Reading,Ridingand Raising

TOO COLDFrostbite is a danger to newborn calves.PAGE 5

WHICH VACCINES ARE BEST?Dr. Steve Wikse talks herd protection.PAGE 9

FEWER LAR�E�ANI�AL VETSHarsh conditions, lower pay play a role.PAGE 22

KEEP IT CLEANGrain storage sanitation is critical.PAGE 26

Feb rua r y 1 , 2 011

THE CHANGING FACEOF AG EDUCATION

IN TEXASPAGE 16

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TheLand

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From the General Manager

Ihad a birthday a few weeks ago.Not a momentous occasion; itseems to happen every year.

But, turning 32 made me realizethat I was, in fact, in my 30s now.When I turned 30, it seemed like afluke, then 31rolled around and Ifigured there mustbe some mistake.But sure enough,32 came at thesame time as thelast two and I guessI’ll have to acceptit.

The thing I’ve found about 32 isthat is far easier to disappoint peo-ple than impress them. In order tohear the phrase “he’s 32” and haveit mean incredibly young, you haveto take over a fortune 500 companyor build a skyscraper or accomplishsome other outstanding feat that isoutside of the normal human suc-cess scale. It is, however, fairly sim-

ple to hear “he’s 32” in the contextthat you’re old enough and shouldknow better. Heck, the simple act ofeating Lucky Charms and watchingSaturday cartoons is enough towarrant such a snide response.

There is an entire group of peopleto whom 32 is far off, but they arealready setting themselves up toaccomplish lofty goals of their own.We take a look at ag education inthis issue and see what the futureholds.

We also feature some informationabout row crops, as well as cattleand equine news. It’s a pretty goodmix, and I hope you enjoy it.

’Til next time,

Book honors Howard HesbySpecial to The Post

A book written by students, col-leagues, friends and family ofHoward Hesby is now complete andcan be ordered.

Big Hands, Big Heart is a tributeto Texas A&M animal science pro-fessor Howard Hesby, who believedin helping students just as muchoutside the classroom as in it.

It is estimated Hesby helped morethan 15,000 students during his 35years at Texas A&M and this bookshares the stories from many ofthose he advised.

The book project, spearheaded byChris Boleman, Texas 4-H and youthdevelopment director, is a 300-pagecompilation of personal stories writ-ten about the impact Hesby made onindividual lives. The book is beinggiven to donors of $25 or more to theHoward Hesby Atrium Project inthe Kleberg building, which housesthe animal science program.

When the Kleberg facility wasbuilt in 1975, an animal science stu-dent lounge was provided on thefirst floor. This area was removed in

2004 to provide administrativeoffices for a new department in thebuilding. Not long after that,Howard Hesby and others worked tofind another suitable area for ani-mal science students to study, con-gregate, network and the idea of ren-ovating the atrium to make it morestudent-friendly was born. Shortlyafter that, Hesby passed away. Hewas a great friend of students in thedepartment and it was determinedthat it would be appropriate to namethe planned atrium after him, nowknown as the Howard HesbyStudent Atrium

Checks should be made payable toTexas A&M Foundation and on thememo line indicate Howard HesbyStudent Atrium Fund, account num-ber 0573410. Orders should bemailed to Amanda Mendoza, Collegeof Agriculture and Life Sciences,2140 TAMU, College Station, Texas77843-2140. Please include how manybooks wanted, and your name,address, e-mail and phone number.Contributions over $25 are alsobeing accepted for the atrium proj-ect.

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FeaturingFeaturing 1,2001,200 Head 100 - Gray BrahmanBrahman heifers coming from EL and Thompson Ranches. Long bred to registeredHereford bulls, 3030 calves by sale day. F-1 factory in production.180 - First calf BrangusBrangus heifers 5-8 months bred to Angus bulls, 75 calves by sale day. Brought to youfrom Rock Creekeek Ranch and Kinsel Ranch. Reputable ranches that always bring good cattle.475475 -- TrTrueueTrueTrTrueTr F-1F-1 TiTiTiger Stripe heifers out of Brahman cows and registered Hereford bulls, bred 5-8months to low b/wb/wAngus bulls, 150 calves by sale day. These heifers are cube broke, gentle and goodwith horses. ComingComing offoffof of some of the most reputable ranches in Texas where quality,quality,quality feminity andbacking up your productproduct has become a way of life. Brought to you from Brooks Ranch, EL Ranch,Preston Farms, DiamondDiamond G Ranch, Kallion Farms and NR Johnston Ranch.

OpenOpen Heifers ConsignmentsConsignments120 - Open GrayGray Brahman heifers from Thompson Ranches and Cabesa Cattle Co. Most siredby Kallion FarmsFarmsFarms andand V-V-88 BrahmanBrahman bulls,bulls, weighweigh fromfrom 500-800500-800 poundspounds andand willwill bebe sortedsorted intointo smallsmalluniform groups. Fancy as we have ever had.150 - TrueTrueTr F-1 open heifers weighting 600-800 pounds out of Brahman cows and registeredHereford bulls, dehorned,dehorned, ocv,ocv,ocv and cake broke. Most ready for bulls by sale day. Coming fromThompson RanchesRanches and Cabesa Cattle Co.25 - Pure bred openopen Brangus heifers out of Steiner and Camp Cooley Brangus bulls. Heifers weigh800 (+) pounds comingcoming fromMartin-Bruni Cattle Co.(+) pounds comingcoming

Cow ConsignmentsConsignments30 - TrueTrueTr F-1 5 yearyear old Tiger Stripe cows long bred to registered Hereford bulls, 15 calves by sale day.day.day40 - 3-5 year oldold Brangus and Brangus Baldy cows med.- long bred to Angus and Hereford bulls.Great set of youngyoung cows.50 - 4-6 year old crosscross bred cows, 20 calves by sale day,day,day balance long bred to Charolais and Angus bulls.

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By ELLEN CRAWFORDNorth Dakota State UniversityAgriculture Communications

This winter’s cold, snowyconditions are putting live-stock, especially newborns, atrisk for hypothermia andfrostbite.Hypothermia is a profound

drop in body temperature.“Animals less than 48 hours

old or animals with a pre-existing condition or diseaseare at the greatest risk fordeveloping hypothermia,”said Charlie Stoltenow, NorthDakota State University Ex-tension Service veterinarian.Newborns are susceptible

because they often are hypo-glycemic, which means theyhave low energy reserves andelectrolyte imbalances. Ani-mals with pre-existing condi-tions, such as pneumonia orold age, are susceptible be-cause they have impairedbody reserves and may suc-

cumb to very cold and windyconditions more easily.Frostbite is the destruction

of tissue in a localized areadue to extreme cold. It isuncommon in healthy, well-fed and sheltered animals, butanimals that are less than 48hours old or have a pre-exist-ing condition run the greatestrisk of developing frostbite.The areas most likely to be

injured include the ears, tail,teats, scrotum and lowerparts of the limbs, especiallythe hooves. Hind limbs aremore likely to be affected incattle since their normal pos-ture is to draw their front legsunder their chest while theirhind legs protrude fromunder their body.“Treating cases of hypo-

thermia and frostbite is oftenunrewarding,” Stoltenowsaid. “Prevention is of pri-mary importance.”Prevention consists of:• Keeping the animals, espe-

cially newborns, warm anddry: Provide windbreaks tocounteract the effects of thewind chill.

• Making sure animals haveadequate bedding: Beddinginsulates he animal from thesnow and ice underneath thebody and lowers the animal’snutritional requirements.Bedding allows the animal to“snuggle” into it and lowersthe body surface area exposedto the wind.

• Increasing the amount ofenergy supplied in the ani-mal’s dietStoltenow has this advice

for producers with livestocksuffering from hypothermiaor frostbite:

• Warm calves with hypo-thermia slowly. The heatsource should be about 105 to108 degrees Fahrenheit.Warmer temperatures maycause skin burns or shock.Sources of heat include awarm-water bath, electric

blanket, heat lamps or hot-water bottles, and a warmingbox.

• Provide calves with anenergy source. Feed colos-trum to newborn calves with-in the first six to 12 hours oflife. Provide milk or elec-trolytes with an energysource such as glucose. Anesophageal feeding tubeworks well to supply theseenergy sources. Without flu-ids, the animal becomes aci-dotic as it warms. An acidoticcalf is predisposed to con-tracting scours or pneumo-nia.

• Warm areas sufferingfrom frostbite quickly.Frostbite is the destruction oftissue. To prevent permanentdamage, restore circulationin the affected areas as soonas possible. The heat sourceshould be about 105 to 108 F.Do not rub affected areas.They already are damagedand fragile. As the area

warms, it will be painful. Donot let the animal rub theseareas.Frostbite in teats and scro-

tums could be a problem aswell. However, frostbittenteats may be difficult todetect. The first sign may be athin calf. The teat end is af-fected and can slough. If thishappens, the sphincter mus-cle of the teat may be lost.This makes mastitis a possi-bility.Also, frostbite may cause

an affected teat to dry upbecause the cow won’t let thecalf nurse. In addition, thefrostbitten teat may go unno-ticed until next year.Bulls’ scrotums and testi-

cles can suffer frostbite, too.Often these lesions go unno-ticed. They can cause tempo-rary or permanent infertility.All herd bulls should havebreeding soundness exams 45to 60 days after the last severecold spell.

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News

Frostbite, hypothermia a danger to newborns

Safely breed lighter heifersBy RYAN REUTERSamuel Roberts Noble

Foundation

The traditional recommen-dation for developing replace-ment heifers is to feed them toachieve 65 percent of theirmature weight by the begin-ning of the breeding season.This recommendation was

developed decades ago basedon some research that indicat-ed that almost all heiferswould attain puberty by 65percent of mature weight.Recent research, however,may call this long held recom-mendation into question.Researchers from Nebraska

fed crossbred heifers toachieve either 55 percent or 50percent of their matureweight by breeding season.The heifers were exposed tofertile bulls at a ratio of onebull to 25 heifers. The heavierheifers were exposed to bullsfor 45 days, while the lighterheifers were exposed for 60days. Interestingly, there wasno difference in conceptionrate between these twogroups — the conception ratewas a very acceptable 88 per-cent. These data would seemto indicate that a target breed-

ing weight of 65 percent mayneed to be reconsidered insome situations.Let’s take a look at what a

reduced target breedingweight can mean. If weassume that mature weight ofan example herd of cows is1,200 pounds, then our 65 per-cent target breeding weightwould be 780 pounds. If weassume we weaned a 450-pound heifer calf at 210 days,then we need this heifer togain 330 pounds in the next200 days. That is 1.65 poundsper day. During the winter, anaverage daily gain this highwould likely require goodquality pasture or hay and asignificant amount of supple-ment.If we reduced our target to

50 percent, then the requiredaverage daily gain is only 0.75pounds per day. This gaincould likely be achieved bygrazing dormant native rangewith minimal protein supple-mentation. This low inputprogram likely would reduceexpenses and labor require-ments.It is also possible that a low

input development systemwould challenge these heifersa little, and the least efficient

and least adapted heiferswould be eliminated from theherd.There are a few issues to

consider with developingheifers to lighter weights.Obviously, there is a point atwhich heifers that are toolight in weight won’t cycleand therefore won’t get bred.Secondly, in the Nebraskaresearch, calves born fromheifers bred at 50 percent oftheir mature weight were, onaverage, seven days youngerand 13 pounds lighter thancalves born from the 55 per-cent group. However, thelighter heifers cost an averageof $17 less to develop than theheavier heifers.Every ranch has a unique

set of resources and opportu-nities. Be sure to put a pencilto the decisions you are mak-ing and determine which pro-duction practices may pay offin your situation.We may not be ready to rec-

ommend that you reduce yourheifer breeding weight targetbased upon this one study, butdon’t get caught in the trap ofdoing things the same wayjust because that is the wayyou’ve always done them.

