May 2003 AgNews Links

May 30, 2003
Water Leases Need To Be Written Carefully  
COLLEGE STATION – The law as it pertains to groundwater leases may not be concrete, but one thing is crystal clear: A groundwater lease needs to be written carefully to protect everyone – and everything – involved. That's according to speakers at a Texas A&M University conference on buying, selling and exporting groundwater.

May 30, 2003
A&M Gets Ready For Texas 4-H Roundup 2003  
COLLEGE STATION – When the last test is taken and the school year is over, many Texas 4-H'ers start packing their bags and heading to College Station.

May 29, 2003
Infrared Aerial Photography Has Its Eyes On Cabbage Test  
WESLACO – Every morning for about a week now, Dr. T-X Liu has looked out at the weather, waiting for a cloudless day that's not too windy. Once he gets a day like that, a U.S. Department of Agriculture airplane will fly over his small cabbage patch in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and shoot infrared photos of it.

May 28, 2003
Endowed Chair In Floriculture And Greenhouse Crops Rooted In Industry Inspiration  
COLLEGE STATION -- In the competitive world of business, it's no big corporate secret that companies live and die by their ability to identify and satisfy needs in society.

May 28, 2003
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION– Texas hay producers are wishin' and hopin' for rain, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

May 28, 2003
Study: The Food And Fiber System Contributed $72.8 Billion To Texas Economy During Late 1990s Despite Drought, Low Prices  
COLLEGE STATION – The food and fiber system in Texas contributed as much as $72.8 billion to the state economy from 1997 through 2000 despite periods of drought and low prices, according to a joint study by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and Texas Cooperative Extension.

May 28, 2003
Space Shuttle Wreckage Recovery Update Featured At June 19 Forestry Field Day  
OVERTON – The latest details of the space shuttle recovery process will be part of the program at the upcoming 2003 Annual East Texas Forestry Field Day.

May 27, 2003
Study Finds That Gossypol From Cottonseed Can Stunt Deer Antler Growth  
OVERTON – A study by Texas A&M researchers has shown that whole cottonseed has severe detrimental effects on male red deer, diminishing antler development by as much as 50 percent.

May 27, 2003
Trade Show Featured In Goat Producer Gathering July 21-23 In Seguin  
SAN ANTONIO -- A Gathering of Goat Producers is scheduled July 21-23 at the Guadalupe County Fairgrounds & Coliseum in Seguin, and industry vendors are invited to participate in a trade show portion of the event.

May 26, 2003
Mold Recurrence A Growing Problem In Rio Grande Valley Homes  
WESLACO -- He's seen it too many times: contractors who do a poor job of removing mold from homes. Instead of properly removing it, some even paint over the mold to mask it.

May 26, 2003
Walking Fair To Kick Off Walk Across Texas In San Antonio  
SAN ANTONIO-A Walking Fair on June 3 at McArthur Park will kick off Walk Across Texas, an eight-week Texas Cooperative Extension health program where teams of eight compete to see who can log the most miles--walking, jogging, or biking.

May 23, 2003
Eldorado Lawn And Garden Workshop Slated For May 28  
ELDORADO – Texas Cooperative Extension is hosting a four-county Lawn and Garden Workshop for homeowners beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 28 in Eldorado's Memorial Building. Sponsoring counties are Menard, Schleicher, Irion and Sutton.

May 23, 2003
Youth Program Benefits Subject Of Research  
COLLEGE STATION – It's not just kid stuff – lessons and ideals learned through 4-H can be of life-long benefit. That was what Jackie Bruce discovered when she researched the early adult years of former Texas State 4-H Council members. Bruce recently graduated from Texas A&M University with a doctorate degree in agricultural education.

May 22, 2003
Sonora Readies For Annual Wool Judging Contests June 17-19  
SONORA – The 66th Annual Sonora Wool and Mohair Show and the 43rd Annual National 4-H Wool Judging Contest are set for June 17-19. Activities for both events center on the Sonora Wool and Mohair Company Warehouse and the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center.

May 21, 2003
U.S. Beef Supply Continues To Be Safe Food Source  
COLLEGE STATION – Continuous surveillance efforts throughout the beef industry have provided assurance that United States beef is safe and a nutritious food source, Texas Cooperative Extension officials said Wednesday.

May 21, 2003
Texas Cooperative Extension's Annual “Bug Scout School” Set June 9-10  
SAN ANGELO – Texas Cooperative Extension's Tom Green/Runnels County Integrated Pest Management (IPM) committee is sponsoring a Cotton Insect Scout School June 9 and 10.

May 21, 2003
Good Communication More Important Than Words Can Say  
COLLEGE STATION – "Do as I say, not as I do" has never been effective parenting – especially since non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal, said Dr. Steve Green, Texas Cooperative Extension child development specialist.

May 20, 2003
Crop And Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – A dry spring has made the next few weeks a critical period for grain and cotton crops and livestock in much of Texas, according to Texas Cooperative Extension.

May 20, 2003
Wildlife Seminar Scheduled June 4 In Junction  
UVALDE-- A seminar on wildlife business development strategies, featuring advice from wildlife entrepreneurs around the state, will be held at the Coke Stevenson Center in Junction on June 4.

May 20, 2003
Successful Aging Depends On Quality Of Life, Not Just Years Lived  
COLLEGE STATION--What does a person's 'age' really mean? Yes, it does count the number of years lived, but as Americans continue to live longer, we need to watch how well we are living and how successfully we are aging, according to Andy Crocker, gerontology health specialist with Texas Cooperative Extension.

May 19, 2003
Colored Plastic Mulch May Help Valley Vegetable Farmers  
WESLACO -- For years, Lower Rio Grande Valley farmers have been laying row after row of plastic sheets in their vegetable fields.

May 19, 2003
Parenting In The Metroplex Master Volunteer Program To Begin In Dallas County In June  
DALLAS -- In June, Texas Cooperative Extension in Dallas County will offer Parenting In The Metroplex Master Volunteer training to individuals interested in community service.

May 19, 2003
Concho County Predator Awareness Workshop Set For June 10  
PAINT ROCK – Texas Cooperative Extension has scheduled a Predator Awareness Workshop June 10 at the Concho County Show Barn in Paint Rock. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

May 16, 2003
Greenhouse Dedication Honors Principals Of Wheat Industry, May 22  
AMARILLO – Greenhouses that will make it possible for researchers to grow experimental varieties of wheat year-round will be dedicated in honor of principals of the state's wheat industry in ceremonies May 22.

May 16, 2003
Progressive Farmer Safety Day Camp Set For June 4  
SAN ANGELO – Parents with active youngsters should sign them up for the biennial Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp set for June 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Angelo State University's Management, Instruction and Research (MIR) Center.

May 16, 2003
Aquaculture Co-Op Announces New Processing Plant  
CLEMVILLE -- Texas Aquaculture Cooperative has broken ground on a new fish processing plant at Clemville, west of Bay City.

May 15, 2003
Waller County Quarantined For Africanized Honey Bees  
HEMPSTEAD – Waller County was added today to the state quarantine, restricting the movement of commercial bee operations following the detection of Africanized honey bees.

May 15, 2003
Summer Master Gardener Training For Teachers Slated In June  
WESLACO -- Teachers and other school personnel who may have missed out last year are urged to register now for a special summer Master Gardener/Junior Master Gardener training session to be held June 9-14 in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

May 15, 2003
Agents Complete Community Development Training  
COLLEGE STATION – A three-session course in community development was recently completed by 15 county agents with Texas Cooperative Extension.

May 15, 2003
Ranch Economics And Range Health Highlight May 21 Field Day  
MELVIN – Practical ways for dealing with rangeland drought and overgrazing will be offered at the "Improving Ranch Economics and Health" field day set for May 21 on the Ford Ranch.

May 14, 2003
Texas 4-H To Partner With WNBA In San Antonio  
SAN ANTONIO -- Texas 4-H and the Woman's National Basketball Association (WNBA) are joining in a promotion of health and fitness in San Antonio with the new San Antonio Silver Stars. This year marks the debut of the Silver Stars women's professional basketball team, formerly the Utah Starzz.

May 14, 2003
Mercer Arboretum Topic Of Horticultural Garden’s May Lecture  
COLLEGE STATION – Gardening at the Mercer Arboretum in Houston will be the topic May 21 at the Texas A&M University Horticultural Gardens.

May 13, 2003
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION - Despite low yields and disease, this year's onion crop won't be making anyone cry, thanks to terrific prices, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

May 13, 2003
Advanced Plant I.D. Course To Be Offered In Sanger On May 24  
SANGER - Texas Cooperative Extension in Denton County will host an Advanced Plant I.D. Course beginning at 8:30 a.m. May 24 at the Sanger High School cafeteria. Sanger High School is located on Highway 455 east of I35 in Sanger.

May 13, 2003
You’re Never Too Old For Good Nutrition  
COLLEGE STATION – Good nutrition is vital for children's growth and development – parents know that to be well-documented common knowledge. But what many older adults seem to forget is: Good nutrition is vital for everyone, no matter what his or her age.

May 12, 2003
Online Nitrogen Calculator Helps Producers Nourish Cotton  
LUBBOCK – What do you get if you combine the accuracy of a soil test with the utility of a desktop calculator? If you have Internet access and a current version of Microsoft Excel software, you can use the Cotton Nitrogen Fertilizer Calculator – now online at http://lubbock.tamu.edu under the "What's New" heading.

