The death tax (a.k.a., the federal estate tax) is a tax applied to the transfer of a person’s assets at death. It is defined by the Internal Revenue Service as “a tax on your right to transfer property at your death.”[1]
Under current law, the estate tax was repealed for one year on January 1, 2010. On January 1, 2011 the estate tax is set to return at a rate of 55 percent on all assets above a $1 million exemption amount.
The estate tax is imposed on any and all life-savings. This includes:
• personal property (such as a home, cars, furniture, artwork)
• business assets (property, machinery and inventory)
• investments (stocks, bonds and real estate)
The estate tax is paid by the recipients of an inheritance – most often family heirs – and is due within 9 months of the decedent’s death. If the heirs do not have sufficient cash, personal property and business assets must be sold to pay the tax.
In the case of family business owners and farmers, the tax often exceeds the ability of the family to pay. These heirs are consequently forced to sell off part, if not all, of their enterprise in order to pay the tax.
To learn more on the subject The Texas Agrilife Extension Service and Leon County Farm Bureau will be providing an educational program on September 10, 2010 at 12:00noon in the First United Methodist Church in Centerville. To register for this program call 903.536.2531. 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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Monday, August 9, 2010
Chute N The Bull 8-9-10
A will. Once the inventory is complete, one will then have a rough estimate of the gross value of the estate and the options available to transfer certain assets. This will be important in determining if the estate will be subject to an estate tax. In addition, preparation will greatly improve the efficiency of time spent with an attorney.
Federal estate tax laws are in a stage of uncertainty. For 2010, there is no federal estate tax on estates of decedents who pass during 2010. On Jan. 1, 2011, the federal estate tax will become 55 percent on the amount of an estate that exceeds $1 million. There is speculation that Congress will pass legislation before the end of 2010 that will change the federal estate tax law. Depending on the prediction one reads, the exemption could increase from $1 million to somewhere between $3.5 and $5 million, and the estate tax rate could be lowered to 35 or 45 percent. Do not let uncertainty of future laws cause you to delay planning. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Reputable estate attorneys will know the latest developments on estate tax legislation.
Hiring an attorney is an important step in the planning process. Seek an attorney who is competent in estate planning and preferably one who also has knowledge of production agriculture. Your perseverance in finding the right attorney will be worth the effort.
Often there are multiple objectives in planning an estate. Objectives could include such things as reducing estate taxes, minimizing probate costs and transferring assets to those of one's choosing. Caution should be exercised because certain objectives could take priority over providing sufficient income for the owner(s) of the estate.
Once a plan starts to develop and a draft has been completed, it is wise to schedule a time to communicate with potential heirs. Heirs should have an opportunity to respond in case a bequest The time will eventually come when each one's estate will be transferred to another person or persons. No one knows exactly when that time will be, but it is often assumed that it will be later rather than sooner. Therefore, many postpone estate planning because it is thought there will be plenty of time to attend to it later. This is a mistake.
Planning one's estate often requires making some difficult decisions. Making these tough decisions can lead to delay in the planning process. However, if a person fails to make the decisions about the transfer of their estate, then the state will make those decisions for them according to statutes under the laws of descent. Even though planning for the estate transfer is not easy, most will want to determine who receives their estate instead of leaving that decision to the state government.
Planning generally starts by compiling an inventory of one's estate. The inventory would include how title is held for certain assets along with an approximate value of each asset. How the title is held will impact the options for transferring the asset. For example, if title is held as joint tenancy with right of survivorship, the surviving tenant will receive that asset. The asset cannot be bequeathed by will to anyone else. If title of an asset is held as tenancy in common, each tenant or owner's share can pass to an heir or heirs under is actually a liability rather than a blessing. Communication will also ease possible surprise and stress later and give one's heir(s) time to make appropriate plans themselves.
Start planning today if you have not already done so. 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
Federal estate tax laws are in a stage of uncertainty. For 2010, there is no federal estate tax on estates of decedents who pass during 2010. On Jan. 1, 2011, the federal estate tax will become 55 percent on the amount of an estate that exceeds $1 million. There is speculation that Congress will pass legislation before the end of 2010 that will change the federal estate tax law. Depending on the prediction one reads, the exemption could increase from $1 million to somewhere between $3.5 and $5 million, and the estate tax rate could be lowered to 35 or 45 percent. Do not let uncertainty of future laws cause you to delay planning. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Reputable estate attorneys will know the latest developments on estate tax legislation.
Hiring an attorney is an important step in the planning process. Seek an attorney who is competent in estate planning and preferably one who also has knowledge of production agriculture. Your perseverance in finding the right attorney will be worth the effort.
Often there are multiple objectives in planning an estate. Objectives could include such things as reducing estate taxes, minimizing probate costs and transferring assets to those of one's choosing. Caution should be exercised because certain objectives could take priority over providing sufficient income for the owner(s) of the estate.
Once a plan starts to develop and a draft has been completed, it is wise to schedule a time to communicate with potential heirs. Heirs should have an opportunity to respond in case a bequest The time will eventually come when each one's estate will be transferred to another person or persons. No one knows exactly when that time will be, but it is often assumed that it will be later rather than sooner. Therefore, many postpone estate planning because it is thought there will be plenty of time to attend to it later. This is a mistake.
