Hatching In the Classroom Program

Attached are photos from Mrs. Raymond’s Class and Mrs. Mayfield’s Class at Sunray Elementary School. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Moore County just completed the Hatching in the Classroom Program in the elementary schools in Moore County. The Hatching in the Classroom program is targeted for

Elementary Students in Kindergarten – 4^th grade. The students go through the 21 day hatching process and experience life from egg to chick. They experience the life process by way of egg and incubator and observed the day by day development of a chick and how that relates to other life processes. The students get to examine embryos, observe blood vessels developing inside the egg and learn how the chick develops from day one. This project introduces complex concepts and develops an appreciation for life and life science. This process invites children to make a hands-on connection to life cycles and life sciences.  We greatly appreciate all of the teachers who went through this program with their students, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wieck for their donation of the fertile eggs and the Family Farm Store for their donation of chick feed.

Day of Caring Presented by Moore County United Way

The United Way of Moore County conducts a Day of Caring every year. On this day, local volunteer workers donate their time and effort to do one-time service projects for the elderly or disabled. The projects are small home improvement tasks the elderly or disabled are unable to do themselves. The volunteers are from all walks of life. They are from churches, companies, civic groups, and many other organizations. If you are interested in participating please contact the United Way of Moore County office at 935-2571.

If you would like to sign up a team, or if you are an individual willing to help, please contact Roxann Allen at 935-2571U

District 1 4-H Roundup For Moore County

Livestock Judging-  Intermediate Livestock Judging Team- Cash McCurley, Grayson McCurley and Cooper Hokanson

 Dillon Cooley, Ethan Long, Annie Anderson and Hadley Strack. Team 1 Duds to Dazzle

Miranda Merriam, Jonathan Garcia, Shelton Shurley, Mirah Stone and Fernando Martinez. Team 2 Duds To Dazzle

Grayson McCurley, Cash McCurley, Fabian Rivera and Justin Hill – Entomology

Haley Martin, CEA -4-H and Youth Development with Fashion show competitors, Sarah Thornburg, Vanessa Rivera, Jacqueline Hinojosa, Elizabeth Guereca, and Cayman Ivins

District 1 4-H Roundup is a culmination of multiple competitions that is designed to supplement the county 4-H program and project work. Approximately 800 youth in District 1 competed  during the weekend of April 21-23, 2016.  Senior level 4-Her’s (9-12 grade) are given the opportunity to qualify and  advance to state competition in College Station, Texas in June. Several  Moore County 4-H youth participated  in  District 1 4-H Competitions at Spring Round up over the weekend. We are proud of and congratulate our youth for their hard work, dedication and for their representation of Moore County 4-H.

Duds to Dazzle Results:

The Junior Duds to Dazzle Team placed 4^th in the Jewelry/Accessory Category. That team consisted of Brianna Brinkmann, Chasidy Easterling, Justin Hill, and Haven Martin. We had two teams of Senior 4-Her’s who also competed in Duds to Dazzle. Team one competed in Jewelry/ Accessory, placing 2^nd were Annie Anderson, Dillon Cooley, Ethan Long, and Hadley Strack. Team two also placed 2^nd competed in the Wearable Category. That team consisted of Jonathan Garcia, Fernando Martinez, Miranda Merriam, and Mariah Stone.

Educational Presentation:

Annie Anderson participated in the Senior Level  Open Ag Category, Justin Hill placed second in the FCS Horticulture Category and James Hudson placed second in the Open FCS Category.  

Entomology:

Justin Hill was 2^nd High Individual in the Junior Entomology competition and Fabian Rivera was second High Individual in the Intermediate Competition. Cash McCurley, Grayson McCurley and Fabian Rivera competed as an Intermediate Team and placed second.

Fashion Show Results:

Cayman Ivins competed in the Intermediate Age Group and placed first in the Construction Category  and First in the Natural Fibers Wool Category. Katie Simnacher also competed as an Intermediate and placed third in the Construction- Refashion Category. Senior competitors were Elizabeth Guereca, Jacqueline Hinojosa, Vanessa Rivera and Sarah Thornburg. Jacqueline competed in Buying-Special Interest and placed second. Elizabeth placed second in the Buying Business Interview Attire, Vanessa participated in the Fantastic Fashions under $25, and Sarah placed second in the Buying Semi Formal to Formal Category.

Horse Judging Results:

Gillian Darcy, Lilliana Gorham, Devan Running, Sarah Stovall, Kyle Stroebel, and Kyler Weatherford competed in District Horse Judging. The team placed first Overall, first in Reasons and first in Halter and Performance. Gillian Darcy placed third individually in Reasons and third in Halter. Devan Running was second Overall  Individual, third Individual Performance, fourth in Reasons, and fourth in Halter. Kyler Weatherford placed first in Individual Reasons and  second in Individual Halter.

