Sunday, April 27, 1997

R.A. Brown Ranch "The Cowman's Sale" is May 3

One of the truly great sales in the nation's cattle industry gets started at high noon May 3 just outside Throckmorton.

R.A. Brown Ranch "The Cowman's Sale" will offer 671 females in this big auction at the ranch headquarters.

The ranch is 4 miles west of Throckmorton on U.S. Highway 380, then one mile north of the ranch sign.

The Ranch produces Simmental, Simbrah, SimAngus, Angus, Red Angus, Senepol, Senegus, and Hotlander cattle.

This sale is aimed for cattle producers who want a well planned crossbreeding program.

There has never been a better time to improve your cattle herd. The grass is green here in cow country, the cattle market is vastly improved, and the profit potential looks good in the current cycle for several years.

Rob and Peggy Brown, along with their four grown children - Rob A. Brown, Betsy Bellah, Marianne McCartney, and Donnell Brown - and their spouses and families make this great family operation run smoothly.

In fact, all 11 grandchildren representing the fourth generation on the ranch will be on hand on sale day.

As usual, the Throckmorton County 4-H Club will be operating concessions with plenty of food and refreshments throughout the day.

Obviously, Throckmorton County ranch country - except for cattle - is pretty sparsely populated. So the Brown sale, with the multitudes who attend from across the United States, is a big fund-raiser event for these 4-H'ers. (And this farm writer can personally testify to the quality of their food).

Renowned auctioneer Ruben Reyes of San Antonio and Greg Clifton of Fort Worth will sell the cattle. For more call the ranch at (817) 849-5451, (817) 849-0611, or FAX (817) 849-3120.

After some good rains, the countryside really is gorgeous this year.

Brush and wildlife day

The Stephens County Brush and Wildlife Economic Field Day is May 8 at the Jackson Ranch and Link Ranch about 8 miles northwest of Strawn.

Registration is 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m. at the Link Ranch headquarters about 5 miles southeast of Caddo, and the tour follows.

Range and wildlife practices will be discussed by representatives of USDA, the Texas A&M Agricultural Extension Service, Turner Seed Co., Caraway Ag Spraying - Tuttle Inc., and Caddo Wildlife Management Association.

Local ranchers will share experiences, including Tommy Hailey, retired Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist.

Tony Baeza, USDA district conservationist, says techniques of pond management, along with brush treatment of cedar, pricklypear, and mesquite also will be demonstrated - including roller chopping of cedar.

In addition, cedar that was roller chopped two years ago and then burned on the Link Ranch, will be examined.

Lawson Cattle & Equipment Inc., Dow/Elanco Chemicals, Turner Seed, Nutrene Feeds, and Caraway Ag Spraying - Tuttle Inc. will sponsor a supper at the Jackson Ranch. Soft drinks will be provided by the Lower Cloear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District.

Five continuing education units can be earned. If you want to attend, notify Baeza or Gary Franke at (817) 559-2333; or Philip Shackelford, (817) 559-2313; the Farm Service Agency at (817) 559-2444, by May 5. These folks also have maps. Or, you can meet at the Caddo Mercantile on Highway 180 about 16 miles east of Breckenridge at 12:15 p.m. on May 8 and go from there.