2007 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: All the Longhorn Fun Houston Could Handle!

Revelry Party and Rodeo Grand Entry Kicks Off the Weekend

Houston was “Longhorn Country” for the weekend of March 9-11, 2007, when Texas Longhorn events took over the Houston Livestock Show. The show, graciously sponsored by TLBAA affiliate the Texas Longhorn Breeders Gulf Coast Association (TLBGCA), started at 8:30 am and rolled on until the last Longhorn was judged. The show on Sunday was preceded by a full weekend of Longhorn events, such as the Revelry Pre-Sale Party and the Gathering Sale. The 2007 Houston Livestock Show, featured youth, open, haltered and a special non-haltered trophy steer shows.

Over 275 people attended the Revelry Party, and enjoyed food, fun and a silent auction which featured wonderful items up for bid. The silent auction raised $4,000 for the TLBGCA Scholarship Fund. Live musicians played country songs and took requests from attendees at their tables. See photos in the Revelry Party Web Gallery. Plans are already in the works for the 2008 Houston Livestock Show, so look for more information on the TLBGCA’s Web site.

Joe Graddy, Cottonwood, AL; Jim Gladden, Tallahassee, FL, were picked to ride a pair of Longhorn Steers in the Friday night Rodeo Grand Entry.

Joshua Calbo, Oakhurst, TX, takes a break after moving cattle into the 2007 Houston Livestock Show.

2007 Houston Livestock Show – Youth, Open Haltered and Trophy Steers!

TLBAA members from across the country brought out their best for the 2007 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the excitement brimmed in the show barn as everyone waited for the Longhorns’ day in the show ring.

The Youth Show started at 8:30 am with past TLBAA Chairman John T. Baker, Liberty Hill, TX, volunteering to judge the youth when, due to a clerical error, the Houston Livestock Show Judge did not arrive. With the theme of the 75 th Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo being “The Year of the Volunteer” it was fitting that a TLBAA member would step up and take on the challenge of judging one of the biggest livestock shows of the year. Thanks to John T. Baker for volunteering and supporting the youth!

Youth Show Judge John T. Baker, Liberty Hill, TX, volunteered to judge the youth when the Houston Show judge did not arrive.

Here are some of the winners from the Youth Show, see more in the E-Trails Show Results.

• Grand Champion Female: OL SUPERSTITIOUS QUEEN, exhibited by Mark Oliver, Waxahachie, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion Female: SUNRISE SNATCHER, exhibited by Amanda Flanakin, League City, TX.
• Grand Champion Bull: OL FLASH FORCE, exhibited by Mark Oliver, Waxahachie, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion Bull: OL ROCKETS KNIGHT, exhibited by Mark Oliver, Waxahachie, TX
• Grand Champion Steer: PINKY BCB, exhibited by Matthew Alan Head, Angleton, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion Steer: JR BOOMER, exhibited by Kathryn Leann Head, Angleton, TX.
• Showmanship First Places:
• Junior: Callyn Hale, Winnie, TX.
• Intermediate: Courtlyn Hale, Winnie, TX.
• Teen: Lacie Jeffery, Smithville, TX
• Senior: Kathryn Leann Head, Angleton, TX.

A class of Longhorns competing in the show ring.

Miriam Faske, Somerville, TX, with her favorite Longhorn calf.

Click here for the E-Trails 2007 Houston Youth Show results. See more photos in the Web Gallery.

The Open Haltered Show was next and Judge Dr. Charlie McPeake, Arnoldsville, GA, was ready to pick the best of the best. During the Open Show, the Herdsman Awards were given out. Here are the Herdsman Award Winners at the 2007 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:

1. Amy White and Kelly Williams, League City, TX.
2. The NASA Longhorn Project, Houston, TX.
3. Joshua Calbo, Oakhurst, TX.

Amy White and Kelly Williams, League City, TX, won the first place herdsman award.

Here are some of the winners from the Open Show, see more in the E-Trails Show Results.

