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Keeping Beef Herds Sustainable with rising input costs.

Beef Cattle – February 21

The Northwest Florida Beef Conference & Trade Show will be held on Thursday, February 21st at the Jackson County Agriculture Conference Center, located at 2741 Pennsylvania Avenue in Marianna, Florida. The program is scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM Central and will conclude with lunch, followed by an optional Cool Season Forage Tour at the North Florida Research and Education Center. There is a $5 per person registration fee for this event, payable at the door. Participants are asked to pre-register by calling 850-482-9620

The focus of the 2013 edition of the Beef Conference will be Keeping Beef Herds Sustainable. Topics to be presented include: cattle market & input cost outlook; feed, pasture,and reproduction management; and a rancher panel. There will also be a trade show with exhibits by industry representatives that provide products and services for beef cattle ranchers.

Download and print the flyer: 13 NW Beef Conference Flyer, or click on the flyer image below to view on your computer.

Digital Flyer for online viewing

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Josh Thompson is the new UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Service’s integrated pest management (IPM) agent. This discipline involves the identification, prevention and treatment of crop pests such as weeds, insects and diseases.

Thompson’s focus will be on peanut, cotton, corn and other row crops. He will also provide training and education for those desiring to obtain pesticide applicator licenses.

Thompson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Agronomy, focusing on peanut and cotton water use in reduced tillage systems.

During this time, he married Sara Gooding, a middle school history teacher in Gainesville, Florida. He and Sara now live in Marianna.

Thompson is a welcome addition to the team of agents serving Jackson County.  County Extension Director Doug Mayo said “We are excited to have Josh onboard.  Having an agent who focuses on our major crops will be a real asset to farmers in the region.”

Mayo serves the livestock and hay producers, and Rob Trawick horticultural crops.  In addition to agriculture, Ben Knowles leads the 4-H Program, and Mandy Griffin leads the family and consumer science program.

The Extension Service is a partnership between the University of Florida and the Board of County Commissioners.  All 67 Florida counties are served by the UF/IFAS Extension Service.

If you have questions about crop pest management or are in need of other crop production information, Thompson can be contacted at the Extension Office, 2741 Pennsylvania Ave, Marianna, or by phone at 850-482-9620, or on the web at http://jackson.ifas.ufl.edu.

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2013 Florida Bull Test Sale

January 19, 2013 at the NFREC Beef Unit in Marianna, FL

The 13th Florida Bull Test was conducted at the University of Florida North Florida Research and Education center in Marianna.  There were 93 consignments from 33 consignors from Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.  There were 38 Angus, 3 Braford, 2 Brahman, 1 Brangus, 2 Hereford, 28 SimAngus, and 11 Simmental consignments born between August and December of 2011. Bulls were delivered in late July and initiated their 112-day test on August 21, 2012.  The last day of test was December 12, 2012.  In addition, a hallmark of the FL Bull Test is that individual feed intake is assessed to establish feed efficiency.    At completion of the test the entire group of bulls averaged 3.63 pounds of gain per day, but ranged from 2.62 to 5.42 pounds per day.

Activities with the Bull Test conclude with a sale on Saturday, January 19, 2013. Only bulls meeting specific benchmarks are eligible for the sale.  In addition, bulls are inspected for structural soundness and disposition and must pass a breeding soundness exam to qualify for the sale.  Additional information, such as actual performance data, expected progeny differences (EPDs), and carcass ultrasound data are available for bull buyers to aid in the selection of excellent quality bulls to purchase.

For more information on the Florida Bull Test, including pictures of all bulls, visit the web page at http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/fl_bull_test, or telephone 850-394-9124. Catalogs for the sale are available by request, or you can download the catalog:  http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/fl_bull_test/SALE_2013.pdf 

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Data recorded at UF/IFAS FAWN weather station north of Marianna on the North Florida Research and Education Center.

The weather in 2012 was certainly more favorable for agriculture than the previous two years.  The rainfall total was just short of the 61″ mark, the highest total since 2008.  In addition to higher rainfall totals than the previous two years, 2012 was also a milder year.  There were only 16 days with low temperatures below freezing, compared to 21 days in 2011, and 51 days in 2010.  There were also only 29 days with high temperatures above 95 in 2012, as compared to 81 in 2011, and 83 in 2010.  The three year drought totals were reduced to some degree with almost 7″ more rain than the 60 year average.

