Loose Ends

An estate planning seminar is set for November 19 at Abilene. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. in the President's Dining Room of McMurry University.

Bob J. Surovik, a local attorney, will discuss what a will should contain, planning considerations, ways to reduce estate taxes, trusts, and charitable giving. Bobby Melson, CPA, will follow with a focus on annual giving, life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, family limited partnerships, family-owned businesses and new laws which will affect the estate.

The seminar will adjourn at 1 p.m. Registration is $15 per person and includes a breakfast and luncheon. Registration must be received by November 16 and may be made by calling the Taylor County Extension office at (915)672-6048.

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The annual pesticide applicator CEU conference hosted by the City of Abilene, The Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service is set for Thursday, Nov. 19. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

The session is approved for five CEUs with TDA in the areas of General (two credits), Laws & Regulations (one)and IPM (one). The Texas Certified Crop Advisors have approved the session for five CEU's in Integrated Pest Management.

The cost of the seminar is $2 to cover cost of refreshments. More information is available from the Taylor County Extension office at (915)672-6048 or the Callahan County Extension office at (915)854-1518.

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The Luling Foundation, located in Luling, Texas, will be hosting a mini-shortcourse for goat producers on Saturday, November 21. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with programs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those attending are asked to RSVP by November 19th by contacting the Luling Foundation at (830)875-2438.

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The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that 322,441 cattle were imported to Texas from other states during October, while 106,975 were exported. Also 17,183 sheep entered Texas from other states and 12,685 sheep were shipped out.

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The National Cattlemen's Beef Association says U.S. beef and variety meat exports rose 8.6 percent from January to August this year, but their value declined 3.5 percent because of lower prices. Japan, Mexico, Canada and Korea accounted for 77.5 percent of export tonnage and 95.6 percent of the value.

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The Texas Supreme Court is considering a case in which the owner of livestock was found liable for an accident caused by the animals straying onto a farm-to-market road. The Texas Cattle Feeders Association has filed a friend of the court brief in the case, asking the court to overturn the ruling because it runs counter to both existing statute and legal precedent and would create a "universal obligation of livestock confinement."

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The Texas Agricultural Statistics Service notes that it will soon begin contacting farmers and ranchers regarding the state's annual fall crop and livestock survey. Responses are kept confidential, reminds State Statistician Dennis Findley. The survey period begins Nov. 23.