Planning one's estate often requires making some difficult decisions. Making these tough decisions can lead to delay in the planning process. However, if a person fails to make the decisions about the transfer of their estate, then the state will make those decisions for them according to statutes under the laws of descent. Even though planning for the estate transfer is not easy, most will want to determine who receives their estate instead of leaving that decision to the state government.
Planning generally starts by compiling an inventory of one's estate. The inventory would include how title is held for certain assets along with an approximate value of each asset. How the title is held will impact the options for transferring the asset. For example, if title is held as joint tenancy with right of survivorship, the surviving tenant will receive that asset. The asset cannot be bequeathed by will to anyone else. If title of an asset is held as tenancy in common, each tenant or owner's share can pass to an heir or heirs under is actually a liability rather than a blessing. Communication will also ease possible surprise and stress later and give one's heir(s) time to make appropriate plans themselves.
Start planning today if you have not already done so. 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
Friday, July 30, 2010
Chute N The Bull 7-30-10
Outbreak of armyworms and/or grasshoppers. If you have lush green pasture – or any pasture, for that matter – it may be a prime target.
The first step to combating these pests is to properly scout for them. I usually recommend scouting every two to three days, but, this year, it may be worth looking every day for the first two to three weeks after small grain emergence. For both pests, I prefer to scout first thing in the morning when the insects are moving more slowly from the cooler temperatures. This also gives me the rest of the day to get the field sprayed, if needed.
For grasshoppers, start by looking around field edges, fences, ditches and weedy areas. Count the number of grasshoppers you see in a one-square-foot area. Move about 50 feet and count again. Do this 18 times and divide by two to get the number of grasshoppers per square yard. Typically, the treatment threshold is three per square yard in wheat and seven to 10 per square yard in the vegetation next to a wheat field. However, this is calculated based on the average value of the wheat. This year, the fall wheat forage is probably worth much more considering the shortage of forage and hay in many areas. Therefore, the treatment threshold may be lower.
Some general-use chemicals for grasshopper control in wheat are dimethoate, malathion and carbaryl. Restricted-use pesticides include, but are not limited to, lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, zeta-cypermethrin, methyl parathion and gamma-cyhalothrin. Best control will occur when grasshoppers are small, before they have wings.
For fall armyworms, start by watching for moth flights. You know when this occurs by the severity of gray moths that cover your windshield when driving at night. This is the time when the moths are laying eggs. Two to 10 days later, the eggs hatch and larvae begin feeding in hoards. Young larvae are slightly greenish and have black heads. Mature larvae vary from greenish to grayish brown, have stripes running lengthwise down their sides and have a light tan or yellow inverted "Y" on their brown heads. Count the number of larvae found in a square foot or per foot of row. Do this in 10 places around the field and average the number. Typically, the treatment threshold is three to four larvae per foot of row or square foot with feeding damage evident. Again, that threshold may need to be lower this year.
Some general-use chemicals for fall armyworm control in wheat are carbaryl and spinosad. Restricted-use pesticides include, but are not limited to, lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl, methyl parathion, zeta-cypermethrin and gamma-cyhalothrin.
There are also other armyworms, including beet armyworms. Scouting will be similar, but the chemical selection is narrower. For beet armyworms, try zeta-cypermethrin.
Whatever chemical you use, be sure to read and follow all label directions, including grazing restrictions. 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
The first step to combating these pests is to properly scout for them. I usually recommend scouting every two to three days, but, this year, it may be worth looking every day for the first two to three weeks after small grain emergence. For both pests, I prefer to scout first thing in the morning when the insects are moving more slowly from the cooler temperatures. This also gives me the rest of the day to get the field sprayed, if needed.
For grasshoppers, start by looking around field edges, fences, ditches and weedy areas. Count the number of grasshoppers you see in a one-square-foot area. Move about 50 feet and count again. Do this 18 times and divide by two to get the number of grasshoppers per square yard. Typically, the treatment threshold is three per square yard in wheat and seven to 10 per square yard in the vegetation next to a wheat field. However, this is calculated based on the average value of the wheat. This year, the fall wheat forage is probably worth much more considering the shortage of forage and hay in many areas. Therefore, the treatment threshold may be lower.
Some general-use chemicals for grasshopper control in wheat are dimethoate, malathion and carbaryl. Restricted-use pesticides include, but are not limited to, lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, zeta-cypermethrin, methyl parathion and gamma-cyhalothrin. Best control will occur when grasshoppers are small, before they have wings.
For fall armyworms, start by watching for moth flights. You know when this occurs by the severity of gray moths that cover your windshield when driving at night. This is the time when the moths are laying eggs. Two to 10 days later, the eggs hatch and larvae begin feeding in hoards. Young larvae are slightly greenish and have black heads. Mature larvae vary from greenish to grayish brown, have stripes running lengthwise down their sides and have a light tan or yellow inverted "Y" on their brown heads. Count the number of larvae found in a square foot or per foot of row. Do this in 10 places around the field and average the number. Typically, the treatment threshold is three to four larvae per foot of row or square foot with feeding damage evident. Again, that threshold may need to be lower this year.