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By DAN CHILDSSamuel Roberts Noble

Foundation

Agriculture input and com-modity prices seemed to be ona rollercoaster during the lastfew months of 2010, with theinclines being longer andmore sustained than the shortdips down. This left generalprice levels much higher thanforecasts of only a few shortmonths ago.How can price predictions

miss the mark by so much insuch a short time period?From booths at local coffeeshops to confernfernf ence rooms inland grant universities andU.S. Department of Educationoffices, agricultural produc-ers and industry experts haveasked the same question.Possible causes including

weather conditions at homeand abroad, a weak U.S. dol-lar supporting exports andthe effect of index and hedgefund trading have all beenvolunteered as causes for themiscalculations. Regardlessof the reason for the priceswings, agricultural produc-ers must do a better job ofmanaging their productionand price risks to remain suc-cessful in this volatile envi-ronment.Not so long ago, producers

had few options to managetheir risks. Limited insur-ance products existed, andthe ones that were availablehad expensive premiums.Generally, crop insuranceproducts only insured againstthe risks of production withlittle opportunity to insureprices.Futures contracts and

options on futures contractswere available through com-modity exchanges, but theproducts received little inter-est from producers. Not muchattention was given to season-al price patterns of inputsbecause the differencesbetween the peaks and val-leys were very small. As aresult, concern was seldomgiven to managing the pricerisks of production inputs.When price risk strategieswere implemented, only therisk for the commodity or out-put was considered. Today,locking in only the price ofinputs or the price of the out-put is a recipe for potentialfailure.

The past few years haveseen the addition of manytools to control risk. Severalinsurance products are nowavailable to insure cropyields and price, forage pro-duction, and feeder and fedcattle prices. Premiums forcrop insurance are more

affordable, espe-cially when pro-duction historycan be proven.Considerableflexibility existsfor insuring for-age productionas well as cattlep r i c e s .Livestock priceinsurance canbe purchaseddown to a singlehead of cattle.Futures marketi n f o rm a t i o nand education isnow much moreaccessible toindividual pro-

ducers.Mini grain contracts of

1,000 bushels are available.How can these tools be

leveraged to help producersmanage risks? The first stepis for a producer to knowtheir per unit cost of produc-

tion. Producers need to startwith good production andfinancial records to allow foran accurate calculation of abreak-even point.Once the break-even is

known, per unit amounts forother items — things such asfixed costs; principal andinterest payments; family liv-ing expenses; and desiredprofit — can be added todevelop asking prices. Afterasking prices are determined,a producer can start evaluat-ing different risk manage-ment tools to decide whichones fit their individual pref-ef-eferences and risk tolerance.If certain tools, such as

futures contracts or options,are used, upward movementsin commodity prices maycause producers to miss outon profits from higher prices.This is common in volatilemarkets and causes manyproducers to forego risk man-agement. Ideally, risk man-

agers should develop strate-gies that enable them to bene-fit from at least some poten-tial commodity price increas-es.Risk management can also

be used to protect againstunexpected rises in inputcosts. Seasonal patterns showwhen prices are typically thelowest and highest of theyear. Prices are usually low-est when a particular input isin the least demand, such asfertilizer and feed prices inmidsummer. When combinedwith prudent productionpractices, students of season-al price patterns who takeaction at appropriate timescan lower their per unit costof production.No one size fits all in risk

management tools and strate-gies. However, diligent studyand use of the available toolsand strategies can turnvolatile markets into goodpricing opportunities.

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Producers must do a better job managing risks

99.457 Ac, FM 46, FrAnklin60% open pasture, 40% wooded, spring fedcreek, 4 ponds, sandy rolling hills, new fenceon 2 sides, fronts on FM 46, electricity andcommunity water line available; Franklin ISD;

$390,000 ($3,921/Ac)

105 Acres, ½ Mile oFF FM 974, BryABryABr nApprox. 25% pasture, 75% wooded, home siteoverlooking pond, rolling wooded hills with lots

of wildlife, electric in area, Bryan ISD;($3,750/Ac)

90 Acres, FM 2446, FrAnklinBermuda, Bahia & Native, small pond,

seasonal creek, approx. 3,000 rd frontage,water & electric, Franklin ISD; $405,000

52 Ac, on FM 1940, FrAnklinSingle wide mobile home, 70/30 open/wooded,

new fences, 2 ponds, water well, surfacecontrol conveys, Franklin ISD $367,052

30 Ac, on Wylie ln, FrAnklin1,859 sq. ft., 2 bed, 2 bath custom home,built in 07, open floor plan, fireplace, inground pool, built on hilltop overlooking

improved & native pasture, pond, water well,Franklin ISD; $325K

33 Acres, norTH oF cAlVerTcAlVerTcAl95/5 wooded/open, live creek, elect. on site,

road frontage on 2 sides; Calvert ISD$84,900 ($2,567/Ac)

9 Acres, FM 1373, BreMond3 sides fenced, open hay pasture, water &

electric available, Bremond ISD;$345,125

37.5 Ac, on WArren rd, FrAnklinSingle wide mobile home, 25/75 wooded/open,fenced, electricity,electricity,electricity water well, Hearne ISD,

$119,500 (3,186/Ac)

10Acres,rABBiTln.&THurMAnrd,BryABryABr nyAnyAWater & Electric, 3 sides fenced, paved on 2sides, pond site 5 min to Bryan; Bryan ISD;

$129,000

962 Acres, sAlTersAlTersAl FArM rd., cAlVerTcAlVerTcAlBermuda & Native, irrigation wells, 4 ½ milesof Brazos River frontage, some minerals,

electricity, Calvert ISD; $2,070,000

65 Ac, on cr 278, kosse90/10 wooded/open, 3phase power, waterwell & community, hunting/recreational orhomesite, 100% of surface rights convey;Bremond ISD $169,000 w/out minerals or

$194,350 w/15% minerals owned

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Faulkner earns top ASABE honorSpecial to The Post

ST JOSEPH, Mich. —William “Brock” Faulkner,a research assoicate withthe Texas Agriculture Ex-periment Station in CollegeStation, has been named tothe “New Faces of AS-ABE,” classs of 2011, by theAmerican Society of Agri-cultural and Biological En-gineers.He was one of 10 people

chosen for the honor.The 10 society members,

all 30 years old or younger,have distinguished them-selves with outstanding,early-career achievementsin agricultural and biologi-cal engineering. As educa-tors, researchers, and e-merging industry leaders,they serve as inspiration totheir peers and to thefuture engineers who willfollow in their footsteps.They were nominated by

their American Society ofAgricultural and BiologicalEngineers sections andother members of the socie-ty.Faulkner’s engineering

expertise in air quality andharvestingp r o v i d e stimely re-sults for ag-r i cu l tura lproduction.He hasworked inagriculturalair quality,h a v i n gdeve lopedpreviously unavailable par-ticulate matter emissionfactors for feedyards anddairies em-ploying dustsuppression sprinklers andfor almond harvesting. Theemission factors are beingconsidered for revision bySan Joa-quin Valley AirPollution Control District,

so this work is time-criti-cal.Faulkner developed a

wind tunnel for testing par-ticulate matter samplerswith agricultural-typedusts, enabling error char-acterization in standardsamplers and leading to dis-cussions with the Environ-mental Protection Agencyabout changing agricultur-al emission factors.His air quality work has

led to 11 peer-reviewed pub-lications, multiple speak-ing invitations, member-ship on a national parkssubcommittee, and consult-ing work regarding pre-construction permits forfeedmills and fertilizerplants.Faulkner has worked in

cotton production and pro-cessing, evaluating the fea-sibility of picker harvest-ing in the Texas highplains, where im-proved

yields are reducing theadvantages of traditionalstripper harvesting. Heevaluated harvest andtime-in-motion efficiencies,calculated costs of trans-porting and ginning, andevaluated fiber propertiesof cottons harvested withboth methods. These datafacilitated design of a deci-sion-aid tool to guide pro-ducers in selecting harvestsystems based on expectedrevenue and accounting forfield performance and ef-fects on product qualityand value. Cotton Incorpo-rated has made this toolavailable to producers.Faulkner holds bache-

lor’s, master's and doctoraldegrees in biological andagricultural engineeringfrom Texas A&M Univer-sity. He has been a memberof the American Society ofAgricultural and BiologicalEngineers since 2000.

BROCKFAULKNER

Much of Texasstill behind in rainaccumulations

By ROBERT BURNSTexas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION — Since NewYear’s, some Texas counties hadreceived from 2 to 6 inches of mois-ture, but much of the state remainsbehind as far as long-term accumula-tions go, said Texas AgriLifeExtension Service personnel.From the Panhandle to South

Texas, the lack of moisture affeaffeaf ctedwinter wheat and other crops andcaused concern about the future suc-cess of spring plantings, according tocounty reports from AgriLifeExtension agents.“Producers have had a productive

week in the field this week withabove average temperatures but nomoisture in the area,” reported Rick

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Question:Question:Q “I’ve gotabQabQ out a 200-head cattleraQraQ nch near Navasota.

WhatQWhatQ

I’dQ

I’dQ

like to know iswhat’s the most importantvaccine I should give mycows?”

Answer: That depends onconditions present on yourranch. For maximum effeeffeef c-tiveness, each beef herd vac-cination program must beunique. Diseases vaccinatedagainst, vaccine types used,timing of vaccination andtiming of booster doses mustall be tailored to specific dis-ease risks and managementschemes of each ranch. I’mhappy to tell you about gen-eral principles, but youshould consult your veteri-narian on your herd vaccina-tion program because he orshe is the most knowledge-able person on how to imple-ment a successful preventivemedicine program for yourranch.Generally, the most impor-

tant reason to vaccinate cowsis to prevent reproductivetract infections such asbovine virus diarrhea —BVD — which can result inembryonic deaths and abor-tions. Cows also are vaccinat-ed against diseases that couldcause their death such as red-water (bacillary hemoglobin-uria). In addition, sometimescows are vaccinated againstdiseases that can causedeaths of young calves suchas corona virus.What do I think is the most

important vaccine youshould give your cows? Idon’t know the details ofyour operation, so it willhave to an educated guess. Iwould say it is the combina-tion viral vaccine. The vac-cine contains infectiousbovine rhinotracheitis — IBR— virus, bovine viral diar-rhea virus and parainfluen-za-3 — PI-3 — virus. Lateabortions are seen with IBRvirus infections. The TexasVeterinary MedicalDiagnostic Laboratory occa-sionally confirms IBR abor-tions in herds that do notvaccinate against the disease.Vaccination seems to suc-

cessfully prevent reproduc-tive losses due to IBR.Infection by PI-3 usuallydoesn’t cause reproductivelosses in cows. That virus ismainly involved with respi-ratory disease in calves.In my opin-

ion, the sin-gle mostimportantdisease thatmost cowsshould bevaccinatedagainst isBVD. The“diarrhea” inthe name of this disease ismisleading, because diarrheais only one of many condi-tions of the digestive, respi-ratory and reproductive sys-tems caused by BVD virus. Inaddition, BVD virus infectionimpairs the immune systemof calves making them more

susceptible to all other infec-tious agents.The most common outcome

of BVD virus infection incow/calf herds is reproduc-tive disease. Embryonicdeath, abortion, stillbirths,premature weak calves, birthdefects and increased deathsof nursing calves all can becaused by BVD. Embryonicdeath is a “silent robber” ofproduction, because it’s notreadily visible. It results inirregular estrus cycles andrepeat breeders, clues thatdairymen might observe, butusually are not noticed in thebreeding pastures of beefherds. Nursing calves thatrecover from BVD infectionshave decreased daily weightgains leading to lower wean-ing weights.This long list of disease

problems caused by BVD canresult in serious economic

losses. I was a helper in astudy headed by agriculturaleconomist Jim McGrann onthe economic impact of aBVD outbreak in a beef herd.Our estimates were that aBVD outbreak would droppounds weaned per exposedcow more than 50 pounds thefirst year. That would be wellover $50 less gross incomeper cow at today’s prices, adevastating loss. Productionand dollar losses would con-tinue to a lesser extent forone or two years after the ini-tial BVD outbreak.A decision on whether or

not to vaccinate must includean estimate of the likelihoodof a herd becoming infected.We know BVD virus expo-sure is widespread in US beefherds. Devastating losses,however, mainly occur inherds that have calves per-sistently infected with BVD

virus (PI calves).Infection of non-immune

pregnant cows in the firsttrimester of pregnancy withBVD virus can result in fetaldeath and reabsorption,mummification, abortion,birth defects, or live PIcalves. These non-immunecows are the most commonsource of PI calves. The PIcalves have a lifetime BVDinfection. Many PI calves die,some are poor-doers that liveto weaning, some becomeunthrifty adults, and a fewdevelop into healthy adultsthat even produce PI calves.All PI animals shed billionsof BVD virus particles intheir urine, manure, salivaand nasal mucous exposingtheir herdmates to massivechallenges of BVD virus 24/7.

