News Archives - Page 5 of 8 - AgriLife Extension Wildlife & Fisheries

AgriLife Extension sets Concho Valley Wild Pig Management Workshop Sept. 12 in San Angelo

August 30, 2018 by Teri Gaston

August 24, 2018

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

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct the Concho Valley Wild Pig Management Workshop on Sept. 12 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo.

The center is located north of town on U.S. Highway 87. The free multi-county workshop opens at 8:30 a.m. with registration, followed by the program from 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

The AgriLife Extension counties involved with the event are Tom Green, Irion, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Concho and Schleicher.

This event is provided through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant from the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Lunch will be provided courtesy of the Coke County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Association and the Sterling Wildlife Conservation Association.

RSVP before Sept. 7 to any of the participating AgriLife Extension offices. More information is available there or by contacting Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County, at 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu .

Four general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered.

“The old axiom about two kinds of landowners — those with feral hogs and those who are about to — sure rings true in our area,” Blanek said. “We’ve seen a huge influx of the pests here in recent years, which is the reason we are having this workshop and involving so many counties.

“Our goal is to bring landowners, managers and really, anyone facing the influx, abreast of the situation and what can be done to manage it.”

Topics and speakers will include:

-Wild Pig Biology, Impacts and Control, Josh Helcel, AgriLife Extension associate with Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Burnet. Helcel will discuss the biology and impact feral hogs have on the environment and discuss control options including trapping and exclusion fencing.

-Wild Pig Safety and Disease Concerns, Dr. Pete Fincher, veterinarian, Texas Animal Health Commission, Region 6 director, Lampasas. Fincher will discuss health concerns for humans, livestock and wildlife, to include the hunting, handling and processing of feral swine.

-Development of an Oral Toxicant for Wild Pigs, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall. Tomecek will speak on new developments and projected uses of oral agents for wild pig control once they become available, including their proper use and rules and regulations.

-Wild Pig Trapping and Snaring Demonstration, Doug Steen, Texas Wildlife Services district supervisor, San Angelo. Steen, along with Helcel and Tomecek, will talk about and show different methods to control wild pigs through the proper use of baits, traps and snares.

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Texas Crop and Weather Report – Aug. 21, 2018

August 22, 2018 by Teri Gaston

August 21, 2018

Dove season success likely to depend on food, water sources

Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Maureen Frank, 830-278-9151, mgfrank@tamu.edu
Dr. John Tomecek, 325-650-3520, john.tomecek@ag.tamu.edu

UVALDE – Texas hunters taking to fields to hunt dove Sept. 1 should find an average crop, and birds’ access to food and water will be a major factor in harvest success, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.

Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde, said dove adjust well to drought conditions because they can move to areas with more food and water, but that means hunter success will vary around the state due to conditions and food and water availability.

Texas dove hunters with access to fields with food and water sources for birds can expect an advantage during the 2018 season due to drought conditions. (Texas A&M AgriLife Communications photo by Steve Byrns)

Dove are negatively impacted by drought much less than quail, which rely on insects and native forbs, she said. Agriculture crops such as sesame, sunflowers and sorghum are attractive food sources to dove.

“Dove populations are much more stable than quail because they utilize agricultural fields,” she said.

Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall, said bird populations were spotty in Texas due to drought.

Hunters with access to areas where the birds have food sources, water and roosts should have an advantage over areas without, he said. The loss of commodity crops due to drought allowed annual volunteer plants, including sunflowers, to emerge.

“Birds will be moving between food and water sources as they make their way south,” he said. “Food and water are in short supply in a lot of areas, so the places that do have these, and trees to roost in, should hold a lot of birds.”

Providing food sources for dove can improve hunter success, but it can also be illegal if state laws are not followed, Tomecek said.

In Texas, the official recommendations regarding “normal agricultural operation” are produced by AgriLife Extension, Tomecek said. Recommendations can be found at https://bit.ly/2OULRSE.

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, farmers 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.

