Posted on July 5, 2019 by harkin802 By Dennis O’Brien When the sample of semen from the Duroc boar—a breed of domestic pig—arrived in Fort Collins, Colorado this spring, it went largely unnoticed. But the scientists and staff at the Agricultural Research Service’s National Animal Germplasm Collection knew they had reached a milestone. The boar semen was the… Read More →
Department Updates
Commentary: Will reinstating horse slaughter in the U.S. improve horse welfare?
By Courtney L. Daigle It is in the best interest of the horse to reinstate horse slaughter for human consumption in the United States. Related: Horse Slaughter Ban Still A Hot Topic Here’s why: Abolition of horse slaughter in the United States for human consumption has eliminated one of the management tools needed to provide horses with good welfare. This… Read More →
Texas has the largest cow herds in the US
Posted on April 12, 2019 by harkin802 By Rolan Rodriguez Now beef cattle numbers in the state are the largest in the country for the first time in years. Unfortunately for those who love steak and hamburgers, the expanding herd size hasn’t translated into dropping the retail prices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist Dr. Joe Paschal… Read More →
Important roles of animal protein in human nutrition and health
Posted on April 1, 2019 by maggielberger By Dr. Guoyao Wu, [email protected] or 979.845.1817 The English word protein originated from the Greek ‘‘proteios,’’ meaning prime or primary. This term is very appropriate in human nutrition, because protein is the most fundamental component of tissues in the body. Dietary protein (the source of amino acids) provides the body with nitrogen, hydrocarbon… Read More →
Ground beef from grass-fed and grain-fed cattle: Does it matter?
Posted on December 7, 2013 by maggielberger By Stephen B. Smith, Ph.D.Regents Professor, Department of Animal Science The internet is awash in websites proclaiming the nutritional benefits of ground beef from grass-fed cattle. However, researchers in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University have published the only two research studies that actually compared the effects of… Read More →
Experts: Use safe practices when processing, cooking feral hogs
Parasites, such as hookworms can be found in feral hogs Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected] Contacts: Dr. Tom Hairgrove, 979-845-5419, [email protected] Dr. Tom Craig, 979-845-3414, [email protected] Dr. Dan Hale, 979-845-3935, [email protected] COLLEGE STATION – With a proliferation of feral hogs in Texas, control measures such as trapping and hunting can yield the rewards of good table fare. However, feral… Read More →
Horn flies can damage cattle skin, need to be controlled
Writer: Dr. Joe Paschal, 361-265-9203, [email protected] The other day when I was turning out the cows to a rested pasture full of green grass and winter weeds, I noticed many of them had several horn flies and other cows had quite a few. I guess it is going to be an early season. The horn fly,… Read More →
Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and could increase profits
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, [email protected] Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, [email protected] OVERTON – Spring-born calves will soon be arriving at auction markets, but producers should consider a weaning plan that will help keep calves healthier and happier, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist in Overton. Dr. Jason Banta said weaning calves is… Read More →
Study examines health benefits of horseback riding
Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected] Contact: Dr. Dennis Sigler, 979-862-3595, [email protected] COLLEGE STATION – A study revealed many benefits for those engaging in horseback riding activities and for the first time, attempted to define the amount of energy expended in several common riding events. Dr. Dennis Sigler, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse specialist… Read More →
The Five Freedoms of Cattle
Writer: Ron Gill, 979-845-5705, [email protected] Animal welfare is a topic of a lot of discussion across the livestock industries. One philosophy regarding welfare management and oversight centers on a concept of five freedoms livestock under our care should be granted. Now, one could argue about the term “freedoms” and what that might imply, but when… Read More →