Land and Livestock Post

February February 2015 2015 —— Issue Issue 1

Fire ants haven’t gone far Ways to eliminate the invasive nuisance PAGE 10

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BRYAN, TX 77802 PERMIT # 23

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News

Farm Bill deadlines approach

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Farmers have several important decisions to make under the 2014 farm bill, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Producers have the the option to chose between two safety net programs: Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage, and the opportunity to reallocate base acres and update payment yields.

“These are five-year decisions,” said Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and AgriLife Extension economist. “Farmers have to decide what is best for their operation, knowing that their choices will extend

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

The deadline for base allocation and yield update is Feb. 27. The 2014 farm bill Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage election deadline is March 31. through the life of the farm bill.”

The deadline for base alloca-

tion and yield update is Feb. 27.

The 2014 farm bill Price Loss

See DEADLINES, Page 9

From the General Manager

F

ire ants hold a special place in the hearts of many Texans. There are very few species that you can say, without blinking an eye: “Let’s kill every last on of ’em!”

I learned about their painful sting at a young age. As a kid, I got into a pile of the things and got bitten so many times it JESSE WRIGHT looked like I had chicken pox from the knees down. Since then I’ve been wary of them, treating them with a degree of fear and respect that is deserved by such an aggressive pest. In fact, whenever I see a red ant pile, I can’t help but stick my hand in it and marvel that their first instinct is not to attack.

I didn’t say the fire ant bites made

me any smarter.

In our cover story we take a look at this nuisance and how fire ants impact the land, wildlife and cattle. Of course we also will go into ways to rid yourself of fire ants — or at least make a dent in their numbers.

We also have news about upcoming events and workshops as well as updates throughout the ag industry.

Hope you enjoy it, and as always, thanks for reading. ’Til next time,

• For more information about content or advertising, contact Jesse Wright at jesse.wright@theeagle.com.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

located just off Hwy. 6 and OSR 1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • (979) 778-1055, home Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell

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News

Blackland Income Growth beef session set for Feb. 3 Special to The Post

WACO — The beef session of the 2015 Blackland Income Growth Conference Feb. 3 will feature industry experts discussing strategies to assist beef producers on how to capitalize on today’s strong beef market.

The annual conference, to be held at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, is sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Waco Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Uptmore of West Auction Company will discuss various marketing strategies, cattle phenotypes and breeds, and management factors producers can incorporate to get the most return in today’s market. Steve Hammack, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist emeritus in Stephenville, will discuss sire selection factors to assist producers in maximizing market potential when selecting potential herd sires.

With high calf prices come high replace-

4

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Beef session attendees at the Blackland Income Growth Conference Feb. 3 in Waco will hear about tips on restocking or replacing older cows. ment costs, and Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist from College Station, will discuss the female side of the beef equation.

Producers attending also will receive money-saving tips related to hay storage and feeding losses, as well as an update on current beef industry topics. Producers who have completed the Beef Quality Assurance Program will receive 1.5 continuing education credits.

Registration for the main Blackland Income Growth Conference on Feb. 3 is $20 per person and includes lunch. Producers can go to stephenville.tamu.edu/ blackland-income-growth/conferenceinformation/ to see specific continuing education credit allocations, sessions and speakers.

For more information, call 254-968-4144.

February 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News East Texas Pasture Management Program set Feb. 20

By RoBeRt BuRns Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

OVERTON — This year’s East Texas Pasture Management Program, set for Feb. 20 in Overton, will concentrate mainly on the f iner points of weed control, according to Vanessa CorriherOlson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service forage specialist.

“Weed control continues to be an important part of our overall forage management plan,” Corriher-Olson said. “This program will provide critical information to prepare you for the upcoming weed season.”

The 2015 program will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton.

As in previous years, this year’s program will offer the latest in management strategies and a newly updated herbicide price-comparison CD, which is included with registration.

“Determining treatment cost per acre is important when

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evaluating herbicides and insecticides,” said Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and a program presenter.

Advance registration by Feb. 19 is $25; on-site registration will be $35.