Download the full daily weather report for the entire year:  2012 Jackson Co Weather Summary

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Jackson Blue Spring BMAP Basin (purple boundary)

Best Management Practices Update
Contributed by Rance Ellis, FDACS Office of Ag Water Policy

In December 2012, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) held a meeting at Chipola College in Marianna and presented their total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for nutrients in the Jackson Blue Spring Basin. In addition to the TMDLs, FDEP released a new map showing the boundaries of the basin that will be affected under the proposed Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). These boundaries were expanded to include areas on the southwest side, which were not in the earlier basin boundary (see basin map).

The TMDL report calls for a 90% reduction in nutrients for the basin, all of which is attributed to commercial fertilizer applied by agriculture.

That’s a high figure to reach, but the good news is that Florida law provides a presumption of compliance with state water quality standards to agricultural producers who enroll in and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) adopted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

In areas with adopted BMAPS, agricultural producers have the choice of enrolling in and implementing FDACS BMPs or conducting water quality monitoring to show they are not contributing to nutrient loads.   Monitoring is very costly, and is likely to show that the BMPs are needed after all.

Working with the agricultural industry, UF-IFAS, and others, FDACS has adopted BMP manuals for all major commodities in the state.  Each BMP manual covers key aspects of water quality and water conservation.  Typical practices include:

Nutrient Management to determine nutrient needs and sources, and manage nutrient applications (including manure) to minimize impacts to water resources.

Irrigation Management to address the method and scheduling of irrigation to reduce water and nutrient losses.

Sediment and Erosion Control to reduce or prevent the transport of nutrients and sediments from production areas to waterbodies.

Besides the presumption of compliance, other reasons to participate in FDACS BMPs are:

• BMP participants are eligible for cost share for certain BMPs. FDACS is providing funds to assist Jackson County producers to purchase precision application equipment, conduct grid-sampling, and implement other practices that will improve their efficiency while reducing nutrient inputs. The cost share is available on a first-come, first-served basis for those enrolled in FDACS BMPs.
• Some BMPs increase production efficiency and reduce costs, while protecting and conserving water resources.
• The Florida Right to Farm Act generally prohibits local governments from regulating an agricultural activity that is addressed through the implementation of FDACS-adopted BMPs.
• Producers who implement FDACS-adopted BMPs might satisfy some water management permitting requirements.
• BMP participation demonstrates agriculture’s commitment to water resource protection, and maintains support for this non-regulatory approach.

For more information on enrolling in BMPs and applying for cost share, contact:

Rance Ellis at (850) 394-9124 ext. 130 or Rance.Ellis@FreshFromFlorida.com

or visit www.FloridaAgWaterPolicy.com

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175 jars of peanut butter were collected by the Jackson County Extension Service to donate to the Chipola Ministry Center.

175 Jars of Peanut Butter Collected in Jackson County

Thanks to everyone who donated peanut butter to the food drive sponsored by the Extension Service that concluded with the Farm City Day Celebration.  Our 4-H Clubs, Master Gardeners and the folks who attended the Farm City Breakfast donated 175 jars of Peanut Butter.  All of the Peanut Butter collected in Jackson County went to the Chipola Ministry Center, and they were very appreciative of the donation. The Ministry Center provides food boxes to over 500 families in need once per month.

This was a project being carried out all across the Panhandle.  In total, County Extension Offices collected 2039 jars of peanut butter.  The Florida Peanut Producers joined the effort as well, donating a pallet, or 1400 jars of peanut butter.  All of the Peanut Butter was donated to local food pantries in each participating County.  When we all work together we can truly “Take a bite out of HUNGER!”

Extension Offices across the Panhandle collected Peanut Butter to donate to their local food pantries.

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Steve, Mike and John Jordan were honored as the 2012 Outstanding Jackson County Farm Family at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration

Outstanding Farm Family 

One of the greatest honors is to be selected by your peers as outstanding in your career.  Mike, Steve, and John Jordan were honored as the 2012 Outstanding Jackson County Farm Family at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration.  The Outstanding Farm Family is selected each year by Jackson County Farm Bureau. 