TheLand

&Livestock

Post✪

February1,2011

9

News

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Technology, variety factors for cotton growersBy BLAIR FANNIN

Texas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION — Intoday’s world of Texas cotton,large-acreage farmers maynot be as apt to switch to con-ventional varieties as smallproducers, according to aTexas AgriLife ExtensionService specialist.Producers planting hun-

dreds of acres don’t have thetime for hassles such as weedand insect problems moreassociated with conventionalvarieties. Take the chanceand there’s potential foradded labor and input coststhat could chip away at poten-tial profits during times ofhistorically high cottonprices, said Gaylon Morgan,AgriLife Extension state cot-ton specialist.“When it comes to non-

genetically modified cotton,some producers have just got-ten so big and it would

require more time and laborfor them to go with conven-tional varieties,” Morgansaid. “They just won’t be ableto stay ahead of the weeds.”In his presentation at the

Texas Plant Protection Asso-ciation conference recently,Morgan said Texas plantedmore than 93 percent in genet-ically modified cotton in 2010.When a farmer makes vari-ety selection, they should con-sider both variety and tech-

When cotton farmers make variety selection, they should consider both variety and technology that fitstheir farming operation, experts recommend.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

• See COTTON/Page 11

Producers planting hun-dreds of acres don’thave the time for hasslessuch as weed and insectproblems more associat-ed with conventionalvarieties.

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nology that fits their farmingoperation.

“It dictates the type of man-agement system they willhave in place for the comingcrop season,” he said. “Yieldis a big incentive for a produc-er selecting a variety that’swell adapted for their area,but input cost for a growing avariety, conventional orGMO, is equally important.”

Morgan said a tool is avail-able for cotton farmers tocompare costs and income forconventional and geneticallymodified cotton athttp://agfacts.tamu.edu/~lfalcone/newweb/cropbudgets.htm . The site’s budgets weredeveloped by Larry Falconer,AgriLife Extension economistat Corpus Christi, to use incomparing yields and vari-eties.

“I recommend producersuse these budget tools todetermine if conventional orGMO varieties are for them,”he said.

The upfront costs of geneti-cally modified cotton is whatmany producers fret about,especially when you throw indrought conditions like thosein 2009, Morgan said.

“You’re looking at $50 morean acre upfront cost if you gowith Bt2 RoundupFlex varietyfor seed and technology fees,”he said. “However, the budgetestimates indicate about a $2-an-acre difference in season-long input cost between theconventional and Bt2 Round-upFlex system. Another thingthat plays into this is thelogistics. The Roundup ReadyFlex cotton system has simpli-fied weed management andhas allowed more farmers tocover more acres while main-taining excellent weed con-trol. So, they may not want togo back to conventional cot-ton systems.”

Another consideration isproduct protection plans pro-vided for genetically modifiedcotton varieties, Morgan said.Although difficult to quantifyin a budget, most major seedcompanies provide a productprotection plan for geneticallymodified cotton varieties.

“These product protectionplans can offset seed and tech-nology fees if replanting isrequired or if a hail stormdestroys your crop mid-sea-

son,” Morgan said.“Producers, however,

should visit with individualseed companies for the specif-ic details on these productprotection plans.”

There remains a stronginterest in conventional cot-ton varieties from some pro-ducers, and several new con-ventional varieties are avail-able from university breedingprograms in Texas, Arkansasand Louisiana.

“Several of conventionalvarieties are marketedthrough AllTex and one fromUniversity of Arkansas, butstill Texas will probably stayat about 6 percent of theacreage in conventional vari-eties,” Morgan said.

Producers can find yieldand quality data on theStacked-Trait and conven-tional cotton varieties at vari-etytesting.tamu.edu/cotton/index.htm.

For more on variety selec-tion and other cotton produc-tion information, visit vari-etytesting.tamu.edu/cotton/index.htm.

TheLand

&Livestock

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February1,2011

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News

FSA committee reappointedCottonFrom 10 Special to The Post

The five-member commit-tee overseeing programs andoperations of the FarmService Agency in Texas hasbeen reappointed. Juan M.Garcia, executive director ofUSDA’s agency, a division ofthe U.S. Department of Agri-culture, announced the reap-pointments.

The State Committee isresponsible for the oversightof farm programs, countycommittee operations, ap-peals, federal farm policydeterminations and providesFarm Service Agency pro-gram information to the gen-eral public and other Agencystakeholders.

“I am grateful that our statecommittee members were re-appointed and can continuetheir involvement with TexasFarm Service Agency,” Gar-cia said. “Their contributionto the Agency has had a posi-

tive impact on our programs,producers and employees,and I am certain that we willhave another successful yearof delivering federal farm pro-grams,” he said.

The individuals reappoint-ed to serve on this committeeare:

• Chairman Jerry Don Glov-er of Muleshoe has more than46 years of experience in agri-culture policy. Glover is athird generation farmer cur-rently farming in ParmerCounty.

• Debra Barrett of Edroy isa fourth generation cottonfarmer, and has been farmingcotton and grain sorghumsince 1981. Barrett served as amember of the San PatricioCounty Farm Service AgencyCommittee six years prior toher appointment in January2009.

• Armando Mandujano ofCoyanosa owns MandujanoBrothers, a partnership with

his three brothers. The farm-ing operation consists of 4,000acres producing watermel-ons, cotton, onions, pumpkinsand peppers in Pecos andReeves County. Mandujanohas served as an advisor tothe Pecos County FarmService Agency Committee.

• Wesley Ratcliff of Oak-wood has been involved inagriculture for most of hislife, and has owned and oper-ated his current ranch formore than 10 years.

• Glen A. Rodof El Campoowns and operates Rod GrassFarm LLC and Jones CreekFarm JV growing rice, rowcrops, and turf grass.

“In Texas, the State Com-mittee has a tremendous re-sponsibility to be accountablefor the use of taxpayer dollarsas our agency allocated morethan $1.6 billion in federalfarm program benefits to pro-ducers statewide in fiscalyear 2010,” Garcia said.

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There’s news in the namesTimes are hard. Folks

are doing all they canto make a living and

pay the light bill. Often, thatincludes owning several busi-nesses in an attempt to cor-ner a share of the commer-cial dollars available in anygiven location.Unusual names for busi-

ness are not, well, unusual.Quippy,clever andcute namescan be foundeverywhere,painted onsignage orflashing inlights declar-ing a multi-tude of typesof commerce.The Girdle

Garage, Get Plastered, GetCrabs Here and A Pane InThe Glass are examples ofcrafty titles of business offer-ing only a suggestion of thegoods and services within.One of my favorites is

“Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes.” Nowhow could you pass that oneup?The ones that always catch

my eye, however, are thefolks who are uniting a num-ber of skills under one roofand naming them all in thebusiness name. Every statehas these but I always get akick out of noting the fre-quency of them when I drivedown any Texas highway.I’m told by a native Texan

that one of the state’s mottosis “Bluer skies, brighterstars, colder beer, and wilderbars.” A Denton, Texas estab-lishment quite possiblyproves at least one of thosepoints.“Mable Peabody’s Beauty

Parlor & Chainsaw RepairNight Club” is a Denton land-mark. It is the oldest night-club in Denton, opened in1976 by Margaret Hunnicutt.Morphing through a numberof name changes, the nowinfamous name was selectedas the result of several glass-es of wine and great friends.The atmosphere in Mable’s

is friendly and often likenedto Sam Malone’s “Cheers” oftelevision fame.

A food and beer store inDublin is named “ChiggerRanch.” It’s a landmark andlocals give you directionsfrom there. “You go east fromChigger Ranch about twoblocks and take a left ... .”Down the road a piece is a

new “Western Store andSaloon.” Just beforeChristmas it hosted its fourthconsecutive grand openingsince the first three went sowell. This combination ofbusinesses came about whena man bought the old saloonbuilding to open a Westernapparel store, but had not yethad the time to take down theold saloon sign. Around townit is now referred to as the“Comanche Saloon and HatStore.”In Stephenville, you will

find the “Everlasting LifeChurch and LivestockAuction.” Services are onWednesdays and Sundays,with a goat sale on Fridaysand cattle sale on Saturdays.In Dublin there is a busi-

ness called “House Levelingand Livestock Commission.”That fits right in with a fewothers in the general area ofCentral Texas: “Hanson’s EggFarm and Horse Training,,”“Ellie’s Home-style Café andWelding Repair” and “Joe’sLiquor Sales, Auto Repairand Daycare.”Outside Stephenville, there

is an old beer joint that hasbeen closed for quite a while.However, the outside hasbeen repainted and adornedwith the silhouettes of shape-ly girls similar to those seenon the mud flaps of trucks,standing up but clearly nude.The name painted on this

establishment is “Spring

Break” and on the front ofthe building is another signthat says, “InterviewingDancers.” The place isnowhere near ready to openand there are never vehiclesor other signs of civilizationaround it.The locals are questioning

where exotic dancers couldbe found among the “corn-fed” locals or the LakeDwellers, the name given to asect of folks who thrive, hill-billy-style, near the banks ofthe regional lakes.It is suspect if the business

ever has any intention ofopening and perhaps some-one is just having fun inter-viewing dancers.

• E-mail Julie Carter atjcarter@tularosa.net.

JULIE CARTER

COWGIRL SASS

AND SAVVY

Unusual names forbusiness are not, well,unusual. Quippy, cleverand cute names can befound everywhere,painted on signage orflashing in lights declar-ing a multitude of typesof commerce.

How common are PI calves?A study showed 19 percent of52 beef herds experiencingreproductive losses and 3 per-cent of 76 beef herds selectedat random contained calvespersistently infected withBVD virus. Roughly, one outof five herds with reproduc-tive problems and 1 out of 30herds selected at random con-tain BVD PI calves. Severedisease losses happen when aPI calf enters a beef herd thatis not immune to BVD virus.Financial losses due to BVD

virus can be very high andrisk of a herd becomingexposed to calves persistentlyinfected with BVD virus ismoderate. That makes it pru-dent to protect your herdagainst BVD virus. Studieshave convincingly shown thatvaccination alone will notalways prevent losses due toBVD virus in cattle herds. I’lldiscuss a BVD virus controlprogram in next month’sLand and Livestock Post.

• Dr. Steve Wikse is a retiredprofessor of large-animal clinicalsciences in the College ofVeterinary Medicine at TexasA&M University.

