Texas Heat!

[Western]

My well is on the Wise Co. co-op power, the bill is usually $24

My electric is on Tri County and runs up to $240 last month. My thermostat is set at 72. I have septic and haul my bagged trash to my brothers dumpster, so that saves me about $40 for rural pickup. I burn anything that is a paper product, no plastics, cans, bottles or metal stuff like staples since I will spread the ash around.

 

[mikim]

Mike, do you have connections with the weatherman, we got none?

Remember - Nat'l Wx Service is just in advertising...if ya got a problem with production ya gotta talk directly to "the man"....I know I have been. I also talked with the climatologist at the old office who I know to be very good. Hey - he predicted snow on Christmas in 04 when no one else did and we got 6" south of Houston. Anyway he tells me this winter will be dry and next summer will be a repeat of this one. HOT and dry again. If it happens - lots of things will be absolutely desperate.

 

[mikim]

we checked our electric bill (online) and it is $285 this month. That includes running the well pump and the aerobic septic system.

Jim - I don't feel so bad about my elect bill then. It was $306 but add to mine the cabin AC and in my shop also (where we used to live) and my wife sets our AC at 72 each night. So with all those spaces AC'd and a 2000 sq ft house, well & septic - I guess I'm OK with my bill. That TBN cabin has guests in it nearly every weekend.

 

[jinman]

Anyway he tells me this winter will be dry and next summer will be a repeat of this one. HOT and dry again. If it happens - lots of things will be absolutely desperate.

Sounds like a good reason to build ponds. You gotta catch every drop of runoff you can, even from small rain showers.

Last year the drought was rough on central TX too, but around here the hay production was exceptionally good. This year's drought continues to set records all across the state. I agree. If this trend continues, the whole state will be in for some tough times.

 

[Western]

I was told at a feed store that their competitor was asking $125 for round bales, don't know if that's true, but it probably is close. If this drought continues, I don't see how anyone with livestock can survive the financial impact, at least for a profit margin. Not to mention the cost to our economy to lost harvest sales. Water may be the next "Texas Tea".

 

[pacerron]

Ron,
I am not familiar with that brand, but you are pretty spot on as far as the effective range. I have yet to see one take a good photo at the rated max distance at night. Usually the limiting factor is the flash range, like the one I have currently will pick up an animal at maybe 35', but the flash only illuminates the eyes, (if their looking).

I say try to keep the anticipated distance to animal traffic to 30' or less, even though the photo will be a large "snapshot", the camera has to know somethings there. I put mine about 30" high, I have a lazer light on the cam that helps with the alignment.

If you haven't, I would point it directly where you think the deer are feeding, or if they are crossing a fence , that's a good spot since they generally will stand there a second to ponder the situation.
To use on a trail, it's best to have the highest trigger speed game cam you can get, I would also point it somewhat down the trail VS a cross shot. (requires allot of speed)

Dennis,
Caught in the act and surprised by the red array of the IR flash! They will probably get used to that. I can run my tractor within 30 feet of them and they pay no attention, holler, fire warning rounds, etc. They just look up as if to say, "What do you want now"
Ron

 

[Gordo 56]

Sounds like a good reason to build ponds. You gotta catch every drop of runoff you can, even from small rain showers.

Last year the drought was rough on central TX too, but around here the hay production was exceptionally good. This year's drought continues to set records all across the state. I agree. If this trend continues, the whole state will be in for some tough times.

I agree with you Jim, you have to catch every drop of runoff you can,use rain barrels, or bring back cisterns, put in a well if the law allows.

If this trend continues, because of global warming, I think you might see a big migration of people moving out of the dry states similar to what happened in the 30's during the dust bowl years. It will be felt by all, food prices will most certainly rise now from drought in the south.

Water is going to be critical in our future, already big corporations are buying up water rights even in states like Illinois, with the great lakes to draw from.

 

[pacerron]

I didn't make that very clear, Bird. But what I was meaning to point out is that my electric bill is only a little more than your water bill, and includes both water and sewer. I don't know why I didn't just say that.:confused2: I just can't get over your water charges when I use 4 times as much water and my cost is tiny. Living out here in the country really is a bargain, but of course, we have to drive to town to shop and that costs a bunch over a month.

Jim,
Don't forget the cost of the well and septic tank system plus the loss of earnings of that money from investments. So far, I bet Bird is paying less than you total over the past ten years if you include these costs.
Ron

 

[jinman]

Jim,
Don't forget the cost of the well and septic tank system plus the loss of earnings of that money from investments. So far, I bet Bird is paying less than you total over the past ten years if you include these costs.
Ron

True enough, but my well cost is the same whether I pump 10 gallons or 100k gallons a month. The installation cost is fixed and seems less and less as the years pass. As Dennis mentioned, his electric cost of his well is $24 per month. That just happens to be the "customer charge" added to any bill. He hasn't even exceeded the minimum amount that will be the same on every bill.

That's pretty much true with a pond. If I dig it this year or next, it's a single cost. I don't have some utility board somewhere deciding how much money they need and passing the cost of their wasteful spending on to me as a consumer. If it rains 1" or 30" during a year, my pond cost stays fixed because it's paid for. Unfortunately, that's not completely true here in Texas because we have property taxes and adding a pond can raise your property value if you don't have an agricultural exemption. They'll shake your hand and slip their free hand into your wallet if you let them.

 

[Western]

"They'll shake your hand and slip their free hand into your wallet if you let them."

Jim, you got that right!!

My brother built 2, 30'x40' shops on his place in Parker County. He found out "after the fact" that if he had not put windows in them they would have been taxed as a "barn", but they are taxed as a shop now which is higher.

Speaking of pond building, I wonder if this drought continues, if the state will start, or revamp the pond building cost share program? They may still do it, i know they where in the 90's when I had them out to do one for us. We had to pay all cost up front and build to the state specs for our terrain, then they paid back half of the cost.

That may encourage a few to build more detainment ponds. I would welcome a corps lake too!!!!!:thumbsup: