Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 13, 1977 Page: 6 of 8
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Pago <> Section 1, Th** Bastrop Advertiser, Thursday, October 13, 1977
Agriculture
Farm workers conference
% Swine production course announced
Energy shortage effects
create concern
The combination of in
creasing fuel prices and
sagging crop prices has
created concern about the
economic effects of energy
shortages on individual
farmers, rural communities,
specific regions, and the
State.
The influence of energy
availability and cost has
received increasing empha-
sis in t he Texas Agricultural
Experiment Station and
related agencies. Drs.
Wayne A. LePori, agricul-
tural engineer, and Ronald
D. Lacewell, agricultural
economist, are two of the
scientists working in this
area.
In 1974, an assessment
was made of energy con-
sumption, conservation, and
needs in Texas agriculture.
Pumping irrigation water
was found to consume more
energy than any other
individual practice on the
farm. From two to three
times more energy is used
STANLEY
STEEMER
CARPET
CLEANER
EST. 1947
$
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
WATER REMOVAL
321-5789
Special 10% Discount
To Bastrop County
Residents
Does not apply to
advertised specials
Scotchgard
for pumping irrigation water
than is used for tractor and
other machinery operations.
However, this energy
input is justified by the fact
that more than 60 per cent of
the value of agricultural
crops is produced on
irrigation land. Another
important factor in irrigation
pumping is that most of the
energy is obtained from
natural gas for which
demand and price are high.
"The large quantities of
energy used for irrigation
have prompted several stud-
ies directly concerned with
energy availability and
costs," Lacewell says. "A
1975 study showed that
limiting fuel supplies to
farmers would cause
changes in crop production
patterns.
"Natural gas curtailments
in the High Plains would
cause a reduction in irrigat-
ed acreage in proportion to
the percentage reduction in
amount of energy needed.
Producer net returns would
be lowered about one-half
the percentage of gas
curtailment. For example, a
10 per cent reduction in
energy availability will re-
sult in about a 10 per cent
reduction in irrigated acre-
age and a 5 per cent
reduction in net returns."
Breakeven natural gas
price relationships show that
rising fuel prices will tend to
reduce levels of irrigation,
reduce value of irrigatcJ
land, shift cropping patterns,
and shift location of produc-
tion.
Fuel can be the major cost
of owning and running^
pumping units. This places
new emphasis on selecting
equipment to achieve high,
pumping plant efficiency.
More investments can now
be justified for equipment to
obtain higher efficiency. It is
extremely important to
match pumps, engines, and
wells to achieve high
efficiency. This reduces cost
per acre foot of water
pumped.
Design tests by TAWS
engineer Bill Lyle at Lub-
bock, show that new
irrigation wells can be
engineered to achieve high
productivity. Careful atten-
tion given to the method of
drilling, logging, selecting
and installing screens, and
developing a well will result
in lower energy costs for
pumping water throughout
the life of the well. This
energy savings can easily
offset the extra expense.
Other research by Lyle is
underway on the High Plains
on "mobile trickle" irriga-
tion. This system uses a
moving water conveyance
unit similar to center-pivot
machines except it operates
at very low pressure. Small
dams are placed in the
furrow, and small distri-
bution lines coming from the
main water conveyance
system place precise
amounts of water in the
small "reserviors." This
system not only will save
significant amounts of
eners-v
"Entire new crop produc-
tion systems have been
developed which provide
energy reductions" LePori
says. "Cotton breeders have
Program on swine
production to be held
Dr. Bill Thomas, Swine
Specialist with the Texas
Agricultural Extension Ser-
vice. will present a program
on Swine Production Tues-
day evening, October 18 at
7:30 p.m. in the old District
Courtroom, Courthouse, in
Bastrop.
The program will be of
special interest to the small
swine producer and will
feature topics to include
facilities, crossbreeding,
boar selection, sow selection
and production problems in
the Central Texas Area.
The speaker will be on
hand to answer questions.
developed short-season
varieties which permit new
production techniques.
