AgriLife Extension Wildlife & Fisheries
AgriLife Extension Wildlife & FisheriesTeaching, Research, Extension and Service

Dove season 2019: Food, water sources likely to drive hunter success

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COLLEGE STATION – Dove season 2019 should provide a good opening weekend starting Sept. 1, but birds’ access to food and water will be a major factor in harvest success, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Dove

Texas dove season begins Sept. 1. Check local regulations to ensure compliance with Texas state law regarding these migratory game birds. (Courtesy photo)

John Tomecek, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall, said hunters with access to areas where the birds have food sources, water and roosts should have an advantage over areas without.

Tomecek said drought conditions around the state will concentrate dove near resources as they migrate south. So if you want a successful hunt, go where dove can find food, water and shelter.

“Birds can spread out when there is plenty of water and food sources everywhere, but dry, hot weather over the last few months will limit where they will be found,” he said. “Having water sources like ponds or troughs to hunt over, especially in western parts of the state, should improve success.”

Dove food sources

Agriculture crops such as sesame, sunflowers and sorghum are attractive food sources to dove. Providing food sources for dove can improve hunter success, but it can also be illegal if state laws are not followed, Tomecek said.

AgriLife Extension has publications regarding legal supplemental feeding for dove. “Normal Agricultural Operations and Dove Hunting: How to Legally Provide Food Sources and Improve Hunting Opportunities,” co-authored by Tomecek can be downloaded for free at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Bookstore.

Know what’s legal

Broadcasting seed or grains before and during dove season in an attempt to attract birds is illegal, he said. But broadcasting in the normal act of planting winter forages is legal when standard practices of seed drilling or broadcasting on prepared beds followed by light disking or dragging is incorporated.

When it comes to dove, landowners and managers are allowed to grow seed- and grain-bearing crops such as sesame or sorghum for the sole purpose of attracting dove and can manipulate stands in any way throughout the season to provide a food source for birds, Tomecek said.

However, he said, it is important to note that in areas where waterfowl harvest also occurs, grains may be planted and grown, but must be harvested for commercial production. “Restrictions on Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting,” can also be downloaded for free from the AgriLife Extension Bookstore.

“The best way to explain it is that if you put seed or grain on the ground this time of year from a sack, it’s likely illegal,” he said. “If you planted it and it is maturing during hunting season, you can manipulate it in any way to hunt over it throughout the season.”

Advice for crop shredding

Tomecek recommends grain-bearing crops intended for dove not be shredded all at once.

“Divide the coverage area by the number of weeks of the season and shred a percentage each week to keep food on the ground,” he said. “Mourning dove need the grain or seed to be on the ground since they cannot perch and eat at the same time.”

White-winged dove are capable of lighting and picking grains and seeds from food sources, he said. They are a larger dove species that has continued to expand its range farther north.

“Overall, we are hoping for a good dove season,” he said. “Bird numbers will depend on location, but it’s really about getting out to the field with friends and family or taking someone who has never been dove hunting before. It’s a tradition that makes lasting memories.”

 

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Livestock predator program set Sept. 17 in Brownwood

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Livestock guardian dogs will be one of the ways to manage predators discussed on Sept. 17 in Brownwood. (AgriLife Extension photo by Susan Himes)

BROWNWOOD — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be holding a livestock predator program on Sept. 17 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 4206 U.S. Highway 377 S. in Brownwood.

The program will address the question of what livestock and/or wildlife producers can do to manage predators.

The cost is $30 if preregistered by Sept. 10 and $40 after that date. Fees are payable at the door, and cost includes a catered lunch. To preregister,  contact the AgriLife Extension office of Brown County at 325-646-0386.

Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units are available, three in integrated pest management and two general.

“Coyotes, bobcats, feral hogs, black-headed vultures, mountain lions and a few more wild animals are all currently causing livestock and deer losses due to predation,” said Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent for Brown County. “These livestock predators are in Brown and every other surrounding county. It seems that predator numbers continue to grow each year.”

Program topics and speakers include:

  • Utilizing guardian dogs to manage predators – Bill Constanzo, AgriLife Extension livestock guardian dog specialist, San Angelo.
  • Wildlife Services predator management – Mike Bodenchuk, Texas state director, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, San Antonio.
  • Wild Pig Control and Management – Josh Helcel, AgriLife Extension associate, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, College Station.
  • Managing coyote, mountain lion and bobcat predators – John Tomecek, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, San Angelo.
  • Nuisance wildlife predator management – Maureen Frank, Ph.D.,  AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde.

The event is presented by the AgriLife Extension offices of Brown, Mills and San Saba counties. For more information, call 325-646-0386 or email Anderson at sa-anderson@tamu.edu.

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Central Texas cow, calf clinic set Sept. 18 in Lampasas

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LAMPASAS — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a cow and calf clinic Sept. 18 in Lampasas. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments; presentations will run from 9 a.m.-noon.

The event is presented by the AgriLife Extension offices of Burnet and Lampasas counties, and will be held at the Lampasas County Farm Bureau, 1793 N. U.S. Hwy 281. Three Texas Department of Agriculture general continuing education units are available.

The cost is $15. Call the AgriLife Extension office in Lampasas County at 512-556-8271 to preregister by Sept. 16. The featured speaker is John Tomecek, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall.

“We wanted this clinic to include discussions on additional ways your ranch can provide income, beyond cattle,” said Heath Lusty, AgriLife Extension specialist, Lampasas County. “We are excited to have Dr. Tomecek on hand to share his experiences and expertise with our attendees.”

Topics to be discussed by Tomecek include:

  • Diversifying Ranch Income: Alternative wildlife enterprises.
  • Is it Right for Me? Developing a wildlife-watching business on your property.
  • What’s in a Lease? Considerations for setting hunting and wildlife watching lease terms.

 

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Texas A&M AgriLife aquaculture specialist addresses algae-related dog deaths

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An extreme case of cyanobacteria shows the bright turquoise color that gives them their common name of blue-green algae. However, this is an extreme, not a common case. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Todd Sink)

COLLEGE STATION – A rash of recent companion animal deaths related to cyanobacteria toxins prompted a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Serviceaquaculture expert to offer information to alleviate fears.

Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, College Station, wanted to address recent stories involving companion animal deaths linked to toxins in surface water to assuage fears and provide information to help the public protect themselves and their animals.

Sink is also Texas A&M University Wildlife and Fisheries associate department head and program leader, and director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory.

Sink said cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae as they are often incorrectly referred, are everywhere in the environment, and exist in virtually every single body of water in the world. There are hundreds of different species in the U.S. alone.

His office has been inundated with emails regarding cyanobacteria and how to test for it since national news agencies picked up on and began running stories of a series of dog deaths that occurred after they swam and/or drank from contaminated water undergoing a toxic cyanobacteria bloom. The deaths first started in early August with three dogs that swam in a pond at Lady Bird Lake in Austin, followed by more deaths in Wisconsin and North Carolina.

“Many people are very concerned regarding the safety of their dogs in the wake of these national news stories, which in my opinion is sensationalism to attract an audience,” he said. “So far seven to eight dogs out of the millions of dogs in the U.S. have died due to toxic cyanobacteria blooms this year. These are localized, isolated incidences.

“As a fellow dog owner, I sympathize with those who tragically lost their beloved pet. However, thousands more dogs in the U.S. die every year due to preventable illnesses or conditions such as heartworms, heat stroke, starvation, exposure, accidental poisoning or being run over by a vehicle. Sensationalizing these cyanobacteria-related deaths has only served to scare dog owners.”

Sink said he typically receives six to eight cases of livestock or wildlife deaths due to cyanobacteria toxicity per year at the Aquatic Diagnostic lab.

“There are 1.3 million ponds in the state of Texas, and the vast majority of livestock animals are solely reliant on these as a source of drinking water, yet I only receive six to eight cases a year,” he said.

Sink and other AgriLife experts suspect as many as an additional six to 12 livestock cases go unreported per year because producers may not know cyanobacteria could be a potential source of toxicity. But prior to this year, Sink had only received one suspected case of cyanobacteria toxicity in a companion animal such as a dog in the last five years.

He has received dozens of requests to test surface water that dogs swim in in the past two days and believes the surge in requests is due to fear generated by news stories.

RED FLAGS

In most cases, there is no need to fear allowing pets to play in bodies of water, nor is there necessarily a need for owners to submit samples for expensive testing, Sink said. There are other no-cost common-sense methods to protect their pets.

Microcystis, which produces the potent hepatotoxin microcystin-LR, forms as round or egg-shaped, gelatinous, floating clumps. It’s presence should be a red flag to owners. Dead aquatic species, such as fish, frogs and turtles, can also be a sign of toxins in surface water. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Todd Sink)

The first is to learn to detect and identify cyanobacteria, he said.

“The first thing you should know is the presence of a bluish-green surface scum or mat is an immediate red flag, and you should not allow your animals to swim in or drink the water,” he said.

For images of cyanobacteria including bluish-green surface mats and scums and more identification features and prevention and management options see the AquaPlant website.

The blueish-green color is a clear sign of cyanobacteria, but the absence of this color in most cases means absolutely nothing because most cyanobacteria are not blue-green. Most species are various shades of green or brown and some even have a reddish tint, so color alone cannot be used to identify cyanobacteria.

Most harmless, single-celled green and brown algae species are suspended within the water at various depths. Under bloom conditions, many cyanobacteria on the other hand, form non-filamentous surface scums that can be an extremely thin layer that is almost sheen-like, to thick and highly visible in areas where the wind has blown and concentrated them.

