|
Farm
and Ranch
U.S. Drought Monitor
Special Farm Bill Update
5/10/2008 (issued by the office of
Congressman Randy Neugebauer)
WASHINGTON, DC – As the conference committee wrapped up an
agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill Conference Committee Report,
Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) released the following
statement:
“I am pleased the conference committee was able to reach
agreement on the 2008 Farm Bill. This is a substantial step
towards this legislation becoming law. Seed has been planted
across America, and it is time to set a farm policy that
gives producers certainty for this crop season and beyond.
As final language and budget numbers are completed, it is my
expectation that the House and Senate will vote on this
final Farm Bill package next week.
“While this legislation will make some changes I do not
support, farm policy overall will remain very similar to
policy under the 2002 Farm Bill, which producers across the
district tell me has suited them well. Because of the delay
in completing this legislation, no major changes will be
implemented for the 2008 crop year.
“I call on the House and Senate leadership to bring this
long overdue legislation to the respective chambers for
consideration as soon as possible. Additionally, I spoke
directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and the White House
yesterday to stress the importance of signing this bill into
law.
“While only 16 percent of this bill deals directly with
agriculture production, it is that 16 percent that serves as
the vehicle for the various other provisions in the bill.
Without food production, nutrition and food assistance
programs become irrelevant.
“In the 19th Congressional District, producers have crops in
the ground and throughout the nation the planting season is
well underway. We cannot afford to move forward without a
sound farm policy for our producers. Without it, we face the
risk of losing agriculture infrastructure and becoming
dependent on other nations for food and fiber as we already
are for energy.
“Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and finally take
this long overdue legislation across the finish line. Again,
I urge both the Senate and House leadership to bring this to
a vote as soon as possible and ask that my colleagues
support this critical legislation. Most importantly, I call
on President Bush to sign this bill as soon as it reaches
his desk. Should the President decide to veto this
legislation, I will vote to override his veto and will
encourage my colleagues to do so as well.”
Coleman Market Report
5/8/2008
Receipts totaled 1,944 at the Wednesday, May 7th cattle
sale, at Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,743
last week and 833 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500lbs steady to
2.00 lower, over 500lbs steady. Feeder heifers under 500lbs
1.00 to 2.00 higher, over 500lbs 1.00 higher. Slaughter cows
and bulls steady. Replacement cows and cow/calf pairs 50.00
lower. Trade good, demand good.
Coleman County 4-H Horse Club
Meeting, Thursday, May 15, 2008
(by Luther Dunlap, County Agent)
Attention all Coleman
County 4-H youth and parents who are interested in the
Coleman County 4-H Horse program. There will be a meeting at
the Bill Franklin Center at 6:00 pm on Thursday, May
15, 2008. Items to be covered
will be election of officers for the horse club, selection
of leaders for the horse club, activities to be pursued to
help members become better horsemen and fund raising
possibilities.
If you are interested in joining the horse club then this
will be a great meeting to attend. If you have any questions
you can contact Luther Dunlap at the County Extension Office
at (325) 625- 4519.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you there.
Over 1,700 Cattle at Coleman Sale
Wednesday
5/1/2008
Receipts totaled 1,743 at the Wednesday, April 30 sale, at
Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,677 a week ago
and 680 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers under
500lbs were 1.00 to 2.00 higher, over 500lbs steady to firm.
Slaughter cows and bulls steady to 2.00 higher. Replacement
cows 50.00 lower. Cow/calf pairs 100.00 lower. z
Trade and
demand good.
Farm Bill Update
5/1/2008 (by Congressman Mike Conaway)
Last week the President signed into law another short-term
extension of current farm law as it was passed by both the
House and Senate. This one-week extension, which runs
through May 2nd, is meant to
give Farm Bill conferees additional time to complete a bill.
z
It appears
that some progress was made over the weekend towards
reaching the goal of completing a Farm Bill, however several
hurdles still remain, including issues regarding dairy
programs, direct payments and payment limitations. While
this progress is encouraging, we must make sure that the
goal of completing and passing a new Farm Bill doesn’t rest
unevenly on the shoulders of America’s producers. z
It is my hope
that a fair and balanced Farm Bill will emerge from ongoing
conference negotiations that I can be proud to support. I
have often stated that our nation’s farmers have, and will
continue to provide, American consumers with the most
affordable, abundant and safest food supply in the world.
Congress should continue work to enact policies that reflect
such priorities.
Farm Bill Update
4/29/2008 (by Congressman Randy
Neugebauer)
Late last week, the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the
House and Senate Agriculture Committees, as well as the
Chairmen of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance
Committees, along with House and Senate leadership met for
much of two days to negotiate outstanding Farm Bill issues.
Top among the agreements they made is on the funding offset
that will be used to cover the cost of this Farm Bill.
The leaders of the committees also reached a mutual
understanding on other issues that are paving the way for
possible completion of the Farm Bill. However, while they
have reached some agreements, the remainder of the conferees
must approve those as well.
I do not agree with everything they hammered out and will be
working with others to try to improve upon some areas. In
addition, several key issues remain open and will need to be
decided by all members in the conference.
This will be a key week in the negotiations, and as events
happen, I will be sure to keep you up to date.
Rising Cost Of Energy And Food
There is no doubt that
Americans are facing financial difficulties, struggling with
the rising costs of filling their gas tanks and kitchen
cupboards. There is a direct correlation between the cost of
energy and the cost of food. Agriculture is a very
energy-intensive industry, and when we have record setting
energy costs, it costs more to produce, process and deliver
food.
