Multi-Generational Farming Marketing strategy grows into legacy for Jones family in Alto, Page 2
Acorn Abundance
Good acorn crop hurting hurters, Page 10
Farm Winterizing
Experts give tips on how to keep your herd healthy, Page 6
Feed, Tack & Frills
Husband-wife shops offer something for everyone in Corsicana, Page 16
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November-December 2016
Keeping up with the Joneses
By Jo Anne Embleton Jacksonville Progress
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hat began as a means of marketing some of the abundant bounty from their garden has grown into a legacy for one Alto family. Jones Farm Produce has been growing strong since 1973, with a fourth-generation family member studying agriculture engineering at an area college to help with the family business. “It’s just something that’s been passed down from generation to generation, from Carlton’s mother to Carlton, Carlton to Jay, Jay to Tanner,” said John Griffith, a Cherokee County Soil & Waster Conservation District #427 zone director. In 2014, CCSW recognized the family for their work with produce, hay and cattle raising. Carlton’s parents always kept a garden to feed the family, but when the elder Mr. Jones passed away, he and a friend built a produce stand for his mother, who was able to sell produce year-round. The family stand opens for business in mid-April and closes in mid-September, drawing generations of family from as far away as Beaumont and Port Arthur. These customers are interested in purchasing fresh, quality merchandise that is grown on approximately 400 acres of property scattered around Alto. Each summer, the Jones produce stand features tomatoes, purple hull peas, cream peas, speckled butter beans, pinto beans, crowder peas, zipper peas, as well as squash, watermelon, okra, peppers, onions and tomatoes, plus cantaloupes. While they pre-order seeds a year ahead of time from seed companies, they also retain seeds
Photo by Jo Anne Embleton
John Griffith with Tanner & Jay Jones discuss old family tractor. from their harvest to dry for future use, Jay added.
Another practice they’ve adopted is to spray commercial
Close up of pinto bean plant.
Photo by Jo Anne Embleton
pesticides only once during the early season. “We’re not organic, but I also won’t sell what I wouldn’t want to eat,” he said. They primarily use liquid fertilizer, which keeps costs down and is more time efficient, because it’s easier to keep in store. Along with growing and selling produce, the Jones family offers custom hay-baling services and raises cross-breed cattle. “The last couple of years we had a lot of rain, which made a lot of grass, so we baled a lot of hay – we actually just finished cutting the last field last week
(mid-November) for clients,” he said, adding that many clients averaged about two cuttings this summer. Meanwhile, their cross-breed cattle production keeps the family busy, too. “We’ve got 75 mama cows, and a bunch of them are calving right now, but we have cows calving throughout the year,” he noted. Juggling the three different businesses can be challenging, especially when Mother Nature throws the family for a loop. Five years ago, that meant braving through a statewide drought; today, the force of nature the
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November-December 2016
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FFA—A Great Asset For America
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hen it comes to farming and ranching, the learning programs offered to our young men and women through vocational agriculture will bring many of them back to the land .These organizations are the backbone of many communities. Over 649,000 of our youth are enrolled in high school vocational agriculture programs. There are 7,859 local FFA chapters in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands—with Texas laying claim to the most members (116,000) and the largest number of chapters at 1,032. Females make up 47% of the membership. Next time you see a high school student
wearing the blue and gold FFA jacket, give a salute. These are the future of American agriculture! As we look ahead here in East Texas, one thing that stands out is a marked jump in cattle prices. Especially in those calves that are being sold at sale barns. With a major rebound in the futures market, buyers are back in the market offering more dollars by far than they did a couple months ago. Not up to the prices of two years ago, but at least we are making some progress. Those cowboys buying for feedlots and winter pastures are doing their best to assemble cattle for their programs. One thing for sure, the bids are bringing
family must reckon comes in the form of wild hogs. “They’re destroying crops, and because our property is scattered. This is a challenge,” Jay said. “We’re trying to get people to hunt – I hunt them myself – or to trap them. (The damages) could almost drive you out of the business. It’s a major concern.” The wild hogs, which are looking for food, are attracted to the peas and melons grown by the Jones, destroying the produce as it grows from the ground. “They go in and eat everything, and almost overnight, they can destroy 5 to 6 acres of peas, so we have to stay on top of it,” he said. Meanwhile, the youngest generation of the Jones family is gearing up for future involvement in the family business. Son Tanner is studying agricultural engineering at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, while daughter Ally is a senior at Alto High School, where she is involved at several different levels of FFA. “We show a lot of Beefmaster cows, so she’s involved in showing heifers. And she’s an officer in FFA, goes to state conventions,” Jay said.
some smiles to the sellers. Forestry is a major income producer in our East Texas. Thousands of landowners are raising timber and market demand
is on the upswing. Several new mills have opened recently and that keeps more Texans working at decent paying jobs. Coming up Thursday, December 8th, is a top notch program sponsored by the Trinity-Neches Forestry Landowners Association. Topics include timber taxation, best management practices and a discussion about the black bear. Lots of confirmed sightings of the black bear are being reported and hopefully this will lead to some increase in their population in forested areas. The meeting will be at the Lakeview Methodist Conference Center east of Elkhart on Highway 294. Program will start at 8:30
a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. If you have an interest in forestry, this will be a “must attend” meeting. Just call (903) 394-8948 to reserve a lunch reservation. A growing number of colleges and universities are bowing down to the pathetic moaning and groaning of students who are willing to tear down the American flag and substitute their own agendas for “change”. At Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, the powers that be decided to lower the American flag to half staff after Donald Trump was declared victorious at the polls. Then the night before Veterans Day, radical students lowered--then
burned--that flag. Jonathan Lash, Hampshire president, said the college will no longer fly our flag. Instead, the gutless President Lash stated: “I hope dispensing with the American flag will enable us to instead focus our efforts on addressing racist, misogynistic, antiIslamic, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic and antiLGBTQ rhetoric and behaviors”. And this is what parents and the taxpayer are dishing out the dollars for in an attempt to “educate” students. What a way to educate! That’s –30— horace@valornet.com
Photo by Jo Anne Embleton
Jay & Tanner Jones discuss cattle with John Griffith, the Zone III Director of Cherokee County Soil & Water District #427 who nominated the Alto family for their agricultural work.
Photo by Jo Anne Embleton
John Griffith with Jay and Tanner Jones, discussing planting at a field that will yield butter beans.
