Category Archives: AgriLife Extension
Texas A&M Summer Horsemanship School Program Celebrates Its 50th Year
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Summer Horsemanship School Program just completed its 50th consecutive year of sending collegiate horsemanship instructors throughout Texas to teach horsemanship. This tremendously successful educational program serves to strengthen the foundation of horsemanship and develop advanced riding skills for youth, as well as adults. Throughout the spring semester, four Texas A&M students, Hannah Cain, Grace Freeman, Reagan Hoelscher, and Shelby Snidarich completed rigorous training in horsemanship, teaching, and both western and english disciplines. They engaged in immersive experiences in jumping, showmanship, stock horse, barrel… Read More →
Recognizing and Avoiding Heat Stress in Cattle
With the recent heat wave occurring across much of the country, it is important for producers to recognize heat stress in cattle. Here are some tips on recognizing and avoiding heat stress in cattle from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Department of Animal Science. In warm weather, cattle should always have access to shade and water. Heat stress is more sever with high humidity. Cattle can tolerate higher temperatures with lower humidity. When moving or working cattle, check the forecast for the temperature and humidity of the… Read More →
2022 Texas A&M Equine Reproductive Management Short Course
The Texas A&M Equine Reproductive Management Short Course has been an annual AgriLife Extension event since its inception in the late 1970s. Breeders, owners, and managers gather for three days to discuss breeding techniques and best management practices to improve efficiency and care. The challenges of 2021 led Extension Horse Specialists, Chelsie Huseman and Jennifer Zoller, to move the course to a virtual platform, resulting in a new on-demand online course housed at agrilifelearn.tamu.edu. Fortunately, the course was able to move forward with in-person attendance for 2022 allowing… Read More →
Equine Reproductive Management Short Course goes virtual for 2021
By Dr. Chelsie Huseman The Texas A&M AgriLife Equine Reproductive Management Short Course took place January 6-8, 2021 and was conducted virtually for the first time in its history. Participants joined live online courses to see demonstrations first hand and interact in real time with reproductive management experts. “We pride ourselves on offering an in-depth hands-on learning experience for participants, so to take this course virtual this year meant we had to work extra hard to provide individuals the tools and skills necessary to proficiently manage their breeding… Read More →
J. Gill, Canon receive Vice Chancellor Awards in Excellence
Vice Chancellor’s Awards recognize Texas A&M AgriLife personnel Recipients honored for outstanding excellence Texas A&M AgriLife faculty and staff were honored Jan. 14 during the Vice Chancellor’s Awards in Excellence ceremony, which followed the annual State of AgriLife Address, both held virtually this year. The awards, established in 1980, recognize the commitment and outstanding contributions displayed across Texas A&M AgriLife and celebrate the contributions and achievements of faculty, students and staff members. Recipients represent personnel in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M… Read More →
Equine reproductive short course set Jan. 6-8
Focus on efficient methods to incorporate into breeding programs By Kay Ledbetter 806-677-5608 | skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu The Texas A&M Equine Reproductive Management Short Course for 2021 is going virtual. Live demonstrations and site visits to equine reproductive facilities in Texas will be the focus of the Jan. 6-8 course. This course is designed for horse owners and breeding managers who want to learn the most efficient methods for ensuring the success of their breeding programs, said Chelsie Huseman, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station…. Read More →
Online beef cattle, forage management program set for May 15
An online Beef Cattle and Forage Management program will be held from 9 a.m.-noon on May 15. The program, presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Atascosa, Bexar, Guadalupe and Wilson counties, will offer one general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education unit for attendees. The cost is $10. Attendees will need a laptop or desktop computer and internet access. To register, email Chris Lambert at christopher.lambert@ag.tamu.edu. Once registered, attendees will be provided the link for participation. Make checks payable to Bexar County Ag and Natural Resources Committee and… Read More →
Color and Food Safety Considerations When Smoking versus Grilling Ground Beef Patties
By Dr. Davey Griffin1, Professor and Extension Meat Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Ground beef is one of the most common beef products consumed. It is used as a main ingredient in thousands of recipes and stands alone or with condiments in hamburgers, cheeseburgers and many other methods of preparation. Because ground beef is so versatile, new recipes and cooking styles are constantly being featured and advertised through conventional as well as social media applications. Traditionally, ground beef patties would be grilled or pan fried, but lately… Read More →
Livestock Auctions Going Smoothly, But Meat Processing Could Face “Backlog”
AUSTIN, Texas — Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, workers in the agriculture industry are tasked with keeping food on the table, meaning livestock auctions are continuing as usual. While more animals are being sold, what happens further down the supply chain is becoming an issue. “A lot of your feed yards are getting bogged down cause the packing houses are cutting down on their killing,” Donne Richter with Seguin Cattle Co. said. “And so the fat cattle are getting backlogged, and you don’t have many places to go with… Read More →
Opinion: Government Support Needed to Modernize Agriculture
World food prices have now fallen as much as 4.3 percent amid the pandemic, potentially crippling rural economies and raising sharp concerns among farmers trying to sustain their operations. (TNS) — The United States has built the most abundant, affordable, accessible and diverse food system the world has ever known, but the emergence of the novel coronavirus is revealing vulnerabilities that have been growing for decades across the food and agriculture value chain. From production through consumption, we must prioritize the development of cutting-edge technologies that reduce our… Read More →