Loose Ends

Texas beef producers can observe their checkoff dollars to improve beef quality at work at a special program April 24 at Brownwood.

The Texas Beef Council, Texas A&M University and Jordan Cattle Auctions will host the free, checkoff-funded workshop entitled, "Dollars and Sense: Management for Beef Quality" beginning at 5 p.m. at the Jordan Cattle Auction Market at Brownwood.

The program will examine tools to enhance cow-calf management and selection practices. The workshop covers the key beef production phases of cow-calf and stocker management. Topics include: "Capturing Value Through Proper Calf Management," "Capturing Value Through Targeted Breeding and Selection," and "Feeder Calf Value and Evaluation."

A hamburger dinner will be provided to the attendees during the free seminar. For more information contact your local county Extension agent, Jordan Cattle Auctions at (915)646-7591 or Scott McNeill at TBC at 1-800-846-4113.

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Carolyn Gilbert, long-time District 7 Extension director, retired March 31 after 33 years of service with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Gilbert has been DED for the West Central (District 7) District since 1981. As DED, Gilbert supervised the Family and Consumer Science Extension agents in the District’s 23 counties.

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A range field day is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, on the Bob Fee Ranch, south of Roscoe, Texas, in Nolan County beginning at 9 a.m. Stan Reinke, area range conservationist, NRCS; Steve Nelle, Wildlife biologist, NRCS; Ted McCollum, Extension livestock specialist; and Kent Mills, Ezell-Key Grain Co., will discuss how to manage pastures that are in poor range condition to try to get more economical productivity out of them.

Some of the topics to be discussed include: rotational or deferred grazing, stocking rates, supplemental feeding, burning, brush and weed control, multiple species grazing, and introduction of improved species of forage.

Directions to the field day are from Interstate 20, take Exit 230 to FM 1230. Go south for eight miles until the pavement ends. Turn east (right) for one mile. Turn in across the cattleguard on right as the road turns back to the left (north). A hamburger lunch will be provided.

Anyone interested in more information should call Kent Mills at (800) 299-4496; Terry Been at (915) 235-4485; Kevin Wright at (915)573-6317, or Steve Shrode at (915)728-3473.

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Joseph M. Mertz of San Angelo has been inducted into the Academy of Honor in Agricultural Credit by the Farm Credit Bank of Texas.

Created in 1968, the academy recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of agricultural finance.

The award establishes the 1998 Joseph M. Mertz Academy of Honor in Agricultural Credit Scholarship. Mertz will select a college or university offering a graduate degree in agricultural finance, agribusiness or agricultural economics to receive the $3000 scholarship. The selected school will name the student recipient.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, Mertz began his involvement with Farm Credit in 1951 as a borrower when he purchased his first ranch in Pie Town, N.M., with a loan through the Federal Land Bank Association of Albuquerque. Following a move to Texas in 1967, Mertz joined the FLBA of San Angelo, where he served on the board of directors from 1987 to 1997. He chaired the board from 1996 to 1997. He was a member of the Tenth Farm Credit District’s Stockholders’ Advisory Committee from 1992 until 1997, as well as the Cost Allocation Committee from 1995-1996.

In 1994 Mertz chaired the Business Relationship Study Group, a committee formed to improve communication and teamwork among associations and the Farm Credit Bank staff.

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The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that 234,496 cattle entered Texas for the month of March while 88,557 were exported. Also, 7565 sheep entered the state and 18,831 were exported.

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The 1998 Chuck Wagon Gathering will be held on Memorial Day Weekend, May 22-24, at the Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock. This entertaining and educational program is designed to increase visitor awareness of the history and heritage of ranching.

The Wild West Day, an introductory program for children with appropriate demonstrations, contests and activities, will kick off the event on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will include music, demonstrations and the lunch sampler. Adults and children alike can step back in time as they get a taste of the "Old West" from the chuckwagons, and learn new chuckwagon recipes and cooking methods. Sunday morning from 8-10 a.m. breakfast will be served from the back of the wagons followed by a historic circuit rider reenactment.

The Ranching Heritage Center is located on the Texas Tech University campus just east of 4th Street and Indiana Avenue. Admission to the Center is free, but there will be a charge for those wishing to eat. More information is available from the Ranching Heritage Association office at (806)742-2498.

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Stanley H. (Stan) Davis of Port Neches has been named rural hero for 1997 by the Texas Farm and Ranch Safety Council. The annual award honors an individual who has performed a heroic act of human lifesaving related to farming or ranching.

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"The second-finest bale of wool ever sold at auction" is how a recent Australian sale is being heralded. The bale, weighing 205 pounds, was graded 100/90s Choice A Merino, and brought the Australian equivalent of $214 per pound grease, or $276 per pound clean.

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