Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Navarro County Pecan Show Set for December 2 and 3

The Extension Horticulture Committee will be hosting the 2010 Pecan Show on December 3, at the Corsicana Public Library, 100 N. 12th St. in Corsicana. The Pecan Show will demonstrate how to grade pecans for sale based upon the standards by which buyers set the price on marketable pecans. Entries from pecan growers including commercial growers, orchard managers and homeowners are welcomed and encouraged.

Participants are limited to one entry of each named variety they grow. The grower may enter as many varieties, seedlings, known hybrids or natives as desired. One special class, the smallest native, will also be a featured class. Sample entries from one orchard cannot be entered in two county shows. Pecans should be from Navarro County OR ADJOINING COUNTIES WHICH DO NOT HAVE A SHOW.

The exhibitor must be the grower. A minimum of 40 pecans, preferred 42, are necessary for each entry. This minimum sample of 40 should represent the variety and be uniform in size and shell color. Mixed samples (more than one variety in an entry) will be disqualified. The grower may wish to select the heaviest pecans by weighing individual nuts. A varietal entry may be composed of nuts from more than one tree. For example, if a grower has ten Choctaw trees, each tree could contribute nuts to the grower’s one Choctaw entry. Nuts should be without insect and disease damage. The pecans should be free of dust, dirt and shuck remnants. They should not be rubbed to the extent that shape or color is altered. Avoid discolored shells and kernels. This problem may result from peeling pecans from the shucks too early. Pecans exhibited must be from the 2010 crop.

Entries may be brought to the Navarro County Extension office by Wednesday, December 1, by 5pm. The office is located on the third floor of the Navarro County Courthouse or they may be brought to the Corsicana Public Library on Thursday, December 2, 2010 by 8:30am. Ribbons will be awarded to the first three entries in each variety. Champions will be named in the Commercial, Classic and Native divisions and plaques awarded. Awards will be presented on December 3 at 1pm in the Corsicana Library Civic Room and a presentation by Monte Nesbitt, Pecan Program Specialist, on the history of the pecan show, the current market situation and new pecan varieties will follow awards.

We encourage everyone to take the time to submit entries for the show and to include your name, address and variety on each entry. Thanks for interest and support of this endeavor.



QUESTIONS??? CALL 903-654-3075

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tire Disposal Day set for September 24

Navarro County and the City of Corsicana are partnering up once again to offer a Tire Disposal Day to local residents. The event is scheduled for September 24 at the Navarro County Precinct 1 Barn. The facility is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of highway 31 and FM 2555. The program will begin at 7 am and conclude at 2 pm.

Only tires will be accepted on this day and that can include passenger, truck and tractor tires. A fee of $1.00 per tire (NO EXCEPTIONS) will be charged to help offset the escalating costs of this program. There are several General Rules and Regulations that will apply and residents are expected to be familiar with these stipulations prior to attending the event:

1. You MUST be a Navarro County Resident to dump at the Tire Disposal Event.
2. Residents MUST present a drivers license to validate county or city residency.
3. All loads MUST be firmly secured to trucks and/or trailers according to TCEQ regulations.
4. ABSOLUTELY NO commercial tire dealers or haulers will be allowed to dispose of tires and those that attempt to come through the line WILL be turned away.
5. Assistance will be available to unload tires.

If you have questions about this event please call 903-654-3075. This event is made possible by Navarro County, City of Corsicana, Trinity River Authority – Clean Rivers Program, Tarrant Regional Water District and other local sponsors and volunteers.
Master Marketer Program Coming to Waco in 2011

The Master Marketer program is designed for agricultural producers and agribusiness leaders experienced in marketing commodities and having some knowledge of futures and options markets. The course contains 64 hours of intensive marketing training, focusing on cotton, wheat, livestock and feedgrains.

In 2011 it will be held at the Texas Farm Bureau Headquarters.

Session dates are:
I-January 11-13
II-January 26-27
III-February 9-10
IV-February 23-24

Marking education and training pay dividends that will directly improve your bottom line! Previous graduates report their incomes have increased on average more than $33,000 per year.