WikseFrom 9

SpecialSectionsCalendar

• Convention Issue March 1st& 15th

• Spring Forage April 1st

• Equine EditionEditionEdit June 15th

• ConveConveCon ntionntionnt Issue JulyJulyJu 15th

• ConveConveCon ntionntionnt Issue August 1st

• Fall Forge September 1st

•Wildlifelifelif EditionEditionEdit September 15th

• Bull Issue October 1st

•Holiday Issue Dec. 15th

• Annual Ag Directory

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Jesse WrightWrightWr979.731.4721jesse.jesse.wrighghwrighwri t@t@theeageeagleeeagleeeag .comle.comle

TheLand

&Livestock

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February1,2011

13

News

Special to The Post

COLLEGE STATION —What tax credits or rebatesare there for buying alterna-tive energy materials or sys-tems for my home? Whichtype of programmable ther-mostat is best? How is using atankless water heater lessexpensive than a regularwater heater?The answers to these ques-

tions, plus an abundance ofadditional information onhome energy use, is availableon the new Home Energyresource addition to theeXtension website ateXtension.org, said an expertwith the Texas AgriLifeExtension Service.“The new resource con-

tains useful information fromTexas AgriLife ExtensionService experts, as well asexperts from other land-grantuniversities throughout theU.S.,” said Janie Harris,AgriLife Extension housingand home environment spe-cialist in College Station.Harris said the new

resource contains informa-tion on best home energy-use

practices, money-saving tips,articles and answers to fre-quently asked questions.“There’s also an Ask the

Expert feature where you cane-mail a specific question andreceive an answer from one ofthe subject matter expertssupporting the home-energyresource area,” she added.Harris said the information

can be accessed by clickingon the eXtension site’sResource Area tab and select-ing Home Energy.She said the resource was

developed as a “community ofinterest” among professionaleducators who joined togeth-er in a “multi-institutional,multi-state, multi-discipli-nary effort” to bring objec-tive, relevant and timelyhome energy-saving guidanceto the public.Harris said family and con-

sumer science experts fromAgriLife Extension, an educa-tional agency of the TexasA&M University System,were among those from thecountry’s land-grant univer-sities providing input for thenew resource.

Agrilife Extension introduces newwebsite for homeowner questions

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Ag survey plannedBy BLAIR FANNIN

Texas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION — Asurvey collecting ratescharged for custom agricul-tural operations will be dis-tributed in January to selectfarmers, ranchers and land-owners across the state, said aTexas AgriLife ExtensionService economist.

“Each year, AgriLifeExtension receives manyrequests for prevailing ratesfor certain kinds of work andcustom farm-machine opera-tions,” said Steven Klose,AgriLife Extension economistin College Station. “This sur-vey helps us establish a base-line of rates statewide and fur-ther assist with questionsinquiring about specific cus-tom-hire activities.”

The survey takes approxi-mately 15 minutes to completeand will be distributed by U.S.mail only, Klose said.

The survey will collect dataon the following categories:tractor rental, tillage opera-tions, planting operations,application of fertilizer andlime, chemicals-cotton har-

vesting, peanut harvesting,hauling and drying, combin-ing and hauling grains, hay-ing and silage operations,land preparation, brush con-trol, other farm and ranchoperations, miscellaneouslivestock operations and con-sulting services.

“The final data will be com-piled in a survey publicationlater this spring,” Klose said.“Only regional and state aver-ages will be published.”

The completed publicationwill be available online at age-coext.tamu.edu. Those who donot receive a survey andwould like to participate canphone 877-826-7475 or contactKlose at 979-458-1807 orsklose@tamu.edu.

Farrmer Chris Jessen holds his new “panda cow” named Ben, hoursafter the rare miniature cow was born in Campion, Colo., on Dec.31. The miniature panda cow is the result of genetic manipulation.A white belt encircles the animal's midsection, and the cow has awhite face with black ovals around the eyes, giving it a panda-likeappearance. The mini-cattle are bred solely as pets. Jessen sayspanda calves can sell for $30,000.

AP photo/Loveland DailyDaily Reporter-Herald, Tom Hacker

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By DONALD STOTTSOklahoma State University

STILLWATER, Okla. —Expected birth date is an age-old question, for horse breed-ers tending four-legged moth-ers-to-be as much as anyproud parent.Most mares are bred natu-

rally by scheduled breedingwith the stallion or throughartificial insemination.Dave Freeman, Oklahoma

State University CooperativeExtension equine specialist,said knowing the last breed-ing date and approximatingthe expected gestation lengthshould get a horse manager inthe ballpark of the expectedfoaling date.“The normal gestation

length of broodmares aver-ages 338 to 345 days,” he said.“Simply moving ahead elevenmonths from the last breed-ing should get you on theearly side of expected foalingdate.”One point of caution, how-

ever: gestation length will bevariable between mares andeven the same mare fromyear to year. Still, knowledge-able horse breeders can takeadvantage of several confor-mational and behavioralchanges in the mare that sug-gest the foaling day isapproaching.“Changes in the mineral

concentration of the milkimmediately prior to foalingcan be monitored with com-mercially available kits thatwork on the same principlesas water hardness checkstrips available through com-mercial outlets such asplumbing supply and homeimprovement stores,” Free-man said.Other changes in mares

suggesting that foaling isapproaching include:

• A mare’s udder fills twoweeks to four weeks prior tofoaling, although maidenmares may not exhibit.Additionally, mares mayhave filling and regressionperiodically through the lasttrimester.

•Horse breeders may noticea change in tailhead confor-mation one week to 1 monthprior to foaling. The horse’smusculature relaxes, leadingthe abdominal area to dropdown.

• The mare’s teats fill withmilk two days to one weekprior to foaling, althoughresponses will vary from spe-cific animal to animal.

• Milk may drip from amare’s teats one day to oneweek prior to foaling, againwith variable responses fromone animal to another.

• Secretions form wax-likebeads on end of teats one dayto fours days prior to foaling.

• Changes in milk mineralcontent can be viewed aboutone day prior to foaling as thecalcium concentrationincreases.

• External genitalia relaxesa half day to one day prior tofoaling. Musculature underthe tailhead relaxes, becom-ing soft and loose.“It’s important to remem-

ber that not all signs are seenin all mares and signs will dif-dif-differ in intensity and occur-rence from maiden pregnan-cy to those following previousbirths,” Freeman said.

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February1,2011

15

News

Ways to determine mare’s expected delivery date

Knowledgeable horse breeders can take advantage of several con-con-formational and behavioral changes in the mare that suggest thefoaling day is approaching.

Photo courtesy ofof HorseTopia.comopia.comHorseTopia.comHorseT

“Simply moving aheadeleven months from thelast breeding should getyou on the early side ofexpected foaling date.”e.”e.

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Not your Dad’sag education anymore

By HOLLI L. ESTRIDGESpecial to The Post

Gone are the days whenschool agricultureprograms catered to

the rural student whodreamed of doing a turn onthe family farm.

Today’s agriculture educa-tion classes aim to train thenext generation ofresearchers, veterinarians,environmental scientists,forensic specialists, agmechanics, floral designers,horticulturists and more.“The needs have changed,”

said Adren Pilger, director ofCareer and TechnicalEducation for Bryan schools.“When I was in high

school, every kid raised ananimal, participated in aninternship and completed agscience projects. Now ourprogram encompasses muchmore.”Jack Elliot, head of the

department of agriculturalleadership, education andcommunications at TexasA&M University, said educa-tion is evolving toward agscience, a reflection of indus-try demand.“Agriculture is misunder-

stood,” said Elliot.“There’s a growing need

for new scientists at thehighest levels. The industryembraces all the sciences,”Elliott said.Ag education programs —

from the early gradesthrough high school — facethe challenge of continuallyadapting to these changesand demands.

In great demandAccording to a recent

report by the U.S.Department of Agriculture,the agricultural, food andrenewable resources sectorsof the U.S. economy will gen-erate an estimated 54,400openings for professionals

with baccalaureate or higherdegrees in related specialtiesannually through 2015.Most of those jobs will be

in business and science occu-pations, with 15 percent inagriculture and forestry pro-duction and 11 percent ineducation, communicationand government services,according to the report.Elliot said demand, espe-

cially for educators, is ashigh as it has ever been.“Most states have higher

need than supply,” saidElliot. “There are plenty ofopportunities, especially if astudent is not geographicallybound. That’s wonderful intoday’s environment.’According to the USDA

report, more than enoughgraduates with ag-relatedspecialties will be availableduring the next couple yearsin some occupations. But theagency predicts a shortfall ofnew graduates with expert-

Lear

ning curve

• See LEARN/PageLEARN/PageLEARN 17Blake Washburn cuts the neck for a 16-foot gooseneck stock trailer being custom built for a customer.customer.customerThe trailer which was shown at the 2010 San Antonio Livestock Show.Show.Show Experts see a growing demandfor people educated in all aspects of agriculture, leading to a renewed interest in school ag programs.

Photo courtesy ofof CollegeCollege StationStation schools

Andrew Morrisris rebuildsbuilds a trans-mission of a Farmall B tractorfor the tractor restoration con-test at the San AntonioLivestock Show.Show.Show

Photo courtesy of College Stationschools

ON THE COVER

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News

ise in what it calls prioritybusiness and science special-ties.

The agency anticipatesdouble digit growth in virtu-ally all ag-related specialties.Among the fastest-growingneeds are biochemists andbiophysicists, environmentalengineers, veterinarians, andenvironmental scientists.

)In many cases, “ag aware-

ness” with students begins asearly as elementary school.

Laura Huebinger, Extens-ion program specialist for 4-H and Youth Development,works in a supporting role

Caitlin Bullard of Bryan High School sorts bedding plants to deter-mine which ones are ready to transplant into larger pots so they willbe ready in time to market for spring planting.

Photo courtesy ofof Bryan schools

From left, Chantelle Eargood, Austin Gardner,dner,dnerAndrew Chambers, Austin Livingston, CalliMcIntyre, Brianna Hubbard, Colton Hanson, Cole

Sustaire, Bobby Hennigan, Jordan Harris, BlakeWashburn, Matthew Telg posing with prizes wonat the Austin County Tractor Contest.

Photo courtesy ofof CollegeCollege StationStation schools

LearnFrom 16

• See EDUCATE/PageTE/PageTE 18

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for various education pro-grams offered by extensionoffices around the state.“The way we reach most of

our kids are at that elemen-tary grade level,” she said.“We are constantly lookingfor ways to expand that.”The Extension Service

teaches a curriculum devisedby the Farm Bureau tyingagriculture-related lessonsback to science and math.“Children often don’t real-

ize that some of the othersubjects they are learning inschool play an important rolein agriculture, as well,”Huebinger said.In Brazos County, the

Extension Service hosts live-stock shows and Pizza Ranch— an interactive programdesigned to teach elementarystudents about the origins of

food.Huebinger said the agency

does not track the number ofstudents who go on to partici-pate in other ag programs orwho choose an ag-relatedcareer because there aremany groups offeoffeof ring agri-cultural education, but shesaid participation remainshigh.

A broad fieldOnce students enter high

school, opportunities to spe-cialize in a variety of fieldsabound, said JohnTempleton, an ag mechanicsteacher at A&M ConsolidatedHigh School in CollegeStation.Consolidated offers ag-

related career-tech coursesranging from welding to flo-ral design.The new challenge, said

Templeton, is a recent deci-sion by the Texas Education

EducateFrom 17

From left, Justin Jaynes, Tyler McFarland, AustinHowell and Michael Bilke build a 16-foot goose-

neck livestock trailer for a customer which wasshown at the 2010 San Antonio Livestock show.show.show

PhotoPhoto courtesy ofof CollegeCollege StationStation schoolsschools

• See AG/PageAG/PageAG 19

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Agency, to change manycourses from a semesterduration to a full year.

“The advantage is that wehave the same students allyear long,” said Templeton.“But, it also keeps some stu-dents from being able to pur-sue a course they would like,while still trying to meet thecore requirements for gradu-ation.”

In Bryan schools, ag educa-tion is three pronged: Theprogram includes a class-room proponent, hands-on ac-tivities and supervised agri-cultural experiences in whichstudents participate in itern-ships in the community.

