County Extension Agent
May 8, 2015 - It seems that every rural or “nearly-rural” landowner wants their own farm pond for the kids to fish in, livestock to drink from, and just its natural beauty. Ponds certainly add beauty, function, and value to one’s property.
Keeping ponds healthy and useful is possible through following a good management program. Good management includes controlling weeds, harvesting fish in appropriate numbers and sizes, and keeping ponds stocked at recommended rates.
If fishing is your main concern, stock only with fish from reliable fish hatcheries. This can greatly reduce some of the common problems that can occur naturally. Contact your favorite, local feed store and ask about the schedule and pricing for the fish hatchery that delivers at their store.
Fishing experiences can be enhanced by creating fish attractors, such as shelter, in strategic locations in ponds. The easiest option is to sink a fallen tree. Shelters provide spawning areas and harbor invertebrates and insects that small fish feed on. They also serve as areas where prey fish can hide from predators.
Estimating the number of fish in your pond is a difficult proposition. Unlike counting livestock in the pasture, you can’t see the fish. But a great way to estimate population density is to study the condition of fish caught. Thin, diseased fish or lots of small fish that never reach a desired size are good indicators of overpopulation.
What can you do to remedy an overpopulated pond is simply to go fishing more and, once caught, don’t throw them all back! IF you have seriously over populated pond, your best option may be to harvest so many fish that a fish-fry for your family and neighbors is possible.
Water clarity is very important with many pond owners more so to landowners than the fish are concerned. Having a clear pond may be more visually appearing to the landowner, but fish, especially catfish, can get around just fine in muddy conditions.
To clear up muddy pond water, the simple solution is to add gypsum. The easiest was to do this is to buy 100 to 200 pounds at a time and add to the pond every week. Continue to do so until the water reaches a clear state.
Keep in mind that when you increase water clarity in your pond, you will have more vegetation in the pond as more sunlight reaches the bottom, encouraging the seeds aquatic vegetation to sprout. Weeds are not your enemy. Some aquatic vegetation is beneficial and enhances the pond’s ecosystem. Too much vegetation can be unsightly and cause stress on the fish population. To control aquatic weeds it’s very important to properly identify the weed so you can select the proper control method.
Lastly, test your pH and total alkalinity every few years. Our office offers this service free of charge. East Texas farm ponds can develop acidic water. While correctable with the addition of ag lime, it is imperative that only ag lime be added so that the water can change slowly over time.
Never use hydrated lime, pickling lime, pelletized lime and other quick liming agents will kill fish as they rapidly change water conditions. One way to make sure is to buy it in bulk and stay away from the bagged lime for use in your pond.
Lane Dunn is the County Extension Agent for agriculture and natural resources for Shelby County. His email address is jldunn@ag.tamu.edu.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
May 5, 2015 (Album) - The 2015 Shelby County Agriculture Education Day was held on Friday, May 1st at the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Arena. Schools from across the county were invited to attend this event to learn about agriculture, food and nutrition, passenger safety, sport fishing, and beekeeping, just to name a few. Agriculture Education Day is offered free to the public thanks to the following gracious donors: Shelby Savings Bank, Farmers State Bank, Sabine State Bank, SGM Trucking, Boles Feed, Texas Bank & Trust, J.C. McSwain Logging, Woodman of the World, Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct #1, Center Livestock Auction, R & D Distributing, Boo and Nat Klein, Tomlin Insurance Agency, and Shelby County Farm Bureau.
We would also like to thank the following volunteers for donating their time and/or equipment and efforts to make such an event successful: Texas Parks & Wildlife, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Texas Extension Education Association, Sheriff Willis Blackwell, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Forest Service, Center Fire Department, Shelby County Farm Bureau, Fish & Still Equipment, Joe Anderson, Norman Hurt, Boo Klein, Venorah McSwain, Ceclia Boles, Anna Lee, Shelby County Leadership Advisory Board member Terry Allen, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents Joel Redus, Lee Dudley, Liz Espie and Cathy Pearson, 4-H’ers Emily Damian, Jaxon Brittain, Wesley Wages and Hunter McSwain, Shelbyville JCC members, and Matthew Gregston.