Some general-use chemicals for fall armyworm control in wheat are carbaryl and spinosad. Restricted-use pesticides include, but are not limited to, lambda-cyhalothrin, methomyl, methyl parathion, zeta-cypermethrin and gamma-cyhalothrin.
There are also other armyworms, including beet armyworms. Scouting will be similar, but the chemical selection is narrower. For beet armyworms, try zeta-cypermethrin.
Whatever chemical you use, be sure to read and follow all label directions, including grazing restrictions. 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
Friday, July 23, 2010
Chute N The Bull 7-26-10
Chute N The Bull
Aquatic vegetation is the proper name for the "moss" seen in ponds and other bodies of water. Unfortunately, many people do not view aquatic vegetation in a favorable light, with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) being a species that is often viewed negatively. In truth, coontail has both positive and negative attributes, and methods are available to control its growth.
Coontail is classified as a submerged aquatic species, meaning it grows below the surface of the water. It is a free-floating, rootless, perennial native aquatic plant that is capable of forming dense colonies covering large areas of water. The green, forked, serrated leaves are relatively stiff and are arranged in whorls on the stem. These leaves have a strong resemblance to a raccoon's tail which is probably how coontail got its name. The plant is found in ponds, lakes and streams across the United States, Mexico, Canada and much of the world. It reproduces through very small seeds and fragmentation. Fragmentation occurs when a portion of the plant breaks off and becomes a new plant. Coontail and other aquatic plants spread to new areas when impoundments containing the plants overflow into other water bodies or when seeds or fragments are introduced by birds, boats, livestock, etc.
Coontail can be either desirable or undesirable depending on the management goals for a particular body of water. Desirable attributes may include increasing species diversity, limiting unwanted fishing, creating fish habitat, providing food for waterfowl and improving water clarity. When coontail is excessive, undesirable effects can include a reduction of open water, creation of a "scummy" appearance, limiting of desirable fishing access, interfering with boating and swimming, stunting fish by hiding too many from predators and becoming invasive.
Water clarity typically improves with abundant underwater aquatic vegetation such as coontail. Coontail can be considered desirable when managing for waterfowl and fisheries. The leaves and seeds of coontail are eaten by waterfowl, and it provides a home for a variety of aquatic insects. These insects then serve as food for many species of fish and waterfowl. Coontail also provides cover for small fish, which is probably more important in relatively clear ponds. As a rule of thumb, aquatic vegetation may become counterproductive in an impoundment managed for sport fishing when it covers more than 25 percent of the surface area. With this in mind, it is not typically recommended to plant coontail in a sport fishing impoundment due to its aggressive growth.
Due to coontail's potentially rapid growth, many managers assume control is needed. Before attempting to control this or any other aquatic vegetation, determine the pros and cons of the plant relative to the goals for an impoundment. It may not need controlling, but there are several options if it does.
Herbicides with active ingredients such as 2,4-D, diquat, endothall and fluridone have been shown to be successful in treating coontail, but results are often short-term and expensive. Use caution when using herbicides to avoid decreasing dissolved oxygen levels, which can cause a fish kill. When using herbicides, always read and follow directions on the label. Grass carp have been proven effective for long-term control when stocked at the proper rate. Studies have shown grass carp will eat coontail, but only after eating other more preferred aquatic plants. Fish barriers should be installed in pond spillways before stocking grass carp. These structures reduce the likelihood of grass carp escaping the impoundment, entering public waters and making future management decisions difficult due to the unknown population. Check with your state wildlife and fisheries agency for grass carp stocking regulations. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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.
Aquatic vegetation is the proper name for the "moss" seen in ponds and other bodies of water. Unfortunately, many people do not view aquatic vegetation in a favorable light, with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) being a species that is often viewed negatively. In truth, coontail has both positive and negative attributes, and methods are available to control its growth.
Coontail is classified as a submerged aquatic species, meaning it grows below the surface of the water. It is a free-floating, rootless, perennial native aquatic plant that is capable of forming dense colonies covering large areas of water. The green, forked, serrated leaves are relatively stiff and are arranged in whorls on the stem. These leaves have a strong resemblance to a raccoon's tail which is probably how coontail got its name. The plant is found in ponds, lakes and streams across the United States, Mexico, Canada and much of the world. It reproduces through very small seeds and fragmentation. Fragmentation occurs when a portion of the plant breaks off and becomes a new plant. Coontail and other aquatic plants spread to new areas when impoundments containing the plants overflow into other water bodies or when seeds or fragments are introduced by birds, boats, livestock, etc.
Coontail can be either desirable or undesirable depending on the management goals for a particular body of water. Desirable attributes may include increasing species diversity, limiting unwanted fishing, creating fish habitat, providing food for waterfowl and improving water clarity. When coontail is excessive, undesirable effects can include a reduction of open water, creation of a "scummy" appearance, limiting of desirable fishing access, interfering with boating and swimming, stunting fish by hiding too many from predators and becoming invasive.