Students also may partici-pate in Future Farmers ofAmerica, competing in con-tests and stock shows.

One challenge ag programs

face, Pilger said, is the mis-conception that studentsinvolved in ag education donot go to college.

“We give as many scholar-ships as anybody,” he said.“And the kids that do go on tocollege from this program areusually more successful thanchildren who are notinvolved in the program. Alot of that has to do with thefact that they have workedtheir way through college inco-ops and other activities.”

Pilger and Templeton saidprograms continue to seesteady enrollment numbersfrom year to year.

• Holli L. Estridge is a free-free-frlance writer in Bryan-CollegeBryan-CollegeBr

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&Livestock

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Cole Sustaire disassemblles an engine from an Allis Chalmers Btractor for the tractor restoration contest at the 2010 San AntonioLivestock Show.Show.Show

Photo courtesy ofof CollegeCollege StationStation schools

AgFrom 18

Students also maymayma par-ticipate in Future Farm-ers of America, compet-ing in contests and stockshows.

Sweet potatogrowers decline

GRAND SALINE, Texas(AP) — Many East Texas farm-ers are giving up on sweetpotatoes, saying it’s becomehard to find properties thatare big enough and they mustfend offoffof wild hogs and weevilsthat can devastate their crop.

Texas used to be one ofnation’s top growers of sweetpotatoes. The Texas Depart-ment of Agriculture says itranked No. 3 in 1970 with13,500 acres.

This year, it was No. 8 withonly 1,300 acres.

Tony Phillips of GrandSaline told the HoustonChronicle there were 70 or 80growers when he joined hisfather’s and uncle’s sweetpotato business in 1978. Now,he thinks there’s about 15.

And, Phillips isn’t earning aliving growing sweet potatoes.He farms during the day andworks at night at the MortonSalt Mine.

Forestry pestclinic scheduled

Special to The Post

LUFKIN — A Feb. 4 forestrypest management clinic willoffer basic information thatprofessional foresters can putto practical use, according toTexas AgriLife ExtensionService personnel.

The clinic will be at theAngelina AgriLife Extensionoffice on 2201 S. Medford Drivein Lufkin. Registration beginsat 8 a.m.

Registration for the pro-gram is $40 per person and canbe paid at the door, but partic-ipants must RSVP no laterthan Feb. 1 by calling 936-634-6414, extension 100, and leav-ing their name and contactinformation. A catered lunch,break refreshments and edu-cational materials are includ-ed in the registration fee.

The clinic will allow partici-pants to earn five continuingeducation units toward renew-al of their Texas Departmentof Agriculture pest applica-tor’s license, five ContinuingForestry Education creditstoward the Society ofAmerican Foresters accredita-tion, and five Texas Pro-Logger hours.

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BuffaloResults of Buffalo Livestock

Commission’s Jan. 8 sale:Head: 2,515Steers: 150-200 lbs., $125-

$190; 200-300 lbs., $125-$185;300-400 lbs., $145-$170; 400-500 lbs., $122-$150; 500-600lbs., $110-$135; 600-700 lbs.,$110-$123; 700-800 lbs., $110-$117.

Heifers: 150-200 lbs., $120-$185; 200-300 lbs., $115-$165;300-400 lbs., $112-$135; 400-500 lbs., $109-$127; 500-600lbs., $106-$120; 600-700 lbs.,$102-$114; 700-800 lbs., $97-$109.

Slaughter cows: $46-$71.50.Slaughter bulls: $65-$79.50.Bred cows: $580-$1,110.Cow/calf pairs: $710-$1,250.

CaldwellResults of Caldwell Livestock

Commission’s Jan. 12 sale:Steers: 200-300 lbs., $165-

$182; 300-400 lbs., $133-$155;400-500 lbs., $122-$137; 500-600 lbs., $121-$129; 600-700lbs., $100-$116.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $125-$137; 300-400 lbs., $121-$127;400-500 lbs., $112-$125; 500-600 lbs., $107-$116.

Slaughter cows: $30-$70.Slaughter bulls: $62-$77.Stocker cows: $500-$710.Cow/calf pairs: $600-$900.

GroesbeckResults of Groesbeck Auction

& Livestock Co.’s Jan. 13 sale:Head: 641Steers: 300-400 lbs., $165-

$182; 400-500 lbs., $133-$155;500-600 lbs., $122-$137; 600-700 lbs., $115-$125; 700-800lbs., $97-$116.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $125-

$137; 400-500 lbs., $121-$127;500-600 lbs., $112-$125; 600-700 lbs., $107-$116.

Slaughter cows: $44-$74.50.Slaughter bulls: $69-$79.Bred stocker cows: $700-

$1,150.Cow/calf pairs: $800-$1,250.

MilanoResults of Milano Livestock

Exchange’s Jan. 11 sale:Head: 400Steers: 200-300 lbs., $160-

$173; 300-400 lbs., $132-$170;400-500 lbs., $116-$139; 500-600 lbs., $108-$134; 600-700lbs., $106-$116; 700-800 lbs.,$104-$113.Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $113-

$136; 400-500 lbs., $109-$132;500-600 lbs., $105-$121; 600-700 lbs., $102-$113; 700-800lbs., $101-$103.

Slaughter cows: $45.50-$71.50.

Slaughter bulls: $68-$83.Stocker cows: $760-$800.

NavasotaResults of Navasota Livestock

Auction Co.’s Jan. 8 sale:Head: 1,841Steers: 150-300 lbs., $110-

$195; 300-400 lbs., $110-$180;400-500 lbs., $105-$157.50;500-600 lbs., $95-$137.50;600-700 lbs., $92-$119.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $100-$180; 300-400 lbs., $100-$140;400-500 lbs., $95-$137.50;500-600 lbs., $90-$127; 600-700 lbs., $88-$115.

Slaughter cows: $38-$70.Slaughter bulls: $60-$80.Stocker cows: $550-$1,075.

— Special to The Eagle

An interviewer askedme how one can makea living in the cow

business. Actually he said,“As we’re heading into thenext couple years withdeclining cattle numbers andsteady prices, how do youthink you should positionyourself totake advan-tage of themarket?”I assume

he’d mistak-en me as anauthority inthe cattlebusiness.Maybe he thought I was aWall Street speculator whoheard rumors of another runon ethanol. Or maybe he mis-took me for a dairyman, whoworks harder than anEgyptian hod carrier andlives between dairy buyoutsand the price of cheese inLaos.Or I might have looked to

him like a jaded packing-house buyer who spends hisday drawing blood from rene-gade cattle feeders and learn-ing to speak Portuguese! Oran economist who practiceseconomic monetary catabilitywhich allows him to springback from the embarrass-ment and disrepute of mak-ing wrong market predictionsover and over, like a raggedPhoenix with his tail feathersscorched.Or maybe a cattle feeding

addict who can’t quit riskingeverything he has, on thebelief that he can outsmartthe rancher on his left andthe packer on his right. He’slike the fellow who keepsrewinding the video movieThe Alamo and replaying itthinking, “Surely, DavyCrockett’s bound to win soon-er or later!”Or he might have thought I

was a stocker-grower whohaunts the sale barns gam-bling on each bid that the calfin the ring just looks roughbecause there was mud in thealley, and the rat-tail and pot-belly are genetic defects.

You’ve got to admire some-one who brags he only has a10 percent death loss!Or the lonely cow-calf oper-

ator who is the only part ofthe industry wherein“lifestyle” is counted on thefinancial statement underasset, and his banker’s cellphone number is listed under“One More Year!”You would think that I

might have come up withsome constructive answer tothe interviewer, being as howI have been a keen observerand participant in this greatthing we call, “The CattleBidness.”Last month I bought two

solid-mouth, bred cows bothmarked third trimester preg-nant. The first one weighted1,390 pounds. My reasoningwas even if I only kept her forone calf, I could sell ’em bothback in the fall and makemoney! Oughta work!The second cow weighed

930; I paid $785. Got’er home.She’s got popcorn teeth, is 4months along and has a badtemperament! Turns out Ibought the one that came inafter the one I thought I bidon! Gonna be hard to makeher pay.So, when he asked “… How

should we position ourselves… .” I aligned myself with thePGA, the NBA and the NRA:“Shoot for the center!” I

said.

• Baxter Black is a formerlarge animal veterinarian whoappears regularly on NationalPublic Radio. His website iswww.baxterblack.com.

20

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Searching for wisdomon the cattle business

BAXTER BLACK

LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORTS

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For the latest livestock news.

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Auckerman, AgriLifeExtension agent for DeafSmith County, west ofAmarillo. “Winter wheat con-tinues to deteriorate with thelack of moisture and extremedrying conditions in ourarea.”

“Soil moisture is veryshort with no measurablerainfall since late October,”said Jay Kingston, AgriLifeExtension agent for KentCounty, east of Lubbock.“Wheat is in poor to verypoor condition along withnative pastures.”

“Pecos County has gone120 days without any measur-able precipitation,” saidNorman Fryar, AgriLifeExtension agent for PecosCounty, southwest of Odessa.“Continued winds anddiverse temperature rangesare impacting the overallagricultural industry of thecounty.”

“Conditions remain dry inFoard County. Producers aredebating on whether to top-dress wheat,” said SethManney, AgriLife Extensionagent for Foard County, westof Wichita Falls. “Manywould like to contract wheat,but are reluctant with thisweather pattern.”

“It has been very cold thisweek, we still have notreceived any rain,” reportedGreg Gruben, AgriLifeExtension agent for ScurryCounty, west of Abilene.

“Rangeland and wheat werereally struggling due to thelack of rainfall. We certainlydo not have any undergroundmoisture to start next sea-son’s crop.”

“We had from 0.5-1.5 inch-es of snow Sunday andMonday with some scatteredrainfall late Monday,” saidRick Hirsch, AgriLifeExtension agent forHenderson County, west ofTyler. “Hay supplies are rap-idly depleting with increas-ing cold weather. Soil-mois-ture conditions were helpedby snow and rain but it wasnot enough to sustain produc-tion.”

“We went from a 100-per-cent topsoil moisture short-age to a 100-percent adequatetopsoil moisture,” said LarryPerez, AgriLife Extensionagent for Jim Hogg County,east of Laredo. “A 1- to 2- inchrainfall event will do that inthis area. Very cool tempswith significant moisture andlots of clouds means no evap-oration and moisture reten-tion; lots of smiling faces inthe county.”