A special thank you to the school districts and teachers across Shelby County for participating in this event. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for Shelby County youth to understand agriculture and how it affects our everyday lives. We had over 1,000 youth and adults to attend this year. Again, we would like to say, “Thank you very much for your continued support of Shelby County youth.”
April 30, 2015 - The District Five 4-H Round-up and Clothing and Textiles contest was held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. We had a record number of 4-H’ers enter in the virtual fishing tournament, photography, fashion storyboard, and duct tape designs contests.
A special thank you to all our 4-H parent volunteers for making this an exceptional experience for the youth of Shelby County. A special thank you to Ms. Charity Arwine for leading the photography project and to Ms. Alison Scull for leading the fashion project.
Clothing and Textiles Results
Fashion Storyboard: 1st place Junior Division, Wearable - Emilee Elliott; 1st place Junior Division, Jewelry - Sarah Scull; and 1st place Intermediate Division, Accessory - Caroline Scull
Duct Tape Designs: 3rd place in non-clothing category - Kayleigh Scroggins
Virtual Fishing Tournament Results
Five individual fishing events were conducted during 2014-2015 with 4-H’ers placing as follows:
Event 1 - Seth Shamblin (2nd place), Jaxson Brittian (4th place), Trey Smith (5th place)
Event 2 - Collin Llyod (1st place), Jaxson Brittian (2nd place), Seth Shamblin (5th place)
Event 3 - Trey Smith (2nd place), Collin Llyod (5th place)
Event 4 - Jaxson Brittian (1st place), Collin Llyod (2nd place), Lance Holloway (4th place)
Event 5 - Jaxson Brittian (1st place), Collin Llyod (2nd place)
Overall Tournament Results
1st – Jaxon Brittain - Angler of the Tournament
2nd – Collin Lloyd
4th – Trey Smith
Big Bass – Jaxon Brittain
Photography Results
District Office Favorites
Lieza Klein – Animals – Domestic
Seth Shamblin – Nature and Landscape
Victoria Baker – Plant/Flora
Senior Division
5th in Animals - Wildlife – Victoria Baker
2nd in Catch All – Victoria Baker
5th in Nature and Landscape – Brynna Birdwell
3rd in Night Photography – Victoria Baker
1st in Theme – Victoria Baker
Intermediate Division
3rd in Animals–Domestic – Trey Smith
2nd in Digital Darkroom – Trey Smith
5th in Dominant Color – Trey Smith
1st in Elements of Design – Trey Smith
4th in Marine/Aquatics – Trey Smith
1st in People – Trey Smith
2nd in Storyboard – Trey Smith
5th in Theme – Trey Smith
Junior Division
2nd in Animals – Domestic – Lieza Klein
4th in Animals – Wildlife – Michele Gomez
2nd in Catch All – Liela Klein
3rd in Catch All – Lieza Klein
4th in Details and Macro – Michele Gomez
1st in Nature and Landscape – Seth Shamblin
2nd in People – Liela Klein
2nd in Theme – Lieza Klein
4th in Theme – Michele Gomez
If you would like information on this program or participating in other Shelby County 4-H projects, please contact county extension agents Jheri-Lynn McSwain, M.Ed., M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences at Jheri-Lynn.Smith@ag.tamu.edu or Lane Dunn, M.S., Agriculture and Natural Resources at jldunn@ag.tamu.edu or by phone at 936-598-7744.
April 28, 2015 - Brothers Robert and David Griffin of R. and D. Farms have been selected as the Farm Family of the Year for 2015.
Robert and David have a lot of accumulated agricultural knowledge and experience. Cattle and chickens are a way of life for their family and have been for many years. They grew up in 4H and FFA participating in many projects. They started their partnership when Robert was a senior and David was a freshman in high school. They went to Production Credit Association before school to sign their first note to purchase cows.
With Shelby County’s ag income at about $350 Million last year, Shelby County consistently ranks near the top of all Texas counties. Chicken, Cattle, and Timber: a great business to be in Shelby County and R. and D. Farms is a perfect example of how to do it right.
Robert and David have an extensive cattle and poultry operation. Owners of 19 chicken houses and are contract growers for Tyson foods where selected as winners of the Mooseberg award in 2011 top poultry grower. In 1994 the brothers became part owners of the Center Livestock Auction Barn.