Jay Jones and small field of tomato plants near family home.
Photo by Jo Anne Embleton
Are you a team player? Do you love outside sales? Are you committed to giving the best customer service possible?
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Email cover letter and resume to jmienk@palestineherald.com
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November-December 2016
Big changes at Athens store By Rich Flowers
Athens Daily Review
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store with a halfcentury of history, not far from the heart of Athens, now has a new name and a new look. Athens Farm and Garden, formerly known as Geddie’s Feed and Seed, is setting sights on the future. Owner Veronica Hatton said you can already tell a difference in the look of the store, located at 314. N. Faulk Street, not far from the Athens Post Office. “I’ve been here for the last 10 years,” Hatton said. “I started doing a little bit of everything, the bookkeeping, stocking and ordering.” Hatton said the store has some loyal customers who’ve shopped there for years. “Grandfathers come here and their kids come here,” Hatton said. “It’s been around since the 1950s.” The variety of products includes full service lawn and garden, fertilizer, mulch, feed for livestock, hay and a little bit of everything. “It’s an 18,000 square foot
building, so we have a lot of
Photo by Rich Flowers
Veronica Hatton and Colton Geddie are two of the friendly staffers at Athens Farm and Garden.
room,” Hatton said. The agriculture business is holding steady, Hatton said, although there have been changing. “A lot of the older farmers, they’re dying off and the families are selling their cows,” Hatton said. “We’re seeing a new movement, with a lot of people having backyard farms and having two, three, or four head of cattle and raising their own grassfed beef.” Athens Farm and Garden is growing and improving the look of the business, Hatton said. “We’ve got a whole new section going in with fairy gardening,” Hatton said. “We’ll we’ll be doing some seminars in the springtime.” In the spring, they’ll have an open house, with trees plants and shrubs. “We got into that a little bit last
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year, but we’ll be full blown into it this year,” Hatton said. “And we’ll carry them on through the rest of the year.” Including Hatton, the staff at Athens Farm and Garden has four members. They all know pretty much everything about what’s in the store. “If we can’t figure it out, we sure know where to find the answer,” Hatton said. She’s been getting a lot of favorable comments about how good the store and ground look now. The front lot has been cleaned out and a new fence constructed. The business recently won first place in the Keep Athens Beautiful Fall Decorating Contest for Best Use of a Pumpkin. “This next week, we’ll be fixing the driveway, so that will be smoothed out,” Hatton said.
“We have a lot of people who are excited about that.” At Athens Lawn and Garden, you can also learn about squarefoot gardening. “You can have one all year round,” Hatton said. “Elderly people who can’t have a big garden anymore can still have a garden.”
November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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My 10 Most Unforgettable Lifetime Experiences
1. Lying flat on my back in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix at 2 a.m. I passed the carafe of Chablis to my reclining colleague who looked at me and said, “Pardner, I don’t think you’re executive material!” 2. Mud wrestling with Hurricane Charlotte in San Juan Capistrano. It was there I lost $110 on a frog named Montezuma in the big frog-off. 3. The tobacco-spitting contest in Pasco where I placed third. As Tom Hall would say, “I used to couldn’t spit over my chin; now I
can spit all over it!” 4. One o’clock in the morning; Saturday night, when I locked the key in Red’s Cadillac outside the Schroeder Dance Hall. I had to call a locksmith from Victoria. It was a long ride home. 5. Dancing with Mike at the Hotel Nevada in Ely. I still have a scar on my arm from waltzin’ into a rock wall when he changed leads. 6. The trip from Sioux Falls to Platte with Diane, Konni and JoAnne. They tanked up on cervesa before the trip and had
to make a pit stop in somebody’s cornfield along the way. I stood guard and they scattered into the cornrows like quail. 7. Snorkeling in San Carlos Bay with one-armed guide named Onofre. We speared three lobster, two carp, one scorpion fish, a Tecate can and one swim fin. 8. Falling asleep on the red-eye
Big Sky Express from Miles City to Billings. Everybody disembarked including the pilots and they pushed the plane off the runway. Fortunately one of the mechanics left his lunch in the cockpit and found me. 9. Trying to ski between the legs of an unsuspecting bunny at Angel Fire and getting my nose hooked in her ski clothing. I looked like a B-52 refueling in mid-air. 10. Spending the night in Bennett, Idaho, getting my haircut in Wellington, Kan., getting caught
in blizzards in Antonito, N.M., and Fairmont, Minn., singin’ with Teense in Saratoga, team roping on Dude, canoeing the Sac in Missouri, Amtracking the 6 a.m. Pioneer Flyer out of Hastings; easting ravioli in a Chinese restaurant in Regina, cabrito in Stockdale and barbeque in Pendleton; seein’ Mt. Rushmore, the Mississippi, Mt. St. Helen’s and Ft. Morgan in the spring. Lookin’ back, I’d say it’s been a pretty good life so far. www.baxterblack.com
Teaching from farm to table
Educating fourth graders on the origins of food in Navarro County By Jennifer Miller
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Corsicana Daily Sun
he world is a fast-paced place where families preparing food together and sitting down for dinner is a rare occurrence. As a result, there are generations of children who are at risk of not understanding where food comes from and what it looks like in its natural state. But every November in Navarro County, Texas AgriLife Extension agents come together with the community to try and combat that problem with the Food and Fiber Round-up. Bringing fourth graders from all area schools to the Navarro County Youth Expo building to educate them on everything from how a cotton gin works to how to milk a cow and what herbs and vegetables look like in a natural state, the event is a fun-filled day of learning. 2016 marked the 16th year for the annual event. “We have a total of 900 people here today,” said Page Bishop, County Extension Agent. Most of those in attendance are students, but to pull the event off, coordinators need help. “We have 120 volunteers that helped us put this together this year,” said Kellie Cope, 4-H Program Assistant. High school students from all the area schools show up
to help supervise the kids as well. Group by group, student by student, the kids are guided through several different learning stations. At one station Roger Hall with Texas Farm Bureau displays the miracle of a mini cotton gin so students can learn where clothes come from. At another, Navarro County Youth Expo member Mike Gage explains the importance of hay to cattle — picking hay up and handling it as students keep watchful eyes on the cows pinned up just behind him. On the other side of the barn, a large mobile education unit complete with a live dairy cow demonstrates how a cow is milked — which also teaches students how milk gets from the farm to the store. Lorie Stovall, County Extension Agent said kids are often fascinated that gallon-size milk jugs in the grocery store come from cows. While many in attendance are public school students, students from all schools are welcome. “We have catholic school students and christian school students that come out and participate too,” Stovall said. The main goal of the day is to teach kids where food and clothing come from and hopefully, encourage kids to be a little more engaged with their environment and nature. _____________________ jmiller@corsicanadailysun.com soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
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November-December 2016
How to winterize a cattle operation
Experts give tips on how to keep your herd healthy By Pennylynn Webb
Reporter@palestineherald.com
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t won’t be long until the first frost hits the ground and ranchers begin to contemplate the day to start feeding their cattle hay. The last rains of August and warm weather have provided a longer foraging season for local cattle and possibly extra hay bales to sustain herds until the grass begins to grow again in spring. “It’s all based on variables,” said Grapeland rancher Dan Huff. “Weather and the market all play a part on the whens, hows and whys that ranchers do what they do. And every year is different; there will never be two years exactly alike, no matter what you do.” Luckily in East Texas, ranchers don’t typically have to worry about heavy snows throughout the winter months; however, there are plenty of variables to keep a rancher on his toes throughout the winter months. “It’s day to day, week to week, month to month,” said Huff. “It’s all a gamble with uncertainties.”