AgriLife Extension districtreporters compiled the fol-lowing summaries:

Central — Most of the regionreceived rain in the past week.Livestock producers were provid-ing cattle with hay and feed.Wheat producers were applyingfertilizer on those wheat fieldsthat developed good stands.Corn producers were also apply-ing fertilizer to fields they planto plant in the spring. The cold,

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• See CROPS/Page 25

News

Selling 220 Coming 2-Year-Old Bulls. Saturday February 26th. l0am• 120 Brangus Bulls from RRR and SVF • 65 Angus Bulls from Fluharty Farms •

• 35 Charolais Bulls from Fluharty Farms •Selling 100 Registered Females. Friday February 25th. 4pm

• 100 Registered Performance Angus Females from Fluharty Farms •

RRR Ranch • Salacoa Valley Farms • Fluharty Farms

Bill Pendergrassbill@fluhartyfarms.net979-203-6800www.fluhartyfarms.net

David & Susan Vaughan, OwnerChris Heptinstall, General ManagerPO Box 185 | Fairmount, GA 30139706-337-2295www.svfbulls.com Mark Cowan | markc@amscattle.com | 903-495-4522

Trey Kirkpatrick | treyk@amscattle.com | 979-324-5518Richard Hood | richardh@amscattle.com | 979-224-6150www.amscattle.com

Josh Reynolds, Presidentjreynolds@rrrranch.netNathan Hunnicutt:

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To request a catalog please call American Marketing Services at 979-828-5532 or 903-495-4522 oremail info@amscattle.com

Sale to be held at the Camp Cooley Ranch Sale Facility■ ■ ■ ■ ■

By ROBERT RODRIGUEZThe Fresno Bee

FRESNO, Calif. — StuartHall doesn’t mind the triple-digit temperatures, the fliesor the occasional tempera-mental cow.“This is a physical job,”

said Hall, a Visalia, Calif.-based farm veterinarian.“But this is what I love to do.”Agricultural leaders wish

there were more like him.The vast majomajoma rity of veteri-

narians choose to take care ofdogs and cats, not cows, pigsand chickens.The trend has raised con-

cerns among animal-healthexperts who worry that therewon’t be enough farm veteri-narians to fill the expectedvacancies at key federal agen-cies responsible for protect-ing the nation’s food supply.Nearly 30 percent of the vet-

erinarians at the federallevel, including at the FoodSafety and Inspection Agen-cy, are eligible to retire in thenext three years.Rural communities also are

feeling the squeeze.The American Veterinary

Medical Association esti-mates that more than 1,300counties in the U.S. don’thave a farm veterinarian.“The demand and need for

services is critical,” said GinaLuke, assistant director in the

government relations divi-sion of the American Veterin-ary Medical Association inWashington, D.C.“We are talking about mak-

ing sure we have enough peo-ple to treat animals, and makesure that our food supply issafe.”For years, interest in be-

coming a large-animal veteri-narian has gradually beenwaning.Veterinary schools are see-

ing fewer students with farmbackgrounds. At the sametime, the pet industry hasexploded. An estimated $3.4billion was spent on pet serv-ices last year, including tripsto the vet.The lure of having a staff

and working in an air-condi-tioned office has become astrong attraction for students,as does the prospect of anincome that will help pay fortheir education — a cost thatcan be more than $100,000.The average salary for

small-animal vets is $64,744,compared to $57,745 for large-animal vets, according to a2008 survey by the AmericanVeterinary Medical Associa-tion.“As vets, the small-animal

practice looks pretty attrac-tive from a quality-of-life

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Fewer veterinarians enter large-animal practice

Dr. HDr. HDr eather Case examines the teeth of a horse in Barrington Hills, Ill. The number of veterinary stu-dents entering large-animal practice has been declining.

Photo courtesy AmericanAmerican Veterinarterinary MedicalMedical AssociationAssociation

Harsh conditions, lowerincome cited in decline

• See VETS/PageVETS/PageVETS 25

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Farm Bureau: Helpwith loss of workers

By RAY HENRYAssociated Press

ATLANTA — States thatcrack down on illegal immi-grants should also help farm-ers who need seasonal labor,the nation’s largest farm lob-bying group said early lastmonth.

And if Congress doesn’toverhaul immigration, farm-ers will assist the federal gov-ernment in helping states cre-ate programs that give grow-ers access to enough legallabor, under a policy ap-proved at the annual conven-tion of the American FarmBureau Federation.

The policy retains the FarmBureau’s long-held view thatimmigration policy should beset by the federal government.

“So far, all of these stateprograms have been on en-forcement only,” said DavidWinkles, president of theSouth Carolina Farm Bureau,whose members proposed thepolicy. “They don’t addressthe fact that we don’t have anadequate labor supply in agri-culture.”

In recent years, some stategovernments have passedlaws attempting to crackdown on illegal immigrants. Anew wave of legislation isexpected this year as politi-cians consider measures simi-lar to a law passed in Arizona.Among other steps, the Ari-zona statute requires thatpolice question the immigra-tion status of people they havereason to suspect are in thecountry illegally.

President Barack Obama’sadministration has chal-lenged that law in court, and ajudge temporarily blocked theenforcement of several of itsprovisions.

Farmers rely on seasonallaborers, including many ille-gal immigrants, to harvestlabor-intensive crops such asstrawberries, onions, peachesand tobacco. The agriculturelobbying group says Ameri-cans refuse to take the diffi-cult, low-paying jobs.

The federal government hasa guest-worker program foragriculture workers, butfarmers say it’s expensive touse and inflexible.

The debate over immigra-

tion policy reflected the dele-gates’ regional concerns.They also voiced support for asecure border. Texas repre-sentatives modified the immi-gration proposal so it support-ed the right of state govern-ments to help enforce immi-gration law and border securi-ty.

Raymond Meyer, a statedirector who representsranchers and farmers south ofSan Antonio, said drug run-ners in his border region willdrive heavy duty trucksthrough rural land when theyare forced off highways. Thatputs ranchers and farmwork-ers at risk, he said.

Meyer said he prefers thatCongress set immigration andborder policy, but added thathis farmers have immediatesecurity needs.

“We have, naturally, Bor-der Patrol, but it’s more thanthey can handle,” he said.

Paul Schlegel, a Farm Bu-reau lobbyist who monitorsimmigration issues, said hewas not sure the latest propos-al would translate into newlegislation. His organizationhas argued for an overhaul ofimmigration law.

“It helps to keep up thepolitical pressure on federallegislators to do what every-body wants them to do, whichis to get a solution to thisproblem,” he said.

In other moves, the FarmBureau delegates:

• Said keeping direct pay-ments, crop insurance and theAverage Crop Revene Elec-tion program will be priori-ties in the next Farm Bill,which sets federal funding foragriculture.

• Backed a temporary sup-ply management program forthe dairy industry.

• Urged Congress to conductoversight of the Environmen-tal Protection Agency, whichthey accused of burdeningfarmers and ranchers. TheFarm Bureau opposes theagency’s moves to regulategreenhouse gases.

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point of view,” said Hall, whoworks for Lone Oak Veteri-nary Clinic in Visalia.From 1998 to 2009, the num-

ber of companion-animal vetshas climbed to 47,118 from30,255, while the number offarm-animal vets has droppedto 5,040 from 5,553, accordingto the American VeterinaryMedical Association. Compli-cating the issue is the grayingpopulation of farm-animalvets. Half are older than 50.Only 4.4 percent are youngerthan 30.“There are folks who are

looking to retire or sell theirpractice and they are findingit challenging to hire some-one to take their place,” saidDavid Kirkpatrick, spokes-man for the American Vet-eri-nary Medical Association.Young veterinarians are

more likely to take a job in acity and not in the rural areaswhere they often drive longdistances to see their clients.Many of those rural areas areunderserved, say veterinaryindustry officials. About 500counties in the nation withlarge-animal populationshave no veterinarian.In California, at least six

rural counties, mostly in thenorthern half of the state,have just one large-animalveterinarian.Jennifer Mather practices

in rural Placer County, inCalifornia’s San Joaquin Val-ley. She took over an area thatwas served by three veteri-

narians who recently retired.“I would love to share this

area with other vets,” saidMather, who has been prac-ticing for a year. “There is areal need up here. I get callsfrom people who are at leastan hour away and more, ask-ing me if I can come see theircattle.”Mather even got a call from

a beef cattle owner who wasthree hours south of her. Shecouldn’t make the drive butshe gave the rancher someadvice over the phone.“Sometimes that is all I cando,” she said.Industry officials, congres-

sional leaders and veterinaryschools are responding to theneed for more animal doctorswith legislative remedies andoutreach programs.At the University of Califor-

nia-Davis School of Veterin-ary Medicine, vet school ap-plicants interested in becom-ing farm-animal vets have anadmissions edge. And theschool has reached out tohigh schools in rural areaswith educational programsaimed at boosting the num-bers of students.“We have some undergrads

who have not been to a farmor even seen a large farm ani-mal,” said Terry Lehenbauer,an associate director at UC-Davis’ Veterinary MedicineTeaching and Research Cen-ter in Tulare, Calif. “So weare having to do a better job ofselling our program.”

School officials know theyface a challenge, but theirwork appears to be paying off.Over the past four years,

the number of UC-Davis stu-dents interested in large-ani-mal medicine has more thandoubled to 11 students out of127.Nearly half are studying to

be small-animal veterinari-ans. The rest have selecteddifferent specialties, such asequine or zoological.UC-Davis student Jessica

Woultee said students face atough decision when choos-ing a career path.She is among a group of

senior students training atTulare’s center. The studentsget hands-on experience treat-ing dairy cows and doingresearch in the center’s lab.“Being able to find a job is a

concern of a lot of us, so wehave to look at all ouroptions,” Woultee said.Woultee likes the outdoors

and enjoys taking care oflarge animals. But she alsoknows the realities of payingoff thousands of dollars in stu-dent loan debt.She has considered work-

ing for the federal or stategovernment, but also isexploring the possibility ofopening a private practicehandling both large and smallanimals.“In today’s economy, you

almost have to do a little bit ofeverything,” Woultee said.To help boost the number of

farm animal vets, federal leg-islators have introduced sev-eral bills, including theVeterinary Services Invest-ment Act, which is aimed atrecruiting veterinarians,helping vets expand theirpractice and providing nontu-ition financial assistance forstudents.The bill has passed the

House of Representatives andis awaiting approval in theSenate.If approved, it would com-

plement an existing federalloan-repayment program thatprovides students up to$75,000 in exchange for agree-

ing to work in an underservedarea for three years.Lehenbauer, who was on

the program’s selection panel,said helping students defraysome of the cost of their edu-cation is an important factorin attracting more veterinari-ans.This year, more than 500

students applied for therepayment program, andbetween 60 and 80 studentswill receive funding, Lehen-bauer said.“Money can be a real mag-

net,” Lehenbauer said. “Andwe are already seeing lots ofinterest in this.”

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wet weather was hard on cows.

Coastal Bend — Soil-moisturelevels were greatly helped byrain. Winter pastures respondedwell to the rain. Wind damageand hail from a Jan. 9 storm

was reported to be widespread.Wet soils prevented growersfrom planting spring wheat. Thislate, most spring wheat that wasoriginally planned will probablynot be planted as growers optfor other warm-season crops inits place. Farmers had notapplied fertilizer.

CropsFrom 21

• See REPORTS/Page 29

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NEWS YOUCAN USERIGHTIN YOURMAILBOX

By BLAIR FANNINTexas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION —Proper grain storage sanita-tion can help prevent costlyproblems from developing formost producers, according toa Texas AgriLife ExtensionService expert.Roy Parker, AgriLife Exten-

sion entomologist, providedseveral recommendations forfarmers to practice when hespoke at the Texas PlantProtection Association Con-ference held in Bryan recent-ly.“You always want to build

on developing a reputation asa quality grainproducer,” hesaid. “Insectscan destroykernels, andgrain qualitycan be jeopard-ized. Otherproblems suchas dust, odor,moisture andmold are challenges produc-ers must be aware of andovercome if those problemspersist.”Parker outlined several

management practices forstored grain, which includedsome common practices thataren’t always carriedthrough, such as making surecombines and harvest equip-ment are clean and properlyset.“This reduces trash, fines

and broken kernels,” he said.“Harvest at a safe, low-mois-ture level but not so muchthat the grain cracks.”Parker said sanitation of

grain bins begins as soon asthe last truck pulls out withthe last load.“That means you start

cleaning bins, augers andother equipment and facili-ties,” he said. “You also wantto make sure you have tight-fitting bins for effective fumi-gation. Also, treat empty binswith insecticide about twoweeks before loading. “Products such as Tempo,

Storcide II and silicon dioxideare effective in controllingand preventing insects as wellas malathion in the emptybins, he said. Parker advisesthat a grain protectant suchas Actellic or Actellic plusDiacon II, Storcide II orStorcide II plus Diacon II be

applied to the grain as it isbeing loaded into bins, and besure to check the labels forthe grains specific insecti-cides can be used on.Parker also advised remov-

ing grain peak and “core”round bins and applying atop-dress insecticide.

