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

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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Hill Country land stewardship conference set April 25-26 in Kerrville

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Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Larry Redmon, 979-845-4826, l-redmon@tamu.edu

KERRVILLE – The Hill Country has its own special needs when it comes to managing livestock and wildlife and incorporating the millions of individuals who come to vacation, hunt and relax in the ranching environments.

The sixth annual Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service April 25-26 in Kerrville offers a chance for landowners in the region to learn more about addressing issues that arise when ranching and tourism combine, said Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension program leader, College Station.

“We keep coming back and offering speakers on everything from grazing to prescribed fire and legal issues to wildlife management because our clientele in the region say they want to learn more,” Redmon said.

The conference will open with on-site registration, check-in and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. April 25 at the Y.O. Ranch Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker St. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The conference fee is $75 and includes all meals, break refreshments and tour transportation costs. Registration will be available through April 15 at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/BennettTrust or 979-845-2604.

Redmon said several speakers will offer insight on some of the less-thought-of aspects of ranching or land ownership.

Topics and speakers include:

— Managing for Unwanted Plant Species, Dr. Robert Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.

— Birding in the Hill Country, Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde.

— Top Laws Texas Landowners Need to Know, Dr. Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo.

— Using Prescribed Burning on Your Property, Dr. Morgan Treadwell, AgriLife Extension range specialist, San Angelo.

— How to Incorporate Exotics, Charly Seale, Exotic Wildlife Association executive director, Kerrville.

— Managing Your Whitetail Deer, Redmon.

The second day of the conference will be dedicated to tours. Attendees will pick from tours of the Hillingdon Ranch in Kendall County, where legacy management will be discussed, or the Cimarron Ranch in Kerr County, where wildlife management will be the topic.

For more information, contact Linda Francis at L-francis@tamu.edu or an AgriLife Extension agent in the region, or go to http://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/.

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Expert: Changes in aquaculture have consumers landing ‘higher value’ fish

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COLLEGE STATION – Consumer trends continue to drive an industry change from traditional aquaculture species like catfish to higher value species including redfish and hybrid striped bass, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Redfish are trending upward in price and consumer demand along with other alternative species like hybrid striped bass compared to traditional aquaculture species like catfish. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Todd Sink)

Dr. Todd Sink, AgriLife Extension aquaculture and fisheries specialist, College Station, said catfish, a longtime staple for Texas fish production, has experienced a recent decline in pricing and popularity, causing producers to look at other options.

Catfish prices were around 93 cents per pound compared to the high of $1.35 per pound two years ago. As a result, discerning U.S. consumers are buying less catfish as household wealth and expendable income increase and because other options in the market are perceived as higher quality. Those include salmon, redfish and hybrid striped bass, which are a cross between white and striped bass, he said.

Sink said poor prices and consumer trends have some catfish producers switching at least a portion of production to other species like redfish and hybrid striped bass, which bring higher prices – $3-$3.30 per pound and $3.30-$3.60 per pound respectively – and are experiencing increased demand.

“It’s fairly clear that consumer tastes are changing from what is perceived as lower-quality fish to higher-end, higher-value fish,” he said. “The cyclical movement on catfish has been downward for a while, so you have a lot of producers looking to diversify with other options that are trending upward in both price and consumer demand.”

Redfish and hybrid striped bass can handle a range of salinity levels. Bass prefer fresh water to 10 parts per thousand salinity, while redfish are typically produced at five parts per thousand to full-strength seawater.

Redfish growth rate stalls when waters are 50 degrees or below, and freezing waters can cause die-offs without proper management, which limits production to warmer climates, Sink said. Hybrid striped bass are more tolerant of cool waters and are grown throughout the U.S., although their growth rate can also decrease drastically below 50 degrees.

Catfish production densities in Texas are around 12,000 pounds of fish per acre compared to 6,500 pounds of hybrid striped bass per acre and up to 8,000 pounds of redfish per acre, Sink said.

Texas is the No. 1 producer of redfish and hybrid striped bass, including around 98 percent of the nation’s redfish production and more than half of hybrid striped bass, Sink said. Established producers continue to expand their capacity to meet demand.

It’s difficult to ascertain redfish and hybrid striped bass production levels because U.S. Department of Agriculture census reports are infrequent, but Sink estimates Texas produces up to 2.7 million pounds of bass and 2.3 million pounds of redfish annually based on their 2013 report and farm expansions since that time.

