I am disturbed by the number of people in this country who seem to take agriculture for granted. Many have had little to no experience with the land and only know what they read and hear from what are often unreliable sources. They jump on bandwagons about global warming, animal rights, energy use or even belching cows, largely uninformed. Agriculture cannot be understood by only reading books or listening to people with political agendas. It is a business that has been passed on through generations of research, knowledge and experience.
Our country seems to have become "environmentally aware" in the last 30-40 years, but we understand little about food and what it takes to produce it. Why is this? The answer, in my opinion, is that most Americans spend less than 10 percent of their disposable income to support their dietary needs. According to the USDA's Economic Research Service, food expenditures by families and individuals as a share of disposable income were 13.8 percent in 1970, 11 percent in 1988 and only 9.6 percent in 2008. Could it be that food is too cheap or Americans are too wealthy, and we have little need to be worried about where our next meal will come from or how we will pay for it? We hear too much talk about GMOs, cap and trade, carbon sequestration and cows belching gases into the atmosphere causing global warming and too little about the security of our nation due in part to our agriculture industry. Somehow we need to educate the public that farmers, ranchers and land managers are an essential link to the health and success of our society. We should all care about the environment, but land managers must do more to educate the public about the safe, wholesome and inexpensive food and fiber our industry provides to the nation and the world. There has never been a more important time for us to portray ourselves as stewards of the land and educate the public about our business.
Lloyd Noble understood the importance of agriculture to our nation, and this is one of the reasons why he established the Noble Foundation. Mr. Noble believed people who were raised on the land were people of character and integrity with moral and spiritual values, and that people who raised livestock and crops had a much greater appreciation for their fellow man. He once said that "the ownership of a piece of land, no matter how large or how small, is the greatest defense there is against tyranny." He was a man of forethought and vision.
Since carbon and CO2 emissions are of such interest today, maybe it would be beneficial if those of us who manage the land were known as "carbon facilitators." After all, our real job is to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere with the plant factories growing on the land. The sequestered CO2 in the plants is then removed by livestock and wildlife. This is all done with hopes of making a profit so that the system can be sustained. Most of the carbon we sequester in our grazing lands is recycled by herbivores and insects, thus remaining in our lands' carbon sink. Our goal as carbon facilitators is to keep this system operating as efficiently as possible. If we graze our factories too short, we sequester less carbon and production decreases because we become overstocked. On the other hand, if we let our factories get too mature, efficiency decreases and we limit profitability because we become understocked.
In short, a carbon facilitator is one who manages a very complicated and always evolving factory. He is educated about the environment and works very hard to balance the process of photosynthesis for optimum plant growth with livestock and wildlife production for economic and ecologic sustainability. So the next time you're visiting with someone and they ask, "What line of work are you in?" casually reply, "I'm a carbon facilitator," and be ready to answer their questions. If we do not begin to educate others of agriculture's importance to society, we may wake up one day and find ourselves dependent on other nations for our food and fiber.
"It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Thank you,
Tommy Neyland
County Extension Agent
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
Mycountrytractor.com is the destination for those looking for community info. Mycountrytractor is involved with county events and child involvement to help support local 4-H and FFA events. We have wonderful Agriculture information for our visitors for all your farming and ranching needs
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Chute N The Bull
What makes a great pasture manager? A great pasture manager is one who pays attention to the details and realizes the first step of pasture management is the "plan." The great pasture managers I know "plan the work and work the plan."
Great pasture managers pay attention to changes in the pastures and scout their fields regularly to remain aware of conditions that will impact forage production. Successful managers remain aware of what is happening in each of their pastures and how weather, events and their actions will impact the operation's goals and objectives. I encourage you to get out of your truck and walk across each of your pastures. Know the terrain, locate problem areas and plan your strategy accordingly.
So how does one plan for warm-season pasture management? Warm-season native grass pasture or rangeland managers realize that herbicide and fertilizer are often not economically viable and closely watch the stocking rate to ensure that overgrazing does not occur. While grazing management is the primary tool for rangeland managers, prescribed burning can be the second. A well prepared and executed burn plan can result in improved forage production and quality while reducing weed and brush intrusion in rangeland pastures. It is important for rangeland managers to manage the different forages present in their pastures to meet their operational goals.
