October 2003 AgNews Links

October 31, 2003
Texas A&M Agricultural Leader To Retire  
COLLEGE STATION – The man whose leadership has shaped the course of Texas agriculture over the past 37 years has announced a new route for the coming year.

October 31, 2003
County Tax Assessor-Collectors To Meet In College Station  
COLLEGE STATION – The 21th annual County Tax Assessor-Collector's Continuing Education Seminar is scheduled for Nov. 10-12 at the Hilton College Station and Conference Center in College Station.

October 31, 2003
Allred Honored By Texans Caring For Texans Campaign  
AMARILLO -- Melanie Allred of Vega, a 21-year career employee with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, received a Texans Caring for Texans Award recently at the West Texas A&M University campus.

October 30, 2003
Borlaug Discusses Future World Food Production At Seminar  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Norman Borlaug doesn't settle for mediocrity and the proof is in his work ethic, his colleagues say.

October 30, 2003
Low Blood Sugar Is Concern Too  
COLLEGE STATION – What goes up must come down – that old statement isn't necessarily true for everything, but people with insulin-dependent diabetes need to keep it especially in mind.

October 29, 2003
Introductory Quickbooks Seminar Set For Nov. 20-21 In Vernon  
VERNON – Texas Cooperative Extension will offer an Introduction to QuickBooks Pro computer short course in November at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center here.

October 28, 2003
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION—Although rain caused the citrus harvest in the Rio Grande Valley to get off to a late start, quality is still very good, reports Texas Cooperative Extension.

October 28, 2003
Poinsettia Preparation Presented  
BRENHAM – They're beautiful. They've adorned Christmas decorations in the United States since 1825. But there's a lot more to be learned about poinsettias and how several million of the potted plants go from seed to scenery in the United States each year, Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist Dr. Carlos Bogran said.

October 27, 2003
Water Summit Scheduled For Nov. 5-6  
AUSTIN – Providing and protecting water resources. Transfer of water from one region to another. How to meet future water needs. The 2003 Texas Water Summit on Nov. 5-6 at the Austin Hilton North will let participants provide input and make recommendations in areas such as these.

October 27, 2003
Sign-Up Begins For 'Pulling The Trigger' Financial Workshop Nov. 18 In Valley  
WESLACO -- Lower Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers are urged to sign up early for "Pulling the Trigger," a financial workshop to be held Nov. 18 at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center here.

October 24, 2003
USDA’s Ag Research Service Celebrates 50th Year Nov. 3 In Bushland  
BUSHLAND -- Fifty years ago, the USDA Agricultural Research Service became a reality. Today, the agency employs almost 10,000 people in more than 100 locations found in all 50 states and several foreign countries. One of the oldest national laboratories is located in the Texas Panhandle at Bushland.

October 24, 2003
Valley Irrigation Conference Set For Oct. 28  
WESLACO -- Odd as it may sound, heavy downpours the last few weeks have left the Lower Rio Grande Valley in a severe drought. While drenching rains have soaked, and in some cases flooded, many areas of the Valley, drought conditions persist because water reserves upriver remain almost as depleted as they have been for years.

October 23, 2003
Whitson Named Deputy Director Of Experiment Station  
COLLEGE STATION -- Dr. Robert E. Whitson has been named deputy director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, a post he has held on an interim basis since August.

October 23, 2003
Floating Classroom Completes Successful Trip To Valley  
WESLACO -- A converted shrimp trawler, the R.V. Karma, recently chugged out of Port Isabel, up the Intracoastal Waterway and back to her home port in Matagorda Bay for a much-deserved rest.

October 22, 2003
Smith Receives Outstanding Alumni Award  
COLLEGE STATION — J.T. Smith is being recognized with the 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

October 22, 2003
Gilbreath Receives Outstanding Alumni Award  
COLLEGE STATION — Zay W. Gilbreath is being recognized with the 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

October 22, 2003
Hlavinka Receives Outstanding Alumni Award  
COLLEGE STATION—Joseph C. Hlavinka is being recognized with the 2003 Outstanding Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University.

October 22, 2003
Media Advisory: GMO Trade Disputes Conference Oct. 30-31 in San Antonio  
SAN ANTONIO – "The Role of GMOs in Trade Disputes," a conference that will focus on genetically modified organisms and how their use can result in trade barriers, is scheduled for Oct. 30-31 at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio.

October 22, 2003
Llano County Quarantined For Africanized Honey Bees  
TOW -- Llano County was added today to the state quarantine, restricting the movement of commercial bee operations following the detection of Africanized honey bees.

October 22, 2003
Texas A&M Researcher Eyes Composite Vs. Suffolk Rams On West Texas Range  
SAN ANGELO – The term "composite" has been a buzzword in the cattle business for some time now. Many sheep producers don't realize there are composite breeds in the sheep world too.

October 21, 2003
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION— Despite a wet start at the beginning of harvest time, Texas pecan growers are expecting high yields and good quality, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

October 21, 2003
Safety Should Be Ingredient In Medications  
AMARILLO – Pharmaceutical companies are researching new medications all the time. But one ingredient should always be included in every bottle of pills: safety.

October 20, 2003
Critical Food Needs In Africa Turn To Texas Agriculture Researchers  
COLLEGE STATION – Water. Roads.

October 20, 2003
Texas A&M To Lead Consortium In Rebuilding Ag Economy In Iraq  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M University has landed a leading role in a U.S.-funded effort to begin rebuilding the agricultural economy of Iraq over the next three years.

October 20, 2003
Kevin Heinz Wins Entomological Foundation Award  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Kevin Heinz, interim head of the department of entomology at Texas A&M University, will receive the Entomological Foundation's 2003 Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management at the association's annual meeting Oct. 26-29.

October 20, 2003
Sterling County Plans Predator Awareness Workshop Nov. 13  
STERLING – A day-long Predator Awareness Workshop is set for Nov. 13 in the Sterling County Community Center. The Texas Cooperative Extension-sponsored program is designed to bring producers up to date on the latest control methods and information concerning livestock predators.

October 17, 2003
Driven To Garden: New License Supports Horticulture Students  
COLLEGE STATION – Those whose vehicles regularly stop at plant sales, who pull over-sized wagons between rows of greenery at nurseries and who think 12 growing months a year would be great – now you can advertize your passion for gardening.

October 17, 2003
Sugarcane Pioneers Recall Early Times  
WESLACO -- Old times, good friends and best wishes have been the focus of recent retirement parties for Jack Nelson, CEO and one-time president of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers.

October 16, 2003
Why Do Good Kids Do Bad Things? Experts Offer Some Answers  
HOUSTON – Why do good kids do bad things? More that 180 youth services professionals, parents and community leaders on Wednesday wrestled with the question, seeking not only answers but also ways to prevent good kids from getting into trouble from the start.

October 16, 2003
Cory Edwards Named To Extension Post In Hall County  
MEMPHIS -- Cory Edwards began her new position as family and consumer science agent with Texas Cooperative Extension effective Oct. 1. Edwards also holds the same position in Briscoe County, where she has served for more than two years.

October 15, 2003
E-Chenault  
COLLEGE STATION- Rainy conditions are hampering planting and harvesting efforts in South Texas, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

October 15, 2003
Experts: ‘women Feed The World’  
HOUSTON – The good news is: Throughout the world, women have made major advancements in science professions in general and agricultural science and technology professions in specific.

October 15, 2003
U.s., China Benefit From Exchange In Agricultural Research, Techonolgy  
HOUSTON – The 2003 International Conference on Science and Technology, the second conference of its kind, is just one example of the benefits developing from United States and China relations in agriculture, according to speakers here this week.

October 14, 2003
U.s. Extension System Considered Beneficial Worldwide  
HOUSTON – For more than 140 years, U.S. land grant universities, researchers and Cooperative Extension professionals have built a network of information dissemination – a system ripe for helping agriculture in developing countries, an Extension official says.

October 14, 2003
Gmos And The Role They Play In Agribusiness  
HOUSTON – A biotechnology executive said genetically modified organisms will not only play a role in crop improvement and agricultural markets, but are now converging with the pharmaceutical industry.

October 14, 2003
“put Hearts And Minds” Into Solving Water Problems, Speaker Says  
HOUSTON – Every 8 seconds a child dies from water-borne illnesses. Lack of water and sanitation can cause the collapse of ecosystems and the rise and fall of political regimes.

October 14, 2003
Food Security Of Vital Importance  
HOUSTON – The biggest danger to food safety and security is believing there is no danger, said Dr. Elsa Murano, undersecretary for food safety with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

October 14, 2003
“beat Them To Table,” Agriculture Terrorism Expert  
HOUSTON – Finding ways to put meat on the table could help remove agriculture from the terrorist table, a U.S. Army colonel told participants at the International Conference on Agricultural Science and Technology meeting here this week.

October 13, 2003
B-Fannin  
HOUSTON -- New technological advances are critical in meeting future world food supply demands, particularly on land in current agricultural production, Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug said Monday.

October 13, 2003
Texas A&M University Professor Wins Wildlife Award  
COLLEGE STATION -- Dr. Nova J. Silvy, Regents Professor in the department of wildlife and fisheries science at Texas A&M University, was presented with the prestigious Aldo Leopold Award for 2003.

October 10, 2003
Aggiefest Judging Contest To Be Held Oct. 18  
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M University Livestock Judging Team will host the annual Aggiefest Livestock Judging Contest on Oct. 18 at the Louis Pearce Pavilion in College Station.

October 10, 2003
Celebrity Chefs To Demonstrate Fast But Healthy Meal Preparation Oct. 14  
HOUSTON -- One common issue for dieters is that they want to eat healthy, but learning how to prepare quick meals is often a challenge, since healthy eating calls for cooking methods that take longer, such as boiling, steaming, broiling and others.

October 10, 2003
Extension Hosts Feral Hog Appreciation Day Oct. 24 In Lampasas County  
LAMPASAS -- Texas Cooperative Extension's Lampasas office is sponsoring a "Feral Hog Appreciation Day" Oct. 24 in the Lampasas County Farm Bureau Building. Registration runs from 7:15-8 a.m. The program starts at 8 a.m.

October 10, 2003
Conquering Obesity Is Community Effort  
COLLEGE STATION – Like the weather, the topic of overweight in children is a hot topic of conversation these days.

October 09, 2003
B-Fannin  
COLLEGE STATION - The Academy for Ranch Management has announced its 2004 workshop schedule, focusing on rangeland restoration management, rangeland burning, plant identification, and restoring and managing deer habitat.

October 09, 2003
Miller Recognized By Potato Association  
COLLEGE STATION -- Dr. Creighton Miller, plant breeder and professor in the horticultural sciences department at Texas A&M University, recently was recognized as an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Association of America – the highest honor bestowed by that organization.

October 09, 2003
Tceq To Offer Hazardous Waste Collections  
AUSTIN – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will host the Agricultural Waste Pesticide Collections, a series of collection opportunities in rural areas of the state. Texas Cooperative Extension is a co-sponsor of the event.

October 08, 2003
Management Of Fire Ants Possible Using Multiple Techniques  
CALDWELL – Dr. Charles Barr excitedly pointed to activity less than a foot above a recently-disturbed red imported fire ant mound.

October 07, 2003
Texas Crop And Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Grain planting in Texas has begun and producers have high hopes for the new year, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

October 07, 2003
In-Season Nitrogen Sensing Improves Fertilizer Efficiency  
LUBBOCK -- Farmers in the western United States can reduce in-season nitrogen use in irrigated cotton without sacrificing yield potential by using commercially available nitrogen-status sensing tools, says a Texas A&M University soil fertility scientist.

October 06, 2003
Leon County Quarantined For Africanized Honey Bees  
CENTERVILLE -- Leon County was added today to the state quarantine, restricting the movement of commercial bee operations following the detection of Africanized honey bees.

October 06, 2003
International Conference in Houston Oct. 12-15 Focuses on World Challenges to Agriculture  
HOUSTON -- An expected 400 scientists, policymakers and industry leaders from 35 countries around the world will gather here next week to consider ways to sustain global agriculture in the 21st Century.

October 06, 2003
World Food Day To Be Celebrated Oct. 16  
COLLEGE STATION – Each year on Oct. 16, scientists and other interested people from more than 150 countries join together to mark World Food Day.

October 06, 2003
West Texas Feral Hog Workshop Set For Oct. 21  
OZONA – Texas Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a West Texas feral hog workshop at 1 p.m., Oct. 21, in the Ozona Civic Center.

October 03, 2003
Texas Water Summit Set For November  
COLLEGE STATION - Increasing demands throughout Texas are creating a growing challenge to satisfy the water needs of rapidly expanding urban areas, agriculture and the environment. The Texas Water Summit: Focusing on Water for Agriculture and Natural Resources, on Nov. 5-6 in Austin, is planned to involve the participants in developing creative approaches to meet these increasing demands.

October 02, 2003
Veneman Names Stokes To Farmers Advisory Committee  
STEPHENVILLE – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman recently announced the appointment of Dr. Kenneth W. Stokes to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.

October 01, 2003
News Media Advisory: International Conference in Houston Oct. 12-15 Focuses on World Challenges to Agriculture  
WHO: An expected 400 scientists, policymakers and industry leaders from 33 countries around the world will gather to consider ways to sustain global agriculture and trade in the 21st Century.

October 01, 2003
On-Farm Demonstrations, Extension Celebrate Centennial  
TERRELL – The centennial of the birth of on-farm demonstrations and Cooperative Extension work in Texas and the United States will be celebrated here on Oct. 25.

October 01, 2003
Hoefling Is New Program Specialist With V.g. Young Institute  
COLLEGE STATION – The appointment of Stacy D. Hoefling as program specialist at the V.G. Young Institute of County Government has been announced by Institute Director Richard Avery of Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System. She will begin her new duties on Oct. 1.