Tuesday, November 25, 1997

Eastland Area Hay Show slated for December

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

The Eastland Ag Boosters will sponsor the 1997 Eastland Area Hay Show at 9 a.m. Dec. 6 at the county show barn at Eastland.

Hay entries, however, need to be at the show barn by the end of today.

Both round and square bales will be accepted. Growers can take their own hay to the barn, or call 629-3102 or County Ag Agent Davy Vestal at 629-1093.

Hay entries will be tested for quality and protein content.

Proceeds from the show and auction of the hay in the December show will help support the Eastland County Junior Livestock Show in February.

Winners in each division receive gift certificates from ZJ's Steakhouse in Gorman.

Stock show validation

On the subject of stock shows - validation of animals for entries in the Eastland County Livestock Show is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dec. 13 on the grounds of the county show barn at Eastland.

For more, Eastland County 4-H'ers can call 629-1093.

State's oldest pecan show is Dec. 4-5

Speaking of Eastland, the state's oldest pecan show is Dec. 4-5 in the lobby of the courthouse.

This marks the 45th year of the pecan show that began in Cisco, and then rotated to Eastland and Ranger before finding a permanent home at Eastland.

Pecan entries should consist of 42 pecans of the same variety. There is no limit on the number of varieties that can be entered. Entries must be in the Eastland County Extension Service Office by 5 p.m. Dec. 2.

The pecans will be on display 3-5 p.m. Dec. 4 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5.

The pecan show started under the leadership of the late J.M. Cooper in 1952. Cooper planted the pecan and walnut trees that surround the courthouse in 1959.

Firestone ag tire to award FFA scholarships

FFA students can apply for one of 11 $1,000 college scholarships.

The Firestone Agricultural Tire Company and the Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund support the FFA and local farm communities by participating in the National FFA College and Vocational/Technical School Scholarship Program.

In addition to the scholarships awarded by Firestone, some 29 individual scholarships - totaling $14,500 - also will be presented to participants of the 1998 National Agriculture Mechanics Career Development Event.

FFA members who are pursuing a two- or four-year degree in any area of agricultural study and have competed in a state FFA agricultural mechanics contest are eligible. A local FFA adviser must certify such participation. Applicants also must visit a participating Firestone Certified Farm Tire Dealer to get the manager's signature on the application. All applications must be postmarked by Feb. 16.

Winners of the Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Scholarships at the National FFA Agriculture Mechanics Career Development are not eligible.

To locate the Firestone Certified Farm Tire nearest you, call (800) 350-FARM.

Beef popular for the holidays

With the holiday season upon us, beef supplies for family get-togethers and holiday meals throughout the United States will be ample.

Fourth quarter beef production is expected to be 4 percent to 6 percent greater than the same time last year, according to Cattle-FAX analysts and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association project.

David Weaber of Cattle-FAX said prices should remain steady as the beef industry competes with holiday demands for turkey and pork products. The recent survey found the average featured retail beef price at $2.50 per pound - the same as a year earlier.