Ag News and Views: November 1998
 November, 1998 Table of Contents News & Views Archive Issues |
Your Farm Economy by Steve Swigert
I realize that many of you will produce at a loss for 1998, but at what level and how that loss affects your balance sheet is a very important factor to the continued health of your operation. Forage
How Bad Is It? by Chuck Coffey
The dry summer and fall last year, combined with this year's drought has set the stage for an abundant "weed crop" in 1999 due to a lack of forage produced this fall. The $64 question is, "What should you do, if anything, about all these weeds?"
From the Director
Reflections on Troubled Times by Jim Schaffer
I've spent considerable time this summer visiting with cooperators. Partly it was to assess how they were doing; partly it was to determine how we were doing delivering our services and to see how we might improve. I couldn't have picked a more difficult time for those I visited.
Farming-out Pecans by Sean Maher
Usually pecans are either harvested "on the halves," splitting the crop equally between grower and harvester, or a price is paid per pound harvested. Another alternative is leasing the trees to another producer who will manage the trees totally, including fertilizing, spraying, pruning, harvest floor cleanup, harvesting and cleaning. Livestock
Opportunity from Adversity by Clay Wright
Hard times are a regular part of agriculture: drought, market lows, ever-increasing input costs, etc. Those who survive periods of extreme adversity adapt and emerge more knowledgeable, progressive, and committed.
Plant of the Month
Shumard Oak by Russell Stevens
Soils
Understanding and Preventing Aflatoxin Poisoning by Jeff Ball
Aflatoxins are poisonous by-products produced from the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. These fungi are found in the soil and are responsible for decomposition of plant materials.
Wildlife
Minimize Wildlife Consumption of Mycotoxins by Mike Porter
Mycotoxins, toxins produced by fungi, are known to negatively affect mammals, birds, and fish. Some of the grain produced this year might have higher levels of mycotoxins due to drought related stresses during seed production.