“The best way to explain it is that if you put seed or grain on the ground this time of year, 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.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

The 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts

CENTRAL: Much-needed rains improved pasture and hay field conditions. One area reported 2 inches of rain. Producers hope the rain will translate into a late-season cutting of hay. Daytime temperatures remained in the upper 90s. Conditions were still dry. Corn harvest was nearing completion with very few fields remaining. Cotton harvest began. Cattle remained in good body condition. Stock pond levels were still low. Supplemental feed was needed for livestock on pasture. Nearly all counties reported poor soil moisture and poor rangeland and pasture conditions. Overall crop and livestock conditions were fair in the majority of counties.

ROLLING PLAINS: Scattered rains fell across parts of the district with amounts ranging from 0.75 of an inch to 6 inches, while some counties reported no rainfall. Although rain may be too late for summer crops, it was needed for fall planting. Most dryland cotton was plowed up, while irrigated cotton was fair to good. Green-up and forage growth was good in areas that received rain. Ranchers were still downsizing cow herds due to lack of hay. There were concerns about prussic acid poisoning in forage sorghums. Wildfires were still a concern in the drier counties.

COASTAL BEND: Hot, dry weather continued to deplete soil moisture. Rice and corn harvests continued. Extremely high aflatoxin levels were reported in several corn fields. Soybean and sorghum harvest neared completion. Cotton harvest continued with a majority of cotton being defoliated. Yields of cotton were average or below at 1-1.5 bales per acre. Native pecans were dropping nuts prematurely due to hot, dry weather conditions. Hay making was in full swing though yields were not promising. Pasture conditions continued to deteriorate and supplemental feeding increased. Cattle remained in fair to good condition despite short forage availability.

EAST: Many counties received small, sporadic rainfall that did not improve deteriorating conditions throughout the district. San Augustine County reported no rainfall, while Jasper County reported good summer rains but overall dry conditions. Surface water was a problem for most producers in the district as ponds and creeks were drying up. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair in Polk, Shelby, Jasper, San Augustine and Gregg counties, and all others reported poor to very poor conditions. Trinity County reported concerns about a lack of grass growth. Wood County reported hay was difficult to find, forcing producers to ship it in. Smith, Marion, Gregg and Cherokee county producers continued to seek hay despite high prices. Topsoil conditions were adequate in San Augustine and Gregg counties, and were short to very short in all other counties. Subsoil conditions were adequate in San Augustine and Gregg counties while all other counties reported short to very short conditions. Cherokee, Gregg and Smith county producers continued to cull cattle. Trinity County conditions forced some producers to sell out completely and others to worry about the near future if conditions don’t change. Gregg County reported calf prices were up per hundredweight, and prices for cows remained steady. Shelby County reported large numbers of cattle at their sale barn. Armyworms continued to eat what little grass came back with recent rains in Shelby, Houston and Henderson counties. Houston County reported multiple fields were wiped out, and many producers lost their next cutting of hay due to armyworms. Fly numbers continued to be high in Henderson County. Wood and Henderson counties reported wild pig control was ongoing.

SOUTH PLAINS: Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels remained adequate to short. Some areas received 1-3 inches of rainfall, but rains were spotty and there were still many areas that missed moisture. Cotton growth ranged from beginning bloom to hard cut-out with zero nodes above white flower. Producers were concerned cotton bolls would develop poorly or drop over the next several days. Bollworm activity was noted along with a few reports of aphids in several fields, including Bt cotton. Producers were conducting pest and weed management. Grain sorghum continued to be scouted regularly for sugarcane aphid activity. Peanuts, sorghum and sunflowers continued to mature. Producers were preparing to plant winter wheat. Pastures and rangelands remained fair to poor. Area crops needed rain. Cattle continued to be in good condition.

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near average. Moisture was received, but more was needed throughout the district. Soil moisture was mostly short. Amounts ranged from a trace to 2 inches in some areas. Rainfall was beneficial to crops, pastures and rangelands. Irrigation of crops continue. The corn crop was wrapping up with most fields in good shape with recent rainfall and irrigations to finish up the year. The cotton crop was all over the board with some fields already blooming out the top and several fields still having growth regulators applied to them. The cotton looked good in general. Silage harvest was starting with some early planted corn fields being sampled. Producers were starting to plant early wheat and hoping for rain to provide grazing. Lightning caused fires in pastures. Pasture and cattle conditions continued to decline in drier areas.