“So always check the surface of the water against the bank on the downwind side of the pond before allowing a pet to swim or drink the water,” he said.

The absence of these surface scums does not mean the water is safe, as many toxin-producing cyanobacteria species are filamentous and can be mixed in with typical harmless species of filamentous algae that form dense floating mats during summer months. But these species are difficult to detect or differentiate visually, he said.

Another clear red flag can be dead aquatic species, such as fish, including small minnows, frogs and turtles, along the shoreline, Sink said.

Due to their prolonged exposure time and direct exposure of vital respiratory organs, or gills, to the toxin contaminated water, fish are likely to die and be observed prior to any observed issues with animals that drink from the pond.

“Cyanobacteria identification can be difficult even to the experienced eye,” Sink said. “There are other signs a pet or livestock owner should look for. But in general, if no dead or dying fish are observed or have been recently reported from the body of water, it is not likely a cyanobacteria bloom is actively producing a toxin.”

Another red flag indicating the presence of cyanobacteria are small, irregular, round or egg-shaped clumps of dark green or dark blueish-green algae that float along at the surface and may form mats along wind-blown edges of ponds, Sink said. The genus Microcystis, which produces the potent hepatotoxin microcystin-LR, often starts as a fine film or scum at very low densities during the initial phase of a bloom and forms round or egg-shaped, gelatinous, floating clumps after the population density increases.

“If uncertain, as a general precaution pets should not be allowed to swim in or drink from any waterbody that is intensely green or blue-green in color due to an obvious high density of algal cells,” he said. “Ninety-nine times out of 100, this high density of algal cells is due to a bloom of harmless green or brown algae or even non-toxin producing cyanobacteria, but that cannot be ascertained simply by looking at it. It may be a bloom of toxin producing cyanobacteria or have toxin producing cyanobacteria mixed in, so it is best that your pet avoids it.”

TESTING

Testing is not always the answer as testing consists of two parts, Sink said. The first is a visual identification in which a person trained in algae species identification microscopically examines a water sample, carefully inspecting it to determine if cyanobacteria cells are present, how many cyanobacteria species are present and at what density of each cyanobacteria is present. This only tells half the story.

If it is determined that toxin-producing cyanobacteria species are present in the sample at high concentrations, the second step is to test to determine if cyanotoxins are present.  If so, then it’s necessary to determine what type of toxins and at what concentration is each toxin present.

“There are several different types of cyanotoxins that may be present and each one must be tested and quantified individually,” Sink said. There is no overall test to measure total toxicity or toxins present. This is the only way to determine the potential toxicity of the water to animals that drink it or swim in it.”

Therefore, testing can become quite expensive, Sink said. The average water sample will cost $450-$500 to test.

Another issue is having a sample tested only provides a single snapshot in time, he said.

“Just because no toxins were found in a sample that was tested today does not mean there weren’t any toxins present the week before, and it certainly does not mean there won’t be any toxins present tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.”

If the landowner understands the costs of testing and wishes to have a test performed, they can submit a sample to the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory. Go to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Aquaculture, Fisheries and Pond Management website and click on the Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory tab at the top of the page for instructions on how to submit a sample.

Texas A&M performs the first half of the testing in house as described above. If significant quantities of toxin-producing species of cyanobacteria are determined to be present in the sample, the lab then outsources the toxin testing to one of a handful of national laboratories that have the capability to test for and quantify specific cyanotoxins present in the sample.

Of course, if no, or low quantities of toxin producing cyanobacteria are present in the sample, the lab will not submit the sample for toxin testing and quantification and will only bill for the first portion of the testing, Sink said.

CYANOBACTERIA

Not all cyanobacteria species produce toxins, Sink said. Some produce toxins, but not toxins that are lethal and rather cause minor skin and mucous membrane irritation.

Some species produce a single toxin that if ingested can be fatal, while others produce multiple toxins that can be fatal if ingested. However, the type of toxin and the quantity of toxin produced and ingested determines if it will be fatal to a dog compared to deer, a horse or a cow.

“Body size, species and physiology of the animal that ingest toxins are major factors,” he said.

Different species of cyanobacteria produce different toxins, including cytotoxins, endotoxins, hepatotoxins and neurotoxins, which are collectively known as cyanotoxins, Sink said.

Endotoxins are typically the least toxic and only become problematic after ingesting large quantities of the live cyanobacteria, and typically result in intestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea.

Cytotoxins are typically low to moderate in toxicity causing minor to moderate irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.

Hapatotoxins are highly toxic resulting in severe liver damage and potential failure, but typically require repeated ingestion of contaminated water as the toxins build up in the liver over time and results in death in hours to days.

Neurotoxins are highly toxic and can result in failure of the neurological system resulting in heart cessation and breathing failure in minutes to hours.

