Three programs set May 28-29 to help producers decide

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contacts: Bill Thompson, 325-653-4576, w-thompson@tamu.edu

Dr. Jackie Smith, 806-746-6101, j-smith34@tamu.edu

           SAN ANGELO – The federally funded ACRE program might be a viable option for West Texas producers seeking to recoup drought-related losses to this year’s crop, said an economist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. But decisions must be made quickly with June 3 the sign-up deadline.

           Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist at San Angelo, said AgriLife Extension will partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency to conduct three educational meetings on May 28-29 to help producers decide whether ACRE, the acronym for the Average Crop Revenue Election program, is right for them.

The meetings, all with a similar format tailored to the specific site, will be:

– May 28, noon “brown bag” seminar at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock located on U.S. Highway 1294 about a half mile east of Interstate 27 just north of the Lubbock Airport.

– May 29 at 8 a.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo, 7887 N. U.S. Highway 87.

– May 29 at 1 p.m. at the Roscoe Co-Op Gin, Roscoe.

           “I have received numerous calls and emailed questions about ACRE,” Thompson said. “While ACRE may not have appealed to many cotton producers in the past, the relatively low cost of signing up for this single crop year may make it worth looking into for both cotton and wheat producers this time around.”

           Thompson said there is a lot of speculation and some confusion regarding the program.

           “Most of our producers have not been involved with ACRE, but the recent extension of parts of the 2008 Farm Bill through September 2013 has given them the opportunity to again consider signing up for the program,” he said.

           Thompson said the program provides payments when the state revenue and individual farm revenue drop below calculated guarantee levels. He said relatively few farmers participated in ACRE because the sign-up was binding for the remainder of the 2008 farm bill. This year there is a higher probability of an ACRE payment, and “we won’t be tied to the program past the 2013 crop year.”

           “This rare late sign-up due to the Farm Bill extension, gives wheat producers a pretty good idea as to whether or not their own revenue will fall below ACRE’s benchmark, which would leave just the statewide estimates in question,” Thompson said.

           “Because the June 3 sign-up deadline is almost upon us, we as agencies want to do everything we can to help educate producers, so they can make the most informed decisions possible as it pertains to their specific operation and crop.”

           There will be no charge for the meetings, and Thompson said the formal trainings will be short. He added that agency personnel will stay as long as possible to run the numbers for anyone interested.

           To learn more about ACRE and to view spreadsheets and hypothetical calculations, go to: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/extension/west-central-agricultural-economics/recent-programs-handouts-other-materials/ .

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A no-cost Texas Watershed Steward training relating to water quality in the Double Bayou watershed area will take place June 25 on Oak Island near Anahuac. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Oak Island is in Chambers County between the east and west forks of the Double Bayou and about eight miles south of Anahuac.

The no-cost workshop has limited seating, so participants are encouraged to preregister at http://tws.tamu.edu. A light meal will be provided free to those who preregister.

The Texas Watershed Steward program is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in coordination with the Double Bayou Watershed Partnership.

“The training is open to anyone interested in improving water quality in Double Bayou,” said Tyler Fitzgerald, AgriLife Extension agent for natural resources, Chambers County. “The training is designed to help watershed residents improve and protect their water resources by becoming involved in local watershed protection and management activities.”

Fitzgerald said the workshop will include an overview of water quality and watershed management in Texas, but will primarily focus on water-quality issues relating to Double Bayou, including current efforts to help improve and protect the health of this important water resource.

The training also provides a discussion of watershed systems, types and sources of water pollution, and ways to improve and protect water quality. There also will be a group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management.

“Double Bayou is a critical resource for the area,” Fitzgerald said. “For example, Double Bayou, which feeds into Trinity Bay, supports oyster production, recreational activities, commercial fishing and other economic assets. The estuaries of Double Bayou are considered to be a critical wildlife habitat area by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.”

Double Bayou is a critical watershed for marine life,  wildlife and humans. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The workshop is being held in support of ongoing watershed management activities for the Double Bayou watershed in Chambers and Liberty counties. Double Bayou has been listed on the state list of impaired waters since 2004 for low levels of dissolved oxygen and since 2008 for high concentrations of bacteria. It also has been listed as impaired for dioxin and PCBs in edible tissues of marine life, and high concentrations of bacteria.