NORTH: Most counties received 1-5 inches of much needed rain, but intense heat with high humidity was reported. Pastures went from brown to green very quickly. Improved pastures, such as Bermuda and Klein grass, were thriving and should provide another cutting of hay. Some ponds were replenished, but others were still very low. Corn and grain sorghum harvests were delayed due to rain. Wheat and oat crops were excellent, while corn and sorghum were below average. Livestock looked good. Insect numbers were high due to recent rains and were causing light stress on the cattle. Some ranchers in Hopkins County reported fall armyworms.

FAR WEST: Temperatures were in the upper 90s with lows in the 60s. Rainfall averaged a trace to 4 inches. Insect problems on pecan trees were reported. Mosquito numbers were up. Fire danger was still a concern in many parts. Remaining cotton and rangelands should benefit from the rainfall. Conditions were still dry, but drought was no longer severe. Producers continued to water cotton and pecans. Winter wheat was being planted on numerous farms.

WEST CENTRAL: Rangeland and pastures greened up due to recent rains. Despite forage growth, forage availability was still short. Stock tanks remained low or dry and in need of runoff. Livestock were in fair condition with many producers already providing supplemental feed due to lack of grazing. Stocker steers and heifers sold $2 higher, while packer cows, bulls, feeder steers and feeder heifers sold steady. Pairs and bred cow prices were up.

SOUTHEAST: No report.

SOUTHWEST: Most counties received some rainfall last week, but not enough to make a huge difference. Pastures and range conditions continued to decline. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay. Wildfire potential was still a concern.

SOUTH: Most parts of the district reported a continuation of hot and dry weather conditions with short to very short soil moisture levels. Temperatures reached 100 degrees consistently in some areas. Western portions of the district received scattered rain showers and reported adequate to short soil moisture levels. Producers continued to irrigate crops. Irrigated crops like Coastal Bermuda grass, watermelons and cantaloupes looked to be in good condition. Pecan orchards were in fair condition. Dryland cotton harvest continued, and irrigated cotton was defoliated. Pasture and rangeland conditions started to green up a little following recent rainfall, but livestock supplemental feeding continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to deteriorate in drier areas. Surface water levels were declining with the summer heat, and horn fly populations were increasing. Body condition scores on cattle remained fair. Corn and sorghum harvests were nearing completion. Livestock producers reported supplemental feeding of livestock would continue until areas that received rainfall improved. Some producers were hauling water, and many producers began to cull their herds. Wildlife were being fed.

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Texas Master Naturalist program seeks applicants

July 24, 2018 by Teri Gaston

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

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294 or mpmeuth@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Twenty Texas Master Naturalist chapters will be conducting training classes in fall and winter for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management, said the program’s assistant state coordinator.

Mary Pearl Meuth, College Station, said the Texas Master Naturalist program has 48 chapters across the state tasked with developing a corps of well-informed citizen volunteers.

She said the Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“We train citizen volunteers on the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the betterment of all Texans,” Meuth said.

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.

Training topics include evaluation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management.

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

“Invariably, many volunteers will go above and beyond their basic requirements once involved, and develop personal projects connecting to the mission of the chapter and statewide program,” Meuth said.

For a complete list of the 20 chapters offering volunteer training this fall go to: www.txmn.org.

Meuth said enrollment is limited in most chapters and registration deadlines for some chapters are fast approaching, so early registration is advised.

For more information about existing chapters or forming a new chapter, contact Meuth at mpmeuth@tamu.edu, or 979-845-7294.

For a more in-depth look at the program, Meuth encourages prospective volunteers to view the various videos on the 20th Anniversary YouTube playlist at https://tinyurl.com/y8my8jpw or follow the organization on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasMasterNaturalistProgram/ .

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As posted on AgriLife Today: https://today.agrilife.org/2018/07/24/texas-master-naturalist-program-seeks-applicants-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AgrilifeToday+%28AgriLife+Today%29

Urban Wildlife Series sessions to be presented in July, August

July 19, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Native plants, water conservation and Medina River tour among offerings

July 17, 2018

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

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

SAN ANTONIO — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present two of its 2018 Urban Wildlife Series sessions in San Antonio during July and August.

