October 2006 AgNews Links

October 31, 2006
Conservation Tillage Best Option to Rain-Deprived Fields  
THRALL – With rainfall scarce and soil moisture critical for any crop to produce a decent yield, conservation tillage is a recommended option for Texas farmers, according to experts.

October 31, 2006
Citrus Insects Causing Fruit Drop Near South Padre Island  
WESLACO – Growers and homeowners with citrus trees are urged to be on the lookout for fruit drop caused by an insect with a sweet tooth that tends to gang up on a tree, a citrus expert said.

October 31, 2006
Partnership May Point to Better Yucca Control  
VEGA – Is there a better way to keep yucca from taking over pasture and rangeland? Herbicide trials under way in Texas and other states may one day lead to an effective aerial application that can help landowners control this native, yet invasive plant.

October 31, 2006
Precision Irrigators Network Research Shows Promise for Water Conservation  
UVALDE – Researchers shared initial water conservation results related to the Precision Irrigators Network with program participants at a meeting on Oct. 24 at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde.

October 30, 2006
Short Courses Help Ag Producers Sharpen Marketing Plans  
AMARILLO – New insurance products, ethanol production and volatility in markets – all play a role in agricultural marketing plans. Making the right decisions could mean thousands of dollars in the bottom line, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.

October 30, 2006
Pesticide Applicator Training Programs Set November and December  
OVERTON – Private pesticide applicators will have the opportunity to earn five continuing education units on either Nov. 30 or Dec. 5 during upcoming training at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton.

October 27, 2006
Texas 4-H’ers Win National Meat Judging Championship ... Again  
PLAINVIEW – Where's the beef? For a group of Texas 4-H'ers from Hale County, the beef was at Kansas State University.

October 26, 2006
Bee Genome Information Housed at Texas A&M University  
COLLEGE STATION – The cluster of electronics looks mundane enough. Twenty computers hum away, blue lights flashing. But the data these computers are processing, though, may help cure disease and put food on tables throughout the world.

October 26, 2006
Nutrition Classes Feed the Right Words  
DALLAS – On a recent Wednesday at the Oak Cliff branch of the Dallas Public Library, Elisa Reyes prepared to teach 26 Spanish-speakers about the MyPyramid food guide pyramid from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving sizes and daily nutritional requirements for good health, she said. Reyes is a nutrition education assistant with the Texas Cooperative Extension's Expanded Nutrition Program.

October 25, 2006
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Several areas will see above-average rainfall in October through December, according to a National Weather Service official.

October 25, 2006
Valley Farmers, Ranchers Get Insight on New Farm Bill  
WESLACO – The ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee told Lower Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers that he expects the 2007 Farm Bill to be much like the 2002 Farm Bill with two exceptions: the addition of an aggressive energy program to produce bio-fuels and a permanent crop disaster relief program.

October 24, 2006
Area Creek Studied for Rangeland Effects on Water Quality  
VERNON – Elevated levels of bacteria in streams can affect water quality, the health of the aquatic ecosystem and activities such as fishing, swimming and wading, a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher said.

October 23, 2006
Wilkins to Lead Renewable Natural Resources Work at Texas A&M  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Neal Wilkins, certified wildlife biologist and professor, has been named director of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources.

October 20, 2006
Turf Grass Donated to Habitat for Humanity  
COLLEGE STATION – Turf grass once used for research at Texas A&M University is now beautifying Habitat for Humanity homes in the Bryan-College Station area.

October 20, 2006
Waniska Receives Award from Tortilla Industry Association  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Ralph Waniska, a professor of food science and technology in the Cereal Quality Laboratory at Texas A&M University, recently received an award from the Tortilla Industry Association for his research contributions to tortilla production.

October 20, 2006
Economic Benefits of Nature Tourism Theme of Meeting near Houston  
PASADENA – Miles Phillips, nature tourism specialist for Texas Cooperative Extension, will speak at the Clear Creek Nature and Cultural Tourism Council meeting Nov. 1.

October 19, 2006
Expert: Establishing Self-Esteem Important to Child’s Development  
COLLEGE STATION – Self-esteem and self-absorption are not the same thing, but teaching children the difference can be difficult when adults are confused about it themselves, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

October 18, 2006
Uvalde Holds Water Day to Showcase Research, Thank U.S. Congressman  
UVALDE – More than 100 farmers, cattle producers and other agriculture and agribusiness professionals, agricultural researchers and experts, attended Water Day on Oct. 16 at Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde.