• Grand Champion Female: QR FANFARE, Shelby Rod, El Campo, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion: MATTHEW 6:34, Joe Assad, Houston, TX.
• Grand Champion Bull: CS IRONMAN, Chris Schaper, Brenham, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion Bull: WOODROW WARRIOR, Scott and Bob Jackson, Spicewood, TX.

A class of bulls showing in the open show.

Open Show Judge Dr. Charles McPeake, Arnoldsville, GA.

Click here for the E-Trails 2007 Houston Open Haltered results. See more photos in the Web Gallery.

Texas Longhorn Trophy Steers at the 2007 Houston Livestock Show. The steers were led into the show ring haltered and then unleashed for the show to be judged on horseback, many spectators gathered to snap photos of the event. Show Judge Dr. Charlie McPeake, Arnoldsville, GA, rode horseback and picked from a collection of some beautiful Trophy Steers.

A line of Trophy Steers during the show.

A few rowdy steers locked horns and bucked around the show ring and made for great photo opportunities for all who attended the show.

Here are the grand champions from the trophy steer show.

• Grand Champion Steer: BUCKEROO 5/4, Bob Dube, Round Top, TX.
• Reserve Grand Champion Steer: SUNRISE STUDLEY, John T. & Betty Baker, Liberty Hill, TX.

Larry Smith, Spring, TX, grabbed hold of one steer to show spectators how docile the steers are.

Bevo(Sunrise Studley, owned by John T. and Betty Baker, Liberty Hill, TX, posed for the crowd as they snapped photos.

Click here for the E-Trails 2007 Houston Youth Show results. See more photos in the Web Gallery.

Semen Lots for May Best at West

The following lots of semen will be sold at the May Best at West TLBAA Membership Sale on May 12, 2007. The money from the sale of these lots will benefit the TLBAA Foundation.

More information to come about this special addition to the May Best at West TLBAA Membership Sale.

Longhorn Show Winners from Austin Star of Texas Fair Rodeo Announced!

From Rodeo Austin Press Release

Austin – March 15, 2007 – Exhibitors from across the nation traveled to Austin to showcase their stock in the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo Open Livestock Shows, which included the Longhorn Show. John Oliver of Waxahachie, TX, exhibited the Grand Champion Non­Haltered Female in the Longhorns how on March 15, 2007. Trigg Moore, Hico, TX, earned Reserve Grand Champion Non­Haltered Female honors in the Longhorn show. Steven Zunker, Luling, TX, exhibited the Grand Champion Non-Haltered Mature Female in the Longhorn show on March 15, 2007.

Paul Gilliam of Lewisville, TX, exhibited the Grand Champion Haltered Female and Bob Moore, Gainesville, TX, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Haltered Female in the Longhorn show on March 15, 2007. Bob Jackson of Spicewood, TX, exhibited the Grand Champion Bull in the Haltered Bulls class of the Longhorn show. Chris Schaper, Brenham, TX, earned Reserve Grand Champion Bull honors in the Haltered Bulls class of the Longhorn show.

Kimble Cattle Company of Karnes City, TX, exhibited the Grand Champion Steer in t he Trophy Steer class of the Longhorn show on March 14, 2007. John and Dedee Roberts of Austin, TX, earned Reserve Grand Champion Steer in the Trophy Steer class of the Longhorn show.

Full Austin Longhorn Show Results to come in a future issue of the E-Trails.

Calling All TLBT Youth, Send Pictures Now for the World Show Slideshow!

Attention TLBT youth, if you have any fun pictures of your show ring memories for the 2007 World Show Slideshow, please send them to TLBT President Lauryn Confer at 4725 State Highway 69 S, Greenville, TX, 75402.

TLBAA Board Meeting Announced

There will be a TLBAA Board of Directors Meeting held at the Stockman’s Club in the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, TX, on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at 9:30 am. The Stockman’s Club is located in the Stockyards Station at 140 East Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, TX. For more information about the location please contact Pam Dodson at the TLBAA office.