The registration fee for each is $10.

Native and adaptive plants that use less water can be excellent choices for landscaping. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The first session, titled “Every Drop Counts,” will be from 10 a.m.-noon July 31 at the Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 N.W. Military Highway. This session will address native plants and water conservation.

The second session, from 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 14, will be a field trip to the Medina River Natural Area, 15890 Highway 16 S. Attendees will meet at the area’s pavilion. Breakfast will be from 8-9 a.m. with tour and program from 9-noon.

Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde, and Matt Reidy, wildlife biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, Devine, will present on birding. Lee Marlowe and Shaun Donovan with the San Antonio River Authority will present on aquatic vegetation and water quality and testing..

To RSVP for these sessions, contact Carrie Huntzinger at 210-631-0400 or chuntzinger@ag.tamu.edu. Make checks payable to Bexar Ag & Natural Resources Committee. Mail registration fee to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 212, San Antonio, TX 78230.

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Farm bill, new crop technologies featured at 55th Stiles Farm Field Day

June 26, 2018 by Teri Gaston

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

TAYLOR – Despite tropical weather forcing the 55th Stiles Farm Field Day indoors to nearby Taylor, there was plenty of discussion on farm issues and new technology that drew more than 150 Blacklands-region producers.

Dr. Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in College Station, told farmers despite a low-price commodity environment there will be a farm bill – either extending the current program or passing of new legislation.

Dr. Joe Outlaw, co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in College Station, provided a farm bill update at the recent Stiles Farm Field Day. Due to inclement tropical weather, the field day was moved indoors to nearby Taylor. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

“Either way, you are going to get about the same strong support whether you get a new farm bill or they extend the current one,” Outlaw said. “If they don’t pass a bill, they will extend the current one.”

With the Senate Agriculture Committee recently passing its new version of the farm bill and the House expecting a vote this week, time continues to march on towards the expiration of the current farm bill Sept. 30. Outlaw said he’s “very upbeat” about current farm bill negotiations as mid-cycle elections draw closer in November. He told attendees he knew he wasn’t delivering the brightest of news amid a backdrop of historically low commodity prices and tenuous trade relations with China.

“Unfortunately, we can’t do anything current commodity prices or trade,” he said. “If we lose our China trade market, will the government do something about it? Absolutely.”

Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at the Stiles Farm, discussed tips on successful feral hog trapping. Blackland farmers as well as farmers across the state have sustained millions of dollars in damaged crops and rangeland.

“Last year, we saw $125 million worth of damage to small grains crops in Texas,” he said. “To put our Texas feral hog population into context, we have 5.3 million wild hogs. Compare that to 4 million whitetail deer.”

Tomecek said Texas’ feral hog population is growing at such an explosive rate that Texans would have to kill two-thirds of the current population to just keep the current population numbers where they are.

“People ask ‘Is the current situation under control?’ I say no,” he said.

Trapping can be effective if done properly. Tomecek provided examples of box traps and teardrop-shaped traps designed to catch large numbers of hogs, including the sounder or female hog. He said it’s critical to capture the sounder hog since it can reproduce up to 50 pigs over a two-year span.

Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension state cotton specialist from College Station, gave an update on new cotton innovations. He said ginners having problems with getting plastic in their ginned cotton. Additionally, he told farmers to make sure they line up their cotton bales and not place them on standing stalks since they are prone to rip holes in the plastic protective wrap.

Stiles Farm Manager Ryan Collett moderates the program agenda, which included feral hog control, updates on new cotton technologies and integrated pest management strategies. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

During the noon program, Macie Scarborough of Bishop received a Stiles Farm Foundation scholarship. Scarborough has been a Nueces County 4-H member for 10 years and will be attending Texas A&M studying agribusiness. Emily Murphy of Cleburne also received a Stiles Farm scholarship. She is a Bosque County 4-H member and will be attending Tarleton State University majoring in the agricultural industries program.

