March 2004 AgNews Links

March 31, 2004
Oak Leaf Rollers Can Be Controlled  
COLLEGE STATION – It's like something out of a science fiction movie. Squirmy, twisting THINGS dangling by silken threads from trees. You can't visit your patio anymore. You feel trapped inside the house. They're absolutely horrid.

March 31, 2004
New Study Raises Questions About Credit Counseling  
COLLEGE STATION – Despite all the money problems solved on all those television commercials, some credit counseling services don't always deliver, said Nancy Granovsky, Texas Cooperative Extension family economics specialist.

March 31, 2004
Research Shows Nitrogen Plus Broiler Litter Equals Cleaner Surface Water  
OVERTON – Combining nitrogen fertilizer with poultry litter is an effective method for reducing soil phosphorus buildup and potential environmental problems, according to four years of Texas Agricultural Experiment Station research.

March 30, 2004
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION - Despite the early February outbreak of avian influenza, Easter eggs are still safe for Texas' tables, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

March 30, 2004
Consumer Financial Crisis: Non-Business Bankruptcies Increasing  
COLLEGE STATION – The numbers don't look good.

March 30, 2004
East Texas Feral Hog Numbers Skyrocketed In Last Decade  
OVERTON – A Texas Cooperative Extension survey of 491 East Texas landowners indicates that feral hog populations dramatically increased during the last ten10 years.

March 30, 2004
Brazosport Isd Students Learn From Day Spent With Alligators, Crabs And More  
ANGELTON – The fourth and seventh grade students in Brazosport Independent School District probably think a day spent at Brazoria Wildlife Refuge is just a fun way to get a science grade. Tom Schneider and Bryan Adams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees who coordinate the Environmental Education Program, say they hope the students gain an appreciation for this natural resource that provides food, tourism income and leisure on the Texas Gulf Coast.

March 30, 2004
Norman Borlaug International Science And Technology Fellows Program Unveiled  
COLLEGE STATION – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced Monday the Norman Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program, which will give scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs from developing countries an opportunity to learn about the U.S. agricultural system and the latest technological innovations.

March 29, 2004
Norman Borlaug International Science And Technology Fellows Program Unveiled  
COLLEGE STATION – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced Monday the Norman Borlaug International Science and Technology Fellows Program, which will give scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs from developing countries an opportunity to learn about the U.S. agricultural system and the latest technological innovations.

March 29, 2004
Urban Legends: Don’t Believe Everything You Read In E-Mail  
COLLEGE STATION – What do shampoo, bottled water, plastic water bottles, artificial sweetener and sun screen have in common?

March 26, 2004
Small Grains Research Results In Big Payoffs For Producers, Environment  
AMARILLO -- Small wonders are in small grains.

March 26, 2004
Cattle Industry Braces For National Id System  
HOUSTON – It's unclear what type of national animal identification system will be put into place, but "mandatory animal ID is coming," according to one U.S. Congressman.

March 25, 2004
Raymond O. Berry Memorial Lecture Scheduled  
COLLEGE STATION – The 10th annual Dr. Raymond O. Berry Lecture will be held from 3-5 p.m. on April 2 at the Veterinary Medical Disciplinary Building at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.

March 25, 2004
Cotton, Grain Sorghum Production Focus Of March 31 Meeting  
ETTER-Texas Cooperative Extension in Moore, Sherman, Dallam and Hartley counties will sponsor a production meeting focused on cotton and grain sorghum March 31. The event will be held at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's North Plains Research Field, Hwy. 287 north of Dumas.

March 25, 2004
Food Consultant Shares Extension Food Safety Information With Local Consultants  
HOUSTON - Gloria Wilkins listened to her mother's advice: Eat right, wash your hands before cooking. In fact, she left a good job in the oil industry because of it.

March 24, 2004
Cleaner Indoor Air Possible, But Fancy Equipment Not Always Needed  
COLLEGE STATION – From here to Timbuktu, one thing everybody can agree on is the necessity of clean air.