There are many different options for those with bermudagrass and other warm-season introduced forages. The following are some of the most common management practices listed by month.
In February and March, determine how much forage you need to produce from your warm-season pastures in the coming year. The amount of forage you need is a function of the number, size and type of animals you need to feed. Take soil samples and spray thistles and other problem winter weeds before they bolt or flower.
During April and May, apply the recommended amount of fertilizer for your forage needs. You strive to feed your animals properly - why not properly feed your pastures as well? Apply fertilizer to the better pastures first to get more forage for your "fertilizer" dollar. You should also scout your pastures for small weeds. There are many weeds that 2,4-D will inexpensively kill when they are less than 4 inches tall. The cost of hiring a custom applicator may be more than the chemical. Determine if the weeds are economically important or if spraying can be put off until the next year. Dividing the ranch into thirds and spraying pastures every third year may be an option. Identify problem areas on a map so that you can adjust your plan of attack for next year.
June and July should be spent attacking weeds and brush like Johnsongrass, silverleaf nightshade, brush sprouts, prickly pear and blackberries. If weather conditions look favorable for bermudagrass growth and you need the forage, apply another 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen. If you are in a hay situation, determine if you need to add potash (potassium) since a ton of hay can remove up to 43 pounds per acre of potassium (K2O). It may not take long to deplete your soil of potassium.
August may or may not be the time to apply 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen to produce stockpiled forage. If the weather is favorable and you need the forage, this may be an option.
September and October should be used to write a brief synopsis of what you have experienced with each pasture. How did the war go? Did you win, lose or call it a draw? What did you learn that you could do better next year? Include information such as what chemicals and fertilizer were applied, stocking rate (number of days grazed by how many head of what weight and type of animal), number and size of bales harvested, etc. Do this soon after you establish your winter pasture and before hunting season, otherwise you could forget.
In December and January, start the planning process all over again.
There are, of course, other variables to consider for your pasture management plan. Properly done, you will have a plan for each pasture. And remember, the plan is just a guide. Improvise, adapt and overcome obstacles to obtain the forage production you need. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Great pasture managers pay attention to changes in the pastures and scout their fields regularly to remain aware of conditions that will impact forage production. Successful managers remain aware of what is happening in each of their pastures and how weather, events and their actions will impact the operation's goals and objectives. I encourage you to get out of your truck and walk across each of your pastures. Know the terrain, locate problem areas and plan your strategy accordingly.
So how does one plan for warm-season pasture management? Warm-season native grass pasture or rangeland managers realize that herbicide and fertilizer are often not economically viable and closely watch the stocking rate to ensure that overgrazing does not occur. While grazing management is the primary tool for rangeland managers, prescribed burning can be the second. A well prepared and executed burn plan can result in improved forage production and quality while reducing weed and brush intrusion in rangeland pastures. It is important for rangeland managers to manage the different forages present in their pastures to meet their operational goals.
There are many different options for those with bermudagrass and other warm-season introduced forages. The following are some of the most common management practices listed by month.
In February and March, determine how much forage you need to produce from your warm-season pastures in the coming year. The amount of forage you need is a function of the number, size and type of animals you need to feed. Take soil samples and spray thistles and other problem winter weeds before they bolt or flower.
During April and May, apply the recommended amount of fertilizer for your forage needs. You strive to feed your animals properly - why not properly feed your pastures as well? Apply fertilizer to the better pastures first to get more forage for your "fertilizer" dollar. You should also scout your pastures for small weeds. There are many weeds that 2,4-D will inexpensively kill when they are less than 4 inches tall. The cost of hiring a custom applicator may be more than the chemical. Determine if the weeds are economically important or if spraying can be put off until the next year. Dividing the ranch into thirds and spraying pastures every third year may be an option. Identify problem areas on a map so that you can adjust your plan of attack for next year.
June and July should be spent attacking weeds and brush like Johnsongrass, silverleaf nightshade, brush sprouts, prickly pear and blackberries. If weather conditions look favorable for bermudagrass growth and you need the forage, apply another 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen. If you are in a hay situation, determine if you need to add potash (potassium) since a ton of hay can remove up to 43 pounds per acre of potassium (K2O). It may not take long to deplete your soil of potassium.