Herd health
Going into the hard months of winter, Huff suggests that you make sure your herd is healthy in order for them to withstand the lower temperatures and elemental changes, like freezing rain and snow. “There are no illnesses that affect cattle more so in the winter than in the summer; it’s just better for the herd if they are in good health prior to the onset of winter,” said Huff. “Cattle that are in good health before winter tend to maintain their health, even through the vast changes of a Texas winter.” Jason Banta, associate professor and extension beef cattle specialist for Texas A&M, also suggests making herd health a priority during the late fall. “It’s a good idea to deworm your herd in November or December,” said Banta. “There is a parasite that cattle can pick up during the summer and early fall; also, a pouron dewormer is a good option to control lice. It’s best for cattle to be in optimum shape prior to the winter months, when its harder to build your cattle back up. Cattle that are in good health at the onset of winter will be easier to maintain — both health- and weight-wise — throughout the season.”
Feeding during the winter
During the cold and windy months, livestock need extra feed to help them keep warm. This a time when ranchers
typically add more supplements to their hay rations. Banta suggests hay as the better food source, helping cattle to maintain their body heat better during colder temperatures. “If you’re growing or buying good, quality hay, then you don’t have to worry as much about supplements, the hay will have plenty of protein.” said Huff. “With good hay, supplements are like gravy on a steak, you don’t need it, but it sure makes things better.” There are some ranchers who forego hay rations and grow cover crops for their cattle to feed on. “It’s an option, but it’s expensive as well,” said Huff. Ranchers also have to calculate how to efficiently stretch their hay or cover crop supply to last until spring, Huff said. For those who give their cattle grain, Banta had this to offer: “Cattle were not designed to eat grain,” said Banta. “If you are going to feed your cattle grain as supplement during winter, start small and build up and be consistent with your grain amounts once you get them to the amount you will be feeding them. In extremely cold weather, it is not a good idea to suddenly feed more grain; instead, just make sure the cattle have plenty of hay.” For impending inclement weather during the winter months, it’s best to have two weeks of emergency feed source on hand for your herd.
Water supplies
Frozen water tanks and lakes can be a problem for ranchers during the colder days of the season. Cattle need an adequate and dependable supply of water daily, even during a hard freeze, Banta said. “It’s imperative that you make sure your cattle have access to water, even during inclement weather, said Banta.” Ranchers need to check their livestock water sources daily, especially when the temperatures drop, to ensure they are not frozen over. Consuming colder substances lowers body heat. Warm water is best, especially for calves and older cattle. If you use a tank heater or de-icer, make sure it’s in proper working order before freezing temperatures arrive. Ranchers should also insulate any outdoor water pipes and faucets that serve as livestock water sources. It’s also important to keep the tank clean and to scoop out any organic matter daily.
Calving
Late fall, early winter is when calving season begins for
November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
some ranchers. “The time for calving differs from operation to operation,” said Banta. “There are those who are in the final stages of calving, there are those who won’t have calves until the spring months of March and April, and there are those who are expecting calves in January, February and March. Having your cattle in the proper condition will allow you to handle your calving a whole lot better.” During this time of year, you have to keep a closer watch on your herd to try to catch a problem before it becomes a major issue, said Huff. “The expectation is that you will lose some. I’ve never had a 100 percent calf crop and don’t expect to,” he said Once calves are born, knowing how long you can afford to feed them becomes another variable in your operation. “Cattle prices are down considerably from last year and down a whole lot more than two years ago,” said Huff. “So, you can’t afford to spend the same money on hay, feed and supplements that you could two years ago. You have to know how long you can afford to feed your calves before you take them to sell. And you may end up having to sell them earlier than you normally would, which means you may be shorted on your investment in them.”
Pro advice
Jason Banta, Ph.D., PAS, associate professor and extension beef cattle specialist for Texas A&M, shares his cattle knowledge throughout that state of Texas at various speaking events. His next big event will be the Four States Cattle Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 13 in Texarkana. Topics for this event will be Success from a Producer’s Perspective, Mineral Supplementation, Cattle Market Outlook, Winter Cow Nutrition and more. For more information, call 870-246-2281.
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November-December 2016
Local FFA Chapter making changes
Bullard FFA named Model of Innovation Winner at 89th National FFA Convention & Expo
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he Bullard FFA Chapter in Texas has been named the 2016 Model of Innovation Chapter Award winner in student development at the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The nation’s top 10 three-star chapters in the student development division competed for the award. Bullard FFA received a plaque in an onstage ceremony during the second general session on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016. Top chapters were also selected from the middle school, student and community development divisions. Bullard FFA knew changes were being made in the school cafeteria, so the chapter decided to research the student body’s food choices and then share that information with cafeteria personnel. After conducting 537 surveys, the chapter found that an average of 64.7 pounds of fruits and vegetables were wasted every day at the cafeteria. Responding to the survey’s results, the school made seven immediate changes to the lunch menu, including the addition of salads to the daily selection, removing three poorly reviewed entrees, and providing fruits and vegetables that better reflected student requests. The “Feast or Famine: Healthy Eating in Today’s School Cafeteria” project is expected to reduce the cafeteria’s yearly waste by over $20,000. The Models of Innovation awards are sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. It is one of the many ways FFA members accomplish the FFA mission and succeed in making a difference in their communities and the lives of others. There are over 7,750 FFA chapters throughout the Nation, creating a high
level of competition to achieve MOI status. This prestigious title recognizes the premier FFA chapter in the country who sets high expectations and goals for their members, challenges them to grow as individuals, and promotes teamwork and service toward others. The mission of the FFA is to “make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.” This award is a prime demonstration of the impact positive leadership can have on a program and the hard work of driven students. The Bullard FFA program is lead by Stu Dildine, Charlotte Main and Monty Main. Over 350 students participate in the Bullard FFA program.