March 24, 2004
Ballinger Hosts Agri-Plex Ag Day April 2  
BALLINGER – The 2004 Agri-Plex Ag Day is set for April 2 in Ballinger High School. The biannual event, now in its 16th year, is coordinated by Texas Cooperative Extension with the support of local and area agribusiness and trade show exhibitors. Agricultural and consumer issues facing rural Texans will be showcased.

March 24, 2004
Cleaner, Safer Water Now Available In Rural Mullin  
MULLIN – Cleaner, safer water has been the focus of residents of Mullin, where high rates of nitrate were recently discovered in many private water wells.

March 23, 2004
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION — April showers should bring May flowers, and plenty of peaches and cantaloupes as well, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

March 23, 2004
A&M Researcher Studying Genes Of Mosquitoes  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M University researchers are studying the genes of the mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, the carrier for both dengue and yellow fever, hoping to keep deadly mosquito-borne diseases at bay.

March 23, 2004
Tceq Plans Texas Country Cleanups In April  
AUSTIN – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will conduct a series of agricultural waste pesticide collections for rural areas in April. Texas Cooperative Extension will co-sponsor these events.

March 23, 2004
Caregiver Of The Year To Be Named  
BRYAN – Some heroes never make the news.

March 22, 2004
Fire Ant Killing Protozoa Found In 120 Texas Counties  
STEPHENVILLE – If imported fire ants dreamed – and who knows if they do or don't – then a tiny protozoa could be their worst nightmare.

March 22, 2004
Texas 4-H Team Gains National Acclaim For Environmental Efforts  
VICTORIA -- The narrow country road branches out in three directions. Nearby fields lie fallow for the winter; neighbors' houses are few and far apart.

March 19, 2004
G-Evers  
OVERTON - Seeded bermudagrass varieties could some day compete with top-yielding sprigged varieties, according to two years of field research at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton.

March 18, 2004
Texas Brigades Youth Sign-Up Is Under Way  
SAN ANGELO - The sign-up for the 2004 "Texas Brigades," a group of wildlife-oriented youth camps targeting 13- to 17- year-old high school students, is now under way.

March 18, 2004
Red-Hot Ideas: El Paso Pepper Producer  
EL PASO -- Take a big helping of a jalapeño industry by-product. Add a grower's determination. Sprinkle with advice from a Texas Cooperative Extension county agent. Add a little smoke and drying time. The result is a recipe that is delicioso.

March 17, 2004
Mcginty Fills Extension Post In Gray County  
PAMPA – Brandon M. McGinty will move to his new job as agricultural and natural resources agent with Texas Cooperative Extension in Gray County effective April 1.

March 17, 2004
Hill Country Deer Management Day Planned  
DOSS - This picturesque spot in the Texas Hill Country near historic Fredericksburg will play host to the "Hill Country Deer Management Day" April 13. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Doss Community Center.

March 17, 2004
S-Popescu  
COLLEGE STATION - Through the red eye of an airplane-borne scanning laser, individual trees emerge distinct from thickets, and the undergrowth beneath the tree canopy appears as if by magic.

March 16, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas' onion crop will soon be available in the state's grocery stores, Texas Cooperative Extension reports. According to Joe Pena of Uvalde, Extension economist, the harvesting of spring onions has barely begun, but already, producers are anticipating sweet rewards.

March 16, 2004
Community Foresters Get "Above Canopy" To Consider Improvements  
(Editors: For local angle, see the list at the end of the story for participants attending the inaugural class.)

March 16, 2004
Extension Education Helps Texans Make Forests A Renewable Resource  
OVERTON -- Iris and Charles Newkirk had a $22,000 learning experience shortly after investing in 100 acres of timberland.

March 15, 2004
Texas A&M Claims Meat Judging Championship  
HOUSTON – For the third year in a row, the Texas A&M University meat judging team won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Intercollegiate Meat Judging contest.