Besides being profitable farmers – these men have a strong commitment to passing this tradition on to the next generation. That means helping Robert’s son, Blake get started and it also means being involved in 4H, FFA, and all the committees and organizations that support agriculture. They don’t hesitate to give back to the community when they see an opportunity.
Robert is on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of the Shelby County AgriLife Extension Leadership Advisory Board. Often they work behind the scenes. But, if agriculture is involved so are Robert and David Griffin.
Tonight we give these men the credit and the recognition they deserve. We also salute them for being good stewards of the land that they plan to pass along to future Griffin family members. We also acknowledge their strong family roots. Shelby County agriculture is safe in their hands.
Robert and David Griffin of R. and D. Farms. Shelby County’s Farm Family of the Year for 2015.
April 27, 2015 - The Cherokee County Whizbang was held at Rose City Flying Clays in Tyler on Saturday, April 25. It was a beautiful day for shooting clays. Shelby County 4h shooters had thirteen kids participate in the shoot. They were Wade Baty, Konner Windham, Nic Lambert, Logan Holloway, Lance Holloway, Jacob Cox, Colton Gutermuth, Mathew Borders, Seth Shamblin, Cole McDaniel, Tucker Scarber, Hagan Craig, and Kutter Milford.
Novice I
Skeet - Hagan Craig (1st place)
Trap - Hagan Craig (1st place)
Sporting Clays - Hagan Craig (1st place)
Novice II
Skeet - Kutter Milford (2nd place)
Trap - Kutter Milford (3rd place)
Sporting Clays - Kutter Milford (1st place)
Junior
Skeet - Seth Shamblin (1st place)
Trap - Seth Shamblin (1st place), Cole McDaniel (4th place)
Whizbang - Seth Shamblin (1st place), Cole McDaniel (5th place)
Sporting Clays - Seth Shamblin (1st place)
Junior HOA (High Over All) - Seth Shamblin
Intermediate
Skeet - Logan Holloway (1st place), Lance Holloway (3rd place), Colton Gutermuth 4th
Trap - Logan Holloway (2nd place), Lance Holloway (4th place)
Whizbang - Logan Holloway (2nd place)
Sporting Clays - Logan Holloway (1st place), Lance Holloway (3rd place)
Intermediate HOA (High Over All) - Logan Holloway
Senior I
Skeet - Konner Windham (5th place)
Trap - Nic Lambert (2nd place), Konner Windham (4th place)
Whizbang - Nic Lambert (3rd place)
Sporting Clays - Konner Windham (5th place)
Senior II
Trap - Wade Baty (4th place)
Team Event - John Holloway & Logan Holloway (2nd place)
We would like to say Congratulations to these individuals on a job well done.
When you see these kids, please congratulate them on a job well done representing Shelby County. If you are interested in 4-H, or know of anyone that is, please call us. We can be reached at 936-598-7744.
April 23, 2015 - The Madison County 4H Whiz-bang was held in Madisonville, Texas April 18th and 19th. Shelby County 4H shooters had six kids participating on Saturday. They were Jacob Cox, Colton Gutermuth, Lance Holloway, Logan Holloway, Cole McDaniel and Seth Shamblin.
Jr. Division
Trap - Seth Shamblin (1st place), Cole McDaniel (4th place)
Skeet - Seth Shamblin (1st place)
Whiz-bang - Seth Shamblin (4th place)
Junior HOA - Seth Shamblin
Intermediate Division
Whiz-bang - Logan Holloway (4th place)
On Sunday, three Shelby County 4H Shooters competed. They were Hugo Carrasco, Nic Lambert and Konner Windham.
Senior I Ladies - Konner Windham - (1st place) Skeet, (2nd place) Trap and (3rd place) Whiz-bang
April 23, 2015 - Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District Natural Resources/Agriculture Scholarship Award
This year the Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District will be awarding two $500 scholarships. The 2015 Shelby SWCD Scholarship is open to college students who are working toward a degree in the natural resources or agricultural field. We will be looking at individuals who meet the following qualifications:
1) Must have graduated from a high school or home school program in Shelby County, TX.
2) Must be a college junior or senior (successfully completed 2 years college).
3) Must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 hours per semester).
Applicants must submit their high school and college transcripts, a completed SWCD scholarship application and a letter of recommendation. Selection will be based on academic merit and recommendations of the school and others concerning the applicant’s initiative and character, leadership, citizenship and need. Applicants may be called for a personal interview. To obtain a copy of the application, E-mail the SWCD office in Center: shelby@swcd.texas.gov. Copies may also be picked up at their office located in the USDA Office, 158 Cass Caid, Center, Texas. Telephone: (936) 598-5557, Ext. 3.
Programs and services of the Shelby SWCD are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard for race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status or disability. All applications must be received by July 1, 2015.
April 21, 2015 - Blue Bell Ice Cream of Brenham, Texas, is voluntarily recalling all of its products currently on the market made at all of its facilities including ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
“We’re committed to doing the 100 percent right thing, and the best way to do that is to take all of our products off the market until we can be confident that they are all safe,” said Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president. “We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers. Our entire history has been about making the very best and highest quality ice cream and we intend to fix this problem. We want enjoying our ice cream to be a source of joy and pleasure, never a cause for concern, so we are committed to getting this right.”
The products being recalled are distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts, convenience stores and supermarkets in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wyoming and international locations.
April 17, 2015 - While distractions affect drivers of all ages, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that hand-held cell phone use is highest among 16- to 24-year-olds. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. In Texas, 46 percent of urban teens and 52 percent of rural teens talk on a cell phone while driving, and nearly the same percentage text while driving. (Texas A&M Transportation Institute). A recent study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that distracted driving among teens was a factor in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. This is much higher than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s previous estimate that distraction is involved in 14% of teen crashes.
Video recorders in the teen’s vehicles allowed researchers to analyze nearly 1,700 videos and the six seconds leading up to a crash. The videos showed that distraction was a factor in 58 percent of all crashes studied, including 89 percent of road-departure crashes and 76 percent of rear-end crashes. The leading distraction for the teens was interacting with other passengers in the vehicle while the next most common distraction was the use of a cell phone. Distracted driving along with a teen’s inexperience as a driver can be a deadly combination.
Research shows that parents play an important role in increasing their teen’s driving skills, as they have the greatest influence over their teen’s behavior. In fact, leading experts believe parents play a key role in preventing teen car crashes and deaths. Teens with parents who set rules, monitor their driving, and are supportive are half as likely to crash and twice as likely to use seat belts as teens with less involved parents.
The Texas Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law is designed to prevent cell phone use as well as limit the number of teen passengers that can legally ride with a novice driver and provides parents with the controls to help keep their teen drivers safe. Many parents, however, are not aware of the provisions of this law, which is divided into two phases. Making sure your teen follows the GDL law can help get a teen safely through the most critical time when driver inexperience can lead to crashes.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is launching the Talk. Text. Crash. campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving and to encourage Texas teens as well as adults to put down their cell phones while driving.
The Talk. Text. Crash. campaign aims to reduce distracted driving, not only for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but throughout the year. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent, Jheri-Lynn McSwain from Shelby County reminds drivers to put away their cell phones and wait until they arrive at their destination to use their phone. Although cell phone use is the most easily recognized distraction, all in-vehicle distractions are unsafe and can cause crashes or fatalities. Keep your eyes on the road and arrive alive!
April 23, 2015 - Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District Natural Resources/Agriculture Scholarship Award
This year the Shelby Soil & Water Conservation District will be awarding two $500 scholarships. The 2015 Shelby SWCD Scholarship is open to college students who are working toward a degree in the natural resources or agricultural field. We will be looking at individuals who meet the following qualifications:
1) Must have graduated from a high school or home school program in Shelby County, TX.
2) Must be a college junior or senior (successfully completed 2 years college).
3) Must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 hours per semester).
Applicants must submit their high school and college transcripts, a completed SWCD scholarship application and a letter of recommendation. Selection will be based on academic merit and recommendations of the school and others concerning the applicant’s initiative and character, leadership, citizenship and need. Applicants may be called for a personal interview. To obtain a copy of the application, E-mail the SWCD office in Center: shelby@swcd.texas.gov. Copies may also be picked up at their office located in the USDA Office, 158 Cass Caid, Center, Texas. Telephone: (936) 598-5557, Ext. 3.
Programs and services of the Shelby SWCD are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard for race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status or disability. All applications must be received by July 1, 2015.
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