Ag trends in today’s economy
Agriculture business both positive and negative according to owners By Jeff Riggs
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Athens Daily Review
urton Ouzts, an owner and president of Athens Tractor & Equipment, is qualified to give trends in agriculture, especially when it comes to equipment sales and equipment use. Ouzts’ qualifications include being in a family that has been dedicated to the agriculture industry, and has established one of the largest businesses of its kind in Henderson County. It is located at 3245 U.S. Highway 175, Athens. It has been in business since 2003. Ouzts said one of the current “big hits” with farmers and ranchers is the compact track loader. “That’s because of how many implements or tools that
Athens Tractor & Equipment • Henderson County • In business since 2003 • Located at 3245 U.S. Highway 175, Athens
can be fitted on the front of them. They are like a big ‘swiss army knife’ for property owners. They can mow, clear barns, load and unload trucks, and many other duties.” He also expressed the importance of grapples to farmers and ranchers. According to Ouzts, these are implements that are primarily used to pick up and move dead limbs, trees and rubbish. “The drought may have stimulated this,” he said. “It takes years for the trees to be affected. That’s happening now. They started dying a couple of years ago.” Ouzts said that as a whole, dealer purity is the “hot topic” in the industry today. “Manufacturers are wanting dealers to only carry the lines of one specific manufactured brand,” he said. “Manufacturers only want stores to carry Kubota, or only want you to carry John Deere, or some other brand of tractor. Of course, we carry multiple implement lines. These include front-end loaders, different blades and mowers, just to name a few.” Ouzts said it was interesting to note that more women are getting into the agriculture business. More own farms and ranches than in past years. “Yes, more women are getting into land ownership, and living the rural lifestyle,” he said. “Sometimes, husbands that live in the city may have always wanted to do this – live in the country. So they do, and the husband and wife move out there. Then, in some cases, he dies, and she wonders what she is going to do. Some ladies want to keep carrying it on. They need more equipment to take care of their property. And, people have to equip their property to keep it tax exempt.”
Ouzts and his mother, Jan Ouzts, currently own Athens Tractor and Equipment. Their product line is Kubota. As for the future of agriculture, here or in other locations of the U.S., it appears uncertain whether it will flourish or will suffer because of low product prices, after agriculturalists pay high expenses. Brad Forrester, an owner of Athens Commission Co. Inc. in Athens, said he is waiting to see the effect of the election on the economy.
Athens Commission Company Inc. • Wholesale livestock dealer: cattle, goats, sheep, horses, mules, llamas and tack • large heated & cooled auditoriums, spacious livestock pens, delicious cafes, friendly staff, plenty of parking and experienced cowboys for your penning and hauling needs • Two Locations: 2800 State Highway 31 West, Athens and 1101 S. State Highway 19, Emory Forrester said the business his family owns primarily is involved in cattle. “Last year, the price of a steer that was 5-1/4 weight, or 525 pounds, got $2.50 per pound. Now, it’s worth $1.25,” Forrester said. “It’s the economy, and it’s an election year. It’s also a matter of supply and demand. There are so many things you can blame it on. Sometimes prices just get too high. I really don’t foresee prices going back there ever.” Still, Forrester is optimistic, believing the economy may improve. “It could force people to get out of the (agriculture) business,” he said. “A farmer in this part of the world, has got land that’s worth $5,000 to $10,000 per acre. It will be hard for them to stay in it, with the economy the way it is. With the election behind us, things may change.” Athens Commission Co. Inc. is located at 2800 State Highway 31 West, Athens. According to the company’s website, it is categorized under wholesale livestock dealers.
November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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Bacteria and its effect on East Texas crops
Corn producers asked to keep watch for new bacteria By April Barbe
T
Jacksonville Progress
here’s a new bacteria in Texas, and corn producers need to be aware of it and its effects. According to Texas AgriLife Extension officials, a bacterial pathogen, bacterial streak, was found recently in the Texas Panhandle. Cherokee County Horticulturist Kim Benton said while the bacteria is still relatively unknown in Cherokee County, corn producers should still monitor crops closely. “Growers, both home and commercial, should keep an eye out for these streaks in order to monitor the disease’s presence within the state,” Benton said. The bacteria causes brown, tan and reddish streaks to appear on corn leaves. State plant pathologist say the leaf lesions seemed to be limited to between-leaf veins, but it was later discovered to extend beyond the veins in a wavy, uneven shape. The lesions varied in length from half-an-inch to several inches and occurred throughout the leaf blade. The lesions were translucent when held up to the light. “If you observe this in your corn, please contact the extension office so that we can observe and make a record of it,” Benton said. The good thing, said Dr. Tom Isakeit, AgriLife Extension plant pathologist in College Station, is this disease has not been confirmed in other corn production areas of Texas. Also, there is no indication that this disease can cause adverse impacts in yield or quality in any of
Courtesy photos Bacterial streaks are shown on corn leaves. The bacteria is new to Texas, and agriculture experts say corn producers should be on the lookout. the states where it has been found. The specialists advised when scouting for bacterial leaf streak in corn, producers should be careful not to confuse its early symptoms with gray leaf spot, a fungal disease caused by Cercospora spp. Gray leaf spot appears as rectangular lesions or stripes, which are smooth and tend to stay within the veins. These lesions are initially tan and later may appear gray as the fungus produces spores. Advanced symptoms of gray leaf spot are quite different from bacterial leaf streak, experts said. Because gray leaf spot is dependent on hot
weather, high relative humidity and moisture on the leaves, it may be more prevalent during flowering, while bacterial leaf streak has been observed as early as V7 or seven leaf collar. “Time will tell whether bacterial leaf streak becomes an important disease in Texas, but as this disease becomes the subject of research, we can expect to see more information on hybrid susceptibility and factors affecting disease severity,” Isakeit said. Texas AgriLife Extension contributed to this story.
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November-December 2016
Good acorn crop hurting hunters By Michael Maresh
news@palestineherald.com
L
ocal hunters looking for deer might not have as much success as they have had in previous years. A good crop of acorns and fewer mature deer could put the pressure on hunters in East Texas this deer season, said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, wildlife and fisheries specialist in Overton. Acorns are falling and it’s slowing down the deer movement, because they do not have to travel to find food, said Matt Williams, a well-known outdoor writer in East Texas. Acorns are a good food source for deer, and they would likely prefer to eat the acorns that are dropping to the ground. “They really like acorns if they are available,” he said, and added the acorn crop varies from year to year, so there is no way to predict what might occur. “It just makes it harder (to hunt),” Williams said. The hunters in the community likely knew what the good acorn crop would mean to them, Williams said. The warning signs of a good acorn crop season began to show from the middle to late October, so it was not a surprise hunters are not seeing many deer at their corn feeder bins, Williams said. A local hunter, who did not want his name used, said the fact that acorns are a good food source for all wildlife is nice. “It’s good we have a good acorn crop, because it provides food for the wildlife,” he said. “It’s just not good for the hunters. There’s no way around it. It’s Mother Nature.” Another reason why the deer hunting season has gotten off to a poor start is the warm weather, Williams said. Higginbotham said hunters in the Pineywoods and Post Oak Savannah eco-regions in East Texas could face tougher hunting conditions due to a bumper acorn crop this year. Consumption of shelled corn and food plot crops decreases dramatically when acorns are available, which likely means hunters will have to adjust their strategies to harvest deer. “Several different oak species are producing abundant crops of acorns this year, and hunters who hunt the early part of gun season over supplemental feeders or food plots could be in a very lonely spot when acorns are raining down on other parts of the property,” he said. Higginbotham said hunters may
need to hunt in or near stands of acorn-producing oaks. He recommends using portable or temporary hunting blinds for concealment in those areas. Blinds should be set up downwind or crosswind from the feeding area, he said. Hunters should enter the area from a direction that does not result in scent drift into the feeding area. “That may delay the opportunity to hunt those areas until the wind direction is favorable,” he said. Compounding difficult conditions, the number of mature deer also will likely be lower this season compared to previous seasons, he said. Higginbotham said hunters can aid wildlife management by collecting and sharing data regarding deer sightings and harvested deer. Hunters are encouraged to keep a tally of the number of does, bucks and fawns they see during the first two weeks of rifle season, which started Nov. 5. Hunters can also record harvest data on deer, including the date, time and location, sex, antler measurements for bucks, lactation status of does and field dressed weights on all deer. Photos of all bucks harvested are also encouraged. Harvest data can be compared to future hunting seasons’ data to determine if the deer population and habitat are in balance and trending toward the goals of hunters and landowners, he said. “This is all valuable information that can be used to formulate future harvest recommendations,” Higginbotham said.
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Gone Fishing with Jerry Miller
November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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Techniques for catching suspended bass S
ome of the most difficult bass to catch are suspended bass. It can be very frustrating to locate on your graph bass that are suspended 15 or 20 feet below the surface over even deeper water. Bass that weigh around 10 pounds are territorial and feed for short periods of time and then often suspend in about 10 feet of water over 20 or 30 feet of water. The depths they suspend vary from lake to lake. These larger bass that suspend become dormant after feeding and are extremely difficult to catch. Other bass that suspend are called schoolers. Bass in the one to two pound range often suspend this time of year and feed heavily on shad that are often near the surface. These schoolers are waiting for big pods of bait fish to swim by near or on the surface. When this occurs they often streak up
and feed on the bait fish. A variety of baits can be productive this time of year. Topwaters like a Zara Spook will entice the bass to come to the surface and feed, or you can drop a slab or a spoon directly to the depths that the fish are holding waiting to ambush their prey. Over the last two weeks I have found that the majority of the bass on Lake Jacksonville are feeding in and over deep open water. After I leave the launch area I head towards the dam using my electronics looking for suspended schools of bass. It’s not uncommon to find bass in 30 to 38 feet suspended in about 15 to 20 feet of water. When I spot these bass feeding near the surface, I utilize a variety of baits including a medium Zara Spook, Flukes or swim baits. When I spot bass suspended way below the surface I drop a
buoy in the area and fish with a 1/2 oz. spoon or a 1/2 oz. silver slab. It’s critical to note the exact depth that the bass are suspended. Last Monday I fished with David Nichols for schoolers. We started bass fishing about 11:00 a.m. We began our fishing on a main lake point and caught a few bass on an Umbrella Rig and a silver slab. The bass were not very active at this time, so we kept probing the open water area looking for the larger schools. We searched for about three hours. About 2:00 p.m. Nichols found the mother lode. The bass were suspended near a point at 20 feet in about 37 feet of water. We both ended up the day catching and releasing 40 bass each. It was non-stop catching for about two hours. When Nichols located the bass he threw out a buoy. These bass seemed to want the lure moving fast and very erratic. We
first tried jigging the silver slab at the 20-foot level. Sometimes the bass would strike as the lure dropped towards the bottom. At times they struck when the lure was jigged at 20 feet. At other times we would cast the slab out, let it drop to 20 feet (by counting to 20 as
the lure dropped), and then jig and swim the lure through the 20-foot level. This does take practice and skill to keep the lure at a certain depth. By 3:30 p.m. the action subsided. Last week when we fished this area we caught a lot of bass on a medium shad color Zara Spook. Last Monday the bass simply ignored this lure. Locating and catching suspended bass is not easy. It takes a lot of patience and good electronics to pinpoint these roaming schools. These bass should remain active for several more weeks. All the bass we caught were stuffed full of about two to three inch shad. The surface temperature has now dropped into the 60s. Bass are feeding very heavy now preparing for winter. ------------------------------Jerry Miller may be contacted at: gonefishing2@suddenlink.net
Building tomorrow’s youth
FFA helps Elkhart student Aly Graves to develop as a person By Peter Phillips
A
Community@palestineherald.com
ly Graves started in Future Farmers of America in the eighth grade. “That was the first year you could be involved with FFA and go to events. My first year, I did Creed Speaking, and that was the first time I got thrown into a public-speaking event, which was shocking for me being an eighth-grader. Ever since then, I fell in love with it and have been part of FFA for the past six years.” Aly, now a senior and president of the Elkhart FFA, is looking forward to her
final year. We sat down recently with Aly for a question-and-answer session. Why did you get involved with Future Farmers of America? For me, I was never one of those kids that did band. I couldn’t play an instrument to save my live. I never did art or anything like that; so, another option we had was agricultural, and I went with it. I love it because of the interaction you get, and there are many options you can choose from. There is so much more to FFA than just farming and raising animals. There are speaking events, which being part of speaking events — even last year when I did public speaking — it really helped me open up as a speaker and to open up as a person. What are your goals moving forward? Honestly, my plans for after I graduate are to go to UT Tyler and study information technology and get a degree in cyber security. As for FFA, I would love to still be involved with it. There are ways I can still be involved with it using information technology. I just do not know where my life and degree will end up taking me. How important is Future Farmers of America to you? I was an extremely shy person, and I wasn’t a well-rounded kid. When I got started with FFA, I was doing these events where I was speaking in front of three judges and talking about the creed. I have gone from being scared to talk in front of three people to where, last year, for our end of the year banquet, I was speaking in front of 300-400 people. I have seen myself advance in areas besides FFA. I did Fields of Faith for FCA group, and I gave my testimony in front of 500-600 people and was not scared or worried about what people thought about me. Not only has FFA help me become a better public speaker, it has helped me have better interactions with people. FFA has helped me become a better a person. What is it like being president? It is very stressful being president, because you are in charge of so many people. When you are president of the local FFA, everything falls on you — good and bad. I love being the person that is in charge of everything. Part of that is you had to make sure the other officers are working well together as a team. There are 10 other officers, and to me they’re like my family, and I love working with them.
