Special Notice

The Texas Agrilife Extension Service in Leon County will host a
College & Career Day on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. All
parents of high school juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend
this event at the Jewitt Civic Center. All junior and senior students
from Buffalo, Centerville, Normangee, Leon and Oakwood School districts
have been invited. College & Career Day will be set up as a come and go
presentation in the auditorium of the civic center. We will have
tables set up with different University and career reprensentatives. If you
have any questions, please feel free to call at 903.536.2531.


Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, TX 75833
903.536.2531

Horse Club

Leon County 4-H Horse Club in Action!

On April 17, 2008 the Leon County Horse Club held its 1st show of a
three part series for local 4-H members. There was a wonderful turnout
and all participants and leaders had a great time. If you are free on May
15, 2008 you should come and join the fun.

Pic 1
Mattie Hennessey holds on tight as dad Randy leads her through the
pattern.
Pic 2
Bradlie Crowley makes a run in the stakes race.




Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, TX 75833
903.536.2531

49th LEON LIVESTOCK SHOW SETS A RECORD

Leon County 4H and FFA members showcased their projects duringthe 2008 Show. The exhibitors of the top animals in each division werewell rewarded at the Friday night Premium Auction Sale. Prior to the premium Auction, Special presentations were madeincluding the Dedication of the 2008 show to Dave and Paula Barker ofBarker Photography. The Barkers are long time official photographersfor the Leon County Livestock Show and have photographed many exhibitorsof Leon County through the years. Their patience with exhibitors andanimals is well respected among us. Also recognized were the graduating seniors, and this year’sstock show scholarship winners were Elle Terry and Joe Henson, both areactive members of the Buffalo FFA Chapter. Elle and Joe will eachreceive a $1000 scholarship. The 2008 Elverda and Albert SchweinleMemorial Scholarship in the amount of $750 was also presented by theSchweinle great-grandchildren to Bay Loftin of Centerville who is activein the Centerville FFA Chapter and Centerville 4-H Club.. Dorris Ann Courmier prepared and donated the Buyers Dinnerserved prior to the auction. The Leon County Livestock Show Committeeappreciates here generous donation and time that she donates each yearin memory of her parents, Elverda and Albert Schweinle. This years show had two corporate sponsors who helped withshow expenses. These sponsors are Atkinson Toyota and XTO Energy. TheLivestock Show Committee recognizes these corporate contributors for thesupport they are giving the 4-H and FFA members in our county. Individuals and business from across Leon county and surroundingcounties were extremely generous in the purchase of these projects. The2008 Premium Auction Sale totaled $379,650 (compared to $379,000 in2006). Verbal add-on and regular add-ons totaled $123,300, making thegrand total for the 2008 Livestock Show of $502,505 (compared to$502,320 in 2007). The high volume buyer for 2008 was XTO Energyrepresented by Brian Klutz. A big thank you to XTO Energy, one of ourshow sponsors for their support to our livestock show. Sale of Champions Grand Champion Broilers were the first items in the sale ofchampions. The top pen of chickens was raised by Braxton Wilson, of theCenterville 4-H Club, and sold to sold to Anadarko for $2750 with verbaladd-ons of $950. The Reserve Champion Pen of Broilers, exhibited byRandall Hollis of the Leon FFA Chapter sold for $1250 to Steven’sFertilizer, with verbal add-ons of $750. Patrick Pringle a Centerville 4H member, sold his Grand ChampionRabbits to Barrilleaux, Inc., for $2500 plus verbal add-ons of $975. Another Centerville 4-H Club member, Kraig Bates produced the ReserveChampion Rabbits. NRG Texas - Limestone Project Employee Fund and HeadWaters Resources purchased them for $2250 plus verbal add-ons of $1600. The Grand Champion Hog was exhibited by Taylor Cummings ofCenterville 4-H. Her champion hog sold to Barrilleaux, Inc. For $6000with verbal add-ons for $3200. Christy Grayson’s Reserve Champion hogwas purchased for $2500 by Marathon Oil with verbal add-ons fo $900. Christy is a member of the Leon 4-H Club. Sara Ewing a Centerville 4H member, exhibited the Grand ChampionLamb purchased by XTO Energy for $3500 and verbal add-ons of $1650. Another Centerville 4H member, Ryan McCarty exhibited the ReserveChampion Lamb which sold for $3250 to Carter Ranch, and his verbaladd-ons totaled $400.. The Champion Goat was exhibit by Heather Humphries of the Buffalo 4H Club. Heather's goat sold to Davis Feed for $3500 and herverbal add-ons totaled $1720. Trevor Humphries of the Buffalo 4-H Clubexhibited the Reserve Champion goat which sold for $3000 plus $2170 inverbal add-ons. Nashlee Morton, a Leon FFA member, sold her Champion Steer toBuffalo Tank Company – Joe and Margaret Cheek for a record $15,000. Nashlee's verbal add-ons totaled $10,550. Buffalo FFA member Elle Terry, exhibited the Reserve Champion Steer, which sold to BuffaloLivestock for $6000 and $2550 in verbal add-ons. Commercial Heifers were the final items in the sale ofchampions, Jacob Rodell, a Buffalo FFA member, raised the Grand ChampionPen of Heifers. This pen of two heifers sold for $9000 to Adolph Rodellwho was also the breeder of the Champion Pen of Commercial Heifers. Jacob's verbal add-ons totaled $3150. Joe Henson also of the Buffalo FFA Chapter had the Reserve Champion Heifers. Evelyn Hull purchased histwo heifers for $10,500 and his verbal add-ons totaled $3000. Another item sold in the premium sale was the Big Bird (weighing 10 lbs. 5.3 ounces) raised by Cameron Runnerls of the BuffaloFFA Chapter. The Big Bird sold for $900 to Barrilleaux, Inc. Fundsraised from this item go back to the livestock show. The following are results of the rest of the premium sale, bycategory. The exhibitor’s name, club or chapter, price and buyer arelisted. Commercial Heifers: Layne Wilson, Centerville 4-H, $6200, RebelContractors; Cydney Kessler, Oakwood 4-H, $6600, XTO Energy; Taylor Sullivan, Centerville 4-H, $5200, Joey Sullivan; Tyler Morris, Leon 4-H,$5000, Anadarko; Jacob Fishbeck, Buffalo 4-H, $6500, Davis Fee; TaylorMorris, Leon 4-H, $5600, Barrilleaux, Inc.; Reid Courmier, Buffalo 4-H,$6500, Buffalo Industrial; Amy Morris, Leon 4-H, $5200, Producer’sCo-op; Rebecca Smith, Centerville FFA, $4400, Anadarko; Austin Jacobs,Buffalo 4-H, $7400; Buffalo Transportation; Austin Courmier, Buffalo4-H, $5600; Brent Bing; Sam Runge, Leon 4-H, $8500, Busy B Ranch, Nancy& Jimmy Beddingfield; and Kade Wallrath, Centerville 4-H, $5400; Buffalo Industrial. Steers: Cody Oden, Centerville 4-H, $6000; Vaquero Energy Service; Justin Pistone, Centerville 4-H, $3400, Clements Fluids;Clayton McGill, Buffalo 4-H, $3500, Buffalo Tank Company, Inc.; Jacie Jones, Buffalo 4-H, $4000; Dudley Brewer; Taylor McGill, Buffalo 4-H,$3500, Buffalo Tank Company, Inc.; Bay Loftin, Centerville FFA, $4250,XTO Energy; Mason Jonas, Buffalo 4-H, $3750, The Three Amigos (Richmond,Kloessel & amp; Jonas); Brittany Theis, Leon 4-H, $3000, Hightower & amp; Wisemanof Hightower Metal Works, Inc.; Logan Jones, Buffalo 4-H, $3000, Reeder& Sons NAPA Auto Parts; National Champion, Buffalo FFA, $4250, Maurice Champion; Jared Theis, Leon 4-H, $3000; Buffalo Cattle Raisers; Savanna Pistone, Centerville 4-H, $3100; Centerville Feed & Supply; JustinTheis, Leon 4-H, $2900, Encana Oil & Gas; Tyler Parks, Centerville 4-H,$3000, Chad Hammock; Macy Jonas, Buffalo 4-H, $3250; Krooked Tree Ranch; Amy Terry, Buffalo FFA, $3200, Dudley Brewer; Lauren Brooks, Centerville 4-H, $2900, Normangee State Bank/Victor Hillman Group; Stacey Williams Buffalo FFA, $3250, Buffalo Livestock; Dylan Pistone, Centerville 4-H,$2800; T&H Land Company; Travis Powers, Leon 4-H, $3000; Morris Lazy KRanch; Lexie Wall, Centerville 4-H, $2900, Rebel Contractors; Courtney Williams, Buffalo 4-H, $4000, Dudley Brewer; Lariat Emley, Centerville4-H, $3000, Easterling Veterinary Services & Easterling Livestock Services; Tanner Parks, Centerville 4-H, $3300; Rebel Contractors; and Chelsea Padgett, Leon 4-H, $3100, Kountry Korner (Henry Padgett). Broilers: Jared Hawthorne, Buffalo FFA, $1900, Citizens StateBank; Calam Earley, Centerville 4-H, $1100, Cooper Sullivan; Jana Richmond; Oakwood 4-H, $1500, Oakwood Steel Fab; Kortni Hibbard, Buffalo 4-H, $1700; Davis Feed; Micha Watson, Leon FFA, $1600, XTO Energy; Jennifer Hollis, Leon FFA, $1000, Encana Oil & Gas; Makayla Mitcham,Centerville 4-H, $1000, First National Bank; Preston Kornegay,Centerville 4-H, $1400, First National Bank; Cameron Runnels, BuffaloFFA, $1100, Donald Carr Group; Dannie Watson, Leon FFA, $1000, XTO Energy; Moriah Mitcham, Centerville 4-H, $1000; Leon Gas Company; Emma Lampley, Centerville 4-H, $1000, Rodeo Western Wear; and Tamara Miller,Oakwood 4-H, $1400, Circle T Realty. Rabbits: Morgan Anderson, Buffalo 4-H, $900, Donald Carr Group; Shay Hastings, Leon 4-H, $900, Humble Tooling; Erin Trahan, Buffalo 4-H$1300, XTO Energy; Kara Jo Harris, Centerville 4-H, $900, Sheriff Mike Price; Damon Magourik, Buffalo 4-H, $900, Donald Carr Group; Ben Reeder,Buffalo 4-H, $2300, Reeder Tire & Oil; Bradlie Crowley, Centerville 4-H,$2400, Circle T Realty; Colten Walch, Centerville 4-H, $900,Barrilleaux, Inc.; Brooke Trahan, Buffalo 4-H, $1200; XTO Energy; Taylor Shelton, Buffalo 4-H, $2600, Randall Shelton; Layne Shelton, Buffalo4-H, $2500, Randall Shelton; Kaylen Rayborn, Buffalo 4-H, $1400,Wil-Call; and Aaron Wright, Centerville 4-H, $900, Ward & Cindy Easterling.Lambs: Katie