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| Vol. 49 - No. 2 | Thursday, January 16, 1997 | $25 Per Year |
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Lamb Prices
Again Reach Record Levels
Fat and feeder lambs were generally higher across
the country this week, some areas reaching record high
levels on fat lambs. Slaughter ewes also found better
markets. East Coast carcass lamb was $3-5 higher, 65
pounds and down $179-181, 65-75 pounds $177-179 and 75
pounds and up $174-176.
Slaughter
Cattle Regain $1 In Another Brisk Trade Week
Plains fed cattle prices turned around this week,
putting on about $1 to close at mostly $66. It was
another brisk trade period, though not nearly so active
as last week’s 114,500-head selloff.
Symposium
Addresses Key Issues Of Cedar Impacts On Rangeland
Juniper infestation on Texas rangelands has long been a
problem for the ranch community, and it’s getting
worse all the time. Less recognized is its considerable
effect on the general population as well. Juniper impacts
the average citizen by robbing the land of a commodity
that most people take for granted — water.
EPA’s New Air
Rules Arbitrary, Illegal, Opponents Point Out
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s stringent
new rules on air pollution cannot be justified by
scientific data and they were developed in violation of
federal law. But that hasn’t prevented the usual
suspects in the "green" movement from demanding
that they be made even tougher.
Flooding In West
Takes Toll On Livestock, Installations
Floodwaters have given way to fields of death.
Hundreds of drowned cows, horses and other livestock
— their bloated carcasses tangled in barbed wire or
mired in ditches — lie strewn across the soggy
landscape of Northern California.
Some Corn Farmers
Holding Out, Hoping High Prices Will Return
Farmers whose bins were empty as they ruefully
watched corn prices soar above $5 a bushel last year are
holding their crops this winter, hoping for another price
surge.
Bangs In Wyoming
Horse Raises Warning Flags Through Region
The discovery of brucellosis in a Wyoming game warden's
horse will spark concerns among officials in other states
about the risks of the disease in Wyoming, Idaho's state
veterinarian warns.
Bullock Says
Water Key Issue In Texas Legislative Session
Lawmakers should address the crucial issue of managing
the state's water resources and, at a minimum, approve a
plan for dealing with drouth, Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock says.
Gorings By
Yellowstone Buffs Have Horse Owner Lathered Up
Meandering buffalo have gored at least two horses
on ranches near Yellowstone National Park's northern
entrance, and a local landowner says horsemen have fallen
through the cracks of a buffalo-management plan.
Texas
Recreational Land Sales Booming, But Working Land Soft
The market for Texas ranch land is solid if not robust,
with prices continuing their rebound from early-1990s
lows and interest highest in property for hunting and
other nonagricultural uses.
Property
Rights Advocate Suggests Some Resolutions
It will come as no surprise that property
rights advocates and those seeking to make people part of
the environmental equation face remarkable challenges in
1997. For those making New Year's resolutions, I offer
the following suggestions to help win those battles. To
begin, decide to get involved, then do it. Where to
start? Here's my list.
San Angelo Lamb
Plant Building On Schedule
Construction of the Ranchers Lamb processing
facility at San Angelo is on schedule, says the builder.
So far most of the work has been related to the
foundation, which is close to completion.
Federals Shoot
Four Wolves After Finding Cattle Killed
Federal agents shot four wolves recently after the
animals were implicated in the deaths of seven cattle on
a Deer Lodge Valley ranch, officials said. The cattle
were attacked on the Fred Benson ranch and the wolves
were spotted a few miles east of there.
New Soda Name
Same As Old Ag Cleanser
The Coca-Cola Company plans to market a new soft
drink bearing the same name as a decades-old agricultural
disinfectant, and the maker of the cleaning solution says
"Whoa."
Texas
Extravaganza Brangus Avg. $2345
A total of 420 Brangus lots sold last month at the
Texas Extravaganza sale, averaging $2345. The cattle were
offered by Steiner Ranches and Mound Creek Ranches.
Cold Reduces
Angelo Cattle, Sheep Count
Continued snow, sleet and sub-freezing weather
sharply reduced cattle and sheep supplies. Producers are
more concerned with supplying feed and water to their
livestock than risking slick road conditions getting them
to market.
On The Edge Of
Common Sense
By Baxter Black
If Herefords were black and Angus were red would
breeders of Herefords breed Angus instead? I mean, would
the people who bred Herefords first be now breeding Angus
if things were reversed.
Unregistered Bull
in a Hotel Lobby
Choice gleanings from 45-plus years of
Unregistered Bull.
"As smart as I am," said John, "I
can’t understand why I’m not rich. Other people
make money from their smart ideas, but not me. I
can’t even get in on a government graft, or figure
out a way to explain to my banker why I’m always
overdrawn.
Pokin' Fun
By Doc Blakely
In St. Paul, Minnesota, I was gazing out the
window of the Radisson Hotel overlooking a frozen river
covered by fresh snow. The wind chill factor was 20
degrees below a banker's heart when the mortgage comes
due. An ancient, red fire engine came roaring across the
bridge. It was so old they didn't have a siren. They were
just twisting the tail on a cat. The back of the fire
truck was covered with a tarpaulin.
Shortgrass
Country
By Monte Noelke
Around they glided in a grand opening of a grand
march. December 21, 1996, 111 years of the Cowboy’s
Christmas Ball at Anson, Texas. High-topped boots, black
and hand-stitched, with frock coats draped over the
shoulders of ruffle-fronted shirts; red satin dresses,
ankle length, sweeping across the dance floor of the
Pioneer Hall to twirl to a Texas waltz. Listen now,
please, to Michael Martin Murphy lead his band in
"The Red River Valley."
Wildlife By
Design
By Dale Rollins, Ph.D
The story is told of a hill country sheep
rancher who had a score to settle with a coyote. Not just
any coyote, but a killer among killers. For several years
the rancher had lost lambs to a coyote he'd come to call
"Ol' 3-toes", a name earned by losing a toe pad
off its right front paw several years before in a No. 4
Newhouse. Since that lesson, Ol' 3-toes had successfully
evaded an armada of helicopters, M-44s, snares and guard
dogs. He was the coyote that Edwards Plateau ranchers
have nightmares about.