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
November-December 2016
Apex Predators
Eastern Texas is home to the state’s top fisheries for trophy class flatheads By Matt Williams
I
Outdoors Writer
’ve never put much stock in reincarnation. If I did - and happened to come back as a fish - I would definitely want to be one with long whiskers, a fat belly, dapple olive skin and a head shaped like a gravel shovel. Those are all distinctive characteristics of a flathead catfish with a serious weight problem, which is one more good reason to be one. Sometimes called op, yellow cat of shovelheads, these denizens of the deep eat like kings, feasting at will on a healthy diet of crawfish, bream, shad, crappie, bass, other catfish or just about any other lively critter that happens to swim dangerously close when the dinner bell rings. Many anglers believe the flathead’s preference for live prey is the reason why it is the most highly-prized of all catfishes when it comes to table fare. Recognized as one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America and an apex predator wherever it swims, these piscatorial titans have intrigued anglers and inspired tales both tall and true since
the dawn of fishing. Though it lacks the storybook lore of the great white shark, the flathead is widely known as the ultimate trophy among hardcore catfishers all across the South. Native to many waters across Texas, flatheads do best in large river systems and major reservoirs that offer good habitat and plentiful forage to sustain their voracious appetites. So, how big do they get? The IGFA all tackle world record caught in 1998 from Elk City Reservoir in Kansas weighed 123 pounds. The biggest one ever hauled in from Texas waters was a trotline brute from Lake Livingston weighing 114 pounds. The heaviest ever caught by rod and reel in Texas was 98.5 pounder from Lake Palestine. Several Texas reservoirs have produced lake records topping 50 pounds. While it shares some of the traits seen in its more abundant cousins -- the blue cat and channel cat -- flatheads also have some unique physical features that make them easily identifiable. The most striking are its flat, wide, shovel-shaped head and a wide mouth with a serious underbite. The fish also has
a unique skin coloration that can range from a mottled olive, yellow or brown, thus earning it the nicknames yellow cat, opelousas cat or “op” for short. The differences don’t end there. While blues and channels are social butterflies that often roam in open water in large schools, the flathead is prone to lead a solitary lifestyle rather than running with a pack. That fact, coupled with its large size, raw power, love for fresh meat and affinity for thick, gnarly cover make it much more difficult to fool and even tougher to catch than much more abundant blue cats, especially on rod and reel. “A big flathead is an entirely different animal than a blue cat and way more of a challenge to find and catch,” says Kris Bodine, a TPWD research scientist based the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center in Mountain Home. “It’s an apex predator, very territorial and will eat just about anything that swims. It takes more space harbor these individuals and there are fewer of them out there. They also like live bait. That’s why you hear about trotliners catching them so often, but not that many on rod and reel. Trotliners leave their lines out there all night long. Most rod and
Photo by Matt Williams
Highly prized for their succulent meat, flatheads also rank as the ultimate trophy for many hardcore catfishers. Many are turning the fish strictly for sport and choosing to release big females like this on to fight another day.