Hybrid striped bass being harvested at a commercial aquaculture operation in Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Todd Sink)

By comparison, Texas ranks No. 4 in U.S. catfish production with 18.9 million pounds per year.

Several farms are expanding redfish production across Texas with one currently adding 200 acres of production capacity to its operation, which represents a 30 percent increase in overall production, Sink said. Hybrid striped bass production has been expanding at a 3-5 percent rate annually in Texas and southeastern states.

“We don’t expect to see any slowdown in the expansion of both the market and production to meet that market demand over the next five to 10 years,” Sink said. “They’re expanding as they can to supply consumers in a market that is just starting to take off.”

Sink said 90 percent of Texas’ hybrid striped bass production serves demand from high-end restaurants on East and West coasts, while nearly all of the state’s redfish production serves restaurants in large cities such as New Orleans and Houston.

“Producers are getting a premium price for their product, many farms are looking to expand, and some restaurants are operating their own farms just to ensure they can supply their consumer demand,” he said. “Right now they are serving niche markets, so there is room and reason to expand.”

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Wildlife 101 Program

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Do you ever feel like you need a Wildlife for DUMMIES Book?

Dr. Maureen Frank, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist, will save you the reading! She will be on the Texas A&M AgirLife Extension – Val Verde County Facebook Page LIVE to share her knowledge about wildlife! Tune in on Facebook every Wednesday at 6:30pm and also get a chance to enter to win a pair of Vortex Crossfire Binoculars!

Wildlife 101 Program Guide

January 23 @ 6:30 PM – Deer 101
January 30 @ 6:30 PM – Turkey 101
February 6 @ 6:30 PM – Quail 101
February 13 @ 6:30 PM – Exotic Ungulates 101
February 20 @ 6:30 PM – Feral Hogs 101

Each week participants can receive an entry to win by watching the Wildlife 101 progra m as well as completing a short evaluation. Participants can receive up to 5 entries into the drawing throughout the Wildlife 101 series! Check out our Facebook page or the Texas A&M AgirLife Extension – Val Verde County Facebook Page to stay up to date on all of the latest program news.

Experimental System to Test Larval Flounder Live Feed Enrichments

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Master’s student, Grayson Clark, and Research Associate Brian Ray spent 2 days in Corpus Christi this week, at the TPWD CCA Marine Development Center, setting up an experimental system to test larval flounder live feed enrichments as part of the SRAC grant the Aquacultural Research and Teaching Facility was awarded last fall. See the original story here.

They plan for the system to be stocked with new hatched larval flounder from TPWD Sea Center Texas on January 21. Dr. Ivonne Blandon is working with ARTF personnel to run this first phase of the work in Corpus. Dr. Blandon, who works as Natural Resource Specialist for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Coastal Hatcheries,  is a recent WFSC graduate under Dr. Gelwick. A similar system will be set up at the ARTF and run follow up studies with flounder and other estuarine species (red drum and spotted seatrout).

 

To see more about what the Aquacultural Research and Teaching Facility entails, head over to the ARTF Facility‘s page. For information on how to Give to the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department to support our research and opportunities, visit our Giving page.

Southern Flounder Clones: A Potential Remedy for a Species in Decline

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   Southern flounder are “floundering” as wild population densities decline. One of the big three sportfish in Texas, along with redfish and spotted seatrout, southern flounder are a sought after gamefish of commercial and recreational importance. Due to overharvest, accidental bycatch, water temperature rise and other factors, the flounder numbers are declining in Texas waterways.  Along with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas A&M University’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Dr. Todd Sink and graduate research assistant Elizabeth Silvy have developed a methodology that may aid stock enhancement programs that promote the flounder fishery.

The inherent cause of stock decline can be attributed to the fact that male flounder outnumber female flounder in the wild, and that larval flounder are temperature dependent when it comes time to form gonads. If temperatures are too high or too low, a majority of the offspring produced will be male. This has been proven true in the wild as well as in stock enhancement programs currently run by TPWD. To produce a hearty wild flounder stock, or even promote hatchery numbers, a majority of the offspring must be female, as one male can mate with a hundred females.

Using gynogeneitic clones of female flounder, broodstock females that are genetically female and physically male are created. These female/male flounder can then be bred back to wild females collected from TPWD’s stock enhancement programs to produce all female progeny to be release in the wild.

