Region 2: South Plains

January 18, 2007
Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence Honors Bestowed at Texas A&M 
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Elsa Murano, Texas A&M University System vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, recently presented more than 20 Award in Excellence honors to individuals, teams and an agency-industry partnership.

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 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 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 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.

November 29, 2006
2007 High Plains Vegetable Conference Slated for Jan. 25 
LUBBOCK – Vegetable growers, processors and gardeners can renew their production and marketing skills at the fifth annual High Plains Vegetable Conference in Canyon.

November 06, 2006
Several Resources Can Help Landowners Manage for Wildlife 
WICHITA FALLS – Proceedings from the recent 2006 Red River Quail Symposium point landowners to these resources when seeking information on managing land for wildlife:

November 06, 2006
Quail Hunting Has Positive Impact on Rural Economies 
WICHITA FALLS – Leasing land for quail hunting has a positive impact on many rural economies in the state, said a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.

June 22, 2006
Technology Helps Landowners Manage for Livestock, Wildlife 
LUBBOCK – Landowners have a variety of high-tech and low-tech tools available to help them manage their acreage, large or small, for livestock or wildlife – or both.

November 17, 2005
Researchers Test Drip Irrigation Design And Returns 
HALFWAY – Crop producers on the Texas High Plains have long considered subsurface drip irrigation systems the "Cadillac" of irrigation technology. They maximize water use efficiency, boost crop yields in most cases and require less labor during operation due to automation.

November 07, 2005
Retired Extension Director Doyle Warren Dies 
WESLACO – Doyle G. Warren, who served as Texas Cooperative Extension's district director for agriculture in South Texas for 15 years before retiring in 1997, passed away Nov. 1 at his home in Mission.

July 12, 2005
Texas Crop and Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION- Round bale, square bale or no bale, limited moisture has caused the state's hay fields to produce less-than-normal harvests, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

June 16, 2005
Lynn County Quarantined for Africanized Honey Bees 
TAHOKA – Lynn County was added today to the state quarantine restricting the movement of commercial bee operations following the detection of Africanized honey bees near here.

June 15, 2005
2005 Crop Season Is Off to a Rocky Start on the Texas High Plains 
LUBBOCK – The 2005 crop season on the Texas High Plains is off to a rocky start. Abundant spring moisture provided ideal planting conditions for cotton, corn and peanut producers and gave winter wheat a necessary drink of water.

February 15, 2005
Texas Crop, Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – Millions of dollars in agriculture production savings poured from the sky in southern regions of Texas recently, according to Texas Cooperative Extension experts.

November 04, 2004
Murano Named Vice Chancellor, Dean Of Agriculture At Texas A&M 
COLLEGE STATION - U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture Elsa Murano has been named to the joint positions of vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University and director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 3, 2005.

November 03, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – It may rain on Texas peanut producers' parades if the wet weather continues.

November 03, 2004
U.s. Ag Exports To Cuba More Than Double From A Year Ago 
COLLEGE STATION – Agricultural goods produced in the United States and exported to Cuba have reached $298 million, more than double than in 2003, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension economist

November 02, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – It may rain on Texas peanut producers' parades if the wet weather continues.

November 01, 2004
Acuff Named Department Of Animal Science Interim Head 
COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Gary R. Acuff has been named interim head of the department of animal science at Texas A&M University.

November 01, 2004
U.s. Ag Exports To Cuba More Than Double From A Year Ago 
COLLEGE STATION – Agricultural goods produced in the United States and exported to Cuba have reached $298 million, more than double than in 2003, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension economist

September 14, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION -- Instead of enjoying this year's mild summer, cotton farmers in the High Plains are anxiously watching the thermometer and hoping for warmer temperatures, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

August 31, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION -- An unseasonably wet August set the stage for a high quality pecan harvest, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

August 24, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – Cotton growers are expecting a good crop in the state -- whether harvest is just beginning or ending -- Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

August 06, 2004
Vernon Research Targets Sustainable Forage Systems 
VERNON – Research under way at The Texas A&M University System's Agricultural Research and Extension Center here may one day help Rolling Plains cattle producers fill the gaps in their grazing season.

August 05, 2004
Double Up On Higher Education: Two, Two, Two Docs In One 
THE WEB – When an event makes the newspaper, the dateline – those first two capitalized words – lets readers know where it happened.