Jordans have been farming in Jackson County for four generations.  Pat and Veneeda Jordan raised three sons to know the honest, but hard work involved in farming life.  Once grown, all three sons left the farm to explore a career other than farming.  They wanted to enjoy nights and weekends, and a steady income, but over time realized how much the really missed the farm life.  One by one they came back to the farm, and now all three brothers carry on the family tradition.  Three brothers made the choice to work and farm together using the name 3J Farms.

The Jordans farm 3300 acres of land, of which 70% is leased from area farmers who retired, but have entrusted them with the use of their land. Like many of today’s modern farming operations, this family farms what 10 families farmed just one generation ago.  In years past the Jordans grew hogs, wheat, corn and cattle, but now have specialized in producing three crops well:  cotton, peanuts, and cucumbers for Vlasic Pickles.  They have developed a reputation for quality in all three crops.

When asked the key to their success the Jordans all agree that it is making the best crop they can from every field.  They consider irrigation one of their best investments.  They got their first irrigation well in 1991 and now operate over 40 center pivot irrigation units, which provide water to 80% of the crop acres they farm.  Now they are slowly working to make this more efficient as they gradually convert their irrigation pumps from diesel power to 3-phase-electric pumps.  While this requires quite an investment to get the electric lines run, they save 62% on their energy costs for irrigation.   They don’t consider themselves as “Innovators” trying every new idea immediately, but carefully consider how to tweak their operation with proven practices to boost yields without hurting efficiency.

The Jordans operate 3J Farms as a team.  All three brothers give great credit to their wives, who each have off farm work , which provided them the opportunity to invest and develop their farming operation.  Rene operates Rene’s Headquarters hair salons in Malone and Marianna.  Milo is a registered Nurse at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee, and Cindy works as a Soil Technician for the Natural Resource and Conservation Service.  All three brothers agree before a major financial decision is made.  Mike and Steve do all of the cotton planting and John is the chemical expert, handling the spraying and pest management. Everyone works together to manage the irrigation and harvest. Cindy, and Milo pitch in to help the brothers with the financial management of the business.  They have three full time employees now, allowing the Jordans to spend more time with their families.  They also employ four part-time employees that assist with harvest each year.

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Blane and Johnny Laramore were honored as the 2012 Cattlemen of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration

Cattlemen of the Year 

Johnny and Blane Laramore were honored as the 2012 Cattlemen of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration held on Friday, November 16.  The Cattlemen of the Year are selected by the Jackson County Cattlemen’s Association.

Blane and Johnny Laramore are the 3^rd generation of Laramores farming and ranching in Jackson County.  Their grandfather had a hog and row crop farm.  Gordon and Herman Laramore took over the operation of the farm and made the transition from a hog and crop farm to the Bar L Ranch, one of the largest commercial cow-calf operations in the region.

Gordon’s sons Blane and Johnny have invested their whole lives in the success of the Bar L Ranch.  They were driving tractors and helping with pasture planting at 10 years old.  As teenagers, Blane and Johhny worked hard, serving as the labor to develop the ranch.  They remember walking through plowed fields carrying roots to clear much of the land that is today wide open pastures.  For the past 30 years they have worked full-time handling much of the daily operation of the Ranch.

Today the Bar L has 1,000 head of momma cows on 2000 acres of pasture.  In the winter it takes 50 bales of hay per day to keep the herd fed.  Much of the growing season is spent managing and harvesting hay and round bale silage.  The brothers each have their areas of specialty.  Johnny is the mechanic, keeping all of the equipment running; and Blane is the vet, A.I. technician, and herd records man, tagging each calf shortly after birth, so that each animals performance can be tracked and evaluated.  Most of the work is shared with the entire family coming together to vaccinate, A.I. breed, and wean and ship calves.  The work is year round with miles of fence, large cowpens, and acres of pastures to be maintained.  With the help of two full-time employees, these two brothers count on each other so the daily work gets done.