To further complicate the issue, Sink said cyanobacteria species that do produce these toxins, do not produce them all the time.

“There can be a large number of cells per milliliter of water of these toxin producing bacteria, but as long as nutrients are not limiting and environmental conditions remain favorable, they will not produce toxins,” he said. “Cyanobacteria typically produce the toxins under ‘bloom’ conditions.”

Cyanobacteria blooms typically occur under hot, dry conditions in which water becomes more stagnate due to lack of incoming water or rainfall. These conditions tend to evaporate large quantities of water leaving behind and concentrating nutrients in the remaining water, causing blooms, where cyanobacteria multiply very rapidly and become highly concentrated in the water.

“When bloom conditions occur, eventually the rapidly growing cyanobacteria population will suddenly exhaust the nutrient supply available,” Sink continued. “It is under these conditions that they become the most dangerous and produce the most toxins.”

Cyanobacteria developed cyanotoxins as a defense mechanism against zooplankton predators, and to limit competition for nutrients and sunlight from other planktonic microorganisms such as green and brown algae and diatoms, Sink said.

“As the nutrients begin to run out under bloom conditions and competition for sunlight increases, cyanobacteria increase their production of toxins to eliminate their competition,” he said. “So only under certain conditions in certain situations, do some cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, produce toxins at concentrations that may become dangerous to companion animals, wildlife, livestock or humans.”

 

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Aquaponics, aquaculture event Aug. 22 in Garland

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Aquaponics is an increasingly popular way to produce vegetables on a small to large scale. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Joe Masabni)

Deadline to register is Aug. 15

GARLAND – A comprehensive aquaponics and aquaculture systems program will be held Aug. 22 in Garland.

The program will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and end with a question-and-answer session at 4 p.m. inside the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service satellite office at 715 Rowlett Road. Cost is $80 per person. Lunch is not provided, so participants should bring their own.

“This program is for anyone who is interested in aquaponics to grow their own food or for producers considering a small commercial farm,” said Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension small-acreage horticulturist, Overton. “This program will benefit people who are just learning about aquaponics and aquaculture and those who have experience and want to learn more.”

The deadline to register is Aug. 15. Register online at http://bit.ly/2KD1PQU.

Three general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available.

Masabni and Dr. Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, College Station, will present the following:

–          Introduction to aquaponics.

–          Homeowner systems.

–          Seed starting.

–          Aquatic species selection.

–          Basic fish culture requirements.

–          Fish health and nutrition.

For more information, contact Liz Rudd at elizabeth.rudd@ag.tamu.edu, or 214-904-3056.

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Statewide Quail Symposium set Aug. 14-16 in Abilene

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Quail standing in grass

The 2019 Statewide Quail Symposium is slated for Aug. 14-16 in Abilene. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

ABILENE – The 2019 Statewide Quail Symposium has been slated for Aug. 14-16 at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Abilene.

The symposium is hosted by The Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Wildlife Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Early registration is $50. After August 7, the cost is $75. Cost for students is $20. Coordinators have reserved a block of rooms at the MCM Elegante until July 16.

“Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade,” said Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde, and a symposium coordinator. “Our goal is to bring together a wide range of people who care about quail in Texas and benefit the next generation by supporting RPBB.”

Frank said all quail enthusiasts are encouraged to attend, including landowners, land managers, hunters, photographers, naturalists, students and others.

“We encourage attendees from both large and small properties to attend, as there will truly be topics for everybody to improve quail management,” she said. “Even if you don’t own or lease land, there will be topics for you.”

The first day’s activities will be held at the MT7 Ranch. In addition to a tour of the ranch and discussion of its quail management practices, attendees will have the opportunity to learn and practice habitat evaluation and plant identification.

The second and third days will feature problem/solution discussions, research updates and a panel discussion on integrating livestock with quail management.

Visit https://quailsymposium.nri.tamu.edu/ for more information and to register.

“We’ve also added something new this year,” Frank said. “We will have a Habitat Help Desk where landowners can learn about resources, tools and incentives available from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, TPWD and other agencies.”

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Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contacts: Dr. Maureen Frank, 830-278-9151, ext. 280, mgfrank@tamu.edu

Amanda Gobeli, 720-333-6224, amanda.gobeli@ag.tamu.edu

 

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Range, brush program set for July 8 in Brown County

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Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Scott Anderson,  325-646-0386, Scott.Anderson@ag.tamu.edu

BROWNWOOD — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s  Brown County Range and Brush Program will be held July 8 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 4206 U.S. Highway 377 S. in Brownwood.

Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m., with the program running from 3-8 p.m. A meal will be provided.

The fee is $35 with preregistration or $45 at the door. Preregistration is requested by July 1 by calling 325-646-0386.

Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units are available for licensed pesticide applicators.