Water clarity typically improves with abundant underwater aquatic vegetation such as coontail. Coontail can be considered desirable when managing for waterfowl and fisheries. The leaves and seeds of coontail are eaten by waterfowl, and it provides a home for a variety of aquatic insects. These insects then serve as food for many species of fish and waterfowl. Coontail also provides cover for small fish, which is probably more important in relatively clear ponds. As a rule of thumb, aquatic vegetation may become counterproductive in an impoundment managed for sport fishing when it covers more than 25 percent of the surface area. With this in mind, it is not typically recommended to plant coontail in a sport fishing impoundment due to its aggressive growth.
Due to coontail's potentially rapid growth, many managers assume control is needed. Before attempting to control this or any other aquatic vegetation, determine the pros and cons of the plant relative to the goals for an impoundment. It may not need controlling, but there are several options if it does.
Herbicides with active ingredients such as 2,4-D, diquat, endothall and fluridone have been shown to be successful in treating coontail, but results are often short-term and expensive. Use caution when using herbicides to avoid decreasing dissolved oxygen levels, which can cause a fish kill. When using herbicides, always read and follow directions on the label. Grass carp have been proven effective for long-term control when stocked at the proper rate. Studies have shown grass carp will eat coontail, but only after eating other more preferred aquatic plants. Fish barriers should be installed in pond spillways before stocking grass carp. These structures reduce the likelihood of grass carp escaping the impoundment, entering public waters and making future management decisions difficult due to the unknown population. Check with your state wildlife and fisheries agency for grass carp stocking regulations. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Chute N The Bull 7-19-10
Grasshoppers are considered an intermittent problem in Oklahoma and North Texas pastures. However, when they are present in large numbers, the damage can be severe. Before grasshoppers develop into a problem, producers need to determine a treatment threshold and plan of action for their operations. To set the threshold, consider the developmental stages of the grasshoppers and crop, value of the crop, weather conditions and cost of control.
Although there are many grasshopper species, only five cause most of the damage in our area. These are the differential, migratory, two-striped, red-legged and Packard grasshoppers. Their life cycles consist of the egg stage (where most over-winter), five to six instar stages and the adult stage.
During late summer and fall, eggs are deposited up to 2 inches below the soil surface in fallow fields, ditches, fencerows and other weedy areas. The eggs hatch in spring or early summer, depending on soil temperature. The nymphs will feed on tender weeds and grasses near the hatching sites until they reach adulthood in 40 to 60 days, when most develop wings and become highly mobile.
Mating and egg laying activity begins within three weeks of reaching adulthood. The adults may live up to two more months, depending on the weather, with daily dry matter consumption of 30 percent to 250 percent of their body weight. A general rule of thumb is that 30 pounds of grasshoppers is equivalent to a 600-pound steer in terms of dry matter consumption.
Determining the economic threshold for grasshopper treatment is almost as much art as science. The potential for an economic grasshopper infestation begins with the number of eggs laid the previous fall. Optimum conditions for emergence and survival of the nymphs are warm, dry conditions with sparse vegetation that allow adequate soil warming. Once the hatch begins, weather conditions and the amount of available forage are the primary factors in determining population development.
If drought or overgrazed conditions are prevalent, then forage production is decreased, and competition for available forage will reduce the number of grasshoppers that can be tolerated. A well-managed, healthy crop can usually tolerate significantly higher numbers. Infestation is usually measured in average number of grasshoppers per square yard in both field margins and interiors. Published treatment thresholds range from three to 40 per square yard depending on crop, utilization requirements and where the measurements were taken.
Grasshoppers can be suppressed by both chemical means and natural mortality. Birds, other animals and insects utilize large numbers of grasshoppers as an important food source. The naturally occurring fungus Entomophthora grylli can also cause high mortality. Grasshoppers infected with this fungus will grasp the top of a plant, extend their back legs and die in this position. Fungal spores then develop in their bodies, become airborne and infect other grasshoppers.
The fungus is most effective in warm, humid conditions. Always scout for grasshoppers in this condition prior to making a chemical application. Early chemical control may be beneficial to hatching sites such as field borders and fencerows during the nymph stages. Later in the season, if the treatment threshold is met, broadcast applications or RAAT (reduced agent and area treatment) programs may be required. RAAT is an integrated pest management based program with a reduced pesticide rate applied by alternating treated swaths with untreated swaths. Due to the mobility of adult grasshoppers, effective late-season chemical control is often difficult to obtain.
An excellent source of information on grasshoppers, including decision-making aids for identification, threshold development and treatment options is at http://www.sidney.ars.usda.gov/grasshopper/Handbook/TOC.htm.
At the time of this writing, we have been experiencing the warm, dry conditions that are ideal for grasshopper development. We can only hope that by the time you read this, the rains have come, everything is green and lush and grasshoppers won't develop into a severe problem. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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.
Although there are many grasshopper species, only five cause most of the damage in our area. These are the differential, migratory, two-striped, red-legged and Packard grasshoppers. Their life cycles consist of the egg stage (where most over-winter), five to six instar stages and the adult stage.
During late summer and fall, eggs are deposited up to 2 inches below the soil surface in fallow fields, ditches, fencerows and other weedy areas. The eggs hatch in spring or early summer, depending on soil temperature. The nymphs will feed on tender weeds and grasses near the hatching sites until they reach adulthood in 40 to 60 days, when most develop wings and become highly mobile.