To register in advance, go to agriliferegister.tamu.edu or call Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Conference Services at 979-8452604. Check-in and registration will begin at 12:30 p.m., with the program adjourning at 6 p.m.

Attendees can earn five continuing education units toward the renewal of their Texas Department of Agriculture private applicator’s licenses: one hour in laws and regulations, one in integrated pest management and three in the general category.

Program topics and speakers include: • “Does storage of pesticides impact efficacy?” by Mark Matocha, AgriLife Extension weed science specialist in College Station.

• “How to Properly Dispose of Empty Containers and Old Pes-

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• “Using Herbicides Under Trees: Is it Possible?” by Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension weed specialist in College Station.

• “Spray Tip Selection and Equipment Calibration,” Baumann • “Effective Weed Control with Weed Identification, Proper Timing and Herbicide Selection,” Corriher-Olson.

• “How to Use the Herbicide Cost Comparison CD,” Banta.

The Overton center is about two miles north of Overton at 1710 F.M. 3053.

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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Vanessa Corriher-Olson

A single thistle plant can produce at least 4,000 seeds, which increases the chance for higher thistle populations in the pasture the following year, according to Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service forage specialist in Overton.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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News

Texas well-owner training set for Feb. 5 in Navasota

By Paul SchattenBerg Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

NAVASOTA — Anyone interested in private water well management in the Navasota River watershed is invited to a Texas Well Owner Network training Feb. 5 in Navasota.

The workshop is being offered through collaboration with the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization.

The training, which is free and open to the public, is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Technology Center, Carver Community Center Campus, 1602 S. La Salle St., said Drew Gholson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and network coordinator in College Station.

“The [Texas Well Owner Network] program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs, so they can learn about improving and protecting their community water resources,” Gholson said.

“The program was established to help well owners become familiar with Texas groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction, and water quality and treatment.”

He said participants may bring well water samples to the training for screening at a cost of $10 per sample, which is due when

samples are turned in. “ Wat e r s a m p l e s w i l l b e screened for nitrates, total dissolved solids and bacteria,” Gholson said.

Well owners who would like to have their well water sampled can pick up two sample containers from the AgriLife Extension office, 203 Ve teran’s Memorial Drive in Navasota.

Bringing water samples to the training is not required, Gholson said, but those wanting to have water samples analyzed must attend.

He said space is limited, so attendees are requested to register at twon.tamu.edu/training or by calling 979-845-1461 as soon as possible.

The training is one of 30 being conducted statewide through the Preventing Water Quality Contamination through the Texas Well Owner Network project.

Other scheduled trainings include Seguin, Round Rock and San Antonio.

“The core content of this program is the same as other trainings, but the information is tailored to local water quality issues and aquifers,” he said.

Gholson said more than 1 million private water wells in Texas provide water to residents in rural areas and increasingly to those living on small acreages at the growing rural-urban interface.

“Private well owners are independently responsible for monitoring the quality of their wells,”

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“They are responsible for ensuring their drinking water is safe. This means they are responsible for all aspects of the water system — testing, inspecting, maintaining — and this training will help private well owners to understand and care for their wells.”

Funding for the Texas Well Owner Network is through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The project is managed by the Texas Water Resources Institute, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

Texas Well Owner Network photo

A Texas Well Owner Network training will be held Feb. 5 in Navasota. Attendees are welcome to bring well-water samples for testing.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

South Texas Cattle Marketing’s “Cattleman’s Opportunity” Replacement Female Sale

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February 2015 — Issue 1

7

News

USDA to fund conservation partnership projects Special to The Post

Two water quality and quantity announced recently will focus on the restoration, protection and improvement of water and wetland systems on agriculture lands in 57 counties contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico.

The programs will emphasize conservation practices.

Texas State Conservationist Salvador Salinas announced on Jan. 14 that more than $10 million in funding for the projects will come through USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The projects bring together partners to the service’s conservation mission in an effort to harness innovation and ideas, while demonstrating the value of voluntary, private lands conservation. “[The Regional Conservation Partnership Program] is a different approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities and demonstrates the importance of strong public-private partnerships in delivering local solutions to tough natural resource challenges,” Salinas said.