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Texas’ Top Waters for Flatheads • Lake Palestine • Lake Tawakoni • Toledo Bend • Lake Livingston • Lake Lewisville • Choke Canyon Reservoir • Wright Patman • Sam Rayburn • Ray Roberts • Lake Arrowhead • Lower Guadalupe River • Red River • Sabine River • Trinity River
reelers don’t have the patience to do that.” That’s not to say rod and reelers haven’t caught some whopper flatheads in Texas. They have. But many of them have been caught by total accident. To wit: The 98 1/2 pound state rod and reel record ate a live shiner that James Laster had placed on crappie hook. Laster was likely crappie fishing at the time. Meanwhile, the 80.25 pound Richland Chambers lake record was caught on flipping tube that A.J. Putejovosky was using to fish for bass. I know of several other outsize flatheads that have been caught on artificial lures that were obviously mistaken for something alive. Two of the biggest -- a 98 pounder from Lake Lewisville and a 92 pounder from Toledo Bend -- were fooled by jigging spoons. As effective as trotlines are for catching flatheads, hand fishing (sometimes referred to as noodling or grappling) may be the most effective method of all for targeting trophy op, especially during late spring when the fish move to preferred areas to spawn. Legalized in Texas 2011, the practice involves reaching a bare or gloved hand into a hollow log, an under cut bank or boat ramp, rock hollow or any other cavity where the fish like to nest. The idea is to provoke the territorial flathead into eating your hand. Once that happens, a wild one-onone battle begins. Concerned that hand fishing pressure might disrupt the spawning cycles of too many fish and subsequently harm to the flathead fishery at Lake Palestine, TPWD launched an intensive study there a few years back to find out. What they learned in the process is that the 26,000-acre
November-December 2016 East Texas reservoir supports a bountiful population of a trophy flatheads (fish 30 inches or greater) and that hand fishing and other legal methods for taking them pose no threat to the fishery. If anything, the source is way underutilized. Bodine, who was the point man in the effort, says the recent study involved using new low frequency electrofishing gear to collect 255 flathead cats, about half of which were 30-52 inches long. The fish were tagged for easy identification and released. Anglers who recaught one of the study fish during the following 12 months were offered a cash reward for reporting it. Interestingly, Bodine said harvest data from the study indicated an annual harvest rate on flatheads of about 3-4 percent. Biologists also determined that Palestine boasts an outstanding flathead population estimated to be between 4,000-8,000 fish, which Bodine called “phenomenal.” The biologist says plans are underway to begin using the same low frequency shocking techniques to sample flathead and other catfish populations on other lakes around the state. Once those studies get underway, he claims
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he won’t be shocked if multiple five star flathead populations are documented elsewhere. “I have no doubts that there are other lakes out there that are as good or better than Palestine,” Bodine said. “The irony of it is that we historically haven’t had a lot of our anglers going after them.” TPWD angler surveys shore up that statement. Surveys indicate that catfish rank second behind largemouth bass in terms of angler popularity statewide. However, only 12 percent of the anglers surveyed said they target flatheads. The most popular is channel cat with 51 percent, followed by blue cat, 35 percent. “Generally speaking, our flathead catfish fisheries are probably one of the most underutilized fisheries we offer,” Bodine said. “A very small portion of our angling constituency actively pursue flatheads, despite having quality angling opportunities statewide. Flathead catfish are one of the biggest freshwater fish in North America and provide an excellent opportunity to catch some trophies. That is of course, if your are up to the challenge! “Catfish have become more and more popular with our
Photo by Matt Williams
With its wide head, gaping jaws and slight under bite, big flatheads are considered apex predators on the freshwater fishing scene. anglers over the last several years and we are putting more effort into learning more about our catfish populations we can better
manage them to meet the needs of our anglers,” Bodine added. “We’ve launched the first catfish management plan and our aim
is build on that based on what our surveys have told us that our catfish anglers want. It’s a work in progress.”
Outdoors Briefs Fall into fishing along the Texas Coast From TPWD Reports
and in Galveston and San Antonio Bays. Lower water temperatures force flounder to migrate from the bays into the Gulf of Anglers are taking full advantage of the Mexico to spawn. This ‘flounder run’ typirecent unseasonably warm weather this fall cally happens in November and is a popular that has kept fishing conditions pleasant time for anglers to fish for flounder. along the Texas coast, according to coastal “The flounder appear to be on the move fisheries biologists with the Texas Parks and as angler catches have improved since the Wildlife Department (TPWD). recent cooler weather has set in, which has “Conditions are ideal for recreational been reflected by increased catches seen in angles right now,” said Jerry Mambretti, TPWD gill net samples,” Mambretti said. TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division regional Perry Trial, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Dividirector for the upper coast. “It’s sunny, with sion regional director for the lower coast, cool clear water, not too windy and good is seeing similar activity. “Overall fishtidal movement.” ing pressure has remained relatively high Mambretti noted that in most all the throughout the fall so far and trout catches major bay systems along the upper coast, have been good,” he said. “Flounder have anglers are reporting good catches of spotbeen abundant in our sampling gears, but ted seatrout and although it appears the fall landings are down this fall. Higher than flounder run may be off to a delayed start, normal tides in October and the November catches are picking up along Sabine Lake ban on gigging have contributed to the low
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landings.” Due to declining flounder populations, new regulations were implemented in 2009 and 2014 to increase the abundance of flounder coastwide. During the month of November the daily bag limit for flounder drops from 5 to 2 with the possession limit equal to the bag limit. Only a pole-and-line may be used to harvest flounder in November. From Dec. 1-14, the daily bag limit and possession limit are 2, but flounder may be taken by any legal fishing device including a gig. The minimum size limit for taking flounder is 14 inches. “These regulations have helped us stabilize the southern flounder population and reverse the decline of this recreationally important species,” said Lance Robinson, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division deputy director.
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November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
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From Scratch with Love
Roasted Herbed Beef Tenderloin Total time: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Beef tenderloin is a special (and expensive) meal to serve, so you want to be sure to cook it just right. This recipe is a foolproof way to add flavor without having to rely on any complicated techniques. Depending on how the beef tenderloin is butchered, you may end up with a thicker or thinner portion. This recipe works with both cuts, but timing is crucial to achieve perfect rare to medium-rare beef. Make sure to use an instant-read thermometer to monitor the temperature of the beef as it cooks. For a thinner piece of meat, check the temperature after 18 to 20 minutes to avoid overcooking.
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
1 (3-1/2- to 4-pound) center-cut beef tenderloin, trimmed 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), at room temperature 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves Butcher’s twine, as needed
Instructions
1. Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Meanwhile, pat the beef dry with paper towels. (If one end of the beef is noticeably thinner than the other, tuck the thinner end underneath and tie where you tucked with butcher’s twine. This will help it cook more evenly.) Using your hands, rub the tenderloin all over with the oil, sprinkle with the salt and pepper, and rub until evenly coated; set aside. 2. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke. Place the beef in the pan and sear, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and set aside until the surface of the beef is no longer hot, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the butter mixture. 3. Place the butter, garlic, rosemary, and thyme in a medium bowl and smash with the back of a spoon or a rubber spatula until evenly combined. When the beef is ready, evenly rub the butter mixture on the top and sides of the tenderloin. 4. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the beef registers 120°F to 125°F for rare or 125°F to 135°F for medium rare, about 25 to 35 minutes. 5. Transfer the beef to a cutting board and tent it loosely with foil. Let it rest at least 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with potatoes and creamy mushroom gravy for a memorable Christmas dinner. Recipe courtesy of Amy Wisniewski via Chowhound
EAST TEXAS STOCK PRICES ANDERSON COUNTY LIVESTOCK
EAST TEXAS LIVESTOCK INC.
Updated: 11/23/2016 (NO SALE) Head Count: 000 Buyers: 00 Sellers: 00
Updated: 11/15/2016 Cows: 324 Bulls: 45 Buyers: 66 Sellers: 257
STEERS
ATTENTION: Our next sale will be Wednesday, November 30, 2016.
