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VOLUME XIV, NO. 8 |
TEXAS DAIRY REVIEW |
AUGUST 2005 |
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DMES renews hauling program
TAHC says National Animal ID System in effect |
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DMES renews hauling program |
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Since October of 2002, the TSSWCB has reimbursed manure haulers at a rate of $1.35 per ton of manure for the first mile between a dairy and the nearest composting operation, with an additional $0.10 for each additional mile. Starting October 1, 2005, the TSSWCB will begin reimbursing manure haulers with the new funding at a rate of $0.90 per ton of manure for the first mile and $0.08 for each additional mile. On July 1, 2006, the rate will again be reduced to $0.45 per ton for the first mile, and $0.04 for each additional mile. John Cowan, the Executive Director of the Texas Association of Dairymen says “DMES was intended from the beginning to be a mechanism for establishing a sustainable composting market in the area. Although reducing the reimbursement rate will obviously force other parties to shoulder more of the financial burden, we all expected the financial assistance to come to an end sooner or later. Thankfully we were provided these additional funds so that the project could be transitioned from governmentally funded to market-driven in a controlled manner.” Since November 2000, DMES has offset the transportation costs associated with the removal of close to 900,000 tons of raw manure from North Bosque and Leon watershed dairies to commercial composting operations. The TSSWCB expects the total hauling to approach one million tons of manure by the end of the project, which roughly correlates to more than 2 million pounds of total phosphorus that would not be land applied on manure application fields. Phosphorus contained in run-off from manure application fields has been identified by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as one source of the water quality impairment in the North Bosque stream system. For more information on the project, please contact the DMES Office at (254) 968-3449. |
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Milk testing labs provide unique service to dairymen |
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Not everyone has the self-motivation to follow up on an idea and make it work. But, when Andy Brand of Pioneer Dairy Labs saw a need for quality milk testing, he banked on that fact and set out to provide a unique yet necessary service to dairymen. His knowledge of the dairy industry has carried him from his native California to New Mexico, where he resides in both Artesia and Dimmitt. It all began when he answered an ad in the Los Angeles newspaper for a lab helper. He soon became lab manager and progressed to quality control director for California’s largest cooperative before finally making a move to New Mexico in 1994. With a good knowledge of the importance of milk quality, Brand saw a potential to fulfill a need for dairies in New Mexico. He soon found this to be true in Texas as well. “We started the first lab at a house located on a dairy at Lake Arthur, New Mexico,” he said. “But, I never knew the business would expand so quickly.” Within eleven years, Pioneer Labs has progressed to 60 employees and four branches located in Artesia and Clovis New Mexico, and Stephenville and Dimmitt, Texas. The labs perform four primary tests that includes microbiology, bacteria, culture and payment (butterfat, protein, lactose and somatic cell.) Dairymen are paid on the butterfat and protein content in the milk and a low somatic cell count. Pioneer Labs also help to monitor the quality of milking equipment, such as the pipelines, chillers, and tanks that hold the milk. “Cold milk means less bacteria,” he said. “I especially like working with good operators who know their animals. These operators put a lot of effort and care into what they’re doing so their animals can produce high quality milk. These dairymen do not run factory farms----it’s their life blood and they put everything they have into it.” Looking back, Brand said the quick growth of Pioneer Labs has been amazing to him. “But, it’s our employees, service, quality and turn-around time in testing that’s made us successful. As a company, we pull together, succeed together, or fail together.” Brand said he believes that good communication among him and his employees has been a key factor in making the company work. Pioneer’s success has been rewarding, Brand said, and he personally has enjoyed the ride. |
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Waco subpoenas compost yards |
