Glimpses of “Mary Poppins” Cast at Dress Rehearsal…A Stage Full of Shining Stars
Shining Star Productions ‘Mary Poppins’ cast Kassidy Branch as the magical nanny, shown in this scene with her young charges, Mrs. Banks and a servant in the Banks home. The teen/adult cast will appear in three shows; Friday July 20 and Saturday July 21 at 7pm also Sunday July 22 at 2pm. The youth cast (not shown) will appear in two matinee performances on Friday and Saturday July 20 and 21. The play is staged in the SSISD Auditorium inside the Hopkins County Civic Center. Tickets are $12 person at the door.
Josh Thompson as “Bert the Chimneysweep” with the Banks children, played by Micah Ray Petty and Deya Williams
Brianna Isom and Kalon Branch as Winnifred and George Banks
The actors of all ages demonstrate amazingly professional talent in singing, dancing and acrobatics, including the chimneytop “Step in Time” tap routime
Supplemental Feeding During Drought By Mario Villarino
Supplemental Feeding During Drought
When forage quality and/or quantity is affected by drought, livestock producers are usually faced with decisions about supplemental feeding. First, they must determine whether they can afford to supplement, and if so, then decide what to supplement and how to manage feeding. If the drought continues or worsens, they will also need to decide when to stop supplementing and start selling livestock.
According to Carpenter and Hart, Extension Livestock Specialists, when deciding whether or not to feed during a drought, the first question a producer should ask is, “Can I afford to meet the animal’s nutrient requirements?” rather than, “How much can I afford to spend on feed?” (and hope that whatever is in it does the job). A good place to start is with a monitoring program for animal body condition. As always, this should be a routine part of management.
To further define what specific dietary nutrients may be lacking and in turn, what kind and how much of the supplement might remedy the problem, livestock managers can use additional tools such as forage testing and fecal analysis. Results of these tests can indicate the diet quality of free-ranging animals. The goal of a supplemental feeding program is to augment a forage-based diet.
Therefore, having a proper stocking rate is critical, because even in drought situations, the majority of dry matter consumed by livestock should come from pasture forage. This typically means adjusting stocking rate to a level appropriate for forage supply, and then supplementing protein to improve diet quality and forage consumption. In planning, remember that an average 1,000-pound cow will consume 20 to 30 pounds of dry forage per day or 2 to 3 percent of her body weight. Either hay or high energy supplements may be used to extend or partially replace existing forage supplies. Note, however, that this comes at higher cost, and when more than 3 pounds of high energy supplements are used, it results in lower efficiency of feed conversion.
Therefore, this technique is probably best reserved for specific, short-term situations. Supplementing large amounts of energy in any form for long periods is usually uneconomical. Remember also that if high-energy grain supplements are chosen to compensate for short grass (probably being fed at more than 2 to 3 pounds per day), feeding frequency may affect animal performance. Feed grain supplements daily (as opposed to skipping days and increasing amounts). This will help keep acidosis problems in check and minimize the inhibitory effects of grain on digestibility of pasture forage.
As an alternative, supplements that are high in digestible fiber, such as wheat mids, soybean hulls, peanut skins, etc., can also be used to extend forage supplies. These supplements provide energy, but because they are lower in starch, they lessen undesirable effects on the digestibility of pasture forage.
What to supplement: When evaluating supplements, remember that there are no “magic bullets.” Animals will perform as long as the supplement compensates for the nutrients that are lacking in the diet. A dry cow or ewe requires a minimum of 7 percent crude protein in her diet just to keep the digestive system microbes healthy and working on forage digestion. Therefore, the first limiting nutrient in dormant or drought-stressed forage is usually protein.
When evaluating supplements, the most important factors to consider are nutrient content and price per pound of nutrient(s) in the supplement. To choose the right one for your herd, you need to not only calculate the cost per pound of supplement, but also consider the supply and quality of available forage.
For example: You are comparing two types of cubes to add crude protein to the livestock diet. One cube contains 38 percent crude protein, the other 20 percent. Which is the better buy?.
First, calculate the cost per pound of crude protein. The 38-percent cube provides 760 pounds of crude protein per ton of bulk feed; at $280 per ton, it costs $0.37 to provide a pound of protein. The 20 percent cube provides 400 pounds of actual protein per ton of bulk feed; at $210 per ton, it costs $0.53 to provide a pound of crude protein. If protein were the only concern, then the 38 percent cube would be the better buy. However, if grass is not only dormant but also in short supply, then the 20 percent cube, fed at twice the rate, would probably be a more complete feed because it would provide some extra energy as well. Note however, that this would add 30 percent to the overall cost of the supplemental feeding program.
The form of supplement—be it block, tub, cube, meal, etc.—is unimportant as long as the animal consumes enough of it to compensate for nutrients lacking in the pasture diet. If animal supplemental requirements are particularly high, some types of self-fed supplements may limit intake to a level below what is needed.
Molasses is another energy supplement that is often used to stretch forage supplies. It is convenient because it can be self-fed, and in most cases it also contains some type of protein additive. Be cautious: Some pre-formulated molasses supple- ments may use high levels of nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), such as urea, as their primary “protein” source. High NPN supplements are not drought supplements. If and when they are used, it should be in situations such as this: forage is abundant, but dormant; dietary protein requirements are low (dry mature females); and protein deficiency is only minor.
Feed management tips: Sort and feed livestock by age, body condition and production status (growing vs. mature, lactating vs. nonlactating, etc.). If reductions in stocking rates are needed, begin by culling the open cows. If numbers need to be reduced further, follow by culling lactating females in poor body condition (they probably won’t re-breed anyway).
Other feed management tips include:
- Buy and store feed in bulk. You can sometimes trim a few dollars by forward contracting.
- Feed protein supplements less often. Supplements high in natural protein may be fed as infrequently as twice or even once per week. Conversely, feed high-energy supplements daily to avoid chances of acidosis.
- Use a good 1:1 calcium-to-phosphorus mineral.
- Inject vitamin A or provide it in frequently fed supplements if it has been more than 3 to 4 months since the diet has included any green forage.
In many situations, supplementation strategies are just a best guess, unless something is known about diet quality in relation to animal requirements. A lot of that guesswork can be removed by using some of the previously discussed technologies that predict pasture diet quality. Knowing diet quality can help you evaluate supplements for their biological benefits to the animal. Livestock and feed prices will tell you if that answer is economically feasible or not. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
So Many Choices: Events and More By Johanna Hicks
So Many Choices!
We make decisions every day – what to wear, what to eat, how to spend our day, whether or not to answer the phone, what to watch on TV, whom to text or call, and even things we don’t think about, like where to sit, what to read (whether in the newspaper, on your phone, on your computer, on your smart watch, etc.) We literally make hundreds of choices, if not thousands, every day.
At the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, we offer so many opportunities to our community, and we want you to make the decision to take advantage of them! Below are several upcoming opportunities, and many of them are absolutely free! Call us if you would like to take part of any of these:
- Thursday, August 2: Joint Extension Leadership Workshop and County 4-H Council meeting, 6:00 p.m., Extension Office – 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. Our theme is “Who’s in Your Bob Sled?” Our Leadership Advisory Board, Program Area Committees, Master Wellness Volunteers, Master Gardeners, 4-H leaders and Club Managers, and County 4-H Council members will meet to talk about program successes, ideas and plans for new programs, volunteer opportunities, and involving new audiences. We’ll even through in a free meal and a little fun! Our County 4-H Council kids will discuss the 4-H Achievement, 4-H enrollment for the 2018/2019 4-H year, club meetings, and One Day 4-H ideas. If you would like to serve on one of our Extension Committees, give us a call! We’d love to meet you!
- Tuesday, August 7: Judges’ Training for Fairs, Festivals, and Events will take place at the ROC, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This session will cover judging woodworking, food preservation, baked goods, and art. Lunch and cooking demonstrations will also be provided. Cost is $25. Pre-registration is required. Contact our Extension Office for registration information – 903-885-3443. Individuals who take this training will be added to the list of qualified judges for distribution to County Extension Offices, so you might be called upon to help serve as a judge in other counties. Our current trained judges indicate that they really enjoy judging and seeing the variety of entries! We are partnering with Rains, Wood, and Hunt Counties to bring this training to Sulphur Springs, so please take advantage of it. Don’t delay, though, because we must have an accurate head count for lunch!
- Friday, August 10: County-wide Back-to-School Fair, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Hopkins County Civic Center. Visit exhibitors from all across the area! Games, food, prizes, and great information will be provided, as well as immunizations, haircuts, and dental checks. Pre-qualified students will also receive school supplies (must apply through CAN Help). Be sure to visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension exhibit and the Hopkins County 4-H booth!
- Saturday, August 18: Our 4-H members who are interested in the Foods & Nutrition Project will meet at 10:00 a.m. at League Street Church of Christ to prepare desserts for the Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet. Ingredients and recipes will be provided, and any 4-H member is welcome to come assist!
- Saturday, August 18: Annual 4-H Achievement Banquet, 6:00 p.m., League Street Church of Christ. This is a ticketed event and tickets must be picked up at the Extension Office by August 14. Tickets are $2.00 to help defray the cost of the banquet. 4-H members and leaders will be recognized for their accomplishments during the 2017/2018 4-H year, and a great speaker is lined up! Call 903-885-3443 for more information.
