tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90610723771054930642024-03-12T16:53:33.993-07:00Common Sense Agriculture, Conservation and EnergyThe purpose of this blog is to present articles and ideas on Agriculture, Conservation and Energy topics from a common sense view of the world.Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.comBlogger707125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-68906301956386870752012-06-14T05:48:00.000-07:002012-06-14T05:48:47.310-07:00Why Preg Test Stocker CattleThe linked article below says it all....
Stocker Cattle: Protect or RedirectChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-49153778439854979682011-05-12T06:42:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:43:15.254-07:00Rotational GrazingLink to Planning a Rotational Grazing SystemChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-41875092582853976922011-02-16T19:10:00.000-08:002011-02-16T19:10:56.235-08:00Random Thoughts on Some Issues in AgricultureIt has been awhile (again) since I have posted anything on this blog. I don't know why, but, I feel compelled to write something agriculturally related!
Perhaps it is the approach of Spring that has me thinking agriculture. I flew over the Flint Hills today as American Airlines took me from DFW to Omaha and saw several burned places as well as burning grasslands. It is the timeChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-79967616728605719712009-12-21T16:23:00.000-08:002009-12-21T16:23:34.302-08:00Natural Gas to the RescueNatural gas -- who'd uv thunk it......
Gas could be the cavalry in global warming fight
Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-40788195851566636042009-12-16T06:47:00.000-08:002009-12-16T06:47:07.477-08:00Regulating Cattle Emissions and Conspiracy TheoriesOK. I’ve finally had enough of the ludicrous idea that the way to control greenhouse gases is to regulate emissions by livestock. I suspect it is really a plan to destroy the livestock industry by those who think we should all become Vegans. Or, maybe it is something even more sinister.
The carbon cycle is relatively simple to describe although its actions are complex. Living things are Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-8386308491890045612009-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:002009-04-23T13:18:59.306-07:00Bovine Genome Sequencing NewsThis is important in developing new ways to combat disease in cattle and to continue improvements to food safety.Bovine genome sequencing provides clues to possible new developmentsChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-65868925477296816412009-04-04T09:32:00.000-07:002009-04-04T09:34:49.290-07:00Obama's Circus of $$$'sWhat's $9.7 Billion compared to the Trillions that are being spent in other industries????Obama’s Farm Subsidy Cuts Meet Stiff ResistanceChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-91526994821704522602009-03-27T07:39:00.000-07:002009-03-27T07:45:18.349-07:00HR 875Below is a note that I received from Alex Tiller. Check it out."I wanted to make you aware of an online petition to stop HR 875, the so called “Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009” that would effectively obliterate small scale farming and gardening for profit in America. It would crush our small local food producers by imposing heavy government regulation that only large corporations could Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-86105608876572472542009-01-08T17:15:00.000-08:002009-01-08T17:19:14.848-08:00Conservation Tactics ResourceIncreasingly, landowners are interested in managing their properties in a manner that is beneficial to wildlife. This is due not only to the aesthetic values they provide but also because of the income potential. The article linked below will lead to a bibliography of published works available for best management practices for various species. Intended for wildlife professionals, it is also Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-24378688086424207952009-01-02T08:47:00.000-08:002009-01-02T08:49:57.250-08:00Texas Energy Efficiency StudyIt makes good economic sense to be as efficient as possible with power usage. We just completed installation of a new central heating and cooling system in our home. With the technological improvements since our previous unit was built, we should save about 40% on our electricity usage with the new unit. It will pay for itself in less than 10 years at that rate.Electricity study embraces Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-23607490084617082742009-01-02T08:38:00.000-08:002009-01-02T08:40:23.087-08:00The Winds of NicaraguaFor some energy-starved countries, wind is becoming an increasingly important source of power.Nicaragua adds wind power to energy mixChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-77197096188262306972009-01-02T08:34:00.000-08:002009-01-02T08:36:11.797-08:00Summary of Poznan Climate ConferenceThe following is a link to:COP14—Poznań Climate Conference SummaryWhatever your thoughts on climate change, it has definitely become a part of our world economic situation.Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-70461673920015339382008-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:002008-12-06T10:11:51.139-08:00Carbon Taxing FoodNew EPA rules could conceivably be interpreted to mean that livestock producers will be required to pay a carbon tax based on the number of animals on their premises. This is absolutely crazy. It will drive enough producers out of business that the cost of food in the form of animal proteins will go sky high. The last time that I looked, food was somewhat important to life on this planet. Below Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-50409389200670103522008-11-25T13:37:00.000-08:002008-11-25T13:41:21.459-08:00Ethanol Consolidation Appears to be BeginningIt was only a matter of time given the tight or non-existent margins in the ethanol industry. Much of the initial capital came into ethanol companies because of favorable tax incentives. Now we will see consolidation.I suspect that we are only beginning the first wave of consolidation. It will be driven by the most efficient current producers. The second wave will see the major oil companies Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-68170754270653467552008-11-24T11:40:00.000-08:002008-11-24T11:42:46.967-08:00New Free Resource on Feeding Distillers GrainsA free downloadable book is available from Iowa State on feeding distillers grains to livestock and poultry. It can be accessed at the link below.MATRIC Publishes Book on Feeding Distillers GrainsChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-54402564135991883222008-11-18T06:20:00.000-08:002008-11-18T06:22:29.221-08:00BLM Rules on Oil Shale DevelopmentIt will take all forms and sources of energy to achieve energy independence. This one will be more controversial than some of the others, but needs to be part of the solution.Bureau of Land Management Finalizes Rules That Could Add Billions of Barrels of Oil to U.S. Supply Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-89638756279681971662008-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:002008-11-18T06:11:13.130-08:00More on Wild HorsesMy last post about "wild" horses received a lot of comments. I think that I will just post the link and leave any commentary to visitors.A Dramatic Rescue for Doomed Wild Horses of the WestChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-22874574296877427082008-11-14T05:52:00.000-08:002008-11-14T05:54:15.941-08:00Adapting the Texas Energy Grid to WindManaging the power grids for variability in wind power generation continues to be an area of opportunity for the new energy economy. Texas is leading the way in adjusting to that variability because of its dominance in the industry. The article linked below discusses some of the things being done to handle the variability.Texas Adjusts Its Grid for WindChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-26230911217349838212008-11-12T11:07:00.000-08:002008-11-12T11:09:31.248-08:00Natural Gas Hydrates in AlaskaAny wagers on the Democrat controlled Congress and White House of the next administration allowing the development of this resource?Gas Hydrates on Alaska’s North Slope Hold One of Nation’s Largest Deposits of Technically Recoverable Natural GasSecretary Kempthorne Releases USGS Assessment, Says Gas Hydrates Could Significantly Add to U.S. Energy Mix WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-80350282086922610852008-11-12T09:32:00.000-08:002008-11-12T09:36:38.393-08:00The Reason Wild Horses are a ProblemThe real problem is the horse slaughter ban passed by Congress. The BLM is being overrun by feral horses -- horses that people have released into the wild because they no longer wanted to care for them. Our country has a serious problem with these feral horses -- and that's just what they are -- the glamorous "wild mustang" of the Old West is a fiction today. Most of the horses running wild Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-86250560085075765872008-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:002008-11-11T11:45:18.566-08:00Steve Kopperud Speaks to CattleNetworkThe animal rights activists are well-armed and well-funded, but agriculture has its advocates as well. One that I had the privilege of hearing last week is Steve Kopperud of the consulting firm, Policy Directions, Inc. He had some very straight-forward things to say to the Texas Cattle Feeders about those animal activists. The article linked below will give you a taste.Jolley: Five Minutes Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-9101156004511577412008-11-08T07:53:00.000-08:002008-11-08T08:00:27.500-08:00Achieving Energy Independence OverestimatedIn the Houston Chronicle is a great article about energy independence titled "Energy `independence' is easier said than done" (click on the link to view it.) It discusses the global nature of the oil business and how energy flows around the planet. It also points out some issues regarding energy security that are relevant to the discussion. I highly recommend the article.Until we truly have Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-67280464830688994302008-11-06T20:07:00.001-08:002008-11-06T20:09:51.268-08:00The Cost of Greening CaliforniaSomeone else is finally seeing the big picture of renewables. California is "broke" already. Now, they will ask their taxpayers to make the "Green Moguls" wealthier.California study shows high cost of renewable powerChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-43933783892379093732008-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:002008-11-01T14:20:13.432-07:00New EPA Requirements for Livestock OperationsMost confined animal feeding operations do an excellent job of controlling manure and wastewater. State permitting processes require management plans that protect water resources. Now, the EPA has joined the process making it even more expensive for livestock operations to become permitted.New Requirements for Controlling Manure, Wastewater from Large Animal Feeding OperationsChris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9061072377105493064.post-39366412675943272122008-10-30T14:41:00.001-07:002008-10-30T14:41:35.143-07:00Fiscal Issues Week Focus of Senator CornynWith the current economic turmoil faced by our nation being prominent in the news, U.S. Senator John Cornyn has focused his website on fiscal issues for our nation. I am privileged to have a guest post on the Senator's site which can be viewed here. I appreciate the Senator's efforts to bring these vital issues to the public's attention during this election season. He has been a strong advocate Chris McClure aka Panhandle Poethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18276465051258888541noreply@blogger.com1