December 2006 AgNews Links

December 29, 2006
Texas High Plains Grain Elevator Workshop Scheduled Jan. 18  
AMARILLO – Bioenergy is the current buzz word in agriculture and the Texas High Plains Grain Elevator Workshop on Jan. 18 will keep it buzzing, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

December 28, 2006
Start Off the New Year on the Right Foot: Shoe Fit Matters  
COLLEGE STATION – If getting in shape is on your list of New Year's resolutions this year, the first step is making sure the shoe fits, said Texas Cooperative Extension experts.

December 28, 2006
Horse Woman: Mare, Foal Management Program a 'Bargain'  
ATHENS – A daylong mare and foal management program with Texas A&M experts for $30 is a bargain, said a Henderson County horse manager.

December 27, 2006
Workshop to Help Homeowners Create Oasis  
HOUSTON – Volunteers with Texas Cooperative Extension in Harris County will present a gardening workshop 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Extension auditorium, 3033 Bear Creek Drive.

December 27, 2006
Agriculture Conferences Slated in January, February  
LUBBOCK – South Plains producers can update their crop production and management skills and earn continuing education units at any of seven agriculture conferences. The Texas Cooperative Extension events are slated for January and February.

December 26, 2006
New Publication Available on Converting Manure to Energy  
COLLEGE STATION – In the wake of higher gas prices, interest in renewable and green energy has been fueled tremendously. This led to the publication of a Texas Cooperative Extension publication called "Manure to Energy: Understanding Processes, Principles and Jargon."

December 25, 2006
IPM Programs Slow Common Housefly's Resistance Building to Pesticides  
STEPHENVILLE – Thanks to years of unrestricted spraying, the ordinary housefly is becoming more resistant to commonly used pesticides every year, said a Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist.

December 22, 2006
Waco: Rural Economic Opportunities, Leadership Development Workshop Jan. 17  
WACO -- A workshop on nature tourism and community leadership is scheduled for 8:50 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Waco Convention Center.

December 22, 2006
Seminar to Help Develop This Year’s Marketing Plan for Feed Grains  
AMARILLO – Producers needing help in establishing a marketing plan for their feed grains operation in the midst of recent rising prices are invited to attend a two-day seminar, said Dr. Steve Amosson, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

December 21, 2006
February Short Course Focuses on Texas Viticulture  
LUBBOCK – Anyone interested in commercial wine-grape production and vineyard management should make plans to attend the Texas viticulture short course. Texas Cooperative Extension and Texas Tech University's Division of Outreach and Distance Education will present the course Feb. 7-9, 2007 at Baron's Creek Conference Center in Fredericksburg.

December 20, 2006
Meeting to Discuss Ethanol and Corn Prices' Affect on Irrigation Needs  
AMARILLO – Greater demand for corn in the wake of the growing ethanol industry could change the demand for irrigation in the upcoming year, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

December 19, 2006
Ground Spider Diversity Studied in Research Project  
COLLEGE STATION – None of Takesha Henderson's discoveries are named Charlotte, but they are weaving a new chapter in Texas entomology. Her graduate studies at Texas A&M University have led to the discovery of 25 new spiders in Brazos County and one species found for the first time in Texas.

December 18, 2006
2007 Master Gardener Class Set in Lubbock County  
LUBBOCK – Is your green thumb itching for the garden? Would you like to learn more about gardening, fruit and nut trees, water conservation and water gardening?

December 15, 2006
Pecan Integrated Pest Management Program Pays Plenty for Producers  
COLLEGE STATION – The Pecan Integrated Pest Management program has paid handsomely to both producers and consumers, said a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist.

December 14, 2006
Industry Mourns the Loss of Rice Pioneer  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Henry (Hank) Beachell, a 1996 World Food Prize winner who developed a high-yielding rice variety that fed the malnourished and poverty-stricken, died Dec. 13. He was 100.

December 14, 2006
Texas Extension to Lead Efforts to Stabilize Iraq Through Agriculture  
COLLEGE STATION – At this critical time in the Iraq war, a new effort to stabilize the country is being sought through agriculture. Texas Cooperative Extension, an agency of the Texas A&M University System, will lead a team of five land-grant universities to do just that.

December 14, 2006
Damage by Fire Ants in Rural Texas Estimated at $236.5 Million  
COLLEGE STATION – A recent study in rural Texas allowed respondents to estimate not only the damage from red imported fire ants, but also to calculate benefits as well, according to a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station economist.

December 14, 2006
Nearly $1 Million from Permanent University Funds to Support Texas Agriculture Research  
COLLEGE STATION – Like toys and electronics vying for the season's Hot Picks lists, such are the gadgets of researchers.

