News
Producers keep eye on maturing cotton
(Posted Wed 10:17 am)
While crop prospects have slipped with the recent hot, dry weather, ginners and others in agriculture still believe that a solid cotton crop could be harvested this fall.
"It's gone downhill a little. Rain would have helped three weeks ago," said Johnny Shepard, manager of Citizens-Shallowater Co-op. "It's still a good crop, but it's not going to be a barn- burner."
The crop was hampered by heavy rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July. As a result, some of the local cotton crop is 2- 3 weeks behind schedule, Shepard said.
The cool weather also led to "node spacing" issues, he said. As a result, there are some wide gaps between cotton branches which can mean fewer bolls will develop as the plants mature.
The heavy rains also leached fertilizer out of the ground. And some growers couldn't get back into their fields immediately to re-apply fertilizer, Shepard said.
"Fertilizer leaching, that was the biggest thing," he said.
The effect of the leaching can be seen in fields where cotton appears to be yellowish in color.
(Posted Wed 10:17 am)
While crop prospects have slipped with the recent hot, dry weather, ginners and others in agriculture still believe that a solid cotton crop could be harvested this fall.
"It's gone downhill a little. Rain would have helped three weeks ago," said Johnny Shepard, manager of Citizens-Shallowater Co-op. "It's still a good crop, but it's not going to be a barn- burner."
The crop was hampered by heavy rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July. As a result, some of the local cotton crop is 2- 3 weeks behind schedule, Shepard said.
The cool weather also led to "node spacing" issues, he said. As a result, there are some wide gaps between cotton branches which can mean fewer bolls will develop as the plants mature.
The heavy rains also leached fertilizer out of the ground. And some growers couldn't get back into their fields immediately to re-apply fertilizer, Shepard said.
"Fertilizer leaching, that was the biggest thing," he said.
The effect of the leaching can be seen in fields where cotton appears to be yellowish in color.
Producers hopeful
(Posted Wed 10:16 am)
While crop prospects have slipped with the recent hot, dry weather, ginners and others in agriculture still believe that a solid cotton crop could be harvested this fall.
"It's gone downhill a little. Rain would have helped three weeks ago," said Johnny Shepard, manager of Citizens-Shallowater Co-op. "It's still a good crop, but it's not going to be a barn- burner."
The crop was hampered by heavy rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July. As a result, some of the local cotton crop is 2- 3 weeks behind schedule, Shepard said.
The cool weather also led to "node spacing" issues, he said. As a result, there are some wide gaps between cotton branches which can mean fewer bolls will develop as the plants mature.
The heavy rains also leached fertilizer out of the ground. And some growers couldn't get back into their fields immediately to re-apply fertilizer, Shepard said.
"Fertilizer leaching, that was the biggest thing," he said.
The effect of the leaching can be seen in fields where cotton appears to be yellowish in color.
(Posted Wed 10:16 am)
While crop prospects have slipped with the recent hot, dry weather, ginners and others in agriculture still believe that a solid cotton crop could be harvested this fall.
"It's gone downhill a little. Rain would have helped three weeks ago," said Johnny Shepard, manager of Citizens-Shallowater Co-op. "It's still a good crop, but it's not going to be a barn- burner."
The crop was hampered by heavy rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July. As a result, some of the local cotton crop is 2- 3 weeks behind schedule, Shepard said.
The cool weather also led to "node spacing" issues, he said. As a result, there are some wide gaps between cotton branches which can mean fewer bolls will develop as the plants mature.
The heavy rains also leached fertilizer out of the ground. And some growers couldn't get back into their fields immediately to re-apply fertilizer, Shepard said.
"Fertilizer leaching, that was the biggest thing," he said.
The effect of the leaching can be seen in fields where cotton appears to be yellowish in color.
4-H students honored at achievement banquet
(Posted Wed 10:16 am)
Several dozen local students were recognized for all of their hard work Saturday during the annual Hockley County 4-H Achievement banquet.
The theme for this year's banquet was "Rounding Up Your Future In 4-H," said Travis Payne, master of ceremonies and president of the Hockley County 4-H Council.
I Dare You
Two 4-H students, Paxton Pugh and Travis Payne, received the "I Dare You" award.
Pugh, the son of Larry and Donna Pugh, has served as president of his 4-H Club and district delegate for county council. He was recently elected vice president of the district 4-H council and as a member of the state 4-H council.
He earned 1st place with his record book at state this year, as well as second place in entomology team at state. Pugh has also won awards in such areas as swine and shooting sports, and is a past recipient of gold, silver and bronze awards.
