS
$700
$1350
PAIRS
HEIFERS
HEIFERS
SLAUGHTER
STOCKER COWS GOATS
SLAUGHTER
$700hd
$1200hd
$25hd
$150hd
TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 8/24/2019 Head Count: 1135
STEERS UNDER 300lb
1.40
2.10
300lb - 400lb
1.35
1.83
400lb - 500lb
1.25
1.55
500lb - 600lb
1.15
1.50
600lb - 700lb
1.10
1.41
700lb - 800lb
0.95
BRED COWS
NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
Updated: 8/22/2019 Head Count: 736 Buyers: 56 Sellers: 109
STEERS
NO TEST
$660/hd
$1300/hd
ATHENS COMMISSION COMPANY
Updated: 8/19/2019 Head Count: 511
STEERS
NO TEST
Updated: 8/23/2019 Head Count: 968 Sellers: 180
STEERS
UNDER 300lb
1.30
2.05
200lb - 299lb
1.00
1.93
300-DOWN
1.00
2.15
300lb - 400lb
1.22
1.78
300lb - 399lb
1.00
1.91
300lb - 400lb
0.85
1.75
400lb - 500lb
1.10
1.70
400lb - 499lb
1.00
1.53
400lb - 500lb
0.80
1.55
500lb - UP
0.85
1.45
500lb - 599lb
1.00
1.37
500lb - UP
0.80
1.40
1.25
600lb - 700lb
N/A
N/A
600lb - 699lb
1.00
1.27
HEIFERS
700lb - 899lb
1.00
1.21
300-DOWN
1.00
1.75
UNDER 300lb
1.20
1.90
HEIFERS
300lb - 400lb
0.80
1.55
300lb - 400lb
1.10
1.60
200lb - 299lb
1.00
1.63
400lb - 500lb
0.80
1.40
1.00
1.57
300lb - 399lb
1.00
1.40
500lb - UP
0.75
1.30
HEIFERS
HEIFERS
UNDER 300lb
1.25
1.60
300lb - 400lb
1.20
1.49
400lb - 500lb
1.15
1.40
400lb - 500lb
500lb - 600lb
1.10
1.42
500lb - UP
0.75
1.30
400lb - 499lb
1.00
1.35
SLAUGHTER
1.40
600lb - 700lb
N/A
N/A
500lb - 599lb
1.00
1.30
Cows
0.25
0.71
0.95
1.20
SLAUGHTER
600lb - 699lb
1.00
1.39
Heavy Bulls
0.65
0.85
Cows
0.40
0.68
700lb - 899lb
1.00
1.10
PAIRS
Cows
0.25
0.65
Bulls
0.60
0.92
SLAUGHTER
$1000
$1600
Heavy Bulls
0.80
0.93
PAIRS
$850
$1250
Cows
0.335
0.665
Low-Middle
$500
$1000
$1200
STOCKER COWS
Bulls
0.765
0.905
PAIRS
$820
$1510
STOCKER COWS
0.55lb
1.10lb
600lb - 700lb 700lb - 800lb
1.00
SLAUGHTER
PAIRS BABY CALVES STOCKER COWS LOW-MIDDLE
$1100 $90 $600/hd NA
$190
$450hd
$1150hd
GOATS
$25hd
$150hd
$1200/hd
BABY CALVES
$50hd
$200hd
STOCKER COWS
NA
HORSES
N/A
BABY CALVES
N/A
Top
$750hd NA
GOATS
$20hd
$250hd
$1180hd
BABY CALVES
$20hd
$250hd
NA
HORSES
$75hd
$450hd
10
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
Stop spreading the love
Responsible pet owners spay and neuter their furry friends By Megan Hempel Corsicana Daily Sun
H
elping control the pet population begins with responsible pet owners. By spaying or neutering your pet, you can help control the pet homelessness crisis, which leads to millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized each year in the United States. According to the ASPCA, there are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying and neutering your animals, like providing them with a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, and spaying your female cat before she experiences her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering male pets prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. There are also behavioral benefits as well, curbing mating behaviors like roaming, howling, increased aggression and territory marking. When determining when to spay or neuter your pet, the ASPCA recommends as early as six to nine months of age for dogs. Dogs can also be neutered as adults, although there’s a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight, or dogs that have health problems. It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. To avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, schedule the surgery before your cat reaches five months of age. It is possible to spay a female cat while she is in heat. Ultimately, however, you should talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet. Kathy Asta, Director of the Corsicana Animal Shelter, said that pre-adoption
spaying and neutering is a great first step in a successful adoption. “All of our donation funds collected are used for pre-adoption spays and neuters,” Asta said. “We find this helps our pets transition to their new homes easier, and our adopters aren’t tasked with appointments and transporting animals for surgery appointments. It helps with unwanted behaviors, and the possibility of unwanted litters and reproducing if the adopted pet should get loose before being fixed.” The Humane Society of Navarro County provides invaluable support to the animal shelter. By organizing volunteers, partnering with the shelter to find its animals responsible, permanent homes, and providing a spay and neuter program, the two organizations work diligently to educate the public on the importance of controlling the pet population. A spay and neuter assistance program is available through Navarro County’s Humane Society, and many other organizations state-wide, for people who otherwise would not be able to afford the necessary procedure. To find an assistance program near you, visit the ASPCA’s Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs page online to find options available in your area. Spaying and neutering your pets can save you money in the long run, as the cost of surgery is far less than that of caring for an unplanned litter.
Helping Your Pet Before and After Surgery
Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice and post-operative instructions that you should follow. Here are tips for a safe and comfortable recovery: • Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
• Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends. • Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by distracting your pet with treats or by using an cone collar. • Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery. • Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing. • If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery. On the web: https://www.aspca.org/petcare/general-pet-care/low-cost-spayneuterprograms
Debunking the Myths • Spaying or neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight, but lack of exercise and overfeeding will. • Neutering is not as a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone, there’s no guarantee that your dog’s behavior will change after he’s neutered.
Game Warden Field Notes
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
Making Waves Shortly after sunset one Saturday in June while patrolling Lake Granbury, game wardens came upon a boat adrift on the water without the required navigation lights on and no occupants visible. As the wardens got closer, they observed two naked occupants onboard engaged in intimate activities. Recognizing they’d been spotted, the male occupant started the boat and began driving away despite numerous commands to stop. Once contact was made, both occupants were found to be highly intoxicated. Field sobriety tests were administered to the driver, who was subsequently arrested for boating while intoxicated.
At Least He Can Take a Bath Again A Henderson County game warden received a call recently with information about a man who had posted a video of a small alligator in his bathtub on Snapchat. The individual was also a suspect in a local illegal hunting incident that took place in January involving a large fallow deer rumored to have been shot from the road. The warden made contact with the individual, who admitted to possessing the alligator and agreed to a meeting where he would hand it over. The warden recovered the three-footlong alligator, which was later released back into the wild. The suspect also admitted to shooting the fallow deer from the road and told the warden where he had stashed the antlers. The antlers were recovered, and citations were issued for the offenses.
Back-tracked and Busted A Tyler County game warden got a call from a hunting lease operator stating he had confronted several subjects
trespassing on his lease. The warden responded and began cold trailing sets of ATV tracks leading off the property. After following the tracks through several adjacent properties the warden came upon some individuals in a wooded property who were working on an ATV. After waiting for backup from the county sheriff ’s office, the warden made contact and initiated arrests for criminal trespass. During an inventory search, the warden discovered various narcotics and paraphernalia and additional charges were added. Cases are pending.