March 15, 2004
Peanut Production Workshop Slated For March 26 In Brownfield  
LUBBOCK – Farmers and agribusiness representatives can update their knowledge of peanut production at a March 26 peanut production workshop in Brownfield.

March 15, 2004
Kids, Kows & More Introduces Kids To Agriculture  
EL PASO - Some 100 years ago, American kids knew all about agriculture, because one out of every two families lived on a farm, ranch or dairy. No more.

March 12, 2004
Hermesmeyer New Extension Agent In Deaf Smith County  
HEREFORD - Dr. Gregory Neil Hermesmeyer will begin his new job as agricultural and natural resources agent with Texas Cooperative Extension in Deaf Smith County effective March 15.

March 12, 2004
Producers Watching Late Emerging Wheat  
AMARILLO - Recent rains have helped green up much of the drought-stressed Texas Panhandle wheat, said Dr. Brent Bean, Texas Cooperative Extension agronomist at Amarillo.

March 12, 2004
Range Management Workshop Focuses On Wildlife, Livestock And Recreation  
LUBBOCK – A two-day workshop in early April will provide ranchers and landowners insight into managing land for cattle, wildlife and recreation.

March 12, 2004
More Studies Needed In Drug, Grapefruit Juice Interaction  
WESLACO - Is it safe to take prescription drugs with a glass of grapefruit juice? The bottom line, according to a citrus scientist in South Texas, is that much more research needs to be done before that question can be answered.

March 11, 2004
Hair Sheep Symposium And Sale Set For April 17  
STERLING CITY – Texas Cooperative Extension's offices in Sterling and Irion counties and the Texas Hair Sheep Association will hold a Hair Sheep Symposium and Sale April 17 in Sterling County's Community Center.

March 11, 2004
Havlak New Extension Turfgrass And Water Management Specialist  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas Cooperative Extension has appointed Roger Havlak as its new turfgrass and water management program specialist.

March 10, 2004
Brush Busters Finds Home On The Range, In The City  
SAN ANGELO -- Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest.

March 10, 2004
Wildlife Management School Offered In April  
SAN ISIDRO - Although it exhausts him, Barney Benavides looks forward to deer hunting season in South Texas.

March 09, 2004
Texas Weather Connection Web Site Offers Long-Term Weather Perspectives  
COLLEGE STATION - Is it snowing in Amarillo? Blowing dust in Lubbock? Parched in Fort Stockton? Raining on South Padre?

March 09, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION - Recent rains are keeping corn producers out of the field while Central and South Texas' optimal corn planting window is coming to a close, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

March 09, 2004
USDA Official: Food Safety Top Priority  
HOUSTON – A U.S. agricultural official said science is the foundation of policy making in protecting public health, particularly when dealing with food safety.

March 09, 2004
Tomato 444 Named Latest Texas Superstar  
SAN ANTONIO - In springtime vegetable gardeners start dreaming about tomatoes. And this year Texas tomato gardeners might want to consider Tomato 444. It's the latest plant to be designated as a Texas Superstar.

March 08, 2004
Water-Saving Landscapes Are More Than Just Rocks  
EL PASO -- With water bills going up every year, should I replace my lawn to save money? How can I fix my landscape? What options do I have?

March 08, 2004
First Annual San Angelo A&M Center Spring Field Day Set April 29  
SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M University System Research and Extension Center here has set its first annual natural resources field day for April 29.

March 08, 2004
Veneman Appoints National Urban, Community Forestry Advisory Council  
WASHINGTON – Melanie Kirk, Texas Cooperative Extension urban and community forestry program specialist, has been appointed by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman to USDA's National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council.

March 08, 2004
Lab Helps Producers Take Guesswork Out Of Livestock Diets  
COLLEGE STATION - When consultant Cliff Carter speaks, ranchers listen — especially when he is pointing out costly mistakes in cattle feeding.