This year’s projects in Texas will accomplish a wide diversity of agricultural and natural resource goals from helping to protect important drinking water supplies and providing essential habitat for many at-risk species, to making farms and ranches more sustainable and address-

ing important waterways like the Gulf of Mexico, Salinas said.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program competitively awards funds to conservation projects designed by local partners specifically for their region. Eligible partners include private companies, universities, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments and others joining with agricultural and conservation organizations and producers to invest money, manpower and materials to their proposed initiatives. With participating partners investing along with the Agriculture Department, USDA’s $1.2 billion in funding over the life of the five-year program can leverage an additional $1.2 billion from partners for a total of $2.4 billion for conservation. “[The Regional Conservation Partnership Program] puts our partners in the driver’s seat,” Salinas said. “Projects are led locally, and demonstrate the value of strong public-private partnerships that deliver solutions to tough natural resource challenges.”

One of the Texas conservation program projects is the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Improvement Initiative, with Texas Water Resources Institute as the lead partner. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is experiencing significant population growth which has contributed to degraded water quality and limited water supplies. This has increased

the need for improved irrigation efficiency. Partners, funds and educational efforts will be leveraged to work with landowners to reduce nutrient and sediment loading in local water bodies, as well as improve agricultural water use efficiency. This project also will enhance agricultural production in the Valley.

The other Texas project is the Texas Gulf Coast Stream and Wetland Initiative, with the Resource Institute Inc. as the lead partner. The Texas Gulf Coast region is experiencing rapid growth and development that is putting pressure on aquatic resources and contributing to the degradation of the Gulf of Mexico. The project will focus on the restoration and protection of headwater stream and wetland

systems on agriculture land to improve function and provide protection against future developmental impacts.

It also will work to improve water quality and quantity, reduce soil erosion, and enhance or create habitat for at-risk species through education, outreach and engagement of landowners and land managers for installing conservation practices on their land.

Texas is also part of a national project, Rice Stewardship Partnership – Sustaining the Future of Rice, with lead partner Ducks Unlimited Inc. The Rice Stewardship Partnership, with Ducks Unlimited, the USA Rice Federation and 44 collaborating partners, will assist up to 800 rice producers to address water quantity, water quality and wildlife habi-

tat across 380,000 acres in Mississippi, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.

Remote sensors will be utilized to estimate bird population carrying capacity in shallow waters and a Field-to-Market Fieldprint Calculator will monitor results over time. The program offers several innovations to augment conservation implementation and gain broader producer participation.

More than 600 pre-proposals were submitted for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program in 2014. “With so many strong project propsals, the project selection process was extremely competitive. [The Regional Conservation Partnership

See PROJECTS, Page 9

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February 2015 — Issue 1



The Land & Livestock Post

News Deadlines, from Page 3 Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage election deadline is March 31.

“I can imagine some farmers are thinking that is a few months away,” Outlaw said. “The actual deadline may be sooner for some.

If a producer wants to purchase the Supplemental Coverage Option from their crop insurance agent, this decision will need to be made during the normal insurance sign-up. They are ineligible for [Supplemental Coverage Option] if they eventually chose Agricultural Risk Coverage.

“With the early planting dates of South Texas, the de facto deadline is the crop insurance purchase deadline, which will be Jan. 31. Farmers need to make their [Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage] decision before they meet with their crop insurance agent.”

To assist farmers with these decisions, several web-based de-

cision aids were developed under a Farm Service Agency grant by the National Association for Agriculture and Food Policy — a coalition co-led by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The decision aids can be accessed at usda. afpc.tamu.edu.

Outlaw said he encourages farmers to use these resources if they have not already done so.

Projects, from Page 8 $5,350

Program] is a 5-year $1.2 billion USDA commitment; projects not selected in this first year may be eligible in subsequent years,” Salinas said.

For more information on Texas Regional Conservation Partnership Program projects, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Texas webpage to view the full list of projects.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

9

News

Getting antsy

A programmed approach to fire ant control

D

By RoBeRt FeaRs Special to The Post

uring periods of cold weather, there is practically no surface activity and people tend to think that fire ants have disappeared.

Red imported fire ants cause very little concern this time of year, because they are as much as three or four feet deep inside their mounds where the soil is warm. When warm weather returns, fire ants again can become a problem, so we should start thinking about a control program for next spring.

“Populations of fire ants have seemed to decrease during the last two years during the drought,” said Paul Nester, Extension program specialist – Integrated Pest Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

“This perception is probably due to fire ants moving deep into the ground where there is moisture and an escape from the heat. With rain finally falling in some areas of Texas, it is probable that fire ants will return to the earth’s surface and once again become a nuisance.”

“Fire ants have been the number one insect pest in Texas for many years,” said Michael Merchant, professor and Extension urban entomologist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. “It has been estimated through research that fire ants cost Texans approximately 300 million dollars annually, including damages to livestock and property and the expense of control.

“Fire ants are perhaps best known for their painful, fiery sting,” Merchant said.

“The stings can cause allergic reactions in some people and send thousands of people in the United States to emergency rooms each year.”

Ecological impacts of fire ants aren’t fully understood and are being studied further by researchers. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, high numbers of fire ants may reduce populations of other ground-dwelling insects. This reduction may

10

affect the survival of birds and mammals that rely on the insects for food. Fire ants also may attack young ground-nesting birds, reptiles and other wildlife.

Predators

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service says that

photo courtesy of web. biosci.utexas.edu web.biosci.utexas.edu

armadillos, antlions (doodlebugs), spiders, birds and horned lizards have been known to eat fire ants when given the opportunity, but are not believed to have a major impact on imported fire ant populations.

Tawny (Raspberry) Crazy Ants prey on fire ants as well as other ant species. According to researchers at The University of Texas, crazy ants are displacing fire ants in areas across the southeastern United States.

The UT researchers studied two invasion sites on the Texas Gulf Coast — where the Tawny Crazy Ant population is the densest — and found that fire ants were eliminated. Even in regions where crazy ants are less dense, fire ant numbers were drastically reduced.

Other ant species, particularly native species, also were eliminated or diminished.

Although crazy ants are good competitors with fire ants, it has been observed that fire ants return to areas where crazy ant populations have diminished.

Several species of phorid fly that are native to Argentina and Brazil are enemies of the fire ant. Over the past 20 years, some of these Phorid flies have been imported into the United States, reared and released throughout the South. They currently are established in at least 27 Texas counties.

“The phorid fly species that attack fire ants are small and about 1/16 inch long,” Merchant said.

“The Phorids fly rapidly and hover above disturbed fire ant mounds or along foraging trails, waiting for an opportunity to swoop down and parasitize workers by depositing an egg into them.

“Once in the ant, the egg quickly hatches into a tiny maggot. The maggot feeds inside the ant for about three weeks before the parasitized ant dies. The ant’s head falls from its body as enzymes produced by the parasite dissolve the connective tissue.

“During the final stage of attack, the maggot consumes all of the head’s contents. Pupariation, the onset to the larval-pupal transition, occurs in the severed head capsule and the adult fly emerges from the ant’s head about three weeks later.”

Chemical control

Fire ants normally nest outdoors, but frequently enter homes in search of food and water. They most commonly are active during spring and fall. This is when people often treat mounds with various baits and insecticides. Baits contain food, usually corn meal, treated with insecticide. Proper application of baits can

See FIRE ANTS, Page 12

February 2015 — Issue 1



The Land & Livestock Post

News

Photo by Robert Fears

Fire ant baits can be purchased in shakers for individual mound treatment.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

11

News Fire ants, from Page 10 destroy an entire ant colony.

Insecticides applied as granules or liquids kill ants on the ground surface, but do not affect ants below ground.

“Foraging ants take bait to the oldest larvae (fourth instar) that digest the material on the outside of their body by regurgitating digestive fluid,” Nester said.

“The digestive fluids contain the bait’s active ingredient, which is passed throughout the fire ant colony, resulting in the death of winged reproductive ants and queens. Foraging (worker) ants and queens cannot swallow solid food. They can only suck liquids.”

“An area-wide or whole-yard approach to fire ant control is much more effective than treating one mound at a time,” Merchant said. “The Texas Two-Step program is recommended for fire ant control. The first step in the program involves broadcasting fire ant bait over the entire yard or infested area. For yards and small areas, a seed spreader can be used to ensure uniform coverage at low rates of 1.0 to 1.5 pounds per acre.”

For larger areas, such as pastures or roadsides, Nester recommends a low-volume applicator mounted on a tractor, pickup truck or ATV (all-terrain-vehicle). Aerial application may be a good alternative to ground equipment on 200 acre or larger areas.

Photos by Robert Fears

Fire ants have been known to harm young wildlife and livestock.

On the cover: Aerial application can be an economical way to treat fire ants on areas morethan 200 acres.

“It is important to apply only fresh baits,” says Merchant. “A sealed package of fire ant bait will last up to two years; but once opened, it should be used quickly. Application of baits, that are not fresh, is probably one of the primary reasons for unsuccessful treatments.”

“Step two is individual mound treatment where needed after broadcast treatment,” Merchant said.

“Mound treatments include liquid drenches, granules and dusts.

“The key to success with liquid drenches as well as granular products (non-baits) is to wash them deep into the mound. This usually requires one to two gallons of water per mound. Failure to use enough liquid to thoroughly drench the mound is a major cause of fire ants surviving and moving to a new location.”

For more information about fire ant control, see the fact sheet at www.agrilifebookstore. org/Two-Step-Method-and-Other-Approaches-to-Fire-Ant-p/ ento-034.htm.

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Jesse Wright 979.731.4721

jesse.wright@theeagle.com

February 2015 — Issue 1

Marketplace Advertising Rates 1X1 1 time - $14

12 times - $12/per run 24 times - $9/per run

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News LIVESTOCK MARKET REPORT Brazos Valley Results of the Brazos Valley Livestock Commission’s Jan. 13 sale: Head: 321 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $350-$440; 300-400 lbs., $335-$390; 400500 lbs., $270-$345; 500-600 lbs., $245-$292; 600-700 lbs., $220-$250; 700-800 lbs., $205-$212.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $285-$335; 300-400 lbs., $265-$305; 400500 lbs., $250-$285; 500-600 lbs., $192-$225; 600-700 lbs., $195-$229; 700-800 lbs., $190-$210.

Slaughter bulls: $120-$138.

Slaughter cows: $85-$111.

Bred cows: $1,400-$2,650.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,600-$2,200

Buffalo Results of Buffalo Livestock

Marketing’s Jan. 10 sale: Head: 611 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $350-$460; 300-400 lbs., $315-$400; 400500 lbs., $265-$335; 500-600 lbs., $245-$300; 600-700 lbs., $220-$295; 700-800 lbs., $210-$245.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $275-$440; 300-400 lbs., $245-$355; 400500 lbs., $230-$330; 500-600 lbs., $220-$300; 600-700 lbs., $195-$255; 700-800 lbs., $175-$237.

Slaughter bulls: $105-$140.

Slaughter cows: $65-$120.

Stocker cows: $1,450-$2,725.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,100-$1,900.

Caldwell Results of the Caldwell Livestock Commission’s Jan. 14 sale: Head: 205 Steers: 200-300 lbs., $400-$445; 300-400 lbs., $350-$400; 400500 lbs., $275-$340; 500-600

lbs., $265-$300; 600-700 lbs., $230-$270; 700-800 lbs., $220-$230.

Heifers: 200-300 lbs., $380-$440; 300-400 lbs., $290-$350; 400500 lbs., $270-$335; 500-600 lbs., $250-$275; 600-700 lbs., $225-$260; 700-800 lbs., $230-$320.

Slaughter bulls: $117-$136.

Slaughter cows: $75-$110.

Stocker cows: $1,700-$2,000.