Mating and egg laying activity begins within three weeks of reaching adulthood. The adults may live up to two more months, depending on the weather, with daily dry matter consumption of 30 percent to 250 percent of their body weight. A general rule of thumb is that 30 pounds of grasshoppers is equivalent to a 600-pound steer in terms of dry matter consumption.
Determining the economic threshold for grasshopper treatment is almost as much art as science. The potential for an economic grasshopper infestation begins with the number of eggs laid the previous fall. Optimum conditions for emergence and survival of the nymphs are warm, dry conditions with sparse vegetation that allow adequate soil warming. Once the hatch begins, weather conditions and the amount of available forage are the primary factors in determining population development.
If drought or overgrazed conditions are prevalent, then forage production is decreased, and competition for available forage will reduce the number of grasshoppers that can be tolerated. A well-managed, healthy crop can usually tolerate significantly higher numbers. Infestation is usually measured in average number of grasshoppers per square yard in both field margins and interiors. Published treatment thresholds range from three to 40 per square yard depending on crop, utilization requirements and where the measurements were taken.
Grasshoppers can be suppressed by both chemical means and natural mortality. Birds, other animals and insects utilize large numbers of grasshoppers as an important food source. The naturally occurring fungus Entomophthora grylli can also cause high mortality. Grasshoppers infected with this fungus will grasp the top of a plant, extend their back legs and die in this position. Fungal spores then develop in their bodies, become airborne and infect other grasshoppers.
The fungus is most effective in warm, humid conditions. Always scout for grasshoppers in this condition prior to making a chemical application. Early chemical control may be beneficial to hatching sites such as field borders and fencerows during the nymph stages. Later in the season, if the treatment threshold is met, broadcast applications or RAAT (reduced agent and area treatment) programs may be required. RAAT is an integrated pest management based program with a reduced pesticide rate applied by alternating treated swaths with untreated swaths. Due to the mobility of adult grasshoppers, effective late-season chemical control is often difficult to obtain.
An excellent source of information on grasshoppers, including decision-making aids for identification, threshold development and treatment options is at http://www.sidney.ars.usda.gov/grasshopper/Handbook/TOC.htm.
At the time of this writing, we have been experiencing the warm, dry conditions that are ideal for grasshopper development. We can only hope that by the time you read this, the rains have come, everything is green and lush and grasshoppers won't develop into a severe problem. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Chute n the Bull
Water is the most important nutrient for livestock. Water is needed for all metabolic processes essential for life, including growth and reproduction. The amount of water animals consume is affected by many physiological and environmental factors, one of which is the quality of available water. Many producers rely on ponds to provide water for livestock, but there is little data available on pond water quality in the Southern Great Plains. Therefore, a water quality survey was conducted by the Noble Foundation to determine the effects of pond location and watershed grazing management on pond water quality in southern Oklahoma and north-central Texas.
Water samples were collected and analyzed from 83 farm ponds during the summer of 2009. Additional data were collected for each pond to determine if water quality was affected by grazing management, cattle access or location of the pond.
We found that grazing management (continuous versus rotational grazing) did not affect any of the 22 water quality parameters we measured. However, watersheds of most of the ponds we sampled were properly grazed. Overgrazing that results in poor forage stands within a watershed could contribute to erosion and nutrient transport, resulting in decreased water quality.
We also found that intensity of cattle access to the pond did not affect most measured parameters. However, cattle access did affect the level of suspended solids in pond water. Ponds that had no cattle access had significantly fewer suspended solids compared to ponds with unlimited cattle access. High levels of suspended solids have been shown to decrease water intake in cattle. This problem can be avoided by fencing off ponds to provide limited access points or using gravity-fed water troughs. Water troughs that are gravity-fed from ponds reduce the time cattle spend in ponds, which in turn can decrease fecal contamination and prevent cattle from stirring up sediments.
Our data showed that geographic location did affect water quality, but no ponds were determined to be unacceptable for use as livestock water. From south to north within our sampling area, sodium concentrations decreased, while magnesium and nitrate concentrations increased. In addition, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfur concentrations decreased from west to east. These findings could simply be a result of different soil types and rainfall patterns across the sampling area.
The ponds sampled were representative of a wide range of pond and watershed management systems in the south-central U.S., and most water quality parameters were within the acceptable range for livestock drinking water. However, testing your livestock water sources is the only way to know if they are acceptable for livestock use. All water sources should be tested annually at the beginning of summer to identify potential problems and assess the quality of each source.
Livestock should be provided with free-choice access to clean, quality water at all times. Contact a livestock consultant at the Noble Foundation or your local extension agent for additional information about livestock water testing. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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 .
Water samples were collected and analyzed from 83 farm ponds during the summer of 2009. Additional data were collected for each pond to determine if water quality was affected by grazing management, cattle access or location of the pond.
We found that grazing management (continuous versus rotational grazing) did not affect any of the 22 water quality parameters we measured. However, watersheds of most of the ponds we sampled were properly grazed. Overgrazing that results in poor forage stands within a watershed could contribute to erosion and nutrient transport, resulting in decreased water quality.