Fertilizer costs, also tied directly to the price of energy,
have more than doubled during the last ten years. Diesel
fuel has gone up 36 percent in the past two years. Between
the increase in fertilizer and fuel costs, production costs
have risen up to 25 percent across Texas in the past two
years, according to a recent study by Texas A&M.
An additional reason for the increase in cost is supply and
demand. There is an increasing demand for meat and processed
food in emerging markets such as China and India. That is
why it is critical to lower energy prices to increase our
production of food and fiber here in America.
Unfortunately, I believe that while the intention is good,
too much confidence has been placed too quickly on
alternative energy, such as corn ethanol and biofuels. While
these renewable energy industries and others such as wind
farms have shown tremendous potential, we cannot afford to
ignore the simple fact that our nation is in desperate need
of an increased domestic production of oil and traditional
energy sources. Yet, environmental groups refuse to
acknowledge this dire need, ignoring the fact that America
has abundant resources of oil, natural gas and a 200 year
supply of coal. Additionally, America has state of the art
technology to harvest these in an environmentally friendly
way.
If we continue down the path of indifference to our
dependence on oil, food and energy prices will continue to
rise to unaffordable levels. Now is the time to take action
and begin increasing our domestic production to protect the
American consumer.
News from the Farm Service Agency
of Coleman County
4/25/2008
APPOINTMENTS
The
Coleman County FSA office is requesting producers to please
make an appointment to sign up for current programs.
Appointments are used to maximize time so that producers may
be assisted more efficiently. We appreciate your patience
and understanding. Please call 325-625-4197 ext #2 to
schedule an appointment.
2008 CROP ACREAGE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The final date to report
2008 fall-seeded crops including small grains (wheat, oats,
barley, etc.) is May 1, 2008. The final date to report
spring seeded crops such as cotton, grain sorghum, CRP,
sudan, and grass acreage planted on cropland is July 15,
2008. The exception to this is for producers who purchased
NAP coverage on their 2008 crops. These producers must file
an acreage report by the earlier of the normal final crop
reporting dates listed above or 15 days prior to grazing or
harvest. If a FSA-578 is not on file for ALL crops and land
uses, you may not qualify for available program benefits.
Participants in CRP must report CRP acreage. Producers who
plan to request wool & mohair loans or LDP’s, must assure
all cropland is reported on all farms in which they have any
interest in.
Failed Acreage Reports must be filed on any crops which will
not be harvested for the purpose it was originally intended
due to disaster conditions. These reports should be filed
prior to the acreage being destroyed or put to another use.
We will need to know the type and amount of seed planted as
well as the type and amount of fertilizer applied.
Producers that intend to plant a crop but are prevented due
to weather related conditions are required to file a form
FSA-576 report of prevented planting acreage. This form must
be completed within 15 days of the final planting date for
the crop to be considered timely filed.
Final Planting Dates for crops in Coleman County are:
Cotton – June 20th
Grain Sorghum – June 20th
Sorghum forage for grazing – June 20th
Sorghum forages for hay – July 5th
Contact our office for final planting dates of other crops
you intend to plant.
2008 WOOL MOHAIR & UNSHORN LAMB PELTS & HONEY
New legislation extended
the date for producers to receive Marketing Assistance Loans
(MAL) or Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) on 2008 crop wool,
mohair and unshorn pelts through April 18, 2008. Producers
may also request 2008 crop honey MAL and LDP from April 1,
2008, through April 18, 2008
To qualify for the payments producers must file page 1 of
form CCC-633EZ with our office before loss of beneficial
interest in the commodity or April 18, 2008 which ever is
earlier. Producers requesting payment must submit a
completed CCC-633EZ page 4 and related production
information on or before April 18, 2008.
Loans must be requested prior to losing beneficial interest
in the commodity and before April 18, 2008.
Beneficial Interest - To maintain beneficial interest in
commodities, the following must remain with the producer:
(1) control of the commodity (2) title to the commodity (3)
risk of loss of the commodity. Producers entering into
verbal or written contracts should contact our office to
ensure they do not lose beneficial interest.
Important: Producers who plan to request wool & mohair loans
or LDP’s, must assure all cropland is reported on all farms
they have any interest in on which sheep or goats are
located.
2008 MEASUREMENT SERVICE RATES
The rates are $30.00 per
farm basic rate; plus an hourly rate of $16 for the first
hour; $8 every 30 minutes after the first hour. Minimum of 1
hour.
BEWARE OF CROP INSURANCE REBATING SCHEMES
The Risk Management
Agency (RMA) has received reports from producers and agents
that some aggressive marketers have been approaching
producers with rebate offers. These schemes promise lower
insurance premiums, refunds, dividends, or items of value
tied to crop insurance purchases. Most of these activities
are illegal.
Producers who are found to participate in illegal rebating
activities will not only lose their crop insurance coverage
but will also lose eligibility in all USDA programs.
Producers and agents can report suspicions of illegal
rebating to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline:
1-800-424-9121.
CROP DISASTER PROGRAM (CDP)
This program covers
quantity and quality losses from natural disasters and
related conditions that occurred in 2005, 2006 and 2007
crops. Producers are eligible to receive benefits from only
one of the years. Only producers who obtained crop insurance
coverage or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster
Assistance Program (NAP) for the year of loss will be
eligible for assistance.
Important: CDP computes losses from the higher of the county
yield or your insurance or NAP yield. The program also pays
for losses in excess of 35%. This means you could qualify
for a payment from CDP even though you did not receive a
payment from Crop Insurance or NAP.
LIVESTOCK PROGRAMS
Producers may request
benefits under the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and
the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for losses in 2005,
2006 or 2007, in counties where eligible disaster
declarations were approved.
In order to qualify for LIP, producers must be able to
provide proof of death of eligible animals due to a declared
disaster other than drought.
The LCP compensates producers for grazing losses suffered
during 2005, 2006 or 2007. Applicants will only be paid for
one of the years. Producers must certify to their number of
“eligible livestock” located in Coleman County on the
beginning date of one of the approved disaster periods in
the county. Contact our office for more details such as
approved dates and eligible livestock.
SODBUSTER, SWAMPBUSTER
Most Farm Service Agency
programs require compliance with sodbuster and swampbuster
provisions. These provisions require producers to follow an
approved conservation system on all highly erodible land
planted to an annual crop as determined by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
Be sure to have determinations made on any new land you plan
to plant to annual crops. If you plan to plant a different
crop on your current cropland, check with NRCS to assure the
new crop will qualify under your conservation system.
Swampbuster provisions state that converting a wetland to
make possible the planting of a crop will result in the loss
of all USDA benefits. To avoid this possibility it is
strongly recommended that producers check with NRCS before
starting to work in the fields.
FOREIGN LANDOWNER PROVISIONS
The Agricultural Foreign
Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) requires all foreign
owners of U.S. agricultural land to report their holdings to
the Secretary of Agriculture. FSA administers this program
for USDA. Foreign persons, who have purchased, sold or enter
into a 10 year or more lease agreement for agricultural land
in the county are required to report the transaction to FSA
within 90 days of the closing. Failure to submit the AFIDA
form could result in civil penalties of up to 25% of the
fair market value of the property. County government
offices, realtors, attorneys and others involved in real
estate transactions are reminded to notify foreign investors
of these reporting requirements. It is the foreign person’s
responsibility to report the land transactions by completing
form FSA-153.
NON-INSURED CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NAP)
Filing Notice of Losses:
A written notice of loss must be provided within 15 calendar
days after the latter of the occurrence of prevented
planting; end of the planting period; disaster occurrence or
date damage to the specific crop acreage is apparent to the
producer. For NAP purposes, notice of loss must be filed
timely on a CCC-576 form for each weather related event or
natural occurrence that causes damage to or loss of the
specific crop or commodity.
Filing Application for Payment: Producers who filed a notice
of loss must also file an application for payment in the
county office no later than the subsequent crop year acreage
reporting date for the crop following the year in which the
loss occurred.
Acreage & Production Reporting Requirements: All unit
acreage of the eligible NAP crop and each crop in the event
of multiple planting must be timely reported by the
producer. Failure to timely certify unit acreage and
production risk ineligibility for NAP Assistance. Check with
your local FSA office for specific crop reporting dates.
Producers are also responsible for reporting total amount of
unit production for the covered NAP crop by no later than
the subsequent crop year acreage reporting date for the crop
following the year in which the loss occurred.
In order to prove yields for your NAP Actual Production
History (APH), producers must submit verifiable or reliable
records of the prior year’s production. These records could
include scale tickets, settlement tickets, ledger reports
and sales receipts. Check with county office for acceptable
production reports. These records should be summarized and
account for all the crops production. The final date to
submit 2007 production reports is the acreage reporting date
for the 2008 crops.
SPOUSAL SIGNATURES
A husband and wife may
sign documents on behalf of each other for FSA and Commodity
Credit Corporation programs in which either has an interest.
This option is automatically available unless a written
request for exclusion is made to the FSA Office from either
spouse. Exceptions include: claim settlements and lien
filings, CCC-526, Direct Deposit, etc.
CIVIL RIGHTS & DISCRIMINATION PROCESS
As a participant or
applicant for programs or activities operated or sponsored
by USDA, you have a right to be treated fairly. If you
believe you have been discriminated against because of your
race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion,
disability or marital or familial status, you may file a
discrimination complaint. The complaint should be filed with
the USDA Office of Civil Rights within 180 days of the date
you became aware of the alleged discrimination. To file a
complaint write, USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue.
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD), USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
AGRICULTURAL LOANS AVAILABLE
Youth Loans: FSA makes
loans to individual rural youth to establish and operate
income-producing projects of modest size in connection with
their participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America,
and similar organizations. The project must be planned and
operated with the help of the organization adviser, produce
sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth
with practical business and educational experience. To
qualify for a loan, an applicant must (1) be a citizen of
the United States (or a permanent resident; (2) be between
10 and 20 years old; (3) be unable to obtain a loan from
other sources and managing, and operating the project under
guidance and assistance from a project adviser. The project
adviser must recommend the project and the loan, and agree
to provide adequate supervision.
Coleman Cattle Market Report for
April 23rd
4/24/2008
Receipts totaled 1,677 at the weekly cattle sale at Coleman
Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,461 a week ago and
1,524 a year ago. Compared to last week, feeder steers 3.00
to 4.00 higher. Feeder heifers steady to 3.00 higher.
Slaughter cows and bulls steady to firm. Replacement cows
and cow/calf pairs steady to 150.00 higher. Trade good,
demand good. Check the full report on
www.colemanlivestockauction.com.
Farm Bill Extension Update
4/24/2008 (by Congressman Mike Conaway)
Last week, the House and Senate passed another week-long
short-term extension of the 2002 Farm Bill, which the
President signed into law. The past short-term extension
expired last Friday, April 18th and the new extension runs
through this Friday, April 25th.