August 04, 2004
Seed For Major Award Planted By Horticulture Department 
SAN ANTONIO – Each year, millions of people visit the San Antonio River Walk, enjoying its restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. With so much going on, visitors can miss the trees in a forest of entertaining distractions.

August 04, 2004
Extension Cotton Economist To Retire/predicts Strong Markets 
COLLEGE STATION – For years, Dr. Carl Anderson has been telling Texas cotton producers to "work smarter, not harder." In fact, as a youth working on the family farm in Taylor, he was thinking along those same lines.

July 30, 2004
Seed For Major Award Planted By Horticulture Department 
SAN ANTONIO – Each year, millions of people visit the San Antonio River Walk, enjoying its restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. With so much going on, visitors can miss the trees in a forest of entertaining distractions.

July 29, 2004
Extension Cotton Economist To Retire/predicts Strong Markets 
COLLEGE STATION – For years, Dr. Carl Anderson has been telling Texas cotton producers to "work smarter, not harder." In fact, as a youth working on the family farm in Taylor, he was thinking along those same lines.

July 28, 2004
Kizziar Named Extension Agent In Hemphill County 
CANADIAN – Whitney Kizziar will become the family and consumer sciences agent with Texas Cooperative Extension in Hemphill County, effective Aug. 2.

July 27, 2004
Texas Cooperative Extension Sets August Dove Symposium Series 
SAN ANGELO – With dove season just around the corner, Texas Cooperative Extension has scheduled three "Dove Symposiums" during August to bring hunters up-to-date on the state's most popular game bird.

July 27, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION -- Texas winegrape vineyards are approaching harvest date, and producers are expecting an average crop, Texas Cooperative Extension reports. Dr. Larry Stein of Uvalde, Extension horticulturist, said some grape growers have postponed the harvest date back because of about unusual weather patterns, but most vineyards will stay on schedule.

July 18, 2004
Scientist Peeling Back Major Health Benefits Of Citrus 
WESLACO -- Every day, Dr. Bhimu Patil consumes several different kinds of fruit. It's a habit he's always enjoyed, but never with the purpose he has today. He's convinced that if others knew what he knows, they would eat fruit also.

July 17, 2004
Scientist Peeling Back Major Health Benefits Of Citrus 
WESLACO -- Every day, Dr. Bhimu Patil consumes several different kinds of fruit. It's a habit he's always enjoyed, but never with the purpose he has today. He's convinced that if others knew what he knows, they would eat fruit also.

July 16, 2004
Scientist Peeling Back Major Health Benefits Of Citrus 
WESLACO -- Every day, Dr. Bhimu Patil consumes several different kinds of fruit. It's a habit he's always enjoyed, but never with the purpose he has today. He's convinced that if others knew what he knows, they would eat fruit also.

July 16, 2004
Scientist Peeling Back Major Health Benefits Of Citrus 
WESLACO -- Every day, Dr. Bhimu Patil consumes several different kinds of fruit. It's a habit he's always enjoyed, but never with the purpose he has today. He's convinced that if others knew what he knows, they would eat fruit also.

July 16, 2004
Scientist Peeling Back Major Health Benefits Of Citrus 
WESLACO -- Every day, Dr. Bhimu Patil consumes several different kinds of fruit. It's a habit he's always enjoyed, but never with the purpose he has today. He's convinced that if others knew what he knows, they would eat fruit also.

July 16, 2004
Big Country Wheat Conference Set In Abilene 
ABILENE -- Fall wheat planting is only a month away in many areas, and with it comes Texas Cooperative Extension's 2004 Big Country Wheat Conference on Aug. 19. The biennial conference starts with registration at 7:30 a.m. in the Big Country Hall at the Taylor County Expo Center grounds in Abilene.

July 15, 2004
Texas Panhandle Chapter Offers Master Naturalist Training This Fall 
AMARILLO – The Panhandle chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program will begin a new training class this fall. The class will start Sept. 11 and end Nov. 20.

July 15, 2004
Hoppe Named To Brown County Extension Position 
BROWNWOOD -- Chanda Hoppe began her new duties as Texas Cooperative Extension agent for 4-H and youth development in Brown County on July 12. The announcement of her appointment was made by County Judge Ray West and Scott Durham, District 7 Extension administrator at San Angelo.