Bob Avant, director of corporate relations for Texas A&M AgriLife Research and president of the Williamson County Farm Bureau, presented Terry Poldrack the Producer of the Year Award and Larry Sladek the Agribusiness Award.

The annual field day is conducted by the AgriLife Extension in cooperation with AgriLife Research and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M.

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Mark calendars for Texas Master Naturalist 20 year anniversary gala

June 11, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Oct. 25 event to be in Georgetown

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

Contact: Mary Pearl Meuth, 979-845-7294, mpmeuth@tamu.edu

GEORGETOWN – With sizzling hot temperatures blanketing the state, the Texas Master Naturalist program hopes to cool things down with the announcement of their 20th Anniversary Gala, coordinators said.

The event will be the evening of Oct. 25 at the Sheraton Georgetown located off Interstate 35 and State Highway 29 at Georgetown. The Texas Master Naturalist program is a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Texas Master Naturalist Endowment Fund. The fund’s mission includes enhancing the Texas Master Naturalist Program, its chapters and volunteers, now and into the future, for the benefit of natural resource education, conservation and stewardship, said Mary Pearl Meuth, AgriLife Extension Texas Master Naturalist program coordinator at College Station.

“We urge everyone interested in preserving our state’s native flora and fauna to mark their calendars now for this event,” Meuth said. “This celebration will be one to remember, with a live band, a variety of live and silent auction items and a celebratory presentation by founding Texas Master Naturalists — all befitting our organization’s 20th anniversary. It will be a really cool affair to look forward to this fall as we head into what thus far promises to be a blistering hot summer.”

Michelle Haggerty, state program coordinator at Kerrville, said for the past 20 years the Texas Master Naturalist Program has trained more than 11,000 individuals who have contributed more than 4 million hours of volunteer service. That service includes time spent restoring native habitats, creating outreach events educating the public, building community awareness, conducting research and citizen science efforts while working with state agencies alongside local partnership organizations.

“What makes the work of a Master Naturalist so important is they are not only individuals who love nature and offer their time, but they are trained naturalists with specialized knowledge of different ecosystems, species, habitats and environmental demands,” she said.

Haggerty, who works for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said the mission of the organization is to develop a local corps of master volunteers to provide service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within the volunteers’ own Texas communities.

For more information about the gala, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/20th-anniversary-gala/ .

For more information about the endowment, go to https://masternaturalistendowment.org/ .

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Stiles Farm Field Day set for June 19 in Thrall

May 23, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Ryan Collett, 512-898-2214, rmcollett@ag.tamu.edu

THRALL – Feral hog trapping, soybean performance in the Blacklands, pecan tree management and the latest farm bill information will all be discussed at the Stiles Farm Field Day scheduled June 19 in Thrall.

The field day is hosted by the Stiles Farm Foundation and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. There is no registration fee courtesy of the Williamson County Farm Bureau. Lunch and door prizes will be provided to field day participants courtesy of local agribusiness sponsors.

The Stiles Farm Field Day is set for June 19 at the Stiles Farm in Thrall. The program features a number of cropping updates affecting Blacklands producers. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Two continuing education units will be given for Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator license holders: one general and one integrated pest management.

“This year’s field day will feature topics of interest to a variety of producers and landowners in the Blacklands,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager and AgriLife Extension specialist. “The program is geared towards helping Blackland producers stay current with new technology and learn more about operating efficiencies during times of low commodity prices.

“But, with pecan management, fence building and feral hog trapping presentations, we think there is something of interest for everyone.”

Morning session topics and AgriLife Extension speakers include:

– Tips For Success with Feral Hog Trapping, Dr. John Tomecek, wildlife specialist, San Angelo.

– Innovations in Cotton, Dr. Gaylon Morgan, state cotton specialist, College Station.

– Cotton Pest Management Update, Dr. David Kerns, statewide integrated pest management coordinator, College Station.

– Can Soybeans Work in the Blacklands?, Dr. Ronnie Schnell, cropping system specialist, College Station.

– Cotton Fertility and Cover Crop Management, Dr. Jake Mower, soil specialist, College Station.

– Row Crop Weed Identification and Management, Dr. Scott Nolte, state weed specialist, College Station.