300-DOWN
$109
$190
305lb - 400lb
$105
$178
405lb - 500lb
$105
$171
505lb - 600lb
$92
$152
605lb - 800lb
$89
$130
300-DOWN
$105
$184
305lb - 400lb
$100
$172
405lb - 500lb
$92
$166
505lb - 600lb
$85
$142
605lb - 800lb
$83
$123
Cows
$41
$59
Bulls
$65
$75
HEIFERS
SLAUGHTER
PAIRS BRED COWS
TRI-COUNTY LIVESTOCK MARKET Updated: 11/19/2016 Head Count: 1445
STEERS UNDER 300lb
1.50
2.40
300lb - 400lb
1.35
1.90
400lb - 500lb
1.20
500lb - 600lb
1.15
600lb - 700lb 700lb - 800lb
NACOGDOCHES LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
HUNTS LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
Updated: 11/24/2016 (NO SALE) Head Count: 000 Buyers: 00 Sellers: 00
ATTENTION: Our last sale of 2016 will be Thursday, December 15, 2016.
$1850
$650
$1550
ATHENS COMMISSION COMPANY
Updated: 11/14/2016 Head Count: 1170
STEERS
$1350
Updated: 11/18/2016 Head Count: 1567 Sellers: 223
STEERS
200lb - 299lb
1.50
2.00
300-DOWN
0.80
1.80
300lb - 399lb
1.30
1.85
300lb - 400lb
0.80
1.75
1.60
400lb - 499lb
1.35
1.63
400lb - 500lb
0.80
1.70
1.45
500lb - 599lb
1.15
1.49
500lb - UP
0.80
1.60
1.05
1.25
600lb - 699lb
0.95
1.25
HEIFERS
0.98
1.18
700lb - 899lb
0.98
1.17
300-DOWN
0.80
1.70
300lb - 400lb
0.80
1.60
UNDER 300lb
1.25
1.60
200lb - 299lb
1.70
1.80
400lb - 500lb
0.80
1.55
300lb - 400lb
1.15
1.47
300lb - 399lb
1.10
1.53
500lb - UP
0.80
1.35
400lb - 500lb
1.10
1.42
400lb - 499lb
1.10
1.45
SLAUGHTER
500lb - 600lb
1.00
1.25
500lb - 599lb
1.00
1.27
Cows
0.30
0.62
600lb - 700lb
0.98
1.15
600lb - 699lb
0.95
1.13
Heavy Bulls
0.60
0.77
700lb - 800lb
0.95
1.05
700lb - 899lb
0.94
1.11
PAIRS
HEIFERS
HEIFERS
SLAUGHTER
SLAUGHTER
Top
$1000
$1500
Cows
0.40
0.62
Cows
0.37
0.60
Low-Middle
$700
$1000
Heavy Bulls
0.65
0.77
Bulls
0.58
0.71
$1500
PAIRS
STOCKER COWS
0.70lb
1.50lb
$25hd
$175hd
$1750hd
STOCKER COWS
GOATS
$1625hd
BABY CALVES
$25hd
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November-December 2016
East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
15
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
East Texas Youth Hunt yields big results for a young hunter
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Courtesy Photo
Eleven-year-old Connor Sessions took this trophy buck this November east of Jacksonville. Connor filled his meat buck tag the opening morning of youth season. Connor is a fifth-grader at Cushing Elementary. His guide was grandfather, Dick Sessions.
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East Texas Farm & Ranch Living
16
Support Agriculture Businesses... They are the Heartbeat of Our Economy
November-December 2016
Feed, Tack and Frills
Husband-wife shops offer something for everyone in Corsicana By Deanna Kirk
W
Corsicana Daily Sun
hen a man and a woman enter into a marriage, it’s a partnership. Josh and Holly Hollingsworth take that word partnership to the extreme, and their businesses thrive because of it. Josh operates Smith General Store at 220 E. Third Ave., which they purchased from Glen Smith. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. “We sell yard stuff, feed, chemicals, dog food, liquid feed, bulk feed, Yeti coolers, knives, horse tack, ropes, and show feed,” he said. “We sponsored three kids this year for the Navarro County Youth Expo.” In fact, show feed is how the couple got started at their other store, Feed Shack and Tack, and Feed Shack Boutique, located at 5455 S. Interstate 45 East in Corsicana. “We started our store in Angus where Holly is now about three years ago,” he
said. “Started a feed store out of a little container. It grew rapidly, and at the same time Holly was selling clothes out of the house and got too big for that, so we built the store out there where she still is. But I have now moved all my merchandise into town.” Holly started in January 2014 selling clothes from her home. She said Josh just up and decided one day to open a feed store, and not wanting to be left out, she decided to sell clothes. “I had always done a booth at the Youth Expo in March with my Scentsy stuff, and I combined them,” she said. “We had to construct the building, which took about a year. We opened the actual store in 2015.” Feed Shack Boutique took off like gangbusters, thanks in no small part to Holly’s prowess with social media. Many of her customers are from other cities and out of state. She does lots of shipping of her products, even though she does not have a website. And, she said the locals are becoming familiar with her location as well. “It’s just fun to play dress-up every day. I like to help people pick out outfits,” Holly said. “They will look at something and it doesn’t look too appealing to them, but when I style the pieces — pants, top and the shoes — then they go,
‘Oh, that’s really cute!’” Feed Shack Boutique carries “women’s stuff,” as in shoes, jeans, tops, booties/wedge, but not western boots, she said. A few lines she carries are Dear John Denim, ATX Mafia, and ZSupply. Current hours she is open are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. As for the feed store, at some point Josh said they will either try to add on to the existing Feed Store on Third Avenue, or buy something close by for Holly’s business, to get the boutique into town. A true family business, the couple’s two sons are at the feed store after school with their dad, until mom closes her store for the day. “She does all our books and business, so it would be easier if I had her here,” Josh admitted. Always thinking and diversifying, Josh has other irons in the fire. If your pasture has need for spraying for bugs or weeds, no worries — he can handle that as well. He also owns a herbicide spraying company, and an exterminating company, and does pasture spraying. “On the feed store end, we sell bulk fertilizer and lease fertilizer buggies too,” Josh said. “We do everything from farm and ranching to rodeo, and even cater to pet owners. We are building an indoor rodeo arena where Holly is right now. “We put on some ropings out there now, but once it’s built, we’ll lease it out for full rodeos.” ———————— dkirk@corsicanadailysun.com
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