Department Updates

Southwest Dairy Days offers a look at new technology, management strategies

Southwest Dairy Days offers a look at new technology, management strategies

October 24th, 2016

Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, [email protected]: Dr. Ellen Jordan, 972-952-9212, [email protected] DALHART – The recent Southwest Dairy Day gave dairy producers a glimpse at new technology and latest best-practices designed to provide better care for their animals and better products for consumers, said Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension dairy specialist from Dallas. Southwest Dairy Days at…

Meat goats prove worth in six-year market study

Meat goats prove worth in six-year market study

October 24th, 2016

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]: Bill Thompson, 325-653-4576, [email protected]. Dan Waldron, 325-653-4576, [email protected]. Rob Hogan, 830-278-9151, [email protected] SAN ANGELO – A six-year Texas A&M AgriLife study proved what many West Texas stockmen know; properly managed meat goats are valuable property, no matter how many you have. Bill Thompson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, and Dr. Dan Waldron, Texas…

Grill the experts at BBQ town hall meeting

Grill the experts at BBQ town hall meeting

October 14th, 2016

Writer: Jake Walker, [email protected] Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin Beef tenderloin was served at the recent barbecue town hall meeting at Texas A&M University in College Station. Barbecue experts at Texas A&M are having a special Texas Barbecue Town Hall meeting in December for pitmasters and restaurant owners to learn the economic…

Providing proper nutrition for wintering cows can pay dividends long-term

Providing proper nutrition for wintering cows can pay dividends long-term

October 14th, 2016

Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, [email protected] Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, [email protected] OVERTON – Providing forage and feed supplies with the proper nutritional value for cows is an important consideration for producers as winter approaches, said Dr. Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, Overton. Testing hay for quality can provide information producers need to…

Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and could increase profits

Weaning calves before auction reduces stress and could increase profits

September 20th, 2016

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…

Health benefits of beef brisket discussed at Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course

Health benefits of beef brisket discussed at Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course

September 15th, 2016

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, [email protected] COLLEGE STATION – Texas barbecue is famous for beef brisket and as a bonus for barbecue fans, it has many healthful traits, said Dr. Stephen Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist. Ground beef produced from the brisket contains high levels of oleic acid, which increases levels of HDL or good cholesterol…

Consumer prejudices affect willingness to pay for beef

Consumer prejudices affect willingness to pay for beef

September 14th, 2016

Study finds consumers don’t know what they want until they taste it Writer: Kerry Halladay, [email protected] Preconceived notions about food can drastically change a consumer’s mind. Offer a young child broccoli to eat and they might reject it. Offer that same child “little trees” and they might suddenly enjoy it. The same apparently holds true for…

Protecting vaccines from heat, cold and sunlight helps protect livestock

Protecting vaccines from heat, cold and sunlight helps protect livestock

September 10th, 2016

Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, [email protected] Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, [email protected] OVERTON – Ranchers should be aware that heat, cold and sunlight can affect the efficacy of vaccines during storage or handling, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension expert. Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef specialist, Overton, recommends producers visit with a local large-animal veterinarian to develop…

National Sheep Improvement Program to be discussed Sept. 12 in San Angelo

National Sheep Improvement Program to be discussed Sept. 12 in San Angelo

September 8th, 2016

Meeting to be held in conjunction with start of annual ram test Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]: Dr. Dan Waldron, 325-653-4576, [email protected]. Reid Redden, 325-653-4576, [email protected] SAN ANGELO – A meeting to discuss the National Sheep Improvement Program has been set for 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center north of San…

Annual AgriLife ram test will start Sept. 12

Annual AgriLife ram test will start Sept. 12

August 23rd, 2016

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected] Contacts: Dr. Dan Waldron, 325-653-4576, [email protected] Dr. Reid Redden, 325-653-4576, [email protected] SAN ANGELO – The 2016-2017 annual Ram Performance Test conducted by Texas A&M will begin Sept. 12 with delivery of the Rambouillet rams to the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, north of San Angelo on U.S. Highway 87. Dr. Dan…