Chapter Happenings Around The Lone Star State

By Les Mallory

Reminders:  January 9, 2011 Map sponsors confirmed and dinner tickets delivered. February 18, 2012 Annual map sponsors dinner and chapter members dinner at the KC Hall. 

The Colorado Valley ICA Chapter voted two of its directors to emeritus status. They are long time contributors Carl Wendler and Glenn Koether.  

Emeritus Director Carl Wendler

Emeritus Director Glenn Koether

Guada-Coma

By Carilyn John

Hi everyone! Boy did we get a wonderful rain.  Praise the Lord, 3” sure was welcomed in our neck to the woods.  We have been steadily missing any chance that came around. 

Our chapter wants everyone to know that we have lost several members in passing:  Eddie Garcia, James Kyle, Bob Alex-ander and Bruce Ball.  Our condolences go to their spouses and families.

At our September 26 meeting, we had as our guest, Dr. John Babison and Andrew Thomas of Novartis.  Dr. Babison gave a presentation and talk on (How to Keep Your Herd Healthy During A Drought).  The key to kee-ping your animals healthy is three simple steps.   (1) Stress Management, (2) Vaccination, and (3) Parasite control.  Stress affects a cow’s appetite and develops poor colostrum for newborns, which im-pacts a calf’s survival.  Even if they do survive, they may not develop as well as healthier calves.  Vaccina-tions are important to prevent disease.  Novartis suggested using Clostri Shield 7 for costridial disease defense and Scour Bos 9 for scour prevention for baby calves; Vira Shield 6+VL5 HB against respiratory diseases along with hardjo-bovis defense;  ReproSTAR VL5 HB protects against five strains of lepto including hardjo-bovis, the most common cause of bovine leptospirosis in US cattle.

Everyone at the meeting received the final draft of our By-Laws and a sample ballot for the election of officers.  Both were presented to the assembly to be ratified at the next election and meeting.  

The November 14 meeting at the Seguin Cattle Company was a busy one as the proposed By-Laws were passed unanimously and the election of officers were elected by secret ballot.

Our new officers for 2011 are Leroy Muenich Jr. as President, Steven Finch as Vice-President, Carilyn John as Secretary,  Brenda Bloch as Assistant Secre-tary and Leonora Kuhn as Treasurer.  We also elected two directors at large from each county.  They are Kenneth Winkelman and Marvin Boeck of Bexar County, Alan Bode and Greg Seidenberger of Guadalupe County and Dr. Sammy Knippa and Leslie Halm of Comal County.  Congratulations to all.  

Our next big event will be our December 4 Christmas party at the Heritage Center, commonly called the Big Red Barn on Cordova Road in Geronimo.  We will be offering a choice rib eye steak and the trimmings.  A live and silent auction as well as an open bar will be available.  Santa will be there for the kids.   Come one and all and have some fun.  Until next time, Carilyn John reporting.   

Southeast Texas ICA

By:  Katie Spencer

Howdy!  The Southeast Texas Beef Symposium and Trade Show was held on Saturday, November 12 at the Ford Park Event Center.  The speakers, Dr. Faries, Dr. Cleere, and Dr. Corriher, each did an excellent job discussing how the drought is affecting our cattle and how we can continue to properly and economically manage our herds through the winter and upcoming year.  

On Tuesday, November 22, Southeast Texas ICA held the Annual Business Meeting at the Winnie-Stowell Community Building.  Special thank you to Herbert Clubb and Sons, Westway Liquid Feed, for sponsoring the meeting and serving a delicious meal.  New officers and directors elected will be announced in January’s article.  

The Commercial Bull and Heifer Sale will be here before we know it.  Be sure March 10, 2012 is marked on the calendar to join us at Ford Park Complex in Beaumont, Texas!  If you would like more details or to be added to the mailing list for a sale catalog, please use the contact information listed below.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Southeast Texas!  We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and Gig ‘Em Aggies!  For additional questions or to be on our newsletter mailing list, please call (409) 296-2127 or email SETICA-PR@ hotmail.com.  

Victoria Crossroads

By Gary DuFour

Our October meeting was at the Town Hall Room at the First Victoria Bank on the 27th, following the Farm and Ranch Show. Our chapter had a booth at the show again this year. President Connie Jacob did a great job setting up the colorful western décor for the booth. Members kept the booth “manned” throughout the show including our Executive Director Bill Hyman. The state ICA office graciously provided a knife and fork set with the ICA emblem on them for our drawing. The set was won by Bill Meyer from Cuero. Other prizes included a cookbook won by Ralph Lau of Victoria, a cap by John May of Cuero, and a cane by Matt Church of Victoria. Congratulations winners! Four new members signed up at the booth. They were Margaret Rosenquest and Robert Gosset of Victoria, Lesley Huber of Victoria, Morris and Billie Hanke of Victoria and Robert and Judy Studer of Bloomington. Welcome to all!

The “Bootfest” held in downtown Victoria on October 22nd was reported to be a huge success. Many ranchers took advantage of the opportunity to put their brands on tiles for the branding wall. Sue Prudhomme directed the operation sponsored by the Victoria College Museum of the Coastal bend. The portable wall was soon covered on both sides with the brands and more to be mounted. The wall is to become a permanent display at the museum. The ranching history of the coastal area is one of many interesting displays to be seen there. Definitely worth a visit.

As we continue to experience the effects of the drought the feed situation is becoming critical. The ICA State Office has issued a warning to anyone trying to buy hay. There are scam artists out there who are offering hay for delivery that they don’t have. They get the buyer to provide payment but never follow up with delivery. So be very careful of the sources you find. The ICA recommends a web link for those with computers. www.icatexas.com/ classifieds.html.

Our next newsletter will be in January, 2012 as we close out this year with November’s letter. A meteorologist who spoke at the F & R show painted a bleak outlook for the future regarding the continuing drought. Let’s hope Mother Nature will demonstrate her ability to mock predictions and provide this parched region with the precious water it needs.

SLS