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Waco attorneys, still trying to gain information for the ongoing lawsuits between the City of Waco and Bosque River dairies, recently subpoenaed for deposition records and documents from all the compost businesses in the Bosque and Leon River watershed. Those subpoenaed include Organic Residual Reclamation, Peter and Paul Fagan; Producers Compost, Jeff Beyer; Dairy Cow Compost/Grind ‘N Green, Frank Kalsbeek; Bosque River Compost, Dwayne Wolf; Erath Earth, Sabino Cortez; and Gustine Compost, Randy Ripley. The subpoena asked for records and documents, including any invoices are logs that show any and all manure or other waste received or collected from or applied to any use of the remaining dairies involved in the Waco lawsuits. Compost business owners said they are required to keep records for three months only. It is unknown if depositions are completed at this time. The remaining dairies in the suit include Scenic Ridge Dairy, Tony Beltman; Schouten Dairy, Dennis Schouten; Hidden View Dairy, Willy DeJong; Aztex Dairy, Fred Lueck; S Cow 10 Dairy, Pete Schouten; and Golden Star Dairy, Pete Schouten. As part of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations, dairy operators are required in their Pollution Prevention Plan (PPP) to keep records on the amount of manure hauled off their dairies. |
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TAHC says National Animal ID System in effect |
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Through the rest of the year, livestock identification in Texas is moving from the drawing board to field conditions to test identification devices, equipment durability and reliability. Using USDA cooperative agreement funding, the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has awarded contracts to four manufacturers of radio frequency ear tags (RFID), five makers of tag “reader” devices, four computer software providers and a data trustee to maintain the computer records. Tag readers and computers are set up in several livestock markets, and customers of these facilities will be issued RFID ear tags for cattle that will be marketed through the livestock markets. Two cattle firms that purchase from the three markets also will be equipped to record and report movement information as cattle are sorted and shipped to feedlots in the Texas Panhandle. About 80,000 of the radio frequency ear tags, known as RFID tags, are being provided by Allflex USA; Farnam, Temple Tag Company and Y-Tex. The tags, to be placed on cattle, sheep and domestic deer, emit a low-frequency signal that is picked up and “read” by a device as small as a handheld wand, or as large as a gate, panel or chute. Tag readers, supplied by AgInfoLink, Allflex USA, Farnam, Temple Tag Company and Y-Tex, will be tested for speed and durability in “real-life” conditions. “Computer software is needed for managing the ear tag information and movement records, services being provided by eMerge Interactive, Micro Beef Technologies, Texas Dairy Herd Improvement Association 032, and the Beef Information Exchange (BIE)/AgInfoLin,” said Kenny Edgar,animal identification coordinator for the TAHC, the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. “The data “trustee,” or company that will hold all the records is the Beef Information Exchange (BIE), and this service will be evaluated with an exercise to trace animal movement. The results of the field tests will be reported back to the committees working on the National Animal Identification System, so the glitches with computers, ear tags or readers can be fixed before they are put in use across the country. “Regulatory agencies do not need or want production data; but we must be able to locate animals that have moved from a premises within 48 hours or less,” said Edgar. He and Dr. Bob Hillman, TAHC’s executive director and Texas’ state veterinarian, have made dozens of presentations on animal identification to livestock organizations and groups around the state. “The age and class of an animal, as well as movement information is critical for locating potentially infected or exposed animals during a disease situation. In our field experiment, we are working only with cattle, sheep, goats and horses. Other states are testing identification devices or group lot numbers with poultry and commercially produced swine,” Edgar said. “Every state now is getting on board for premises and animal identification, to speed up livestock movement tracing,” Edgar said. “In Texas, HB 1361 will be in effect Sept. 1, providing the TAHC authority to implement the animal identification program in Texas that is consistent with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). “In a disease situation, time is a key factor and makes the difference between cleaning up a small problem, or dealing with a widespread disease outbreak. The sooner we have information about where animals are located and where they have been, the faster we will be able to find potentially diseased livestock and stamp out a disease problem.” Edgar reported that, nationally, about 90,000 premises have been identified, with about 2,200 of those in Texas. “According to the national strategic plan, premises identification will be required by January 2008, and so far, about 1 percent of Texas’ estimated 200,000 premises have been identified. “This premises identification number is a unique seven-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to ranches and other sites where livestock or poultry are maintained or moved. One number will suffice, even if the owner raises several species of livestock and poultry on a place,” Edgar said. “Getting a premises identification now will save time later, when it is mandatory, and folks have to wait, due to demand. Participating in the program now may enhance the value of livestock to prospective buyers.” Registering for a premises identification number is easy, and the application is simple to complete, he said. Producers can call for an application, or they can go on the internet to register. To obtain a paper copy or schedule a presentation, call the TAHC at 1-800-550-8242. The TAHC’s home page at www.tahc.state.tx.us has a link to the premises identification application. |
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Texas Ag Expo set for October 28 & 29 |
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The 2005 Texas Ag Expo will be on Fri., Oct., 28 & Sat., Oct. 29, at Lone Star Arena in Stephenville. The annual event, sponsored by TriCounty Agribusiness Association (TCAA), gives agribusiness suppliers the opportunity to reach area dairymen, farmers, and ranchers. Exhibitor booth spaces are currently available. Aug. 31 is the application deadline for being included in the event program and other publicity. Texas Ag Expo provides a marketplace to showcase equipment, supplies and services available to agricultural producers. The 15th annual expo will continue to target the numerous dairy producers and farmers in our region, as well as the growing number involved with beef cattle, goats, horses and wildlife. If your target market includes the enterprising dairyman, rancher, farmer, livestock breeder, horse lover or wildlife enthusiast in Texas and the surrounding region, you should attend this event. The Expo is in Texas’ leading dairy region. Over 150 dairies in Erath, Comanche & Hamilton counties’ generate more than $200 million in milk revenues annually to the local economy. Activities during the show will include sponsored meals, educational seminars, demonstrations and clinics, team roping, parade of horses, Farm Safety 4 Kids, Antique Tractor Show and much more. The Annual Texas Ag Expo Golf Tournament will precede the Expo on Thurs., Oct. 27, at 9 a.m. at Legends Golf Course in Stephenville. Hole sponsorships are available. For more information about area agriculture-related events call TCAA at 254-965-2406, email tcaa@our-town.com, or visit www.tricountyag.com. |
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True Story: No Texas tall tale |
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To each their own—but alligator hunting? Not exactly considered a Texas sport. But, it did turn out to be a pretty big deal for Bill Hollingsworth of Carlton who recently underwent an irresistible gator challenge in Florida. Hollingsworth is a local realtor at Hico, Texas; volunteer fire chief at Carlton; and owner of Andrews Construction Company. He and his crew were in Florida recently working feverishly to replace hurricane-damaged roofs. By the time they had repaired 1200 of them, Hollingsworth was ready to take a break. His recreation of choice? Alligator hunting.
“I thought I was back home,” Hollingsworth said. “The dairies in Florida look just like the dairies here, except for one big difference. They have gators in their lagoons.” Hollingsworth spotted the prize gator and aimed steadily at its head. Bang! The gator was dead, but unfortunately it sunk quickly into the water. Others who were watching the event came to Hollingsworth’s rescue, trying to snag the gator or tie a nylon rope to it to drag it in. After a two hour siege, seven men were finally able to lift the gator ashore. Even though the prize gator had part of its tail missing, it was 13-1/2ft. long and topped out at 1,150 lbs. It would have been a state record had its tail been complete, Hollingsworth said. Hollingsworth said the experience was something he had always wanted to do. He just never dreamed he’d shoot such a big critter. He laughed and said, “That’s why Florida doesn’t have any stray dogs or cats. If a dog barks, those gators just eat’m.” Hollingsworth said he plans to have the gator mounted. But he may have to add onto his house in order to display it. |
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Not a Texas tall tale, it just so happens
that his hunting guide informed him about a big alligator that was
swimming around in a lagoon at a central Florida dairy. Primed for the
hunt, Hollingsworth loaded up his Winchester 7 mm Mag and set out to take
on the opportunity of a lifetime.
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