July 13, 2004
Motorists, Farm Equipment Can Share The Road Safely 
LUBBOCK -- The 2004 crop season is in full swing. That means motorists traveling Texas highways and rural roads may find themselves sharing the road with the large, slow-moving farm equipment.

July 13, 2004
San Angelo Center Sets 31st Annual Sheep And Goat Field Day 
SAN ANGELO – The 31st annual Sheep and Goat Field Day conducted by the Texas A&M University System Research and Extension Center at San Angelo is set for Sept 2.

July 13, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – Texas' unseasonably wet spring that brought green to pastures and landscapes also brought something less appealing— fungus and root rot – to gardens, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

July 12, 2004
Food Manager Training Offered Aug. 18-19 
AMARILLO – Texas restaurants are required by law to have certified food managers. To train these service professionals, Texas Cooperative Extension of Potter, Randall and Armstrong counties will offer a manager certification course called "Food Safety: It's Our Business" on Aug. 18-19.

July 12, 2004
Medigap Helps Fill In Coverage Holes 
AMARILLO – Looking for ways to supplement Medicare coverage? Start with the alphabet, said Andrew B. Crocker, Texas Cooperative Extension gerontology health program specialist based in Amarillo. Not only does Medicare come in Plans A and B, but supplemental coverage – often called MediGap – comes in plans A through J.

July 09, 2004
Doing What Daddy Always Did Can Land You In Hot Water 
COLLEGE STATION – Doing what daddy always did can get you in serious legal trouble these days.

July 09, 2004
Extension Seminars Cover Grain, Forage And Cattle Production, Markets And Profitability 
AMARILLO - Texas Cooperative Extension will host meetings in July and August to help producers beef up their knowledge of best management practices for High Plains cattle, forage and small grains. Market outlooks and profitability strategies will be covered.

July 07, 2004
Texas Crop And Weather Report 
COLLEGE STATION – Although cotton in some areas is still lagging behind, in other areas it is gaining momentum in its growth, reports Texas Cooperative Extension.

July 06, 2004
Drip Irrigation With Effluent Water Is Field Day Topic 
VERIBEST – Texas Cooperative Extension will host a tour titled "Subsurface Drip Irrigation With Effluent Water" here July 20.

July 06, 2004
South Plains Cotton Thriving In Face Of Harsh Weather 
LUBBOCK – The 3.6 million-acre South Plains cotton crop has so far survived a gamut of harsh weather since producers broke out their planters in May. Rain, hail, wind, blowing sand and lack of rainfall in some areas have taken an estimated 100,000 acres of the crop.

July 05, 2004
Dove Hunting, Texas Style 
ALBANY – Fast-flying dove are a fickle lot as every wing-shooter knows. They're often here today in droves ahead of early autumn cold fronts and gone tomorrow by the time the dew dries.

July 02, 2004
Sonora Angora Goat Performance Test Field Day And Sale Scheduled July 29 
SONORA – The Texas Agricultural Experiment Station's annual Angora goat performance test field day and sale is set for July 29 at the Sonora Experiment Station.

April 15, 2004
Do Your Homework To Select The Best Cotton Varieties In 2004 
LUBBOCK – Selecting productive cotton varieties is not an easy task -- particularly on the Texas High Plains, where weather can literally "make or break" a crop. A Texas Cooperative Extension cotton agronomist advises producers to do their homework by comparing several characteristics among many different varieties and then keying these characteristics to typical growing conditions.

April 12, 2004
May 5 Economic Workshop Designed For Cow-Calf Producers 
VERNON – Drought, record cattle prices and a national "Mad Cow" scare made 2003 an interesting year to say the least for cow-calf producers. To survive in this environment, cow-calf producers need to know how their operations are performing, from a production standpoint and from a financial standpoint, said a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.

April 07, 2004
Precision Ag Meeting Set For April 15 In Lubbock 
LUBBOCK – Farmers and agribusiness representatives can update their knowledge of precision agriculture and global positioning systems technology at an April 15 meeting at The Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension center.

April 07, 2004
Feral Hog Appreciation Days Set For April, May In West Texas 
SAN ANGELO -- Texas Cooperative Extension has set five "Feral Hog Appreciation Days" for April and May in West Texas.

April 06, 2004
Marketing Workshop Focuses On Futures, Options 
LUBBOCK – Farmers and ranchers can gain a better understanding of futures and options, and how to effectively use them as marketing tools at an April 12 workshop, said a Texas Cooperative Extension economist.