How does it work? After milt (flounder sperm) and eggs are collected from adult fish, the milt is subjected to a UV irradiation treatment that renders the DNA within useless for passing on to the offspring. The UV irradiated milt is then mixed with eggs collected from the female flounder. These fertilized eggs are subjected to different shock treatments using either a hydrostatic pressure chamber or a cold water bath. This causes the egg to retain the second polar body and hatch as a gynogenetic clone of the female flounder.

Once the larvae are developed, they are subjected to a methyltestosterone treatment that will aid in the development of male reproductive organs in a genetically female fish.  These fish will never be released into the wild; instead they will be kept as broodstock to breed with female flounder collected from the wild to maintain genetic diversity.  These fish will only produce genetically and physically female flounder that have not been altered in any way. These offspring can then be released into the wild to supplement wild populations.

So, the next time you eat a flounder, know that there’s more that goes intro flounder production than just butter and crab meat.

 

To see more about what the Aquacultural Research and Teaching Facility entails, head over to the ARTF Facility‘s page. For information on how to Give to the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department to support our research and opportunities, visit our Giving page.

USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Grant to evaluate probiotics in finfish hatcheries

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Lead scientists, Dr. Delbert Gatlin from TAMU and Dr. Mike Frinsko from North Carolina State, along with cooperators from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham, NCSU Raleigh and Texas Agrilife Extension (Dr. Todd Sink), have recently been awarded a grant from the USDA Southern Regional Aquaculture Center to evaluate probiotics in finfish hatcheries to improve larval production.

Trials to determine the effectiveness of various probiotics and prebiotics in larval production will be performed with southern flounder, red drum, and striped bass.

The portion of the TAMU team involved in the project visited TPWD’s Sea Center Texas marine fish hatchery on Tuesday. The team was involved in a training session lead by Sea Center’s hatchery manager, Paul Cason. Current southern flounder and red drum larval culture methods were shared in an effort to maximize the impact of the research on TPWD’s stock enhancement activities.

Pre-metamorphic larval southern flounder

Pre-metamorphic larval southern flounder

Dr. Delbert Gatlin and TPWD hatchery manager Paul Cason

Dr. Delbert Gatlin and TPWD hatchery manager Paul Cason

Delbert Gatlin and graduate student Grayson Clark

Delbert Gatlin and graduate student Grayson Clark

To see more about what the Aquacultural Research and Teaching Facility entails, head over to the ARTF Facility‘s page. For information on how to Give to the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department to support our research and opportunities, visit our Giving page.

Preparing for spring planting, CEU ‘shootout’ program set Dec. 18 in Leming

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

Contact: Dale Rankin, 830-569-0034, dw-rankin@ag.tamu.edu

LEMING – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Atascosa County, in collaboration with the Atascosa Cattlemen’s Association, will present the Preparing for Next Spring on the Farm and Ranch and CEU Shootout program Dec. 18 in Leming.

The program will be held at the AgriLife Extension office for Atascosa County, 25 E. 5th St.

Cost is $30 and an RSVP is requested by Dec.10 to the AgriLife Extension office at 830-569-0034.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is included.

“This program will offer six Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units for private, commercial and non-commercial applicators,” said Dale Rankin, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Atascosa County.

Program topics and AgriLife Extension presenters will be:

— Feral Hog Management and Nuisance Animals, Dr. Maureen Frank, wildlife specialist, Uvalde.

— Prickly Pear Herbicide Update and Brush Application Timing, Dr. Bob Lyons, range specialist, Uvalde.

— Cattle Fever Tick Update and External Parasites, Dr. Joe Paschal, livestock specialist, Corpus Christi.

— Laws and Regulations and Applicator Update, Dr. Mark Matocha, specialist, agricultural and environmental safety, College Station.

— Corn, Cotton and Grain Sorghum Technology and Variety Update, Dr. Joshua McGinty, agronomist, Corpus Christi.

— Integrated Pest Management in Pastures and Hay Fields, Rankin.

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Birding the Hills program set for April 29-May 3

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Texas Hill Country birding event will focus on Gillespie County

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

Contact: Dr. Maureen Frank, 830-278-9151, mgfrank@tamu.edu

FREDERICKSBURG — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present a Birding the Hills program in Gillespie County from April 29-May 3.

“We decided to plan this program after the success of Birding the Border in Val Verde and Kinney counties last year,” said Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “Gillespie County is in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and this program allows for three full days of birding in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion.”

Program attendees will learn about the area and its bird species during a welcome dinner upon arrival, Frank said.

The Birding the Hills program will focus on birding sites in the Texas Hill Country. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service graphic)

“The following days will be full of birding on both public lands and private ranches in a variety of habitats, with educational programs presented by subject experts each day at lunchtime,” she said. “We will travel through the unique habitats of the Fredericksburg area to find target species such as golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, yellow-billed cuckoo, blue grosbeak and zone-tailed hawk.”

The price is $1,200, with half that amount due in the form of a deposit to reserve a spot. This price covers lodging, transportation, meals, access to birding sites and participation by avian experts.

Participation will be limited to 16 people.

All accommodations will be at the Inn on Barons Creek, 308 S. Washington St. in Fredericksburg. Participants may check in as early as 3 p.m. April 29 and must check out by noon May 3. Breakfast is included with service starting at 6 a.m. Tour departure times each day will range from 6:30-7 a.m.

Frank said attendees should check the weather forecast before their trip and pack accordingly.

“April is when this region typically gets some rain, so we recommend a good rain coat and any protective gear needed for your birding equipment,” she said. “We also recommend packing a light jacket, long pants, shorts, long-sleeved shirts and short-sleeved shirts.”

Sturdy walking or hiking shoes are a necessity, she said, as some birding sites require walking over uneven terrain. Participants should be comfortable with moderate physical activity. In the event of inclement weather the program schedule may need to be modified, but there will be no refunds given.

Frank said participants should be prepared for a complete birding experience in some of the state’s most beautiful wild habitats.

“Bring any equipment that you would like to use for birding, such as binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras and field guides,” she said. “There will be wi-fi internet service at the hotel, but cell phone service will be limited throughout the areas we will travel.”

Frank also suggested bringing insect repellent to keep away biting insects, which are active in the spring. Participants will be required to sign liability forms, including forms that provide access to certain private properties.

“We anticipate this will be another successful and exciting AgriLife Extension birding program,” she said.

For more information, go to: https://wildlife.tamu.edu/birding/.

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Birding the Border and Birding the Hills – Register Now!

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Birding the Border begins April 22nd-April 26th, 2019  in Val Verde County, a fantastic birding event in the borderlands of southwest Texas! Traveling through the Edwards Plateau, South Texas Brush, and other unique habitats of the Del Rio area to find target species such as golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, white-collared seedeater, black-tailed gnatcatcher, elf owl, and all three species of kingfisher. Then join us in Gillespie County, April 29th-May 3rd, 2019 in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. We will travel through the unique habitats of the Fredericksburg area to find target species such as Golden-cheeked warbler, Black-Capped Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Blue Grosbeak, and Zone-tailed Hawk.

But why should you join and register for the Birding the Border and Birding the Hills events? Have we mentioned that we are giving away a pair of Vortex Optics Crossfire 8X42 Binoculars if you register before January 1, 2019?

Why else should you register? Don’t worry, we’ve got that figured out too with our Top 10 Reasons to Register!

CCA Texas Advocacy Director and Assistant Director visited the ARTF

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CCA Texas Advocacy Director Shane Bonnot and CCA Texas Assistant Director Drew Adams visited the ARTF on Wednesday, November 14.  ARTF faculty and staff had the opportunity to visit with CCA Texas representatives and share the latest in TAMU research in fisheries and aquaculture.  Much common ground was found in the missions of the two agencies and a good time was had by all.  You can hear more of the conversation on CCA’s podcast here: https://ccatexas.org/coastal-advocacy-adventures-podcast-episode-31-texas-am-aquaculture-research-and-teaching-facility/

 

Dr. Todd Sink introduces CCA Texas Advocacy Director Shane Bonnot and CCA Texas Assistant Director Drew Adams to his Cobia marine brood fish at feeding time.

 

To see more about what the Aquacultural Research and Teaching Facility entails, head over to the ARTF Facility‘s page. For information on how to Give to the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department to support research and opportunities, visit the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences’ Giving page.

Registration open for Birding the Border program

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April 22-26 program to feature sites in Kinney, Val Verde counties

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

Contact: Dr. Maureen Frank, 830-278-9151, mgfrank@tamu.edu

Emily Grant, 830-774-7591, emily.grant@ag.tamu.edu

DEL RIO – Registration is open for the Birding the Border program to be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service from April 22-26 at locations in Kinney and Val Verde counties.

Birding locations include sites at private ranches, Devil’s River State Natural Area and Kickapoo Caverns State Park, San Felipe Creek and Vega Verde Road.

The Birding the Border program is for both novice and experienced birders. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service graphic)

“The goal of this program is to provide a unique birding experience in southwest Texas that goes beyond a typical birding tour,” said Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde. “It will feature both public and private lands, and educational talks about bird ecology and management.”

Frank said while she expects many experienced birders to attend this program, birders of all experience levels are welcome to participate.

“At the 2018 Birding the Border program, participants saw more than 130 bird species,” she said. “The birding experience also provides numerous photographic opportunities for those who would like to bring cameras.”

Birders watch for “target birds” during one of the Birding the Border programs. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Frank said “target birds” for sighting at the 2019 program include the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, white-collared seedeater, gray vireo, green jay, great kiskadee, varied bunting, elf owl and three species of kingfishers.

The program also includes presentations on bird biology, habitat and behavior.

Lodging for four nights and meals will be provided to those who want it, and transportation to the various sites is free for all participants. Participation will be limited to 16 people.

If no lodging is wanted, the cost will be $650 per person. For a double room, the cost is $750 per person. For a single room, the cost is $850. To register online, go to https://valverdeextension.ticketleap.com.

Program tours will begin at 5 p.m. April 22 and conclude at 11:30 a.m. April 26.

Frank said field trips will include easy-to-moderate terrain and a combination of walks, short-to-moderate hikes and roadside birding.

“April in southwest Texas usually offers beautiful weather with warm days and mild nights, but rain is possible,” she said. “Please check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly.”

For more program information, go to https://valverde.agrilife.org/birding-the-border/ .

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Integrated pest management CEU program set for Nov. 7 in Nacogdoches

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NACOGDOCHES – A continuing education course for agriculture producers, workers, landowners and ranchers will be held Nov. 7 in Nacogdoches.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. inside the Nacogdoches Expo Center, 3805 NW Stallings Drive. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service course begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.

Cost is $30 for attendees registered by Nov. 1 and $35 on the day of the event. Mail registration to the AgriLife Extension office in Nacogdoches County, 203 W. Main St., Nacogdoches, 75961.

Five continuing education units will be available, including one drift minimization, one laws and regulations, and three general. An agricultural trade show including vendors such as Heritage Land Bank, Rozell Sprayer Manufacturing Co., Express Scale Services, Shelby Savings Bank and more will be onsite during the program.

A barbecue lunch will be provided.

Speakers and topics to be discussed include:

–        Dr. Allen Knutson, AgriLife Extension entomologist, Dallas, Controlling Pasture Insects.

–        Daniel Mielke, Corteva Agrisciences representative, Rudolph, Wisconsin, Herbicide Recommendations and Updates.

–        Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, College Station, Herbicide Application.

–        Dr. Don Renchie, AgriLife Extension pest management program director, College Station, Pesticide Laws and Regulations Updates.

–        Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall, Predator Management, including M-44 and Livestock Protection Collars.

“This event is a great opportunity for applicator license holders to get five CEUs and hear from some the top scientists in pest and weed management,” said Ricky Thompson, AgriLife Extension agent, Nacogdoches County.

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Texas Crop and Weather Report – Sept. 25, 2018

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Reduced wildlife numbers expected going into hunting season

THRALL – Drought conditions throughout much of the state this summer likely will mean lower wildlife numbers this hunting season, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension statewide wildlife specialist, Thrall, said deer, quail and turkey numbers would likely be affected. Fewer forbs and reduced nutritional value in browse and other food crops along with typical predation are contributing factors, he said. Hunters should also be careful not to over hunt quail broods.

Quail hunters should be mindful to not over hunt local birds as numbers declined due to drought. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

“Hunters in areas that experienced drought conditions can expect reduced numbers because of the heat and lack of rain and nutrition on the ground,” he said. “Young animals will probably be a little poorly going into the season, though recent rains may help them bounce back a little. But generally, hunters aren’t going to see the quality on a region-to-region basis that they might have seen the last few years.”

Tomecek said he does not expect catastrophic herd declines in deer as happened during the 2011 drought. But along with fewer deer, hunters will likely see a decline in antler quality.

“Genetics play a role in antler quality, but the vast majority of antler production is nutrition,” he said. “It would take an aggressive supplementation regimen for a deer herd to make a difference because it’s very difficult to replace an entire diet with supplemental feed.”

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department quail survey is not complete yet, but long-term AgriLife Extension studies show quail numbers dwindle during drought, Tomecek said. This means hunters and landowners should pay close attention to the quail they are harvesting to avoid a long-term detrimental effect on local bird populations.

Tomecek said landowners are very adept to self-regulation when it comes to quail, and that this season might be the time to dial back on harvest numbers.

“Historically, severe drought conditions can have a sharp effect on quail in the short-term,” he said. “Quail should have a lot of offspring compared to the number of adults during a typical year. So, hunters should age the birds in hand during hunts. If they see higher numbers of mature birds and not many juvenile birds, they may want to stop hunting for the season to avoid cutting into the brood stock too much.”

Turkey numbers will likely be affected by drought conditions, but hens and young birds have a dietary option – insects – that may assist a flock’s survival rate,Tomecek said.

“Turkeys don’t reproduce in high numbers like quail, so hunters might see smaller flocks,” he said. “Hens and younger birds have a more flexible diet and may have zeroed in on insects. We had a decent grasshopper crop this summer, and those birds may have made good use of them.”

Tomecek said dove season has been slow in many areas of the state, but migration numbers could rise quickly with a cold front.

“I would tell hunters to have their shells and shotguns ready for the first real cold front of the season,” he said. “Landowners who have millet, sorghum or another seed crops would be smart to hold off shredding some until then and cut heavy before the cold front. That might mean birds stay in an area for a day or two if there is extra food on the ground.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

The 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts

CENTRAL: Most fields and pastures had armyworms, and producers were actively spraying between rains. Pastures and crops continued to recuperate following recent rains. Livestock were in good condition. Hay producers should be able to get one or two more cuttings. A majority of cotton producers were done harvesting. Nearly all counties reported good soil moisture. Overall crop, livestock, rangeland and pasture ratings were good in a majority of counties.

ROLLING PLAINS: Recent rains helped replenish soil moisture and fill stock tanks. Pastures and rangelands improved and were in fair to good condition. Armyworms were very active in pastures, lawns and newly sprouted wheat. Winter wheat planting picked up. Producers were applying fertilizer and defoliating cotton. Cotton started to bloom in some areas.

COASTAL BEND: No report.

EAST: Scattered thunderstorms paired with steady rains continued to replenish soil moisture levels across the district. Gregg County ponds were filling up, and conditions were extremely wet. Marion County reported ponds were still low as was the quality of grasses in pastures. Anderson County reported cotton was fair, and land preparation for wheat planting was at a standstill. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor in Wood, Anderson and Marion counties and good in Sabine and Shelby counties. All other counties reported pasture and rangeland conditions were fair. Sabine County reported warm-season grasses rebounded, and producers were hopeful about forage and hay crops and chances of a good third cutting. Subsoil conditions were adequate apart from Marion, Angelina and Houston counties, which reported short conditions. Topsoil conditions were surplus in Panola, Gregg and Polk counties. Anderson, Marion and Houston counties reported short topsoil conditions, and all other counties reported adequate conditions. Anderson and Marion county producers continued supplemental feeding due to drought. Livestock were fair to good in Smith County with some supplementation taking place. Houston County cattle prices were up, and buyers were aggressive with continued optimism for wheat. Gregg County cattle prices were holding steady to lower than average overall. Armyworms were very destructive in all counties despite producers spraying. Cherokee and Panola counties’ producers were reporting the worst infestations they’d ever experienced. Anderson and Shelby counties reported insecticides became hard to find due to armyworm outbreaks. Feral hogs were still a problem in Anderson, Wood and Henderson counties. Horn files were out in full force in Anderson County.

SOUTH PLAINS: Recent frequent rains helped saturate the topsoil and subsoil, but most areas still needed more moisture. Rains varied across counties from 0.5 of an inch to 3-plus inches. Cooler temperatures and more cloudy days prevented moisture evaporation. Crops continued to mature. Producers began the peanut harvest. Armyworms damaged much of the hay crop. Cotton looked very good despite short moisture this season. Producers were beginning to utilize harvest aides and prepare for harvest. Winter wheat needed moisture. Some ranchers reported improved pasture conditions. Pastures and rangelands remained in fair to good condition. Cattle were in good condition.

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near-normal with some moisture in areas. Rain events also brought fall like temperatures. More moisture was still needed throughout the district. Armstrong County was still very dry but was expecting to receive moisture. Sorghum started coloring, and some wheat was planted. Pasture conditions were still dry, but no fires were reported in the past couple of weeks. Carson County received some rain, but conditions were still very dry. Hall County received county-wide rain, which eased drought pressure and helped pasture and cattle conditions. Cotton looked good and continued to develop, but producers were concerned about fiber maturity due to cooler night-time temperatures. Lint yield potential remained very high. Cotton harvest aid applications were expected to start soon. Peanuts were being harvested. Ochiltree County received some general rainfall, which halted early corn harvest and wheat planting activities. Wheat already planted was off to an excellent start. Grain sorghum continued to develop with record-breaking yields expected. Harvest of early planted fields should begin soon. Soybean harvest was halted due to rainfall, but yields so far were very good.

NORTH: With the recent rain, most of the counties reported adequate topsoil and subsoil moisture. Over the district, reports of anywhere from 4-6 inches of rain fell during the reporting period. Almost every county reported armyworm numbers were almost insurmountable. Despite a vast outbreak of armyworms, farmers did not report significant damages to crops so far. Grasses were green, and pastures and hayfields had rebounded. Hay producers were ecstatic with recent cuttings. Livestock were in good condition.

FAR WEST: No report.

WEST CENTRAL: Rains of up to 2 inches were reported, but all areas needed more moisture. Pastures improved, and forage growth increased. Many producers were waiting for conditions to dry enough to plant small grain. Armyworm activity increased. The market continued an upward price trend with stocker steers and heifers selling $5 to $10 higher per hundredweight. Prices on feeder steers and heifers were steady to $2 higher per hundredweight. Packer cows and bulls were steady. Pairs and bred cows continued to grow in demand with improved grazing conditions and hay production potential.

SOUTHEAST: Rainfall replenished soil moisture. Livestock were in good condition. Some cotton was harvested and weathered the rain well. Wet field conditions in some areas halted cotton harvest, and defoliated cotton fields that received rains were seeing seeds germinating in the bolls. Armyworm numbers were high and were impacting pastures and hay fields. Rains helped green up pastures. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied from excellent to poor with good being most common. Soil moisture levels ranged from adequate to surplus with adequate being most common.

SOUTHWEST: Pasture and rangeland conditions improved significantly due to recent rains. The soil profile was fully saturated. Rivers, creeks and tanks were filled. Cotton farmers found it difficult to harvest due to recent rains. Livestock conditions responded favorably to increased forages. Producers in many counties were battling armyworms.

SOUTH: Parts of the district reported mild weather conditions with the continuation of adequate soil moisture levels. Some parts reported surplus moisture following rains. Rain amounts ranged from 3-21 inches for the reporting period. Very little field activity was reported due to rain. Conditions were good for many cotton producers, but it could be challenging getting the remainder of their cotton out. About 75 percent of cotton was harvested in some areas. Peanut harvest of early planted fields was slowed, and some Southern blight and leaf spot were reported. Armyworms came out aggressively. Pasture and rangeland conditions improved dramatically with recent rainfall. Stock tank levels increased, and forage conditions were improving in quality and quantity. Body condition scores on cattle were good and improving. Some producers reported field conditions should be suitable for wheat, spinach and cabbage planting soon with no additional rainfall. Pecans were reaching split shuck stage in some orchards. No supplemental feeding was reported.

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Menard County Range Workshop set for Oct. 3

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Media contact: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

MENARD – The 2018 Menard County Range Workshop sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District is set for Oct. 3 at the Murchison/Whitehead Memorial Youth Complex, 190 W. U.S. Highway 190 in Menard.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the program starting at 8 a.m. Cost is $25 per person or $35 per couple. Lunch is included and sponsored by Capital Farm Credit. Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered: two integrated pest management, two general and one laws and regulations.

“From range management and current leasing legal issues to predator control, we have a variety of topics that will be of interest to all producers,” said Lisa Brown, AgriLife Extension agent for Menard County.

Topics and speakers will be:

– Individual Plant Treatment and Sprayer Calibration, Dr. Bob Lyons, AgriLife Extension range specialist, Uvalde.

– Leasing Laws, Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo.

– Predator Control Using Livestock Guardian Dogs, Bob Buchholz, rancher.

– Chemical Management of Live Oak Wilt, Dr. David Appel, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist, College Station.

– Wild Pig Management, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall.

– Identifying and Treating Mexican Needle Grass, Dr. Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension range specialist, College Station.

 

To register, call 325-396-4708 or 325-396-4787 by Oct. 2.

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