“Also, it’s advised toinspect the grain for insectsand monitor temperature,” hesaid.As part of insect control,

phosphene gas, which comes

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Grain storage sanitation can prevent problems

Proper grain storage sanitation is critical to prevent costly prob-lems from developing, according to experts with the Texas AgriLifeExtension Service. Common practices overlooked include making

sure combines are clean and properly set, said Roy Parker,Parker,Parker AgriLifeExtension entomologist. Other problems include insects, dust, odor,odor,odormoisture and mold.

Photos by Dreamstime.comeamstime.com

ROY PROY PRO ARKERY PARKERY P

• See GRAIN/PageGRAIN/PageGRAIN 29

3390Winbrook Dr.Memphis, TN 38116

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Mysterious bird deaths are not uncommonBy PAUL SCHATTENBERG

Texas AgriLife Communications

COLLEGE STATION —Whether it’s a single death ora mass die-off, experts fromTexas A&M AgriLife andother agencies say almost allbird mortality in Texas andelsewhere is due to natural –or at least explicable – causes.

Each year in the U.S., hun-dreds of millions of birds diefrom a variety of causes,according to Thomas Lacher,head of the wildlife and fish-eries sciences department atTexas A&M University inCollege Station.

“The larger bird die-offs wesee in Texas this time of yearare not all that unusual giventhe kind of weather related tothe season, storm fronts andmass roosts of birds, especial-ly blackbirds,” Lacher said.“Mass bird die-offs in the hun-dreds happen all the time, butwe seldom see evidence of

them.”However, Texas AgriLife

Extension Service wildlifespecialist Jim Gallagher, whoworks at the Texas AgriLifeResearch and ExtensionCenter in Uvalde, is someonewho has witnessed a sudden,unexpected mass bird die-off.

“Many years ago, while Iwas living in upstate NewYork, I saw dozens of geesecrash to the ground whenthey were suddenly caught ina freezing rain,” he said. “Theweight of accumulated ice onthem made it impossible tosustain flight.”

Especially vulnerableIn recent years, Texas has

had its share of unusual, even“bizarre” weather, Gallaghernoted, and birds are especial-ly vulnerable to the vagariesof sudden cold, unpredictablewinds, hail and lightening.

“If you’ve ever been on aheavy commercial aircraft

that the wind suddenlymoved up or down 1,500 feetor more in a matter of sec-onds, think what that kind offorce could do to a bird weigh-ing only ounces,” he said. “Inan updraft, masses of birdscan also accumulate ice ontheir wings and bodies athigher altitudes. And in asudden downdraft, especiallyone associated with some-thing like a micro-burst, amass of them can be tossed tothe ground.”

Gallagher said birds thrustthousands of feet upwards bya sudden updraft also are sub-jected to physical stress simi-lar to that of a diver trying toresurface too quickly.

“Basically, dissolved gasesin their blood suddenly startboiling out and they get theavian equivalent of thebends,” he said. “A bird flying

Mysterious bird deaths occur around the world. Here, Rescue chiefChrister Olofsson holds a dead bird in Falkoping, Sweden, lastmonth. Officials say about 50 birds were found dead on a street inFalkoping. Veterinarian Robert ter Horst says the cause of the jack-daws' deaths was unclear but that fireworks were set off near thescene.

AP photo/Bjorn Larsson Rosvall

• See BIRDS/Page 28

Even

tsCa

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Do you have a sale or event you’d

like listed? Call Jesse Wright at

(979) 731-4721 or email

jesse.wright@theeagle.com

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Feb. 27:Horse Auction. Over 100Consignments. Edna,TX. 979-865-5468Feb 28: Edna, TX All Breed Bull & FemaleSale. Edna, TX. 979-865-5468MarchMar. 2: Buffalo Livestock Marketing’s Pre-Conditioned Weaned Calf and Yearling Sale.Buffalo, TX. 903-322-4940Mar. 2:Houston Livestock Show & RodeoAll Breed Range Bull Sale. Houston, TX. 979-885-3526Mar. 5: Foundation Angus Alliance, AnnualProduction Sale. Luling, TX. 830-875-2438Mar. 5:Houston Livestock Show & RodeoAll Breed Commercial Female Sale. Houston,TX. 979-885-3526AprilApr. 1- 3: 2011 TSCRA School for SuccessfulRanching & Trade Show. San Antonio, TX.800-242-7820Apr 30: 2011-Kallion Farms “AdvancedGenetics” Brahman Spring Production Sale,College Station, TX 956-245-9780

along at 1,000 feet and sudden-ly being thrust upwards to20,000 feet will be subject tothe same physical effects as adiver coming up to the sur-face too quickly — if the riseis rapid enough.”

Disease and parasitesDisease and parasites may

also be factors in some massbird deaths, according toexperts at the Texas Veterin-ary Medical and DiagnosticLaboratory.Necropsies done by the lab

on birds from a 60-plus birddie-off Jan. 8, 2007, in Austinrevealed they were “heavilyparasitized.” But the unusual-ly cold weather the nightbefore was given as a “princi-pal factor” in this die-off,which led to the temporaryclosure of several downtownstreets by state health offi-cials until the incident wasdismissed as a public healththreat.“There has been evidence

that a few wild-bird deaths inTexas over the past severalyears have been associatedwith West Nile virus,” saidRandy Moore, resident direc-tor of the diagnostic lab’spoultry laboratory in Center.“We historically have seeninstances of West Nile, whichis predominantly carried bymosquitoes, affecting birdshere in Texas, but the numberof birds is very small. Andcurrently there is no evidencethat avian influenza (bird flu)or other avian viruses havebeen associated with massdie-offs in wild bird species inthe United States.”Moore said mortality from

parasites or disease is moreoften associated with individ-ual or small groups of birdsand is usually a “contributingfactor” in these situations asopposed to a singular cause ofdeath.

Control effortsAnother reason for some

mass bird die-offs in certainareas of Texas from time totime could be bird control tobenefit agriculture, said MikeBodenchuk, state director forTexas Wildlife Services, anagency of the TexasDepartment of Agriculture’sAnimal and Plant HealthInspection Service. Boden-

chuk said his agency is oftencalled on by the state’s farm-ers and ranchers to providecontrol of birds which aredetrimental to their agricul-tural operations.“For example, we provide

control to rice farmers in EastTexas and to feedlot ownersin the Panhandle,” he said.“We use a bait that the birdsingest and fully metabolizeprior to death, which typical-ly occurs one to three daysafter they consume it. Thetoxin is not transferred toother birds, animals orhumans that may come incontact with the dead birds.”Bodenchuk said birds

killed by the bait typicallycan be found in clustersbeneath their roosting areas— the trees or phone andpower lines they return toafter ingesting the toxin.“Bird control in East Texas

rice fields is usually targetedat blackbirds, while controlin Panhandle feedlots ismainly targeted at starlings,which are an invasivespecies,” he said.Bodenchuk said these

efforts reduce grain loss,lower operational costs andhelp increase agriculturalproduction.“In the case of starling con-

trol, it also helps native ‘cavi-ty-nesting’ bird species byreducing competition for liv-ing space.”He added that these activi-

ties are “well-publicized” inadvance and are coordinatedwith the Texas Parks andWildlife Department and Tex-as Department of Agriculture,so it should be relatively easyto discover if a bird die-off ina particular area was due to acontrol effort.

OvereatingAnother ‘ingestion-related’

occurrence was the likely rea-son for a mass die-off of cedarwaxwings near Lake RayHubbard in Dallas this past

spring, according to expertswith the Texas Parks andWildlife Department. Theysaid these fruit-fancyingbirds were migrating north asthey stopped to partake ofabundant, probably partiallyfermented, sweet berries onbushes near the Highway 66bridge. The birds over-indulged and many becameintoxicated. Hundreds – dis-orientated or bloated fromgorging on the berries — haddifficulty flying and were hitby cars traversing the bridge.A similar die-off took place

in early January of this yearnear a bridge in the Lake O’the Pines area of East Texas.Parks and wildlife expertsand game wardens familiarwith past occurrences said

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Some estimates for U.S. bird mortality approach 1 billion deaths annually. Experts note that multipleinstances of hundreds of birds dying 'en masse' every year is normal -- and that pretty much all birdmortality is from natural or logical causes, not X-Files-type reasons.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo

• See DEATHS/Page 29

P.O. Box 920, Gainesville, TX 762401-800-523-74771-800-523-7477 oror 940-665-6872940-665-6872

www.liquidcattlefeed.com.liquidcattlefeed.com.liquidcattlefeed.comwww.liquidcattlefeed.comwww

East — The region had verycold days and nights, but receivedmoisture in the form of snow,sleet and rain. Where rainfall wassignificant — as much as 3.5inches — soil conditions wereimproved. However, many areaswere still well below normal accu-mulations for the year. With aver-age yearly precipitation more than20 inches below long-term aver-ages, San Augustine Countyreported that 2010 was the driestin 41 years. In nearly all theregion, much more precipitationwas needed to replenish stockponds and improve winter pasturegrowth. Livestock were in fair togood condition with producers pro-viding supplemental feeding. Manyproducers were searching for hayto buy.

Far West — The region has hadno measurable amount of precipi-tation in more than 120 days. Thelack of moisture in conjunctionwith high winds has put the regionat very high risk for wildfires.Pecan growers were pruning dor-mant trees. Fall-planted onionsand alfalfa were dormant as well.Farmers were preparing fields forspring planting of cotton, chilesand corn.

North — Soil moisture rangedfrom short to adequate. From 2 to9 inches of snow fell with temper-atures dropping into the teens and

low 20s. The cold temperaturesmeant the snow did not melt fora few days. Though the snowy,cold weather brought neededmoisture, it forced livestock feed-ers to use a lot of hay supplies.Winter pasture growth slowed withthe low temperatures, but thesnow was expected to have insu-lated young wheat from freezing.With the inclement weather, thereis not much field activity otherthan feeding livestock. The pecanharvest was complete, and winterwheat was in fair to good condi-tion. Rangeland and pasture con-ditions ranged from poor to good.

Panhandle — The regionremained very dry. Soil moisturewas short to very short, whichadversely affected all winter wheatbut particularly that grown withoutirrigation. Field activities acrossmost of the area were at a stand-still due to weather. In a few coun-ties, producers were preparingfields for spring plantings. A largeincrease in acreage destined forcotton planting was anticipated.

in pellet or tablet form, can beapplied by experienced grainmanagers or by a professionalfumigator.

“It’s a control option, andthe cost is about 2 cents abushel for the application ifdone by a professional,”Parker said.

Finally, during times ofanticipated bumper yields, anoption for grain producerswould be to store grain inlarge plastic bags (grainbags). Parker said these bagscan serve as temporary stor-age until it can be sold.

These storage bags wereparticularly useful duringharvests in 2007 and 2008when a combined 72.71 mil-lion bushels of grain were pro-duced in the Coastal and

Upper Gulf Coast regions ofTexas. Bumper grain cropscan back up delivery trucks atarea elevators and the grainstorage bags are a short-termalternative.

The air-tight polyethylenebags won’t present the insectproblems like that of grainbins “because of respirationand carbon dioxide levels,”Parker said.

“In fact, we’ve seen morerice weevils in bins where thegrain was not treated withinsecticide than in bags,” hesaid. “One critical thing tonote is that bags should beplaced on a humped (highground) area and not close toany place where water cancollect. Choose a well-drainedarea.”

For more information andeconomic analysis and usemethods of grain bags, visitthe Web at http://farmassis-tance. tamu.edu/publica -tions/focus/2009-5pages.pdf.

the death of several hundredAmerican coots, or mud-hens– a mass-roosting, low-flyingspecies – was most likely dueto them being frightened by anoise or predator. The pan-icked birds flew into the pathof numerous cars traveling onor near the 155 bridge.

Another possible factor inthe recent mass bird die-off inArkansas was given as loudnoise or fireworks, notedBodenchuk.