April 02, 2004
Three Grain Sorghum Workshops Slated In April 
LUBBOCK – Three half-day "What You Need To Know" grain sorghum workshops will be held in April at three locations across the South Plains.

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

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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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.

December 08, 2003
Texas High Plains Vegetable Conference Slated For Jan. 13 In Canyon 
LUBBOCK - Vegetable growers, processors, market gardeners and master gardeners can renew their production and marketing skills and gain new insight on a variety of topics at the Jan. 13 High Plains Vegetable Conference at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

August 01, 2003
South Plains Farmers Should Not Delay Grain Sorghum Irrigation 
LUBBOCK – Once again, it's a scorcher on the Texas South Plains. High temperatures have consistently reached 100-plus degrees for several days. As a result, young grain sorghum crops are in desperate need of a good drink of water.

April 17, 2003
Siders Named Outstanding Cotton Agent 
LUBBOCK – Kerry Siders, Texas Cooperative Extension integrated pest management agent for Hockley and Cochran counties, recently received the Plains Cotton Growers Outstanding Cotton Agent Award.

April 11, 2003
Do Your Homework To Select Best Cotton Varieties 
LUBBOCK – Picking productive cotton varieties is not an easy task – especially on the Texas High Plains, an area where weather can literally "make or break" a crop.

April 09, 2003
Newsom Vineyard Grape Day Set For April 18 
LUBBOCK – Those who are interested in grape and wine production on the South Plains should make plans now to attend the 2nd Annual Vineyard Grape Day at Newsom Vineyard on April 18 in Plains.

January 21, 2003
Lubbock Marketing Seminar Will Focus On Futures, Options 
LUBBOCK – Producers and others who want to learn more about futures and options should plan to participate in an Advanced Futures and Options seminar slated in February.

January 15, 2003
2003 Master Gardener Class Set In Lubbock County 
LUBBOCK – Is your green thumb itching to get back in the garden? Are you doting just a little too much over those favorite houseplants?

January 13, 2003
Agriculture Conferences Slated Across South Plains 
LUBBOCK – South Plains producers can update their crop production, marketing and management skills, and learn more about irrigation, fertility, pest management and farm legislation at several regional Texas Cooperative Extension agriculture conferences slated in January and February.

December 17, 2002
High Plains Vegetable Conference Debuts Jan. 14 
LUBBOCK - A perennial favorite of vegetable growers in West Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado will return with new vigor Jan. 14. That's the date for the High Plains Vegetable Conference at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

December 05, 2002
4-H’er Heads Veterans’ Memorial Project 
FLOYDADA – The newly-dedicated Floyd County Veterans Memorial was established because of a trip to the lake.

December 03, 2002
Grandparenting Today: A Valuable Place In The Family Structure 
LUBBOCK – "Webster's says ‘grand' is ‘large and impressive in size and scope,' ... ‘dignified or noble in appearance or effect' ... ‘wonderful or very pleasing'," said Betty Dotts.

September 20, 2002
Hybrid Sorghum Day Set 
LUBBOCK - Seedsmen and grain sorghum producers can see the latest hybrid grain sorghums in the field, get an update on current research and production practices, and hear from the National Grain Sorghum Producers Association at a grain sorghum field day Thursday.

August 26, 2002
West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Conference Aug. 28 In Lubbock 
LUBBOCK - West Texas agriculture producers and agribusiness people can update their chemical use and application skills, and learn more about water conservation, the current farm bill, and pest control Wednesday at the 50th annual West Texas Agricultural Chemicals Conference in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

August 26, 2002
Turn-Row Meetings, Crop Tour Feature Irrigated Cotton Trials 
LUBBOCK - Farmers and others interested in irrigated cotton production should mark two dates on their calendars - Aug. 30 and Sept.18.

April 18, 2002
Growers Should Compare Several Factors When Selecting Cotton Varieties 
LUBBOCK – Picking cotton varieties for a given growing season is not an easy task. Comparing several qualities among many different varieties, and then keying these qualities to typical growing conditions is a good place to start, said a Texas A&M University agronomist.

April 05, 2002
South Plains Specialty Crop Research Projects Receive Funding 
LUBBOCK – Four specialty crop research projects conceived by Texas A&M scientists working at the Agricultural Research and Extension Center here were recently funded with grants totaling more than $73,000 from the Texas Department of Agriculture.