Afternoon sessions will include:

– Farm Bill Update at KC Hall, Dr. Joe Outlaw, AgriLife Extension economist, College Station.

– Pecan Production in the Blacklands, Dr. Monte Nesbitt, horticultural specialist, College Station.

– Stay Tuff Fence Building Demonstration.

The noon meal and program will feature the presentation of the Agriculturalist of the Year and Stiles Farm Foundation scholarships.

The Stiles Farm Foundation was established by the Stiles family at Thrall in Williamson County. According to the foundation, J.V. and H.A. Stiles wanted to commemorate their father, James E. Stiles, and the land he worked. They also wanted to help neighboring farmers and others throughout the Central Texas Blacklands region learn new farming practices.

In 1961, the Stiles Farm Foundation was established and became part of the Texas A&M University System. The farm is used by AgriLife Extension and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, which conduct field experiments and use the facility as a teaching platform.

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Urban Wildlife Series programs will be June through August in San Antonio

May 14, 2018 by Teri Gaston

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

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

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas will present a series of urban wildlife education programs with water resources as its main focus.

Riparian areas that are a natural occurrence along creeks and around ponds provide the basics for both wildlife and livestock � water, shade, cover and food. (Texas AgriLife Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)

Wildlife and water will be the focus of the Urban Wildlife Series from June to August in San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

The Urban Wildlife Series runs from June 14 to Aug. 14 in San Antonio.

“The Bexar County Ag and Natural Resources Committee is sponsoring this program,” said Sam Womble, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agriculture and natural resources agent, Bexar County. “Last year, we had a very successful series of wildlife educational programs targeting urban residents. This year, we are expanding on that effort by collaborating with the San Antonio River Authority, or SARA, and Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.”

Womble said series programs will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Program dates, topics, locations and presenters will be:

— June 14, Why Conservation Matters for People and Wildlife and San Antonio River Authority and the Clean River Program, AgriLife Extension office for Bexar County, Conroy Square business complex, 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, Suite 208. This program will be presented by Dr. Maureen Frank, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Uvalde; and Amanda Nasto, environmental investigations coordinator, and Shawn Donovan, senior aquatic biologist, both from San Antonio River Authority.

— June 28, Water and Wildlife of Texas, AgriLife Extension office, Bexar County. This program will be presented by Frank, along with Jessica Alderson, urban biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Antonio.

— July 10, Stormwater Management for Wildlife and Water Quality; Ponds, Birdbaths and Wildlife, Urban Ecology Center at Phil Hardberger Park, 8400 N.W. Military Drive. This program will be presented by Frank, along with Lee Marlowe, sustainable landscape ecologist, SARA.

— July 31, Native Plants and Water Conservation, Urban Ecology Center, Phil Hardberger Park. This program will be presented by Forrest Cobb, research assistant, and Amy Carroll, senior programmer, both with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, San Antonio.

— Aug. 14, Field trip (TBD). This program will be presented by Frank, along with Matt Reidy, wildlife biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Devine.

The cost is $10 per program or $25 for the series, payable at the door. The deadline for registration is June 8. To reserve a spot, contact Denise Perez at 210-631-0400 or dsperez@ag.tamu.edu.

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

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Cancelled: AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference set May 3-4 in San Angelo

May 1, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Editor’s note: The following educational program has been cancelled:

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

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – The Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference set May 3-4 in San Angelo at the McNease Convention Center and the accompanying tour of area ranches has been cancelled, the conference coordinator said.

“Members of the planning committee decided to cancel this week’s Bennett Trust program in San Angelo,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Tom Green County.

“We are postponing this event to a later date in order to fully capture the land stewardship audience and address emerging issues.”

Bennett Trust Land Stewardship educational activities are funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment, and are hosted by AgriLife Extension.

For more information, contact Blanek at 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu.

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AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 sets tour of historic ranches

April 20, 2018 by Teri Gaston

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

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO – Attendees to the upcoming Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo are in for the rare treat of touring two area ranches, the conference coordinator said.

“We will be touring two historic Concho Valley ranches — the Duff Ranch and the Head of the River Ranch — the second day of the event and ending the conference that evening at the beautiful Christoval Winery,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Tom Green County.