Ellis, Centerville 4-H, $1800, Anadarko; Shelby Stotts,Centerville 4-H, $1200, Stevens Feed & Fertilizer; Allison Ewing,Centerville 4-H, $2100, Centerville News; Brittany Beggs, Centerville 4-H, $2100, Third Coast Environmental; Colton Morman, Buffalo 4-H,$1700, Barrilleaux, Inc.; Marissa Wall, Centerville 4-H, $1800,Madisonville State Bank; Kellie Wylie, Leon 4-H, $1600, Marian Ward; and Caleb Wright, Centerville 4-H, $1200, Circle T Realty. Goats: Christy Cockrell, Oakwood 4-H, $1300, Encana Oil & Gas; Dylan Ansley, Buffalo 4-H, $2100, First National Bank; Logan Freeman, Buffalo4-H, $1500, Citizens State Bank; Kelcey Cockrell, Oakwood 4-H, $1200;Davis Feed; Charlee Cockrell, Oakwood 4-H, $1600, Oakwood Youth Support Group; Natalee Freeman, Buffalo 4-H, $1600, Cattle Country; CalvinYoung, Buffalo 4-H, $1600, Wil-Call; Kadie Shafer, Centerville 4-H,$2100, Centerville Feed & Supply; Joseph Lewis, Buffalo 4-H, $1000,Encana Oil & Gas; Sara Burchfield, Buffalo 4-H, $1500, Brookshire Brothers; Matthew Roach, Buffalo 4-H, $2500, Rebel Contractors; Justin Stotts, Centerville FFA, $1100, Leon Gas company; Kaitlyn Burnes, Leon4-H, $1200, XTO Energy; Heather Lancaster, Oakwood 4-H, $1300, OakwoodYouth Support Group; and Clayton Smith, Centerville FFA, $1100, Cattle County. Hogs: Kaila Grissett, Buffalo 4-H, $1900, Anadarko; Colton Ferguson,Buffalo FFA, $1800, Hesco; Edmund Clark, Centerville 4-H, $1600, NucorSteel; Meghan Shaver, Buffalo 4-H, $1500, Nucor Steel; T. J. Tadlock,Leon 4-H, $2000, Henson Family Dealership; Jake Lowry, Leon 4-H, $1500,Morris Lazy K Ranch; Bailey Hennesey, Centerville 4-H, $1500, KrookedTree Ranch; Gracie Ferguson, Buffalo 4-H, $4000; Citizens State Bank;Kendall Lee, Buffalo 4-H, $1800, Reeder & Sons NAPA Auto Parts; JustinDeBorde, Buffalo 4-H, $1900, Leon County Elected Officials; Ross Beshears, Centerville 4-H, $2300, State Bank of Jewett; Reagan Read,Buffalo 4-H, $1700, XTO Energy; Bryce Ainsworth, Buffalo 4-H, $2100,Enbridge Pipeline; Allison Grissett, Buffalo 4-H, $1500, Donald CarrGroup; Callie Padgett, Centerville FFA, $2500, Kountry Korner (HenryPadgett); Colton Carr, Buffalo 4-H, $1700, Buffalo Tank Company, Inc.;Justin Carr, Buffalo 4-H, $1600, Jones Construction; Emily Grissett,Buffalo 4-H, $1600, Donald Carr Group; Christopher Nash, Leon 4-H,$2400, Kountry Korner (Henry Padgett); Courtney Clark, Centerville 4-H,$1600, Rebel Contractors; Travis Hillman, Leon 4-H, $1400, Nucor Steel;Kyle Read, Buffalo 4-H $2500, Jones Construction; Kirk Mitcham,Centerville 4-H, $1300, Dry Creek Construction; Logan Cummings,Centerville 4-H, $1600, Rebel Contractors; Hannah Mullins, Buffalo 4-H;$1500, Buffalo Distributing; Jared Watkins, Centerville 4-H, $1300,Sullivan Classic Homes; Heather Tubb, Centerville 4-H, $1300, WardEasterling Group; Lane Agapiou, Oakwood 4-H, $2700, XTO Energy; AaronSnow, Buffalo 4-H, $2600, Citizens State Bank; Preslie Padgett,Centerville FFA, $3300, Kountry Korner (Henry Padgett); Nicholas Martin,Leon 4-H, $3500, Nucor Steel; Austin Rayborn, Buffalo 4-H, $3600,Buffalo Tank Company, Inc.; and Shauna Watkins, Centerville 4-H, $3200,XTO Energy. The Leon County Youth Livestock Show Committee would like to thank everyone for supporting this years show and the fine youth of our county.