We also found that intensity of cattle access to the pond did not affect most measured parameters. However, cattle access did affect the level of suspended solids in pond water. Ponds that had no cattle access had significantly fewer suspended solids compared to ponds with unlimited cattle access. High levels of suspended solids have been shown to decrease water intake in cattle. This problem can be avoided by fencing off ponds to provide limited access points or using gravity-fed water troughs. Water troughs that are gravity-fed from ponds reduce the time cattle spend in ponds, which in turn can decrease fecal contamination and prevent cattle from stirring up sediments.
Our data showed that geographic location did affect water quality, but no ponds were determined to be unacceptable for use as livestock water. From south to north within our sampling area, sodium concentrations decreased, while magnesium and nitrate concentrations increased. In addition, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sulfur concentrations decreased from west to east. These findings could simply be a result of different soil types and rainfall patterns across the sampling area.
The ponds sampled were representative of a wide range of pond and watershed management systems in the south-central U.S., and most water quality parameters were within the acceptable range for livestock drinking water. However, testing your livestock water sources is the only way to know if they are acceptable for livestock use. All water sources should be tested annually at the beginning of summer to identify potential problems and assess the quality of each source.
Livestock should be provided with free-choice access to clean, quality water at all times. Contact a livestock consultant at the Noble Foundation or your local extension agent for additional information about livestock water testing. You can find this and past articles on the web at http://www.mycountrytractor.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
The cattle industry has made many advances over the last few decades.
Fewer cattle are producing more pounds of beef that is arguably of
better quality. There are many reasons, including improved genetics,
advances in pharmaceuticals, implementation of Beef Quality Assurance
(BQA) practices, improved management practices and other factors.
Challenges facing the cattle industry are the same as most agriculture
sectors - costs of production are increasing more rapidly than the
prices for the product, market uncertainty lies ahead and the weather is
unpredictable. How can a cow-calf producer minimize risks while
increasing the potential of positive margins for the enterprise?
To start, develop an operational program that complements your resources
and goals, incorporates the industry's best management practices,
establishes mechanisms to monitor and measure the critical production
and economic variables, minimizes expenses and strategically markets the
product. Each of these steps must be applied consistently and be
repeatable. In short, manage the operation as a business, regardless of
its size or scale. There are many successful business models in the
cattle industry. Many producers, however, are reluctant to adopt one for
various reasons: they may think that they are not large enough,
implementation is not a priority, there's not enough available time, or
there is uncertainty about what to do or how to do it. Granted, larger
operations have more options, but adopting a specific program also
brings benefits to smaller producers.
If you are a cattle producer and would like a simple cattle program that
can be planned and scheduled on a calendar basis, want to utilize the
most proven management practices in the industry, are willing to follow
a designed production protocol, are willing to keep and use meaningful
production and financial records, and desire to participate in a
producer organization dedicated to best practices, then you should
investigate the Integrity Beef program.
Integrity Beef is a terminal beef cattle program. It assists producers
in the production and marketing of ranch-raised stocker/feeder cattle
that are preconditioned and have superior growth potential. The
Integrity Beef program is directed by participating producers with
guidance from the Noble Foundation Agricultural Division. Progressive
producers formed the Integrity Beef Alliance in 2009 after several years
of the program's development. Producers and the Noble Foundation set out
to distinguish Integrity Beef by requiring standards that are above and
beyond most others. A program protocol was established through which
participating producers uniformly administer, document and report all
practices. The protocol is designed to simplify management decisions and
increase the marketability of calves through the production of uniform
and age- and source-verified cattle. Integrity Beef has advanced to the
point to which producers' calves are now commingled and marketed in
larger, uniform lots. Commingling was successfully implemented in the
Decembers of 2008 and 2009 at sanctioned Integrity Beef calf sales. This
marketing strategy works very well for small and medium producers who
cannot market truckload lots of calves.
The Integrity Beef protocol is a set of standards for a spring calving
cow-calf program and includes requirements that participants agree to as
the basis for program inclusion. Following are the basics of the
protocol.
Calves must:
• be sired by Integrity Beef-accepted bulls (see bull requirements)
• have permanent individual tag or brand identification
• be age- and source-verified as Integrity Beef program calves through
Micro Beef Technology
• be from groups with recorded first and last birth dates of the calf
crop (or individual birth dates recorded)
• be castrated and dehorned
• have individually recorded weaning weights
• be preconditioned a minimum of 45 days
• be trained to eat from a bunk and drink from a water trough
• have two doses of clostridial (one in spring), one dose of
anthelmintic and two doses of respiratory vaccine (MLV for IBR, BRSV,
PI3, BVD Types 1 and 2) given at or around weaning
• test negative for PI-BVD (persistently infected-bovine viral diarrhea)
at year one.
Cows must:
• have a breed composition of at least 50 percent British breeds (Angus,
Red Angus or Hereford)
• be no more than three-eighths Brahman influence with no Longhorn,
Corriente or dairy breed influence
• have permanent identification
• be palpated annually for pregnancy
• have annual vaccinations against respiratory disease, vibriosis and
leptospirosis (prior to the breeding season)
• have anthelmintic applied in the fall and spring
• test negative for PI-BVD upon purchase or entry into the program, and
calves from replacement females must also test PI-BVD negative.