August may or may not be the time to apply 50 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen to produce stockpiled forage. If the weather is favorable and you need the forage, this may be an option.
September and October should be used to write a brief synopsis of what you have experienced with each pasture. How did the war go? Did you win, lose or call it a draw? What did you learn that you could do better next year? Include information such as what chemicals and fertilizer were applied, stocking rate (number of days grazed by how many head of what weight and type of animal), number and size of bales harvested, etc. Do this soon after you establish your winter pasture and before hunting season, otherwise you could forget.
In December and January, start the planning process all over again.
There are, of course, other variables to consider for your pasture management plan. Properly done, you will have a plan for each pasture. And remember, the plan is just a guide. Improvise, adapt and overcome obstacles to obtain the forage production you need. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
Chute N The Bull 2/20/10
Small farms should manage their operations similarly to larger agricultural enterprises to ensure long-term sustainability. To achieve this goal, substantial planning and development of a comprehensive business plan is key. A business plan is a written document that should be updated periodically. It defines the business goals, outlines reasons why these goals are attainable and details a plan for reaching these goals.
Small farms are susceptible to unexpected changes in output and input prices as well as other factors influencing their bottom line (e.g., losses due to adverse weather conditions). Small farm managers should develop and follow a business plan to better use the scarce resources (e.g., land, labor and time) needed to develop a profitable farm or ranch operation. Oftentimes, the action-oriented producer is tempted to skip the planning stage and focus on daily production activities. Even though a "getting the job done" attitude is needed, investment without planning is a risky venture.
Business plan development requires an initial commitment of time by the farm operator; however, the long-term benefits to the business are worth the effort. A sound business plan is necessary to obtain loans and secure appropriate interest rates. It is also viewed as evidence that your operation qualifies as a business with the intent to make a profit. Developing a comprehensive business plan can also help identify markets to attract new customers and increase overall demand and income.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), a business plan is an individualized document defining strategies needed to reach the goal of profitability. The SBA recommends that each basic plan include the following components:
1. Description of Business - The plan should include the mission statement, vision for the future, goals and objectives. This section should tell the story of what the business is, what it stands for and where you see the business in the future.
2. Marketing Plan - This section is an analysis of consumer needs. Operators should identify the business' customers, specific needs to be met and how those needs are expected to change over time. This section includes a description of the products and services available, advertising strategies and ways to remain competitive in a changing marketplace.
3. Financial Management Analysis - The plan should include details of the business' current financial portfolio and foreseeable future income and expense. Agricultural producers should record expenses and income by enterprise (e.g., cow-calf, wheat, etc.) to determine the agricultural enterprise most suited for the available resources. Detailed production records and labor should also be recorded. More formal documents may be included, such as loan applications, equipment and inventory lists, breakeven projections, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement. Start-up businesses commonly do not have such records, but are expected to provide estimates.
4. Organization and Management - This final component should describe the type of business ownership along with key personnel, their duties and the flow of operations. This section will include items not typically associated with daily agricultural production activities such as insurance, taxes, permits/licensing, employee management, estate planning and other legal concerns.
One should also review the businesses' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) when developing a business plan. This strategic planning tool allows the operator to determine both internal qualities (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) that may influence business performance. The SWOT analysis may be in bullet-point format and can be a good place to start for development of a new business plan.
A business plan is an invaluable tool that helps keep a producer on track to reach agricultural business goals. Whether you raise cattle, grow produce or something in between, it is an agricultural business. When treated as such, a well thought out business plan can be the key step in building a successful and sustainable farm or ranch. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com/ for your reference. Extension proserve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
Small farms are susceptible to unexpected changes in output and input prices as well as other factors influencing their bottom line (e.g., losses due to adverse weather conditions). Small farm managers should develop and follow a business plan to better use the scarce resources (e.g., land, labor and time) needed to develop a profitable farm or ranch operation. Oftentimes, the action-oriented producer is tempted to skip the planning stage and focus on daily production activities. Even though a "getting the job done" attitude is needed, investment without planning is a risky venture.
Business plan development requires an initial commitment of time by the farm operator; however, the long-term benefits to the business are worth the effort. A sound business plan is necessary to obtain loans and secure appropriate interest rates. It is also viewed as evidence that your operation qualifies as a business with the intent to make a profit. Developing a comprehensive business plan can also help identify markets to attract new customers and increase overall demand and income.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), a business plan is an individualized document defining strategies needed to reach the goal of profitability. The SBA recommends that each basic plan include the following components:
1. Description of Business - The plan should include the mission statement, vision for the future, goals and objectives. This section should tell the story of what the business is, what it stands for and where you see the business in the future.
2. Marketing Plan - This section is an analysis of consumer needs. Operators should identify the business' customers, specific needs to be met and how those needs are expected to change over time. This section includes a description of the products and services available, advertising strategies and ways to remain competitive in a changing marketplace.
3. Financial Management Analysis - The plan should include details of the business' current financial portfolio and foreseeable future income and expense. Agricultural producers should record expenses and income by enterprise (e.g., cow-calf, wheat, etc.) to determine the agricultural enterprise most suited for the available resources. Detailed production records and labor should also be recorded. More formal documents may be included, such as loan applications, equipment and inventory lists, breakeven projections, a balance sheet and a cash flow statement. Start-up businesses commonly do not have such records, but are expected to provide estimates.
4. Organization and Management - This final component should describe the type of business ownership along with key personnel, their duties and the flow of operations. This section will include items not typically associated with daily agricultural production activities such as insurance, taxes, permits/licensing, employee management, estate planning and other legal concerns.
One should also review the businesses' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) when developing a business plan. This strategic planning tool allows the operator to determine both internal qualities (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) that may influence business performance. The SWOT analysis may be in bullet-point format and can be a good place to start for development of a new business plan.
A business plan is an invaluable tool that helps keep a producer on track to reach agricultural business goals. Whether you raise cattle, grow produce or something in between, it is an agricultural business. When treated as such, a well thought out business plan can be the key step in building a successful and sustainable farm or ranch. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com/ for your reference. Extension proserve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
Chute N The Bull YOU CAN HAVE A WEED-FREE LAWN
Maintaining a healthy lawn by proper fertilizing, watering and mowing is your first line of defense in controlling weeds. However, if your lawn has become thin through neglect or weather-related reasons, you might need another level of weed control. February is the time in northeast Texas to put out pre-emergent chemicals to control weeds and grasses. Pre-emergent herbicides control weeds by forming a barrier that prevents the seed from germinating.
First, identify the type of weed you need to control. Crabgrass, goosegrass, sandbur and dallisgrass are the major grassy weeds which cause problems in lawns during the summer. The first three are annuals that emerge from seed each spring. Dallisgrass is a perennial that recovers from rhizomes in the spring, but also produces seed that spread throughout the lawn. With the exception of dallisgrass, these grassy weeds can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides applied in late winter. Dallisgrass can be controlled by spot-treating the plants with a contact herbicide.
Broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, chickweed, henbit, clover, dock and mustard can be controlled with selective postemergent herbicides applied in the spring. These weeds can also be controlled by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the early fall (September). Only materials recommended for St. Augustine grass and Centipede should be used on these lawns, as the turf might be damaged by some chemicals that are safe for Bermuda grass. Repeat applications may be necessary for both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Label recommendations should be followed for all herbicides. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
First, identify the type of weed you need to control. Crabgrass, goosegrass, sandbur and dallisgrass are the major grassy weeds which cause problems in lawns during the summer. The first three are annuals that emerge from seed each spring. Dallisgrass is a perennial that recovers from rhizomes in the spring, but also produces seed that spread throughout the lawn. With the exception of dallisgrass, these grassy weeds can be controlled with pre-emergent herbicides applied in late winter. Dallisgrass can be controlled by spot-treating the plants with a contact herbicide.
Broadleaf weeds such as dandelion, chickweed, henbit, clover, dock and mustard can be controlled with selective postemergent herbicides applied in the spring. These weeds can also be controlled by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in the early fall (September). Only materials recommended for St. Augustine grass and Centipede should be used on these lawns, as the turf might be damaged by some chemicals that are safe for Bermuda grass. Repeat applications may be necessary for both pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. Label recommendations should be followed for all herbicides. You can find this and past articles on the web at www.mycountrytractor.blogspot.com for your reference. Extension programs serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating serve of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
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