Upcoming Show Information

New Show Announced for the Mountains and Plains Texas Longhorn Association

The MPTLA is having a world qualifying show in Lamar, CO, on May 12, 2007. Haltered, non-haltered and youth shows will be held. Contact: Betty Civis (719) 940-5515, or Gary Cole (719) 372-3320.

Entries Still Being Accepted for Upcoming Bluegrass ouble Judged Show

It’s not too late to get entries into the March 31 – April 1, 2007, Bluegrass Double Judged Show in Nortonville, KY. For more information contact Stella Cruce at (270) 836-7533.

Water Crisis on the Horizon for Texans: Omnibus water bill passes out of Senate committee

From Texas Government Insider Newsletter

To address Texas' rapid population growth, state officials are warning of a future water shortage, which could potentially affect counties and cities across Texas.

Finding new and alternative water sources has already become an issue for some communities. In the past five years, San Antonio, Boerne, Bulverde, Fair Oaks Ranch, San Marcos, Kyle, Buda and Blanco have begun buying Canyon Lake water. Last month, Wimberley also showed interest in utilizing that water source. Currently, the Wimberley area depends on the shallow Trinity Aquifer and uses about 1,000 acre-feet a year more than the aquifer recharges.

The possibility of restrictions on the amount of water Marion receives from the Edwards Aquifer has caused city leaders to consider other water sources. The City of Marion may receive less water if the state legislature doesn't allow the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) to raise its pumping cap, which is set to go into effect next year.

In other parts of the state, there are major initiatives to increase the state's supply of fresh water. Last month, the Rio Grande Regional Seawater Desalination Pilot facility opened in Brownsville, as part of a desalination initiative launched in 2002. And, the El Paso-Fort Bliss Desalination Plant will begin production this year, eventually generating 27.5 million gallons of desalinated brackish groundwater per day.

Sen. Kip Averitt recently filed an omnibus water bill, SB 3 , outlining statewide initiatives that should strengthen and conserve the state's water supply. The bill was passed yesterday out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

Averitt referred to the legislation as "take two" since it is similar to 2005's comprehensive water bill that failed to gain legislative endorsement during the last session. At the heart of each bill are conservation measures, and both include requirements for a science-based environmental flows policy to protect estuaries and bays.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said lawmakers have yet to fund the estimated $675 million needed for water infrastructure over the next 40 years, but the $80 million needed in the next two years will come from General Revenue.

Drought Conditions Update

Click here for information about the seasonal drought conditions and updated national drought information directly from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here is an additional weekly drought monitor from NOAA.

Weekly Hay Report from the Texas Department of Agriculture

Compared to last week: Prices remain steady. Demand and trade moderate. Supply is short. There has been little talk on new crop and it is unknown on where the prices will be. Some speculate that because of the increased prices on fuel, fertilizer and seed, that it might start high. There has also been talk that some are plowing up alfalfa fields to plant corn. Many Panhandle areas received some moisture over the weekend. Some growers are beginning to apply weed control, herbicide and fertilizer to fields. Many are forced to feed lesser quality because higher quality isn't available on a consistent basis. The Northeast and Eastern areas received little or no rain, and combined with warmer temperatures and winds it is causing soils to dry out. There have also been reports of pond evaporation, and crops are showing signs of stress. The West has reported scattered showers in some areas, but burn bans were still issued in several counties, and some growers are spraying herbicides. Some areas in the South have experienced flooding conditions due to heavy rains. But with the rain the forage availability has improved. Most growers have applied fertilizer and weed control. In the last week cattle have been moved off of wheat that will be uesd for grain. Supplemental feeding has slowed down but continues in some areas. Soil moisture has been rated from short to adequate. Rangeland and pasture conditions have been rated from poor to good. Wheat conditions are still fair to good. The State of Texas Department of Agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hotline set up for buyers and sellers. The number is 1-877-429-1998. The Web site for TDA is www.agr.state.tx.us. For a hay report from a state other than Texas please click here.

E-Trails Note: To get your Association News front and center on the E-Trails, email the information to Cole@tlbaa.org.

-Cole Dowden