Groesbeck Results of the Groesbeck Auction & Livestock Co.’s Jan. 15 sale: Head: 374 Steers: 300-400 lbs., $330-$380; 400-500 lbs., $270-$330; 500600 lbs., $260-$295; 600-700 lbs., $250-$270.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $275-$355; 400-500 lbs., $240-$310; 500600 lbs., $210-$290; 600-700 lbs., $260-$290.

Slaughter bulls: $130-$156.

Slaughter cows: $86-$116.

Bred cows: $1,400-$3,300.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,700-$2,900.

Milano Results of the Milano Livestock Exchange’s Oct. 14 sale: Steers: 300-400 lbs., $280-$319; 400-500 lbs., $274-$307; 500600 lbs., $247-$287; 600-700 lbs., $226-$239.

Heifers: 300-400 lbs., $265-$289; 400-500 lbs., $230-$271; 500600 lbs., $209-$245; 600-700 lbs., $193-$231.

Slaughter bulls: $120-$133.

Slaughter cows: $81-$116.

Bred cows: $1,200-$2,000.

Steers: 150-300 lbs., $225-$450; 300-400 lbs., $225-$420; 400500 lbs., $185-$355; 500-600 lbs., $175-$315; 600-700 lbs., $170-$262.50.

Heifers: 150-300 lbs., $195-$425; 300-400 lbs., $185-$375; 400500 lbs., $185-$325; 500-600 lbs., $175-$280; 600-700 lbs., $170-$255.

Slaughter bulls: $100-$1474.

Slaughter cows: $85-$117.

Stocker cows: $1,300-$2,350.

Cow/calf pairs: $1,800-$2,950.

—Special to The Post

Navasota Results of the Navasota Livestock Auction Co.’s Jan. 13 sale: Head: 1,784

Feb. 28 - Red Alliance Bull Auction. Bryan

TX

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Events Calendar

March 3 & 4 – All Breeds Bull & Commercial

Feb. 1 - Cowtown Select Hereford & Polled

March 7 - South Texas Cattle Marketing’s

Heifer Sale. Fort Worth, TX. (817) 831-3161

Feb 4- 7 - NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show. San Antonio, TX Feb. 14 - Bradley 3 Ranch, The Wide Body Sale. Estelline, TX

Female Sale@ Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Houston, TX

“Cattleman’s Opportunity” Replacement Female Sale. Nixon, TX (830) 334-8227

March 7 - Foundation Angus Alliance Sale, Luling, TX 979-777-7571

March 13 & 14 - The Black Hereford Sale.

Feb. 27 - Angus Bull Sale, Rutherford Ranches.

Waxahachie, TX

Feb, 28 - Prime Cut Bull Sale, 44 Farms.

Cameron, TX. (254) 718-5193

March 27-29 - Cattle Raisers Convention

Buda, TX (713) 964-3421

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Sale. Industry, TX

February Feb. 1 - 46th Annual Commercial Hereford Hereford Sale. (817) 831-3161

facebook.com/texasllp

March March 1 - Reputation All Breed Bull & Female

March 21 - ABBA Brahman and National F1 Sale. Caldwell, TX

Do you have a sale or event you’d like listed?

Call Jesse Wright at (979) 731-4721 or email jesse.wright@theeagle.com

February 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Camp Brisket draws all walks of life to learn finer points of barbecue

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

From doctors and computer information technologists to restaurant owners, 2015 Camp Brisket participants learned the finer points of cooking one of the most popular barbecue cuts found throughout Texas.

Jeff Savell, distinguished professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, led the camp and was joined by Davey Griffin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, and Ray Riley, manager of the E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal Meat Center at Texas A&M. The camp is a partnership between Foodways Texas and the meat science section in the department of animal science.

Event registration sold out in less than five minutes, according to organizers, and various national and state media reported from the event.

According to Savell, “There are three foods in Texas: Texas barbecue, chicken fried steak and Tex-Mex. You don’t see anybody standing in line for chicken fried steak or Tex-Mex, but they are standing in line for the best barbecue.”

More than 100 attendees

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin

Jeff Savell, Texas A&M University distinguished professor in the department of animal science, and Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, demonstrate the proper slicing of brisket at 2015 Camp Brisket held at Texas A&M.

becue in Elgin, Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, and Russell Roegels of Roegels Barbecue Co. in Houston.

