By Todd Carroll BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Over the last few years there has been a rising demand among some consumers to buy locally produced food and that has given Farmers’ Markets and Farm Share programs a boost. The Covid-19 outbreak that slowed down the big meat processors in the U.S. has fueled even more demand… Read More →
Department Updates
Texas Crop and Weather Report – June 30, 2020
Joe Paschal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, said livestock are entering a period he calls the “summer slump,” where weight gains and body condition scores can dip as animals deal with the heat and declining forage quality. Paschal and Jason Banta, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton, said cattle in much of… Read More →
44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy application now open
The 44 Farms International Beef Cattle Academy is accepting applications for its 2020-2021 online certification program. Applications for this comprehensive certificate program, through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, open June 20 and are due August 15. “We’ve developed the strongest course offerings paired with industry-leading experts, and we anticipate our third program year to build on… Read More →
From the Ground Up: Ground Beef Demand Surges During Pandemic
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -It’s safe to say that most of us have eaten more at home than normal during the outbreak of the coronavirus and that has been challenging for some folks that just don’t cook a lot. But, apparently ground meat doesn’t intimidate inexperienced cooks like some meat cuts do. “We have turned into… Read More →
Texas A&M AgriLife Study Targets Contamination Hotspots In Food Processing
By Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M AgriLife Communications Understanding foodborne pathogen pathways will lead to greater food safety. Food safety through a greater understanding of the contamination “hotspots” in our food supply chain, particularly meat, is a priority for a new Texas A&M AgriLife Research study. Sapna Chitlapilly Dass, a meat science research assistant professor in the Texas… Read More →
Fencing considerations for goats
Goats with horns and wire hog panels don’t mix. Inevitably, the goat sticks its head through the panel to reach a tasty morsel on the other side, and when it pulls back, its horns prevent it from pulling its head out. During a presentation on Keeping goats in and predators out, Reid Redden, Texas A&M… Read More →
Food safety tips when grilling, cooking outdoors
Proper cleaning is key to avoiding foodborne illness from grate to plate Cleaning grill grates, keeping a clean workspace, and properly storing and preparing meats are all important to maintaining food quality and avoiding foodborne illness, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts A clean grate is a great start Davey Griffin, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension meat specialist… Read More →
Mom was right about not touching slime; researchers looking at pathogens in food facilities
By Coral Beach on June 9, 2020 New research underway seeks to determine how and where bacteria hide in food processing plants so that they can be eliminated, to the benefit of public health and the bottom line of food companies. The project involves scientists at Texas A&M, Stanford University, and the USDA’s Agricultural Research… Read More →
Angus VNR: Above and Beyond Nutrition
All living things need specific amino acids, but people can’t synthesize all of them. No worries—cattle provide them by upcycling proteins from rough forage into nutrious beef. “If you try and consume all of your amino acids or meet your amino acid requirements from a grain source like corn or sorghum, you’re going to have… Read More →
Sheep, goat market update amid COVID-19 topic of June 11 online meeting
The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo will present its fourth online meeting on the impact of COVID-19 on sheep and goat markets June 11. The event will use the Zoom video meeting platform starting at 3 p.m. Participants need to download Zoom to their computer or smart phone in advance… Read More →