Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
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By: Roy Walston – CEA-Ag/NR
Top of the Windmill News
Fall 2014
Kerr County AgriLife Extension Service
3655 Hwy. 27
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 257-6568
Kerr.agrilife.org
Calendar of Events Sept 6 - Earth-Kind Landscape
School
Sept 12– Session 6-Range
Management Field-Day
(3 CEUs)
Sept 17– Farm & Ranch Estate
Planning & Surface
Water Workshop
Sept 23 –Winter Forage Workshop
(1.5 CEUs)
Sept 25- Winter Care of Backyard
Poultry Flocks
Sept 26– New Landowner Series
Fall Vegetable Program
Sept 29– Earth-Kind Gardening
Class
Oct 1 - Livestock Producers
Disaster Assistance
Program
Oct 1 - Kerr Co. Hay Show
Entry Deadline
Oct 2 - Texas Cattle Raisers
Round Up & 4-H
Replacement Heifer Sale
Oct 3 - Kerr WMA-First Friday
Tours
Oct 4 - Kerr 4-H Wild Game
Dinner
Oct 27 - Kerr Co. Forage Meeting
(3 CEUs)
Session 6 – Range Management Field-day On Friday Sept 12th, talks on brush control, brush sculpting, wildlife management
for high and low fences will be presented. Instructors will also do some plant
identification on grasses, forbs and woody plants. This session will be held
at 1109 FM 474, Kendalia, TX with registration from 1-1:30 and the program
lasting until 5pm. Cost to attend this individual session will be $30 dollars and 3
CEUs will be given. Please RSVP by calling 830-249-9343 and ask for the
Kendall County Extension Office. Attendees can pay at the door.
2015 New Land Owners Series will probably start in March of 2015 and cover
Kerr, Kendall, Blanco & Gillespie Counties. It will consists of a series of
sessions to help new land owners make the best possible decisions on managing
their property. To be put on next year’s list please call the Gillespie County
Extension Office at 830-997-3452.
Farm & Ranch Estate Planning & Surface Water Workshop Sept 17th-This workshop will be held at the Gillespie County Extension
office starting at 6:15. Talks will cover: The Benefits of Having a
Coordinated Plan; Succession, Gift and Estate Planning; Asset Protection;
Maximization Strategies for your Family. Water issues for the Rural
Landowner concentrating on the classification of navigable waters by
EPA $10 cost payable at the door.
Winter Forage Workshop-Sept 23 Winter forage interest continues for grazing livestock, supplementing
wildlife.
BANDERA, Texas — The Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee
of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Bandera County will
host a Winter Forage Workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
The program will be held at the Mansfield Park Recreation Center, 2886
Texas 16 N. in Bandera. “This is sure to be an informative program as it will be presented by Larry Redmon, a professor and state AgriLife Extension forage specialist from
College Station,” said Sam Womble, AgriLife Extension agent in Bandera
County.
Winter care of backyard poultry flocks
Thursday, September 25 at 7:00 pm EDT
Link: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/poultry
Fall is the time to prepare your flocks and coops for the toils of winter. Dr. Brigid McCrea from
Delaware State University will cover the activities that are recommended for such prepartions.
Whether this is your first or fortieth flock, take the time to learn about changes to your management and
biosecurity routines so that your flock stays happy and healthy all winter long.
New Landowner Series to host Fall Vegetable Program–Sept. 26th
The last two New land Owner Series sessions will take place in Sept. Session 5
was cancelled in July and will now be held on Friday, Sept 26th at the Kerr
County Extension Office, 3655 Hwy 27, Kerrville, TX. Registration will be
1-1:30 with the program lasting until 5 pm. Topics for this session will include
fall vegetable gardening, organics, pest management, soil development and many more topics.
Individuals wishing to attend this single event of the meeting series may attend at a cost of $30
dollars. Please RSVP by calling the Kerr County Extension Office at 830-257-6568. Attendees can
pay at the door.
Earth-Kind Gardening Class On September 29th, Hill Country Master Gardeners will present a class on
Earth-Kind Gardening at the Kerr County AgriLife Extension Office from 1-4 pm.
This class will guide participants in reaping maximum gardening and landscaping
pleasure while still preserving and protecting our environment.
You'll learn about soil building, Texas Superstar plants, the best plant for the
correct spot, natives to choose, effect of climate change on the garden, controlling
insects in an Earth-Kind way and more.
This class is open to the public and cost is $15. Due to limited space, reservations/payments must be
received by September 25. Make check for $15 payable to HCMG and mail to Deborah Russell, 107
Itz Ranch Rd., Fredericksburg, TX 78624. If you need more information, contact Deborah at
[email protected] or call 830-889-0776.
Livestock Producers Urged to Enroll in Disaster Assistance Program by Oct. 1
Producers who have suffered eligible disaster-related losses are encouraged to act to secure
assistance by Sept. 30, 2014, as congressionally mandated payment reductions will take place
for producers who have not acted before that date. Livestock producers that have experienced
grazing losses since October 2011 and may be eligible for benefits but have not yet contacted
their local Farm Service Agency (FSA)
office should do so as soon as possible.
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USDA is encouraging producers to register, request an appointment or begin a Livestock
Forage Disaster Program application with their county FSA office before Oct. 1, 2014, to lock
in the current zero percent sequestration rate. As an additional aid to qualified producers
applying for LFP, the Farm Service's Agency has developed an online registration that enables
farmers and ranchers to put their names on an electronic list before the deadline to avoid
reductions in their disaster assistance. This is an alternative to visiting or contacting the county
office. To place a name on the Livestock Forage Disaster Program list online, visit
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/disaster-register .
Cattle producers can add revenue through cost-effective calf management
A new Farm Assistance study conducted by specialists with the Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service reveals cattle producers can add significant net cash farm income to their operations
on top of already high cattle prices by implementing cost-effective calf management practices.
As prices for calves continue to reach historic
levels, beef cattle producers could see increased
revenue by implementing blackleg vaccinations,
castrations and implants, as well as deworming.
However, many ranchers do not elect to do so and
could be missing significant additions to revenue,
according to economists.
―The financial performance and condition of most
South Texas cow-calf operations will continue to be
supported by off-farm income, hunting and other
sources of income,‖ said Mac Young, AgriLife
Extension economist. ―At the same time,
implementing cost-effective calf management practices offers cow-calf producers the potential to
improve profitability.‖
As prices for calves continue to reach historic levels, beef cattle producers could see increased revenue
by implementing cost-effective calf management
practices, according to Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service economists. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)
Texas ranchers have welcomed rains throughout the spring and summer, which have improved forage
conditions and increased interest in herd rebuilding, Young said.
―As a result, demand and prices for feeder calves and prices for replacements have increased,‖ he said.
―Cow-calf producers in South Texas routinely make management decisions to adapt to weather, market
and economic conditions. Various calf
management practices can be critical to herd performance and profits. Successful managers will find
ways to improve their operations by adopting better and cost-effective approaches to doing things.‖
The study focused on a 2,000-acre ranch consisting of 1,800 acres of native pasture and 200 acres of
established Coastal Bermuda used for grazing only. Under normal stocking rates, the cowherd included
200 cows or a stocking rate of one animal unit to 10 acres and eight bulls or one bull to 25 cows.
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The study took in consideration production inputs, yields, costs and overhead charges based on typical
rates for the region. In 2014, hunting income for the ranch was $10 an acre. Assets, debts, machinery
inventory and scheduled equipment replacements for the projection period were the same in all
management scenarios.
―We took in consideration all four scenarios, which were clostridial vaccinations, castration and
implants, deworming and all calf management,‖ Young said. ―All four calf management practices that
were evaluated potentially can significantly increase profitability of an operation.‖
With no selected calf management practices, average net cash farm income was $76,970 a year or $385
a cow per year and $428 a calf per year. An all calf management program of clostridial vaccinations,
castration/implants and deworming led to net cash farm income of $89,360, representing $477 a cow
per year and $496 a calf per year.
―This reflects a 16.1 percent increase or $12,390 increase versus no calf management practices,‖ Young
said.
He said while the financial performance and condition of most South Texas cow-calf operations will
continue to be supported by off-farm income, implementing these practices can have a significant
positive impact on profitability.
Oct 2nd Texas Cattle Raisers Round Up & 4-H
Replacement Heifer Sale
Heifer sale will start at 5:00 pm with 8 pens of 3 bred heifers offered for sale by 4-H
kids.
Followed by Roundup at 5:30 pm
Micah Walker – Gillespie County TA&M AgriLife 4H Extension Agent (Introduction and recognition of Youth
Commercial Heifer Show Participants and Presentation of awards.)