Bulls must:
• be Angus or Charolais with EPDs in the top 20 percent of their
respective breed for weaning weight and yearling weight
• have annual vaccinations against respiratory disease, vibriosis and
leptospirosis (prior to the breeding season)
• have anthelmintic applied in the fall and spring
• have permanent identification
• have a breeding soundness exam 30-90 days prior to the breeding season
• have a 90-day breeding season maximum for a late winter/early spring
calving season
• test negative for PI-BVD upon purchase or entry into the program.
Additional requirements include:
• participants to be active Noble Foundation cooperators
• participating operations to have premise identification numbers
• operational managers to have BQA certification
• participants to annually provide preconditioning expenses to the Noble
Foundation for summary reporting
• participants to provide production, performance and economic data to
the Noble Foundation for operational annual reports.The primary costs associated with the Integrity Beef program are the age
and source verification fees, the Alliance enrollment fee and the PI-BVD
testing of new animals before they are added to the herd. Age and source
verification carries a base fee of $4 per calf with audit fees not
included. Integrity Beef Alliance enrollment is an annual $1 per calf
fee to participate in the program. Fees are assessed and collected by
the Alliance and are used as the membership designates for such things
as promotions, field trips and research.
PI-BVD testing costs about $4 and is conducted by testing services such
as Cattle Stats LLC and the Oklahoma Animal Disease and Diagnostic
Laboratory at Oklahoma State University. The producer is responsible for
contacting a service for PI-BVD testing and is responsible for
associated expenses.
As participants in Integrity Beef, producers receive ongoing services
from the Noble Foundation consultation program. This service includes
assessments of land and livestock resources, and reports providing
annual production and economic summaries of the operation. Members who
maintain annual reporting requirements also receive annual summary
statistics (individual production information remains confidential) from
the overall program.
When Integrity Beef cattle have been marketed in large lot sizes, calves
have demonstrated the ability to top the market within each class
represented on any particular sale day. On Dec. 2, 2009, Integrity Beef
producers marketed approximately 1,200 head of commingled calves for a
$5.72 per hundredweight premium over all other cattle marketed that day.
Similar premiums are consistently reported from participating producers
who retained ownership to heavier weights and/or marketed their cattle
independently.
The largest benefit from participation in the Integrity Beef program is
the advancement of operational objectives through a proven cow-calf
business model. The system can be confidently planned and administered
backed by the knowledge that other producers are producing a more
uniform and marketable product under the protocol. Additionally, the
Noble Foundation continues to support this program through consultation
and education. One Integrity Beef producer recently explained his
reasons for participation, "The program has me doing all the right
things because it is the right thing to do for the beef industry.
Following Integrity Beef standards, I know what to do, when to do it and
can now run my operation as a business."
The Integrity Beef program requires discipline, and it is not for
everyone. If, however, you are ready to take your cow-calf operation to
the next level, contact Hugh Aljoe, consultation program manager and
acting executive director of the Integrity Beef Alliance at 580-223-5810
or speak to a Noble Foundation agricultural consultant for more
information. You can find this and past articles on the web at
http://www.mycountrytractor.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
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
Fewer cattle are producing more pounds of beef that is arguably of
better quality. There are many reasons, including improved genetics,
advances in pharmaceuticals, implementation of Beef Quality Assurance
(BQA) practices, improved management practices and other factors.
Challenges facing the cattle industry are the same as most agriculture
sectors - costs of production are increasing more rapidly than the
prices for the product, market uncertainty lies ahead and the weather is
unpredictable. How can a cow-calf producer minimize risks while
increasing the potential of positive margins for the enterprise?
To start, develop an operational program that complements your resources
and goals, incorporates the industry's best management practices,
establishes mechanisms to monitor and measure the critical production
and economic variables, minimizes expenses and strategically markets the
product. Each of these steps must be applied consistently and be
repeatable. In short, manage the operation as a business, regardless of
its size or scale. There are many successful business models in the
cattle industry. Many producers, however, are reluctant to adopt one for
various reasons: they may think that they are not large enough,
implementation is not a priority, there's not enough available time, or
there is uncertainty about what to do or how to do it. Granted, larger
operations have more options, but adopting a specific program also
brings benefits to smaller producers.
If you are a cattle producer and would like a simple cattle program that
can be planned and scheduled on a calendar basis, want to utilize the
most proven management practices in the industry, are willing to follow
a designed production protocol, are willing to keep and use meaningful
production and financial records, and desire to participate in a
producer organization dedicated to best practices, then you should
investigate the Integrity Beef program.