Efforts are currently under way to reduce pollutant levels in Double Bayou through working with local residents and property owners to develop a watershed protection plan. More information about the plan can be found at http://www.doublebayou.org.

“Management strategies to be included in the plan are intended to provide direction to local stakeholders and deliver educational programming such as the Texas Watershed Steward Program,” said Linda Shead of Shead Conservation Solutions, watershed coordinator for the Double Bayou Watershed Partnership. “These efforts are aimed at improving water quality in Double Bayou.”

“Along with the free training, participants receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and a certificate of completion,” said Galen Roberts, A&M AgriLife Extension program specialist and Texas Watershed Steward coordinator.

The program also offers seven continuing education units in soil and water management for certified crop advisers, seven units for professional engineers and certified planners, and seven continuing education credits for certified teachers. It also offers three general continuing education units for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide license holders, three for certified landscape architects and three for certified floodplain managers.

“Participating in the Texas Watershed Steward program is a great opportunity to get involved and make a difference in your watershed,” Roberts said.

For more information and to preregister, go to http://tws.tamu.edu or contact Roberts at 979-862-8070, groberts@ag.tamu.edu, or Fitzgerald at 409-267-8347, tsfitzgerald@ag.tamu.edu.

For more information on the Double Bayou Watershed Protection Plan contact Shead at 713-703-1123 or linda.shead@sheadconservation.com.

The Texas Watershed Steward program is funded through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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COLLEGE STATION – In conjunction with the state’s Hurricane Preparedness Week this month, as well as other preparedness efforts, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is making Texans aware of its many disaster and emergency-related materials.

“With hurricane season approaching, AgriLife Extension is again reminding Texas residents of our various hurricane preparedness and recovery resources, including two recently added publications,” said Dr. Andy Vestal, AgriLife Extension director for homeland security and emergency management, Texas A&M University, College Station.

Hurricane preparation information related to farms and ranches is the topic of one of two new AgriLife Extension publications. The other publication provides information on hurricane preparation for households. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Vestal said the two newest AgriLife Extension publications are specific to protecting households, farms and ranches.

The first publication, “Texans, Get Ready! Be Prepared to Survive a Disaster, ” explains how to protect a household during and immediately after a catastrophe by making a disaster plan and preparing a disaster kit.

“Special considerations in this five-page publication include keeping food safe to eat, sheltering-in-place and how to discuss a disaster with children,” said the publication’s co-author Dr. Joyce Cavanagh, AgriLife Extension specialist in family development and resource management, College Station.

The second publication, “Farmers and Ranchers, Get Ready! Protect Your Operation Before, During, and After a Disaster,” provides agricultural producers with information needed to prepare for weather-related and other emergencies by creating a disaster plan. Its contents address the steps farmers and ranchers need to take to protect people, animals, crops, machinery, feed, chemicals and the environment.

“If you have a plan of action, you can help preserve life and property, and minimize your recovery time,” said David Smith, publication author and AgriLife Extension program specialist, biological and agricultural engineering, College Station. “This short four-page publication can help you set priorities and plan for the unexpected.”

Vestal said both these new publications are available at no cost as a print download or in e-book format.

“These and other disaster preparedness and recovery materials offered through AgriLife Extension at no or low cost contain useful information provided by agency and other Texas A&M System experts, as well as experts from state and federal agencies, and from throughout the national land-grant university Extension system,” he said.

He added that these new materials and other hurricane preparation and recovery materials are also available in e-book format at the Texas Extension Disaster Education Network, or Texas EDEN website, http://texashelp.tamu.edu.

“The e-book option is to help provide just-in-time information to Texans, and we hope as many Texans as possible will take the opportunity to download this information to their mobile device so they can be ready now that hurricane season is on the horizon,” Vestal said.

A free emergency preparedness and recovery iPhone application is available at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/texas-eden/id562330404?mt=8. This application contains guides and fact sheets to help prepare for a disaster or emergency, plus information for recovery.

“Having this app installed prior to a disaster means recovery resources are available immediately when or if they are needed,” Vestal said. “The app also includes links to reputable organizations and resources that can help Texans prepare for or recover from a disaster.”

The two new publications and other disaster preparedness and recovery materials are also available for download from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore at https://agrilifebookstore.org/. For these and related publications, click on “Disasters and Emergencies” and then on “Preparedness” or “Recovery.”