“Brush encroachment continues to be an expensive problem to deal with,” said Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent, Brown County. “It doesn’t take long for weeds and brush to choke out good desirable grasses, forcing a reduction in stocking rates of livestock.

“The wet weather this spring is causing weeds and brush to outgrow our pasture grasses. If left unchecked, these pasture invaders can even make large areas undesirable for some wildlife.”

Speakers and topics include:

  • Controlling Invasive Grasses in Pastures – Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension rangeland specialist, Uvalde.
  • Herbicides for Range/Pastures – Sam Eads, Corteva AgroSciences specialist, Abilene.
  • Aquatic Weed Management in Farm Ponds – Brittany Chesser, AgriLife Extension aquatic specialist, College Station.
  • New Revisions/Recommendations for Range/Brush – Dr. Morgan Treadwell, AgriLife Extension rangeland specialist, San Angelo.
  • Pesticide Laws and Regulations – Anderson.

To preregister and for additional information, contact the AgriLife Extension office at 325-646-0386.

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Pond maintenance boosts performance, prevents catastrophes

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COLLEGE STATION – Pond health and maintenance should be a top priority for landowners who want to get the most out of their favorite fishing hole, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Dr. Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, College Station, said maintaining ponds is critical to increasing fish productivity and avoiding fish kills.

Environmental factors like declining dissolved oxygen during peak summer months or inhospitable pH and alkalinity levels can lead to major problems in stock ponds, Sink said.

“Summer is coming,” he said. “Right now is a good time to be planning or taking action to prevent potential issues for stock ponds. July and August can be deadly if dissolved oxygen levels are not where they should be. We want to help pond owners avoid catastrophe and take steps to set their pond on a good path for long-term production and enjoyment.”

Setting up and maintaining a pond’s ecosystem properly can produce a thriving food chain that will produce higher levels of sport and food, he said.

Ely Evans, of Evans Farms in Como, shows off a small catfish caught from a stocked pond. (Photo provided by Candace Flora)

“Stock ponds are something that many Texans enjoy recreationally and to put food on their tables,” he said. “But pond maintenance is often overlooked in varying degrees. Some things can reduce pond production and ecosystem health while others can cause major fish die-offs. Right now is a good time to go over science-based recommendations and steps every pond owner can take to create a high-performing stock pond.”

AERATORS

Providing supplemental aeration isn’t necessary, but it is a preventative tool to ensure fish have enough dissolved oxygen, Sink said.

Choosing the right type of aerator is important, he said. He recommends the bottom-style aerator because it mixes the entire water column so fish can utilize the entire pond.

They cost a little more, but are more reliable than surface aerators, he said, which can be problematic because they mix dissolved oxygen only in the top two to four feet of the pond.

“Surface aerators don’t mix as much dissolved oxygen, and they don’t prevent stratification and possible turnover,” he said. “When the sun heats pond water, typically about six to eight feet deep in Texas, the top layer becomes less dense. So, you have warm, less dense water sitting  there, and the cool bottom layer becomes devoid of oxygen. A turnover event occurs when the water cools down and the water with no oxygen mixes with the top layer. That mix can cause fish kills.”

Sink said aerators should be on a timer and only run from dusk until dawn,  when oxygen is most needed in ponds.

AQUATIC VEGETATION

Fish kills in farm ponds and lakes can be caused by many factors, but the most common problem is the lack of dissolved oxygen due to aquatic vegetation. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Todd Sink)

Aquatic vegetation is the cause of 80 percent of low dissolved oxygen fish kills in Texas, Sink said. So, it’s important to ensure that no more than 10-15 percent of the pond’s overall area is covered in vegetation.

“During the day, vegetation produces oxygen, but it also consumes oxygen all night long when there is no light for photosynthesis,” he said. “So at some point, especially in summer, the dissolved oxygen deficit can cause fish to die.”

Sink recommends using herbicides or biological controls for aquatic vegetation. Manual removal of vegetation can cause more problems like causing the plant to spread.

Pond owners need to correctly identify the plants to determine which herbicide will be effective, Sink said. The AgriLife Extension website https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/ can help pond owners identify and choose treatment options for aquatic vegetation.

FERTILIZATION

Pond owners who want maximum fish production often need to fertilize, Sink said.

“A fertilized pond can produce four to six times more fish because it creates more food throughout the food chain,” he said. “Fertilizers feed phytoplankton, which is eaten by zooplankton. Zooplankton feed baitfish, and baitfish feed sportfish like bass and catfish. Fertilizer is the starting block for a healthy pond ecosystem.”

A balanced food chain helps maximize sport fish production. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications graphic by Madison Goss)

It’s best to start pond fertilization programs as the pond fills with water, Sink said. This allows the phytoplankton to prevent rooted vegetation from establishing in a pond. But fertilization programs can be implemented at any time in a pond’s life to improve fishing.