The conference, funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment and hosted by AgriLife Extension, will start at 8 a.m. May 3 in San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive. The May 4 tour portion will also depart from the convention center after an on-site breakfast served at 7:30 a.m.

The historic Head of the River Ranch near Christoval will be part of the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

Individual registration for the public event is $75. Registration will be accepted the day of the event. More information on the trust and complete conference information is available at https://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/ or by contacting Blanek at 325-659-6523.

The first tour stop will be on the Duff Ranch, which recently received the Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Award for continuous operation by the same family for 100 years. Stops on the ranch will feature various aspects of responsible brush management, Blanek said.

“We’ll see examples of the benefits of prescribed fire on southern Tom Green County rangeland and see pasture being prepared with fire breaks for future burning as well as recently burned sites and another site two years post-burn,” Blanek said.

“Dr. Morgan Russell, AgriLife Extension range specialist at San Angelo, will also be on hand to demonstrate individual plant treatment equipment and explain the latest in chemical brush control using these methods. Trip Hallman of the ranch will discuss how landowners can work with energy companies to benefit their properties.”

After lunch served at the Duff Ranch headquarters, the tour will travel to the Head of the River Ranch, a property Blanek described as being steeped in a rich history.

“This beautiful ranch is where the South Concho River originates from springs bubbling from the rock,” he said. “Ryland Howard and son Anson will discuss the ranch’s considerable history, which includes the beginnings of the American quarter horse. We’ll also hear how the owners plan to pass the ranch down to future generations through well thought out successional plans.”

Other presentations at the ranch will include discussions of establishing riparian buffers, and livestock and wildlife management in the ranch’s riparian areas. Speakers will be Dr. Reid Redden, AgriLife Extension state sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo, and Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at Thrall.

“The tour’s last stop is the Christoval Winery, located among the large live oak trees on the South Concho River,” Blanek said. “There participants will end the conference in high style while being treated to a wine production and wine tasting session before traveling back to the convention center in San Angelo.”

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AgriLife Extension’s Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo

April 12, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Water conservation, livestock watering options to be discussed

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

Contact: Josh Blanek, 325-659-6523, j-blanek@tamu.edu

SAN ANGELO — The Texas Water Development Board reports San Angelo’s average annual rainfall as 21.3 inches; that’s 13.27 gallons per square foot a year or 578,037 gallons per acre.

How to make the most of that water, not only to grow forage but also to water livestock and wildlife in a semi-arid climate, will be among several topics discussed May 3-4 during the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference in San Angelo’s McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive.

The conference is funded by the Ruth and Eskel Bennett Endowment and hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Cost of the two-day conference is $75, which includes all training materials and meals.

Solar-powered pumping systems will be among the topics covered during the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference May 3-4 in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

More information on the trust and conference is available at https://agrilife.org/bennetttrust/ or by contacting Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Tom Green County and event coordinator, at 325-659-6523 or j-blanek@tamu.edu.

“Obviously, livestock and wildlife should have access to clean, fresh water every day,” said Dr. Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist at Fort Stockton. “But on ranches that depend solely on the capture of surface water, it becomes more critical during drought. We often hear of livestock being sold, not because the ranch ran out of grass but because it ran out of surface water.”

Carpenter’s talk on ranch water resource development will couple with a solar-powered pump discussion by Charles Swanson, AgriLife Extension landscape irrigation program specialist at College Station.

“West Texas is among the sunniest regions in the nation, making it ideal for solar-powered water well systems,” Swanson said. “Designing and selecting a solar-powered pumping system can be rather simple if you know your pumping needs like pressures and flows. These are easy to learn and will be something I’ll cover during the conference program.”

Blanek said this is the first time the conference will be in San Angelo.

“We’re very excited to have the opportunity to host this event, which will include not only classroom instruction, but a tour to two area ranches to see first-hand conservation practices in action,” Blanek said.

The first day starts at the convention center with breakfast and registration at 8 a.m. followed by the ranch water presentations and talks on livestock guardian dogs, agricultural law issues, prescribed fire, individual brush management practices and ranch rainwater harvesting.