Though beef prices continue to be high due to lack of supply, Savell said, consumers’ hunger for barbecue is greater than ever.

sistently is one of the most unique challenges among barbecue cooking, Savell said. Griffin provided an overview of the anatomy of a brisket demonstrating the various cuts from a side of beef.

Barbecue restaurant owners and experts also were featured speakers during the two-day event. A pitmaster panel on cooking briskets featured Bryan Bracewell of Southside Market and Barlearned where the brisket and other barbecue cuts come from on a side of beef, proper trimming and preferred seasoning methods, plus the many different types of barbecue pits and wood smoke used during cooking.

“You find a lot of people attending this camp who have achieved success in cooking other cuts, but they keep coming back to brisket,” Savell said.

Trying to cook brisket con-

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During a three-year period beginning in 2010, drought conditions led to 1 million fewer beef cows in Texas alone.

Nationally, cattle inventory levels are the lowest since the 1950s “There are fewer briskets today, but stronger demand,” he said.

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News Texas barbecue restaurant owners hear beef price forecast

By Blair Fannin Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Texas barbecue restaurant owners and managers met recently at Texas A&M University in College Station for a town hall meeting discussing meat trends and issues.

The meeting was led by Jeff Savell, university distinguished professor, regents professor and E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal chairholder in the department of animal science at Texas A&M and holder of the Cintron University Professorship in Undergraduate Teaching Excellence.

He was joined by Davey Griffin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, who gave an overview of certified beef programs and their requirements.

He also led a cooler demonstration on brisket cuts and trends.

Ray Riley, manager of the E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center, provided discussion on meat trends.

The group, all part of the department of animal science at Texas A&M, previously has conducted a series of educational workshops to help further education in cooking Texas barbecue.

“Several of you have been up here (to College Station) for a lot of our meetings and workshops,” Savell said. “Almost everybody I’ve talked to when they got back home has changed something they’ve done. Some have changed how they are trimming briskets, changed their wood. We’ve also

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photos by Blair Fannin

Above, Jeff Savell, Texas A&M University distinguished professor in the department of animal science, leads a discussion on beef cuts for barbecue during a recent barbecue town hall meeting. Right, attendees were served prime rib slices for sandwiches at the barbecue town hall meeting recently at Texas A&M University in College Station. received a lot of questions about availability, grades … . We decided, why don’t we have a meeting.”

Savell said the meeting was held on a Monday since it is a ‘dark day’ for most barbecue restaurants. The town hall meeting attracted close to 30 individuals who enjoyed prime rib sandwiches and home-prepared food for lunch.

One of the top issues discussed was the price of beef, particularly barbecue cuts such as brisket.

To get a better understanding of what lies ahead with regards to pricing and availability, David Anderson, AgriLife Extension

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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The Land & Livestock Post

News Barbecue, from Page 16 livestock economist, gave an outlook on the livestock markets for 2015.

Anderson said beef cattle prices are expected to remain on higher as cattle producers continue to rebuild herds following the drought of 2011. He said beef cattle inventories are at low levels not seen since the 1950s and that herd expansion is a slow process.

“We’ve got the fewest cattle in decades, and that’s going to stay with us,” Anderson said.

Overall, Anderson said, trends in the market for 2015 are tight supplies of fed cattle and cows, but expansion is underway.

“We are looking at a couple of years before production increases,” he said. “You are looking at a longer time period for heifer production. The expansion is underway, which is going to take a couple of years for those heifers to mature and have calves.

When you talk to rancher audiences, they really like this as it will keep prices high.

“Overall, there are two ways we are going to expand: We’ve got to quit killing cows and start holding back heifers.”

Anderson said in 2015 it’s likely there will be less beef production as cattle producers expand herds.

“As we hold more heifers back and turn them into cows having calves, that’s even less beef production. I think in 2015 we will have a few more cows than we did this year and in 2016 even more cows.

“But big droughts in big production areas of cows would hold us back further and keep us from

being able to expand.”

