Cattle Rustling Turns Deadly for Oregon Ranchers
Charges will not be sought by Wallowa County – Oregon – District Attorney for a shooting involving suspected cattle rustlers and ranchers who were attempting to recover cattle.
Father and son, Dennis and Travis Beach, intended to retrieve four cows from an Oregon ranch on January 18, 2007, as a gunfight ensued.
Dennis Beach and a caretaker at the ranch, Shane Huntsman, died from the gunfight.
The confrontation resulted from a state brand inspector determining that the cattle in question belonged to Beach. Read more about this story on OregonLive.com.
Rising Hay Costs Impact Herds of Cattle Producers
The steady rise in hay prices have forced cattle producers to cull herds according to a story posted on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Web site. The droughts impact on the hay market has even made an impact at this year’s Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo as exhibitors are concerned about their show cattle as well as the cattle left at home.
Round bale hay prices have nearly tripled in the past two years from $30 per round bale in 2004 to $90 to $100 currently. Read more about this on the Star-Telegram Web site.
News From TSCRA
NCBA Calls For Phase-Out of Ethanol Subsidies
At the end of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Memphis, TN, members approved a policy calling for the phase-out of government subsidies for ethanol production and an end to the 54-cent per gallon tariff on imported ethanol. USDA Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns spoke about the ethanol subsidies during an appearance in Des Monies, IA, at the end of January, where he said livestock producers have felt the price of four-dollar-a-bushel corn. Read more about this story on Brownfieldnetwork.com. Reopening live cattle trade with Canada, a pending proposal from the USDA, was also discussed at the NCBA meeting. Cloning livestock and changes in the Beef Checkoff Program were also discussed. Read the story on theTSCRA Web site.
2007 Texas Cattle Inventory Down One Percent
The Texas cattle and calve inventory for 2007 totaled 14 million head on January 1, down one percent from last year's inventory of 14.1 million. Nationwide the beef cattle inventory topped 97 million head on January 1, which is slightly above the 2006 inventory of 96.7 million head. Read more on the TSCRA Web site.
Crop, Livestock Insurance Course Set for February 26 in Vernon, TX
By Tim W. McAlavy for AGNMORE
Texans interested in learning more about crop and livestock insurance options are invited to attend a one-day Advanced Topic Series course on February 26, 2007, where federal crop and livestock insurance plans will be discussed. The one-day course will run from 9 am to 4 pm at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Vernon, tx. Registration is required and costs $75 per person. The fee covers lunch and program materials. Spouses may attend free. Deadline for registration is February 16, 2007. Read more about this on the TSCRA Web site.
Texas Governor Proposes $50 million for Future Disasters
From Texas Cattle Raisers Web site
Gov. Rick Perry on January 30, 2007, proposed the creation of a $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund to ensure that state and local governments have the ability to forcefully respond in times of great public emergency.
"As we have learned from disasters like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as recent wildfires and floods, we can never be too prepared," Perry said. "The Disaster Contingency Fund will allow state and local government to respond with all the necessary resources in the face of a disaster and better manage the cost to taxpayers." Read more on TexasCattleRaisers.org.
2007 Estate Planning Seminars Slated Across Texas
By Tim W. McAlavy for AGNMORE
Producers and landowners with tax decisions on their minds might want to add estate planning to the mix this year. A series of four Farm and Ranch Estate Planning Seminars slated across Texas in February and March can help, said a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.
" These seminars are designed as a guide to making difficult estate planning decisions," said Dr. Wayne Hayenga, Extension economist and attorney. "We will provide a thorough analysis of relevant income and estate tax rules that affect families and agricultural businesses."
Seminar Dates:
- February 21-22 in Denton at the Denton County Government Center (306 N. Loop 288)
- March 6-7 in San Angelo at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center (7887 U.S. Highway 87 N.)
- March 13-14 in Houston at the Extension office in Harris County (3033 Bear Creek Drive)
- March 27-28 in Weslaco at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center (2415 E. Highway 83)
Each runs from 9 am to 4 pm Registration is limited: the fee of $125 per person covers all materials, refreshments and lunches.
" We will discuss estate administration and tax reporting requirements so that either person in a marriage can plan ahead for the surviving spouse," Hayenga said. "This information is also useful for potential estate executors or trustees. We will also discuss several estate planning devices for individuals and agricultural businesses."
For more information or to register, contact Sharon Wehring at (979) 845-2226 or by e-mail at s-wehring@tamu.edu.
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