Payne, the son of Marc and Lynnette Payne, has served as president of his 4-H Club, county 4-H council and public relations officer for the District 4-H Council. He earned 1st place at state with his record book and attended the National 4-H Congress.
He has completed projects in such areas as environmental science, safety, beef, family life, shooting sports and vet science. He has previously won the gold, silver and bronze star awards.
(Posted Wed 10:16 am)
Several dozen local students were recognized for all of their hard work Saturday during the annual Hockley County 4-H Achievement banquet.
The theme for this year's banquet was "Rounding Up Your Future In 4-H," said Travis Payne, master of ceremonies and president of the Hockley County 4-H Council.
I Dare You
Two 4-H students, Paxton Pugh and Travis Payne, received the "I Dare You" award.
Pugh, the son of Larry and Donna Pugh, has served as president of his 4-H Club and district delegate for county council. He was recently elected vice president of the district 4-H council and as a member of the state 4-H council.
He earned 1st place with his record book at state this year, as well as second place in entomology team at state. Pugh has also won awards in such areas as swine and shooting sports, and is a past recipient of gold, silver and bronze awards.
Payne, the son of Marc and Lynnette Payne, has served as president of his 4-H Club, county 4-H council and public relations officer for the District 4-H Council. He earned 1st place at state with his record book and attended the National 4-H Congress.
He has completed projects in such areas as environmental science, safety, beef, family life, shooting sports and vet science. He has previously won the gold, silver and bronze star awards.
Spencer Hodges wins first football contest
(Posted Wed 10:14 am)
Spencer Hodges was the clear-up winner of the first week of the News-Press football guessing contest, scoring 18-2.
He earned $25 for having the best score of the week.
Second place went to Jake Madewell, whose score was 16-4. He earned $15 for his efforts.
Third place and $10 went to Rex Black, whose score was 15- 5.
Six contestants had 14-6 scores including Deanna Perez, Roy O'Donovan, Gary Lyon, David Davidson, Danny Randolph and Sheri Moore.
Eight contestants also had 13-7 scores including Debbie Moore, Vonna Turner, Laura Rocha, Juan Hererra, Eliseo Rocha, Jr., David Hatter, Harvey Stephens and Judy Franks.
(Posted Wed 10:14 am)
Spencer Hodges was the clear-up winner of the first week of the News-Press football guessing contest, scoring 18-2.
He earned $25 for having the best score of the week.
Second place went to Jake Madewell, whose score was 16-4. He earned $15 for his efforts.
Third place and $10 went to Rex Black, whose score was 15- 5.
Six contestants had 14-6 scores including Deanna Perez, Roy O'Donovan, Gary Lyon, David Davidson, Danny Randolph and Sheri Moore.
Eight contestants also had 13-7 scores including Debbie Moore, Vonna Turner, Laura Rocha, Juan Hererra, Eliseo Rocha, Jr., David Hatter, Harvey Stephens and Judy Franks.
New fire chief plans to stay on same path
(Posted 8/30/2010 02:41 pm)
Levelland Fire Chief Otis Stark is steady as it goes concerning the Levelland Fire Department.
Stark, who was promoted from assistant fire chief to fire chief last week, wants to continue the goals that his predecessor, Marvin Brewer, set.
"Marvin put us on a couple of paths that we're trying to finish, and I want to do that because of him," he said. "They were important things."
One goal is to complete the fire training field off South Alamo Road that was named in honor of Brewer, who died last month after battling cancer.
The field on 10 acres of land has been under development for more than three years. It has two buildings for classrooms, a tower, a shipper container for a burn room and other facilities and equipment.
"We have to finish our props and paving some roads and getting some things finished," he said. "We need materials and we need time."
The second goal - developing a regional fire rescue team - will take longer.
(Posted 8/30/2010 02:41 pm)
Levelland Fire Chief Otis Stark is steady as it goes concerning the Levelland Fire Department.
Stark, who was promoted from assistant fire chief to fire chief last week, wants to continue the goals that his predecessor, Marvin Brewer, set.
"Marvin put us on a couple of paths that we're trying to finish, and I want to do that because of him," he said. "They were important things."
One goal is to complete the fire training field off South Alamo Road that was named in honor of Brewer, who died last month after battling cancer.
The field on 10 acres of land has been under development for more than three years. It has two buildings for classrooms, a tower, a shipper container for a burn room and other facilities and equipment.
"We have to finish our props and paving some roads and getting some things finished," he said. "We need materials and we need time."
The second goal - developing a regional fire rescue team - will take longer.