- Friday, August 24: The Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers, Family & Community Health Committee, and the Special Events Committee will meet at 12:00 noon for a planning meeting to discuss upcoming events, including the Hopkins County Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest, Cooking Well with Diabetes Series, annual Christmas Joys holiday program, and other events. Lunch will be provided.
- Saturday, August 25: Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop – 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Extension Office. This free workshop will include marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals and dreams. Engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. The workshop is free of charge, but couples must pre-register by calling 903-885-3443. Lunch will be provided.
- Tuesday, August 27: Second session of Volunteer Training for Fairs, Festivals, and Events, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the ROC. This session will cover judging horticulture, quilts, fiber arts, home accessories, and photography. Cost is $25, lunch included. Must pre-register!!
- Saturday, September 8: 4-H Foods Fun Day, 1:00 p.m., Extension Office. This will be a hands-on workshop for 4-H members interested in the Foods & Nutrition project. Great gift-giving ideas included!!
- Mondays and Thursdays, September 10, 13, 17, and 20: Cooking Well with Diabetes series, 1:30 p.m., repeated at 6:00 p.m. (pick the time that works best for you!) Cost: $25. Topics include carbohydrate foods, Double-please side dishes (decreasing sodium, increasing fiber), Making Foods with Fat Better for you, and Celebrating Sensibly with Diabetes. Please call to sign up. Registration form will be mailed to you.
That’s probably enough opportunities for now! As you can see, your Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office always has something going on – something for everyone!
Closing Thought
Self-trust is the first secret of success – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
NETBIO Awards College Scholarships
Buyers, sellers and visitors attending the July 18 Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) cattle sale at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction had the opportunity to witness the presentation of four $1,000 college scholarships awarded to students majoring in agriculture.
NETBIO SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS These young college students, all majoring in agriculture science or economics, received the four Jim Jacobs college scholarships presented each year by the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization. The $1,000 scholarships went to (from left) Kelley Smith of Wylie, A&M-Commerce sophomore; Hannah Wilson of Bagwell, A&M University College of Medicine; Brendan Andrews of Como, Blinn College sophomore; and Carson Hicks of Sulphur Springs, A&M-Commerce sophomore.
The scholarships are given in the name of Jim Jacobs who was one of the organizers of NETBIO and served as director until his death. NETBIO was organized in 1998 to promote pre-conditioned stocker and feeder calf production and to hold sales offering producers the opportunity to sell their cattle in truckload lots. The sales are held seven times a year.
NETBIO CEO Dwyatt Bell presented the scholarships and introduced the recipients to the livestock sale audience.
Receiving the four scholarships were Hannah Wilson of Bagwell, a student Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Brynden Andrews of Como, a sophomore animal science major at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Also, Carson Hicks of Sulphur Springs who is a student at Texas A&M University-Commerce seeking a master’s degree in agricultural science. Hicks has been a customer of the NETBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling sale for several years. The final recipient of the Jim Jacobs Scholarship is Kelley Smith of Wylie, a sophomore at A&M University-Commerce where she is majoring in Agribusiness.
NETBIO awards these scholarships each year to young students from the Northeast Texas area that are interested in completing their degrees and returning to the area to practice their agriculture-related trades.
“We are proud of our young people and glad that through these scholarships, NETBIO can help them attain their dream,” said Bell.
Over 6,000 Head of Cattle Sold at July NETBIO Sale
Despite the extremely hot weather, the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s (NETBIO) pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale set a new record for the July sale.
Consigners shipped 6,356 head of cattle to the sale. A total of 31 buyers purchased the cattle — some of them on the Internet.
QUALITY CATTLE These are some of the quality pre-conditioned cattle that sold at the NETBIO sale held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction.
“The sale was very good, especially considering the 100-degree-plus temperature,” said Sulphur Springs Livestock co-owner and NETBIO board member David Fowler. “The cattle held up very good under all the heat. The workers here at the sale barn did a great job of taking care of the livestock.”
These pre-conditioned cattle offered by the 283 NETBIO-member sellers sold well, averaging over $879 per head.
“I think the shippers were pleased with the results of the sale, said Fowler. He added that a large number of the cattle were purchased to go to feed yards in Texas and adjoining states.
“The producers who sell cattle at the NETBIO sale do a great job of pre-conditioning their calves and yearlings and getting them ready for the sale,” Fowler said. “That is why buyers want these cattle and come back for nearly every sale.”
Three more NEBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling Sales are scheduled this year. The next sale will be held on Wednesday, September 19. Weaning deadline for calves entering the sale is August 5. The last date for booster shots is August 20.
Another sale will be held on October 17, with weaning deadline on Sept. 2 and booster shot deadline Sept. 17
The final sale of the year is the anniversary sale, slated for November 14. Producers need to wean those calves by Sept. 30 and give the final booster shot by Oct. 15.
That sale includes a BBQ lunch with all the trimmings . All the sales are held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission and begin at 1 p.m.
Catch These Local Rising Country Stars at “The Road Ahead” Concert July 28
Hanah Moore and Hailee Nixon are sisters, raised since babyhood by their Winnsboro grandparents Joyce and the late Kenneth Nixon. Now, eighteen years and thousands of miles later, the duo is about to launch a country music career on the always uncertain road ahead. Here is the story of Hanah and Hailee.
Very early in life, relates Joyce, natural talents came to the surface in the toddlers, especially in singing and dancing. The sisters loved to perform and they sang at church and at Winnsboro events as “Two Hearts Plus” sometimes with younger brother Christopher. By middle school age, they were coming into their own tastes in country music, expressing themselves through writing songs. This led them to learn to play guitar so they could be more mobile and self-sufficient. From the first, Hanah played acoustic rhythm and Hailee picked up the bass, and with Grandpa Bill on the drums, they formed a family band which they named “Scatterproof”. Additionally, both girls have been standouts in school band as horn players. Now as Hanah starts college at Ouachita Baptist University in Fall 2018 and Hailee enters her Junior year at Winnsboro High School, they are determined to remain scatterproof despite the 3-hour distance between them. Bookings for the duo already include numerous weekend events through the Fall and Winter of 2018/2019. Also, their first studio-recorded sampling of original songs is about to be released. That release date coincides with their first major concert and showcase, “The Road Ahead” at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium at 6:30 pm on Saturday July 28. Tickets are $12, available through the GMA and at the door. For the 4-hour talent extravaganza, Hanah and Hailee have invited Josh Davis, Fiddlin Jack Phillips, Josh Knight and Eric Vasquez, all from NE Texas and Landry and Company from the Shreveport area.
Hanah, Hailee and Nana Joyce Nixon
This Fall, Hanah and Hailee are nominated again in Vocalist and Duo categories at The Josie Music Awards at Dollywood and in the Rising Star and Duo categories at the Texas Country Music Awards to be held in Ft Worth. Back in June, they got to sing at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville during the CMA week and won second place at a “Jim Reeves” songwriting contest in Texas. On August 11, they will compete in not one but two singing contests in one day, in Carthage and in Palestine, Texas. And with over 50 playing gigs across NE Texas during 2017, their Nana has logged hundreds if not thousands of miles as chauffeur, manager, booking agent, publisher, wardrober and roadie for a family ready for the “road ahead’.
Special Crimes Unit Purchase of Meth Leads to Arrest
Jordan Lee Chaney
Wednesday afternoon Jordan Lee Chaney, 22, was arrested at his residence on Fisher Street on a warrant for Manufacture Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, a State Jail Felony.
During an investigation by Special Crimes Unit, Chaney had sold less than 1-gram of methamphetamine on July 2nd of this year.
Chaney is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $25,000 bond.
Local Man Arrested for Selling Meth
Steve Sterling Fouse
Special Crimes Unit began an investigation into the possession and sale of Methamphetamine by Steve Sterling Fouse, 48, of Sulphur Springs. During the investigation, SCU purchased less than 1-gram of meth from Fouse in a drug free zone.
Wednesday afternoon at Kandie Ln and North Locust Street, Fouse was arrested by SCU when they observed him exiting a pickup at the location.
Fouse is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Manufacture Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone, a Felony 3. He is held on a $25,000 bond.
California Woman Arrested for Controlled Substances, Counterfeit Bill
PABLO,MARNELYN, Alias: JAZMINE, JAZMINE LYN
The only passenger in the backseat of a 2017 Honda Accord stopped for a traffic violation by a Hopkins County deputy was 37-year old Marnelyn “Jazmin” Pablo of Stockton California. She was not wearing her seat-belt.
A probable cause search revealed the former Special Education Teacher Assistant; Founder, President and CEO of M & J Helping Hands, Inc, an organization to empower women; Creative Consultant at The Skor, LLC; and Distributor at Direct Cellars had in her possession a clear crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine, THC Wax, a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, and, following arrest and transport to Hopkins County Jail, was found to have a counterfeit $20 bill.
Pablo is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams (meth), a Felony 3; Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram, (wax) a State Jail Felony, and Forgery Financial Instrument Money, a Felony 3. She is being held on a total of $40,000 in bonds.
