Lee County Weekly (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 17, 1989 Page: 3 of 14
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Lee County Weekly
farm/Ranch
August 17, 1989 - Page 3
■Texas Agricultural Extension Service
I Wade Hibler, County Agent
People Wefoirg People
Lee County soils are too hot!
The soils of Lee County are
simply too hot! I don't mean by
temperature but by acidity. Our
soils are very acid for the most part
and we need to apply lime if we are
going to correct this problem.
What is soil pH?
A pH is a reading taken from a
scale that measures the hydrogen
(acid forming) ion activity of soil
or growth media. The reading
expresses the degree of acidity or
alkalinity in terms of pH values,
very much like heat and cold are
expressed in degrees Centigrade or
Fahrenheit. The Centigrade
temperature scale is centered around
zero degrees or the freezing point of
water, and thermometers are used to
measure intensities of hot and cold
above and below this point. The
scale of measuring acidity or
alkalinity contains 14 levels known
as pH units. It is centered around
pH 7 which is neutral. Values
below 7 constitute the acid range of
the scale and values above 7 make
up the alkaline range.
See Figure I, below.
The measurement scale is not a
linear scale but a logarithmic scale.
That is, a soil with a pH of 8.5 is
ten times more alkaline than a soil
with a pH of 7.5 and soil with a pH
of 4.5 is ten times more acid than a
soil with a pH of 5.5.
The pH condition of soil is one
of a number of environmental
conditions that affect the quality of
plant growth. A near-neutral or
slightly acid soil is generally
considered ideal for most plants.
Some type of plant growth can
occur; anywhere in a 3.5 to 10.0
range. With some notable
exceptions, a soil pH of from 6.0
to 7.0 requires no special cultural
practices to improve plant growth.
The major impact that extremes
in pH have on plant growth is
related to the availability of plant
nutrients and the soil concentration
of the plant-toxic minerals. In
highly acidic soil, like here in Lee
County, manganese can concentrate
at toxic levels. Also at low pH
values, calcium, phosphorous and
magnesium become tied up and
unavailable. At pH values of 7 and
above, phosphorus, iron, copper,
zinc, boron and manganese become
less available.
Applications of lime to our soils
is the answer.
By application of certain material
to the soil, adjustments can be
made in pH values. Soils can be
made less acidic by applying a
material that contains some form of
lime. Ground agricultural
limestone is the most frequently
used. The finer the grind, the more
rapidly it becomes effective.
Different soils will require a
different amount of lime to adjust
the reaction to the proper range.
The texture of the soil, organic
matter content, the crop to be
grown and soil type are all factors
to consider in adjusting pH. For
example, soils low in organic
matter require much less lime than
soils high in organic matter to
make the same pH change.
If you are looking ahead towards
planting a winter crop like small
grains I suggest a soil sample to
determine your pH. And lime
should be applied now to have an
effect around the growing season.
Soil sample kits arc available at the
Lee County Extension Office. We
are located at 282 S. Grimes St. in
Giddings and our number is 542-
2753.
Figure I;
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
extremely strongly slightly neutral mildly moderately strongly
acid acid acid alkaline alkaline alkaline
—Increasing acidity-------1---------Increasing alkalinity--------
Library presented book
• Fishing
report
BASTROP: Water clear, 89
degrees, normal level; black bass
fair to 5 pounds on topwaters and
strawberry worms; crappie slow;
catfish fair to 3 pounds on slink
bait; a single yellow catfish
weighing 45 pounds was caught on
live sunfish.
FAYETTE: Water clear, 92
degrees, 2 feet low; black bass fair
to slow to 7 pounds on Boy
Howdies in shallow water and
worms in deeper water, but few
fishermen out; crappie fair to 5 fish
per string; catfish fair to 20 pounds;
bream excellent on worms and
crickets.
SOMERVILLE: Water clear,
normal level; black bass fair to 7
pounds on purple worms; striper
good in the 6-8 pound range on
Hellbenders and Tony Accctta
Spoons; crappie fair to 1 1/2
pounds on minnows and jigs; white
bass slow; catfish good to 16
pounds on trotlines baited with
minnows.
A book, A BATTLEFIELD
ATLAS OF THE CIVIL WAR by
Craig L. Symonds, has been
presented to the Rufus Young King
Library by the Minnie B. Williams
Chapter, United Daughters of the
Confederacy, Brenham, Texas.
Giddings members are Mrs.
