Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/49274
4A Daily News – Saturday, December 3, 2011 Agriculture & farm A mighty wind I was in Reno when the wind blew in strong gusts and the windswept fire started west of the city. From our hotel we could see the smoke in the different canyons after we turned on the television and learned it was already 400 acres in less than five hours. By the time it was stopped, it had burned close to 2,000 acres and 32 homes. The man who died of a heart attack evacuat- ing his home, Gordon Cupples, had grown up in Red Bluff. His father was meteorologist- in- charge at the Red Bluff Weather Station from Aug. 9, 1944 through Oct. 31, 1969, Aubrey A. Cupples. The Cupples family lived on Hwy 36E, where Cumpton Truck- ing is located. Cupples, who was born in Reno in 1937, grew up in Red Bluff, Calif. As a young man, he joined the Marine Corps after attending Oregon State University and became a naval aviator. He even- tually became a pilot for United Airlines. He moved back to Reno in 1976, and continued flying with United until he retired in 1997, ending a 32- year career. The road department issued warn- ings for trucks on Hwy 395 in Lassen County because the wind was blow- ing so strong. Over 700 attendees were in Nevada for the annual California Cat- tleman and Cattle- Women convention at John Ascuaga's Nugget. Tehama County was represented by TCCA President Chris Maren- co, Wally and Billie Roney, Bryce and Erin Borror, Woody and Jane Barnes, TCCW Ppresi- dent Danielle Zane, Jean Barton, Geneva Drinkwater-Toms, and CowBelle of the Year Ruth Flory. The cattlewomen were pleased to have Jill Ginn, American Nation- al CattleWomen presi- dent, Granbury, Texas speak at the CowBelle of the Year luncheon. Special guest and speak- er at the CCW Annual Meeting and Awards ranch Water resources meeting open to the public The public is invited to attend a Local Manage- ment Water Resources in Northern Sacramento Val- ley meeting Dec. 16 at the Corning Veterans Memo- rial Hall, 1620 Solano St. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the meeting runs from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $15. The program will provide an update to current groundwater conditions, give an overview of coun- ty and regional efforts to manage and protect local groundwater resources. The meeting will also review findings from on- going technical investigations and discuss water issues from a broader regional and statewide con- text. Topics include local water supply and demand by Courtesy photo The CowBelles of the Year were honored at a special luncheon during the California Cattlemen/CattleWomen convention. Tehama County Cattle- Woman Ruth Flory was fourth from left in front row. Breakfast was Polly Ruhland, chief execu- tive officer, Cattlemen's Beef Board, Denver, Colo. Jean Barton California Depart- ment of Food and Agri- culture Secretary Karen Ross was the keynote speaker in the Celebrity Sho wroom, following a prime rib din- ner one evening. She mentioned California had the fifth largest agricultural economy in the world, and 400 commercial crops are grown in the state with 12% of the nation's exports. In 1950, one farmer raised enough food for 27 Americans and now one farmer can feed 155 people. In 1950 17% of income was spent on food pre- pared at home and now it is 6 to 7%. American agriculture is so productive and efficient, it is easy for consumers to forget where their food comes from. She suggested we engage and embrace the consumers, so when they buy local products they learn where it is grown. Connect with consumers in local mar- kets. When a nation increases their income, they improve their diet and nutrition. Examples mentioned were China and India. There are challenges because some organiza- tions agenda is to elimi- nate animal agriculture. Red Bluff 's Hawes Ranch & Farm Supply had helped sponsor a Powder River XL Manu- al Squeeze Chute as a fund raiser for Califor- nia CattleWomen. This year the lucky ticket was held by the Alame- da County Cattle- Women. TCCA member and local director Chad Amen was 4th in the Top Hand membership contest. At a cattlemen's lun- cheon, our friends from Susanville, Todd and Lori Swickard of Five Dot