Livestock Judging:

Intermediates, Cooper Hokanson, Cash McCurley and Grayson McCurley competed and placed first as a team in Swine Judging. Cash McCurley was third High Individual, and Cooper Hokanson was eighth High individual. The Senior Level Team consisted of Annie Anderson, Brady Friese, Ethan Long and Bailee McKay. They placed ninth as a team, ninth with Beef Judging, ninth in Swine Judging, eighth in Sheep and Goat Judging and ninth in Reasons.

Storyboard Results:

 The top three placings in Storyboard Competition will go on to state competition. Ashely Ortiz placed first, Yessenia Ruiz placed second and Jonathan Garcia placed third in the Senior Jewelry Category. In the Senior Non Wearable category, Jacque Hinojosa placed second, and Beatrice Escarcega placed third. Angelica Delatorre placed first and the Monica Hernandez placed second in the Senior Wearable Category. In the Senior Accessory Category, Ashley Mendoza placed second and Brady Friese placed third. Estefany Quinonez placed first, Bailee McKay placed second, and Annette Saucedo placed third in the Senior Pet Clothing Category. In the Junior Jewelry Category, Haven Martin placed second and Chasidy Easterling placed third. Hailee Martin placed fouth in the Junior Pet Clothing category. Katie Simnacher competed in the Intermediate wearable category and placed 4^th.

2016 Day of Caring Needs Volunteers and Houses

Volunteers from last year's Day of Caring

The United Way of Moore County conducts a Day of Caring every year.  On this day, local volunteer workers donate their time and effort to do one-time service projects for the elderly or disabled.  The projects are small home improvement  tasks the elderly or disabled are unable to do themselves. The volunteers are from all walks of life.  They are from churches, companies, civic groups, and many other organizations.  If you are interested in participating please contact the United Way of Moore County office at 935-2571.

If you would like to sign up a team, or if you are an individual willing to help, please contact RoxAllen at 935-2571.

Cutting Edge and Critical Information in this Year’s Hemphill County AgriLife Beef Conference

 Beef producers from all across this region will be gathering in Canadian, TX for the annual Hemphill County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Beef Conference on Tuesday, April 26th and Wednesday, April 27th at the Jones Pavilion in Canadian, TX. This year’s conference is all about beef cattle marketing and, with the terrible bleeding of equity from the fat and feeder cattle segments in recent months, the cow/calf producers need to hear the important and critical, cutting edge information, says Andy Holloway, County Extension Agent for Hemphill County. Holloway was a rancher who drought out before coming to Canadian, who very well understands how changing environments or markets can impact the cattle industry. Troy Applehans of CattleFax from Denver, CO will be the first speaker on Tuesday, April 26th. Troy will present very crucial statistical information on the recent past markets and how we got to the point we are today. He will also discuss the forecast CattleFax is making, based on market data on where the beef industry is headed, both short and long term. Applehans said this information will be critical for producers to make good marketing plans regarding the future. Holloway said “it will be worth more than 10X the cost of the registration ticket, in his opinion, just for this one presentation alone, much less all the other speakers, steak dinners, and entertainment”. Dr. Tim Steffens, AgriLife Range Specialist and WTAMU Professor will then present very interesting information on “How to convert low quality forage into high value beef”. Steffens is the co-founder of the Hemphill County AgriLife Grass Grazing and Animal Management School founded and located in Canadian, TX. This school resulted from a twenty year dream that came true last year at the 2015 Hemphill County Beef Conference. 29 producers paid $300 each to participate in the 40 hour in-depth study that has resulted in Dr. Steffen’s dream becoming a reality. Holloway said, to the best of his knowledge, this school is the first of its kind ever through AgriLife. Dr. Steffens will discuss the 2.0 version that will be offered to producers this year. Next on the speakers list will be Jason Barber of Superior Livestock Auction, Fort Worth, TX. Jason was born and raised here in the Texas Panhandle on a ranch near Channing, TX. He knows very well from his own ranching experience and education how important and vital marketing is to beef cattle producers on every level. Superior Livestock Auction is the largest beef cattle auction in the world with sales utilizing the latest in technology. Barber will speak on how technology has shaped cattle markets over the last decades to the present and how producers can utilize it to add value to their beef production. Barber will also discuss new technology that’s in the pipeline of development that will influence the way we sell our cattle in the future. Holloway added “Jason Barber is an Ag Professional that works hard every day to assist the beef industry with cattle marketing.” Holloway also said Superior is a strong leader in developing technology to assist cow/calf & other beef producers. A ranchers Brisket and Sausage lunch will be served and sponsored by the American Angus Assn. The food for this event will be catered by the Cattle Exchange of Canadian. Ken Jordan, Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, TX will be presenting how producers with high quality cattle can add value to their programs by marketing some or all of their production as replacement quality females. Jordan Cattle Auction is thought by many to be the nation’s leading replacement female auction, featuring special sales throughout the year for replacement quality females. Jordan has also developed special premium calf sales for small producers, allowing them to enjoy some great added values through this opportunity for both steers and heifers. Keynote speaker for the 2016 Beef conference will be Salem Abraham, Abraham Trading Company of Canadian, TX. Salem is a very highly recognized businessman that has business interest in trading commodities that are publically traded, stocks, bonds, currencies plus real estate and oil and gas endeavors. Salem will offer insight and very thoughtful outlooks on strategies to market more effectively and reduce risk potential for beef producers. This presentation will encapsulate extremely valuable information for producers to consider. This beef conference will also feature 26 trade booths from vendors across the TX Panhandle and the State of Texas providing information on their products or services. Holloway said this will make the beef conference even more user friendly so that the time people spend at this event will be well spent. Ribeye steaks will be served sponsored by Indian Mound Ranch, Certified Hereford Beef Assn. and Thriftway Affiliated Store for the enjoyment of all the beef conference participants. This wonderful dinner will be followed by Red Steagall, the famous legendary Texas singing cowboy who was born and raised right here in the Texas Panhandle. During Red’s time of entertainment he will assist in the presentation of the first ever awarded “Hemphill County Rancher of the Year” award. This will be a very special moment for the conference. The Ag Tour on Wednesday, April 27th will feature a ranch stop at Little Robe Ranch near Higgins, TX on the very eastern edge of Hemphill County. There will be a ranch tour provided by the Jenkins Family and then a presentation made by Zoetis on the DNA testing of cattle to enhance EPD’s and its use to enhance the market value of beef cattle. The tour will depart back to Canadian where the group will enjoy KC Strip steak lunch sponsored by Ag Texas at The Citadelle. The tour group will enjoy a tour of the western art display called “Impressionism: Branding with Color, 1885-1935” this will be a real treat. Final stop will be the Canadian Animal Health & Nutrition (AH&N) where they will give a tour of the feed store plus their new shooting sports division. Wes Avent, partner in AH&N, will also have two beef cattle nutrionists to speak on new technology available in protein cubes for cows and the script law pertaining to feed that the FDA is putting into effect January 1, 2017. Corporate sponsors for this event are Capital Farm Credit and Panhandle Plains Land Bank. Please register ASAP by calling the Hemphill County AgriLife Extension office at (806)323-9114 or emailing kristi.huffman@ag.tamu.edu