Want to know more?

http://mastermarketer.tamu.edu/

Monday, July 19, 2010

Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection Events

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Department of Agriculture have announced 2010 Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collection Events. These disposal programs allow agricultural producers to properly dispose of unwanted pesticides. According to the TCEQ website:

The free collections, conducted rain or shine, give agricultural producers who use pesticides in Texas an opportunity to dispose of unwanted products that may pose a hazard to them, their families, and their surrounding farming and ranching communities. The program is strictly voluntary and no one is required to participate. All this is done at no expense to them.
The participants do not have to identify themselves. However, there is a short survey in which the participants are asked questions similar to the ones listed below.
- What county are you from?
- How long has your waste been stored?
- How did you hear about today's event?
- What type of material are you bringing today?
The reason for asking the participant the fourth question–regarding the type of material brought in–is to determine how to properly handle it.


The closest event to Navarro County is to be held in Ellis County on Thursday, September 16 at the Ellis County Youth Expo Grounds. For a complete liest of events that will be held this September and October go to http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/assets/public/assistance/agwaste/FY_2011_schedule.pdf

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Brush Management Field Day Offering 5 CEU’s Set for June 11

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Navarro County will host a Brush Management Field Day on June 11. The program is designed to assist landowners in making decisions about how and when to apply chemical and mechanical brush management practices. Brush species highlighted will include mesquite, cedar, cactus and others. The program will begin at 9am at the Navarro County Exposition Center. Topics will include: Using Pestman for Brush Control Decisions, Brush Species Ecology and Management, Mechanical Brush Control Options and Assistance from Federal Agencies. After lunch, we will travel to Tree Brand Ranches for a field tour that will include: chemical brush and weed plots, skid-steer demonstration for cut stump applications, three-point hitch grubbing attachment and other mechanical demonstrations. Representatives from Dow AgroSciences and Dupont will be on hand to discuss brush herbicides. Cost is $5 per person to cover the cost of the lunch. Please RSVP by June 8 at 903-654-3075.
Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers to Host Meeting June 3 Focusing on Cattle Theft Prevention and Membership

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association will be hosting a Ranch Gathering on June 3 at the Navarro County Exposition Center. The meeting will focus on membership, protecting your property from theft and a legislative update for landowners. Presenters will include Jimmy Dickson, TSCRA Special Ranger and Eldon White, TSCRA Executive Director and CEO. The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm and offer a free steak dinner. Sponsors for the event include: Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Smith General Store, Brazos Valley Equipment, Hubbard Livestock, Bayer and Helena. If you are interested in attending please RSVP by June 1 to Brooke Boddy at 800-242-7820 ext. 192 or rsvp@texascattleraisers.org.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Age Determination in Cattle

Determining the age of a cow can be an important factor in making decisions related to buying, culling, breeding, retaining, etc. Practices such as branding or tagging with ages are a good measure and can add value especially when selling bred cows. Unfortunately, many producers cannot or do not take the time for such practices (often times they may not be practical). Examination of the teeth can however provide an approximate age of a cow. This method evaluates the appearance of temporary and permanent teeth and the degree of wear. At maturity cattle have 32 teeth of which 8 are the incisors in the lower jaw which are typically evaluated. There are no upper incisors only a thick dental pad. Depending upon range and pasture conditions the degree of wear can vary. Cattle on sandy, rangeland type country typically wear quicker than cattle on higher clay content soil with improved pasture. Because this method is approximate it is important to note that it may not ascertain a cow’s biological age but rather gauge her youthfulness in terms of grazing ability. A second method to determine age would include looking at the brucellosis tattoo in the right ear. This would indicate the year the cow was a weaned calf. The first digit represents the quarter of the year it was tagged, the middle digits are a shield and the last number is the year vaccinated. A good resource and aging table can be accessed at http://www.avc-beef.org/AgingCattle-Griffin/AgingCattle-CL712.pdf.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Average Home Could Collect 25,568 Gallons of Rainwater Annually

Have you ever wondered how much water comes off of your roof in a major rainfall event? What about over the course of a year? Let’s assume the average home in Navarro County is 1200 square feet and that the average rainfall is 38 inches annually. For every square foot (horizontal square foot not roof area) we collect 0.623 gallons per 1 inch of rain. So the average home would collect 747.6 gallons per 1 inch of rainfall. If we figure 38 inches annually and a 90% collection efficiency, then the average home could collect 25,568 gallons per year! That water could go to a variety of uses. As the state of Texas faces increased population growth and demand on water resources, rainwater may be making a comeback. Want to know more?