"Results of a system
developed for the South
Texas Region showed that
yield was increased 43
percent, and energy use per
pound of lint was reduced 56
percent. These systems are
being used; however, more
research is needed to
optimize all of the pest
management, irrigation, fer-
tilization, and cultural
practices to obtain maximum
output per unit of energy
used.
'The practice of analyzing
soil for traces of previous
fertilizer applications and
applying only needed ferti-
lizers makes maximum use
of the applied fertilizer."
Small-scale, low-technol-
ogy methods are being
developed for making
energy on the farm. Agricul-
tural residues, forestry
residues, and crops are all
potential sources of energy.
These renewable resources
offer opportunities for entire
new farming enterprise
centered on energy produc-
tion.
The potential energy from
residues is about the same as
on-farm fuel purchases.
Forestry residue also con-
tains a significant amount of
energy which could be used
to decrease dependence on
fossil fuels.
Several residue sources
have been identified as
unique with good possibilit-
ies for energy conversion.
An interdisciplinary re-
search group formed at
Texas A&M University is
studying alternative
methods for scales on-farm
energy production from
agricultural biomass
(residues).
Determining the best use
of agricultrual biomass will
help agriculture overcome
some of its present problems
of dependence on fossil fuels.
Even mesquite, which has
long been a nuisance to
ranchers, may be viewed as
an important energy re-
source in the future.
"If research and develop-
ment of new technologies of
energy production in agri
culture and other industries
are given top priority, and
conversion of energy in all
areas encouraged, agricul-
ture will be able to meet the
energy challenge," Lacewell
concludes.
~Next Monday Oct.17-
thru Thursday Oct. 20
c TEXAS T-BRAND
3 for 99*
Dairy
pueen
Texas best tastin' tacos,
made from our special
recipe with seasoned meat,
cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce in
crunchy golden taco shells.
Only at
participating
stores.
Pari-mutuel wagering referendum
may be on ballot in March
Tom Russell, Executive
Director of the Texas
Thoroughbred Breeders As-
sociation announced today
that all the varous horse
industries in the State of
Texas have banded together
to support the Texas Horse
Brigade's petitions for a
referendum on local option
pari-mutuel wagering.
Groups endorsing the Texas
Horse Brigade's efforts to
return pari-mutuel wagering
are the Texas Thoroughbred
Breeders Association, mem-
bers of the American
Quarter Horse Association,
the newly formed Texas
Quarter Horse Association,
the Appaloosa Horse Club,
Inc. the Arabian Association,
the American Paint Horse
Association and the Texas
Horseracing Association.
Russell said that of the
75,000 signatures required,
15,000 had already been
received. The successful
clumination of this effort will
result in a pari-mutuel
wagering referendum being
placed on the ballot in March
1978. After successful pass-
age of the referendum,
legislation will be introduced
in the next session of the
Legislature to legalize parti-
mutuel wagering in January
1979. Successful enactment
of this legislation will give
counties an opportunity to
decide whether or not they
want racing in Texas.
It is inevitable, Russell
said, that pari-mutuel wager-
ing will be legalized and in
operation in the fall of 1979.
Russell announced that
arrangements for booths at
the State Fair at Dallas, the
Fort Worth Fat Stock Show,
the Fort Bend County Fair,
Dallas Sports Show,
Houston Fat Stock Show and
Rodeo, Gulf Coast Arabian
Show and the Pin Oak
Charity Show. These booths
are under the direction of
the Texas Thoroughbred
Breeders Association which
is the sponsor of these
petitions.
Farmers and ranchers invited to
participate in cow-calf clinic
For a healthy, happy and
wise beef production pro-
gram, farmers and ranchers
are invited to participate in
the South Central Texas
Cow-Calf Clinic in Brenham
Agricultrual Workers
Conference to be held
"Energy for Agriculture"
will be the theme for the
annual conference of the
Professional Agricultural
Workers of Texas in
Houston October 25-26.
J.A. Marshall of Austin,
president of the statewide
association for people work-
ing in professional agricul-
ture, said the conference will
be at the Executive Red
Carpet Inn, 4020 Southwest
Freeway.
