The Texas Agricultural Statistics Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, will soon begin their end-of-year crop estimates for 1999 and beginning of season forecasts for 2000. TASS representatives will begin contacting farmers and ranchers this coming week to collect the crop and livestock data used in the estimating process.

TASS officials point out that all individual information is kept confidential.

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The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that 302,548 cattle entered Texas for the month of October while 113,373 were shipped to other states. Also, 1989 sheep entered Texas and 18,226 were exported to other states.

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Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs reminds pesticide applicators to check to see if they have the necessary continuing education units to renew their license. Many private applicators, as well as all commercial and noncommercial applicators, face a Feb. 28, 2000, renewal date.

Applicators should provide TDA with any change of address. Many rural addresses have changed with the implementation of the 911 emergency response system. Providing updates or address changes allows applicators to receive their renewal on time and keep their license current.

Private applicators must renew their license every five years and obtain 15 CEUs during that period. Two credits must be in integrated pest management and two in laws and regulations. Applicators must self-certify their credits by listing them on the renewal form that they should receive by early December.

Private applicators also may earn the required credits by passing a comprehensive recertification exam. This test costs $50 for each attempt. After passing, an applicator will receive a certificate of completion for 15 CEUs.

Private applicators cannot simply retest to renew their license. A license must have been expired for a year before an applicator can take the private applicator training course and test.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators renew each year and must earn five CEUs annually, including one CEU in each of two of the following categories: laws and regulations, integrated pest management, and drift minimization.

Combs advises pesticide applicators to check with their county Texas Agricultural Extension Service office for courses offered or call the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA or (512)463-7548 for a list of approved courses. A list of CEU courses is available on TDA's web site (www.agr.state.tx.us/pesticide/ceuhome.htm).

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Wes Cooper of Olney, Texas, won the title of National Beef Ambassador for 2000 at the recent National Beef Ambassador Competition in Wichita, Kansas.

Thirty-two contestants from around the country vied for the national title and for $5500 in cash prizes distributed among the top seven places, and a $1000 scholarship from the American National CattleWomen Foundation. Cooper received $2500 cash and a $1000 scholarship to a school of his choice. Lisa Nelson of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, received $1000. Third place and $800 went to Amanda Burtenshaw of Terreton, Idaho. Derick Taylor of Reddick, Florida, took fourth place and received $600. Honorable mention and $200 cash award winners were: Tyler L. Smith of Orem, Utah; Claire A. Wineman of Santa Maria, California; and Katie Newman of Clinton, Mississippi.

The National Beef Ambassador Program was conceived in 1988 by the American National CattleWomen Inc. The purpose of the program is to train youth spokespersons for the beef industry. Through preparing for the competition, contestants become knowledgeable about the nutritional and economic values, by-products, food safety, and versatile uses of beef. Trained youth ambassadors can address issues and misconceptions in schools, workplaces and in their communities both urban and rural. Contestants participating in the National Beef Ambassador competition presented a five to eight-minute illustrated talk on the promotional aspects of beef and participated in a hands-on beef education workshop.

The national winner has the opportunity to travel throughout the country and speak to various clubs and organizations in both rural and urban settings on behalf of the American National CattleWomen Inc., and the beef industry.

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The Independent Cattlemen's Association newsletter includes a telling item on Vice President Al Gore. ICA quotes Gore as advising an FFA award-winner during a recent White House reception to avoid production agriculture because the industry is being phased out in this country in favor of Third World producers.

"Gore was instrumental in the development of the United Nations Agenda 2000, which calls for just such an outcome," says the ICA newsletter.

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The 15th annual Panhandle Farm Management Symposium will offer area producers CEUs and updates on precision agriculture, risk management, crop and beef cattle production and policy issues that may affect them in the upcoming year.

The event, scheduled for Dec. 1, is held each year in conjunction with the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show at the Amarillo Civic Center. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

More information may be obtained by contacting Steve Amosson, Extension agricultural management economist, at (806) 359-5401; Jim Allison, Potter County Extension agricultural agent, at (806) 372-3829; or any other county Extension agent.

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