Published: October 29, 2009 01:05 pm      

A-1 Cattle Company to host livestock handling program

Improving beef cattle handling can increase your farm's profitability and safety. Good beef cattle handling entails knowing how to move cattle on the farm safely and efficiently; how to load and unload cattle from trailers; having adequately designed cattle handling facilities and much more. There are many options that enable you to improve your cattle handling. The changes you make can be tailored to meet your needs, concerns, and resources.

If these things interest you, then make plans to attend the program on November 16. It will be led by Dr. Ron Gill, Extension Livestock Specialist, and held at A-1 Cattle Company near Muenster Texas. The program is scheduled to begin at 12:30 P.M at will last until 4:00. A-1 Cattle Co. is located on the South side of U.S. Highway 82, 6.2 miles West of the red light in Muenster or 2 miles East of St. Jo. Texas Red Angus Association is sponsoring a meal, so please RSVP to 940.668.5412 to let us know if you plan to attend. Additionally, there will be 2 BQA credits offered to those who need them.

No matter how large or small your operation may be, you should be able to benefit from information provided on beef cattle psychology, handling methods, and facility design.

Do we need to fertilize our lawns in the winter?

Warm season grasses such as St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, Buffalograss, etc. will be going dormant very soon. Once this occurs and they become somewhat straw colored, these grasses are no longer growing actively. Our recommendation is to fertilize your turfgrass only when these plants are actively growing and apply the appropriate type and rate of fertilizer based on a soil sample analysis. Spring, summer, and fall applications would be very appropriate depending on the grass type, use, soil type, etc. for warm season grasses. A good rule of thumb is to put out your fall application at least 30 days before the average first frost date (which we are inside of now!) and begin with the spring application approximately 30 days after the average last frost date for your area. This approach is not only best for the turf, but also for our environment.

If you overseed your turf or have a cool season turfgrass such as Tall Fescue, Perennial or Annual Ryegrass, then late fall and winter applications would be recommended. You need to apply approximately 75% of the total nitrogen required for this species during this period of time and much less in the late winter and early spring



Dates to Remember:



Nov 10 – Marketing Club Meeting; 7:00 PM – Gainesville Farm Bureau

Building

Nov 13 – Cattle handling Program; 12:30 PM – A-1 Ranch, Muenster