Integrity Beef is a terminal beef cattle program. It assists producers
in the production and marketing of ranch-raised stocker/feeder cattle
that are preconditioned and have superior growth potential. The
Integrity Beef program is directed by participating producers with
guidance from the Noble Foundation Agricultural Division. Progressive
producers formed the Integrity Beef Alliance in 2009 after several years
of the program's development. Producers and the Noble Foundation set out
to distinguish Integrity Beef by requiring standards that are above and
beyond most others. A program protocol was established through which
participating producers uniformly administer, document and report all
practices. The protocol is designed to simplify management decisions and
increase the marketability of calves through the production of uniform
and age- and source-verified cattle. Integrity Beef has advanced to the
point to which producers' calves are now commingled and marketed in
larger, uniform lots. Commingling was successfully implemented in the
Decembers of 2008 and 2009 at sanctioned Integrity Beef calf sales. This
marketing strategy works very well for small and medium producers who
cannot market truckload lots of calves.
The Integrity Beef protocol is a set of standards for a spring calving
cow-calf program and includes requirements that participants agree to as
the basis for program inclusion. Following are the basics of the
protocol.
Calves must:
• be sired by Integrity Beef-accepted bulls (see bull requirements)
• have permanent individual tag or brand identification
• be age- and source-verified as Integrity Beef program calves through
Micro Beef Technology
• be from groups with recorded first and last birth dates of the calf
crop (or individual birth dates recorded)
• be castrated and dehorned
• have individually recorded weaning weights
• be preconditioned a minimum of 45 days
• be trained to eat from a bunk and drink from a water trough
• have two doses of clostridial (one in spring), one dose of
anthelmintic and two doses of respiratory vaccine (MLV for IBR, BRSV,
PI3, BVD Types 1 and 2) given at or around weaning
• test negative for PI-BVD (persistently infected-bovine viral diarrhea)
at year one.
Cows must:
• have a breed composition of at least 50 percent British breeds (Angus,
Red Angus or Hereford)
• be no more than three-eighths Brahman influence with no Longhorn,
Corriente or dairy breed influence
• have permanent identification
• be palpated annually for pregnancy
• have annual vaccinations against respiratory disease, vibriosis and
leptospirosis (prior to the breeding season)
• have anthelmintic applied in the fall and spring
• test negative for PI-BVD upon purchase or entry into the program, and
calves from replacement females must also test PI-BVD negative.
Bulls must:
• be Angus or Charolais with EPDs in the top 20 percent of their
respective breed for weaning weight and yearling weight
• have annual vaccinations against respiratory disease, vibriosis and
leptospirosis (prior to the breeding season)
• have anthelmintic applied in the fall and spring
• have permanent identification
• have a breeding soundness exam 30-90 days prior to the breeding season
• have a 90-day breeding season maximum for a late winter/early spring
calving season
• test negative for PI-BVD upon purchase or entry into the program.
Additional requirements include:
• participants to be active Noble Foundation cooperators
• participating operations to have premise identification numbers
• operational managers to have BQA certification
• participants to annually provide preconditioning expenses to the Noble
Foundation for summary reporting
• participants to provide production, performance and economic data to
the Noble Foundation for operational annual reports.The primary costs associated with the Integrity Beef program are the age
and source verification fees, the Alliance enrollment fee and the PI-BVD
testing of new animals before they are added to the herd. Age and source
verification carries a base fee of $4 per calf with audit fees not
included. Integrity Beef Alliance enrollment is an annual $1 per calf
fee to participate in the program. Fees are assessed and collected by
the Alliance and are used as the membership designates for such things
as promotions, field trips and research.
PI-BVD testing costs about $4 and is conducted by testing services such
as Cattle Stats LLC and the Oklahoma Animal Disease and Diagnostic
Laboratory at Oklahoma State University. The producer is responsible for
contacting a service for PI-BVD testing and is responsible for
associated expenses.
As participants in Integrity Beef, producers receive ongoing services
from the Noble Foundation consultation program. This service includes
assessments of land and livestock resources, and reports providing
annual production and economic summaries of the operation. Members who
maintain annual reporting requirements also receive annual summary
statistics (individual production information remains confidential) from
the overall program.
When Integrity Beef cattle have been marketed in large lot sizes, calves
have demonstrated the ability to top the market within each class
represented on any particular sale day. On Dec. 2, 2009, Integrity Beef
producers marketed approximately 1,200 head of commingled calves for a
$5.72 per hundredweight premium over all other cattle marketed that day.
Similar premiums are consistently reported from participating producers
who retained ownership to heavier weights and/or marketed their cattle
independently.
The largest benefit from participation in the Integrity Beef program is
the advancement of operational objectives through a proven cow-calf
business model. The system can be confidently planned and administered
backed by the knowledge that other producers are producing a more
uniform and marketable product under the protocol. Additionally, the
Noble Foundation continues to support this program through consultation
and education. One Integrity Beef producer recently explained his
reasons for participation, "The program has me doing all the right
things because it is the right thing to do for the beef industry.
Following Integrity Beef standards, I know what to do, when to do it and
can now run my operation as a business."
The Integrity Beef program requires discipline, and it is not for
everyone. If, however, you are ready to take your cow-calf operation to
the next level, contact Hugh Aljoe, consultation program manager and
acting executive director of the Integrity Beef Alliance at 580-223-5810
or speak to a Noble Foundation agricultural consultant for more
information. You can find this and past articles on the web at
http://www.mycountrytractor.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
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, Texas 75833
903.536.2531 phone
903.536.3804 fax
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