A Rainwater Harvesting Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 6 from 5:30pm to 8:30 pm at the Sumner Family Property, north of Blooming Grove, TX. Highlighting the event will be Dr. Dotty Woodson, Extension Specialist for Water Resources who will present on the basics of rainwater harvesting and guide us in putting together rainwater barrels. A limited number of rain barrels will be available for purchase on a first come, first serve basis. Also, as part of the program we will view a 3,000 gallon rainwater collection demonstration as well as a unique project that is funneling rainwater to a surface tank. Directions: Take Highway 22 to Blooming Grove, TX. On the east side of town, turn north onto Pecan Street (this turns into NWCR 1420). Go 1.2 miles and turn left into the drive, look for signs. RSVP by April 28th at 903-654-3075

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Cattle Artificial Insemination and Palpation Training
Corsicana Livestock Auction – Angus, TX
April 23 – 25, 2010
Limited to the first 20 paid registrants
$275 per person

Tentative Schedule
Friday – April 23, 2010
1pm – Registration
1:30 – Orientation and Introductions
2:00 – Body Condition Scoring Cattle
2:30 – Artificial Insemination Basics
3:00 – Synchronization
4:00 – Live Animal Work
6:00 – Adjourn for the evening

Saturday – April 24, 2010
9:00am – Coffee and Visit
9:30 - Semen Handling
10:15 – Live Animal Work
12:00 – Break for Lunch (provided)
1:00 – Heat Watch and Detection
2:00 – Live Animal Work
3:30 – Conclude AI Instruction
4:00 – BioPreg Check Presentation
5:00 – Anatomy & Physiology of the Reproductive Tract
6:00 – Palpation and Pregnancy Stages
7:00 pm – Adjourn for the evening

Sunday – April 25, 2010
1:00 pm – Examine Uteri Tracts
2:00 – Live Animal Work
4:30 – Final Questions and Discussion
5:00 pm – Course Adjourned

This is designed to be a low-cost yet high quality training. Presenters are experienced educators and/or practitioners in their respective areas. FYI, the cost per person will help defray the costs for cattle, materials and food. Call 903-654-3075 with questions.

For the flyer and registration form, go to http://navarro-tx.tamu.edu/newsletters/Spring%202010.pdf to page 3.
Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Testing - April 13th

Tuesday, April 13
8am to 2pm
Corsicana Library Civic Room

This is the required 4 hour training that you must complete in order to obtain your private pesticide applicator license from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Cost: $40 for study manuals available in the Extension office, please pick up before the training to familiarize yourself with the material

RSVP by April 7th at 903-654-3075
Spring 2010 Newsletter is now online at http://navarro-tx.tamu.edu/newsletters/Spring%202010.pdf

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Cold and wet weather presents challenges for county producers!



The weather has been tough, especially when trying to feed cows... Does this look familiar?
Row Crop Update and CEU Seminar
Friday - January 29, 2010
Corsicana Public Library – Civic Room
Cost: $5 (Lunch will be provided)
5 CEU’s will be provided (2 General, 2 IPM, 1 L&R)

Topics and Agenda
8:15 am Registration and Introductions
8:20 Corn, Grain Sorghum, Wheat, Oats and Soybean Demonstrations - Derek Scasta, Navarro County Extension Agent - Agriculture
8:45 Growing Soybeans and Sunflowers in the Blacklands - Steven Beakley, Ellis County Producer
9:45 Cotton and IPM Update - Glen Moore, Extension Agent IPM
10:45 Laws and Regulations - Benji Parham, Texas Department of Agriculture
11:45 Lunch
12:15 Weed Control and Herbicide Tolerant Milo - Dr. Paul Baumman, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
1:15 Sprayer Technology, GPS, Nozzle Selection and Sprayer Demo - Johnny Walker, John Deere
2:15 Final Questions and pass out certificates

**Please call and RSVP by January 26, 2010 at 5pm for meal and material arrangements**