While logistically one more short-term extension is likely
in order to place finishing touches on the legislation, it
is time for Congress to finish a bill that everyone can
support and that the President will sign into law. The ever
increasing uncertainty that is being created by a steady
flow of short-term extensions is unacceptable. America’s
producers, consumers, rural communities and financial
institutions deserve a level of certainty for the
foreseeable future. It is my desire to craft new farm
legislation, but if the trend that has been set continues
Congress and the White House will need to begin weighing the
option of extending the 2002 Farm Bill for a much longer
period of time. As I have previously stated, it is my hope
to craft and pass long-term bipartisan farm policy. However,
if it becomes apparent that Congress cannot accomplish such
a goal we, as elected Representatives of the People, will
need to act to end the constant uncertainty by extending the
2002 Farm Bill for a much longer period of time.
South Korea Fully Opens Its Markets
to U.S. Beef
4/22/2008 (by Congressman Randy Neugebauer)
I am very pleased that South Korea has agreed to fully open
its markets to U.S. beef. This is tremendous news for beef
producers in the 19th District and across the country who
have been waiting for this market to expand.
This deal has been long overdue, and I am thrilled that U.S.
Trade Ambassador Susan Schwab’s negotiations were
successful. When I last met with her in the fall, one of our
main discussion points was the importance of gaining full
access to the South Korean beef market.
I join Texas beef producers in looking forward to safe, high
quality American beef being served on South Korean tables.
MULTI-COUNTY WHEAT TOUR MAY 2
4/18/2008
The annual Multi-County Wheat Tour will be held on
Friday, May 2 beginning at 8:30am
at the Taylor County Demonstrations Plots on Highway 351
Northeast of Abilene. The tour will then travel to the
Callahan County Plots located north of Eula on CR 250.
Producers will have the opportunity to view the variety
plots. Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Assistant Professor and State
Extension Small Grains Specialist will discuss varieties and
give the latest update on the current wheat crop situation.
Dr. Billy Warrick, Extension Agronomist from San Angelo will
discuss weed & wild oat control, seeding rates and issues
involved with volunteer wheat. Dr Chris Sansone, Extension
Entomologist from San Angelo will be on hand to give an
overview of insect pest and their control.
The tour will conclude with an industry-sponsored lunch at
the Eula Lions Club. At this location, Dr. Mark Welch will
be on hand to discuss the current wheat market situation and
then the Texas Department of Agriculture will give an update
on Texas Herbicide Laws and Regulations.
Three CEU’s will be awarded to holders of a Texas
Department of Agriculture Applicators License.
If attending, contact the Extension Office in Taylor County
(672-6048), Callahan County (854-5835) or Shackelford County
(762-2232).
Weekly Coleman Cattle Sale Summary
4/17/2008
Receipts totaled 1,461 at the Wednesday, April 16th sale, at
Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,300 last week
and 1,454 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500lbs steady to
firm, over 500lbs 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Feeder heifers under
500lbs steady to 3.00 higher, over 500lbs 2.00 higher.
Slaughter cows and bulls 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Replacement
cows and cow/calf pairs steady to firm. Trade good, demand
good.
Fish for Stocking Ponds Available
4/15/2008
The
Central Colorado SWCD is selling Fish for Stocking Ponds.
Fish available are Bluegill, Hybrid Bream, Red Ear, Bass,
Channel Catfish, Bluecat & Minnows. Grass Carp is
available with Texas Parks & Wildlife Permit. This
permit takes approximately 30 days to receive. The
sale will run April 14, 2008 thru May 23, 2008. Delivery
will be May 28, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. in the Coleman City Park.
For more information please
call The Natural Resources Conservation Service at
325-625-4197 #3 or come by
the office in the George D. Rhone Building, West of the
Coleman County Courthouse. (Programs and service of
the SWCD are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without
regards for race, color, national origin, age, sex,
religion, marital status or handicap.)
TIME TO ORDER - State Fair
Lamb & Goat Tags and Steer Tags
4/15/2008
If you plan to exhibit
Sheep or Goats at the 2008
State Fair of Texas (Dallas) you need to order your tags
by Thursday, April 17th.
If I do not have your tag orders by then, you will have to
order late tags which will cost $20 each, instead of the
regular $7.00 per tag.
Attention all 4-H Exhibitors - If you plan to exhibit
Steers for the 2008 - 2009 stock show season, you need to
order your tags by Monday, April 21st.
If I do not have your tag orders by then, you will have to
order late tags which will cost $10.00 ea. instead of the
regular $7.00 per tag.
Please call the County Extension Office at 325.625.4519, or
come by the Co. Courthouse (2nd floor) and let us know how
many tags you will be needing.
Coastal Round Bales 5X6
4/15/2008
Fertilized, Weed Killer, Aerated, $35 per bale, delivery
available. Call Jeff 325-513-1121.
Progress on the 2008 Farm Bill
4/15/2008 (by Congressman Randy
Neugebauer)
I am pleased to report there has been some movement towards
completing the 2008 Farm Bill with appointment of House
conferees last Wednesday. However, a number of important
policy issues, as well as funding, continue to be unresolved
and debated.
I am honored to be chosen as a House conferee to work with
Senate to negotiate a final bill; the farmers and ranchers
of the 19th District will have a strong voice at the
negotiating table to ensure their interests are addressed.
Agriculture producers need a farm policy that is consistent
and reliable and need a policy soon for the 2008 crops.
Last Thursday was the first Conference Committee meeting.
Another meeting was held this afternoon, and we will
continue to have meetings throughout this week. While the
House and Senate now have the same proposal of how to
allocate funds among the different areas of the Farm Bill,
discussion continues on how to pay for the allocated funds
and whether additional new spending should be included in
the final legislation.
As we move forward, I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner
with my colleagues from both the House and Senate to reach
the best possible agreement and to be a staunch advocate for
the farmers and ranchers I represent. Congress has been
working on this Farm Bill for more than a year, and it is
time to do our job and complete this process. While I hope
this conference will be completed in short order, there is
much to be done.
Pesticide License
Training and Testing
(contributed by
Marty Gibbs, CEA-AG, Runnels County)
4/15/2008
Persons interested in obtaining a
pesticide applicators license through the Texas
Department of Agriculture are invited to participate on
Wednesday, April 23 at the Extension office in
Ballinger.
Pesticide applicator licenses are used to
purchase restricted use and state limited use pesticides
for the purpose of agricultural production. These
licenses cost $60 and are good for 5 years. They can be
renewed by obtaining 15 hours of continuing education
units during the five year period.
Agricultural producers who want a license must
participate in a training offered by Texas AgriLife
Extension Service beginning at 1:00 p.m. on April 23. At
the conclusion of the training, TDA representative Jan
Hatler will administer the test required for the
license. The training manual required for the course
costs $25 and will be provided at the training. Anyone
interested in obtaining a license should contact the
Runnels County Extension office at (325)365-2219 to
preregister for the training.
Agri-Life Extension to
Host Program Covering
Reproduction and Herd Health Management in Beef Cattle
4/11/2008 (by Luther Dunlap,
County Agent)
Coleman - The Texas Agri-Life
Extension Service in Coleman County will be conducting a
Beef Cattle Reproduction and Herd Health Management program
beginning at 11:30 am on Friday, April 18th,
2008 at the First United Methodist Church in Coleman, TX.
Dr. Mike Edington will be the featured speaker for the
program. The Whole idea of this program is to educate beef
cattle producers on how to prepare bulls, heifers and mother
cows for the breeding season, and how to improve on breeding
percentage in beef cattle. Herd Health Management is another
topic that will be discussed during the program. We will
talk about De-worming programs, BVD, Lepto, Pinkeye and
other beef cattle health problems that may arise from year
to year.
The program is sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service
in Coleman County, Coleman Chamber of Commerce and The
Circle Cattle Women's Association. There will be a lunch
served so we would like you to RSVP to the Texas AgriLife
Extension Office in Coleman County at (325) 625- 4519.
Coleman Cattle Market Report for
April 9th
4/11/2008
Receipts totaled 1,300 at the weekly cattle sale April 9th
at Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,295 a week
ago and 1,118 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500lbs steady to
2.00 lower, over 500lbs 2.00 to 4.00 lower. Feeder heifers
under 500lbs 2.00 to 3.00 lower, over 500lbs steady to 2.00
higher. Slaughter cows and bulls steady to 2.00 higher.
Replacement cows and cow/calf pairs 50.00 lower. Trade good,
demand good. You can read the complete report on the
market report page of
www.colemanlivestockauction.com.
Coleman Cattle Market Summary for
April 2nd
4/3/2008
Receipts totaled 1, 295 at the Wednesday, April 2nd sale, at
Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 2, 100 a week
ago and 1,141 a year ago.
Compared to last week - Feeder steers under 500lbs steady to
2.00 lower, over 500lbs 1.00 to 2.00 lower. Feeder heifers
under 500lbs steady to firm, over 500lbs steady to firm.
Slaughter cows and bulls steady to 2.00 higher. Replacement
cows and cow/calf pairs 100.00 higher. Trade good, demand
good.
Edwards County to Host Rangeland
Leasing Conference
4/3/2008
ROCKSPRINGS –
The Texas AgriLife Extension
Service office in Edwards County will conduct a rangeland
leasing conference to begin at 8 a.m. April 16
at the county’s 4-H barns.
The conference ends at noon and will be followed by a
complimentary lunch courtesy of Lockhart Real Estate in
Rocksprings. Three Texas Department of Agriculture
continuing education units will be offered.
Sam Silvers, AgriLife Extension agent in Edwards County,
said the conference is for landowners struggling with how to
best lease their lands for hunting or grazing.
The program’s keynote speaker will be Judon Fambrough,
senior lecturer and attorney with the Texas Real Estate
Research Center at College Station. Fambrough will discuss
issues related to wind energy and negotiating wind leases.
The day’s other two speakers, both from the Texas AgriLife
Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, are Dr. Bob Lyons,
AgriLife Extension range specialist, and Dr. Rick Machen,
AgriLife Extension livestock specialist. Lyons will discuss
types of leases and the importance of monitoring natural
resources on them. Machen will address livestock and grazing
management considerations relating to leases.
For more information, call the AgriLife Extension office in
Edwards County at 830-683-4310.
Drought Field Day in San Angelo
April 24th
4/2/2008 (courtesy Luther Dunlap,
Coleman Co. Extension Agent)
You Are Invited to a Drought Planning Tools Field Day
Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.
at the Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center, 7887 U.S.
Hwy. 87 N., San Angelo, Texas. It is a joint
production of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the
Texas AgriLife Research & Extension Center, with sponsorship
from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency.
Morning topics include:
Drought Update: Climate Services and Monitoring Tools
Available from National Weather Service, San Angelo.
Drought Impact Reporter: Putting a Face on Drought.
Developing a Vegetation Drought Response Index: Monitoring
Vegetation Stress from a Local to National Scale.
• Grazing Management after Fire and Drought.
• Drought tools:
• help with management decisions.
• have some experimental predictive capability.
• help communicate with claims adjusters and policy makers.
• help track market conditions.
Afternoon topics include:
• Green Leaf: Taking a Google Approach to Agricultural
Decision Support.
• Managing Risk on the Ranch: A Guide to Help Better Prepare
for and Respond to Drought.
• Building a New Drought Monitor/Decision Support System:
Putting it All Together.
• Drought Frequency in Central and West Texas: Past vs.
Future.
• Rangeland/Pasture Drought Insurance Program update.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture Programs Available for
Ranching Losses.
Individual registration, including lunch, is $10 by April 18
and $25 thereafter. To register or for more information,
please call 325-653-4576.
USDA ANNOUNCES MORE
THAN $16 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ERADICATE
BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS IN THREE STATES
4/2/2008
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2008 -
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the
availability of $16.8 million in emergency funding to
continue efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in
California, Michigan and Minnesota. "Working
cooperatively with state animal health agencies and U.S.
livestock
producers, we have made great strides towards eradicating
tuberculosis from the nation's livestock population," said
Bruce Knight, under secretary for marketing and regulatory
programs. "We are another step closer towards eradicating
bovine tuberculosis from our Nation, and this should serve
as a reminder why the National Animal Identification System
is so critical. By participating in NAIS, we protect our
livestock and the future of American agriculture." The
emergency funding will be used to depopulate known
tuberculosis-affected cattle herds, which is crucial to
prevent the spread of the disease and to indemnify
producers. The funding also will be used for enhanced
surveillance not only to identify affected herds but also to
determine the source of infection. This enhanced
surveillance will include free ranging white-tailed deer in
Minnesota and Michigan, a possible source of the disease.
Coleman Cattle Market Report for
March 26
4/1/2008
Receipts totaled 2,100 at the weekly cattle sale at Coleman
Livestock Auction, compared to 800 a week ago.
Compared to last week - stockers and feeders were 2.00 to
4.00 lower, packers steady, stocker cows and pairs 50.00 to
100.00 lower.
Farm Bill Update
4/1/2008 (courtesy Congressman Randy Neugebauer)
As the April 18th expiration date for the current Farm Bill
extension approaches, I continue to be actively engaged with
my Agriculture Committee colleagues in this process.
Completion of the Farm Bill in April is my top priority.
Commodity provisions are not covered under the current
extension, leaving many farmers with uncertainty as they
make crop decisions. As of now, the major roadblock is
coming to agreement on allocating funds and on how to offset
the $10 billion proposed extra funding for the bill.
While there are many outstanding issues to be resolved, it
is my hope that a resolution will be reached within the
coming days. As always, when important news on this critical
legislation breaks, I will be sure to let you know.
Foreign Investors Must Report U.S.
Agricultural Land Holdings
3/26/2008
Foreign investors with an interest in agricultural lands in
the United States are required to report their holdings and
any transactions to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture,
according to Curtis L. Garrett, Executive Director of the
Coleman County Farm Service Agency.
"Any foreign person who acquires or transfers any interest,
other than a security interest, in agricultural land in the
United States is required by law to report the transaction
no later than 90 days after the date of the transaction,"
said Garrett.
Foreign investors must file Agricultural Foreign Investment
Disclosure Act (AFIDA) reports with the Farm Service Agency
County Office that maintains reports for the county where
the land is located.
“Failure to file a report, filing a late report or filing an
inaccurate report can result in a penalty with fines up to
25 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural
land,” said Garrett.
For AFIDA purposes, agricultural land is defined as any land
used for farming, ranching or timber production, if the
tracts total 10 acres or more.
Disclosure reports are also required when there are changes
in land use. For example, reports are required when land use
changes from nonagricultural to agricultural or from
agricultural to nonagricultural.
When the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act was
signed into law in 1978, the reporting requirement was
adopted as part of the same legislation. Data gained from
these disclosures is used in the preparation of periodic
reports to the President and Congress concerning the effect
of such holdings upon family farms and rural communities in
the United States. Garrett added, “Foreign investors must
also file a report when there is a change in the status of
ownership such as owner changes from foreign to non-foreign,
from non-foreign to foreign or from foreign to foreign.”
For more information regarding AFIDA and FSA programs,
contact the Coleman County FSA office at 325-625-4197 or
visit the USDA Web sites at
http://www.usda.gov.
Coleman Cattle Sale Summary for
March 19th
3/24/2008
Receipts totaled 800 at the March 19th sale at Coleman
Livestock Auction. The lower receipts were due to rainy and
muddy weather. The week ago total was 2,108 while the year
ago number was 1,412.
Compared to last week - Feeder steers under 500lbs steady,
over 500lbs 2.00 to 4.00 lower.
Feeder heifers under 500lbs 2.00 to 3.00 lower, over 500lbs
2.00 to 3.00 lower.
Slaughter cows and bulls 1.00 to 3.00 lower on light test.
Replacement cows and cow/calf pairs 100.00 lower on light
test. Trade weak, demand good.
Progress Slow in Fight Against
Fever Ticks
3/24/2008 (courtesy Texas Animal
Health Commission)
A few miles north of the Rio Grande, where spring
temperatures climb past 100 degrees, helicopters work in
concert with cowboys to gather cattle, thorny bushes nick
kneecaps, and dust and manure swirl up noses and down
collars, and cowboys inspecting, dipping or treating cattle
are gritty and soaked with sweat before noon.
For a small contingency of government “hands” and livestock
producers on the border, the very presence or absence of
ticks on cow bellies or deer flanks indicate defeat or
victory in the fight against the fever tick, a
foreign-origin pest that threatens the health of U.S.
cattle.
This is the scene that Mr. Bruce Knight, USDA’s
undersecretary of agriculture for marketing and regulatory
programs, traveled to South Texas to see in mid-March to
gain a first-hand perspective of the fever tick situation.
He visited a fever tick-infested premises, observed
gathering and treatment of cattle, and discussed fever tick
issues with ranchers, USDA and TAHC staff. Mr. Knight noted
the time, work and expense endured by cattlemen to round up
cattle and present them for treatment. He also experienced
the difficulty in gathering cattle in the brush country of
South Texas, where a helicopter is as necessary as cowboys
on horseback.
“We are fighting a border war against the fever tick,” said
Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas’ state veterinarian and head of the
Texas Animal Health Commission, the state’s livestock and
poultry health regulatory agency. “I believe Mr. Knight’s
visit to the fever tick quarantine area will result in a
commitment and dedication of resources necessary to
successfully operate the fever tick program.”
In 1943, the U.S. pushed the fever tick across the border
and has maintained a permanent quarantine zone along the Rio
Grande from Del Rio to Brownsville, Texas, since that time
as a deterrent to re-infestation with the fever tick.
However, the tick was never eradicated from Mexico, which
serves as a continuous source for reintroduction into US
cattle herds.
“Last summer the pest gained a foothold beyond the
852-square mile permanent, USDA-patrolled fever tick
quarantine zone,” said Dr. Hillman.
“As of mid-March 2008, we are making progress in fighting
the outbreak, having defined the outer limits of the tick’s
spread. Now the TAHC, USDA and livestock producers are
working from the ‘outside in’ to eradicate the tick, a
process that may take another 16 to 18 months, if no
additional infestations are discovered.”
“Due to fever tick infestations, more than 1,000 square
miles of ranchland have been temporarily quarantined since
last summer. The quarantines are in Starr, and Zapata
counties, and in a contiguous area of Maverick, Dimmit and
Webb counties,” Dr. Hillman said. “From these areas, no
domestic or exotic livestock capable of hosting the fever
tick can be moved without an inspection, treatment and a
permit. These temporary quarantines more than doubled the
geographic scopeto an area larger than Rhode Island and
Washington, D.C.--for which fever tick monitoring,
inspection and treatment must be provided.”
“The battle costs money, but fighting the battle against
fever ticks has been like putting a band aid on a lacerated
artery,” said Dr. Hillman.
Beginning in August 2007, the TAHC worked with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to develop a funding request,
which if fulfilled, would be sufficient to provide the
personnel, equipment and supplies required to contain, and
then eradicate the fever tick outbreak from the temporarily
quarantined areas.
On March 19, 2008, USDA announced that $5.2 million, would
be made available to control the outbreaks of fever ticks
occurring outside the permanent quarantine zone between
Texas and Mexico. “We are very appreciative that these funds
are being provided to aid in the fight against the fever
tick,” said Dr. Hillman. “They will certainly help in this
battle against a relentless foe. However, this level of
funding is significantly less than the $13 million requested
and will be enough to address only the program’s most dire
needs.”
“If we are to be ultimately successful in eliminating fever
ticks from the temporarily quarantined areas, and push the
fever ticks past the permanent quarantine zone and back into
Mexico, we must have sustained funding over many years. The
amount provided will be utilized efficiently, but it will
not be sufficient to complete the job,” said Dr. Hillman.
Besides the sheer size of the area under quarantine, nearly
100 premises (up from 40 premises in 2007) in the permanent
and temporarily quarantined areas are known to have fever
ticks. On these pastures, livestock must be examined and
treated every 14 to 28 days, depending on the acaracide
products used. As an alternative, the animals can be
“tick-free” for two consecutive treatments, then transferred
under permit from the property, leaving the pasture vacant
for at least nine months, with the idea that the ticks will
starve. Because the fever tick has shown an ability to adapt
to wildlife hosts, pasture vacation may no longer be an
effective option for ‘clearing’ a pasture of fever ticks.
Since October 1, 2007 (the start of federal fiscal year
2008) more than 52 fever tick infested premises have been
detected in the permanent and temporary quarantine areas.
During the 2007 hunting season, about 2,300 white tail deer
and other wildlife hosts harvested in the quarantined areas
were examined for fever ticks by the USDA and TAHC.
Inspections disclosed that, of the 52 newly detected fever
tick-infested premises, 23 premises had fever tick-infested
wildlife. Fever ticks were detected on white-tail deer,
fallow deer, axis deer, and red deer. The pests also were
found on aoudad sheep, a species previously not thought to
be a fever tick host.
“This is disturbing, but not surprising,” said Dr. Hillman.
“Wildlife host populations are high in these areas.
Scientists believe that the fever tick prefers cattle as a
host, but when tick populations are unchecked, or cattle
hosts are not available, the pest will infest wildlife
hosts.”
Fever tick-infested wildlife complicates eradication.
Treatment for free-ranging wildlife is limited to feeding
ivormectin-treated corn or drawing animals to ‘four-poster’
stations where they rub against pyrethrin-treated posts,
which transfers the chemical to the head, neck and ears of
animals and kills the ticks. However, some products require
a 60-day withdrawal period, so they can’t be used just prior
to or during the hunting season.
One of the most time-consuming and frustrating tasks in the
fever tick fight has been tracing the more than 800 head of
cattle moved from the area since August 2006. TAHC staff
spent several months looking for the animals, due to a
scarcity of records and animal identification. Most of the
shipments had moved within Texas, but some animals had been
transported as far away as Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma and
Wyoming. All the animals have been inspected, and none were
infested with the fever ticks.
“The very success of the fever tick program may be its
biggest problem. The USDA’s Fever Tick Force has run for
years under-funded, understaffed, but without a whimper.
This small crew has held back the tick onslaught for years,”
said Dr. Hillman.
It is time to remember why this tiny, prolific pest is so
deadly to cattle, he noted. Fever ticks by themselves are a
problem. Fever ticks that carry the blood parasite, “babesia,”
are deadly and can infect cattle with “cattle tick fever,”
causing them to suffer bloody urine, diarrhea, fever and
extreme anemia before death.
“We either address the fever tick in south Texas, or we
could be addressing fever ticks in Oklahoma, Missouri,
Virginia, California, or a host of other states where the
tick would flourish,” said Dr. Hillman. “Fever ticks are not
just a “Texas” problem. Through extraordinary effort by
cattlemen, and state and federal animal health officials –
beginning in 1906 and culminating in 1943--these pests and
babesiosis, the disease they carried, were eradicated from
the United States. These fever ticks are now classified as
foreign pests, and they are a U.S. problem.”
Over 2,000 Cattle in Coleman
Wednesday
3/13/2008
Receipts totaled 2,108 at the Wednesday, March 12th sale, at
Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,249 a week ago
and 1,308 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers under
500lbs 2.00 to 4.00 higher, over 500lbs steady to firm.
Slaughter cows and bulls steady. Replacement cows and
cow/calf pairs 50.00 to 100.00 higher. Trade and demand
good.
Receipts Total 1,249 at Wednesday
Sale
3/6/2008
There were 1,249 cattle on offer at the March 5th Coleman
cattle sale.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500lbs were 1.00
to 3.00 higher, over 500lbs were 1.00 to 2.00 lower. Feeder
heifers under 500lbs were 1.00 to 2.00 lower, over 500lbs
were 1.00 lower. Slaughter cows and bulls steady.
Replacement cows and cow/calf pairs steady to 100.00 lower.
Trade good, demand good.
Applications Available for
Local Farm Bureau Scholarship
3/4/2008
The
Coleman County Farm Bureau has announced that applications
for their annual $500.00 local scholarship are available.
One scholarship is given to a son or daughter of a current
Coleman County Farm Bureau member. The applicant must be a
confirmed senior. The applicant is not required to be
entering an agricultural field of study; however, will be
required to submit a typed 300 word essay on an agricultural
topic. This essay will be published in the local newspaper.
Applications must be completed and returned by May 1, 2008.
Please call 325-625-2361 to request an application.
Texas Farm Bureau invests large amounts of money and time in
developing youth leadership. Annually, scholarships totaling
almost $80,000 are awarded to students who participate in
our youth contests, various youth leadership organizations
or apply for several other scholarships that are made
available. For more information on these state wide
scholarships go to
www.txfb.org or call your local farm bureau at
325-625-2361.
Cattle Market Report for Feb. 27 in
Coleman
3/1/2008
There were 1,798 cattle sold Wednesday at Coleman Livestock
Auction. That is compared to 1,424 a week ago and 2,031 a
year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers under 500lbs steady to
firm, over 500lbs 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Feeder heifers under
500lbs 1.00 to 2.00 higher, over 500lbs steady. Slaughter
cows and bulls steady. Replacement cows and cow/calf pairs
steady.
Farm Bill Update
2/26/2008 (by Congressman Randy
Neugebauer)
Since my last update, the House and Senate have continued
negotiations aimed at determining a total amount of spending
for the Farm Bill. Until this important first step is
accomplished, it will be difficult to work out the rest of
the differences between the two bills.
I will be attending a meeting with members of the House
Agriculture Committee tonight to discuss the status of these
negotiations and our next steps. It is my hope that we can
come together, put the interests of our farm and ranch
constituents first and finish this important legislation.
Job Opportunity
2/22/2008
BRAND INSPECTOR needed to work Coleman Auction every
Wednesday. Contact Special Ranger Joe Roberts 325-669-1427
Receipts Over 1,400 at Coleman
Cattle Sale
2/22/2008
Receipts totaled 1,424 at the February 20th cattle sale at
Coleman Livestock Auction. That compares to 1,732 last week
and 1,993 a year ago.
Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers under
500lbs 1.00-3.00 higher, over 500lbs 2.00-3.00 higher.
Slaughter cows and bulls 2.00-4.00 higher. Replacement cows
and cow/calf pairs 100.00 higher. Trade good and demand
good. See the detailed report on the Market Reports
page of
www.colemanlivestockauction.com.
Beware of Crop Insurance Rebating
Schemes
2/20/2008
The following is a reminder to local agricultural producers
from the Risk Management Agency in Washington, DC.
With the spring sales closing date for many Federal crop
insurance policies right around the corner, crop insurance
agents have stepped up their marketing efforts. The Risk
Management Agency (RMA) has received reports from producers
and agents that some aggressive marketers have been
approaching producers with rebating offers. These schemes
promise lower insurance premiums, refunds, dividends, or
items of value tied to crop insurance purchases. Most of
these activities are illegal.
RMA reminds all Federal crop insurance program participants
that it is now coordinating with state regulators to take
appropriate regulatory action against all those who are
found to promote or participate in such schemes. Producers
who are found to participate in illegal rebating activities
will not only lose their crop insurance coverage but will
also lose eligibility in all USDA programs.
Producers and agents can report suspicions of illegal
rebating to the OIG Hotline: 1-800-424-9121.
|