Dumas/Moore County Annual Chamber Banquet

County Judge Rowdy Rhoades, 2015 Outstanding Citizen Award

Texas North Western Railway Company, 2015 Industry of the Year

Missy Turner, 2015 Chamber Volunteer of the Year
Brian Winkleman, Small Business of the 2015 Year
Farmer/Rancher of the Year Brook Brown(Not present)

Jody Holland of Amarillo, Texas

Teresa Chastain and Andrew McMurry Retiring Board Members

Dumas High School Jazz Band

The 4-H Fashion Storyboard is an industry-inspired method of displaying of original designs. The best storyboards create vivid visual images that are interesting and appealing to viewers. The storyboard “tells the story” of the designer’s idea. The storyboard includes original illustrations and flats, as well as, additional materials (such as photos from the internet or magazines, paper, fabric swatches, patterns, etc.) that have influenced the unique design.

The purpose of the Fashion Storyboard contest is to give 4-H members an opportunity to create a storyboard of their original design. It also provides the members an opportunity to gain knowledge of the career responsibilities of a fashion designer and illustrator, enhance creativity and originality, and develop visual communication skills. Friday, April 1, 2016, several Moore County Youth participated in a county Storyboard competition with hopes of moving on to district competition later in the month.

The top three from each category, listed below will move on. Senior Jewelry: 1st- Yesenia Ruiz, 2nd Ashley Ortiz, 3rd- Jonathan Garcia Senior Non Wearable: 1st- Jaqueline Hinojosa, 2nd Shelton Shurley, 3rd- Beatriz Escarcega Senior Pet Clothing: 1st- Estefany Quinonez, 2nd Anette Saucedo, 3rd- Bailee McKay Senior Accessory: 1st- James Hudson, 2nd- Brady Friese, 3rd- Ashley Mendoza Senior Wearable: 1st- Monica Hernandez-Olivo, 2nd- Angelica Delatorre, 3rd- Galilea Marquez Intermediate Wearable: 1st Katie Simnacher Junior Pet Clothing: 1st- Haliee Martin Junior Jewelry: 1st- Chasidy Easterling, 2nd- Haven Martin Clover Kid Accessory: 1st Tara Easterling