Additional publications available online through the bookstore include the comprehensive 16-page “Preparing for the Unexpected,” which provides information individuals, families, businesses and communities with the steps needed to prepare for a possible disaster. This guide was developed to explain different types of disasters and suggest protective measures and sources for additional information.

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COLLEGE STATION – Dr. Casey Reynolds has been named the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state turf specialist and will begin July 1, according to Dr. Travis Miller, Texas A&M University soil and crop sciences associate department head in College Station.

Dr. Casey Reynolds has been named the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state turf specialist. (Courtesy photo)

Reynolds will be headquartered in College Station in the department of soil and crop sciences.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Reynolds join our team,” Miller said. “Turfgrass is a commodity that most Texans enjoy, whether in their home lawn or on a football field, and the technology being developed at Texas A&M will help improve quality while reducing all inputs, particularly the amount of water being used in the landscape.

“Dr. Reynolds will work with groups ranging from homeowners to sod farmers to bring relevant information to enhance turfgrass, its maintenance and production.”

Reynolds is coming to Texas after 10 years as a turfgrass research and Extension associate with North Carolina State University, where he performed field, greenhouse and lab research, as well as presented numerous Extension seminars.

“I have a passion for education, both inside and outside the classroom, particularly with regard to interacting with the public and disseminating valuable information to end users,” Reynolds said.

“This passion, combined with my previous research and Extension experience, allows me to be very optimistic that I will be able to immediately contribute to the Extension program at Texas A&M in a meaningful way.”

Reynolds earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from North Carolina State University, with concentrations in crop science and business management.

In the past, his research responsibilities included planting, plot management, data collection, data analysis and report preparation for turfgrass breeding and selection, as well as management and data collection on approximately 4.7 acres of research trials.

“I have been fortunate enough that my work experience allowed me to relate to and have an impact on different sectors of the turfgrass industry, including lawn care operators, sod producers, athletic field managers and golf course superintendents,” Reynolds said.

“I enjoy working with professionals from each of these sectors, as well as homeowners and weekend warriors interested in learning more about turfgrasses and their proper management,” he said. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to begin working in Texas.”

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The National Weather Service is predicting continuing drought for the western half of Texas this summer, with some improvement for the rest of the state by the end of August. (Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center)

COLLEGE STATION – Though recent storms promised to reset the drought button for a large part of East Texas, the western half of the state will likely see below-normal precipitation from now through August, according to a Texas A&M University climatologist.

“We are looking for above-normal rainfall, and we’re not having an easy time finding it,” said Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist, College Station.

Temperatures were expected to be above normal for all of the southern plains this summer, Nielsen Gammon said.

Two-minute MP3 Audio of Texas crop, weather for May 21, 2013

“The short-range and long-range outlooks are sort of opposites,” he said. “We’ve got decent chances of rain in West Texas over the next week or two, while the Gulf Coast is going to stay fairly dry. But over the summer, the outlook from the Climate Prediction Center has the best chances for rain being along the Gulf Coast with drier conditions in West Texas.”

Nielsen-Gammon noted a few months ago no one was predicting the widespread swings in temperature and late freezes. However, he believes Texas has seen the last of abnormally low temperatures, and that warmer weather is back on track.

The reason for the cold fronts was likely due to above-normal snow cover in the northern hemisphere, he said.

“It was the first time in more than a decade that the springtime snow cover has been above normal,” Nielsen-Gammon said. “That means cold air can stay cold a lot longer on its way down to Texas.”

So far, the entire state has had below-normal rainfall for May. Parts of West Texas may “luck out” the last of May because of “fairly active, dry-like convections” during the rest of the month, he said.

As for June, the coastal regions of Texas may be drier, he said.

“It’s because the Gulf of Mexico is so cool right now, but that’s just a hunch at this point,” he said.

More information on the current Texas drought and wildfire alerts can be found on the AgriLife Extension Agricultural Drought Task Force website at http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/ .

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service district reporters compiled the following summaries for the week of June 13-19:

The 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Districts

Central: Rains and severe storms, along with high winds and tornadoes, struck parts of the region. The rain was good for corn and sorghum, but the high winds and tornadoes damaged wheat and oats. There was from 10,000 to 20,000 acres of crop damage reported. Cotton emerged and looked good. Hay production was off to a good start. Stocker-cattle operators began shipping cattle to feedlots. There were reports of high number of flies on cattle and grasshopper infestations in fields.

Coastal Bend: Limited rainfall in some areas improved crop and pasture conditions, but warmer and very windy conditions were quickly diminishing soil moisture.

East: Most counties received some rain. The western part of the region received the most — as much as 4 inches. Eastern counties received from zero to 0.25 inch. Those areas that got rain saw improvement in pasture and rangeland conditions. Warm-season grasses were still slow to grow because of cool nighttime temperatures and moisture stress. Most of the hay baled to date has been of winter grasses. Blueberries were reported to have a 60 to 70 percent loss from the late freezes. Blackberries made good progress. Vegetable production increased, with onions and squash being harvested. Some livestock producers were still providing supplemental feed. Feral hogs were active.

Far West: Parts of the region received from 0.3 to 1 inch of rain. Generally, the weather remained hot and dry, and a lot more rain was needed to make any difference in the agricultural situation. Pastures were in poor condition and without rainfall will become more and more stressed. Cotton producers were planting, and onions were progressing well.

North: After 0.75 inch to 3 inches of rain, soil-moisture levels ranged from short to surplus across the region. Highs were in the 80s to 90s, with nighttime lows in the 70s. Most wheat was in good condition and started turning color. Ryegrass headed out in some counties, and many producers were harvesting it for hay. Those who don’t plan to hay it were using it for grazing. Corn was growing fast rate, and sunflowers were in very good condition. Livestock were in very good condition as well, with calves growing fast thanks to the lush spring pastures. Pond levels were dropping in some counties. Grasshoppers were still immature but very numerous. Spider mites were a problem in Titus County. Warm-season grass growth was in high gear.

Panhandle: The region remained hot and dry. Soil-moisture levels were mostly very short to short. Irrigators were actively watering wheat and corn. Dryland wheat still showed damages from past freezes. Corn planting was proceeding, but emergence was slowed by cool soil temperatures. Cotton and sorghum planting began. Rangeland remained brown as if it were still winter, and was rated mostly very poor to poor, as were pastures. Yucca blooming was about 10 to 14 days away, and there was hope it would supply several weeks of nutrition. Flies were already bothering cattle.

Rolling Plains: Spring seemed to have skipped the region, as conditions moved directly from winter into summer. Temperatures were at or above 100 degrees for the past week. While some counties received little to no moisture, a few, including Parker, Wise and Palo Pinto counties, got as much as 4.5 inches. Along with the rain, some storms brought hail and damaging winds. Wildfires popped up in Palo Pinto County. In the western part of the region, producers feared yet another hot dry summer, and did not have a positive outlook for this year’s cotton crop. Cotton growers with irrigation began planting; a few dryland fields were also planted. Pastures and rangeland were in poor condition due to lack of moisture. The drought took its toll on livestock ponds and wells. Some livestock producers were considering drilling new, deeper wells and/or hauling water. Livestock required daily supplemental feeding. Hay supplies were dwindling fast for the beginning of summer. Most winter wheat was cut for hay. The peach crop was expected to be poor to fair.

South: Generally, the trend of strong winds, warm temperatures and scattered showers continued. Isolated showers in the northern parts of the region supplied a little moisture to range and pastures, but strong winds and high temperatures were beginning to deplete that moisture. In the eastern part of the region, there was limited improvement in rangeland and pasture. All but Jim Wells County reported very short soil-moisture conditions. In the western part of the region, soil-moisture levels remained very short, except for Dimmit County, where they were 50 percent adequate. In the southern part of the region, rangeland and pasture conditions improved considerably. Cameron and Willacy counties reported 50 to 85 percent adequate soil moisture. The rest of the southern counties had very short soil moisture conditions. In Frio County, the wheat, oats and potato harvests were ongoing, while the harvesting of green beans and sweet corn just began. Supplemental feeding was steady in McMullen County, with cattle body-condition scores fair to poor. Very few row crops remained in Frio County, with producers still contemplating whether it is worthwhile to harvest those crops that do remain. Though rangeland and pastures improved in Duval County, not many cattle remained to take advantage of the grazing. Maverick County producers were harvesting coastal Bermuda grass hay. In Zavala County, producers were irrigating sorghum, onions, pecans and corn. About 60 percent of wheat, onion and oats were harvested in Zavala County, while the corn and cotton harvest were progressing well. In Webb County, runoff from recent rains increased stock-pond levels. In Starr County, late-planted onion harvesting was going full swing.

South Plains: With highs in the upper 90s to 100, soil temperatures rose enough for planting. Cotton planting was in full swing throughout the region. Soils were still very dry, but many cotton producers pre-watered and were moving ahead anyway. Mitchell County reported the most significant rain of the week, from 0.9 inch to 2 inches. Most winter wheat has been either chopped for silage or baled for hay. Moisture remained a concern for most dryland producers. Corn emerged in some areas and was already taking a beating from dry winds, but was holding on. Although some dryland producers were skeptical of making a crop with the drought, some fields may have to be dry planted to meet crop insurance planting deadlines. Early planted grain sorghum survived the May 3 freeze, but showed foliar damage. Borden and Garza counties had from a trace to 0.6 inch of rain. Rangeland and pastures were helped by light rains, but will need a lot more to recover from the last couple years of drought and produce any forage. Cattle remained mostly in fair to good condition.

Southeast: Many areas received timely and needed rains, greening things up and improving conditions. Though soils remained fairly dry, warmer temperatures and the added moisture promoted forage growth. Walker County reported enough rain to refill ponds. In Waller County, the extra moisture helped cattlemen build confidence. In Chambers County, the weather remained dry, but this allowed rice growers to resume planting. Grain sorghum was is in poor condition there due to cool weather, and some rice fields had to be replanted. Fort Bend County reported scattered showers, with lows in the mid-50s and highs in the 70s. Galveston County had heavy rains. Liberty County received some much needed rain.

Southwest: There were reports of from a trace to as much as 2 inches of rain, along with some corn and wheat destroyed by hail. There were no reports of livestock or wildlife being injured by the hailstorms. Temperatures rose into the 90s. Thrips were an issue in some cotton fields.

West Central: Extremely dry, hot, windy conditions continued, though a few counties reported scattered showers. Hail accompanied some of the showers and damaged some wheat fields. Farmers continued preparing fields for planting, with some already planting summer annual and irrigated cotton. Other cotton farmers were waiting for rain and better soil moisture. Small grains were being cut and baled or grazed out. In most areas, very little wheat was suitable for harvesting. Rangeland and pasture conditions improved a little. Where there was rain, the warmer temperatures boosted the growth of warm-season grasses and forbs. Livestock were in poor to good condition, depending on location. Stock-water tank levels remained a major concern. Fly populations increased and were expected to be a problem all summer. Grasshopper populations were increasing. Pecan growers were spraying orchards.

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Contact: Pascual Hernandez, 325-387-3101, p-hernandez@tamu.edu

SONORA –The Annual Wool and Mohair Show, now in its 76th year, will again be held in conjunction with the National 4-H Wool Judging and FFA Wool Judging contests.

These contests join a host of other ranch-related youth competitions set for June 18-20 in the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center in Sonora.

The events will be conducted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in cooperation with the Sonora Lions Club, Sonora Wool and Mohair Company and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce.

“Though years of drought have greatly reduced Texas’ wooled sheep flocks and Angora goat herds, we think that only escalates the need for youth to learn appropriate livestock production practices, rangeland management skills and proper preparation of wool and mohair fleeces,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent in Sutton County.

“In the past, the fleece show components have been open to adults, but for the past several years, all the associated judging contests have focused on young people only, so we try to offer a fun learning experience that’s geared to ranching practices common throughout our region.”

Show activities will include an All-Texas Show and contests for 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, the 13th annual National FFA Wool Judging Contest, and the featured judging event: the 53rd annual National 4-H Wool Judging Contest.

“We’ll begin weighing and tagging wool and mohair fleece entries at 10 a.m. on June 18,” Hernandez said. “All fleeces must be in by 3:30 p.m. that day.”

He said registration on June 19 will start at 7 a.m. Livestock judging competition will begin at 8:15 a.m., as will judging of the junior wool and mohair entries.

Range judging participants will depart from the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center at 10 a.m.

The wool and mohair judging contest will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Sutton County 4-H Civic Center.

Teams that have not preregistered may register for the national 4-H and FFA wool judging contests until 5 p.m. June 19 at the civic center.

On June 20, national 4-H and FFA wool judging contests begin at 8 a.m., also at the civic center.

The three days of activities will conclude June 20 with an 11:30 a.m. awards luncheon at the civic center, sponsored by the Sonora Lions Club and the Sonora Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact Hernandez at 325-387-3101 or p-hernandez@tamu.edu .

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Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Lucas Gregory, 979-845-7869, lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu

PECOS – Landowners in the Pecos River watershed are invited to participate in discussions on Pecos River water quality and updates to the Pecos River Watershed Protection Plan during a series of upcoming meetings.

The Pecos River near Pecos (Texas Water Resources Institute photo by Lucas Gregory)

Four separate June meetings are scheduled across the watershed to give area landowners ample opportunity to attend, said Lucas Gregory, Texas Water Resources Institute Project specialist and Pecos River watershed coordinator at College Station. The same information will be covered at each meeting location, Gregory said.

Meeting dates, start times and locations are:

           - June 4, 8:30 a.m., Community Hall, 508 S. Oak St., Pecos.

           - June 4, 1:30 p.m., Community Center, Allison Ave., Imperial.

           - June 4, 6:30 p.m., Civic Center, Alley Oop Lane, Iraan.

           - June 5, 8:30 a.m., AgriLife Extension office in Crockett County, 1301 Ave. AA., Ozona.

In 2008, the Pecos River Watershed Protection Plan was developed and identified needed management activities and needed research that would address deficient dissolved oxygen levels often found in the Pecos River, according to Gregory. The current slate of meetings will center on efforts undertaken to determine the causes of low dissolved oxygen and the evaluation of potential remedies for these problems.

“Since 2006, the Pecos River between the Ward II Irrigation Turnout and U.S. Highway 67 has been considered impaired for depressed dissolved oxygen levels,” Gregory said. “Using a computer-based model, scientists at the Texas Institute of Applied Environmental Research have evaluated potential factors leading to the low dissolved oxygen and also evaluated potential impacts that several hypothetical management measures have on instream dissolved oxygen.”

Gregory said the causes of the low dissolved oxygen, as predicted by the model and the resulting impacts of evaluated management scenarios, will be discussed at these meetings.

Additionally, he said an update of watershed protection plan implementation and implementation needs is being developed.

“‘The Pecos River WPP Addendum,’ as it’s being called, documents implementation progress made since the watershed protection plan was developed and also provides an opportunity to amend the plan with new information, such as the dissolved oxygen modeling results,” Gregory said.

These meetings will provide a first look at the contents of the addendum and provide an opportunity to discuss other items that should be included as implementation progress or as additional needs identified in the plan, he said.

Gregory said landowner participation is always important, but even more so in these meetings.

“Information will be provided that can be used to make future watershed management decisions, and landowners participating in these discussions will provide guidance on how to use the information discussed,” he said.

Funding and support for the development and implementation of the Pecos River Watershed Protection Plan is provided through a Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information contact Gregory at 979-845-7869, lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu.

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WESLACO  –  It’s not enough to shut off the faucet while brushing your teeth; it’s time homeowners make plans to conserve water in the long term, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service water expert in Weslaco.

Ashley Gregory, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service assistant for water programs, stands with a rainwater collection model, one of several water saving methods to be discussed at the upcoming homeowner water conservation program June 29 in Weslaco. (AgriLife Extension photo courtesy of Ashley Gregory)

To help residents save water now and in the future, AgriLife Extension has partnered with other agencies to provide an educational program on home water conservation from 9 a.m.-1p.m. June 29 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, 2401 E. Highway 83.

“Hopefully, the severe drought we are currently experiencing will end soon, but according to the National Weather Service, there will be others,” Ashley Gregory said. “That coupled with the fact that the Lower Rio Grande Valley’s population is expected to double in the next 40 years means we need to think regionally and we need to think long-term in conserving water.”

Gregory is an AgriLife Extension assistant for water programs who works for the Texas Water Resources Institute through the Arroyo Colorado Watershed Partnership.

Topics to be covered at the no-cost educational program include indoor water conservation, rainwater collection, and landscape design using native plants and soil amendments to help retain moisture. Participants will also be encouraged to take The 40-Gallon Challenge, a statewide effort to save 40 gallons of water per day per person.