October 18, 2006
Texas Crop, Weather Report  
COLLEGE STATION – Some badly needed rainfall and cooler temperatures brought relief to drought-stricken areas, but the overall soil profile in the state remains dry and more rain is needed, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

October 18, 2006
Perennial Forages Look Promising on the Plains  
LOCKNEY – More and more South Plains producers are taking a look at how perennial forages may fit in their future production plans. A recent turnrow meeting on the Eddie Teeter farm near here provided an opportunity to see how several perennial grasses are initially faring on the Plains.

October 17, 2006
The Salt of the Earth ... or Too Much Sodium?  
COLLEGE STATION – A little bit of salt seasons the pot but too much can be bad for your health, said Dr. Sharon Robinson, Texas Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist.

October 16, 2006
Resources Help With Recovery from Flooding  
COLLEGE STATION – Just a year after the floods created by Hurricane Rita, recent flooding rains in much of the state – especially in the southeastern section – have led to more waterlogged residences, said Janie Harris, Texas Cooperative Extension housing and environment specialist.

October 16, 2006
Congressmen to Visit With Valley Agricultural Producers  
WESLACO – U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) will visit South Texas this week to meet with farmers and ranchers about drought-related losses.

October 16, 2006
A Portion or a Serving: What’s on Your Plate?  
COLLEGE STATION – If you are what you eat, then you may be turning yourself into too much of a good thing. That's because portions are often larger than they need to be, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

October 13, 2006
Colombian Floral Industry Executive: Americans, Please Buy More Flowers  
COLLEGE STATION – U.S. Consumers buy about 60 percent of all the flowers produced in Colombia, but a floral industry executive from that country this week pleaded, "Please buy more."

October 12, 2006
Texas Crop and Weather  
COLLEGE STATION – Large numbers of cattle continue to be marketed at livestock auctions in the eastern portion of the state due to drought, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

October 12, 2006
Art May Be in Eye of Beholder, but This Prof Brings It to Class  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Jodi Sterle, associate professor, teaches an art appreciation class at Texas A&M University -- not so unusual except the class is in the department of animal science, and is about the art and heritage of livestock.

October 11, 2006
Harvesting Machine Driving Mesquite-to-Ethanol Potential  
VERNON – Knocking down mesquite hasn't been a problem in the past. Picking it up and getting it off the land has, said a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher.

October 10, 2006
Reduce Effects of Drought on Water Wells  
COLLEGE STATION – Reports of private water wells in Texas going dry because of the lingering drought are becoming more common, said a water expert with Texas Cooperative Extension.

October 10, 2006
Colombian Flower Expert to Keynote Distinguished Floriculture Lecture  
COLLEGE STATION – The Colombian flower industry will be discussed Wednesday by Ernesto Velez Koppel in the Horticulture and Forest Sciences Building at Texas A&M University.

October 10, 2006
Area Agency on Aging Allows Elderly to Stay Home Longer  
AMARILLO – The U.S. Congress reauthorized the Older Americans Act this month, ensuring the continuation of the Area Agencies on Aging program, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist said.

October 10, 2006
Respecting Predecessors, Teaching Students: Young Researcher Rejuvenates Old Lab Equipment  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Luis Cisneros had too many things to think about when he became assistant professor of food science at Texas A&M University. There were new projects to start, students to teach, a lab to run and a dossier to prepare for promotion.

October 09, 2006
Texas A&M Student Wildlife Team Takes National Title  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M University's student chapter of The Wildlife Society won the national title at the Ninth Annual Student Quiz Bowl recently in Anchorage, Alaska.

October 09, 2006
Texas A&M University Distinguished Teaching Awards Given  
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Dan Lineberger, Dr. Tracy Rutherford and Dr. Jodi Sterle from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences received the 2006 Association of Former Students College-Level Distinguished Teaching Awards Oct. 6 at Texas A&M University.

October 06, 2006
Extension to Provide Learning Experience That’s Fun, Not Frightening!  
HOUSTON – With recent headlines about school shootings, people wonder if learning can even be fun anymore, said Hurley Miller, director for Texas Cooperative Extension in Harris County.