Registration is set for the
first morning, with a tour of
port facilities at the Houston
ship channel to follow at 1
p.m. and other tours
scheduled through the after-
noon.
Reagan V. Brown, Texas'
commissioner of agriculture,
is to address the dinner
meeting of the professional
group at 7 p.m. on the
opening day.
E.C. "Dick" Weekley,
general manager of the
Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo, will give welcoming
remarks at 9 a.m. October
26.
A talk on "Electricity in
Agriculture" will be pre-
sented by Aaron Autry,
president of Central Power
& Light Company, Corpus
Christi. Mrs. Sue Young,
housing and home furnish-
ings specialist with the
Texas Agricultural Exten-
sion Service, College Sta-
tion, will discuss "Conserva-
tion of Energy in the Home"
as another highlight of the
morning program.
A.S. McNeilly, manager,
Industrial and Business
Consumer Group, Exxon
Co., will speak on "National
Energy and Agriculture."
The business meeting of
the Professional Agricul-
tural Workers will follow at
10:50 a.m. with Marshall
presiding. Committee re-
ports will be presented and
new officers and several
directors will be elected.
November 4.
The clinic will be held at
the Brenham Livestock
Auction and will begin with
registration at 8 a.m.
Program topics are de-
signed to provide cattlemen
from throughout South
Central Texas with the type
of information needed to
meet the challenges of today
and tomorrow, points out
Bill Thane, Washington
County Extension agent.
The leadoff discussion will
deal with the use of grasses
and legumes in a year-round
grazing program, presented
by Dr. Monte Rouquette of
Overton and Dr. Gerald
Evers of Angleton, both with
the Texas Agricultural Ex-
periment Station.
Also on the morning
program will be a discussion
on herd health problems and
recommended practices by
Dr. Joe Bitter, veterinarian
at Edna.
A barbecue lunch will be
served at noon.
Of special interest to
producers will be a discus-
sion on the fast food industry
that will kick off the
afternoon program. The
continued rapid growth of
this industry will have a
profound effect on beef
production, notes Thane. To
discuss this issue will be
Richard Ligon, vice presi-
dent and general manager of
Cattle Development Corp.,
Gruver. Cattle Development
Corp, is a subsidiary of
Keystone Foods Corp. which
owns the McDonald's rest-
aurant chain.
Another major topic of
discussion will deal with
cattle breeding techniques
and fut ure trends and will be
presented by Dr. Ray
Woodard with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's
Agricultural Research Ser-
vice, Miles City, Mont.
Woodard has studied and
selected breeds of cattle
throughout the world.
Dr. O.D. Butler, head of
the Department of Animal
Science at Texas A&M
University, will serve as
master of ceremonies and
will also provide a wrap-up
discussion.
Quarter Horse Show
to be held
Franke - Sales & Service
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSTALLED
DRIVEWAY GRAVEL - FILL DIRT - LOAM
ALL SIZES WASHED GRAVEL
ALL GRADES WASHED SAND
BACK HOE SERVICE
M. J. FRANKE
Phone 321-5 381
Bastrop, Texaa
2-tf
The Victoria Quarter
Horse Association, Inc., is
holding its 10th Annual
Quarter Horse Show on
October 22nd and 23rd at the
Victoria Community Center
Indoor Arena. The A.Q.H.A.
show will begin at 9:00 am.
on Saturday, October 22nd.
This will be followed by a
South Texas Cutting Horse
Association Open Cutting.
The youth show will be held
Sunday, October 23rd begin-
ning at 9:00 a.m.
The show is free and the
public is invited. For further
information, write Laur^
Sanders, 101 Parsons Road,
Victoria, Texas 77901, Sec-
retary for the Victoria
Quarter Horse Association,
Inc. or call her at (512)
575-8367.
A
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Pannell, Leland R. Bastrop Advertiser (Bastrop, Tex.), No. 39, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 13, 1977, newspaper, October 13, 1977; Bastrop, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth602086/m1/6/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Bastrop Public Library.