Charline Frank, Mrs. Elizabeth
Frank, Mrs. Carolyn Marble, Mrs.
Lydia Siegmund, and Mrs. Miriam
York.
^ICULTURAL
T THY CTTVAKIIV
— S %
Lto 1 UNA
Texas presently produces about 40,000 acres of deciduous
(drop leaves at end of growing season) orchard and small fruit
crops and has a potential of producing many times that
amount. Texas’ potential of becoming a major fruit producer
is enhanced by environmental and geographical diversity with-
in the slate. The key to expansion of this developing industry
is site-specific adaptation of new and cxisling crops to the
limited, unique places where fruit crops grow to perfection.
Commercial fruit crops in Texas include peach, apple, plum,
grapes, blackberry, strawberry, pear and blueberry. Peach
production, the most extensively planted crop, has declined
significantly since 1940 and currently is moving to the south of
the state, utilizing low-chilling varieties. Blackberries went
from 18,000 acres just 15 years ago to a minor crop today.
Apple, plum, and strawberry production also has declined.
Grapes and blueberries are finding their "unique" place in
Texas and acreage is expanding rapidly. Some production
declines of other crops was because of labor shortages, in-
creased labor-intensive practices, and the absence of organized
aggressive marketing strategies.
New interest in Texas fruit production is being fueled partly
by recent development successes (peaches in the south, wine
grapes in the west, and blueberries in the east) and problems
in agriculture sectors that have caused many producers to
diversify their operations.
These alternative crops resulted from research by the Texas
Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES). Development of
integrated pest management programs, improved disease and
nematode control systems, new rootstocks and varieties, more
efficient irrigation methods, and better postharvest handling
and marketing systems all will enhance current fruit expansion
opportunities
TAES research on fruit crops is concentrated in improved
water and soil management, production systems to maximize
economic returns, reduced labor requirements, reduced losses
due to environmental and biological stress, marketing strategies
for an expanding industry, and harvesting, handling, and
processing techniques that maintain product quality.
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
Asgrow announces new
corn hybrids for 1990 planting
For the 1990 Southern planting
season, Asgrow Seed Company has
developed four new hybrids. These
new hybrids have genetic potential
for high field performance in their
areas of adaptability.
New RX727 (formerly XP7278)
has a 107-day Southern rating. It
has excellent yield potential for its
maturity and produces good test
weight grain consistently in a
variety of growing conditions.
RX727 has good stalk and root
strength along with excellent stay-
green ability.
New RX607 (formerly XP8507)
has 111-day Southern rating. It's a
widely-adapted, attractive hybrid
that has shown high yield for its
maturity. RX807 has very good
stalks, roots and stay-green ability.
With a 116-day Southern rating,
new RX908 has a potential high
yield to moisture ratio and is widely
adapted for full-season growing
areas. It's a tall, robust, attractive
plant with excellent stay-green
ability. Asgrow research indicates
this hybrid performs well in a
variety of soils and environmental
conditions.
New RX911 with a 116-day
Southern rating, fits well into
growing areas that require moderate
to low populations. RX911 has
plant health that enhances yield
potential along with good
standability and grain quality. The
hybrid's car size can flex in
response to lower plant
populations.
With a 125-day Southern rating,
new RX986 (formerly XP9866),
has high yield potential and is
widely adapted for use in both wet
and dry milling. Its strong stalks
make harvest easy. This hybrid
produces large cars with very large,
high quality grain that meets the
needs of many food processing
firms.
Asgrow Seed Company is a
subsidiary of The Upjohn
Company. The Upjohn is a
worldwide, rescarch-based
manufacturer and marketer of
human health care products and
services, agronomic and vegetable
seeds, animal health products and
pharmaceutical and specialty
chemicals.
Bill Brademan
Insurance
| Universal Life • Term Life |
Accident, Health,
& Medicare
Supplement Plans
Call or see Bill today.
Box 246 542-2357 Giddings
Hibler named NACAA
Communications winner
Lee County Extension Agent
Wade Hibler has been named the
1989 State winner in the Radio
category of the 1989 NACAA
Public Information Awards
Program of the National
Association of County Agricultural
Agents (NACAA).
The award was presented to
Hibler, during the 74th Annual
Meeting of the NACAA in
Somerset, New Jersey at the
NACAA Public Information
Awards Breakfast on August 1,
1989.
The 1989 program is sponsored
by the RJR Nabisco, Inc.,
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in
cooperation with the NACAA. The
purpose of this professional
improvement program is to
recognize outstanding workers of
the Cooperative Extension Service
who make effective use of the
media and other communications to
extend agricultural information to
clientele in their community.