December 13, 2006
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Cold weather put a chill on some farm operations in parts of the state, but allowed some producers to finish harvests. In other areas, wind-blown snow and moisture put harvests on hold, according to Texas Cooperative Extension experts.

December 13, 2006
Rice Industry Tackles Export Problem  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas rice producers are encouraged to implement voluntary measures in 2007 in an attempt to regain valuable export markets, according to experts.

December 12, 2006
Crop, Livestock Insurance Course Set Jan. 30 at Hondo Community Center  
HONDO – A comprehensive course on federal crop and livestock insurance products will be presented 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Hondo Community Center, 1014 18th St.

December 12, 2006
Economist: Grain Production Outlook Best in 20 Years  
AMARILLO – Grain producers can look forward to a profitable market for several years, but cattle producers must work through some shocks in the market, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist said.

December 11, 2006
Cooler Weather Helps Texas Citrus Trees  
WESALCO – The arrival of cooler temperatures in the Lower Rio Grande Valley is a plus for the area's citrus industry, although harvest has gotten off to a slow start this year, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

December 08, 2006
Research Upsetting Some Notions about Honey Bees  
COLLEGE STATION – Genetic research, based on information from the recently released honey bee genome, has toppled some long-held beliefs about the honey bee that colonized Europe and the U.S.

December 08, 2006
Eat Your Vegetables! Parents Can Encourage Healthier Eating in Their Children  
COLLEGE STATION – Ask a child what his or her favorite foods are, and chances are vegetables and fruits won't be on the list.

December 07, 2006
Father of Green Revolution Hopes More Ag Professionals Will Join World Hunger Fight  
COLLEGE STATION – The U.S. House has voted to award Dr. Norman Borlaug a Congressional Gold Medal for his lifelong efforts to combat world hunger.

December 07, 2006
Energy Markets to Weigh Heavily on Future of Ag Commodity Prices  
COLLEGE STATION – If agricultural producers haven't been factoring the impact of energy markets on future commodity prices, it's time they did.

December 06, 2006
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Many agricultural producers are still shivering from an arctic blast that brought single-digit temperatures to some areas of the state. Some producers received ice and snow with the cold air, but are thankful because of the associated moisture, reported Texas Cooperative Extension agents.

December 06, 2006
Environmental Markets Theme for February Meeting in Houston  
COLLEGE STATION – Emerging ecosystems markets will be the topic for a meeting Feb. 27 in Houston.

December 06, 2006
Texas A&M Doctoral Student Builds Better Fly Trap  
COLLEGE STATION – Thomas Edison said success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration. But Robert Puckett showed he could build a better fly trap – phorid fly trap, that is – with 90 percent inspiration.

December 05, 2006
MEDIA ADVISORY: Extension to Offer Landscapers Pest Management Training  
HOUSTON — Texas Cooperative Extension's agriculture program in Harris County will offer the "Pest Management for Landscapers" workshop twice during December. Topics will focus on pest management for landscape contractors. After completion, participants will be eligible for five continuing education units applicable to licenses under the Texas Department of Agriculture and Structural Pest Control Board. Each session will be $25 for advance registration and $30 at the door. Pre-registration is recommended because these classes fill quickly. Contact Diana Todd, 281-855-5600,DGTodd@ag.tamu.edu

December 04, 2006
Electric May Be Cheaper Than Natural Gas When Farmers Water Crops This Spring  
AMARILLO – Producers who irrigate crops can make converting their watering systems to electricity pay at current natural gas prices, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

December 04, 2006
Retired Physician Thrives on Master Gardener Program  
WESLACO – When Harlingen physician Dr. Bob Hatcher was contemplating retirement and ways to fill his newfound leisure time, he came across Texas Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

December 01, 2006
Texas A&M Honors West Texas Men with Regents Fellow Service Awards  
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University System's board of regents honored two West Texas men with Regents Fellow Service Awards this week in College Station.

December 01, 2006
Boutton Receives Regents Professor Award  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Thomas W. Boutton, professor and plant ecologist with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, has received a Regents Professor Award from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.

December 01, 2006
Rice Named Recipient of Texas A&M Regents Fellow Service Award  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Carol Rice, program leader for Texas Cooperative Extension's family development and resource management unit, received a Regents Fellow Service Award at the board's meeting this week in College Station.

December 01, 2006
Texas Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Receives Coca-Cola REAL Grant  
AUSTIN – Texas Cooperative Extension for Travis County has received a $7,500 REAL 4-H! Community Grant from Coca-Cola. The grant was given to support the Watershed Ecology Team activities of Extension's 4-H Children and Adults Participating in Technology and Literacy program.

December 01, 2006
Onion, Garlic Topics for Seasoned Researchers  
COLLEGE STATION – Onion and garlic scientists from around the nation will convene Dec. 7-8 to rehash the year's research on these popular food crops.