October 06, 2006
Texas Researchers Casting for Answers to Stop Alga Problem in Texas Lakes  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas researchers are hoping for a golden opportunity to reel in a solution to stop a toxic algae that has killed millions of fish in the state's lakes.

October 06, 2006
New 'Dwarf' Winter Turf Grass Released  
OVERTON – The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station has released a new turf grass for winter lawns that promises to be "dwarfier" and with a darker green color than previous releases.

October 06, 2006
Alumni Honored by Texas A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences  
COLLEGE STATION – Bob S. Sims of Hereford, Dr. Rod A. Bowling of Green Bay, Wis., and the late Roger Q. Landers Sr. formerly of Menard were honored as 2006 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Alumni in ceremonies at Texas A&M University today.

October 05, 2006
Web Site Information Helps Reduce Cases of Foodborne Illness  
COLLEGE STATION – After the recent nationwide outbreak of foodborne illness linked to spinach contaminated with E. coli, consumers might concerned about buying and eating fresh produce. But that shouldn't be the case, said Dr. Suresh D. Pillai, professor of food safety and environmental microbiology at Texas A&M University.

October 05, 2006
Biodiesel Fuel, Ethanol Production Topics at South Texas Farm and Ranch Show  
VICTORIA -- Biodiesel fuel and ethanol production will be included in the featured topics at the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show. The show will be held Oct. 25-26 at the Victoria Community Center.

October 05, 2006
Galaxy Gardening More Than Hobby for Future Moon, Mars Residents  
COLLEGE STATION – Long periods of total darkness and poor soil needn't stop an avid gardener – at least not one who's willing to go out of this world to grow plants.

October 05, 2006
Texas Crop, Weather  
COLLEGE STATION - Two weak cool fronts that drifted across Texas last week brought relief to drought-burdened areas. But regions of the state still suffer from months of less-than-average rainfall amounts, said Texas Cooperative Extension officials.

October 04, 2006
Vegetables, Like People, Urged to Live Up to Potential  
COLLEGE STATION – Carrots may be underachievers. Healthy and good for one's eyes, yes, but they could be so much more, researchers say.

October 04, 2006
Multi-county Program Set for Oct. 17 in Ozona  
OZONA – Texas Cooperative Extension will hold a multi-county mesquite and pricklypear herbicide plot tour from 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. The tour will begin at the Crockett County Youth Civic Center, 103 Medical Drive in Ozona.

October 03, 2006
Concho County Rangeland Monitoring Workshop Set for Oct. 31  
PAINT ROCK – Texas Cooperative Extension's Concho County office will host a range monitoring workshop at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 31 in the Concho County Show Barn.

October 03, 2006
Ranching in 21st Century is Focus of Upcoming Program  
SONORA – Texas Cooperative Extension will host "Ranching in the 21st Century,"at 8 a.m. on Oct. 27 at the Sutton County Civic Center.

October 03, 2006
Drought-Aid Application Packets Available at Extension Offices  
COLLEGE STATION – Texas Cooperative Extension is making application packets available for the recently announced Livestock Assistance Grant Program administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

October 03, 2006
Far West Texas Range Workshops set for Oct. 25-26 in Coyanosa, Iraan  
FORT STOCKTON – Texas Cooperative Extension in Pecos and Reeves counties will host two identical range workshops. The first will be Oct. 25 in Coyanosa; the second, Oct. 26 in Iraan.

October 03, 2006
Science of Healthy Foods Subject of Grant Aimed at University Students  
COLLEGE STATION – They've no doubt been told about healthful eating, but college students at three major universities now will get hands-on training to help them spread the word. A $500,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will enable researchers at Texas A&M University, Iowa State University and Ohio University to develop a multi-discipline approach to undergraduate education on foods for health.

October 02, 2006
Urban Wildlife Management Book Something to Crow About  
COLLEGE STATION – The new textbook, "Urban Wildlife Management," may be something to crow about.

October 02, 2006
Binational Family Conference Starts Today at South Padre Island  
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – The sixth Biennial Binational Conference on Families kicks off today at South Padre Island. The conference was designed to bring together consumer and family sciences professionals.

October 02, 2006
Harvest Aid Decisions Necessary as Cotton Nears Maturity  
AMARILLO – Cooler temperatures are limiting Panhandle crop development and may result in decreased yields, said a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist.