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CURRENT LOCAL LIVESTOCK REPORTS AND NEWS SEPT. 29, 2020CURRENT LOCAL LIVESTOCK REPORTS AND NEWSCURRENT LOCAL LIVESTOCK REPORTS AND NEWSCURRENT LOCAL LIVESTOCK REPORTS AND NEWS SEPT. 29, 2020SEPT. 29, 2020

Coastal Bend

CATTLE GUARD

The global pandemic that has upended daily life has exacted a toll on many industries. Businesses have been asked to close or tem-porarily scale back opera-tions, while organizers of recreational gatherings have been tasked with re-evaluating the practical-ity and safety of annual events.

Throughout the United States and Canada, au-tumn fairs, exhibitions and activities provide rev-enue for many people. But due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, many of these annual events have been postponed, adversely affecting local agricultural industries as a result. Gov-ernments in certain places

have responded to the cancellations and offered assistance to local farmers and agricultural industries. For example, the Province of Ontario is providing nearly $1 million to assist organizations that had to cancel fall events due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to supporting such efforts, the general public can pitch in to help offset some of the finan-cial losses accrued by local farms.

• Check for virtual events. Some fall fairs or livestock events have been moved to the digital realm. That means competitors who were entering live-stock or even home crafts into competitions can still

participate. Organizers may ask for videos or pho-tos of entries and then a committee will vote on the winners. This is one way to keep entry fees and even cash prizes moving along.

• Support local farms or orchards. Fall is har-vest season in many ar-eas, making this a popular time of year to visit nearby

farms and to purchase fruits and vegetables di-rectly from the source. Many farms have imple-mented safety protocols that align with COVID-19 health recommendations to safely welcome visitors. Things may look a little differently at orchards and

farms, but smaller crowds and wearing masks should not compromise the fun of picking your own foods.

• Explore farm-to-table. Private individuals as well as restaurant owners can develop relationships with area agriculture producers to increase the availability of farm-to-table offerings. Restaurants can revamp menus to include a greater share of items sourced from nearby farms. Indi-viduals also can rely on produce stands and farm-ers’ markets to stock their pantries. Some farms may offer delivery and mail-or-der as well.

• Offer financial ser-vices. Financial advisors

can help farmers who are struggling with finances work through their op-tions. Institutions may be able to extend the terms of loan repayments, refinance loans, restructure debt, or get credit extensions. Low-er interest rates have creat-ed some new opportunities farmers may not be aware of. Financial advisors can help farmers navigate an uncertain financial time.

Farmers and agricultural organizations are facing greater challenges as fall fairs and other events are being canceled. The public can support agriculture in different ways to offset the financial losses stemming from the pandemic.

Page 2 • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 • MySouTex.com

PACKER BULLSAll Weights .............................69-87PACKER COWSCanners & Cutters ..................55-63Poor & Weak ...........................21-37PALPATED8 Bred .....................................69-79PAIRS1 pair ........................................ 1000STEER CALVES (AVG-HIGH)Under 200 lbs........................... none200-249 lbs .............................. none250-299 lbs .........................154-190300-350 lbs .........................151-180350-400 lbs .........................134-184400-450 lbs .........................150-184450-500 lbs .........................142-170500-550 lbs .........................131-151550-600 lbs .........................130-140600-700 lbs .........................125-138700-800 lbs .........................119-130

BULL CALVES (AVG- HIGH)Under 250 lbs......................165-186250-300 lbs .........................155-192300-350 lbs .........................149-190350-400 lbs .........................155-182400-450 lbs .........................147-179450-500 lbs .........................132-162500-550 lbs .........................134-150550-600 lbs .........................124-137600-700 lbs .........................121-133Over 700 lbs ........................112-126HEIFERS CALVES (AVG-HIGH)Under 200 lbs......................150-196200-250 lbs .........................145-150250-300 lbs ......................117-157.5300-350 lbs .........................123-157350-400 lbs .........................128-155400-450 lbs .........................130-170450-500 lbs .........................126-145500-550 lbs .........................122-144550-600 lbs .........................123-170600-700 lbs .........................115-160Over 700 lbs ........................112-128

Friday, September 25, 2020Number of Head: 1,263

SALES EVERY FRIDAY @ 10 AM

There were 139 cows and 16 bulls. The packer market was again a little weaker. Smaller run of cows saw the top price off $3/cwt while the top bull was off only a $1/cwt. All this is in line with the seasonal break in the packer market. The calf market was up again for the third week in a row. This week the overall average was up over $2.98/cwt. That is three weeks in a row of higher prices. Some

of the lighter classes were as much as $10-$15/cwt up on top end as demand for light calves for grass turnout on oats and wheat has entered the market.

How to support local agriculture this fall

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agriculture is among the most hazardous industries. Fatal and nonfatal injuries pose a sig-nificant threat to farmers, including the many young people who work on farms. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in an effort to pro-mote productive and safe workplaces, supports programs that conduct research on injuries associated with agriculture as well as pesticide exposure, pulmonary disease, musculoskeletal disorders, hear-ing loss, and stress. Studying the results of such research, compiled by NIOSH, may compel veteran and novice farmers to further emphasize safety measures and promote practices that can reduce risk for accidents on the farm.

• Estimates indicate that there were roughly 2.1 million full-time workers em-ployed in production agriculture in 2017 and between 1.4 and 2.1 million hired crop workers employed annually on crop farms in the United States.

• An estimated 893,000 young people

under 20 years of age resided on farms in 2014. More than half of those young people performed farm work, and an additional 266,000 youth were hired to work on farms in 2014.

• Each day, roughly 100 agricultural workers suffer injuries that cause them to miss time at work.

• In 2014, 12,000 youth were injured on farms, and 4,000 of those youths could trace their injuries to farm work.

• In 2016, 417 farmers and farm work-ers died from work-related injuries. Trac-tor overturns and other transportation incidents were the leading cause of death for these farmers and farm workers.

• A rollover protection system, or ROPS, is a structure, similar to rollcages and rollbars in cars and trucks, intended to protect farm equipment operators from injuries caused by overturns or rollovers. NIOSH notes that an ROPS is the most effective way to prevent overturn deaths. Despite that, in 2014, only 62 percent of tractors used on farms in the U.S. were equipped with an ROPS.

Farm safety: facts & fi gures

MySouTex.com • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 • Page 3

Nixon Livestock Commission, Inc.

1924 E. State Hwy 87 Nixon, TX 78140(830) 582-1561

September 28, 2020Volume: 1173

Cows: 141 Bulls: 18 STEERS200-300lbs. $131-141-194300-400lbs. $137-147-192400-500lbs. $132-142-181500-600lbs. $117-127-161600-700lbs. $112-122-140700-800lbs. $110-120-133

HEIFERS200-300lbs. $116-126-188300-400lbs. $116-126-156400-500lbs. $119-129-275500-600lbs. $113-123-245600-700lbs. $104-114-148700-800lbs.$100-110-113

USE TEXT STYLES

Sellers: 177 - Buyers: 48

Slaughter Cows .. $20-65Slaughter Bulls... $75-86Stocker Cows .....$50-960Pair ...................$750-950

AgriLife Extension St. Augustine guides available onlineby by Gabe Saldana

Sound management practices can help any Texan cultivate thriving St. Augustine grass, and a new digital guide and management calendar from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides detailed steps for success.

St. Augustine grass requires four to six hours of sunlight to survive. How-ever, the shade densities they can with-stand make them tolerant compared to most warm-season species, said Chrissie Segars, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension turf-grass specialist and assistant professor in Dallas.

“That comparative shade tolerance has made St. Augustine grass one of the most popular types of turfgrass in Texas,” she said. “In this new guide and calendar, we show you science-backed practices and the best times of year to employ them.”

Segars has co-authored the new re-sources alongside Becky Bowling, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension urban water specialist and assistant professor in Dal-las.

“We cover key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of St. Augus-tine grasses, and we delve a bit into the most popular varieties on the commer-cial market,” said Bowling. She transi-tioned to her urban water position after serving as an AgriLife Extension turf-grass specialist in Bryan-College Station for two years.

The GuidesThe St. Augustine Lawn Management

guide provides a map of where the turf-grass thrives. It also offers tips for every aspect of management including how to establish the species; mowing heights,

see ST. AUGUSTINE, P. 4

Food is a big part of fall, and farms play a sig-nificant role in seasonal celebrations. Each fall, families plan apple pick-ing excursions with their eyes on baking home-made apple pies. And while Halloween is made even more fun when carv-ing jack-o’-lanterns, sav-vy celebrants know that carving sessions are not complete without some roasted pumpkin seeds.

The fall harvest is a great time to indulge in some freshly picked healthy foods. While the picking season may vary depending on where you live, and specifically the climate in your region, the following are some fruits and vegetables that might be ripe for the pick-ing this fall.

• Apples: Apple-picking season typically begins in late summer and extends into fall. Many farms of-fer a variety of apples, which may be harvested at different times. For ex-ample, in the northeast-ern United States, Gala apples tend to be harvest-ed in late summer, while

Granny Smith apples may be best picked in early Oc-tober.

• Beets: The Spruce: Eats notes that beets may be in season in temperate climates from fall through spring.

• Broccoli: Fresh broc-coli makes a healthy ad-dition to any dinner table, and Pickyourown.org notes that broccoli can have a lengthy harvesting season. Early harvest-ing may begin in May in some regions, though it’s still possible to pick fresh broccoli in late Oc-tober. If you want to pick fresh broccoli, The Old Farmer’s Almanac rec-ommends doing so in the morning when the buds of the head are firm and tight.

• Cabbage: If you’re looking to do some late fall picking, cabbage might be for you. The on-line resource Harvest to Table notes that cabbage can survive under snow without being harmed, making it an ideal late fall vegetable. Spoiled outer leaves can be pulled away after harvesting without

affecting the quality of the remaining cabbage.

• Peaches: People who can’t wait to whip up a peach cobbler may need to do so before fall even begins. According to Pic-kyourown.org, peaches can be ready for picking as early as July in the north-eastern United States, and the picking season gener-ally ends around mid-September. The season is even earlier in places like Georgia, a state known for its peaches where the picking season can begin in mid-May and extend through early August de-pending on the variety.