Afternoon topics will include Edwards Plateau geology, integrating livestock and wildlife, and introduced grasses for the region. The day’s activities will end with dinner and entertainment.

The second day will start with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast followed by a ranch tour designed to demonstrate the previous day’s educational efforts. Stops at the Head of the River Ranch and Duff Ranch will include examples of livestock/wildlife compatibility, discussion on water resources, individual plant treatment and prescribed fire, and a look at introduced grasses.

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Hill Country event to address land stewardship April 26-27 in Kerrville

April 12, 2018 by Teri Gaston

Conference topics include tax valuations, fencing laws, hunting leases, among others

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

KERRVILLE – Landowners may understand stocking rates and managing grass, but what about the latest on fence laws, wildlife tax valuations and hunting leases?

The fifth annual Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service April 26-27 in Kerrville offers a chance for landowners in the region to learn more about these and more topics, said Dr. Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension program leader, College Station.

“Tools for the Trade” is the theme of the annual event featuring speakers on everything from grazing to prescribed fire and herbicide control to legal issues,” said Redmon, who is also associate department head in the Texas A&M University department of soil and crop sciences in College Station.

The conference will open with on-site registration, check-in and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. April 26 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 20 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.

“Hunting Leases: Hunting for Success” will be discussed by Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, Thrall. He will also speak to the “Ag or Wildlife Tax Valuation: What Your Choice Ultimately Means” issue.

Another guest speaker will be Jim Bradbury, Austin attorney, who will present “Fence Laws: How to Not Get Your Britches Ripped.”

From Field to Plate

April 3, 2018 by Teri Gaston

A new publication out! From Field to Plate is a guide on the benefits of locally harvested wild game and how to keep it safe. If you’ve ever wondered about the benefits surrounding the harvest and consumption of wild game, this publication has you covered and includes a pictorial guide on how to safely field dress, process, package, and store venison, with other game species detailed.

Plus, tasty recipes are included as well!

The publication is available for free at the AgriLife Bookstore.

WFS Academy — To the Future

March 22, 2018 by Teri Gaston

On February 13^th and 14^th, a total of forty-five participants, including Texas Master Naturalists and the general public, attended the first annual Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist Academy. The workshop, presented by Dr. Todd Sink, Dr. John Tomecek and Dr. Maureen Frank, covered topics focused on Aquatic Vegetation and Wildlife Management over the 2 days of attendance. The event is designed to provide advanced training to volunteers who can then support or expand specific county educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Wildlife and Fisheries Extension Unit.

(Day One of the WFS Academy)

Here’s what some of our attendees had to say about the event:

“So much information that was so darn interesting. The speakers were excellent and I enjoyed both days very much.”

“I liked the ability to learn and ask questions about Texas ecosystems – plants and animals.”

More Wildlife and Fisheries Specialist Academies will be held in the future. Keep an eye out for other training opportunities to come. Postings will be made on our website and on our social media platforms. https://wildlife.tamu.edu

You can also contact your local Extension agent to see if there are any trainings happening in your area. For contact information for your local County Extension Agent, visit the AgriLife People website at https://agrilifepeople.tamu.edu/.

We look forward to sharing more natural resource conservation workshops in the future.

Hiring MS Assistantship – Wild Pigs

March 19, 2018 by Teri Gaston

We are hiring a MS assistantship focused on human dimensions of wild pigs to include control, harvest, and propagation. The work from this program will help inform future outreach efforts on control, and the understanding of recreational harvest of wild pigs. The student will examine many aspects of control effectiveness, and generate recommendations for changes and improvements to control strategies, educational outreach to the public, and an overall state of wildlife damage management related to wild pigs.

This is a fully-supported MS program including stipend, tuition and fees, and health insurance. The student will be based in College Station, Texas. Although it is a human-dimensions project, there will be ample opportunity for field experiences, include wild pig trapping, processing, and recreational harvest. The student can expect to travel widely across the State of Texas, and beyond.

Please see the job listing below, and forward to all those you feel would be interested.

https://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/…/graduate-research-assistantshi…/