HORACE MCQUEEN: Texans – and Others – Come to the Rescue!
The massive flooding in the Houston area is unprecedented and will be felt for years. One thing for darn sure is that many folks who were not affected by the flooding came to volunteer their services with boats, blankets and food just to lend a helping hand. Whether brown, black or white it made no difference to those who responded to Texans in need. It seemed as we watched television news that 99.9 percent of the Houston and Gulf Coast evacuees were grateful for the efforts of their rescuers. But, like in life, always a few rotten apples in the barrel. A handful of people rescued sought out the television cameras to complain that it took too long to rescue them. Those folks who risked life and limb — and a long absence from their family members — are to be praised, thanked and congratulated for their efforts. And that includes law enforcement members, city and county employees and those “just plain citizens” who came to the aid of their neighbors.
Here in our area, the rains from Harvey were welcome. At the least this moisture may be enough to grow another cutting of grass for hay. Winter pasture is on the minds of some cattle producers. Whether ryegrass or small grains, this may be the year to get some winter pasture seeded. Lots of hay has been made in most of East Texas, but overall quality is debatable. Those who test their own hay, or the hay they plan to buy, come out ahead when it comes to winter feeding. If the hay is 10% protein or better, it makes no sense to buy expensiåve supplements especially for the dry cows. But if the hay is down in the five to eight percent protein range, it’s going to take some big bucks to buy the extra nutrition that will be needed. å
Yes, the consumer is interested in where her — or his — food comes from. Major supermarkets are getting on the “U.S. food for Americans” bandwagon. One Houston area store is advertising that their ground beef is 100 percent U.S. product. No Brazilian or other overseas beef added! HEB and Kroger are promoting the ranches that raise the beef for their stores. But the major so called “farm organizations” rail that country of origin labeling is not needed. It’s high time for our farmers and ranchers to get the support of the organizations they support — or just tell them bye bye!
On an ending note, it must be nice to be a football player at the University of Texas. Coaches there recently unveiled the new locker room for the 126 football players. Cost “only” several million dollars. The lockers alone cost $8,700 each—for each player! Goes to show that being a first rate educational institution takes second place when it comes to sports!