May 12, 2003
Study Shows Texas’ Farm And Ranch Lands Getting Carved Up  
AUSTIN – Texas' rural lands are being splintered into "ranchettes," endangering wildlife and the family farmers who make their living off the land, according to a joint study by American Farmland Trust and Texas Cooperative Extension.

May 09, 2003
Mild Winter Adds Up To Higher Tick Population  
COLLEGE STATION – A mild winter has helped tick populations survive, and a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher is advising Texans to be watchful during their outdoor activities this spring and summer.

May 09, 2003
Officials Warning Texans To Watch Out For Tick-Borne Diseases  
COLLEGE STATION – An unusually mild fall and winter with adequate rainfall in many areas of Texas are adding up to an abundance of ticks and possible tick-borne diseases for people and their pets, said Dr. Pete Teel, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist.

May 09, 2003
Wheat Field Day, Greenhouse Dedication Set May 22  
AMARILLO-- Wheat has been the crop of choice for High Plains farmers for nearly a century and a Panhandle production staple for decades. Putting wheat quality research, production techniques and breeding under the microscope is a natural for the Panhandle Wheat Field Day scheduled at the Bushland Experiment Station on May 22.

May 08, 2003
Distinguished Achievement Award Winners Announced  
COLLEGE STATION – Three members of the Texas A&M University System Agriculture Program are among faculty and staff chosen to receive The Association of Former Students Distinguished Achievement Award.

May 08, 2003
Sewing 101: Start With Needle And Thread  
COLLEGE STATION – It's ‘sew' easy!

May 07, 2003
Hesby Wins Advising Award  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Howard Hesby, professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University, received the 2003 Mervin and Annette Peters Advising Award from the University Advisors and Counselors Association at its annual banquet on May 1.

May 07, 2003
San Saba Predator Awareness Workshop Set For May 28  
SAN SABA -- Texas Cooperative Extension has scheduled a "Predator Awareness Workshop" May 28 at the San Saba Civic Center in Mill Pond Park.

May 06, 2003
Texas Crop And Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Even though Texas has not experienced one single disaster to wipe out its wheat, many localized events have reduced potentially high yields this year, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

May 06, 2003
40th Stiles Farm Field Day Set For June 17  
THRALL – The basics of conservation tillage, insect management and forages for summer stocker cattle are just a few of the topics that will be featured at the 40th Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled for June 17.

May 05, 2003
Media Advisory: Study To Reveal Dangers Of Land Fragmentation For Wildlife, Agriculture, Texas Heritage  
AUSTIN – Texans are loving their land to pieces literally. As new buyers snap up rural land, vast farms and ranches are being splintered into smaller and smaller "ranchettes." American Farmland Trust will reveal the implications of a joint study with The Texas A&M University System demonstrating how land fragmentation is putting the squeeze on family farmers and endangering wildlife, agriculture and Texas heritage.

May 05, 2003
Spring Is The Time For Flowers, Birds ... And Elbow Grease  
COLLEGE STATION – Don't just sit there! It's time for that annual rite known as spring cleaning. Isn't it?

May 05, 2003
Gamebird And Land Use Conference Slated For June 6-7  
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University Gamebird Conference will be held June 6-7.

May 02, 2003
Groundwater Conservation District Seminar Set May 28  
COLLEGE STATION – Groundwater district managers, landowners and others will have the opportunity to learn how to buy, sell and export Texas groundwater at a seminar on May 28 at the at the George Bush Presidential Conference Center in College Station.

May 02, 2003
Diabetes In Children Is Growing Problem  
COLLEGE STATION – As if parents didn't have enough to worry about – concerns about the numbers of children developing type 2 diabetes are growing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 02, 2003
Henderson 4-H Horse Judging Team Sweeps Stables – In Prizes  
HENDERSON – Four Henderson County 4-H members have won top honors in state horse judging contests this year, surpassing contestants from larger counties through sheer hard work and talent, according to the local 4-H agent.

May 01, 2003
Litzenberg Selected As Piper Professor  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Kerry Litzenberg, an agricultural economics professor at Texas A&M University, has been selected as a Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

May 01, 2003
Many Mosquito Controls Only Hammer Buyer’s Pocketbook  
OVERTON – When it comes to mosquito control devices, about the only thing that works is common sense, says an entomologist with Texas A&M University.

May 01, 2003
Horticulture Summer Camp Offered At Texas A&M University  
COLLEGE STATION – High school students who are considering a career in horticulture – in fruits, vegetables or flowers – may want to explore the possibilities at a three-day summer camp hosted by the horticultural sciences department at Texas A&M University.

May 01, 2003
Sixth Annual West Texas Deer Study Group Set In Brownwood  
BROWNWOOD -- The sixth annual West Texas Deer Study Group session, which offers a variety of information about the white-tailed deer, is set for May 15-16.