“We’re excited about this program because we’ll have a professional landscape designer helping participants develop their own master plan for a native landscape, which uses a fraction of the water of traditional landscapes,” Gregory said. “And we’ll have a drawing to give away a rainwater harvesting kit that includes a barrel, 50 feet of gutter and a downspout.”

To help design their own native landscaping, participants are asked to bring the dimensions of their yard and pictures if possible, she said.

“Typically a program like this would cost about $150 to attend, but thanks to funding from the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, a program of the Texas Water Resources Institute, we are able to offer this amazing program to homeowners at no cost to them,” Gregory said.

Lunch will be provided, but seating is limited. To preregister, call 956-968-5581 or email ahgregory@ag.tamu.edu.

SIMONTON – The rain fell hard and heavy, but it didn’t stop more than 100 agricultural producers from attending the inaugural Upper Gulf Coast Ranch Expo at the 12,000-acre Twinwood Ranch near Simonton.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A choking rain of several inches within an hour canceled the bus tours scheduled to view the Akaushi cattle herd, pecan orchard and other aspects of the ranch. However, several presentations featuring Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts left many producers with several strategies to take home and apply to their operations, said Dr. Greg Kaase, AgriLife Extension economist.

Dr. Greg Kaase, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist, kicked off the inaugral Upper Gulf Coast Ranch Expo at Twinwood Ranch with opening remarks. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

“Though the rain kept us from showcasing some of the many visual aspects of Twinwood, the turnout was strong, all things considered, for our first event,” he said. “A lot of cattle producers are wanting information on building their herds and how to better manage forages. We think the speakers addressed many of the issues they are facing today.”

Dr. Doug Steele, AgriLife Extension director, told producers during the opening of the event, “This program provides you a critical look at where we are today with regards to the issues you are facing. And what better way to  achieve that than by being together here face to face.”

Fort Bend County continues to be one of the fastest growing in the nation, said Vincent Mannino, AgriLife Extension director for the county. Population has doubled since the 2000 census as land has been sold to developers to meet the housing demand.

“But there’s still farming and ranching, and plenty of opportunity for small-farm operations as well,” he said.

Many producers were interested in learning more about body-condition scoring of cattle. Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station, provided an in-depth discussion of maintaining adequate body condition on cattle.

“There are two visual things you can observe,” Cleere said. “We can look at manure and what kind of nutrients are going through cattle. We look and see if the manure is stacking up, or if it is lower quality and runny in appearance. Those two things can help you determine what type of nutrition your cattle are receiving.”

Cleere said ranchers can also observe the amount of flesh on the animal to determine how much fat a cow has. He said a good body condition score is important for lactating cows with a calf by their side. Cows that are emaciated typically receive a body condition score of one, while a good fleshy cow ready to calve should have a body condition score of five.

Meanwhile, Dr. Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension state weed specialist, told producers they need to tackle weeds early.

“Weeds from day one are picking your pocket,” he said. “The sooner you get those out, the better opportunity your forage grass can produce.”

A deluge of rainfall canceled the ranch bus tours. However, the more than 100 ranchers in attendance were not complaining and heard several presentations discussing beef cattle nutrition and pasture weed control. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Baumann reviewed a number of herbicides for producers to consider in battling weed problems, which have been prevalent throughout Texas for much of the year due to drought. Grassburs have been a problem for many, Baumann said. He discussed the use of Pastora and other strategies to get favorable results in control. Texas bull nettle is another weed that many producers have been battling struggling with on rangeland.

“If you think you going to get control with just one squirt of herbicide, think again,” he said. “You are not going to get long-term root kill.”

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With Memorial Day weekend approaching, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts offer tips for outdoor cooking and food safety. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

“It’s extremely important that people take extra care if planning to grill outdoors, especially in open areas,” said Dr. Joyce Cavanagh, AgriLife Extension specialist in family development and resource management, College Station. “Three out of four households have an outdoor grill, and cookouts are a Memorial Day weekend tradition.”

The National Fire Protection Association estimates gas and charcoal grills cause 4,200 outdoor fires and 1,500 structure fires annually in or on residential properties, resulting in yearly property losses of about $30 million.

Cavanagh said before making plans for a cookout in a public area, check to see if there’s a burn ban in effect in that area.