• Pumpkins: Thanks in part to Halloween de-cor and the popularity of pumpkin pie as a Thanks-giving dessert, pumpkins are synonymous with the fall harvest. And pump-kin picking season aligns perfectly with each of these holidays, typically beginning in early or mid-September and extending deep into October.

Fall is a great time of year to pick fresh fruits and vegetables at a local farm.

Fall harvest fruits and vegetables

While the picking

season may vary de-

pending on where you

live, and specifi cally the climate

in your region, the

following are some

fruits and vegetables that might be ripe for

the picking this fall.

by Susan HimesThe Texas A&M AgriLife

Extension Service announced registration is open for the 2021 Birding the Border event.

The event will take place April 29-May 2, starting with a kickoff social the evening of April 29 at Val Verde Winery.

Del Rio will host the event, which will feature birding trips to a mix of private, restricted-ac-cess and public lands in Kinney and Val Verde counties.

The cost of registration is $50 and includes seminars, which will be held April 30-May 1 at the Del Rio Civic Center and fea-ture AgriLife Extension experts. There are also spouse-of-birder passes available to allow partici-pants to bring a plus one to the seminars and social events. If you prefer to register by phone, call Teri Gaston at 830-278-9151 ext. 283.

During the registration pro-cess, participants may also choose from one of five differ-ent daily birding trips, including

a photography-focused course. Cost ranges from $100-$145, and day trips will be led by experts and professional guides. There is also a track offered for novice birders.

“We were disappointed when our 2020 event had to be can-

celed due to COVID-19,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Exten-sion agent for Vale Verde Coun-ty. “However, we will have had a year to prepare and adjust, and should social distancing and oth-er guidelines still be in place, we will be equipped to abide by all

rules and regulations while still being able to offer our partici-pants an amazing experience.”

What to expectThere will be a Birds, Bats and

Owls benefit dinner April 30 at Kickapoo Cavern State Park. On May 1, the Birding the Border dinner with feature professional photographer and birder Dorian Anderson. Other fun planned social events include Birds and Beer with Birding Lotería at Mesquite Creek Outfitters.

“Most of the properties that we would have visited in 2020 are signed up again to host us,” said Maureen Frank, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife spe-cialist, Uvalde. “Private lands are essential to wildlife conser-vation, especially in Texas, and it’s such a privilege to visit these places.”

Frank said just like in previous

years, this event will give par-ticipants the opportunity to see many different species.

“In addition to birding along the U.S./Mexico border, partici-pants will bird along the border of three different ecoregions,” Frank said. “Participants may choose from trips to a range of habitats including those in the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Plains and the Chihuahuan Des-ert.”

Grant said some of the spe-cies targeted will include golden-cheeked warblers; black-capped vireos; Morelet’s seedeaters; var-ied, indigo and painted buntings; and tropical parulas.

“Since the group size for each tour will be limited, we encour-age people to register as soon as possible to ensure they are able to get the trips they want,” Grant said.

frequencies and mowing recommendations; fer-tilization; and multiple sections on proper irri-gation.

The guide also cov-ers technical aspects of management like cer-tification and vertical mowing, and it offers tips for controlling dis-eases and insect pests like gray leaf spot and chinch bugs among a range of others.

Meanwhile, the as-sociated St. Augustine-

grass Home Lawn Maintenance Calendar provides an at-a-glance reference for what time of year to use the tech-niques from the guide.

“They’re just a couple of fantastic free resourc-es for any Texan who wants to get the most out of their St. Augus-tine lawn,” Bowling said.

Texans can visit Aggie Turf online for addition-al resources on manag-ing Texas turfgrasses.

Page 4 • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 • MySouTex.com

St. AuguStine, from P. 3

AgriLife Extension’s 2021 Birding the Border open for registrationFour-day birding event features photography-focused, beginner options

A Carolina chickadee spotted at an AgriLife Extension birding event. (Photo courtesy B. Calk)

Many people rely on the agriculture industry for their foods, but think little of the impact that agriculture has on the larger economy. However, data indi-cates that agriculture can serve a signifi-cant role in the pro-cess of solidifying the economy of a country, particularly developing nations. Agriculture also can contribute to the eco-nomic prosperity of advanced countries. IPP Media points out that the econom-ic history of many developed countries indicates that agri-

cultural prosperity contributed heavily to their economic ad-vancement. When the basic food supply is strong, the nation-al economy can be strong as well. Par-ticularly in the early days of the United States, farming held a crucial place in establishing the American economy and culture, and still shapes the country today. Many states find that farming and other agricultural pursuits contribute much to the local and national econ-omy. For example, new research from

the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extention show that agriculture is a powerful eco-nomic force in Wis-consin. Agricultural businesses help gen-erate more than $83 billion in activity and have created more than 400,000 jobs in that state. The public should not disregard how strong a factor agriculture can be in establishing a strong economic environ-ment. Safeguarding agricultural jobs and the agricultural in-dustry is crucial to economic stability.

Agriculture and the economy