Working together as a family has its challenges, but they put their differences aside and pull together to make the Ranch a success.  This is really the only life these two men have ever known, but they both say this is where they want to be.  The future may well include a 4^th generation of Laramores as Johnny’s son J.K. and Blane’s daughter Mikayla are also involved now at the Bar L.

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Clay Mixon was recognized as the 2012 Conservationist of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration

Conservationist of the Year 

Clay Mixon was recognized as the 2012 Conservationist of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration on Friday, November 16.  The Conservationist is selected by the Jackson District Natural Resource Conservation Service Staff.

Clay is a fifth generation farmer, who farms 1500 acres in Northwest Jackson County and 500 acres in the edge of Houston County, Alabama.  Clay was selected for this award because he has adopted numerous practices to protect the natural resources on the land he manages.  He utilizes high residue cover crops planted each year with a no-till drill, sprayed with a herbicide, and rolled with a crimper to improve organic matter, protect soil moisture, and prevent soil erosion prior to planting.  Clay relies on conservation tillage planting of his corn, peanuts & cotton crops to minimize wind erosion and reduce fuel costs.  He utilizes precision, GPS guided machinery to more accurately apply nutrients or pesticides and increase efficiency. Clay uses grid soil sampling and applies nutrients with variable rate application to only apply the nutrients needed for each field.  He has installed multiple terrace systems with waterways and underground outlets to minimize soil erosion.  Clay has protected his highly erodible land by planting long rotation pine trees.  He closely monitors his irrigation to insure correct timing and rate optimize efficiency.  Before bringing new land into production, Clay always checks with NRCS to ensure land is not considered highly erodible or has any wetlands.

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Guy Anglin was honored as the 2012 Tree Farmer of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration

Tree Farmer of the Year

Guy Anglin was honored as the 2012 Tree Farmer of the Year at the 39th annual Farm City Day Celebration, held Friday, November 16..  The Tree Farmer is selected by the Florida Forest Service’s County Forester, Barry Stafford. 

Guy Anglin spent much of his childhood on his grandfather’s farm near Pansey, Alabama in Houston County, but grew up in Polk County, in Central Florida. Guy graduated from the University of South Florida in 1966, and started graduate school at the University of Florida.  But instead, he answered the call to duty to war in Viet Nam, and joined the Marine Corp.  Guy was commissioned 2^nd Lieutenant, went to flight school at Pensacola and was designated Naval Aviator in May of 1969.  While serving in Viet Nam, he flew missions in a Sea Knight Helicopter, and then served a tour as Forward Air Controller.  After 5 years, he was released from active duty, but continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve until retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2003.

Following his military career, Guy moved to Monticello, Florida in 1973 after taking a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry, where he was in charge of an eight county district in the big bend area of Florida.  In 1989 Guy went to work for the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Wetlands Evaluation and Delineation Section.  In 1991, he accepted a position as Forest Ecologist with the USDA National Forest Service in Florida.  In that position, he became interested in fire ecology and a strong advocate of prescribed burning.

Guy purchased land in Jackson County, because it was practically back home, being next door to Houston Co.  He purchased 170 acres in 1999.  He and his wife Jan have continued to add to that by purchasing several other parcels, so they now own and manage approximately 725 acres of timber land.

Slowly Guy is converting much his land back to longleaf pine, which was historically the dominant pine species on the land he owns.  Guy implements a two year fire return interval, which controls hardwood competition and improves wildlife value.  His management is directed toward timber, but he is also interested in improving habitat for wildlife, including deer, turkey, bobwhite quail, fox squirrel, and gopher tortoise.  Guy says, “I mostly deer and turkey hunt now, but I grew up hunting quail and eating gopher tortoise and fox squirrel.  While I no longer eat fox squirrel and gophers, as a Southerner interested in our heritage, I do what I can to improve habitat and keep these animals around.”

Groundcover restoration is also an important part of his management, since groundcover is important to both wildlife and the ability of the land to carry fire.  Frequent prescribed burning is the primary management tool that Guy uses to restore groundcover, but has also done some supplemental planting of wiregrass as well.  He feels this is important, since wiregrass was once the dominant groundcover throughout most of this area, and because it is so important to carrying fire.