“It’s not only dangerous to ignore or defy a burn ban, but there can also be some pretty stiff fines for doing so,” she noted.

Some additional outdoor grilling fire safety tips offered by AgriLife Extension experts, the National Fire Protection Association and others are:

– Set up the grill on a concrete surface or on ground where grass and vegetation in the area are trimmed and where there are no dry leaves, brush, mulch piles or other combustibles nearby.
– Place the grill in an open area away from deck railings, eaves and overhanging branches or other potentially combustible surfaces.
– If using a gas grill, check for leaks and make sure hose connections are tight.
– Set the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or building, and do not grill in a garage or under a carport or other surface that might catch fire.
– Keep young children and pets at least 3 feet from the grill.
– Remove any grease or fat buildup from the grill and/or in the trays below the grill.
– Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
– Never leave the grill unattended once the fire has been lit.
– Do not attempt to move a hot grill.
– Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher within reach.
– Use flame-retardant mitts and grilling tools with long handles instead of household forks or short-handled tongs.
– When finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing, and use a metal container for disposal.
– If using a liquid propane grill, use extreme caution and always follow manufacturer recommendations for connecting or disconnecting the tank.

Along with fire safety, food safety is another important factor to consider when grilling, said Dr. Jenna Anding, AgriLife Extension program leader, food and nutrition, College Station.

“You don’t want to remember Memorial Day as the day you or someone in your family got sick from a foodborne illness,” Anding said. “To keep cookouts safe, it’s important to ensure a clean grilling workspace and safe food preparation.”

She said maintaining food quality and freshness by ensuring proper temperatures during its storage and when cooking are vital to food safety.

“You need to begin by choosing meat, poultry or seafood that’s fresh and of high quality,” she said. “At the grocery store, select your meat last and get it home as soon as possible. If the trip from the grocery store to home is more than 30 minutes, take a cooler for refrigerated items.”

Anding said poultry, fish, seafood or ground beef should be cooked or frozen within a day or two, and that steaks or pork chops should be cooked or frozen within four to five days.

“Also, the safest way to thaw meat or poultry is by placing it in the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to cook it,” she added. “You can also thaw in the microwave, but if you do, cook the food right away; don’t let it sit. However, some foods may not thaw out evenly and other parts of the food may be partially cooked, so it’s still better to let them thaw out it in the fridge.”

Regardless, she added, never thaw meats at room temperature as this may increase the number of germs related to foodborne illness.

Anding said if refrigerated food is being transported to another location for cooking, it should be kept at 40 degrees or colder, using a cooler and ice or ice packs.

“And you should only take as much as you plan to cook and eat that day,” she said.

Anding said raw meat, poultry or seafood should be tightly wrapped or stored in a sealed bag or container and kept in a different cooler to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

“Make sure your hands, the cooking area and all cooking utensils are clean to reduce the spread of germs to the food,” she said. “If you’re cooking away from home and not sure about a water source where you’re going, take your own water and paper towels or use antibacterial towelettes or hand sanitizer.”

Anding noted that unwashed utensils and platters can still contaminate food, even if you’ve maintained proper food storage, preparation and cooking standards.

“If you’ve placed raw meat or fish on a platter before grilling, do not use that same plate to serve the food unless it first can be cleaned with hot, soapy water.”

She said foods on a grill can brown quickly and look as though they are sufficiently cooked when they are not, so a food thermometer is the only way to ensure cooking to a safe internal temperature.

“Cook all poultry to 165 degrees, fully cooked meats like hot dogs to 165 degrees and hamburgers to 160 degrees. Beef, pork, lamb, veal steaks, chops and roasts should be cooked to at least 145 degrees. For safety, however, allow these foods to ‘rest’ for 3 minutes after removing them from the grill before serving.”

After cooking, Anding said, be sure to keep the food hot until it is served – at least 140 degrees — otherwise refrigerate it right away.

“Keep food covered and never let it sit out for more than two hours, and if the weather is 90 degrees or hotter, eat or store it within one hour,” she said. “We usually say ‘more than two is bad for you,’ but if it’s outside, that should be just one hour.”

More information on outdoor cooking safety may be obtained by contacting the local county AgriLife Extension agent for family and consumer sciences or reading the U.S. Department of Agriculture fact sheet at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Barbecue_Food_Safety/.

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