Fat, Feeder Lamb Prices Move Higher
Fat and feeder lamb prices had a little more zip to them in some places this week, while others held basically steady. Fat lambs were stronger on the lightweight end while the burdensome supply of heavyweights are still suffering.

Full-Court Press Drives Fed Cattle Another $1-2 Lower
"I wish I Knew" was the most frequent answer to the most frequent question in cattle feeding country this week — "what happened?"

Plains Feedlot Sales

Range Sales

TP&W Chairman Tells Landowners Agency Won’t Micromanage Lands
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Lee Bass told participants in a recent South Texas Wildlife Conference here that the current commission and staff all share a recognition that private landowners are the stewards of Texas fish and wildlife resources.

Study Shows Chaining Of Cedar Is Economical In Most Cases
Most forms of brush control, particularly mechanical control and herbicides, have become increasingly expensive, so much so that many ranchers and researchers question whether or not brush control practices are cost-effective.

Hondo Creek Manager Is Home At Feedyard In South Texas
This is Hondo Creek Cattle Company's first year to host the Ranch to Rail South program. It's Scott Thompson's second year at Hondo Creek, a 20,000 head feedyard that dates to the 1930s. Thompson isn't as old as the feedyard, but he knows the operation both in practice and theory.

Forest Head Withdraws Severe Grazing Enforcement Proposal
Responding to political pressure and recognizing he had made a mistake, Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Bill LeVere has withdrawn a controversial grazing permit enforcement policy.

Weather Conditions Statewide Much Improved Over Last Year
One year ago, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry predicted that the drouth would burn up $6.5 billion from the Texas economy.

House Rejects Plan To Cut CRP Acreage
The House late last week rejected a rollback in farmland idled under the Conservation Reserve Program.

Espy Payoff Scheme Nets $1.5M Penalty
The nation's largest grower of raisins, prunes and other dried fruits and nuts was fined $1.5 million last week for illegally making and condoning gifts to former Clinton administration Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.

More Voices Rising To Protest Clinton Clean Air Rules Hike
The West, and particularly Idaho, has many areas that have been left in their natural state, part of the region's charm.

Clinton’s Land Grab In Utah Prompts Hearings, Legislation
With Utah officials still seething over Bill Clinton’s back-room seizure of almost two million acres of their state last September, Clinton administration Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt says now that the deed is done, everyone should "cooperate." Out of the other side of his mouth, however, Babbitt recently disavowed most of the few conciliatory-sounding promises Clinton made when he announced the takeover.

Method Uses High Explosives In Water To Make Meat Tender
Morse B. Solomon has a shocking way to tenderize meat. The Agriculture Department researcher literally uses explosives to generate supersonic shock waves that instantly eliminate toughness.

Northern Plains Beef Co-Op Won’t Meet Investment Goal
A regional beef cooperative that planned to build two slaughterhouses has given up hope of meeting its June 1 investment deadline. Ranchers who invested are getting refunds as co-op organizers contemplate starting over on a smaller scale.

Angelo Feeder Lambs Steady, Cattle Higher
Feeder lambs sold steady this week, slaughter lambs scarce, slaughter ewes firm, instances $1-2 higher on good and choice. Receipts totaled 11,293 head.

Most San Saba, Mason, Brownwood Cattle Up
Feeder steers sold steady to $1 higher in Mason, Brownwood and San Saba last week, weights over 700 pounds $2-4 higher, feeder heifers steady to strong, slaughter cows $1-3 higher, bulls steady to $1 higher, pairs and bred cows in good demand. Receipts totaled 2166 head at the three sales.

Unregistered Bull in a Hotel Lobby
Choice gleanings from 45-plus years of Unregistered Bull.
"I do believe," said John, "that I’ve finally adjusted myself to the modern way of doing business. The only thing I can see to keep me from getting rich in nothing flat is the possibility that I’m a shade late, as usual. The money may be all gone. However, here’s a letter which I’m shipping off to Washington, and if the reply is favorable you’ll have a chance to go around bragging how you knew me when I was just a poor boy." The letter:

On The Edge Of Common Sense
By Baxter Black
"Doctor, I'm here because I'm a ... I'm a ..." "Relax. Many people have psychological conflicts. Lie back on the couch and tell me about it." "Okay. It's just that I don't know if it's normal or something I should worry about. I'm a ... vegetarian.

It's The Pitts
By Lee Pitts
I snicker when I hear people say, "I wish I'd lived a hundred years ago." Don't they realize there's a strong possibility they'd be dead already? And they never would have experienced Monday Night Football, overstuffed reclining chairs and nachos.

Pokin' Fun
By Doc Blakely
ABSENTEE LETTERS ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM THE PARENTS OF THEIR STUDENTS ... 1. Dear School: Please excuse John from being absent on January 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.

Shortgrass Country
By Monte Noelke
After my children left home, participation in Mertzon’s affairs changed. I still walked back and forth to the river on the days I was in town from the ranch. The office post drop and telephone number stayed the same, but the only cards or calls were from out of town.