Oh, Deer, Did You See That? While driving down I-35 near Belton, a caller reached out to let game wardens know he observed two live white-tailed deer fawns in the backseat of a Toyota Prius. The warden got the vehicle information and contacted its owner, who resided in Limestone County, and instructed him to meet at the sheriff ’s office and turn over the two deer. Upon arrival, the warden seized the two fawns and noticed one had a hole in its ear due to a missing ear tag. The driver admitted that he worked at a deer breeder facility/ ranch in Dimmit County, and that he took both fawns (one from within the breeder facility without a valid permit and the other from outside the facility) without permission from the ranch manager. The warden took the driver into custody for Triple T Violation (Trap/ Transport/Transplant Game Animal without permit-Class B Misdemeanor) and Possession of a Live Game Animal. The driver was booked into the Limestone County Jail. Wardens contacted the ranch manager at the breeder facility and received authorization to file additional charges on the subject for taking both deer without landowner consent. Cases are pending.
wardens were on patrol for water safety violations at Sam Rayburn Reservoir when they got a call from a concerned fisherman about a large center console boat occupied by several intoxicated people singing at the top of their lungs, and a child not wearing a life jacket. The wardens made the long run up the lake, found the boat underway and made
contact with the operator. After failing field sobriety tests, the operator was arrested for boating while intoxicated, the child was placed in a life jacket, and the merry occupants were escorted ashore. Case is pending.
Got Caught Fishing Polk County game wardens recently observed an individual walking away from the shoreline with fishing poles and bait bucket in hand. The individual was not in possession of any required identifying information, became agitated and was placed in temporary detention for officer safety. During a pat down search for weapons, the individual cautioned the wardens to be aware he had dirty syringes in his pockets. In addition to the dirty needles, wardens found various illegal narcotics and paraphernalia. After getting his identification, wardens also discovered two state jail felony warrants out of Polk County for burglary. The subject was arrested and cases are pending.
Boat Karaoke Fail
If Only They Were All This Easy
Over the July 4th holiday weekend, Angelina County game
While investigating complaints of several deer camps having
been broken into in Polk County, wardens spotted a familiar vehicle parked along a creek they had observed coming off another back road late the previous night. Upon closer inspection, the wardens observed in plain sight a spotlight and a .22 rifle inside the truck and a small pool of dried blood on the tailgate. After making contact, one warden asked if the two individuals remembered seeing them the night before. One guy responded, yes, and asked why the wardens were following them. The warden let him know they had been trailing them for some time. At that point the warden expected the man to admit to hunting feral hogs, which would be legal at night on private property with permission, but instead he informed them they had shot a deer. The clueless poachers also implicated themselves on several other poaching incidents and violations, and led the wardens to the area where they conducted the illegal activities. Upon arrival, the subjects showed where they
dumped the carcass and where they stored the meat at their grandmother’s house. The shooter later stated that his daddy and granddaddy were questioned by wardens back in the day, but never got caught in the act, claiming that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Uh, huh. Multiple charges pending.
Eyes in the Sky to the Rescue Late one night, Coleman County game wardens responded to an emergency search and rescue call regarding two missing kayakers on the Colorado River. The Coleman County Sheriff ’s Office pinged one of the kayakers’ phones and obtained an approximate starting point location of where they might be. Using the game wardens’ UAV search and rescue drone, wardens were able to locate the kayakers on a remote bank of the river at 1:30 a.m. The wardens hiked to the kayakers and guided them off the river.
August-September 2019
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
11
Maintaining a healthy bee population is critical Staff Reports
Corsicana Daily Sun
H
ave you ever stopped to consider how the food you purchase in the grocery store actually made it to the shelf? More than likely, some of you have! With a brand new wave of food provenance sweeping the nation, more and more attention is focused on understanding what goes into our food and how it travels from farm to table. Brands are under more pressure than ever before to prove their products are ethically and consciously made. If we take a look inside our pantries, we’ll see boxes and bags covered in labels, seals, and stickers boasting organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and cruelty-free contents. It seems nowadays in our modern era of conscious consumerism, where every plant and every animal has a patron, we might have stemmed the tide of negative impacts associated with our insatiable appetites. However, despite our age of edible enlightenment, there is still much to be brought to our attention. In fact, there is one entire species who provides indescribable value to our everyday lives and whose welfare is consistently overlooked. Despite the fact we literally and metaphorically profit from the fruits of their labor, this critter has yet to be equally represented or protected. Admittedly, they aren’t the most cuddly creature, but they are unquestionably important. What is this animal you ask? The honey bee. According to recent studies, one out of every three bites of food in the United States is dependent on honey bees and other pollinators. Honey bees specifically pollinate over $15 billion worth of crops each year and are responsible for helping in the proliferation of more than 130 varieties of fruits and vegetables including apples, cranberries, melons, and broccoli. Some crops, like blueberries and cherries, rely on honey bees for roughly 90% of their pollination, while almond pollination depends solely on honey bees. Maintaining a healthy bee population is critical to meeting the demand placed on
agricultural communities to supply highquality produce to consumers. However, over the last decade, the population of bees has been declining. Every winter since 2006, 30% of beehives have collapsed. In fact, the number of healthy bee colonies has dropped so dramatically that in order for the state of California to adequately pollinate its nearly one million acres of almond orchards, every spring 1.8 million colonies of honey bees must be collected from across the country and transported to the west coast. The startling drop in honey bee health is frightening news for American farmers who continue to feed more and more people on increasingly less farmland. According to a study conducted by the American Farmland Trust, in less than a generation, the United States has lost 11 million acres of viable land to urban sprawl. Ultimately, bees play a critical role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of critically important remaining farmland. So this all begs the question: What is happening to all the bees? When attempting to determine the sudden decline in healthy and active honey bees, researchers point to a specific behavioral phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder.
Continued on page 12...
Palestine: 2805 South Loop 256 | 903-723-3164
12
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
August-September 2019
Continued from page 11... Colony Collapse Disorder describes an event in which the majority of a colony’s worker bees suddenly, and without reasonable cause, abandon the hive, leaving the queen and nurse bees to fend for themselves. Hives cannot sustain themselves without the presence of worker bees whose main responsibilities involve keeping the hive functional. These duties include nurturing and feeding bee larvae, processing nectar, making and capping the honey, as well as feeding the queen. Since the queen bee is responsible for the fertilization of all larvae, resulting in the production of more worker bees, ensuring she is well-fed guarantees the future health of the hive. Theories about what causes CCD are varied, but researchers have narrowed down their guesses to a few key factors: Exposure to crop-directed pesticides leading to pesticide poisoning. • Hive infestation by an invasive species like the varroa mite. • New or emerging diseases, such as Israeli Acute Paralysis virus and the gut parasite Nosema. • Excessive stress placed on colonies during handling and transportation for pollination services. • Potential immune-suppressing stress disorders caused by one or more of the above factors. In response to the growing concern for honey bee health, the United States Department of Agriculture founded a steering committee in order to survey, study, and strategize on how to prevent CCD. However, the efforts don’t stop there. Private groups such as Bee Informed Partnership work in collaboration with some of the country’s leading universities to better understand the decline of honey bees. By gathering an extensive database of information provided by bee enthusiasts and apiarists, the Bee Informed Partnership cultivates better beekeeping practices and healthier honey bees by using statistics to discover trends. “[Our] core idea is that we can learn more by studying honey bee health on a large scale than we can in individual lab experiments,” a representative for the organization said. “Borrowing traditional methods of
cancer research from human medicine, we gather huge amounts of data submitted by beekeepers to understand just two things: How many hives they lost last season and how they kept their bees during that season.” While organizations such as these do their best to collect data and make a large scale impact, you can begin by making a localized impact. Here’s what you do: • Stay calm: If you see a bee buzzing around, stay calm. Remember, honey bees won’t sting unless their hive is threatened. • Spread the word: Educate others on the importance of honey bees and remind them to “Shoo - Don’t swat!” • Bee grateful: Next time you find yourself munching on an apple and some almonds remember, a little bee is to thank for your mid-day snack.
Shop us for your gift and greeting cards needs. We accept all Medicare Part D, WellCare & Humana. Stop by and we’ll guide you every step of the way! Our Hometown Service is Second to None!
City-Wide Delivery & Drive-thru 903-729-3100 101 Medical Dr.
Palestine
Hometown Pharmacy