RAINWATER HARVESTING PROGRAM SET FOR MARCH 27TH
Lake Brownwood is still only about half full. We do still have outside watering restrictions. We are not out of this drought yet. When you take all of this into consideration getting yourself set up to harvest any rainfall we may receive for later use does make a lot of sense.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Brownwood Chamber of Commerce and Early Chamber of Commerce have teamed together to sponsor A Rainwater Harvesting Program. It is set for Tuesday evening March 27, 2012. It will be held at the Brown County Youth Fair Home Economics Building, located on Hwy 377 South. The program will begin at 6:00p.m.. There will be a $12 registration fee payable at the door. John Smith, Texas AgriLife Extension Program Specialist from College Station will present the Rainwater Harvesting Program. It is intended for any and all homeowners. The program will be more in-depth than simply fixing rain barrels to use to water flowerbeds. The Rainwater Harvesting Program is open to anyone interested. All programs and information of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is available to everyone without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. We will seek to provide reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities for this meeting. We request that you contact the Brown County Extension Office at 325-646-0386 as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that you will require. For more information contact the Brown County Extension Office at 325-646-0386.
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2012 STATEWIDE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AND PREGNANCY DETERMINATION SCHOOLS
In order to provide practical and relevant education and service to ranchers, Texas AgriLife Extension works closely with industry groups to offer educational programs in artificial insemination (AI) and pregnancy determination in cattle.
In addition to the actual, hands-on training using live cattle in these two techniques, participants will devote half of their time to classroom instruction in herd management.
Topics covered include:
- anatomy and physiology of reproduction,
- principles and techniques of artificial insemination,
- management application and techniques of pregnancy determination,
- semen handling and thawing,
- estrous synchronization,
- selection and time of the breeding season to optimize fertility,
- successful feeding and mineral programs for the breeding her,
- genetic selection and record keeping programs,
- replacement heifer development and management,
- management to avoid calving problems, and
- herd health programs.
Participants are given a comprehensive manual on AI technique and management. School curriculum time also is devoted to other subjects, and participants are given an introduction to the Texas Beef Cattle Management Handbook with information on securing a personal copy.
To be eligible for training in pregnancy determination, participants must have had previous AI training or be concurrently enrolled in AI training. Training received from any of the major AI companies or a college/university course will satisfy this requirement.
Prices for the specialized training are variable and depend upon the choice of the sponsoring company:
AI and pregnancy determination (taken concurrently from either company) – $700
Artificial insemination (taken alone Bovine Elite, LLC) – $400
The registration fees are necessary to defray the expenses associated with the technical training. Registration normally begins at 8:00 a.m. on the first morning of the school except for weekend schools which start at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. All participants must complete a practical examination in each technique on the last afternoon of the school.
It is imperative that participants contact the school coordinator at least two weeks in advance, since schools not having the minimum number of participants may be canceled. Advance registration is requested and can be obtained by contacting the appropriate coordinator at one of the following phone numbers or Web sites. All companies require a deposit with advanced registration which will be applied to the full registration amount.
Location, Company, Date
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, April 10-13, 2012
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, May 8-11, 2012
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, June 5-8, 2012
Gainesville, American Breeders Srvc, June 19-20, 2012*
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, July 10-13, 2012
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, Sept. 11-14, 2012
Clarendon, American Breeders Srvc, Oct. 1-4, 2012**
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, Oct. 16-19, 2012
College Station, Bovine Elite, LLC, Nov. 13-16, 2012
*Contact Vernon Fredrich at 940.727.1056 or fbsvern@ntin.net.
**Contact Max Payne at 806.669.4284 or mkpayne@wildblue.net.
Bovine Elite, LLC contact: Carl Rugg at 979.693.0388 or http://www.bovine-elite.com/aipalp.asp
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NEW FSA ASSISTANCE FOR BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS
The USDA Farm Service Agency is working harder than ever to assist new farmers and ranchers to succeed. Acting Texas FSA Executive Director James B. Douglass recently unveiled a new Land Contract Guarantee Program and several other tools designed to help beginning farmers and ranchers build the foundation for a successful career in agriculture. “New farmers face many challenges, like obtaining land for example,” said Douglass. “FSA is going to provide new options to help them to work through this challenging start-up issue.” Peak land values, tight commercial credit, minimal credit history and less collateral make it difficult for new and smaller farmers in Texas to get a commercial business loan right now.
The Land Contract Guarantee Program provides a new approach for landowners willing to sell and finance a land purchase to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer. The national program offers two options, one that guarantees up to three annual installment payments on the contract and one that guarantees 90% of the unpaid principal of the contract. Guarantees can be used in the purchase of land for up to $500,000. “Texas farmers represent all walks of life, a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, and all different ages,” notes Douglass. “This new program will work well for beginning and minority growers in our state and we encourage producers to visit with us to see if they qualify and how it could fit their needs,” he said.
Find FSA loan information, disaster assistance programs and other helpful programs at www.fsa.usda.gov. Another new change to the agency’s lending rules for new producers is to allow more flexibility in the minimum experience requirement. Under the new rule, FSA loan officers are now allowed to consider all prior farming experience, including on-the-job training and formal education when determining eligibility for FSA Farm Operating and Ownership Loans. To qualify for a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan from FSA, applicants must have a minimum level of agricultural experience, but not more than 10 years operating a farm or ranch.
Douglass also recommends that people considering a farming career should visit a new USDA website www.start2farm.gov to learn more about all USDA resources and programs for beginning farmers and ranchers. Texas FSA’s support for Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers is evident in the high level of minority and new farmer participation generated through staff outreach into the community. For more information about these and other USDA programs, you can always call or visit your nearest USDA Farm Service Agency office.