Most ponds benefit from six to eight pounds of phosphorous per surface acre during the first application, he said.

“When the water begins to clear, meaning clearing to around 24 inches of visibility, typically four to eight weeks after the first application, it’s time to fertilize again,” he said. “Then apply half of what was applied the first application on that schedule all summer long.”

Note: Sink said it is important to clear rooted aquatic vegetation with herbicides before fertilizing because you’ll have four to six times more vegetation if you don’t.

FISH HARVEST

Harvesting the correct number of pounds and size of fish from ponds is important, Sink said.

“Catch and release is the most common way people ruin a pond,” he said. “It’s good for high-pressure public lakes, but unless your pond is under constant fishing pressure, the key to pond management is harvesting predatory fish like bass and catfish. In ponds, we should practice catch and eat.”

Sink said 10-15 pounds of bass per acre should be harvested every year. Anglers should focus on removing bass in the 8-10-inch range, but a little larger or smaller is okay as long as the total pounds of harvest is met.

“Every year, you need to thin out the smaller bass so that 4-pound bass has the resources to become an 8-pound bass,” he said.

Pond owners should be more aggressive with controlling catfish populations, Sink said. Anglers should harvest every catfish over 2 pounds.

“Catfish are eager competitors for forage and will eat smaller bass and will push the total fish population beyond 1,000 pounds per acre, which is dangerous in terms of oxygen supply,” he said.

Fertilized ponds produce more fish and therefore require more harvested pounds per year, Sink said.

Pond owners should harvest 25 pounds or more of 8-10-inch bass and 10-15 pounds of 12-16-inch bass per acre from fertilized ponds, Sink said. As in unfertilized ponds, every catfish above two pounds should be harvested.

“You have to harvest a lot more fish to maintain a good balance,” he said. “Not harvesting enough predatory fish is the most common problem. Eventually, they overpopulate and eat all the sunfish and there’s not enough food in the pond. That causes stunting. You know what I mean if you’ve ever fished a pond and caught 30-40 fish in an afternoon, but they’re all the same size – 6-10 inches.”

SUPPLEMENTAL FEED

Feeding fish is not necessary if pond owners harvest effectively, Sink said. If owners choose to feed fish, they should only do so three to four times a week. They should also feed no more than what the fish clean up in 15 minutes.

“If feed is floating after 15 minutes, you’re over-feeding the fish,” Sink said.

Sink recommends standard floating catfish diet of 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch pellet that contains 28-32 percent protein and 4-7 percent lipid.

“You don’t need fancy, gimmicky diets for the fish,” he said. “Anything beyond those protein and lipid ranges is literally waste.”

LIMING

Sink said it is the perfect time for pond owners to check their water’s pH levels and check for alkalinity and hardness. The pond should receive crushed agricultural limestone if pH is below 6 or alkalinity below 50 parts per million.

“Liming is important because if water becomes too acidic it messes up fish physiology and dramatically impacts eggs and larvae survival,” he said.

In much of the state, lime should be applied every five to seven years, but Sink said acidic soils in East Texas make it necessary every three to four years.

Alkalinity and pH levels will determine how much lime is needed, Sink said. He recommends consulting with regional fisheries specialist to determine how much lime should be applied per surface acre.

“We have a formula that we can plug in the alkalinity and pH of your pond and have a per-acre application to fit your pond’s needs,” he said.

WORTH THE EFFORT

Sink said maintaining a pond may seem overwhelming but is easy once certain problems are addressed. In the long run, ensuring a pond is providing the correct environment and food supply for sporting fish will ensure productivity whether for sport or sustenance.

“It may seem daunting at first, but once a pond environment and ecosystem is balanced, pond maintenance becomes routine,” he said. “If fishing or just having a healthy pond is important, it’s worth the effort.”

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Aquaponics program June 14 in Overton

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OVERTON – Hobbyists and prospective aquaponics enthusiasts can learn from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts about aquaponics and aquaculture during a June 14 program in Overton.

The program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 Farm-to-Market Road 3053. Cost is $60 per person or $80 per couple. Registration is on-site beginning at 7:30 a.m. and checks or cash will be accepted at the door. Lunch is not provided at this event.

Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension small-acreage horticulturist, Overton, and Dr. Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension fisheries specialist, College Station, will provide information about the latest research results of two aquaponics systems and cover the basics on how to create and utilize these systems.

Masabni and Sink will provide an introduction to aquaponics and system maintenance and cover topics throughout the day, including aquatic species selections, basic fish culture requirements, and fish health and nutrition. The day-long program will also include hands-on activities, including measuring water’s pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and hardness, and how to calculate fish load and growth.

A tour of Masabni’s aquaponic greenhouse will follow the program.

“This is a great program for homeowners who want to grow their own food and small-farm producers who are considering their own commercial system,” Masabni said. “Aquaponics and aquaculture are very popular production methods, and the information we will cover is in high demand.”

For hotel information or any questions regarding the event, contact Masabni at jmasabni@ag.tamu.edu .

 

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AgriLife Extension’s Birding the Hills set Oct. 7-11 in Fredericksburg

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Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.eduContacts: Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, Emily.Grant@ag.tamu.edu

Brad W. Roeder, 830-997-3452,  BWRoeder@ag.tamu.edu

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Birding the Hills will run Oct. 7-11.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Birding the Hills will run Oct. 7-11.

FREDERICKSBURG — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a multi-day birding workshop Oct. 7-11 in Fredericksburg.

Birding the Hills will be limited to 15 participants. Online registration is available at https://valverdeextension.ticketleap.com/birding-the-hills/. The total cost is $850, with $500 required to reserve a spot.

The cost includes lunch and dinner while in the field and transportation to and from the birding locations in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. Departures each morning will be from the AgriLife Extension office in Gillespie County, 95 Frederick Road, Fredericksburg.

The Edwards Plateau covers an area of West Central Texas that lies roughly between San Angelo, Del Rio, Austin and San Antonio. The eastern part of this region is considered Texas Hill Country.

Workshop highlights include a welcome dinner, three full-days of birding, photography opportunities at a private ranch acclaimed by nature photographers and access to private lands, some of which have never been birded before. There will also be educational presentations during lunch.

“Birding the Hills is a great birding program for beginner and intermediate birders,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent, Val Verde County. “We’ve focused on educating landowners and birders about the opportunity to use private lands for nature tourism opportunities, and we now will have access to some truly remarkable properties.”

Some of the species the workshop hopes to see includes the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, yellow-billed cuckoo, blue grosbeak and zone-tailed hawk.

“We’re right in the heart of Texas Hill Country, and we’re excited to welcome birders from Texas and across the U.S. to this event,” said Brad Roeder, AgriLife Extension agent, Gillespie County. “Participants will gain access to some of the most scenic ranches and places in Gillespie County.”

Participants are encouraged to register and then book accommodations immediately due to the high demand in Fredericksburg year-round. A list of hotels, recommended items to pack and additional details are available by contacting Grant at 830-774-7591 or Roeder at 830-997-3452.

 

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AgriLife Extension to present Texas Game Species series in San Antonio

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Programs will be July through September at agency office for Bexar County

Wild turkey gather under a feeder full of corn. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present the Urban Wildlife Series “Texas Game Species” July through September in San Antonio.

The six programs of the series, sponsored by the Bexar County Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, will be held at the agency’s office in the Conroy Square business complex, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. Each will be held from 10 a.m.-noon in Suite 208 of the complex.

The cost is $30 for the series or $10 per program and payable at the door, but registration is required by June 14. To reserve a spot for series programs, contact Frances Elizondo at the AgriLife Extension office at 210-631-0400 or frances.morenoelizo@ag.tamu.edu.

 

Dates, topics and speakers will be:

June 18 — Managing Private Lands for Wildlife Habitat, Dr. Roel Lopez, director, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, San Antonio.
July 9 — Bobwhite Quail Management, Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde.
Aug. 8 — Rio Grande Wild Turkey Management, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, College Station.
Aug. 20 — Whitetail Deer Management, Frank.
Sept. 10 — Texas Game Fish, Dr. Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension fisheries specialist, College Station.
Sept. 24 — Get Ready to Hunt, Frank.

Make checks payable to Bexar Ag and Natural Resources Committee and mail registration fee to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Attn: Frances, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 212, San Antonio, TX 78230.

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Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Sam Womble, 210-631-0400, Sam.Womble@ag.tamu.edu

 

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Texas Master Naturalist intern training to begin April 6 in Amarillo

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Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Megan Eikner, 806-373-0713, megan.eikner@ag.tamu.edu

AMARILLO – Anyone interested in spending time outdoors and helping manage natural resources and natural areas can sign up for the next Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas Master Naturalist training class set to begin April 6.

The Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between AgriLife Extension and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said Megan Eikner, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Potter County.

Enrollment fee is $95, and the first class will meet at the Southwest Amarillo Public Library, 6801 SW 45th Ave., Amarillo. For the full class schedule, go to the Panhandle Chapter website at https://txmn.org/pc/, and click on the “Join Us” tab.

The program trains citizen volunteers on the management of natural resources and natural areas in their communities, Eikner said. Class training topics include habitat, conservation, water resources and history, animals and insects.

The main qualification for a Texas Master Naturalist certification is an interest in learning about and playing an active part in conservation, she said. Volunteers will receive a minimum of 40 hours of basic training from educators and specialists from universities, natural resource agencies, nature centers and museums.

Once certified, Eikner said, volunteers must provide 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects to maintain certification. They are also expected to pursue a minimum of eight hours of advanced training in areas of personal interest.