Ranch were honored as Commercial Producer of the Year by Cattle- mens Beef Cattle Improvement Associa- tion. Speaking during the luncheon were National Cattlemen's Beef Asso- ciation vice president Scott George and CEO Forrest Roberts. John Maas, DVM, a longtime California beef industry supporter, edu- cator and researcher, was presented with the prestigious Gordon K. Van Vleck at the annual banquet. As the highest honor awarded by the Califor- nia Cattlemen‚s Associ- ation, the Gordon K. Van Vleck award is named for one of CCA's great past leaders. It is awarded to an individual who is not engaged in beef cattle production as a primary occupation but has made great con- tribution to the industry. "I can think of no one more deserving of this award than John Maas," said Ione Conlan, one of the many California beef producers who nominated Maas for the award. "He is a selfless individual who has given tirelessly to beef producers, who have benefited from his extensive knowledge, kind demeanor and pro- lific writing and research." Maas said he was the first in his family to graduate from high school and college, after meeting his future wife, who was raised on a rep- utable Northern Califor- nia Hereford ranch, (the Crowe Hereford Ranch at Millville), he gained a passion for the ranching way of life and set vet- erinary medicine as his goal. He graduated from California State Univer- sity, Chico with degrees in Biology and Chem- istry. Maas continued his education at the Uni- versity of California- Davis, where he became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1973. After spending a number of years in private large animal practice, Maas attended the University of Missouri for a mas- ter's degree in Veteri- nary Microbiology. Upon presenting Maas with the award, Conlan said while work- ing as a faculty member at the University of Idaho and Oregon State University, Maas became board certified in both Nutrition and Internal Medicine, thus adding more academic letters after his name than actually in his name. Maas joined the fac- ulty of the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis in 1988 and works in Veterinary Medicine Extension in beef cattle health and food safety. Congratula- tions Dr. Maas, from your many Tehama County friends. Jean Barton can be reached at jbarton@theskybeam.co m. 1705 Airport Blvd. Suite E, Red Bluff 530-528-1225 Under New Management Mon.-Thurs. 10am-5:30pm • Fri. 10am-6:30pm Open Saturdays Nov. 26th thru Dec. 17th 9am-3pm for your Holiday Shopping needs Serving Hot Dogs & Soft Drinks Saturdays 11am-1pm STOP BY AND ENTER OUR FREE DRAWING FOR A RUGER 10/22 RIFLE Over 100 new & used guns in stock Full line of ammo & accessories for your Shooting, Hunting & Reloading needs. We buy guns 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cedar & Madison Sts. Red Bluff Dec. 8, 9 & 10 Thu.-Fri.-Sat. High School Scholarships For Custom Wreaths & Designs Call 527-4578 or 526-4578 Former Holiday Market Proceeds go to Kelly Staton, Department of Water Resources Northern Region; What does a decision maker need to address local water resource policy? by Supervi- sor Bob Williams; Incorporating Science-based knowledge into Local Groundwater Management by Lester Messina of Glenn County and Experiences and Lessons Learned from Local Groundwater Management implemented by Paul Gosselin, Butte County Department of Water Resources Conserva- tion. Lunch will be from 12:15-1:45 with the keynote topic being "California Water Myths and Realities" by Jay Lund, UC Davis Center for Watershed Sci- ences. Seating is limited. Please register by Monday, Dec. 12. For more information call the Tehama County UCCE Cooperative Extension Office at 527-3101. Walnut, Prune days planned Dates have been set for 2012 Tehama Walnut Day and Tehama Prune Day with events planned at the Red Bluff Elks Lodge, 355 Gilmore Road. Tehama Walnut Day will be Fri- day, Jan. 20, and Tehama Prune Day is Friday, Feb. 3. More information will be available soon. Go online at www.cetehama.ucdavis.edu and look under the calendar or orchard crops tab. Ag clerk@redbluffdailynews.com News? Red Bluff Garden Club CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE ALL FRESH WREATHS, ARRANGEMENTS AND MORE