Weekly prices for wholesale boneless, 90-percent lean beef have been priced at $3 per pound or $300 per hundredweight.

“There’s not much relief in sight with tight supplies of cattle,” Anderson said. “That’s coupled with slaughter steer prices of $1.72 per pound or $172 per hundredweight.

“We produce 23 billion pounds of beef here in the U.S. It would take 26 billion of pounds to get prices to $210 per hundredweight or $2.10 per pound for fresh 90-percent lean weekly prices.”

In the meantime, barbecue restaurants will continue to pay premiums for cuts of brisket and other beef cuts used for menu items, he said.

Anderson said he projects higher pork production in 2015.

The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has led to less pork production in 2014.

“That’s resulted in fewer hogs, but we’ve had heavier weights (due to low feed costs),” Andersons said.

“Expansion has already begun, fueled by prices and feed costs. It has started because it has been profitable to raise hogs, and I think we will have more pork in 2015.”

He also expects chicken production to increase in 2015.

“We had cold weather this winter, and that caused effects on

placements and growout,” Anderson said. “There was delayed expansion due to reproduction issues. I think in 2015 we could see a heck of a lot more chicken, which consequently will lead to lower prices.”

Griffin gave an overview of the many certified beef programs that have product in the retail meat case. He said these programs are gaining more popularity among consumers. Griffin said in the past, it was the assumption the customer knew the grocery retailer had control of the product since it left the farm.

“Today’s beef consumer is much more brand conscious than ever before,” he said. “Now customers are coming in and looking for a beef product that is associated with a brand name.”

Griffin also provided a demonstration of trends in brisket cuts before attendees.

For more information about Texas barbecue, go to bbq.tamu. edu/.

LONDON (AP) — The United States will permit imports of beef from Ireland, the first European Union country allowed to resume sales since the mad cow disease scare more than 15 years ago, officials said Jan. 12.

Simon Coveney, Ireland’s minister for agriculture, food and the marine, issued a statement announcing that access to the lucrative U.S. market will be restored after American authorities inspected Ireland’s beef production systems last year. Authorities estimate annual exports could be worth at least 25 million euros ($30 million).

The U.S. lifted its ban on beef from the European Union in March 2014, but inspections are necessary before exports are al-

lowed to resume.

The European Commission praised the move, saying it sent a positive signal to other EU member states and that the “re-opening of the market is a welcome first step to abolish the disproportionate and unjustified” U.S. ban that followed the onset of the crisis in the 1990s.

“It is now desirable that the (U.S.) acts expeditiously to extend the approval to the rest of the European Union and to fully bring their import conditions in line with international standards,” the statement said.

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is fatal to cows and can cause a fatal human brain disease in people who eat meat from infected cows.

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February 2015 — Issue 1

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Mandatory meat labels prove not worth the international fight Special to The Post

MANHATTAN, Kansas — When you pick up a pound of meat from the grocery store, have you noticed the label indicating where the meat originated? According to new research, most shoppers have no idea the label exists — but that little label is causing a big stir among the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

In October 2014, the World Trade Organization ruled in favor of Canada and Mexico, finding that the mandated countryof-origin labels in the U.S. are not trade compliant and hurt business in nearby countries.

The U.S. is appealing the decision. Research from Kansas State University, in collaboration with Oklahoma State University, however, finds that most consumers aren’t willing to pay extra for the label.

“Less than one-third of the participants surveyed know that it is a law to label where the meat originates,” said Glynn Tonsor,

associate professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University.

The labels were implemented in 2009 to provide shoppers more information about the origin of their meat. In 2013, the labels were revised to provide more specifics about the origin, including where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered. Tonsor surveyed consumers in 2009 and in 2013 and found the same results: The majority of shoppers aren’t interested in these labels.

“Time and time again, we find that food safety, price, freshness and taste tend to be attributes, regardless of the meat product we’re talking about, that rank highly in importance and drive purchasing decisions,” Tonsor said. “Social issues like origin, environmental impact and sustainability matter to consumers, but do not drive purchasing decisions.”

A decision on the appeal is expected in early 2015.

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