AgriLife Extension publications aimed at keeping Texas waters safe, clean
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon, 979-845-4826, l-redmon@tamu.edu
Jennifer Peterson, 979-862-8072, jlpeterson@ag.tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – A group of research scientists, resource conservation agencies, agricultural groups and producers has collaborated to compile five new Lone Star Healthy Streams manuals, all of which are now available to the general public, according to sources.
The Lone Star Healthy Streams program aims to educate Texas livestock producers and land managers on how to best protect Texas waterways from bacterial contributions associated with livestock production and feral hogs, said Jennifer Peterson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service program specialist – water quality.
Peterson and Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension state forage specialist, are working to get the manuals to producers and others needing best management practices for reducing E. coli bacteria in rivers and streams.
The two said about 300 Texas water bodies currently do not comply with state water quality standards established for E. coli.
By getting best management practices to landowners dealing with beef and dairy cattle, horses, poultry or feral hogs, they hope to help landowners further protect Texas waterways from sediment, nutrient and pesticide runoff, Peterson said.
The Lone Star Healthy Streams program is a partnership between AgriLife Extension, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Water Resources Institute. The program is funded by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board through Environmental Protection Agency 319 funds.
The Lone Star Healthy Streams program has been well received by producers across the state and endorsed by seven livestock groups and three natural resource agencies, Redmon said.
He said in fiscal year 2012 alone, two to three beef cattle educational programs have been delivered each month, reaching more than 3,000 producers throughout Texas. In addition to direct delivery of these educational programs, the Lone Star Healthy Streams website averages 45 unique visitors per month.
Printed copies of the manuals are now available by contacting Peterson at 979-862-8072 or jlpeterson@ag.tamu.edu. The manuals also are available electronically for download from the AgriLife Extension Bookstore website at http://agrilifebookstore.org .
Publication numbers for the manuals are: Beef Cattle, B-6245; Dairy Cattle, B-6253; Horses, B-6254; Poultry, B-6255; and Feral Hogs, B-6256.
More information on the Lone Star Health Streams program can be found at http://Lshs.tamu.edu.
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