Monday, May 16, 2011

May 6, Pond Management Field Day



Dr. Billy Hibbinbotham, Texas AgriLife Extension Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist instructed a group of 40 pond enthusiasts on managing Farm Ponds.  Participants gathered from surrounding counties of Rockwall, Kaufman and Hunt counties.  Dr. Higginbotham  took plants brought by participants and identified them for everyone to see.  He then discussed methods of management with recommendations for eradication of the plant or simply management techniques.  He then discussed importance of fish management and the knowledge of what fish species are in individual ponds.  He explained that the knowledge of what you have will help with your management needs and strategies.  He also discussed predators and dispelled myths about turtles.  At the conclusion of the day, Dr. Higginbotham visited with specific pond owners who needed additional information.

Beef CheckOff Dollars and More

Who Pays the Beef Checkoff?

As a beef producer, whenever you sell cattle privately, both you and the buyer are responsible for seeing that the $1-per-head beef checkoff is paid. While the buyer is usually responsible for collecting and remitting the checkoff, both parties are responsible until one party sends in the checkoff on the transaction. Under the Beef Promotion and Research Act and the Beef Promotion and Research Order, a dollar is to be collected on every bovine animal sold. This includes bulls, cows, heifers, steers and calves, regardless of age, sex, breed or purpose of sale. It includes all beef and dairy cattle, period. The Beef Checkoff Program also is due on all sales where no auction market or other collection point is involved, such as a private sale from one individual or a neighbor, friend or other individual. Please use this form to report your private sales, or contact our compliance department with any questions.

Beefing Up Restaurant Menus

The checkoff continues to champion beef’s presence on the menu, including participation in the Restaurant Leadership Conference, which gathered more than 750 operators from major chains including Applebee’s, Marie Callender’s, Perkins, Famous Dave’s, and operators and CEOs from Darden and Yum! brands. Separately, at the FoodArts Flavor Summit, checkoff representatives shared beef information with top food and beverage directors, corporate and executive chefs and other experts in American foodservice at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Through product demonstrations and sampling, the checkoff showcased new menu ideas with beef and distributed the latest recipe brochures for more menu options, flavors and nutritional information about beef. For more about the foodservice marketing efforts, visit www.BeefFoodservice.com. And here’s good news for foodservice: The 2011 Foodservice Overview from Nation's Restaurant News points to positive industry growth in the year ahead and shares insights on consumer trends. Get the details.

Texas Cattle Rancher on YouTube

Texas cattle producer Donnell Brown talks about the importance of his beef checkoff in promoting and safeguarding the beef product he raises on his fifth-generation beef ranch. View Donnell’s video on the MyBeefCheckoff YouTube channel.