Submitted by Melinda Wilson LeonCounty Livestock Show Secretary

Tommy Neyland, CEA-AgTexas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, TX 75833
903.536.2531

Looking For That New or Used Tractor

Mycountrytractor.com is the destination for those looking to buy or
sell a new or used tractors. Find great tractors at great prices at MyCountryTractor.com! Mycountrytractor.com can help find the right lawn tractor, big tractors and equipment for all your ranching needs. The right buyer at the right price for you. Search through the ads for the tractors that best suits your needs.

History of the Massey Ferguson Farm Tractors

Massey Harris tractors, Ferguson tractors, and Massey Ferguson tractors
The Massey Ferguson tractors that eventually became the largest tractor company in the world arose out of the merger of three agricultural companies over the course of several decades: Massey, Harris, and Ferguson. The combined company would do battle with Ford for many years over dominance of the farm tractors industry, eventually outpacing Ford in terms of sales. This would have been difficult to imagine for people familiar with the company's start in this industry, since the first Massey Ferguson tractors were complete market failures. But despite repeated difficulty, the company persevered and eventually won out against a Ford Motor Company that shifted away from tractors after the 1960's, allowing Massey Ferguson farm tractors to dominate the market. But for a long time, the war between the two companies caused deep divisions in rural areas, and it took the intervention of Harry Ferguson to tip the balance of sales in favor of Massey. Read on to see just how the Massey Ferguson farm tractors became the dominant farm machines throughout the world.

Beef Series Highlights

Leon County Beef Series visits J & S Meat processing a family owned
business specializing in processing Beef, Pork, Lamb, and Goats. They
process the animal you have raised with great care and expertise. There
facility is State Inspected and meets or exceeds the Texas Department of
Health requirements. The products are cut to the thickness and
package requirements of the customer. You can call them with the approximate
weight of your animal and they can give you an approximate price. J&S
is located 2 miles east of I-45 at Exit 206 on Farm 833.


Pic : J&S rep Bavid Baker explains one of the more popular beef cuts
to the Leon County group.

Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, TX 75833
903.536.2531

Chute N the Bull Week 14

In Texas, there are almost eight times as many farmers over 65 years of
age than there are farmers under 35 years of age. It is estimated that
up to 400 million acres of U.S. farmland will change hands in the next
20 years. Who will farm these acres? Who will farm or ranch on your
acres?

We usually think of farms and ranches as family businesses. A family
business is one in which more than one family member takes on
management
or active ownership responsibilities. The essence of a family business
is that blood, work and business ownership are held in common. About 30
percent of family businesses make it to the second generation. Only
about 15 percent survive to the third generation. About one in 20, or 5
percent, can claim that they are fourth-generation family businesses.
(Note: Many farm and ranch families own and operate land that has been
in their family for multiple generations. Transfer of land does not
necessarily equate to succession of a business operation.)

The concept of a multi-generational family farm or ranch holds appeal
for many, but the reality is that it may be more difficult to enable
succeeding generations in the business than it was to create the
original business. If you truly wish for someone close to you to carry
on with your farm or ranch operation, then you need to begin succession
planning. Not soon, now! The literature is consistent in pointing out
that the succession planning process can be accomplished over a period
of five to 15 or 20 years. It may be later than you think!

Succession planning is the ongoing process of ensuring the continuation
of the family business. It is not retirement planning for the current
operators, but their retirement plans are important to successful
succession planning. Nor is succession planning merely estate planning
with the objective being tax minimization. But, an effective estate
plan
is an important component of comprehensive succession planning. The
succession plan guides the transfer of the family business — the
ownership, management and labor — to the next generation. Preserving
family harmony and the continued success of the business are the
essential objectives of succession planning.

Guidelines:

* Succession planning is a process that requires time (five to 15
years) and effort by many. It should begin many years before the
current
operator plans to retire.
* Start now. The earlier in your life and the lives of your
successors the process begins, the greater the likelihood of achieving
your goal.
* Critically assess the finances of your business. Is your business
profitable? Is net income of the farm or ranch increasing enough each
year to cover inflation in living costs? Will continuing your operation
be a boon or a burden to your successors?
* Schedule regular, formalized family meetings. Encourage everyone
to learn as much as possible about succession planning.
* Begin planning for your retirement.
* Outline how and when labor and management will be transferred.
These plans should include a "successor development plan."
* Ownership transfer includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a
legal, up-to-date will.
* Develop a contingency plan, probably at the beginning of the
process. What if something catastrophic occurs before succession
planning is completed? How will you handle divorce, illness, injury,
business failure or death? The ultimate contingency plan is the will.
* Set a timetable for completion of activities in the process.
Measure progress against the timetable and adjust as needed.

The idea of a multi-generational family farm or ranch business is
appealing; the reality is that farm business management is difficult in
and of itself. Planning for and successfully transferring the total
business, not just the land, to succeeding generations is time
consuming
and challenging. If you undertake the task, stick with it — the
results will transcend time! You can find past articles on the web at
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.


Tommy Neyland, CEA-Ag
Texas Agrilife Extension Service
P.O. Box 188
Centerville, TX 75833
903.536.2531