Jack Dillard's Double D Auction, weekly column, and livestock listing, serving Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas

Efficiency of U.S. farming improving

01-29-12

Necessity is the mother of invention and the agriculture industry is no exception. The latest Kiplinger Agriculture Letter dated January 13, 2012 gave a fact from USDA report which said, “U. S. corn yields are rising 2 bushels per acre a year on average." In fact, the efficiency of U. S. farming overall has improved by 50% since 1982. Contrary to a common belief stemming from ethanol production, farmers are not destroying large tracts of timber and pasture land to grow corn. Environmentalist can use their energy in other areas. I suggest cleaning up the roadsides across America.

“Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.” This quote is from I. Asimov.

With the knowledge that cell phone numbers go public this month, you can place your cell phone number on a “NO CALL LIST” for five years. We have done this at our house and it took me a whole 45 seconds and I am slow. You must call from the phone number you want placed on the list. Call 888 382 1222 to be placed on the no call list. You do not need to dial a 1 at the beginning. After the list is released I’m sure there will be some upset when they start getting telemarketing calls and be charged for them.

Before we meet again it will be February and in the Ark La Tex some gardeners will be planting vegetable gardens, even if we still have some cold weather ahead. The days are rapidly getting longer. For example today we should be enjoying approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes of daylight. Next month at this time we should be having an 11 hour and 20 minutes day. The soil temperature will be advancing due to the amount of sunshine and usually we will see temperatures advance some. There are lots of choices on what we can plant including carrots, beets, onions, leeks, Irish potatoes, radishes, early peas, greens (turnip, Swiss chard, spinach or kale) and this list is not complete. If you don’t want to plant a garden just put some vegetables in flower beds or pots.

“It is difficult to inspire others to accomplish what you haven’t been willing to try.” The author of this is unknown but a very true statement.

Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director, “Buck” Vandersteen told those at a recent forestry meeting in Monroe, Louisiana that forestry is the Number 1 agriculture industry in Louisiana with a yearly value of over $3 billion and covers over one half the state’s land area. Mike Dunn, LSU AgCenter forestry economist said that those in the timber industry would see little change in the near future. If you are a timber producer you have patience or you would never have planted trees. The best dollars ever spent by a timber producer is to hire a consultant before you ever plant a tree and follow their directions.

“Too many people within our borders are Americans only in name but un-American in their hearts and anti-American in their conduct.” The statement is from Vance Havner who was an old time preacher and a master wordsmith for the Master.

The only thing that I know about the social media, “Facebook” is that I know nothing about it. A recent article published on Yahoo Education website said, “Agriculture is the number one most useless college degree.” That statement caught the attention of agriculture and agribusiness from which a blog was formed on Facebook as a new group called, “I Studied Agriculture and I Have a Job.” Over 4,000 joined the group in less than a week. Enough said!

Alright all you history buffs I need some help. A close personal friend of ours, Ronnie Norton who is a jeweler and diamond expert in Marietta, Oklahoma, knows I am proud of Waskom, Texas where we live. He found an old soda pop bottle with the name Waskom Bottling Works D.H. Morris, Waskom, Texas. It is very old with the push in cork type cap. If you know anything Mr. Morris or the Bottling Works I would appreciate hearing from you.

San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo will be held February 9-26 this year and are helping tell the story of agriculture. Annually, the event has the Master Gardeners selling a new tomato plant variety during the show with profits going toward a Master Gardener Scholarship. This year’s variety is BHN 602, called the Rodeo Tomato, a well adapted plant that produces a large, firm, rich red succulent fruit. That is the way to get a story told hands on. I’m sure Dr. Hanna has greenhouse tomatoes planted so we can start enjoying them about March from the Red River Research Station.

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