“We’ve done roost reloca-tion actions throughout Tex-as using literally tens of thou-sands of rounds of pyrotech-nics, and I can’t ever recallany birds dying from ‘trauma’as a direct or indirect result ofthat control method. How-ever, I suppose it is possiblethat a flock of daytime-flyingbirds might suddenly be star-tled at night by a loud noise,panic and then fly into a near-by building or other struc-ture.”

While recent mass bird die-offs in Texas and elsewherehave grabbed the headlinesand spurred the imaginationof conspiracy theorists –other “explanations” rangefrom secret military or gov-ernment testing to bio-terror-ism and biblical portents —the real causes of the birdmortality are far more banal,according to experts.

Main causesSo what are the main caus-

es of bird death? The SibleyGuides website, a compendi-um of information on NorthAmerican birds and trees,contains a “Causes of BirdMortality” chart giving esti-mated annual bird mortalityfrom various causes in termsof millions of birds. It turnsout that blunt-force trauma

caused by impact with trans-parent, silicate-based materi-als is the top cause of birdmortality in North America.That’s right; birds crashinginto windows is by far thecontinent’s single-greatestcause of bird mortality,killing an estimated 900 mil-lion a year.

The second-leading cause isferal cats, which kill about 500million birds annually, fol-lowed by high-tension wires,which take a yearly toll ofaround 190 million. Some less-er causes of bird mortalitynoted on the chart includecars, pesticides, communica-tions towers and hunting,with hunting responsible forthe fewest deaths.

Data from other sourcesindicate U.S. bird mortalityfigures represent roughly halfof those on the Sibley chart.Additionally, the NationalAudubon Society and U.S.Parks and WildlifeDepartment state that “loss ofhabitat” is truly the single-largest threat to birds, andthat this factor is most

responsible for the overallreduction in U.S. bird popula-tions. However, the figuresare nebulous.

“The die-offs we’ve beenhearing about in Texas are anormal occurrence,” saidLacher. “But when put togeth-er with reports of other die-offs in other states or coun-tries that are posted in blogsand on the Internet andshown on national television,they appear to be greater andstranger than they reallyare.”

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81GoodBrangusBrangusBr 3yrolds.64withfullyworkedrkedrk•Anguscalveslveslv attheside65TrueF-1BrangusBrangusBr 3yroldpairswithcalveslveslv by•W4Hereforefore rdBulls.100F-1GoodBrafBrafBr oraforaf dordor Tigerstripepairs. 90day•calving! ExceExceEx llentqualityqualityqualit 3-5yrolds.69F-1BrafBrafBr oraforaf dordor Tigerstripe3yroldcowscowscow calving•nextnextne Springwiththeir2ndbabiesbyAngusBulls20Reg5-8yroldBrahmancowscalvingJan-Mar•toRegHerefordbulls.60CrossbrCrossbrCr edossbredossbr 3-5yroldcows,cows,cow 40pair,pair,pair balancebalancebalanc•heavybredbredbr .40RegV8BrahmanBrahmanBr youngcows.cows.cow Pairs&bredsbredsbr .•75FallcalvingCrossbrCrossbrCr edossbredossbr cows,cows,cow 3-5yearsold,Half•calvedlvedlv out.Threegroupsgroupsgr of9RegisterRegisterRegist edereder BrahmanBrahmanBr heifersheifersheif each•45TrueF-1BrafordTigerstripeheifersALLcalving•inApril toAngusBulls.17TrueF-1BrafBrafBr oraforaf dordor heifersheifersheif exposedsincesincesinc••NoveNoveNo mber1toRegisterRegisterRegist edereder AngusBulls.80ExceExceEx llentgreygreygr BrahmanBrahmanBr cowscowscow with45F-1•babies,babies,babies balancebalancebalanc bredbredbr ,7-9yrsold.68GreyGreyGr BrahmanBrahmanBr cowscowscow calvingMar-JuMar-JuMar- neto•RegisterRegisterRegist edereder BrahmanBrahmanBr Bulls.29RegisterRegisterRegist edereder GreyGreyGr BrahmanBrahmanBr cows.cows.cow 24arearear 3-4•yrsolds,olds,olds fivefivefiv arearear 6yroldsExposedtoaRegisterRegisterRegist ederederBrahmanBrahmanBr bullsincesincesinc July15th.101ExceExceEx llentSantaGertrudisheifersheifersheif readyfor•bullsweighing800lbs. Workedrkedrk withcuttinghorses,horses,horses verygentle,tle,tle calfhoodvaccinated

202&3yearoldBranguspairsexposedbackto•Herefordbulls44BrangusBrangusBr baldy3yroldcowscowscow calvingthis•SpringtoBrangusBrangusBr Bulls.30FallcalvingBrangusBrangusBr 3yearoldshavingtheir•2ndcalveslveslv byHereforefore rdbulls23Ultra-blackUltra-blackUltr 3yroldcowscowscow calvinginMay.•40GoodCrossbrCrossbrCr edossbredossbr 3yroldscalvingthisSpringto•AngusBulls.31Good3yroldCrossbrCrossbrCr edossbredossbr pairswithAngus•babies,babies,babies afewheavybredbredbr .40coming3yroldTrueF-1opencows.cows.cow (20•BrafBrafBr oraforaf dsordsor 20Brang),Brang),Br reproducproducpr tivoductivoduc elytivelytiv sound,ExposedtoRegCharolaisarolaisar bullssincesincesinc Dec1558GoodCrossbredpairswithbigCharolaiscalves.•Mostly6&7yearoldsweighingover1200lbs.Toocheapat$1050!38TrueF-1BrafBrafBr oraforaf dordor 3yroldcowscowscow exposedtoRegReg•Angusbullssincesincesinc Dec1forFallcalveslveslv .4SouthTexasTexasTe Huntingranchesfor lease•200-650acresacresacr .Forphotosphotosphot &infoinfoinf logontowww.www.wwwtexastrtexastrtex ophastrophastr ylease.com.com.c12PurebredGreyBrahman3yroldsheavybred•w/2ndcalves.79UltraUltraUltr Black3yroldsheldopen. Justhadbaby•calveslveslv pulledoffthem. Perfecrfecrf tectec forrecipients.32GreyGreyGr BrahmanBrahmanBr yearlinghfrs. ExceExceEx llent&gentle.•10certifiedF-1openyearlingheifersheifersheif .•

earoldBerSOLD202&3yearoldBSOLD

202&3yearoldBSOLDSOLDSOLDefordbullsSOLDefordbullsSOLDSOLD

202&3yearoldBSOLD

202&3yearoldBSOLDerefordbullsSOLDerefordbullsSOLD

Tigerstripeheifpril tSOLDueF-1BrafordTSOLD

ueF-1BrafordTSOLDpril tSOLDpril toAngusBullsSOLDpril toAngusBullsSOLDSOLD

ueF-1BrafordTigerstripeheifSOLD

ueF-1BrafordTSOLDpril toAngusBullsSOLDpril toAngusBullsSOLD

edpairswithbigCearoldswMostly6&7y

oocheapaSOLDossbredpairswithbigC

SOLDossbredpairswithbigC

Mostly6&7ySOLDMostly6&7ySOLDMostly6&7yearoldswSOLDMostly6&7yearoldswSOLDoocheapat$1050!

SOLDoocheapat$1050!

SOLDossbredpairswithbigC

SOLDossbredpairswithbigC

Mostly6&7yearoldswSOLDMostly6&7yearoldswSOLDoocheapat$1050!

SOLDoocheapat$1050!

eyBrw/2ndcSOLD

urebredGreyBSOLDurebredGreyBSOLDSOLDw/2ndcalvesSOLDw/2ndcalvesSOLDSOLDurebredGreyBSOLDurebredGreyBSOLDw/2ndcalvesSOLDw/2ndcalvesSOLD

ahmanc20Reg5-8yroldBoRegHSOLD20Reg5-8yroldBr

SOLD20Reg5-8yroldBr

SOLDSOLD20Reg5-8yroldBrahmanc

SOLD20Reg5-8yroldBrahmancoRegHerefordbullsSOLDoRegHerefordbullsSOLDSOLD20Reg5-8yroldBrahmanc

SOLD20Reg5-8yroldBrahmanc

SOLDoRegHerefordbullsSOLDoRegHerefordbullsSOLD

ROUNDOVERHEADFEED STORAGE BINS

“This can mean the differdifferdif enceferencefer between taking aloss or making a profit in the cattle business.”

• Spray-on liner inside bin.

• Effective fore fore f both livestockand wildlife fwildlife fwildlif eede feede f .

• Truckload holding capacitiesin various sizes available.

• Nomore feede feede f damage byrodents or varmints.• Nomore feede feede f sacks to handle.• Environmentally Friendly.• Heavy pipe structure.• Skid mounted.

Authorized T & S TripT & S TripT & S T Hopper Dealer

Southwest Fabricators580/326-3589 • Toll• Toll• T Free: 877/326-3574503 South Industrial - Hugo, OK 74743

www.overheadbins.com

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AuctioneeAuctioneersrs - R- Realeal EstEstateate BrBrokers

Edna, Texas Farm& Ranch Weekend

979-865-5468www.switzerauction.net

Serving our customers& friend

ngriendng

s s ince 1986!!

BuyBuyBuyBuyBuyinginginging ororor SelSelSelSellilil ing-ng-ng-ng-ng-CalCalCalCall tl tl today!!oday!!oday!!oday!!oday!!oday!!oday!!

Expecting 100 head of Quality Consignmentswith Horses of all Disciplines represented

Cutting, Calf Roping, Team, Team, T Roping, Barrel, Bulldogging, Ranch Horses, as well as Halter & PleasureThis will be a reputation sale with horses to be honestly represented by the sellers.

Consignments will beeputa

beeputascreenedeputascreenedeputa

by the auctioneer/sales manager. Stly. Stlytalls

tlytalls

tly reptallsrep

available-1rep

available-1rep by

available-1byst come, 1st served

H O R S E A U C T I O NSunday, Feb. 27th, 2011 at 1 pmBrackenridge Park - Edna, Tx located on Hwy 111 7 miles South of Edna

O O

Indoor/Outdoor arenas available with cattle.CALL NOW TO CONSIGN YOUR HORSES !!

FARM, RANCH & CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTSaturday, Feb. 26th, 2011 at 10 am

Brackenridge Park - Edna, Tx located on Hwy 111 7 miles South of Edna

We wil l be accept ing equipment for this sa le on s i te Mon, Feb. 21st thruFri , Feb. 25th from 8 am to 6 pm. We can ass is t you with your haul ing needs .

SALE DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER PRINTED MATERIAL. Cash or check w/Bankk w/Bankk w Ltr of Guarantee. 10% BP on purchases of $500 or less.

Area Farmers & Ranchers, Banks Estates, Farm Service Agency,Counties, Municipalities, Schools, Businesses & Individuals

Expecting EarlyConsignments from:We will be selling : Construction Equip, Trucks, Trailers, Autos, Tractors

Combines, Row Crop, Rice Field Implements, Discs, Shredders,Hay Equip, Livestock Equip & Misc Items Too Numerous To Mention!!

CALL NOW TO CONSIGN YOUR CATTLE !!

EDNA, TX ALL BREED BULL & FEMALE SALEMONDAY, FEB 28 , 2011 - 10 AM

Edna Livestock Auction 1543 State Highway 111 N. Edna, TX 77957

Expect ing120 Bu l l si n c l u d i n gi n g 4 0 B i g S t o uS t o u t C h a r o l a i s B u l l s

along with Angus, Brangus, Hereford, Polled Hereford, Maine & Maine-Angus

300 Replacement FemalesPurebred Brahmans, Herefords, Brafords, F1s, Brangus along with all crosses

PAIRS • BREDS • OPEN HEIFERSAll Cattle must be in place by noon Feb 26th

R l E t t BTXS 7342

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