Mr. Hibler received the
recognition for his program he held
with KGID.
Unfortunately KGID closed its
doors after notification of this
award.
In presenting the award, Richard
C. Reich, Agricultural R&D
Coordinator for the RJR Nabisco,
Inc., said the Wade Hibler was
selected for this honor from many
entries received from throughout the
nation.
Mr. Hibler's radio program
received 2nd place at the Southern
Regional Competition. Charles
Hodges, of Arkansas, beat Hibler
out of the National title.
THANK YOU
We want to let you know we
received the beautiful gift you sent
us. Your thoughtfulness and
kindness is VERY MUCH
APPRECIATED.
Fritz and I would like to thank
you for the plate we received
recently. Also we feel that you
should continue this for others in
the future.
The Kieschnicks
Strunk Brothers
409-725-8279
BASTROP COUNTY
LIVESTOCK COMMISSION, INC.
SMITHVILLE, TEXAS 78957
512-237-3235
SALE EVERY
MONDAY
- AT 12:30
RECEIVING
CATTLE
ON SUNDA YS
Glenn Miles
409-992-3878
Arthur Ray Beken
409-725-8478
For insurance
call
542-5060
John H. Ray
321 N. Main
Giddings
STATE FARM
INSURANCE
Like a good neighbor.
State Farm is there.
State Farm Insurance Companies
Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois
This Week's
Livestock
Report
Cattle and calves estimated 2,100. Last week 1,400. Feeder steers and bulls 2.00
4.00 higher, mostly 400 lbs hevier. Feeder heifers 1.00-2.00 higher. Rep cows steady
Cow and call pairs steady. Slaughter Cows 1.00-2.00 higher mostly utility grade 4
slaughter Bulls 2.00-3.00 higher About 10-15% Slaughter cows and Bulls. 5-8%
yearling Cattle Balance mainly Feeder Cattle demand good.
FEEDER STEERS & BULLS
WOLI-
PORTABLE & MODULAR
BUILDINGS
Sales ■ Rentals • Leasing
M &LF #1
250-300
300 4 00
400 500
500-600
600-650
M&LF #2
400-600
FEEDER HEIFERS
M&LF #1
250 300
300-400
400 500
500 625
S&MF#2
350 600
125.00-135.00
99 00 1 25 00
93.00-108.00
85.00-93.00
81.00 8 8 00
81.00-89.00
97 50-108 00
90 00-101.00
84.00-91.00
82 00 85 00
73.00-81.00
Offices
Businesses
Storage
and More
Workshop
Warehouses
Classrooms
507 S. Main Giddings
FINANCING AVAILABLE
HOUSTON 350-1337
GIDDINGS 542-2447
Commercial Residential
Industrial
BARROWS & GILTS
US 1-3
210-250
6 head 48 50
US 2 3
220 275
REP COWS
M&LF #1-2
820-975
485.00-600.00
per head
COW 4 CALF PAIRS
M&LF# 1-2 3-7 year old cows with 150 250 It
calves 550.00-760.00 per pair
SLAUGHTER COWS
boning utility 2-3
51.00-57.50
cutter 1-2
46.00-51.00
canner & Low cutter
42.00-46.00
SLAUGHTER BULLS
yield grade 1-2
1200 2035 58.00-66.50
few up to 68 00
Few indicating a low boning % 57.00 59 00
Hogs this week 160 Last week 130
Barrows 1 Gilts 1.00-2.00 higher
45 00-48.00
43 00 45 00
SOWS steady
SOWS
US 12
400 550
US 2 3
350 600
30.00-33.00
27 00 30.00
1his information is brought to you as a public service byLee County Weekly and the
Texas Department of Agriculture's Federal-State Market News Service.
HICKORY
CREEK
HOME SALE
NEW LOW
ASKING PRICE
$38,000 EACH
SEVERAL NICE HOMES TO CHOOSE FROM
3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH, 2 CAR GARAGE
ALSO 87 HOME LOTS
Special Price
— Shown By Appointment —
KARCHER REAL ESTATE
MEMBER:
AUSTIN BOARD
OF REALTORS
(409) 542-2928 Giddings
(512) 263-3228 Austin
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Freeman, Susie. Lee County Weekly (Giddings, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 38, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 17, 1989, newspaper, August 17, 1989; Giddings, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1665790/m1/3/: accessed May 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center.