March 05, 2004
Land Fragmentation: Texas Farms Giving Way To Urban Growth  
Skylines, power lines, freight lines, hotels, apartments, churches, shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping . . . speed limit, bridge, water, manmade reservoir, boats, marinas, shorelines, houses, houses, houses, houses . . . gas stations, restaurants, hospitals, office buildings, car dealers, highway signs, billboards, eight lanes, exit, exit, exit, exit . . . Welcome to Rockwall County.

March 05, 2004
Four Corners Community Organizes to Meet Challenges of Growing West Houston  
HOUSTON --When Ruby Palmer was a little girl, a stop sign and a school house were all that marked the rural farm community of Four Corners. Now, that same corner is the new home of a community building that houses the YMCA, Fort Bend County Parks and Texas Cooperative Extension.

March 04, 2004
Spencer Wins New Investigator Award  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Thomas Spencer, assistant professor of animal science at Texas A&M University, will receive the new investigator award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction at its annual meeting in August in Canada.

March 04, 2004
Risk Management Conferences To Help Beef Producers In April, May  
AMARILLO – Got risk? Now, Texas beef cattle producers can take a look at ways to manage their production and deal with price and financial stresses to boot.

March 04, 2004
Wildlife Gardening Course Offered For School Children  
COLLEGE STATION - Some bats are beneficial and some birds can drive a person batty. "Wildlife Gardener," a new elementary school curriculum, can help children learn how to get along with critters in the city.

March 03, 2004
Medicare Changes Explained  
AMARILLO – If Medicare coverage weren't already confusing enough, new legislation passed last year to upgrade the program has many recipients scratching their heads. But not to worry, said Andrew Crocker, Texas Cooperative Extension gerontology health specialist. Clarification is just a click away, thanks to the World WideWeb.

March 03, 2004
Plant Tissue Sampling Valuable Tool Sometimes, But Not Always  
TYLER – The Texas Cooperative Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory does thousands of plant analyses a year at $15 each, and many are unnecessary, said the Extension soil chemist and director of the lab.

March 02, 2004
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION — Sunshine and warm weather are what this year's hopeful gardeners are waiting for to begin spring gardening preparation, reports Texas Cooperative Extension.

March 02, 2004
Avian Influenza A 'Moving Target' For Diagnosticians  
CENTER – With no birds infected with avian influenza found in a 10-mile quarantine radius of the first south Texas farm infection, there's a good chance the outbreak has been contained, according to the director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

March 01, 2004
Rapid Foreign Animal Disease Detection To Be Tested In Texas  
COLLEGE STATION – Experimental technology to rapidly detect foot-and-mouth disease will be tested in Texas this spring as the result of an agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.

March 01, 2004
International Irradiation Workshop Offered At Texas A&M  
COLLEGE STATION – "Food Irradiation: Discussing the International Research and Policy Agenda" will be presented March 30-April 2 by the National Center for Electron Beam Food Research at Texas A&M University.

March 01, 2004
New, Upgraded Shelby County Poultry Disease Lab Open For Business  
CENTER– Though 300 miles distant, a recent outbreak of avian influenza added a bit of drama to the opening of a new 3,200 square-foot Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Poultry Disease Lab here Feb. 24.

March 01, 2004
Texas A&M Leader Receives Major Horticultural Award  
DALLAS - Dr. Tim Davis, resident director at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Dallas and department head of horticultural sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station, recently received a top award from the American Society for Horticultural Science, Southern Region.

March 01, 2004
Groundwater Leasing, Sales And Transfers Focus Of Conference Series  
COLLEGE STATION – Groundwater leasing, marketing and sales will be the focus of a conference series set for April 1 in San Antonio, July 29 in Alpine and Sept. 14 in Nacogdoches.

March 01, 2004
Texas Economist: Consumers Likely To See Cheaper Chicken At Grocery Outlets  
COLLEGE STATION – Consumers may soon see a drop in the price of chicken at grocery stores after the recent discovery of avian influenza in the United States.