The Panhandle Chapter encompasses 26 counties and includes a diverse assortment of locations of interest. Three of the largest are Palo Duro Canyon, Caprock Canyons State Park and the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.

For more information, contact Eikner at 806-373-0713 or megan.eikner@ag.tamu.edu, or Susie Wheeler at susiewhe@hotmail.com.

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Texas Invasive Species Workshop set April 17 at Sutton County Civic Center

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Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu

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

 

Feral hogs are just one of the many invasive species that can be problematic for Texas farms and ranches. (AgriLife Extension photo by Kay Ledbetter)

SONORA — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Sutton and Crockett counties will present a Texas Invasive Species Workshop on April 17 at the Sutton County Civic Center, 1700 N. Crockett Ave., Sonora.

Onsite registration is at 8 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m. Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units – one general, one laws and regulations, and one integrated pest management – are available for those with a pesticide applicators license.

The cost of the workshop is $15; after April 12, it is $25. The fee covers program materials, refreshments and lunch.

Checks should be made out to Sutton Ag Program Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 1047, Sonora, TX, 76950.  For more information or to register, call the AgriLife Extension office in Sutton County at 325-387-3101.

“Invasive species impact our ecosystems and consequently our management of rangelands,” said Pascual Hernandez, AgriLife Extension agent, Sutton County. “With this workshop, we hope to heighten awareness of some of the invasive species that we encounter in the Edwards Plateau. We will take a look at both plant and animal, as well as native and non-native, invasive species.”

Topics and speakers include:

  • Feral Hog Impact on Native Plant Communities/Update on Feral Hog Abatement Efforts – Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, College Station.
  • Invasive Plants in the Edwards Plateau – Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, College Station.
  • Axis Deer Biology, Behavior, Ecological Impact – Matt Buchholz, doctoral student/research assistant, Texas Tech University department of natural resources management, Lubbock.
  • Pesticide Laws and Regulations – Corey Pence, Texas Department of Agriculture.

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AgriLife Extension’s Brown County Ag Day set April 9 in Brownwood

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Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Scott Anderson, 325-646-0386, Scott.Anderson@ag.tamu.edu

BROWNWOOD — The annual Brown County Ag Day program, presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is scheduled for April 9 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, 4206 US Highway 377 South, Brownwood.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., and the program starts at 6 p.m. with a meal courtesy of the Brown County Farm Bureau. The Brown County Ag Day is open to all. The fee is $10 at the door.

Preregistration is requested by April 5 at https://brown.agrilife.org/brown-county-ag-day/ or by contacting the AgriLife Extension office in Brown County at 325-646-0386.

Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension statewide wildlife specialist, San Angelo, will present his program, “Ramping Up Springtime Predator Control Efforts.”

“The vast majority of the rural land in our area is privately owned and utilized for livestock and wildlife production,” said Scott Anderson, AgriLife Extension agent, Brown County.

“It is no secret that predator numbers are increasing, especially during the springtime with new calves, lambs, goats and fawns being born,” Anderson said. “Dr. Tomecek’s program will cover important predation information that folks should be aware of.”

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AgriLife Extension’s Benefiting from Birds workshop set March 27 in Del Rio

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Writer: Susan Himes, 325-657-7315, Susan.Himes@ag.tamu.edu

Contact: Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, Emily.Grant@ag.tamu.edu

Quail is one of the many species of birds that draw nature tourists to Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

DEL RIO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is holding a Benefiting from Birds workshop on March 27 at the Dink Wardlaw Ag Complex, 300 E. 17th St. in Del Rio.

There is a $25 fee, which includes dinner. RSVP by calling 830-774-7591.

This is the first educational program in a three-program series, the other two are: Texas Landowner Liability for Nature Tourism on May 15 and Benefiting from Wildlife and Hunting on Aug. 8.

All programs run from 5:30-7 p.m. at the complex. Registration is $25 per program or $60 for the series. Call 830-774-7591 or visit https://valverdeextension.ticketleap.com

“Val Verde County is one of the world’s richest and most unique birding destinations,” said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent, Val Verde County. “Our county is located at the intersection of three distinctly different environments, making this the only place in the world where populations of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo and the scarce Montezuma quail overlap.”

With Val Verde County in the middle of the Central Flyway migratory path, the region has the potential to offer many nature tourism opportunities to ornithology enthusiasts, said Grant. An estimated 18 million Americans travel annually for birding trips.

Speakers will include wildlife specialists discussing habitat management and industry experts explaining how to start an ecotourism birding business. There will also be local birders providing firsthand experience as to what makes the region so attractive to bird watchers and photographers.

“Birding trips can range from $150 to over $1,000 a person. With very limited public lands in Texas, your ranch could be the next big birding spot in Texas,” Grant said. “This workshop is a great way to learn more about the potential financial benefits of nature tourism.”

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