Jason Skaggs – TSCRA Executive Director, Government and Public Affairs (National & State
Legislative Affairs Update) Larry Gray – TSCRA Director of Law Enforcement (Special Ranger
activities)
THIS TSCRA RANCH GATHERING IS OPEN TO ALL LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS/LANDOWNERS AND
FAMILY WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PRESERVING OUR RANCHING WAY OF LIFE. IF PLANNING TO
ATTEND THE RANCH GATHERING, RSVP’S ARE
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN PLANNING OUR MEAL; PLEASE CALL TSCRA
@800-242-7820 ext.192, or RSVP @tscra.org
Kerr WMA - First Friday Tours
“Ecosystems Approach to Wildlife Management, putting it all together,” – Oct 3
Finding a cure rather than treating a symptom. 3rd and final seminar discussing
white-tailed deer management, grazing management, prescribed burning, brush
control and endangered species. The seminar will also include over 30 years of
nutrition and genetics research conducted in the Donnie E. Harmel White-tailed Deer
Research Facility. Outdoor tour of sites at the Management Areas will follow
demonstrating topics covered indoors. This program is free of charge. Please
contact the respective Wildlife Management Area office for more details.
Reservations are requested Kerr Wildlife Management Area Office: 830-238-4483.
Kerr County 4-H Wild Game Dinner Fund Raiser
Saturday, October 4th – Kerr County Youth Event Center
Kerr Co. 4-H Wild Game Dinner
The Kerr County 4-H Wild Game Fund Raiser sponsored by Kerr
County 4-H will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014. This event will be held at the Hill
Country Youth Exhibition center at 3805 Hwy. 27, Kerrville. The doors will open at 5:00 p.m.
and dinner is served at 6pm.
Tickets are $20.00 for adults, 6 and under free. Tickets are available at Gibson’s, Kerrville
Ranch and Pet, and Double L Feed in Kerrville and Ingram.
THE COOKS…The Kerr County 4-H Wild Game dinner is famous for its flavor of the Texas
Hill Country. 21 cooks from around Kerr county will prepare delicious treats made with Axis,
Whitetail, Sika, Blackbuck, Red Stag, wild hog and much, much more!! If you are not into
exotic meats, then you will enjoy the taste of Wild Range chicken and Boiled shrimp.
THE RAFFLE…After you have enjoyed a great dinner, we will start announcing our raffle
winners and have our auction items. Over $50,000 dollars in auction & raffle items available
including 30 guns, shooting gear, blinds, jewelry, furniture, and much, much more.
THE PROCEEDS…from this event benefit the 4-H Club Leadership & Development
programming serving 454 youth in Kerr County. 4-H is a community of young people across
America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H is about having fun,
learning, exploring and discovering. In 4-H, young people make new friends, develop new
skills, become leaders and help shape their communities. The Mission Of The Texas 4-H and
Youth Development Program is to: Prepare youth to meet the challenges of childhood,
adolescence and adulthood, through a coordinated, long-term, progressive series of educational
experiences that enhance life skills and develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive
competencies.
WILD GAME MEAT DONORS… If you have access to exotic wild game we are looking
for donations of meat for this year’s dinner. If you are interested in donating you may take your
dressed game to Rhodes Taxidermy on Junction Hwy. (please id to Kerr 4-H) or call
Roy Walston at 830-257-6568.
Kerr County Hay Show
Producers interested in participating in the Hay Show may
bring their hay samples by the Kerr County Extension office by
Tuesday, October 1st. Entries will include one small square bale
and a producer may enter as many bales as they wish. In cases of
round bales an entry will consist of 20 pounds of hay sacked, bound and tied. Entry fee is
$10.00 per bale. Classes include; Sorghum Sudan, Winter Annuals, Legumes, Perennial
Grasses, Coastal Bermuda, and other bermudagrasses. Bermudagrasses will be divided into
irrigated and dryland. This is a good opportunity for producers to get their hay tested and
determine how your fertility and management program is working. For more information
contact the Kerr County Extension office, 830-257-6568.
Kerr County Forage Meeting – October 27
The Kerr County Hay Show & Forage Meeting will be just around the
corner. On October 27 Dr. Larry Redmon, Extension Forage Specialist
will discuss forage management, as well as new improved forages, insect
and weed control and new products to control fall armyworms, grassy weeds, etc. The
program will begin at 1 pm. to 4 pm. with three hours of CEU’s offered to Private, commercial
and non-commercial applicators. Registration for this program will be $15 per person payable
at the door or pre-registration is $10 by October 18.
If you would like to receive the Top of the Windmill via email,
please send an email to: [email protected] with the Subject title as: Top of the
Windmill.
Kerr County AgriLife Extension Office
3655 Hwy 27
Kerrville, Texas 78028